I'm in love with my own recording - please bring me back down to Earth

[nmiller]

About two weeks ago I made my first recording in several months. It was the first song I had written in a while, and the first chance I had to record some new gear. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the end result was miles ahead of anything I had done before. Everything clicked in a way it never had before - the song, the performance, the production, the mixing - everything suddenly gelled, and now I can't stop listening to it.

Essentially, I need you to point out all the flaws that I can't hear.

Here's the recording. (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1006351&content=songinfo&songID=8294600)

I normally play something between '50s rock and roll, folk-rock and country, but this time a little hint of R&B creeped in. Maybe that's what I get for writing at the piano.

The drums are sampled, but everything else is me. Fire away!

[Guitar Slinger6]

You already told me what the most important listener thought, I would definitely listen to him before you listen to me. Nothing wrong with enjoyingyour own work, nice job!

[bjjp2]

I don't like the warbly, off-key vocals.
The guitars sound like out of tune rubber bands.

Happy now?:nono

[Mr_You]

*yawn*

[jamesroycrocker]

Good for you in seeking out positive criticism. Here's my first impressions:

Sounds to me like you're aiming for a sort of Jeff Lynne sound. You need real drums, or at least a bigger, punchier snare sound.

The guitar solo has some tuning issues; particularly the bent notes.

The constant vocal vibrato gets a bit wearing.

Enjoy the fact you're happy with it. I have a hard time ever wanting to listen to stuff I've recorded.

[sjhorvath]

Good song.. I think the negative remarks from other posters are based on that they don't care for the style of music. I enjoy some folk rock, but am more of a 70s hard rock type, but I can comment on your tune objectively rather than someone who just plain does not like the genre...

Anyhow, I'm hearing Flying Burrito Bros. in this recording. That should be cool with you if you're a folk rock guy, so my suggestions are basically to take that further.

- Remove the harmonica. Not that the playing is bad, just don't think it fits the song.

- I like the fuzzy gtr fills. I'd say add some more in strategic places, perhaps even a slide part with guitar flat on your lap to get a Sneaky Pete feel. Be sure it's fuzz and not screamer LOL.

- Add some vocal harmonies on the verse, maybe even the whole verse, or nearly the whole verse a la FBB.

- Electric rhythm part (hits on 2 and 4) are monotonous... I was going to suggest an alternate rhythm pattern of (scratch on 1, eight notes on 2+, rest on 3, then single qtr note on 4). I take it back though, the two/four thing seems like a driver for the verse, maybe if you take out the tube screamer crunch it will alleve the monotony... A clean tele bridge should do it. So I mean that constructively, not insulting... it's the one thing that stands out.

- I don't notice the drums, meaning that no problem that it's not a live drummer.

- Chorus section is great, I wouldn't change a thing.

Regarding what the other guy said about your voice... At first I thought I might not like it but after a few listens, it's cool. Many a folk rockers had have lurcative careers with quirky voices... Ray Davies, Petty, Springsteen, Dylan etc....

Good song, and good performance, hope you enjoy my feedback.

Steve

[mario60565]

Good for you in seeking out positive criticism. Here's my first impressions:

Sounds to me like you're aiming for a sort of Jeff Lynne sound. You need real drums, or at least a bigger, punchier snare sound.

The guitar solo has some tuning issues; particularly the bent notes.

The constant vocal vibrato gets a bit wearing.

Enjoy the fact you're happy with it. I have a hard time ever wanting to listen to stuff I've recorded.


I agree. 100%! :hide

[Flyin' Brian]

"You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself" - Rick Nelson


And you have.

Nice job, as somebody said, check the pitch on your bends.

[parker]

I really loved the chorus, and the harmony vocals.... I really enjoyed it, this is what music and playing is about, creating something you enjoy, keep going!

[KCWM]

I agree on the harmonica...just not feeling it.

At first, I wasn't digging the vocals, but as the song went on, they grew on me and I realized that it fit the song well. I do think they are a bit too loud in the mix, but that's just me.

I only noticed the drums because a) you pointed it out and b) I face the same issue when I record a song.

The chorus is great.

I love hearing songs in this section. So, I'm going to check out your other songs.

[nmiller]

It's strange - believe it or not, I didn't even realize there was tremolo in my voice until you guys pointed it out. I usually sing at much lower volumes, and without tremolo. I appreciate that someone picked up on my Jeff Lynne influence; I've always liked the way he turns backing vocals into blocks of sound run through a high-pass filter. I was never really sold on the harmonica myself.

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[sosomething]

Something about the way you resolve your vocal melodies reveals a sense of an "affected" singing style.

The best folk singers have distinctive voices, and the eccentricity inherent in their voices always seem incidental - "that's just the way it sounds when I sing" - not affected at all.

Folk music lives and dies on its authenticity... that's all I'm sayin'.

[dnauhei]

Good song writing. Sounds like with the vocals you are trying to emulate someone else. Don't. Find you own voice. I can hear that it is in there somewhere. It's hard, but you'll be happy when you find it.

[armando]

I can imagine Levon Helm singing this tune. Thanks for sharing your music.

[nmiller]

I can imagine Levon Helm singing this tune.

I don't know if you've seen other posts where I mention that Levon is my hero, but that's one of the best compliments I've ever been paid.