*VER3* American Idol Song marcblack30, Tim W, me

[cameron]

Hey Guys,I didn't hear the first mix you posted. but it sounds pretty good to me now, except that maybe it needs a bit more bass. I suppose you backed the bass down because of the earlier comments, but I think maybe the real problem is that the bass was just too busy.Good hook, melodically and lyrically, and the opening lines are excellent:"For many years I've walked a lonely roadThe only company I've really knownIs my dream"This oughta find a home somewhere. Nice work!Cam

[derekmcfarland]

Great song- for any contest.I'm not the best to comment on the mix, but what I heard now sounds pretty good (even through iPod buds). Maybe you will find my other comments helpful:For the second part of the chorus, you went right back to the melody of the first line/first part. If you went up by some interval the second time and built from there, it would add some serious momentum.Someone said it, but I would avoid "ethereal."These two lines didn't sit quite right with me:"Is my dream" Maybe a grammar conflict with "I [have] known?" Or maybe we're used to talking about dreams (plural)?"I'm gonna sing out loud rejoice" Not complete?Seemed like a long space between "see... it's gonna happen..." in the chorus. Same thing between "few... that's what it..." in the bridge.I definitely hear this as a Daughtry/Cook thing. I think there's a market for this out there, regardless of what Idol does with the contest. You guys did well with this one.Best of luck with it.Derek

[southpaw]

Hey guys. "I definitely hear this as a Daughtry/Cook thing. I think there's a market for this out there, regardless of what Idol does with the contest. You guys did well with this one.Best of luck with it." +1. Nice work! I could also hear buck cherry or similar doing this track. The intro is outstanding, and works perfectly! Marc, couple thoughts i had mix wise: 1. Vocals sound like they needed more depth. ...Generic term... Sorry. Ill try to clarify. The vocals have that 'desirable low mid fullness'and i get what you going for here, but spacially it doesnt blend well with the instrumentals. It sounds as if the singer is in another room. I.E. a small room.... and the band is in a warehouse or something.2. Instrumentals are thin and dont cover enough of the bands. Especially the guitars. Honestly cannot tell what the rythym section is doing during the verses. And it leaves me confused for most of the song. Maybe my ears are playing tricks but Is there a arpeggiated synth in the background, or am i going crazy...? Overall The instruments seemed a bit muddy and pushed too far back, except for that riff, that id like to hear more of, or a variation of, by the way. Simple and sweet! But yea.. ya know, just listened again, and theres just a hole in mix where the guitars should be, i think if you focus some time on building that fullness up and find a place where it doesnt interfere with the lead this one will sound more ready for primetime, where i can definitely hear it! hthGood luckJamie

[k o star]

Yes, the vocal parts are much better in the mix now...I would like to feel more kick and bass... I think that would bring up the awesome feel that this song possesses...U could also cut a bit more low mids on the vox... just a very little bit more... IMOGood work...-Kel

[k o star]

Oh yea... I'm also really enjoying "Always" but that's another track altogether =)

[heinsite]

guys,i like the fix, much much better on the clarity fronts i was bitching about...but still, i think it needs more clarity,...vocal in some spots as was said. the backing guitars don't seem to be in the same mix! can't hear them clearly--still a bit muddy IMHO. can't tell you how to fix the mix, know zero about it...but it IS better, but still not there...luckily, the song is still solid as a rock guys, just need to hear all the pieces better!!the best,warren

[deantaylor]

Andy, Bill Thanks. I hear you all about the pitching. Vince, Thanks for the re-listen. I know what you mean about the first 2 lines of v2. They do sound cool, but can the listener understand the words well enough .. I have been concerned with that. We appreciate someone who doesn't know the words giving us an honest opinion there. I've got some alternate wordings that will probably sing better for Tim, we might re-do that part.Thanks Cam. Marc is mixing like crazy, so I know he'll play some with the bass.Derek, Thanks. I had many alternate wordings here, but both Marc and I liked "ethereal" best. Might rethink it. "I'm gonna sing out loud rejoice" is intentionally meant to be fresh phrasing .. unique .. not perfect English. Can be interpreted in different ways ... like loud-rejoice, a single 'word', not just rejoice, but loud-rejoice ... I think it is cool phrasing ... might be best not to think about it too much. lolJamie, thanks for the detailed comments. They are over this lyricists head, but I'm sure they will help Marc.Kel, thanks for the re-listen. You may be right on the low mids in the vox.Warren, thanks for the re-listen. Marc is getting there, might be there by now, but you may be right, and it seems others agree .. there may be more to get out of it .. even more clarity for the vocal. Stay tuned.Dean

[marcblack30]

new mix (4/27)IT'S GONNA HAPPEN TONIGHThttp://marcblackwellmusic.com/MusicTestDrive.htmlman you guys are great, thanks for all of the helpful and detailed comments!i tried to incorporate most of the suggestions offered up. i'm still not that happy with the e-guitars, i may end up retracking them from scratch, i tracked the parts in sections, different days, different weeks and i didn't keep track of settings so they're a bit all over the place.again, you guys are great! please leave comments on the latest mix if you would, i left the other mix up if anyone would like to compare. i know it still needs some work.peace,marc

[gburgess]

All in all I think the song is well done. I agree with those regarding the film/TV listing. Lots of movement. Which could help it get the nod for use in a film or TV.GB

[deantaylor]

Thanks GB. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.Thanks everyone. Check out Marc's current mix if you can, the voice line is much clearer now and I am hearing instrumental parts that I didn't know were there, so I know your comments are helping!The lyric and voice line comments will have to wait until Tim has some time and we decide if we want to re-record/change anything.Dean