"More of the Same" - reviews and feedback...genre submit?

[Doctor Zeeto]

Hi Fellow - Taxians!

This one has been submitted to various genres and I usually get high numbers but it's not always "on target", so I change this or that and then I get not "current sounding". Is it the recording, performance, or is it just in an un-pitchable genre?

Song Name: "More of the Same"
My Taxi Page: http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... onyRondini

Taking any and all suggestions.

Thanks in advance. Tony

[mazz]

I'm by no means hugely current with pop music trends unless I'm researching something for a writing assignment, but this tune does sound dated in it's current incarnation. I would suggest listening to something like Evanescence. Your piece is reminiscent of them style-wise, but the production could be much heavier and still get the point across. When the chorus came in, it didn't hit me like I expected it to, with a big wall of sound. It's got a lighter, jazzier sound (can't think of a better word, it's not a jazz song, but the guitar sound is what makes me go there) which puts it back 10 or more years, IMO. For instance the chorus sound you are using on the guitar doesn't sound current to me. You are headed in that Evanescence direction but didn't go all the way there.

Sorry for the somewhat flailing review, I hope I got my point across. I like the song, it just needs a makeover.

Good luck!

Mazz

[Cruciform]

I agree with Mazz. As one suggestion, you've got distorted guitars in there for the chorus but they're pushed right back. I'd switch that around in the chorus at least, and have it hit your face with roaring modern gothic metal sounds. Evanescence are the American offering of the genre. Also go to the source and listen to bands like Nightwish and Within Temptation. Your singer has that wonderful gothic quality to her voice and singing. Actually, the more I listen, the more I love your singer's voice!

Obviously, I don't know if this a direction you'd want to go but it would sure contemporise the sound. The downside is, it would limit the kind of listings you could target. But at the very least, power up the choruses. Reference songs you might like to listen to, to see what I mean...

Within Temptation
- Frozen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JizBVv-J5_0
- What have you done http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEgXDhiayz4

Delain
- April Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-X-9UNu3Nw
- Frozen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhN4T4uhIWE

Nightwish
- Bye Bye Beautiful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pckMm9k7cJw (new singer)
- Nemo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO4LyKd-Hws (original singer)

[TonyRondini]

Mazz / Cruciform - thanks for your feedback. (I am the poster, Doctor Zeeto, but had to create a new forum account due to a password/email address issue - that's a matter for a different forum topic section...)

We were certainly not going for an Evanescence feel when it was written/recorded. The intention was more in the Pop Rock vein, so I find it interesting that you both saw the potential for the heavier genre. Beleive me, I am actually more accustom to the edgier music formats. Now I'm thinking to take your suggestions to this version by beefing up the guitars and chorus and then create another version in the Goth/Metal genre. If I don't, I'll be kicking myself in the ass when I see the Taxi listing for "a la Evanescense"!!!

I really appreciate your help. I'll keep you posted.

Tony

[Doctor Zeeto]

Thanks for the feedback - uploaded new version with cranked guitars at the seceond verse, but still new to revamp first chorus.

[jnmorrison]

Hey -

Hey I thought I'd chime in.
Please realize I'm just flying off the seat of my arm chair here, and this is by no means meant to be insulting but just a couple things I'm noticing.

Stylistically what I might suggest is a new singer? Not because she has a bad voice, but because she just sounds like any other singer. Although in the beginning, I'm getting a hint of Alanis Morrisette in her tone and phrasing - hence the dated sound maybe?

You take off that weird effect you have on her voice? It makes it sound dated for sure.
I'm pretty sure that the current trend is VERY upfront vocals that are dry/very dry...only a teeny-tiny bit of reverb.
And try to capture a better vocal from her? It seems a little lacking in passion.

You could also look at a lyric re-write.
I'm not a lyric expert by any means - but nothing in this current incarnation jumps out at me and says:
"I'm an exciting song - listen to me"...

Upon second and third listening - this screams early 90's for me. The chord progression sounds like something I could have heard on 90210 back in the day...

I think given the proper listing, you could score with this one...but certainly not modern sounding.

Good luck with it, because the recording is pretty clean and the mix is pretty decent! I can tell you spent a lot of time on it.
Like all of us, you just need to keep plugging on!

Rock on!
Nick

[Cruciform]

Tony,

Yeh, really liking this. What I'm noticing now is a lot of hi-end coming through. Maybe that's due to some re-EQing after you ramped some guitars? I feel the singer needs to have a bit more mid-range. She seems very sharp (in tone) at some points - maybe just notch a few sweet spots up and a few harsh spots down on a parametric? Dunno, play around and see what you think.

[nick.moxsom]

Tony,

We haven't met yet and it always seems a little audacious commenting on others' work when you don't know them, but in the spirit in which you asked the question...

I agree wholeheartedly with what Mazz and Rob O had to say. This is a good song, with a good but unspectacular singer, and yes, I'm afraid at the moment it does sound old-fashioned. I got T'Pau as well as Evanescence – kinda towards a rock anthem, but 80's to my ears. Dynamically that chorus has to kick up a notch (maybe losing the guitar power chords beforehand might do that).

Going down the heavier route (punk/metal) would give you the opportunity to be angrier about it and get a more passionate vocal, which would reflect the lyric (boredom, frustration, ennui). Production-wise I'm getting quite a radio-sounding thing through my cans – a little tinny – but that may be via MP3.

It's well worth re-working, imo, and heavier would be my preferred route.

HTH,

Nick

[TonyRondini]

Extremely helpful.

Interesting the different opinions on the singer, thanks and noted.

Nick (jnm) - the vocal effect , by the way, is just simple layering and a ting of reverb. Berkeley education noted, and when I do the heavier version I will definitely back way off of the layered group as you suggested. Lyrics are locked at this stage, if that is the song's down fall so be it. At some point in a song you have to say that it is as good as it's going to get and just try to do better next time (however I'm making an exception here to do the heavier revamp). Appreciate the props for the recording and mix!

Nick (moxsom) - I never heard of T'Pau so I checked YouTube...now I kind of wish I never heard of T'Pau ... I will make sure that the my singer never hears that reference either! Again thanks for all of the feedback, positive and constructive.

Appreciate it all! Hope I can return the favor in the future. Tony

[nick.moxsom]

Sorry, man, no offence meant, but honesty's what we need, right? (LOL)

Nick