Hardcore

  • Thread starter Thread starter macle
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wes was kind enough to critique this song on the Buzz Is Over thread, but since I started a thread for this song, thought it would be better to reply here:
man...i really like hardcore. It's a great tune...you really have a great songwriting style going there.

Loving the bass tone....the only thing that sounds a little strange to me (and since you are now my homerecording god...need i say uncharacteristic? hehe)

on the part that says "you don't need anyone...you don't want anything"

I am hearing a very high crackle...almost like a clipping but i am not sure. now...it could just be the "grit" from the voice...I can't tell exactly..i mainly hear it on the words "need...one....want...thing" and then..."it's easy to *be*"

just...a very high crackle there...don't know if you can hear it or not could just be my stuff who knows. If it is the grit in the vocals or something...I dunno...i guess to me it would sound better without it. (not without the grit..just without the crackle)

but, tell your gf she did a great job on that vocal delivery...it's awesome. i was wanting to ask you if either of you guys have had voice lessons? maybe i asked you that before and forgot. but, i am wanting to find a teacher to help me with range a bit...but, really find a good way to put a little more "edge" on my vocals...you guys do a great job of that. later.
Click to expand...

hi wes. thanks a lot for checking out this tune. hmmm, i don't know what that crackle could be. could be mp3ing, though i haven't noticed any crackle myself. mp3ing does cause a million overs (has anyone else noticed this?), but i don't usually notice actual clipping myself. i'm pretty sure there's no crackle in the actual wav of the mix.

anyway, my girlfriend says "thanks a lot!!" Neither one of us has had singing lessons. As far as the edgy thing goes, I think it's just a matter of doing it, and not worrying about the pain! My girlfriend used to sing very clear, but I really like throaty type singing, so I got her to go for it, and she does it pretty easily now!!

thanks again,
Macle
 
macle,

If I had a girlfriend who could sing like that, we'd never have sex, we'd just stay in the studio and record, and then have a cigarette, and I don't even smoke.

I hope you guys have found a way to make this music pay, it should.

Acoustic guitar recording was great, all there.

The strident edge on the singing, nice!!

Nice lead compliments the song perfectly.

There's so much going on musically in this song, makes for very interesting listening.

I would have liked to hear the harmonica, a little louder, for Bob's sake.

Only nit, song stopped dead at 1:45.

Partially aborted download? I think that's illegal.

GT
 
macle - ah..could definately by mp3ing. I didn't even think about that.

I am sure you said this somewhere in buzz is over...but I can't remember...what was your process for recording the bass? direct, miked?

I am trying (and failing) to get that patented macle sound...it's hardcore! ;)
 
macle-

I really like the sound of the acoustics. can you desribe how you recorded them (mics and what kind of guitars)

I'm trying to records some acoustic tracks and it's not going well at all. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brandon
 
Sounds like music from Crowded House with the singer from Sixpence None The Richer on vocals.

No time to comment on the mix right now, so I'll repost later.
Sounds pretty durned good on a first listen, though. ;)

Buck
 
I didn't have time to give the song a full listen earlier, but there was something that stuck in my head all day about this song....

The line... "Hard like the rain that falls when you're crying".

Hardcore people don't cry... at least, not in front of other people. That line seems contradictory to the title and to the way the dude is described throughout the song.

The title itself would lead a person to think that there's going to be a hard-driving beat, loud guitars, and a heavy vocal filled with angst. But, your clever lyrics establish the point of the song quite well. You are very "pithy" with your words. That's a big plus when doing a Pop song like this.

It's not easy to make a simple progression like this one sound "original" and fresh. But you seem to have developed a knack for devising a good melody and and establishing your own sound. I hear many influences in your songs (Joe Jackson, David Bowie, and The Beatles to name a few), but it's your ability to say alot with so little words that is so impressive. ;)

All in all, another really good song! :)
I'm curious as to your intentions with your music. Lord knows that you'd have an uphill battle to get recognition from the labels during these times of Creed, Brittney, and cookie-cutter "Boy Bands" that dominate mainstream radio and the music channels on TV.

Please, elaborate if you will...

Buck
 
Another great one! Really enjoy your stuff.

One thing I hear in my head over and over is the pulsing of the cello / strings at 1:09 - 1:25. I keep hearing a guitar / volume pedal there instead of the strings. More natural sounding? Remember 'I Need You' by the Beatles? That type of vibe.

I love the pix on your site. Nice to get a glimpse of the music kitchen! Keep cooking!:)
 
Hi GT-Thanks for checking out the song. As far as making this music pay, you mean people get payed for this!?! :confused: :(
A special thanks for signing the guestbook thingy!!

wes-The bass setup is bass (with old strings) to direct box (whirlwind director) to Averill API to Paris, then, usually a Ren Comp. Thanks wes, I really appreciate it!!

frist44 (brandon)-hi. The acoustics are a Martin DM with old strings (I finally put on new ones for a new song I'm working on!), and the setup is Rode NTK to API to Distressor to Paris. I put the mic aiming at the sound hole from an angle, maybe 40 degrees or something to the left (if straight ahead is 12 o clock, then the mic is at 10 oclock, does that make sense?) On this song, there's a capo on the 7th fret. Thanks a lot, glad you like the acoustic sound.

Buck-Thanks! Regarding that lyric, about how hardcore people don't cry, I think you explained it yourself, saying "at least not in front of other people". That's essentially what the song is about, a hardcore front on the outside cuz they're afraid to show their inner pain and insecurity and all that.

Regarding the intentions of what we're gonna do with the music, well, I don't like to think too far ahead, so just finishing is really the goal at this point, but I suppose it would be cool to have some sort of situation where we can sell CDs and maybe make some money!!, without having to sign away all our freedom and compromise too much and be miserable. As far as getting somewhere in a world of Creeds and Brittanys, I try not to think about that :rolleyes: , and ironically, I was kinda worried this song was a little too commercial for my own taste (not that I have anything against being commercial, but I just thought maybe it was too something , can't put my finger on it.) Thanks very much for checking out the song, and I really appreciate your critique and everything (I especially like the fact that you hear things in there that aren't just The Beatles, btw :) ). Thanks a lot!

chrisjorge-Thank you! Yeah, I love that sound on I Need You, that's not a bad idea! Thanks a lot.

Macle
http://www.angelfire.com/rock2/3songs
 
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the female vox helps to keep this song current sounding. Otherwise, the music could be from any time era from the 60's on...imo. good songwriting, and decent recording. I don't really see any problems right off the bat....mainly because the songwriting and singing seems to take front row over production.
 
Another great tune dude. You guys are great songwriters. Most of the stuff here I can barely get all the way through just because the songs are boring. I usually end up playing your stuff a few times over.
 
mixmkr-thank you! I really appreciate the comment "the music could be from any time era from the 60's on". I take that to mean sort of a timeless qualilty, pop music-wise, which is what I'm basically going for. I know production/recording wise, there are things I could do to make it more modern (use drum loops, for example), but I don't really like that stuff (as Buck says, the Creeds, the Brittanys, the cookie-cutters). Maybe, if we get this remixed by a pro, they can turn it in to that stuff. :( :rolleyes: :mad: :p :D

TexRoadkill-Thanks a lot!! We really appreciate it!!

macle
http://www.angelfire.com/rock2/3songs
 
Macle,

Beautiful! Your girlfriend's voice really shines I love the contrast between the smooth and scratchy vocals (seems really strange to keep referring to her as your girlfriend, does she have a name?) The harmonica adds a nice touch. Man what an amazing instrumentalist you are. I know that Paul would later put together an album with all the instruments played only by him looks like you are following in his footsteps. Did you go to school / take formal lessons or are you all self taught? How long have you been playing guitar, drums, keys, etc. Looking at the pictures of your setup I am amazed how much of a vintage drum sound you are able to achieve in a rather small space. Do you mostly mike the kit up with overhead(s) for all of your songs? Maybe the TLM?


Again can't wait till the album is finished. When you guys do get signed I hope that you end up doing a lot of the production since you have such a great talent for it. It will be interesting to compare the "pro" mixes with the demos. I wonder which we'll like better?

This song is a little more commercial sounding than "Fingerprints" "Joke" and "Rag" all of which I think standout as being songs which you get drawn into deeper and deeper the more you hear them. I think what makes those songs work so well is they contain a perfect mix of pop farmiliarity with the unexpected.

Rag starts witht the slow hypnotic verse until you are shaken by the sudden attack of the chorus. Plus the lyrics are very original. I particularly like that all the versus use the same rhyme.

Fingerprints is wonderful. The melody is constantly shifting verse, pre pre chorus, pre chorus, chorus which keeps things interesting but not so much so as to be annoying since every piece fits together so well. The lyrics are minimalist but tell a story so twisted you have to revist the song multiple times because your brain can't figure out why such a nice man singing such a happy song would do such a thing. Before you know it your singing along with the chorus and are hooked. Here is a song where less means more. Less going on than your other songs in terms arrangements of strings, melotron, etc. but more depth and width to the mix since everything has so much room within the mix and sounds so good.

Joke speaks for itself. I could hear this tune on Sgt. Pepper's nuff said.

Anyway the three above songs are enough to carry the whole CD. And since your other songs are also great it will keep the listener interested in hearing everything and not hitting the FF button. Great Stuff.
 
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Hey VirtualSamana-jeez, thanks a lot! Glad you like the harmonica! My girlfriend (you can call her Max) says thanks, too! Never took any lessons on anything, expect some piano lessons for a couple of months from a friend who was a student herself. Didn't learn much, so pretty much self taught. Really glad you like Joke, Fingerprints, and Rag, can't tell you what that means to me, especially cuz there were people telling me those sucked, and I shouldn't really sing on anything. I'm hoping to do more stuff like Fingerprints eventually, songs that are a bit different, so, anyway, I really appreciate the fact you like em!

Thanks again,
Macle
 
macle - a while back when you said something about, the industry people wanting you to only have 1 singer and "guess who that was?" - I took that to mean that they wanted you to be the only singer? They wanted Max to be? (not an insult to max...I just think you have a great rock voice).

Yeah I can't wait to get my hands on the finished CD...it will be very much played at my place. Personally I think "So Long" is going to "seal the deal" in terms of it being a classic album. Somehow it just makes so much sense to me, as a closing track...given all the other songs. Rockin.

-Wes
 
Hey wes, no I didn't mean me!! :( I think they were just the wrong people to be dealing with, but, in the end, a good learning experience I suppose :rolleyes: :mad: . Anyway, we think it's kind of cool and different to have two lead singers. Thanks a lot for the vocal compliment, and all the encouraging words, really really appreciate it!! :)

Macle
 
alright mac, time to pick your brain on a few more issues.

been listening to hardcore more...it's such a hit song. brilliant. the melody on "got two faces..am i seein double?" genius. anyways..based on the pics you have up:

when you record your vocals, do you have the singer "blocked off" at all, with blankets and such...or just standing in the corner?

which mic did you record the harmonica with? was it blocked off at all as well...? Great harmonica sound...

also, what kick mic are you using for the album? such a nice thump to it...I have the same drumset...and I can't get a great sound out of my kick. and you just mic the set as is in the room?

Trying to figure out that magic sound...your the only guy on these boards I've heard so far that I say "man...i want to sound like that"

thanks!
 
I've listened to your work before and I must say that you have good musicmanship.

SOmething about the general sound disturbs me though. It is either the mp3 conversion or the ad converters. Its not bad, it just sounds wierd.
 
Hey macle, how did you get the guitar sound on the elctric guitar at 1min 6sec. That kind of Harrison-leslie cabinet thing. Is it a peddle or a pluggin. I can hear it throughout the rest of the song too. Love it. Very apropriate.
 
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