Ive heard of a thread being hijacked before .....
But never a song
hehe.
Firstly, thank you for taking such an interest in this track Blackbay and thank you for spending what probably amounts to a few hours posting suggestions and "mastering". I hope anything I write in this post doesnt cause you offence, theres certainly none intended, Im most flattered that you would spend the time that you have.
I little while ago, I got into a band called Porcupine Tree who have inspired me tremendously and caused an about face in the direction of my music. Their last 2 albums both have lengthy tracks one at 12.01, one at 17.41 and most of the other tracks are between 5 and 8 minutes. I recently went to see them in concert and was absolutely blown away.I decided I wanted to write a bit of a tribute using some of their production values and also to try and emulate their style of music for one track on my album hence the length of 12 minutes.
The Clock ticking at the start is there to signify a long wait. It was something I wanted in the track and spent a good while sampling it and farting around with it. I realise some may find it irritating and its funny how you get used to something like that and never give it a second thought. Theres alot of people had a listen to this track, generally people into this genre of music, and this thread contains the first comments ive had about it, all greatly recieved I hasten to add.
Ok, on to the "radio Edit". Firstly, heres a strange little irony. About 3 weeks ago, I sent a rough mix to a friend of mine, who liked it and took it upon himself to send it to an online prog radio station thing. Granted they probably have 2.5 listeners comprised of a cat and its owner, but none the less, he playlisted it and it got "airplay". for your amusement, heres the playlist:
<i>On top of everything, DeeExpus does an excellent PT tribute,
check out the lyrics!
1. Porcupine Tree - Trains (5:56) (For JeffS' birthday!)
-- Interview with Gayle Ellett from Djam Karet/Fernwood --
2. Djam Karet - The March To The Sea of Tranquility (7:24)
3. Djam Karet - Dr. Money (7:17)
4. Frost* - Here is the News (3:55) (For JeffS' birthday!)
5. The Third Ending - Can You Hear Me? (7:26)
6. Jeff Lynne - Now You're Gone (3:58) (For JeffS' birthday!)
7. Fernwood - Makena Beach (3:44)
8. Fernwood - Crane (3:23)
9. Fernwood - Crow (3:45)
-- Marillion Live - Family --
10. Marillion - Splintering Heart (7:26)
11. Marillion - Hotel Hobbies (3:11)
12. Marillion - Warm Wet Circles (4:10)
13. Marillion - That Time of the Night (5:41)
14. Poverty's No Crime - From a Distance (5:56)
15. Poverty's No Crime - Every Kind Of Life (6:15)
<b>16. DeeExpus - PT tee (12:22)</b>
-- Marillion Live - Family --
17. Marillion - Bedshaped (4:19)
18. Marillion - Six Months in a Leaky Boat (3:23)
19. Marillion - The King is Half-Undressed (3:51)
20. Marillion - Accidents Will Happen (3:00)
21. Marillion - She Goes On (3:16)
-- Debut of Big Big Train - The Difference Machine --
22. Big Big Train - Pick Up If You're There (13:40)
-- Interview with Sean Filkins from Big Big Train
23. Dave Meros from Spock's Beard Speaks about Big Big Train (0:33)
24. Big Big Train - Perfect Cosmic Storm (14:40)
-- Interview with Sean Filkins from Big Big Train (continued)
25. Big Big Train - Salt Water {Falling On Uneven (12:38)
26. Big Big Train - Summer's Lease (7:34)</i>
(sorry, just thought it was ironic)
Anyway, Im wondering why I come across as though I a) dont know how to write and b) as though this is one of my first tracks. Is it because of the song "structure"? My first album (this being my second) is comprised of 4 minute "pop" songs: verse, bridge, chorus etc etc and there is a track on this one which is a 3.5 minute song in this vain. Ive written that type of stuff all my life and like to think Im reasonable at it. As I said earlier, I want a change in direction and am writing now in the style of the music to which I listen to. Ultimately, Im not interested in airplay, hit singles, being a rock star etc. Ive had my shot at it, failed and am now catering for myself and anyone who wants to listen to it. Albums for me, I'm afraid, not singles. I appreciate your very detailed instruction on how to edit my 12 minutes down to 4, and also appreciate how long it must have taken you to analyse it.
With reference to your mastering, J.C Scott fairly much said it all. I havnt a clue about mastering, and dont prtend to. The only thing I do know is that a good mastering eingineer can make a MASSIVE difference to the end result. I use a studio in the south of England who I pay to Master for me and his results for me are well worth it. The first listen I had to your Master really made me cringe. It sounded incredibly Harsh, especially given that I was listening on a set of speakers that normally make everything I do sound great! (baaaaad speakers!). I burnt a CD for the car and listened to it again. Im really sorry to say m8, its awfull. Sounds a tad distorted in the high mids and has accentuated frequencies on the acoustics that I was trying to eq out. not what I was looking for at all.
Seriously tho, ive had a listen to your stuff and what you do sounds really well produced. Im sure you'll do great with it. Ur websites quite cool too.
Thanks again for taking the time Blackbay, I really do appreciate it.
By the way, its the damn radio stations that compress the hell out of their signal
Andy
ps Greg_L, your posts made me laugh! hehe thanks m8.