"Self Made Man" - What do you think?

[rockmann]

We're wrapping up another song and would, as always, love to get your opinions on it. We've received a lot of valuable feedback here and we appreciate your time and thoughts. I apologize in advance for not being around to participate here in the group as much as I would like. There's just never as much time as you need...The song is called, "Self Made Man" and is loosely based on 'mob life'. It's in the 'hard rock' genre. Looking for feedback on mix, recording, structure, playing, etc. You name it. This is recorded in our normal manner. 5 of us located in different locations around the globe FTP our parts to one person (me) who then does the mixing/mastering. GT-6 for guitars, POD on the solo and drums are Roland V-Drums.You can hear the song in your default player by clicking this link: http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3 ... 875&q=hiOr you can hear it in Soundclick's Player here: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplaye ... q=hiLyrics are here:http://www.soundclick.com/pro/view/01/d ... =songAgain, we appreciate your time!ROCK ON!

[rnrmachine]

This genre is right up my alley heheFirst, I will do the ovbious and say what other bands it sounds like to me. Dream theater big time but the only song I REALLY like from them and it is one of my all time favorites by ANY band in ANY genre would be "Pull Me Under". At times I swear I hear a Styx influence in the vocal. Then back on over all sound again I hear a Queensrychish sound but not the vocals really, till "at times" they sound produced simularly. Overall it is a good sound. Not much to say on all the other stuff involved with mixing/production etc... other then it is nicely done. The power level suits the song well and was obviously recorded well. The intro was "ok" building into a MUCH better Chorus/Hook which then carries well into the next verse. I like the song from the the First chorus on. Something about the opening just didn't seem like the song was going to get "that good" but it got really good. Sadly to say, it don't strike me personally, as the "hit" song that would make me go by the album but a song I would later like because I bought the album.I said all that as a ROCKnROLL hard rock maniac. I LUV the stuff!!As someone who is struggling to get good recordings alone in my basement I applaud you for such an OUTSTANDING JOB!!!

[johnhampt]

Is that 80's Dream Theater/Queensryche sound coming back? If so, it's right up that alley. Otherwise, it's a bit dated sounding. This is the stuff I grew up with but I am not sure if there is a particularly large audience for this...

[rockmann]

Quote:This genre is right up my alley heheI knew there had to be at least ONE out there. Quote:First, I will do the ovbious and say what other bands it sounds like to me. Dream theater big time but the only song I REALLY like from them and it is one of my all time favorites by ANY band in ANY genre would be "Pull Me Under". That's a nice comparison and I love that song too. Quote:At times I swear I hear a Styx influence in the vocal. Then back on over all sound again I hear a Queensrychish sound but not the vocals really, till "at times" they sound produced simularly. Overall it is a good sound. Not much to say on all the other stuff involved with mixing/production etc... other then it is nicely done. The power level suits the song well and was obviously recorded well.Dee has a WONDERFUL voice/talent. He gets the Queensryche comparison a lot, but the Styx on is new. But, now that you say it, I can hear where you're coming from.Thanks on the recording props... we do this from 5 different locations around the globe. Mostly direct to PC. It's working out pretty well now that we have some things dialed in. It certainly still has room for improvement.Quote:The intro was "ok" building into a MUCH better Chorus/Hook which then carries well into the next verse. I like the song from the the First chorus on. Something about the opening just didn't seem like the song was going to get "that good" but it got really good. Sadly to say, it don't strike me personally, as the "hit" song that would make me go by the album but a song I would later like because I bought the album.I can see what you're saying about the intro... it needs that little something extra... some other sound or instrument to get the listener 'hooked' in. I'll see what I can add to it.Quote:I said all that as a ROCKnROLL hard rock maniac. I LUV the stuff!! As someone who is struggling to get good recordings alone in my basement I applaud you for such an OUTSTANDING JOB!!!Thanks again! I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. I'll be sure to let you know if I can do anything for the intro and post an update.

[rockmann]

Quote:Is that 80's Dream Theater/Queensryche sound coming back? If so, it's right up that alley.Of course it is! Didn't you hear? Actually, it should be making a comeback, but I doubt it is. We're doing our part to 'force' that classic/80s sound back to the foreground. We get a lot of comments from listeners that they LOVE this type of music and wish more people were still making it. So... It's hard to say. It would certainly be good for a period piece in film.Quote:Otherwise, it's a bit dated sounding. This is the stuff I grew up with but I am not sure if there is a particularly large audience for this...Yup... Dated sounding is another common critique. But, while we're all hoping to be able to sell a song to movie/TV project etc.. we're still really just making the music because it's what we love. I guess it's the era we all grew up in and it's hard for us to get any other sound. Thanks for listening and commenting!

[johnhampt]

I actually liked the stuff Bro. I am 38 and this (along with poser hair bands) is what I grew up with. So my only comments were geared toward the commercial viability. That was the only part that I am not real certain of. But, hell. Maybe it's come full cirlce and will come back. I certainly hope so. I don't like the pop/rock scene of today...

[rockmann]

You're right, John. The 'dated' sound does limit it's commercial viability. It definitely makes the target audience much smaller. Here's hoping your right and it's all just about ready to take off again!

[rnrmachine]

Hey Rockerman,I just couldn't get your song out of my mind, cause it is pretty cool. So I went and recorded a piece of it and half-a+sed tossed in some keys to show what I hear going on in my head to make it a bit more entincing. I truly hope I didn't overstep any bounds here. I only did it out of a soulfully honest fellow rocker fun deal. heheI put it up on my Broadjam site so you could hear it, but after you reply I will take it down.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transm ... hgbndsq=1I think your Synth deal that starts the song out teazed me as a listener, so I added a bit more. heheIf I was seriously doing it, I would have got more picky about choosing and tweeking the key's sounds to better match the song.. and better timing match as well. But ya get the jist I am sure.Really good song dude.... again I /applaud ya.

[rockmann]

Quote:...So I went and recorded a piece of it and half-a+sed tossed in some keys to show what I hear going on in my head to make it a bit more entincing. I truly hope I didn't overstep any bounds here. I only did it out of a soulfully honest fellow rocker fun deal.Hi rnrmachine! I know exactly where you're coming from. Sometimes I hear stuff like that and I just have to get it to disk to see if what I hear works or not.Quote:...If I was seriously doing it, I would have got more picky about choosing and tweeking the key's sounds to better match the song.. and better timing match as well. But ya get the jist I am sure. Really good song dude.... again I /applaud ya.Sure, I understand that. I like a couple of the things that you did in your example. Not being a keyboard player myself, it's usually very hard for me to play what I hear when it comes to keys. We keep them minimal in most of our songs, but sometimes it is nice to have a little extra.I'm glad you like the song and I truly appreciate your efforts. If we decided to put any more work into this song, I may contact you regarding some of your ideas.BTW... sorry it took so long to get back to you. I hate this board in that it doesn't notify you when you have replies (that is unless I've over looked the setting somewhere).Thanks again!