Rock Staff Writer -- Take Two

[matto]

Aub,the song is great. I love the lift during the pre and how it leads into the chorus, that's irresistible. And the chorus rocks. "Hate me" has such power the way it goes up... I think this is really something special, both musically and lyrically.The one thing that doesn't really work for me are the Aahhs...personally I would just ditch those altogether, they seem to get in the way of the lead and take away the punch and power of the chorus lines they cover up. Instead I would put harmonies on "stop loving you" & "running to the rescue", that would really make those (important) lines punch through. If you think about the great line "Hate me so I can stop loving you", it's really important the "stop loving you" part is "featured" as that is sort of the "punchline" of the entire song so to speak.A few other notes:- I would ditch the bg rhythm guitar in the 1st verse. I know that's gonna leave the lead vocal really naked, but I think the performance is strong enough and it would sound more edgy and contemporary.- The guitar solo is a bit dated sounding, too busy and noodle-y IMHO- Too many dbl kicks in the verse for my taste, I agree with Dan that's not too popular these days, it also gives the samples away more than if it was a bit sparser.- I think you could beat the vocal performance in the second verse, it's not dead on in the pocket there. Everything else was convincing.None of these last points would really matter in an ideal world as they are production issues and this is looking for staff writers, but with a listing this competitive every little thing counts.I just listened to this song about 4 or 5 times...I love it, I really think it kicks butt. IMHO it is a cut above most current rock hits as far as concept, lyrics and melody/music are concerned. Which is exactly what you need to have a shot at forward on this high bar listing.Great job on this man!matto

[aubreyz]

Geeze guys... just wait til I mix it Ponch has gone into severe depression over the dated solo... but I'm getting him a tall hat and long wig so he'll look more like Slash and nobody will care We're going to revisit the kick... the ahhs will be more subtle in the actual mix, and there are some vocal layers and guitar layers that aren't standing out enough yet... however, all of the elements are there-- so we've gone on for now.A few more hours and we'll be posting the other one.Aub

[Casey H]

Hi AubThis is my first listen for a while. You got the chorus standing out way more than the first cut I heard... This is thing is really rocking now. Metal Aub & Ponch live at the Forum!!! ... When's the deadline on this infamous listing? I hope someone here gets the gig! Casey

[aubreyz]

This is a harder process than it looks Here we go... second song, faders up mix - new lyrics.I Believe I BelieveVs1I’ve had enough of looking back at the mirrorAnd seeing someone who I don’t want to beThe only way I can see into the futureIs looking good for all the good I can't seeRight nowCh1I believe in higher loveSomething more than we can dream ofDon’t have to wait for destinyNothing can stop it, I believe I believeVs2I took my time but now I’m taking back the momentWith no second chance ticking awayDon’t have a minute now to spare for discontentmentWithin the hour live the power todayRight nowCh2I believe in higher loveSomething more than we can dream ofDon’t have to wait for destinyNothing can stop it, I believe I believeBridgeThere’s plenty of plenty to go around nowToo much up to try and tear anybody down nowI believe in meSoloCh3I believe in higher loveSomething more than we can dream ofDon’t have to wait for destinyNothing can stop it, I believe itI believe in higher loveSomething more than we can dream ofDon’t have to wait for destinyNothing can stop it, I believe I believeI believe I believeI believe I believeI believe I believeI believe I believeI believe in me

[daniel481]

Hey Aub,I like it...I'm just wondering about how much it's hittin' those a-la's, though. I'm getting a strong STP/Velvet Revolver vibe from the music, and I suppose VR is kind of in that vein, but I'm having a hard time hearing Daughtry or Nickleback doing that. The lyrics also come across as a bit inspirational. Now, there's nothing wrong with that at all, but again, I just don't know that I would hear any of those artists singing "I believe in Higher Love", especially when one those bands had a big hit called "Let's Get Stoned" Just my two cents. I'm curious to hear the final mix, though.And trust me, I'm all too aware of how this process goes. I had to write and record 5 songs to decide I like two of them enough to turn them in. My brain is fried.I guess that last line's a bit of a disclaimer...Dan

[andreh]

Hey Aub-Another cool song! I'm with Dan on the lyrics, though...they seem a little preachy. You could surely find a home for this tune, but probably not on mainstream radio...unfortunately people would rather hear about lovely lady lumps than self-motivational messages. Also, even though I dig the vibe, the super dry drums and subdued guitar sound don't seem reminiscent of any of the ala's for the listing.Speaking of which, I'd really like to hear you try out some different drum sounds for variety...I think you could get things sounding a little more "human" with something like DFH/EZ Drummer, BFD, or one of the other recent packages. What are you using, BTW?André

[aubreyz]

Thanks guys... I haven't really tweaked out the drums or mix yet, and fyi I mostly use the original DFH. As far as not hitting the ala's I think we're okay-- or at least will be once this is mixed The style of this is very close to "What I Want" by Daughtry which is also a pretty positive lyric... but not nearly as positive and preachy as Nickelback's If everyone cared... and "I Can Only Imagine" that radio would not by definition be open to a positive song. We'll see AubNow back to writing songs about lumps Quote:Hey Aub-Another cool song! I'm with Dan on the lyrics, though...they seem a little preachy. You could surely find a home for this tune, but probably not on mainstream radio...unfortunately people would rather hear about lovely lady lumps than self-motivational messages. Also, even though I dig the vibe, the super dry drums and subdued guitar sound don't seem reminiscent of any of the ala's for the listing.Speaking of which, I'd really like to hear you try out some different drum sounds for variety...I think you could get things sounding a little more "human" with something like DFH/EZ Drummer, BFD, or one of the other recent packages. What are you using, BTW?André Quote:Hey Aub,I like it...I'm just wondering about how much it's hittin' those a-la's, though. I'm getting a strong STP/Velvet Revolver vibe from the music, and I suppose VR is kind of in that vein, but I'm having a hard time hearing Daughtry or Nickleback doing that. The lyrics also come across as a bit inspirational. Now, there's nothing wrong with that at all, but again, I just don't know that I would hear any of those artists singing "I believe in Higher Love", especially when one those bands had a big hit called "Let's Get Stoned" Just my two cents. I'm curious to hear the final mix, though.And trust me, I'm all too aware of how this process goes. I had to write and record 5 songs to decide I like two of them enough to turn them in. My brain is fried.I guess that last line's a bit of a disclaimer...Dan

[daniel481]

I'd like nothing more than to be wrong, and you're right, those songs do have pretty positive lyrics. So, I wouldn't be surprised if you do get the forward (since I have a lot of faith in you getting all of the musical elements up to speed in the mix), it's just that something about it's not hitting me the same way as the first one.I honestly hope you get the gig though, man! And if you do and I don't...well, maybe you can put in a good word for me and help me get in as well a little ways down the road... Dan

[ponch]

Hi everyone!wow.. there are so many good comments and critiques on this thread. Anyway, Aub and me really appreciated any comments about those two songs. So far about the lyrics, well I think I'm gonna leave it to Aub cause I'm no way near to a lyricist . To Andreh - Hi Andreh nice to meet you in here man . I've read that you asked about the guitar sound, well so far I use Line 6 Tone Port to get a certain sound and at the same time I try many combination of my guitar pickups to get a sound that I desire. To Matto,Hello guru Matt ! Thanks for your encouraging comments..I'm speechless. I'll take your input to the heart for sure, thanks again.Cheers,Ponch

[tedsingingfox]

And BTW, Ponch, you ROCK. I could see your blurred fingers flying all the way from New Mexico.