What? Too early?

[Steenamaroo]

Hi all,
I'm working at a Christmas Single. What can I say...we're motivated chaps.

The idea is that it should be cheesy and obvious, very catchy, but kinda credible at the same time....Just a little bit.
Would love to know what boxes you think we're ticking, if any.

The mix is coming together nicely, I think. Bass is a synthetic place holder (DI-box is in the mail) so don't bother about that.
A few bits need filled in or made interesting....Some of the transitions between chorus/verse etc.

Would love to hear what everybody thinks, if you can stick listening to a Christmas song this early.

Thanks.

Rained All Night.

 

[RAMI]

I came in for a listen. But, I'm really sorry, I don't listen to Xmas tunes under any circumstances. Not even Greg's. I can't. I just can't.

 

[Steenamaroo]

You know what? That's fair enough.

 

[Llarion]

Hi all,
I'm working at a Christmas Single. What can I say...we're motivated chaps.

The idea is that it should be cheesy and obvious, very catchy, but kinda credible at the same time....Just a little bit.
Would love to know what boxes you think we're ticking, if any.

The mix is coming together nicely, I think. Bass is a synthetic place holder (DI-box is in the mail) so don't bother about that.
A few bits need filled in or made interesting....Some of the transitions between chorus/verse etc.

Would love to hear what everybody thinks, if you can stick listening to a Christmas song this early.

Thanks.

Rained All Night.

You know what? This is really nice. It's hard to have an original idea for Christmas, and yet you have... Great instrumentation/arranging choices. The melody is catchy; the chorus/hook is very solid. I look forward to hearing it with the real bass part. I don't have anything to really complain about. Made me think of that Paul McCartney one "Wonderful Christmas Time"... As far as timing, if you're not recording your Christmas album in June, you're WAY too late.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[fritsthegirl]

My favourite song on recorder when I was 8 was Silent Night, and I rocked that shit ALL year around. I never play Christmas songs now, but if I did, this would be it. I really like the lyrics of this, you know they embody the tradition everyone loves in a modern kind of way. What are you planning to do with this song?

I like the composition and melodies of your tunes generally speaking and this definitely has that sound I've enjoyed before. It might be WELL early, and there's no way I'm even going to start thinking about Christmas, but I still really like it.

 

[Steenamaroo]

You know what? This is really nice. It's hard to have an original idea for Christmas, and yet you have... Great instrumentation/arranging choices.

Hats off to Pete Gardiner. He's the song writer/singer, and the rest is me.
Very glad you like it! Thanks.

The melody is catchy; the chorus/hook is very solid. I look forward to hearing it with the real bass part.

Fantastic. Glad you think so.
Bass should be done tomorrow, all being well. I'll update the thread when it's done.

Made me think of that Paul McCartney one "Wonderful Christmas Time"...

Phew...The mix and tempo is kinda influenced by that Shaking Stevens Christmas song, so that's good to hear.

My favourite song on recorder when I was 8 was Silent Night, and I rocked that shit ALL year around.

That's hilarious!

I never play Christmas songs now, but if I did, this would be it. I really like the lyrics of this, you know they embody the tradition everyone loves in a modern kind of way.

He's got a way with words, huh?

What are you planning to do with this song?

We've had some decent airplay so far with previous records, so this is a 100% shameless attempt to pick up more airplay and get a bit of attention. That's why it's gotta be catchy!
Can't be any more honest than that.

Thanks folks.

 

[cakewalkKaKed]

vocals and lyrics are superb !!! ... surprisingly for you there's no dynamics ! is that cos this is a tester ?

as you say needs more,she`s a tad empty ...


looking forward to the finished track

 

[cakewalkKaKed]

actually,on the 4th listen now ... methinks its worth a shot removing the crimbo bells and "icon" piano riffs .. song is strong,the arrangement is imo off ... gotta be worth another version but with a non Christmas arrangement

 

[Steenamaroo]

vocals and lyrics are superb !!! ... surprisingly for you there's no dynamics !

How do you mean, no dynamics?
I suppose the song is all go most of the time..That's just the way it panned out.
I liked pulling it all back at 2:30, but I'm always scared to go too quiet, you know?
I've had quiet intros before where the cranked the hell out of it on radio and then the whole mix shat briefly when the song kicked in properly.
If it isn't a flat line, those boys aren't happy.

as you say needs more,she`s a tad empty ...

looking forward to the finished track

Still not sure what to fill the gaps with, but I feel like I need some sort of subtle lead instrument here and there.
I'll update soon. Thanks.

 

[Steenamaroo]

actually,on the 4th listen now ... methinks its worth a shot removing the crimbo bells and "icon" piano riffs .. song is strong,the arrangement is imo off ... gotta be worth another version but with a non Christmas arrangement

Heh. I'm definitely open to criticism, but it's an obvious Christmas song by design....
We made the decision to commit to the tacky Christmas sound so that there was no ambiguity. You can't accidentally take it seriously, you know?

 

[cakewalkKaKed]

How do you mean, no dynamics?
I suppose the song is all go most of the time..That's just the way it panned out.
I liked pulling it all back at 2:30, but I'm always scared to go too quiet, you know?
I've had quiet intros before where the cranked the hell out of it on radio and then the whole mix shat briefly when the song kicked in properly.
If it isn't a flat line, those boys aren't happy.



Still not sure what to fill the gaps with, but I feel like I need some sort of subtle lead instrument here and there.
I'll update soon. Thanks.

heavily compressed,which kinda took me by surprise cos of the past recordings i heard by you,its more noticeable in this track cos its kinda empty .. cos of that the flat dynamic stands out and makes the backing sound as if its an add on .. as you say in a full mix it would sit better ... early days yet,to early to comment on mix anyhoo

 

[cakewalkKaKed]

Heh. I'm definitely open to criticism, but it's an obvious Christmas song by design....
We made the decision to commit to the tacky Christmas sound so that there was no ambiguity. You can't accidentally take it seriously, you know?

vocal performance is far superior to the backing ... not criticizing,just suggesting another direction might be a way to go ... a crimbo track doesn't have to have the stock crimbo track sound

 

[Steenamaroo]

heavily compressed

Oh wow. I'm surprised to hear that.
I have the usual going on with the vocals and harmonies, but other than that there's no super compression happening.
There's a master limiter getting tickled to the tune of 3db maximum, but that's about it.

Definitely something to listen for though, thanks. I don't want it to sound unnatural.

You know, I was tempted to put in acoustic guitars when I'm doing bass, just because there's so much midi in there.
The voices and piano were the only real recordings.

vocal performance is far superior to the backing ... not criticizing,just suggesting another direction might be a way to go ... a crimbo track doesn't have to have the stock crimbo track sound

Fair enough. Thanks for saying.
I'm gona stick with this road cos it was the aim from day one, but there is still a lot of stuff to be added.
I guess your comments just reaffirm that. Cheers.

 

[Manslick]

Sound great to me man. It's kind of like Christmas Vacation in the feel but the vox come off as almost Christmas Rapping.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Sound great to me man. It's kind of like Christmas Vacation in the feel but the vox come off as almost Christmas Rapping.

Thanks man. Made me think of the beginning of Die Hard there!

 

[Manslick]

Thanks man. Made me think of the beginning of Die Hard there!

Yeah, same era.

 

[Steenamaroo]

 

[dobro]

At 2.40 that faint vocal in the background ought to be less faint. And how about a bit more high end on the snare? And yeah, a better bass wouldn't hurt at all.

Pretty impressive, man. Lotsa thought and work went into this.

 

[Tadpui]

I begrudgingly clicked, being a bit of a Christmas curmudgeon. Glad I did, this is excellent. What a voice, just perfect. The tune, the instrumentation, the mix...I've got nothing to add but congrats on a job well done.

 

[Steenamaroo]

At 2.40 that faint vocal in the background ought to be less faint. And how about a bit more high end on the snare? And yeah, a better bass wouldn't hurt at all.

Pretty impressive, man. Lotsa thought and work went into this.

Cool. Some things to look at there. Thanks for that.
A lot of work still to do, for sure.

I begrudgingly clicked, being a bit of a Christmas curmudgeon. Glad I did, this is excellent. What a voice, just perfect. The tune, the instrumentation, the mix...I've got nothing to add but congrats on a job well done.

Thanks Tadpui. Glad you enjoyed it!
I kinda expected begrudging listens, or none at all.



I've added distorted guitars in the choruses and tweaked the kick a touch. Bass still isn't done though.
Not sure if either are permanent, but I may as well share.

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