Quote:
Originally posted by Melusine:
OK - since you said you'd like some feedback...
Since you're the guy who's always advocating that friends should be able to be honest with each other and criticise each other, I am convinced you won't hold the following against me 
Let me start out by saying that I think you are an incredibly gifted singer - the two CDs that Moiraine was kind enough to send me are played often! 
You have an amazing range, not only in the music-technical sense, but also in that you can do so many different styles and hit so many different emotions and tones with your voice.
That said, I must say that I was less impressed with the three new songs than with some of the older things you did.
It may be me, but the production sounds a bit flat to me, I think I'd have liked the sound better if it had some more depth. It seems a bit overproduced, bland. Especially the drums. Of course, I realise that this may be genre-bound, sort of a 'light music' production. But it was somethin I didn't really like. Also, though this is a matter of taste, the songs an sich are not really my style. I think you have done so much more original/interesting stuff before - this sounds more standard to me. Your taste has probably changed, and maybe you prefer to make music that's very easy to the ears, very light. To me it sounds a bit too standard though... all the choirs... you have such an amazing voice, I don't think it needs all the back-up.
Some things that I did love: first of all, your singing, of course. It's impeccable. I think it's above dispute that you're a very good singer! What I liked especially was that your voice seems to have a little more 'edge' than I heard before. I also loved the last part of Love Train - it started out a bit timid, but then it bloomed open, got groovy, and your voice really comes loose - some GREAT vocal lines there, I loved it!!! The extended 'hold on's and then the catchy part.. I really liked that.
One more thing - the last song (Steal A Heart) is very similar to some of the songs I got from Moiraine... also, that sound effect in that song has been used to death by a few bands, I think, LOL!
Anyway, that's my honest opinion - like I was discussing with another IW member the other day, empty praise is so meaningless, and it's no help at all, either. I think honest criticism is kinder than flattery that you don't mean a word of. So I hope you'll not mind [img]smile.gif[/img]
I love your voice, but the songs just couldn't really capture me.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to listen to Treehouse!
Oh incidentally, Hugh, what was the band called again that you used to be in? Vertigo or am I mistaken?
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The feedback's great and needed. That's why I asked for it.
In light of what you wrote I should probably clear some things up though. Namely that my co-writer Will is doing a lot of lead vocal on Love Train - including the long hold ons. I'm doing the vox in the big guitar section (the catchy part?), and we're both doing the chanted backing vocals. However I did play everything and arranged it all.
I'm not sure if you picked up that the songs were each written/recorded in a day. So as far as production goes I haven't spent much time on it. Ironic that you cited overproduction
And the 'choir' is just me,
although the co-writer of the first song sings a harmony line.
Apart from her and the aforementioned Will, I did the lot from scratch on my laptop in a few hour per song, so I'm not too fazed by production criticisms. Especially knowing your genre tastes...
(I watched the lost highway back to back with Mullholland Drive the other night BTW) The feedback is good in terms of developing direction, as I'm writing with some new co-writers. I do like what's going on, but I'm sure the songs will develop as time goes on.
[ 04-27-2002, 03:12 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]