Back On Our Feet Again

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robus
  • Start date Start date
Cool song, cool story in the lyric & cool recording.
The vocals are the only drawback - and by that I mean they hold the song back.
I like the mix and the level of the vocals within it but your singing doesn't quite carry the melody or sell the story.
Mind you, your vocals are 2000% better than I could manage and as a guide or demonstration of your intent they work well.
 
Second mix...

Enjoyed the guitar tone and playing.

Big difference in the vocal delivery between this and the last song. Night and day. There is a swagger here that I didn't get in the previous song. You should always do it this way and keep going! I'm not getting a full sense of confidence and comfort, but much more so. Like I say, night and day.

The only element of the mix that stood out to me as a bit unflattering is the kick. It is coming across here as flabby or splatty. Not sure if those descriptive words mean much to you, but that's the best I can put it. It's there, but there isn't much percussive-ness or punch to it. I feel the same about the snare after reflecting on it.

Enjoyed this track. Nice job. I thought that for the most part, all elements came together here nicely.
 
Thanks, I appreciate that. My goal for now is incremental improvement with each new song. I will never have what might be considered a "good" voice, but I hope to arrive at something that is effective for the kind of songs that I write. At least, as rayc suggested, I would like to be able to demo the vocals.
 
I still get the sense that you're covering your vocals with effects and harmonies to hide the main vocal. I still think you're searching for your voice, and I think you're singing the way you're singing because you think that's how singing is done. I have a friend who, whenever he sings I think "Why are you singing like that in that strange 'affected' way?" I get the same sense here.

Now there's nothing wrong with vocal affectation - just ask Tom Petty - but there's good and bad. I think at this stage you're singing things which are too complex melodically for your current stage of vocal development and if I were you I'd strip it back, keep lower in my range, and keep it simpler.

I hate cover versions generally, but I'd really like to hear you record something simple and standard that I know, so I can hear how you'd sing it when you have something to copy stylistically. I'd bet it sounds way different from what you're doing with your own tunes.

The rest of it sounds great, as everyone else is saying, but the vocals are still the weak link and I feel like I shouldn't keep harping on it because I'm not exactly a vocal coach or singer myself, but you did ask! My other suggestion is to give the track and the lyrics to someone around here who's more accomplished vocally, see what they do with it, see if you can get pointers from that.

All that said, you're definitely moving forward - and I hate to keep grinding you about your voice.:D

Few timing issues around "Amarillo"... drums.
 
Thanks mate. I agree with all that. Simplifying the melodies has been on my mind lately. Part of me wants the song to be what it wants to be--usually too complex for my skills. The other part realizes while nobody else is singing these songs, it falls on me. It needs to be something I can sing.

It's a good idea to do a cover. I haven't done one in awhile. Maybe country rock. Any suggestions?

Standing offer: Anyone is welcome to put a vocal track to this, or any of my songs.
 
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guitars sound fantastic, nice spacing with everything. i like the vocal sound and tone. harmonies are good too. i think your transitions could use some buffing in composition, i couldn't seem to find cohesiveness between the passages for the most part. i think you turned the bass up in mix 3, and it sits much better there.
 
Thanks man, I appreciate your comments. Though nobody else has mentioned it, I think the transition from the second chorus to the bridge is too abrupt. I'm going to fix that when I get around to doing another vocal take.

I also like the way the guitars are sounding on this one.
 
Hey, gave the 2nd mix a listen. Really great tune. Very melodic and the arrangement flows nicely. Guitar tones are sweet and fit the vibe of the song perfectly. For the previous song you posted, I think I mentioned something about the song being globally dark; that's not the case here. Tonal balance is good and everything is in its place.

I don't mind the inflection in the lead vocal. It doesn't sound forced or contrite to me. I think it works well for your tunes. Every singer has got to find what works for them and it should be as natural as possible so they can maintain consistency. Having said that, you're pretty pitchy in this song. I see nothing wrong with using pitch correction to fix the mildly off notes and retracking the crazily off notes. Then you listen to yourself singing the part the way it should sound and you practice by hearing it. That's one way to become a better singer.

I'm not flippin over the harmonies. They aren't quite working in all spots and at times, they smear the lead vocal; bury it a bit.

The drums are still the weak point. anemic. Well, the kick is okay and blends with the bass, but the snare and overheads need to come up. The guitars shouldn't be dominating the drums.

The one thing I found is the mix pulled together when I cranked it up. It didn't sound good at low volumes. Be sure to check it both ways.

Ending stopped abruptly. Let the reverb tails go to the end.

Cool. :cool:
 
Thanks Chili. Your critique carries weight with me. As a songwriting I seem to be pushing in a direction that I like. More and more it is about melody and lyrics, then whatever arrangement serves those best. The downside is that this highlights my deficiencies as a vocalist, so I've got my work cut out. But I feel some improvement is taking place. I did actually pitch correct some parts of the vocal, but kept it as minimal as possible. Evidently too minimal... I'm going to give the song a little rest and then take one more crack at the vocals. I feel there is a better take in me. I'll raise the drums when I do another mix.
 
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