In R.E.M. -> Mix comments please (20Jan.)

[southpaw]

Thanks dean. Yea, along with a couple minor tweaks, i plan to change a few lyrics to try to paint a clearedr picture. I have a tendancy to evolve the lyrical idea and keep building off of the the core meainings of each line... Thus it makes sense to me, because i know what i fundamental idea of each line meant.. I have to often retrace my steps and think, 'would this be clear to someone listening for the first time'. Thanks for the listen, and kind words. CheersJamie

[deantaylor]

Jamie,Funny, I've been thinking about your song for a few days. I've wanted to come back and listen again, to see if I could figure out a bit more of what the lyric was about .. the subtleties. Then I started to wonder if a slightly veiled or poetic lyric could be a 'hook' in and of itself to some people ... making them want to relisten ... to get it all .. like on the old song 'American Pie' .. people wanted to figure out what all the metaphors really mean .. people spent years analyzing that song.But I guess in our modern commercial world most people want it handed to them or so we are told. Though for some genres maybe it is different. Or if you can perform and promote your own songs then it also may be different.Dean

[southpaw]

Dean, yea i agree with you about it seeming like people want the lyrical message handed to them.. I guess there are many different type of listeners tho. Some who really listen hard to want the writer is saying or conveying, and some who just kinda bob their head if they like the overall sound. I think tho, in the commercial market, their are more people who just dont wanna think that hard about the message of a song... I personally, dont like the idea of saying things without provoking a little thought, but its sometimes hard to determine where that threshold crosses be slightly poetic and just being unclear.. Anyhow, this song has reached the phase of being mostly done and now is the time to take a brake from it and let things soak in. I will revisit and refine as i see fit once i detach from it a little. Last thing id like to ask is if the vocals are a little too overbearing, or if they sit fine with folks...? Im driving myself mad with this! Thanks guys.Jamie

[marcblack30]

i think the vocals sit fine in the mix.one thing i'd like to hear is where you go to the E in the verse progression, instead of hanging on the E, try playing (E F# Ab A)so it would be:Eif you got reasonA i got rhymeC#_________B Seems that we'd make senseE_________F# Ab A But you're hard to findjust a thought, for some reason the E hits me strange.has it always been this way? i never noticed it before.love the tune!

[yammer107]

I really like this tune, Jamie. I've been listening to alot of smooth jazz in the car lately, so it's hitting me very nicely. I think the vocal level is fine - that Gauge is like a $150 mic then eh? Holy crap I have a $1000 Blue 'blueberry' I'm not gettng anything that silky out of..... but its pretty new and I'm guilty of plug & play... rather than experimenting. Only thing that hits me odd is the first break @ :45.... feels like I'm being pulled back or slowed down to quickley... I dunno; nobody else mentioned it. After repeating it a few times it seemed to flow pass me a little better Love the overall warm fuzzy vibe! Chris

[billg]

Well, I'm coming back a little late on this but I thing the production sound great now . . . far beyond my skill level that's for sure.This is a really good song but I don't think it's gonna make it for the alas. To me (don't laugh) it sounds like a country song without the country production. I've had nothing to drink this morning I promise.

[geo]

Dude ... really dig this!!! Nice hook and great production...Good Stuff!!Peace, Geo

[southpaw]

hey Marc, I played your sugg. on the guitar, and it makes sense. I originally wrote that with an A6 chord. I added the EP as a padding and little harmony, im playing some wierd 'modified' chords here, i'll check this out when i revisit this one after a few days. Thanks for the input.Yammer,Thanks for the listen and comments. Im glad you enjoy the song. The Guage is generally $150, i was fortunate to get it at a discounted rate that he was offering at the Road Rally for $87.A steal! Bill, you are too kind. Production is always a work 'in progress' for me. Quote:To me (don't laugh) it sounds like a country song without the country production. Ya know, this darn comment keeps popping up about my songs! Im not sure what it is, but i have heard this more than a few times, and im still not sure where my music fits yet in terms of my 'sound'. Quote:I've had nothing to drink this morning I promise.Maybe i should start! Amp, wow. Thanks bro. Again, i really appreciate all the helpful feedback. Im really pleased to hear people are enjoying the tune. I see my songs like children, its a beatiful thing seeing them develop, and a lot of work for a lot of joy. Cheers,Jamie