neanderpaul wrote:
First things first. What in the world is that "donk" at 2:40?!?! It sounds like a windows default "no" sound.
Are you sure that wasn't something on your own computer? I don't hear it, at 2:40???? But I don't have my earphones and these laptop speakers SUCK! I'll have to check it again with headphones.
neanderpaul wrote:
The melody and corresponding harmony at :22 is clever and unique. The fact that it is unique is good but it doesn't own me. It's not as tight as your usual melody/harmony matching. It's fine but not awesome for me.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of harmonizing with myself. It's just necessity right now. I thought about playing with the TONE of my voice through processors, for back-up vocals, but haven't tried it out yet. I don't have alot of practice singing my own harmonies. For some reason, I harmonize with others like a champ, but not as well with MYSELF! LOL
neanderpaul wrote:
Your synth guitar leads are tasty and convincing as always. Your bass parts never do it for me. I've just never been convinced by them. Tone or melody. They are just kind of ambient and noncommittal. That's the bass player in me being a purist. I like the sound of a bass guitar!!
Sometimes I keep them simple, and on the major notes, just to avoid the song being too "busy", but... I agree, I could use some work on "thinking like a bass player". Bass is a highly under-appreciated instrument and part to the music, I think. You really have to THINK like a bass player. I do this pretty well on LEAD GUITAR, but I need to work on doing the same for the bass. Bass really is, DIFFERENT, from all the other parts of composition. They play notes that COMPLIMENT the music, but often go in different directions, that you would "think" the music is going. Like... sometimes bass lines sound almost incoherent when you listen to the bass ONLY, yet, in the context of the song, it is a PERFECT part. It's just something I should make myself work on. Thanks!
neanderpaul wrote:
The first time I listened I found my mind wandering away from the song. That really surprised me. If there is one consistent thing about your songs it's that they are memorable. That's why I waited to critique. I wanted to give this track a chance to hook me. It never did. A few parts do but overall it doesn't stand up to "train" for instance.
I'm usually really good at creating memorable hooks. I think this song has those too though, so... Not sure if this is just a matter of taste or not? Sometimes with my music, a FEW listens, make it make sense, or lets it grow on people. I'd be interested in hearing some other comments on this. But you may be right. As artists, sometimes things click with "US" the writers, but doesn't always resonate with others as well. So feedback is really good for those instances.
neanderpaul wrote:
BTW are you still off the cancer sticks??
FULL DISCLOSURE: I fell off the wagon, around the time I burnt my hands.
(Glen is gonna KILL me now!)
neanderpaul wrote:
This is where it might bite a little. I think that you have a signature sound (seems we all agree on that) but that you really have just one sound. The variations you hear in your own styles are not anywhere near as apparent to the rest of us. Even to us singers. 
I have a pretty versatile voice, but I don't really have examples of that posted. It may take me awhile, since my plate is full right now, and I am still healing up from the 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my hands... but... "I WILL" put something together sometime, to show what I am talking about. I
can convincingly sing, in different styles, from a clean opera-style voice, to R&B and then Rock and Blues. Maybe I can find some karaoke tracks and sing to a few to provide an example... although... I am getting older, and the smoking hasn't helped, so... I may not be as good at those other styles as I once was. I'll just have to try it out and see.
Even so... I think there are examples of some different styles both vocally and musically on my MySpace page. Go listen to "Fall" which is kind of R&B with a Spanish influence in the music, and compare that song to "Wishing Well" and tell me that these are similar enough to be called the same: "signature sound". If you compare those two and still have the same opinion, then yes... I am hearing things, and need to keep that in mind for future works.
neanderpaul wrote:
The drums in "train" are a true standout for me in your overall sound. They were both unexpected and tasty in contrast to the song itself and your overall sound. Other than that your sound is very congruent. That is not a cut. It's simply an observation. Your vox always sound like strong straight Craig Maxim.
I'm proud of "Train". I mixed a hip hop beat with a blues melody and feel, and I think it came out really well, and it seems to appeal to ALL GENERATIONS, having a mix of styles that broadens it's appeal generationally, but is subtle enough, that it works together and doesn't feel odd either to young people or blues aficionados.
And I am going for a signature sound in many of my songs, so I don't think that this is a dis at all. It's important to have a "sound" for commercial success, so I am proud of that.
I think what I am going for, are classic melodies, like in the great songs of the 70's and maybe 80's, but with a slightly modern twist, so they can be accepted my younger listeners too... maybe something like an updated classic rock sound, and I MISS guitar solos, which were huge in previous decades, but have fallen off the radar in much of modern music. There is something powerful and emotional, about well done lead guitar solos, and it kills me to see them disappearing.
So to me, if I had to classify it, I would say that my "sound" is an updated classic rock sound, that is also trying to bring back the guitar solo.
