General Music Chat

Well done Craig.

I know you'd rather have a scathing critique but sometimes I just have to sit back and enjoy your music.

Hey... I'm not complaining my friend!


Thank you so much brother!

Very good song...you put a lot of feeling into it, and it shows.




Now, how did you become younger than me?

Very good song...you put a lot of feeling into it, and it shows.

Thank you brother!

Now, how did you become younger than me?

I live in Florida! The "Fountain of Youth" is in St. Augustine, Florida!

Flawless.

f**k flawless pop/rock song.

Cool tune Craig very open expansive. The opening reminded me of maybe something like Triumph or Boston. Usually I have to settle into a tune, this one grabbed me from the first note. The back up vocal on the “falling” could carry on a little longer. It seems to cut out slightly too quickly in my opinion.

A critique is supposed to be what “could be better” and that was the only thing I could come up with and I have to admit it’s being way picky and as critical as I could possibly be.

It’s an excellent song man, really top notch. I really wish I could contribute some unheard instance that might make this in anyway better, but in my opinion it’s as good as it could be. Great job man!

Way to go Craig! Great job overall, especially how you did the backing vox.

I hope you have the success you've earned.

I never thought I would say this. The backing vocal is for real.. flat. It doesn't even sound like you. Like flat every time. The one at 2:20 is harsh. OK the one at 2:36 is on.

Other than that. It maintains your signature sound. It's good. But not a favorite of mine from your body of work.

I've noticed fall (falling) and down to be a repeating theme in your songs. Not good or bad, just noticing.

"Wearing down.... my heart bleeds for you." "Falling" "Falls down"?

I do enjoy your epic loooong fades.

Man... the windows "no" sound is back again. between :17 and :18 it hits twice. You never heard it on the other song I mentioned it on IIRC.

I think EQing some of the treble off of the canned drums will make them sound more acoustic.

I'm still amazed that you do complete recordings on your keyboard/synth. The overall package is VERY acceptable.

OK, lead vocal peaked at 2:52.

Your leads are always convincing as guitar and not synth. They are really glossy as is your overall sound. Kind of Satriani like (not in playing but in tone").

This is a weird comment I know but you've heard me reference the pixies and PJ Harvey as hip. You really don't have anything hip about your songs or sound. I know that doesn't matter to you or anybody here for that matter. Very few people care about hip. My definition of hip is "hip makes cool look uncool." Meaning there is tons of music out there that is good, great, and even cool without being hip. Conversely a ton of music is hip and not even good. These of course are just my quirky opinions. I know I'm in a minority there. I like it that way.

Man, "Train" started autoplaying after this one stopped. That song is really tasty. I still like it. The drums remind me still of "breathe" by prodigy. The fills specifically. The drums are so out of place with the general feel of the song yet somehow they are so appropriate. Here is the prodigy song I referenced. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuDeCaKzJyc

Good song and production Craig. Not big on the backup vocals, I would just drop them.

I never thought I would say this. The backing vocal is for real.. flat. It doesn't even sound like you.

Well, half of them are NOT me. LOL - My cousin, sings, but he went flat, and finally, I stood away from him and did the back-ups WITH him, which helped actually. But yes, still flat in places unfortunately.

I've noticed fall (falling) and down to be a repeating theme in your songs. Not good or bad, just noticing.

Very true. I have 4 songs I think, with "falling" or "down" or a combination, in the titles. LOL - Maybe because much of life, is "falling" and hopefully, getting back up!

I do enjoy your epic loooong fades.

Some of it is laziness. On an album, I wouldn't have that many songs fade out. And sorry, but I DO like a long fade, on a "flying song" a song that kind of soars and jams on the end. Cutting it too short, robs it of some of that feeling, at the very end.

Man... the windows "no" sound is back again. between :17 and :18 it hits twice. You never heard it on the other song I mentioned it on IIRC.

I'll have to go listen again. It's definitely NOT a computer sound though. I have a feeling it is just a pronounced keyboard strike or something.

I think EQing some of the treble off of the canned drums will make them sound more acoustic.

Thanks. I still have not taken the time, to find out whether different effects would help, or... what would be best, is to upload some SAMPLES instead, and use those. Alot of work though. But worth it. I need to find out how to do that.

I'm still amazed that you do complete recordings on your keyboard/synth. The overall package is VERY acceptable.

It amazes me too! That keyboard is a godsend! And... "acceptable" is better than "unacceptable"

You really don't have anything hip about your songs or sound.

They'd "ALL" be hip, if that's what I was going for. As you know very well, I write for the masses. Hit songs, are almost always, the most simple and straightforward of melodies and arrangements. I leave it to other artists, to surprise or shock or impress the music snobs out there. I want to reach the most people possible, with my messages and grooves, that carry them away from the BLECH in life, or make them think, feel love, repentance, alive, soaring and flying in their souls hopefully. I want my music to be a refuge for the listener.

Thanks for the critiques brother!

I knew someone had to end this love-fest eventually!

I certainly respect you as a singer and songwriter, so the comments that are not merely a difference of personal taste, are certainly helpful and appreciated! Thanks!

Good song and production Craig. Not big on the backup vocals, I would just drop them.

Thanks Jimmy! That means alot brother!

Back-up vocals: See my response to Paul. LOL

Flawless.

f**k-ing flawless pop/rock song.

Thank you brother!


Of course, the artsy would consider that an insult. LOL - I take it as a compliment though, since, a good pop/rock song was what I was going for!

Cool tune Craig very open expansive. The opening reminded me of maybe something like Triumph or Boston. Usually I have to settle into a tune, this one grabbed me from the first note. The back up vocal on the “falling” could carry on a little longer. It seems to cut out slightly too quickly in my opinion.

A critique is supposed to be what “could be better” and that was the only thing I could come up with and I have to admit it’s being way picky and as critical as I could possibly be.

It’s an excellent song man, really top notch. I really wish I could contribute some unheard instance that might make this in anyway better, but in my opinion it’s as good as it could be. Great job man!

I'm speechless brother. Very high praise indeed. If you are mistaken, I am not going to correct you! LOL - I enjoyed those compliments VERY much! Very encouraging! Can't thank you enough!

Way to go Craig! Great job overall, especially how you did the backing vox.

I hope you have the success you've earned.

Thank you brother!


I wish I could say more about it right now, but... I've made a few important connections recently, and my music has gotten onto their radar enough to comment me about it, and inquire as to whether I am signed yet, and that "You should be" when I said not yet, and they seem to want to help me out. They have helped others become names in the business. I feel somehow, like a groundwork is being laid right now, for something big to come! I am EXCITED at the future possibilities! We will see!

Yes Craig, I won the position as singer and writer.
This band is being formed under the umbrella of a
management co. that I will talk more about later.
I am very excited about this opportunity and will
relay progress when it is appropriate.

Great news! Keep us posted!

Who cares if you can nitpick the mix here or there, or if some backup vocal is flat here or there.
Minor fixes.

Flawless song.
This wouldn't be the recording on a distributed record anywho.