TAXI.com

What a fantastic and supportive community this is.
Like many others I struggle when it comes to deciding genre etc.
Here's a song that I would very much appreciate some feedback on all fronts - song,mix,production etc.

https://soundcloud.com/user-780032337/l ... ou/s-8ZkmK

I can take the criticism, so be brutal if you want. I already realise it's too long, but before I start chopping it up I'd like to take on board your comments.
I didn't write this with any listing in mind but I would appreciate opinion on whether it is the kind of thing that is asked for from time to time.
My next efforts will be more targeted towards a specific listing.

Thanks in advance.

Phil-A.

Hi Phil,

I am not going to sugar coat it......

it's just too boring......needs a melody...drums are out of time at times.
Needs lots of help with the mix.......sounds like a recording of a rehearsal.
There is nothing memorable about the track.

Maybe someone else will think otherwise........

My 2 cents,
Tim

Hi Tim,
Thanks for your 2 cents and thanks for not sugar coating it. I appreciate the feedback.
I could re-record the drums to fix the timing. The melody could be worked on and shortening the length may make it less boring.
Not sure what to do about the mix other than trying a different approach (or collaboration).
Sounds like a lot of work. Maybe this song just isn't worth it, so I should park it for now and work on a new one.

Again, thanks for your honesty, this is how we improve.

Phil-A.

Well Phil,

If it is any consultation.... you should hear some of my early stuff.......... well no...you shouldn't!!!


Tim

I'd say it sounds 70s rock a la Pink Floyd. It has that sound, lyrics and arrangement of something Floyd inspired.

So the genre is rock, and the style is progressive rock (Floyd is the godfather of that genre).

Progressive rock has modern artists as well, and if there are consensus on the genre/style, you can look for modern soundalikes to reference your mixes to. Like these:
https://progreport.com/best-prog-albums-of-2018-so-far/
https://www.popmatters.com/2018-progres ... 18211.html

Get some of those in a folder, and pull them into your daw when recording and compare mixes. Yours need to sound in the ballpark of that volume, clarity ect. Your song should be able to be on a playlist with those songs, and sound about the same level and recording quality (compare element for element, guitars, bass, drums, vocals, fx ect.).

Its hard to do critical listening on your own mixes sometimes, so it's great you reach out, and perhaps also try a Taxi critique. Ask some questions on if there are demand for this genre, and what uses it has potential for ect. I believe I've heard progressive rock in certain types of commercials before (those that targets the progressive rock crowd).

Justmy2c

Hope that can be helpful to you.

Hey Phil,

I let it play in the background over and over while I was doing stuff.....
I see where you are going with this song.
Maybe if, like you say...you cut it up a bit and maybe speed it up ......

The guitar ad vox are a bit odd at about :45 to :47 and distracting...
The vox are very pitchy....this is very distracting and hides how this song should sound.

The drums are off at times...as I mentioned.
Yes it needs lots of work...... but there is a good song hiding in there.

Problem is......it took alot of listening to hear it.
The first 2 times....I was like.....what the heck...where is this going?
I could not hear any melody...or cohesive song structure.. I think it's because of you trying to fit too many
words into the verse at times...and it seems too slow.

If I was the producer.... I would say make it more like Fire and Rain by James Taylor.
That is the vibe I am getting


Remember, this is all my opinion,
Tim

Kolstad wrote:I'd say it sounds 70s rock a la Pink Floyd. It has that sound, lyrics and arrangement of something Floyd inspired.

Hi Kolstad, thanks for the reply. A few of my friends said it was proggy and one even mentioned Floyd so there's a little consensus there.

This song wasn't 'designed' or crafted - it just 'fell out' and I wanted to see what our natural style was.
I was brought up on a diet of Floyd, Yes, Rush, Genesis and Zeppelin so I'm not surprised there's some influence from them.

Thanks for taking the time and I appreciate the tips about fitting the genre in a modern sense.

Cheers.

ttully wrote:
Remember, this is all my opinion

Hi Tim,
Yes, it is and I appreciate it very much thank you. I don't disagree with anything you said.
I will look at every point you made and decide what can be done about it.
This is exactly the kind of constructive feedback I was hoping for and I feel excited about improving what I'm doing.

Thanks,

Phil.

I enjoyed the singing quite a bit. Yeah the drums are off.

Maybe syncopation would spice it up?

mikehamm123 wrote: Maybe syncopation would spice it up?

Hi Mike,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the singing.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Yes, done in the right place I think syncopation could work, especially in the fills. We'll be re-recording the drums anyway so I'll get him to think about that.

Phil.