Sounds very good indeed and definitely in it for the repeat.
Sounds very good indeed and definitely in it for the repeat.
OK, I’ve had a chance to give these some more time. Here are my thoughts.
This is like the soundtrack to a David Lynch or Coen brothers movie. There’s something dark, weird, and disturbing going on here. It feels like this guy who lives in the country is about to blow at any second, if he hasn’t already. The brazen sax and atonal ambience contrasts beautifully against the Rockabilly inflected background, creating a jarring juxtaposition. The distant, lazy vocals complete the picture of desolation and disaffection.Originally Posted by Nijinsky Hind
Rick, I’m not sure if this is what you were shooting for, but this is the definite vibe that I take away. I think it’s stunningly effective and really creepy. Thumbs up from me for delivering a solid, cohesive, and total experience!!
Season of surprise, indeed! You’re never quite certain where this intriguing piece will take you next, and just when you think you’ve figured it out… surprise! That said, all the parts morph organically into one another. Nothing seems out of place of clumsy. You’re on a fun, breezy ride through fall (or I got kind of tropical vibe at times). It holds your attention and doesn’t let go, which is not always the easiest thing for instrumental music. Nothing is too complex or jarring, but things never get dull, and the solos really contribute mood and contrast to the piece without disturbing the flow.
Pat, you asked about arrangement and mix. While I think there were lots of ways you could have treated this material, I’m not sure I hear anything that particularly needs to be improved on how this piece was constructed. You could make it different, but I’m not sure that would mean better. I think this is really quite a triumph of composition and arrangement
On the mix, the rhythm section is a bit low, particularly the drums (though definitely not the cymbals). I couldn’t really hear the bass drum well at times, even on my studio speakers. The cymbals are very busy and seem to carry a lot of the rhythmic impetus. I personally feel it sounds a bit “busy” and that I’d like to hear more of the drums and a bit less on the cymbals. Short of reprogramming the parts, perhaps a little mix adjustment to rebalance these two elements could help.
On my laptop speakers, I lost the bass except at the intro and during the piano solo, where it mixed nicely. It was better on my studio speakers, but the bass part might need to come up a notch when the other music is on the louder side.
None of my comments on the mix really impacted my enjoyment of the piece. That’s just what I might have done differently if I were mixing or developing the parts. Fantastic job! I would buy an album full of music like this in a heartbeat. It reminds me a bit at times of some of David Sancious, who I really enjoy.
I could easily see this as a movie soundtrack, especially and IFC film!
As not much happens, there’s not much to say, other than that this does exactly what it sets out to do, create and sustain a particular mood. There’s enough variation that you get a sense of progress or movement, but not enough to interrupt the basic vibe. Sonically, this is beautiful. High highs, low but clear lows, beautiful reverb, and just enough of the all important flanger.
Fantastic job!
This is great! It’s like Proggy Halloween music. I jumped a little at 0:25 when that big synth came in.
I especially love the part from 2:40 to just shy of 4:00. This is just flat-out awesome Prog Rock. I wish this part was longer and you went on and developed these ideas more before returning to the introductory theme, but the song still works. The sounds are very cool and I don’t hear anything mix-wise that I’d do differently.
Great job!
Is that it? Did I miss any! If not, great job to everyone! This was really fun.
Bill
Yay, thanks Bill! I'm glad you like it, and I also agree about extending that second half. I debated taking it further but ultimately decided to leave it as is just so I wouldn't miss the deadline. But maybe I'll give it another pass at some point and expand on that bit of groove.This is great! It’s like Proggy Halloween music. I jumped a little at 0:25 when that big synth came in.
I especially love the part from 2:40 to just shy of 4:00. This is just flat-out awesome Prog Rock. I wish this part was longer and you went on and developed these ideas more before returning to the introductory theme, but the song still works. The sounds are very cool and I don’t hear anything mix-wise that I’d do differently.
Bill
Everyone: the composite thread has been created on the Main board. I hope you fine folks get some additional love on your creations from the wider gang here at PE
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Makes total sense. I'd love to hear it if you ever do the expansion. I still think what you did is really cool!
We damn well better!Everyone: the composite thread has been created on the Main board. I hope you fine folks get some additional love on your creations from the wider gang here at PE
Bill
Sputnik said... " There’s something dark, weird, and disturbing going on here. It feels like this guy who lives in the country is about to blow at any second, if he hasn’t already."
You hit my nail right on the head. It's what was intended exactly. (Albeit, AFTER the music was done first.)
Reach for the sky! lolol (I was going to call it The Ballad of Clyde Barrow)
Yes, that would have worked, but I think "I Live in the Country" is a perfect title. It generalizes the theme and creates a nice counterpoint to the hackneyed cliches about "bucolic country life."
You had mentioned being ambivalent about the vocals, but I'd say they are integral to the piece and are a great success. At first glance, the lyrics are banal and kind of stupid, but they succinctly and perfectly capture exactly what a character like this might say and really communicate his mindset without any wasted verbiage. I really thought it was pretty brilliant.
Seriously, great job!
Bill
Yeah... It's even starting to scare me a little.
Yeah... It's even starting to scare me a little.
Nice stuff guys. Love the fretless Bill.
Damn Pat! I think you're our only source for Metheny Group inspired music!
I'd have joined in but I've been out of my musical head for quite some time despite having a synth emporium in the basement.
JG
"MARKLAR!"
Hopefully next year!
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Thanks for the feedback, Bill! I'll give some of your suggestions a try. I've been going back and forth on the bass/drum levels on my material: they sound too loud over here, and not loud enough over there. Appreciate you listening!OK, I’ve had a chance to give these some more time. Here are my thoughts.
This is like the soundtrack to a David Lynch or Coen brothers movie. There’s something dark, weird, and disturbing going on here. It feels like this guy who lives in the country is about to blow at any second, if he hasn’t already. The brazen sax and atonal ambience contrasts beautifully against the Rockabilly inflected background, creating a jarring juxtaposition. The distant, lazy vocals complete the picture of desolation and disaffection.
Rick, I’m not sure if this is what you were shooting for, but this is the definite vibe that I take away. I think it’s stunningly effective and really creepy. Thumbs up from me for delivering a solid, cohesive, and total experience!!
Season of surprise, indeed! You’re never quite certain where this intriguing piece will take you next, and just when you think you’ve figured it out… surprise! That said, all the parts morph organically into one another. Nothing seems out of place of clumsy. You’re on a fun, breezy ride through fall (or I got kind of tropical vibe at times). It holds your attention and doesn’t let go, which is not always the easiest thing for instrumental music. Nothing is too complex or jarring, but things never get dull, and the solos really contribute mood and contrast to the piece without disturbing the flow.
Pat, you asked about arrangement and mix. While I think there were lots of ways you could have treated this material, I’m not sure I hear anything that particularly needs to be improved on how this piece was constructed. You could make it different, but I’m not sure that would mean better. I think this is really quite a triumph of composition and arrangement
On the mix, the rhythm section is a bit low, particularly the drums (though definitely not the cymbals). I couldn’t really hear the bass drum well at times, even on my studio speakers. The cymbals are very busy and seem to carry a lot of the rhythmic impetus. I personally feel it sounds a bit “busy” and that I’d like to hear more of the drums and a bit less on the cymbals. Short of reprogramming the parts, perhaps a little mix adjustment to rebalance these two elements could help.
On my laptop speakers, I lost the bass except at the intro and during the piano solo, where it mixed nicely. It was better on my studio speakers, but the bass part might need to come up a notch when the other music is on the louder side.
None of my comments on the mix really impacted my enjoyment of the piece. That’s just what I might have done differently if I were mixing or developing the parts. Fantastic job! I would buy an album full of music like this in a heartbeat. It reminds me a bit at times of some of David Sancious, who I really enjoy.
I could easily see this as a movie soundtrack, especially and IFC film!
As not much happens, there’s not much to say, other than that this does exactly what it sets out to do, create and sustain a particular mood. There’s enough variation that you get a sense of progress or movement, but not enough to interrupt the basic vibe. Sonically, this is beautiful. High highs, low but clear lows, beautiful reverb, and just enough of the all important flanger.
Fantastic job!
This is great! It’s like Proggy Halloween music. I jumped a little at 0:25 when that big synth came in.
I especially love the part from 2:40 to just shy of 4:00. This is just flat-out awesome Prog Rock. I wish this part was longer and you went on and developed these ideas more before returning to the introductory theme, but the song still works. The sounds are very cool and I don’t hear anything mix-wise that I’d do differently.
Great job!
Is that it? Did I miss any! If not, great job to everyone! This was really fun.
Bill
And love the reviews of the other pieces! When I have time, I'll re-listen to everything again.....there's some really great stuff happening here I think!
Kudos to John for prompting this whole project!
Ha! Somebody's gotta be that guy, I guess!
Geez John, I just saw your submission. I think I only saw page 1 of the thread.
Cool!
John Carpenter / Goblin / Anglagard!
JG
"MARKLAR!"
Amusingly enough I didn't even think about Anglagard while working on this one, but it's quite a compliment so thanks
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
Looks like John Battema may have HIT a nerve with his entry.... Almost 600 plays on You tube already! Good work, It's a winner!
John and Pat Strawser Clearly Shine on this Challenge. Both Very Good!
I'm a little surprised TBH...it's the most viewed, commented and liked tune I've done on YT. But it's certainly flattering!
And I disagree...all five of us delivered something really great. And what's great is how different each is from the other. Pekka's ambient track is absolutely wonderful, I am and continue to be quite fond of your hazy atmospheric tunes, Bill's ode to his cat is very much my jam these days, and of course Pat's channeling the ghost of Lyle Mays while bringing something new and uniquely his to the table.
I admit to being a little disappointed at the lack of comments on the main board, but these things are what they are. I'm certainly proud to be sharing all this great work, and I hope all of you feel the same
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
600 plays is very good. I'm almost over 100...but compared to my other more ambient/soundscape/nothing-really-happens tracks it's very good. The highest number is 152 and it's been there for over a year.
Well, mozo pg promised to come back so there's hope for at least one "outside" commentator.I admit to being a little disappointed at the lack of comments on the main board, but these things are what they are. I'm certainly proud to be sharing all this great work, and I hope all of you feel the same
And I broke 100 views on my YT, which is statistically significant in my digital world! Glad ya'll are seeing some movement too!600 plays is very good. I'm almost over 100...but compared to my other more ambient/soundscape/nothing-really-happens tracks it's very good. The highest number is 152 and it's been there for over a year.
Well, mozo pg promised to come back so there's hope for at least one "outside" commentator.
Three Cheers for MOZO.!!!!!
I’m not putting mine on you tube just yet. Just Bandcamp for a while.
Like Charlie Brown on Halloween… “I got a rock…”
I think it's quite amazing what everyone came up with, as noted, quite varied. NH, very original and compelling. Bill, very skillful playing. John, lots of power and dynamics. I'll check out the other 2 soon!
What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
Yay, thanks Greg
Random weird thing: one of the comments on my video says the algorithm sent them to me. That feels EXTREMELY off given the low view count and my exceptionally-small output in the eyes of YouTube as a "content creator" (their assessment of who we are, not mine). So either their algorithm is AI driven and needs to be retrained on fresh data, or something is very, very broken
Either way, their screwup is in my favor. it's a miniscule win and I'm happy about it.
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
I love this one! I've just listened to it for the third time. Very tastefully arranged, and I love how you used the effects. I'm looking forward to your album then!Here's mine. Made the first draft a week ago and finished it today. Been making a lot of recordings this month and mostly in the ambient/soundscape field as I am planning to do my next release focused on that. Soundtrack for a film even 'though there's no film. This "contest" or challenge really helped me to get on with it so big thanks for the idea.
Very simple and minimalistic and nothing really happens but it has a mood I think. Electric guitar with an open DADGAC# tuning swells through a stereo pan delay with flangers and choruses and extra delays at each end (all 80's Ibanez L & 10 series stompboxes not that it's important). 6-string slide bass with the same tuning through a Roland Chorus Echo tape delay. A two tracks of Behringer Monopoly synth with one oscillator on through that same tape delay. T-Bird bass. All guitars and basses through the same pedal board that has a cab simulator in the end. No other processing or onboard effects and it basically mixed itself while I played.
The cryptic title is a mixture of dates and the Ibanez FLL Flanger.
Attachment 17922
EDIT: I also put it on my youtube channel
One thing is for sure, the sheep is not a creature of the air.
https://sproingg.bandcamp.com/
Thanks! Very glad to hear!
I "lowered" the price of my track (it's free now) if anyone wants to download it. Halloween special.
https://oman5.bandcamp.com/track/fll-19-26
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