Envy - Looking for Critique

[rockmann]

Hi Folks,We've got another tune we're trying to wrap up and it looks like this might even have a bit of a 'modern' groove to it. We've tried to put the things we've learned here to use on this song. I think it's got some promise. We would appreciate any comments on everything from mix, song structure, guitar tone, you name it.The song is "Envy" and can be hear here: http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3 ... q=hiThanks!

[timejunkie]

Rockermann...Good to hear another "rocker" in the Taxi forum. I listened to your song and these are my observations from a first time listen:That is one "nasty" bass sound! Oh yeh...!From a sonic standpoint the song holds up well, guitar and drum sounds are real nice and the mix is well balanced. Instruments are nicely defined and a real smooth vocal tone.I found the structure a little confusing (but only a first time listen).I would suggest making the chorus "bigger" to define it a little better from the rest of the song. In this type of music the chorus has to knock me off my feet. I would also try getting to the chorus earlier.... remember the old saying is "don't bore us get to the chorus".the song in general felt a bit linear for lack of a better term and could maybe use some tempo or groove changes to spice the overall feel up a bit.There is also a very obvious "tip of the hat" to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" riff in the chorus...maybe a little too obvious. This tune may be best suited for TV/Film/Video Game type of listings. From a purely "commercial" standpoint, I don't really hear this playing on my radio driving down the road. However, I live in Canada where this genre of music fell off the airwaves some time ago.Anyway, keep up the great work and I hope this was of some help to you.

[rockmann]

Quote:Good to hear another "rocker" in the Taxi forum. We seem to be a dying breed. Quote:I listened to your song and these are my observations from a first time listen:That is one "nasty" bass sound! Oh yeh...!It is a good sound, but I'm still trying to tame it a bit. It tries to run away with the sound at several points. I'm getting there.Quote:From a sonic standpoint the song holds up well, guitar and drum sounds are real nice and the mix is well balanced. Instruments are nicely defined and a real smooth vocal tone.Thanks. Our stuff is self-produced (as is most indie stuff), so it's good to know something is working.Quote:I found the structure a little confusing (but only a first time listen). I would suggest making the chorus "bigger" to define it a little better from the rest of the song. In this type of music the chorus has to knock me off my feet. I would also getting to the chorus earlier.... remember the old saying is "don't bore us get to the chorus".Good points. The song *is* a bit different in structure. I doesn't really have a well defined chorus. The title is never used in the lyrics. But I get your point. It's something we should look at. The chorus should be a bit more traditional if we what that hook.Quote:The song in general felt a bit linear for lack of a better term and could maybe use some tempo or groove changes to spice the overall feel up a bit.Good suggestion. It does pick up a bit just before the guitar solo, but you're right. It is all similar. We'll keep this in mind.Quote:There is also a very obvious "tip of the hat" to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" riff in the chorus...maybe a little too obvious. Charlie (the music author) mentioned from the beginning that he thought it might have that feel. I didn't think it was so noticeable. But, apparently it is. I haven't heard ES in so long... I guess I need to go back and check it out.Quote:This tune may be best suited for TV/Film/Video Game type of listings. From a purely "commercial" standpoint, I don't really hear this playing on my radio driving down the road. However, I live in Canada where this genre of music fell off the airwaves some time ago.We feel most of our stuff would be a better fit for the categories you list above. We seem to have a bit of a retro-style. Being that we'll all a bit older and were in our 'heydays' in the 80's, that might have something to do with it. Quote:Anyway, keep up the great work and I hope this was of some help to you. Thanks! You're post was definitely a big help. Thanks for taking the time to listen and post a reply.Btw... I love your stuff. GREAT guitar work!

[timejunkie]

Thanks man...I appreciate the the compliment.

[dada]

Rockermann,This tune is a step away from your '80s sound in my opinion... I agree with the previous comments on structure... seems like the break section could be transformed a little with more dynamics a guitar chops and some sort of melodic monotonous chorus vocal... Your singer is totally killer... What type of vocal recording technique do you use..Heard a little bit of a Metallica riff in there as well...Keep tracking,Dave

[trace]

Rockerman.Vocals are killer. Guitars seem a little too artificially wide, and there is not enough dynamic difference between verse and chorus. Some judicious editing may also tighten up some of the, not too modern, rhythmic sloppiness. These days, it is common to hear an almost inhumanly tight performance. Not that this is always a good thing, just common.The guitar solo is not, in many places, in key with the harmonic structure of the song. You may want to have your soloist record many takes, and comp the best.The singer is great. Drum tones are really nice. Good luck.

[rockmann]

Quote:This tune is a step away from your '80s sound in my opinion... Alright! We've got that going for us then. Quote:I agree with the previous comments on structure... seems like the break section could be transformed a little with more dynamics a guitar chops and some sort of melodic monotonous chorus vocal... Your singer is totally killer... What type of vocal recording technique do you use..Great suggestions. We have a tendency to run full out and forget the benefits of mixing up the dynamics. We'll see what we can do with this.The vocals are recorded in Finland by Antti. I don't know the details of his setup off hand other than I know he uses a Rhodes mic and a tube pre-amp. I get his wav files, generally pretty dry, and add them to our mix in Adobe Audition where I season to taste.Quote:Heard a little bit of a Metallica riff in there as well...I can hear the suggestion of Metallica, but to me it doesn't seem so much as to be a rip. I still need to pull out Sandman and listen for comparison sakes.Thanks for taking the time to listen and providing your feedback!

[rockmann]

Quote:Vocals are killer. Guitars seem a little too artificially wide, and there is not enough dynamic difference between verse and chorus. We debated a bit on the guitar spacing. That's funny you mention it. We'll try moving them a little closer and see how that works. Dynamics! Always a good thing. We'll see if we can improve those! Quote:Some judicious editing may also tighten up some of the, not too modern, rhythmic sloppiness. These days, it is common to hear an almost inhumanly tight performance. Not that this is always a good thing, just common.Loops. It's all about loops nowadays. They play it live once for four bars and paste it in the rest of the performance. That's why it's so 'tight'. We'll have to take a look at this and see what we can tighten up.Quote:The guitar solo is not, in many places, in key with the harmonic structure of the song. You may want to have your soloist record many takes, and comp the best.That would be me. I've done several takes. That solo is actually the combination of three different takes. I guess I need to try a few more. I know where you're coming from though... while I was satisfied with it at the time, I do believe the song deserves better.Quote:The singer is great. Drum tones are really nice. Good luck.Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. We're learning a LOT from the great folks around here. We're just trying to remember to put it all into practice.Later,