Anyone care to critique and maybe classify my tunes????

[MiGuElCaPeLo]

Struggling with getting a singularity of purpose but will keep on trying even though I have not had a forward


Here is a song I'm working on, any successful taxi members care to critique... Where do I fit this in terms of genre ???


Take care

M

http://snd.sc/pFV4X6


here is a rough mix I've done:

http://snd.sc/mZNVwr

[thokus]

Hey M,

Im Not a great genre classifier..thats something I struggle with too .. But I liked the song .. Its gotta fit somewhere.. The vocals dont quite Blend in .. maybe just a touch of reverb , not much, just a touch, to help it mix in better .. Good job though ..
Tom

[oakman]

M,

I think it might be best classified as singer/songwriter. Unfortunately that genre isn't always used by everyone.

I like the tune. I'm not an expert on production in anyway, but I think some of the more talented folks in that area might point out a problem with the drums not mixing well with the track. I've heard it said that you need to get everything sounding like it's in the same room. Although with a second listen to the first version you posted they seem to mix better in that one. And your vocal track comes through better on that one. On the one you call a rough mix the vocals are too far back in the mix. There is a moment in that rough mix I want to point out though, and it's right about at 2:00. Suddenly you did something with the vocal track that sounded really nice. I think you should do whatever that was on the entire track. Sounds like you added a delay or something.

One more thing, and this might be intentional on your part, but your intro thing on the rough mix isn't in time with the song when it starts.

OK, another thing. You might try some variation on the drum track. For instance, at about 1:40 a part drops out and it might be nice to hear a change in the drums there as well.

Hope I was helpful. Good tune. Keep working on it.

Mark

[MiGuElCaPeLo]

Thanks for both your replies... I am listening carefully!!!!!

here is another version!

http://snd.sc/nqhzjr

[MiGuElCaPeLo]

Thanks Tom and Mark... I know it takes time to give critiques!!!!! Especially when one is trying to be constructive! Cheers!

[SWD]

Thanks for both your replies... I am listening carefully!!!!!

here is another version!

http://snd.sc/nqhzjr

Hi M....

I really dig this.... cool vocals and the production is nice...

I would bring the vocals up a tad and lower the effect that starts @ 1:14.

I will add this piece of wisdom from someone with 2 forwards in three years of trying... for me personally I write my songs first for me... I try to incorporate the new trends and sounds but in the end I'm a bit stubborn and want them to sound like my songs and not like another version of someone else's song..... but this brings consequences... it limits the amount of genuine chances I have of getting forwarded and I have made peace with that.

A return is not a sign that a song is no good, just it's not what a client is looking for.

I still submit to listings but I take the critiques and use them to improve my writing skills in the hopes of making my songs good enough that eventually I will get more forwards without trying to be something I am not... I'm a Chef .

Peace, Geo

[oakman]

M,

I really love this forum. I have learned so much and really try to help others as much as I can. I should mention that I'm about where Geo is regarding forwards, but it certainly has taken some effort to get to where I was even in the running for a forward.

So I think your new version is an improvement. I agree with Geo about turning the vocals up a tad. I still think where the vocals are right at 2:00 is a good spot to match your vocal volume.

I hope I'm not offending, but I still think there are some issues with the drum track. I could be totally off-base but it just doesn't fit for me. I feel like less would be better, or it needs more variation, or maybe a different kit. There are some real experts on this forum that hopefully can tell me I'm just plain wrong or point out more exactly what I think isn't working.

This is a very cool song and I wish you the very best with it!

Mark

[MiGuElCaPeLo]

GEO

Your words and wisdom resonate... extremely so!

At this stage of my life, the process of creation seems to be more important than the outcome... but I'd be remiss to state that I would really like my songs to be successful... It's a juggling act that many on this board repeat...as well as Robin and Michael on their video casts... Hell Robin has dropped the the fact a few times about how Nick Drake had so little success whilst alive and then got Pink Moon in an ad after his death... I'm not a big Nick Drake fan but it's the point I guess!

Woke up 4:30 am cause the missus had some work to do cause the power went out last night in this Banana Republic I live in... I'm going to spend the day making the changes that Mark suggested and repost later... BTW Mark, there is nothing anyone can say or do that would offend me...

If you want me to spend some time on any of your tracks drop me a line anytime! thx guys!

Miguel

[kenmassey]

Hi Miguel, Welcome. I applaud your taking this step, it's very hard to put your song up for criticism and having thick skin is a good thing. I've taken quite a few beatings here myself and have grown better because of it. I'd agree that Singer/Songwriter is the genre that best fits the style of this song. I think Mark may have chimed in about the drums and I agree. They sound mechanical and lacking any dynamics. When I began, I used drum machines and got hammered by the screeners about how "dated" and mechanical they sounded. I've recently upgraded my gear and use drum sample libraries and the sound has improved immensely. Still, nothing beats a live drummer! Keep working it cause you're on the right track. Ken

[MiGuElCaPeLo]

I receive that Ken.