Better Believe - New Mix, less yada yada

[Mark Kaufman]

This one...it started out as an instrumental. After it was finished I decided to add lyrics and vocals. Now it confuses me...I'm not really sure what to do with it or what it needs. Any comments or suggestions are welcome...very interested to see if this one is appealing or annoying. Thanks! -Markhttp://soundclick.com/share?songid=6864550Better BelieveSailing past the facesAnd the numbers and the namesYou’ve been burned too many times beforeSo you just won’t play the gameBut no one takes you nowhereAnd there’s nothing there to seeSo you better believe in someone like meYou better believeLovers promise you the worldBut they only steal you blindNow you’re done with lies and takersYou’re gonna leave them all behindBut no one takes you nowhereAnd there’s nothing there to seeSo you better believe in someone like meYou better believeI believe in someone who believes in meGive me a reason to believeLove just brings you pain and tearsNow you won’t even take the chanceChoose a life of lonely days and nightsOver passion and romanceBut no one takes you nowhereAnd there’s nothing there to seeSo you better believe in someone like meYou better believeCopyright 2008 by Mark Kaufman

[zoom]

Hey Mark... I like the very Beck feel of the instrumentation. Good stuff all around, but I think you've gone in too many directions on this song.There are are a few key instruments I would concentrate on.... The electric piano is awesome.... so is the distorted harmonica... and the bassline run on the clav (I think that's what it is).... but you need to find some space in there somewhere. I might suggest a cleaner sound all around, saving some stuff for later and possibly getting rid of other lines completely. Also, I think spacing out some of the riffs is a good idea -- too much of a good thing can still be too much... if you know what I'm talking about.One way to start cleaning it up might be to speed it up slightly... and maybe get a different drum sample... something crisp and tight. Just some thoughts.Good vibe on it though man!

[heinsite]

very nice mark, i've been waiting for another from you, and we are rewarded!i have ZERO problem with the lyrics!but, what hurts my old ears is the tinny-ness of the snare et al highs in this--the beginning almost scared the crap outta me! i'd lower the highs some, maybe more then some.the vocals/harmony are very very very nice. the bridge is nice as well, though it's a bit familiar "kaufman", but hell, aint that what "style" means?i personally feel after reading zoomster that the tempo aint bad, kinda clapton-like in ways...no problem for me. but zoom knows his stuff, he might be onto something...that's all i got, glad you "lyricked" it, i dig it.the best,wh

[matthoggard]

Unlike most others, Ill not put my PROducer hat on. IM sure this is probably NOT a finished recording.I (like zoom) LOVE the Beck type hipster sound. You have definatley nailed the vibe.Lyrics are very well written. Just dreamy enough to get spaced out but the story is tight with a good imagery.Melody fits the music perfectly and when you kick those harmonies in it sounds fantastic. The meter and flow of the lyrics is really nice. Instrumentally its all there. It might be a bit busy in spots but this type of sound aint no simple thing either. My wife heard me playing this and started grooving around my office.(was really sexy )Sexy sound and Killer song. I figure you already know what to do with the production.Great job man ill buy it!Matt

[Mark Kaufman]

Sept 4, 2008, 1:00pm, zoom wrote:Hey Mark... I like the very Beck feel of the instrumentation. Good stuff all around, but I think you've gone in too many directions on this song.There are are a few key instruments I would concentrate on.... The electric piano is awesome.... so is the distorted harmonica... and the bassline run on the clav (I think that's what it is).... but you need to find some space in there somewhere. I might suggest a cleaner sound all around, saving some stuff for later and possibly getting rid of other lines completely. Also, I think spacing out some of the riffs is a good idea -- too much of a good thing can still be too much... if you know what I'm talking about.One way to start cleaning it up might be to speed it up slightly... and maybe get a different drum sample... something crisp and tight. Just some thoughts.Good vibe on it though man!Awesome help, Zoom! Yes, it was very Beck-like as an instrumental. The drums became overprocessed on the mixdown...the mixdown is always my bane...compression, EQ, touch of reverb, stereo expander all have made this a tinny, muddy mix. Even made you think there was an electric harmonica somehow. The drums sound great on their own track, so I'll have another go at a mix and see if I can make it all come through. Maybe I'll also post an instrumental version for kicks.I don't really agree about the tempo.I've been hearing different melodies on this for about a week (the instruments were done then) but didn't know what to say. This morning I finally got a lyrical idea, so I worked fast and this is the first finished version. It just might change again...Thanks! Much appreciated. -mk

[Mark Kaufman]

Sept 4, 2008, 3:27pm, heinsite wrote:very nice mark, i've been waiting for another from you, and we are rewarded!i have ZERO problem with the lyrics!but, what hurts my old ears is the tinny-ness of the snare et al highs in this--the beginning almost scared the crap outta me! i'd lower the highs some, maybe more then some.the vocals/harmony are very very very nice. the bridge is nice as well, though it's a bit familiar "kaufman", but hell, aint that what "style" means?i personally feel after reading zoomster that the tempo aint bad, kinda clapton-like in ways...no problem for me. but zoom knows his stuff, he might be onto something...that's all i got, glad you "lyricked" it, i dig it.the best,whHey, I'm glad you liked the lyrics--they were a rush job! But they are also not so important on a song like this...which is sort of why I rushed them.But yes, the drums sound horrid on this mixdown. I can fix that. Just not easily. Like I said, the original track sounds great, but things get wiggy with compression and EQ. I really fumble around with this stuff...I know what I want to hear, but can't always make the equipment cooperate.Thanks Warren! Mucho gracias.

[Mark Kaufman]

Sept 4, 2008, 3:44pm, matthoggard wrote:Unlike most others, Ill not put my PROducer hat on. IM sure this is probably NOT a finished recording.I (like zoom) LOVE the Beck type hipster sound. You have definatley nailed the vibe.Lyrics are very well written. Just dreamy enough to get spaced out but the story is tight with a good imagery.Melody fits the music perfectly and when you kick those harmonies in it sounds fantastic. The meter and flow of the lyrics is really nice. Instrumentally its all there. It might be a bit busy in spots but this type of sound aint no simple thing either. My wife heard me playing this and started grooving around my office.(was really sexy )Sexy sound and Killer song. I figure you already know what to do with the production.Great job man ill buy it!MattWow, Matt, your wife made my day! It made her dance, and HER DANCE made you think the song is sexy. But I really appreciate hearing what worked for you. Seems like I need to focus on the mixing.Thank you very much! Now get off that computer and go kiss your wife.

[grandmatarkin]

Funny, I immediately thought of Beck too... nice! Couple of comments... 1) I'd make the little intro a little shorter... maybe just half the length.2) I'm hearing a full stop at 1:07-1:08... I don't know why... I just am (and all the equivalent parts later on)3) Bridge is awesome!4) hold back a little on the drum fills, I'd say. Save them for the biggest moments5) as for the tempo issue, i would speed it up slightly... not too much, but right now I feel a bit of dragging. Overall I thought it was very cool.... nice vibe and lots of potential. Good luck!

[billg]

hey Mark, this is a cool song & i really like it. I think the drums may have worked better for the instrumental version than this one. The sound is too overprocessed & there are too many un-natural sounding fills. Also, I kept wanting to hear some upfront guitar work throughout . . . something "jangly" would be cool.

[teashea]

Just like over at JPF, I like it. I think it has interest and energy. It makes me want to listen to it.Tom