Can't Believe.... (I'm doing this...)

[brentmagstadt]

Okay, I have never posted a track for review before, and I've been a Taxi member for a number of years. However, the membership here is too valuable, knowledgeable, and supportive for me to disregard this very important part of Taxi any longer. So I'm throwing aside my cloak of invisibility.

Please review this track (singer/songwriter, indie) when you get a moment. Mix/master comments. structure, lyrics, any/all thoughts welcome. I have thoughts of my own, but would very much value objective ears.

"Can't Believe"
https://soundcloud.com/brentmagstadt

Thanks!

[funsongs]

Howdy.
My comment is more of a question...maybe an odd one. Is the so-recognizable tone of a Taylor guitar a plus, negative, or doesn't-matter thing in the singer/songwriter/Indie genre?

I bought a Taylor 810 in 1995. I played it once in a little shop, and HAD to have it.
Every time I played it somewhere, it drew people to come around...other guitar players, at least.
(When I started playing more old school country, sold the Taylor, and started playing acoustics by Gibson and Martin).
Since Taylors are everywhere...can they "edgy" enough within the Indie thing?
For some reason...maybe it's all just me...I was distracted by a guitar tone...that has nothing wrong with it.

I'll leave the mixing/techy comments to the experts; a good song that I would more expect to hear at an Open Mic or Coffee House venue than, say, a made-for-commercial-radio song. That could be a strength, if you were pitching this for a film or TV scene that's located in such a place; would be a great fit; imho.

For what it's worth.
I also read your comment in reply to emily...well stated, what you wrote. Makes me want to congratulate you for posting your first tune; encouraging her to hang in there; and hopefully...you really like this song that you posted, if only for yourself.
Seems reasonable that that's the best place to start. I hope to be able to do the same here, too; soon.

Well done.
Cheers,
Peter Rahill, aka "fun'.
(ps: are you gonna shock me, and tell me that was NOT a Taylor guitar?!... ...I'm ready to eat some crow.)

[joshcolemanmusic]

I really like the vibe and sound of this and think it's really catchy. Your voice has a warm, friendly quality which makes it fun to listen to. I think what might push this over the edge would be some imagery that's more unusual in some of the places. The hook is very hooky so I think the song is mostly written. Just think that a few more images that are less common would make it more marketable. Hope that helps. But, I really like this tune

[rdance]

nice brent! great voice, on pitch, good choices on instrumentation, and a clean, balanced mix. doesn't "sound like" but reminds me of the reo speedwagon singer/songwriter kevin cronin's style. i think this song has lots of potential homes on tv and in film!

[brentmagstadt]

Hey thanks, I totally appreciate the thoughts. I'll poke around with this a bit more.
I should have mentioned the history/intent: it was written in august for my wife's birthday, never had any specific pitching in mind. I probably should have begun my posting career with something relevant, now that I think of it.

Peter, you dialed it: 1996 812CE (w/Fishman blender). Truthfully, not my first choice for a recording instrument (way too bright). But, given my guitar collection (or lack thereof), not my last choice either.

[funsongs]

!!

fun...
just played a Taylor in a recording session today...
cause neither my "Lyle" or "Martin" have pickups...yet.
don't those guys who have closets full of guitars just make ya drool?! ...
(You Tube Vince Gill's collection...egaddzzz...man...he's literally got drawers-full!!)

[brentmagstadt]

Yes... drooling. It's the one-per[guitar]centers...

[funsongs]

...good one...

here ya go...get yer drool on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUKovTFQmrE

Vince...one of my heroes...
cheers.
fun

[Kolstad]

I think this could do really well with tv/film due to the repeated lyric theme and consistancy in mood.
Love the sound of that Taylor. I think it's an asset for sure in singer/songwriter pop tunes. Has that bright and chimey sound to it that yells instant "happy" in yer face

Harmonies sound great, but I would consider just having the lead vocal on the tag at the very end.
Also the percussion loop came in a little random, I found. Maybe just wait to introduce it untill 54'sec, and keep it, untill you take it out for the breakdown later (which worked fine).

Mix sounds very clear and balanced to me.
All in all, I think this is a really good effort for a film/tv pitch, Brent.

[nick.moxsom]

Brent, welcome.

And what an appropriate song title for your first posting. With this quality, 'I can't believe' you've been hanging around so long and never contributed before. I dunno about an invisibility cloak, I think you've just taken a leg iron off, my friend! Watch you fly now. Congrats on your bravery.

Good song with a catchy hook (your wife must be chuffed that you wrote this for her); great, broadcast-quality demo, with a good clean vocal. There were a couple of slight timing issues that caught me ear, but I dunno whether they'd be deal-breakers or not. And a couple of your ad-libs were fairly pitchy – you might wanna revisit those...

If you're quite happy that this is the song you wrote for your wife and you want it to stay that way, great. IF, however, you have any plans to pitch in for film/TV, IMHO you'll need to give the lyric another look. No insult intended here, Brent, but I have the same issue every time I write something personal – from that point on I have to view it as product which either has $$ potential or not. And I think a song you'd sing to your wife is more personal than what you'd likely hear on TV. Dunno how she'd feel about you changing the wrods for profit, though... hmmm, best write another one

Nick