Hey, thanks very much all of you for taking the time to listen and to comment - the responses are massively heartening. I'm pleased with the updated version and wouldn't have got it to where it is without the feedback from youse folks.
I know there are still a few tweaks that
could be made. Chili, you mention that the low end still isn't there yet - do you mean that there's not enough or that it's a little muddy? From what I can hear on my speakers, I'm guessing it's the latter? I think you're right that there's still room for refinement there. In terms of my mixing environment, I'm mixing it all on Ableton and listening on
an EMU0404 soundcard hooked up to a stereo amp and speakers. They aren't really studio grade speakers at the moment, so I don't know whether they're making it harder to mix evenly or not, but they're not exactly crappy laptop ones either.
kcearl, I think I know where the couple of pitchy moments are that you're referring to but I don't think they're too detracting either. I've started having some vocal tuition since recording the vocals and can already see some improvements in that department, so maybe I'll re-visit them one day. As for mastering, I'd love to get that done one day though I've read on here that I can achieve the same outcome by running it through one of the presets on Ozone or T Racks and save myself a few quid, so maybe I'll just do that instead
The band comparisons are interesting too - I'm originally from half way between Manchester and Liverpool, and always liked the feeling of having a sense of place in your music so it's cool to see a manc and a scouse band namechecked.
rayc/heatmiser - you're both absolutely correct, it is a mellotron on the chorus/first instrumental part (though sadly not a real one).
There was also a request for me to post the lyrics, so here goes:
The tram turns and snakes
Through the city and out to the lanes
Hiding the fear and the shame
Of a word so misplaced
That it drags on behind like a tail
and devils hide in smiles along the rail
Then the man turned and said
You've been sailing a course on the oddest sea
and strange fishes swarm round you there
it's a dangerous affair
where the waters run deep and the
summer free
beyond the great beyond and laid out bare
So I burned all my books at the lake
And watched the embers glowing and escape
As day follows night, follows day, follows night, follows day
Hounds follow the scent to where we lay
At a sign my father he came
Spies are in the woodwork where they
Sank into the room
And faded into night
Slept-in clothes as word came for us
Powering through the morning darkness
Finches call
And cold winds softly sway
Motion wakes the antique porchlight
From my backyard door I took flight
Oh, I cried 'I can't see black from white'
Thanks again all
