Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hi guys...we'd love to get some feedback on our songs. We're trying to make it work so please give us your honest opinion.

I think I put them up on our site right...

B.T.S.,
Only had time to listen to "Gratitude" for now. Shades of Pearl Jam to me! Sounds Great! Good song, good playing and good recording . Kept my attention. I'll be back for the rest later.
"J"

Thanks man! We're trying hard, let us know what you think of the rest!

Shiraz

I agree with HowlinJ. "Gratitude" definitely has a Pearl Jam feel to it and I also like it. I shy away from critiquing peoples music as music is in the ear of the beholder but if I like it I will say so.

^ I find it much harder to give a critique on something I don't like. Usually though you can find something positive to go along with the negative. I listened to Gratitude 3 times since you posted a request for a critique. I think you need to give a song at least 3 listens to give it a fair assessment. I like the production. The opening clean guitar reminds me of foofighters, the high note on the opening "yeah" sounds a little strained or weak. There were 2 or 3 other moments like that in the song. Overall the vocals are ok. Some moments of really good melody some moments of forgettable melody. Unlike some of the other responders I do not get a pearl jam feel anywhere in the song. I got an alice in chains feel on the harmony of the opening "yeah". Then I got a disturbed "down with the sickness" feel a few times. I also got an incubus feel from the vox a time or 2. The drummer reminded me of helmets "unsung" for minute. You definitely have something strong to work with. Keep at it!

ive only listened to the first tune but i think its not to bad...
it sounds like a million other bands ive heard before(faith no more/pearljam etc) but it works as a piece of music..the biggest flaw in the song is the singer...he sounds ok one moment and then crap the next and the lyrics sound like they were written by a 10 year old child...very paint by numbers type of style(i hate having to listen to crap lyrics)....all in all it sounds ok to me but the singing and most of all the lyrics need to be alot better in the future..
good luck with everything guys.

B.T.S.'

Unlike Irish Antony, I didn't pick up on any "Faith No More" influence in"Gratitude", but I sure heard it in "What You Fear"! (Not that thats a bad thing). I decided to critique your songs "one at a time" because there's to much to ingest in one hearing. I think your vocalist is a good singer, but ,for the style of song, he isn't singing with enough "conviction". "I'd like to hear a good "live" recording of this song when the "adrenalin is flowing". I bet it would kick ass! You have a good band and your songs merit a careful listen so, once again, I'll be back for more later.

"J"

Thanks guys, for the feedback, good and bad. FYI, I'm the singer

Yeah, I agree that my vocals can be better. I'm a perfectionist and frankly, there's not a song we have that I don't think I can't do better on. Any specific feedback on how to accomplish that would be great. Getting some of those strained vocals re-recorded is a start. Recording before practice is also helping.

These are all demos that we recorded to get a bassist (still hasn't happened yet) but we are in the process of re-recording. Seriously guys, thanks for taking the time to listen, even if it's not your kind of music. Most of the stuff I've done solo-wise has been less balls-to-the-wall heavy, so it's a new challenge for me as well.

Anthony, "Lyrics being written by 10 year old child" - hey, I appreciate the critique but I think that's being overtly harsh. I was a professional WGA writer for years, and while I don't think my lyrics are GREAT, I can't imagine they're that bad...I'd appreciate some more specific criticism if you have some, like what parts really bugged you.

We've been recording some newer stuff as well, and I'll try to get that up when we have a good mix of it. In the meantime, let me know what else you think. In terms of my vocals, Alice in Chains has definitely been an influence, FNM not as much but I can hear where that is coming from.

Thanks guys...I'd love to hear your thoughts on Cleopatra's Lament, sans the vocals which I know are sharp and flat in places. Mostly the arrangement, that sort of thing.


Shiraz (BTS)

im sorry if you think im being harsh burning but as im a singer/songwriter myself i am always super critical of not only singing but even more so of lyrics....i was only speaking of "gratitude" and im not saying its bad, the tune and the vocal melody work but there are a few parts that i would have done differently so here goes...

the "hey" on the intro and outro sounds a bit unsure.. it needs to be stronger...i think

the way you bend the first note on the "haaaaaaave you...etc" if you just hit it straight on the bar you will be able to really turn up the volume without killing yourself...just give it a try for shits and giggles if you fancy

the best singing is on the bridge the slow part works really well and you sound alot more comforable and relaxed and it works...its the strongest part of the song.....

and as for the lyrics ill just say they dont do it for me..each to there own one mans meat is another mans poison and that....


all in all it cool.....and sorry about the lyrics swipe...


i hope any of what ive said is usefull..

goodluck.

Gee, if one cannot handle criticism, then why would one ask for it>?

Howdy,

certainly hear some tool influence... some good mixing here and there... some bad(cleo's lament)...
nice drummer... nice kit.
vocals are good, some better backing tracks/doubling/fx would go a long way. very tight band. very last part of cleo the vocals go bad... both background and otherwise. Vocalist seems a bit immature in terms of years under his belt but there is definite potential there... not half commited, in tune, some nice tone here and there.

Guitar solos are kinda weak for this type of music... IMO... but not bad at all.

please return the favor... (my 2 cents)

My turn! Sorry it took me song long.

Alright, first let's go in order, by song:


Gratitude: This song is definitely a cross between Sevendust, Alice in Chains, and Disturbed. I like the guitar sound in this song, I am assuming this is in Drop-B tuning (Guitars tuned down to B-F#-B-E-G#-C#)? My problem with this song is the vocals. You have a similar sounding voice to the Alice in Chains sound, however, you are weak. Now what I would ask that you do is take vocal lessons and extend that range. If you sing on that song with more force and power, and show the lyrics emotions in your voice, it will come out perfect. Give it some power, man.


What You Fear: Um, I do not favor this particular song, I am not fond of the sound of it. The guitars sound fine though, but once more, lack of power in your vocals. I want to see more power personally, and I mean throughout the entire song, not just part of it.


Cleopatra's Lament: I do hear heavy Tool influence in this song. This is very typical of Adam Jones, this sound that is. I like the feel of this song, but something that I do not like is the guitar in the beginning. Here is the issue, it sounds like your guitarist is using your neck pickup with light distortion. Take off that distortion completely, deepen the sound by using a flanger. The echo effect of the flanger and clean tone of the guitar will give it a much more heavy Middle Eastern feel. You may actually not want to use distortion at all on the song, leaving this song to be soft at some points and heavy at others.

Something I particularly do not like in this song is that after the solo the whole thing goes dense, like void of instruments. Let's hear more power in there, let us hear powerful vocals and some deep sounding heavy heavy metal riffs. You need something to get the crowd moving, as is it will just keep them stationary.


Suckerpunch: I do not like this at all. Just not my type of song, so I will not pass judgment on this since I really cannot. No offense.


Your Tragedy: I like the feel of this song, it has a very strong Tool influence as well - I can definitely hear it, especially in your vocals. I like the lyrics in this song, not bad. The whole feel of the song is good, I just suggest remixing it to make it thicker sounding.

On the "Go part" there is no need for two vocalist to say that, just one with strength in his voice, or you could just omit that part in total (It serves no point since the song really does not pick up much when it is said).

As for the guitar solo, okay, fix this one up a bit. I think you need some delay in there, something to make it echo, it will give it more feel. Leave everything the same, just use heavier delay/echo sounds, and make it a little higher (Can't hear it well enough above the bass and drums).


Drug of Choice (Demo): This song has a good feel to it, I do not have much criticism of this one.


Conclusion: You guys have talent, but I want to see more vocal power and harder riffs in there. That is just a personal opinion, I mean no offense.

Look, something I want to make clear though is one thing, learn to take criticism, you are always going to get it. So if someone bashes your song, just nod and move on. Listen to advice and see if you can make better on these songs.

Good luck with your venture in the music world, you guys have talent, you just need to work on it a bit.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Thanks guys! We really, really appreciate it. I hope I didn't come off as a dick or anything - I certainly did ask for feedback and truly, we appreciate anything we can get.

Personally, I hope I make it clear that I will take everything I get. Getting defensive is a gut reaction, but ultimately, you took the time to listen, so you should feel free to say whatever you want. So once again, thanks.

Guitaranatomy - Great feedback...thank you so much for the in-depth. I agree with just about everything you said! Most of the songs are done in drop tuning.

MrMikeV - Thanks man...I will definitely give you a listen and give you my honest feedback. I'm the singer, and yeah, I've been out of commission for a few years before returning, but I agree, I'm going to be working on it.

Captain Scott - See above.

Irish Anthony - No worries mate. Thanks for the detailed feedback. I thought about it and I don't take offense to what you said before.

Once again guys...thanks SO MUCH for the feedback - up till now it's been feedback from non-musicians. It's hard to create music in a vacuum as you all know. So...much appreciated!

We'll work on it, and we're hoping to come back with even better results thanks you all of you.

ROCK ON!

Shiraz (BTS)

[quote="burningthesun"]
Guitaranatomy - Great feedback...thank you so much for the in-depth. I agree with just about everything you said! Most of the songs are done in drop tuning.quote]

No problem. I had a feeling the songs were in a drop tuning, they have that sound. I like to play in Drop-B, I have yet to try it on my new axe, I think I will wait till I get a new amp before doing that.

The music is world is hard, but with perseverance you will make it!

Peace out and good luck, GuitarAnatomy.

Shiraz,
I said I'd check out the rest of your songs and I finally did. I knew I was in for a long listening session when"Cleopatra's Laments" psychedelic like intro went for a whole minute. Six and a half minutes later I was still groovin on this tune. Excellent song , in my opinion.

"Suckerpunch", also well written. I especially dug the lead guitar @ 1.52

"Your Tragedy", Good song, but got a bit boring after a while.

"Drug of Choice" , liked the lyrics.

Bottom line, Burning the sun is a solid listenable band. Pertaining to obvious Pearle Jam, Faith no More and Tool Influences , who cares, they're GOOD influences. This band has unique qualities and will evolve . By the way, did you find a bass player yet? Let us know how things are going and "thanks for the listen".
John