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Post by Rob W on Jul 5, 2016 14:52:02 GMT
Dear All
Use this thread to vote and comment if you feel the urge!!
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Post by Rob W on Jul 6, 2016 16:56:54 GMT
July. News
1. Colin P
I think that this is arguably one of Colin’s best-sounding and most accomplished arrangements. Is that distorted solo played on a Ukulele? I love it. I also love what you’ve done with the task this month. News and current affairs (I thought) would be a subject where Tim, Stephen C and Christian would find tiny, obscure stories from the column inches that most people never explore and the rest of us would attempt to put out our take on bigger stories. However, this approach (of actually taking recordings of people reading or being part of this news story - something you are clearly passionate about working within the nursing profession) is very clever and, as I’ve already said, really well executed. I really like the juxtaposition of the happy, reggae feel with the words of our contributors. Another great (and ever-improving) effort from Colin.
2. Stephen C
This sounds as though it’s come directly from a guitar/banjo combo sitting on a porch in the south of the USA. The unmistakable Stephen C delivery suits this style perfectly and it’s an odd but believable (and listenable) combination of U.S. folk/country and deadpan U.K stand up comedy. Oddly, of course, the gun lobby in the USA is so powerful that neither of the Presidential hopefuls would dare to advocate an overturning or updating of the constitution with regard to ‘Bearing Arms’. As ever, Stephen’s forensically sharp lyrics and his ability to put out a catchy tune make this another strong contender. Great work.
3. Mike G
I think Tim has said in the past that Mike’s work sounds so beautiful and rich that it almost gives him an unfair advantage. I don’t necessarily agree but this doesn’t sound amazing given the simplicity of the arrangement. The lyrics are strong and the message clear. I think my only criticism (which I could also make about Colin’s song above) is that there is a lack of a clearly defined Chorus (or perhaps I should say that the arrangement and chord structure is such that it’s not sufficiently different to be thought of as a chorus.) However, the guitar solo is great. In fact, it’s better than great. It’s sublime. That’s the best work I’ve heard since…2007!!! I love the fact that you must have just clicked record and just kept going and going. Some, who like a tighter arrangement would have a problem with it but I think that it’s fantastic (great sound too.) Very good work indeed.
4. Christian D
True to my prediction, Christian takes a subject a little off the beaten track (though not THAT far off.) My immediate thought is that something’s gone wrong with the drum machine. I’m sorry to say but it’s a bit circa 1990 and not helped by the height in the mix of the hats and cymbals. With that out of the way, the song, as ever, is effortlessly both simple and yet clearly beyond complex for us mere mortals. I listened to this a number of times and you tell the story so well, framing the story in a way that humanises the animals at the same time as crystallising the hopelessness of their captivity. Drum machine aside, this is great (as ever.)
5. Tim & Glyn
I started listening to this with eager anticipation as this is the only other ‘Brexit’ song apart from mine (surprising really.) I listened to this quite a few times but I really struggled to hear the lyrics (I think it’s me, not you) but the thrust of it seemed to be a warning against upsetting the status quo and that the fact that the flame is already burning (racial/foreign hatred?) has meant that a Brexit vote will now feed that fire. I suppose I’d like Glyn’s voice higher in the mix and perhaps the preferred double-tracking method has, on this occasion, made it difficult to hear the words.
I really loved the chorus and particularly the title (very clever, ‘setting light to a flame’.) A very under-stated guitar solo was excellent. And overall, the composition was really excellent and accomplished.
6. Phil S
Flushed from his success of the previous month, Herr Sanderson goes off-piste again!!I loved this song purely from the title! But the opening bars (accompanied by Neying horse) didn’t disappoint.
This is almost Benny Hill and makes me think that Phil’s abilities are perfectly suited to these off-the-wall ideas (and Eurovision!)
But this is a really catchy song too with really nice work driving it along. Phil is extremely accomplished as a guitar player and he is putting in a full shift here. The whole thing is really helped by an understanding of the type of song he’s creating and strong drums. A great effort and thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.
7. Tim & Julie
I was so relieved that Tim asked for an extension as I could hide behind his ‘inadequacy’ to hit the deadline!!
It’s a testament to the distance and road along which Tim and Julie’s songwriting has driven in that they think this is ‘…a bit rough’. This is anything but rough and I increasingly find myself wondering how Tim’s choice of guitar riff always reminds me of Alice Cooper when it clearly isn’t a rip off by any stretch of the imagination. (I’m guessing it’s just so deeply ingrained from your days of listening to ‘Love it to Death’,’Killer’, ‘School’s Out’ and ‘Billion Dollar Babies’ when you were a lad.)
I’d say again, the journey has been astonishing. I compare you to a once hopelessly obese man who now runs marathons for fun.
Now THIS song has a chorus. This is really, really well put together and I love the fact that you put your voice so proud in the mix. It’s really easy on the ear and another brilliant addition to the Warner/Widdowson catalogue. I REALLY loved the backing vocal arrangement from 2’34”. This is absolutely the sort of music I love to listen to and I’m open-mouthed at the fact that my big brother has written and recorded it (I have to keep going back to your recording in April 2014 and comparing and contrasting. No comparison can be made. Two years ago, you were crap. Now, you’re really, really good.)
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Post by eddiecustard on Jul 8, 2016 22:51:35 GMT
Some good work here - enjoyed listening to these.
Colin Parish – To Be a Good Parent
Colin’s got the instrumentation spot on here - with the ukulele, synth and bass intertwining expertly to create a fine production. I was reminded of Paul Hardcastle’s 19, mixing radio commentary and a clever use of instruments to create a satisfying whole. The mix is excellent here, with the voice combining perfectly with everything else. It’s not really a song as such – more of a soundscape of the kind Phil unleashes now and again – but there’s enough going on to grab the listener throughout.
Stephen Clarke - Blood on Your Hands
I liked this one when you previewed it for the video month and it works excellently here expanded into a full song. The mood on the chorus is intriguing - it’s part country and part protest song folk, and there’s a slightly menacing feel, complemented by the way you sing the key line of ‘you’ve got blood on your hands.’ The bass line on the chorus is simple, but works superbly.
The twangy, bluesy guitar on the intro sounds really good. The lyrics convey your characteristic humour, but there’s darkness this time too. There’s an inspired line about Trump ignoring a drowning man on the grounds that he should have chosen a calmer day to swim. I like the brief a cappella section near the end, and the harmonies are tight and well delivered throughout. All the ingredients of good songwriting are here - an interesting theme, captivating mood right from the beginning, economical playing and a memorable chorus. Well done on another fine effort.
Mike Gosling – The Promised Land
Loved this one, Mike - one of your greatest hits. The verse hits the mark straight away with its neat chord changes, beautifully recorded guitar and breezy instrumentation. Some nice chord changes too on the chorus, especially on the bit, ‘…where I’m free to be and be free to live, and be free to roam..’
Lyrically, it’s a success through the contrast of the migrants’ optimism with the reality of their terrible experiences at the hands of traffickers. ‘We’ve no possessions left, only hope afloat.’
There’s an excellent guitar solo near the end, and a terrific harmony singing throughout. It feels lean, tight, melodic and brilliantly produced. It’s all come together on this one, Mike. A treat.
Tim and Glynn - Setting Light to a Flame
I can certainly hear Eartha Kitt, and a large dollop of Patti Smith. It’s almost like a purr on the opening bit of vocals. This is a frothy, sensual concoction of the kind that Tim and Glynn do so well – they are maestros at atmospherics and always deliver silkiness via the drums, bass and vocals. The sudden quietness/piano section on 0.55 is very effective, carrying on into the chorus. The guitar solo is terrific at 2.56, with a lovely echo, and longing.
Phil Sanderson – It Catches a Bandit Good
Great story, Phil – you can’t go wrong when the starting point is a tale about a bicycle rustler. Marvellous accordion intro creating an odd mood that feels more like something from Romania than America.
Overall it’s a riotous mix of horse neighing, gypsy rock, country rock and God knows what else. There are even the accents, and the spooky yee-hahs. The chorus is a bit of a mouthful but you carry it off. Top marks for producing such as curio, Phil. You’ve strayed off the beaten track plenty of times - often to great success - but it’s harder to remember a time when you’ve been as far from the mainstream as this. Nicely done.
Tim and Julie – Turf War
Another compelling tale from T and J – you couldn’t really make up the idea that two gangs slug it out for control of funeral-related business. I really like the psychedelic and distorted guitar sounds and the freaky vocals, although I think the guitar is a touch high in the mix. There’s a fine chorus, aided by the high-pitched backing vocals.
The bridge on 1.46 is inspired - really unusual. Tim’s talent for dark comedy comes out here in a funny lyric about dealing with the people who die in the brawl: ‘Three men are killed/mowed down by a fleeing car/if they need someone to bury them/they won’t have to look far.’
Another highlight is the bit about the gang members digging themselves out of prison. An off-kilter tune which packs a punch every bit as forceful as one delivered by a turf war brawler.
Rob Warner - A Fair Society
Great stuff, Rob. Amazing that you conjured this up in its entirety and recorded it in less than four hours. It takes me that long just to work out what I’ll play on the bass during a bridge. A Fair Society has a melancholy feel, which is just what these lyrics need. There’s a lift-off at the chorus – quite an achievement given that it’s left only to the vocals to achieve the effect. I like the introduction of the choir on the second and third choruses – it’s placed at just the right level in the mix.
I like the very first chord change in the verse. In fact the chord sequence in the whole of the verse is impressive. The snare rolls give it a bit of extra quality when they are introduced too. Terrific singing, as always. A cracker.
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tandg
Junior Member
Posts: 67 
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Post by tandg on Jul 14, 2016 20:12:09 GMT
A really good month with great variety and really high quality - we could have definitely done with 4 votes this month.
To be a Good Parent – Colin Parish
This is a very good idea, excellently carried out. The layers of sound are very nicely built up, the instrumentation sounds great – who would have thought you could achieve so much with a ukulele? You are so right about the natural rhythm of the voices and this is an important, thought provoking interview. I’m so glad you started submitting recordings again – this is original, experimental and wonderfully musical.
Blood on Your Hands – Stephen Clarke
First thing that struck me was how accomplished the guitar is. I know it is ‘only’ strumming but it is very consistent in sound and tone and I really like the string bends thrown in and how the bass notes drive it on. The ‘You got blood on your hands’ line sticks nicely in your head and there are some great cutting and sharp lines throughout the song – I particularly like the line about blaming massacres on madmen, rather than on the gun. Next time Trump comes over, we’ll raise the Mexican flag and play this to him over the PA system.
This Promised Land – Mike Gosling
This is such a lush production right from the start, with acoustic, bass and electric guitars supported with string sounds and plenty of harmonies, I was worried there wouldn’t be anywhere to go to but the more it goes on, the more it seems to work. I absolutely love the guitar solo – I was so glad you kept it going as the vocals returned. This is a good choice of story – it would have been easy for the lyrics to be completely maudlin but it really wasn’t. I like that this works as a piece of music – it is great to just lie back and let it wash over you. Lovely.
The Other Animals – Christian Duffin
This is an extraordinary set of lyrics. This could well be the angriest song of SWC but expressed in such an unusual way – chinchillas scratching walls and aardvarks head butting electric fences are not lyrical features of any musical genre that I’m aware of. Great harmonies and crisp vocal sounds help make the lyrics clearly audible and I love your guitar sounds throughout. Special mention goes to the honky tonk piano solo. There is just so much to listen to; this is quite a complex song musically as well – beautifully put together but it will be the lyrics and the imagery of the song that will stick afterwards.
It Catches a Bandit Good – Phil Sanderson
So that’s what’s in Phil’s head! Accordions, horses whinnying, ye-haws all over a sort of rockabilly beat – this is extraordinary stuff. The choice of instrumentation is eccentric, the Southern American accent and octave apart vocals lend it a surreal atmosphere and then there’s a wistful middle 8 out of nowhere. Amazing Phil. But above all there is one part of the song that I want to hear over and over and that’s the slide guitar. Now that is really special and the way it drifts into the siren is just perfect.
Turf War (Cemetery Brawl) – Tim & Julie
This is terrific. Great story and a great song. I loved that you found a strange story and really drew out the absurdity of it all. The guitar playing is spot on – really up front and recorded so sharply that you can hear the pick on the strings. Julie’s backing vocals lift the chorus (good to hear from Julie again) and the last chorus in particular is excellent – great choices of notes in the ‘turf war’ harmonies. That middle 8 is an unexpected pleasure and overall it’s one of those songs that sounds like you know it from somewhere – it sounds ‘right’ straight away. I thought last month’s song was one of your best (and don’t understand why it wasn’t level with Phil’s brilliant song in the voting). This is right up there and will definitely get one of our votes.
A Fair Society – Rob Warner
This is a fascinating piece of music – the chord choices are completely original and it takes a few listens for it to sink in. It is actually quite theatrical in its tone and delivery. I’m not sure what to make of the lyrics – as you say, some of the points could fit either side of the debate (and perhaps reflect on the abysmal overall quality of the debate/bun fight). For a song that was written and recorded very quickly, it is a highly original piece of music – it would have been easier to have played it safer with a conventional drum track and more ordinary key shifts. The key change to the chorus is particularly effective and the vocal performance is great.
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Post by timwarner on Jul 16, 2016 7:12:51 GMT
I'm wondering how Karl, should he comment, is going to stylise this to represent 'news.' I can't see an option for 'moving ticka-tape' to scroll across the screen.
To Be A Good Parent - Colin Parish
I like the way the chord moves around the chords played on the eukalele. The recording is very clean and clear and, you’ve maintained a bit of the bagpipe feel from last month too. I feel guilty about enjoying it as the subject matter is so serious. It’s not something you can sing along to though.
Blood On Your Hands - Stephen Clarke
The simple approach definitely works well for, what sounds like, a Dylanesque protest song. Clever lyrics, as ever.
It’s troubling that, when given a chance to vote, so many votes are cast based on ‘feelings’ rather than ‘facts’ and, for the moment at least, Trump has emotionally engaged many Americans. I suppose we’ve done a similar thing closer to home recently where, for their own good, it’s been necessary to argue against what the majority voted for (I’m thinking of the Boaty McBoatface debacle, of course).
This Promised Land - Mike Gosling
wow, this is good AND beautifully recorded. The backing vocals are particularly well done. The imagery is superb without being a downer, despite the dour situation you’ve written about. Superb. As if that wasn’t enough, the solo is great.
The Other Animals - Christian Duffin
It’s a great way to approach the subject as it avoids some of the more divisive arguments surrounding this incident. You avoid taking sides of either the animal rights nutters of the proponents of blood sports.
Bvox in the dreamy bridge are wonderful. The song bops along really well and is very catchy. Another great pop song from Eddie/Christian studios.
It Catches a Bandit Good - Phil Sanderson
Anyone who steals a bike deserves what they get. I like the accent you’re putting on but I don’t think you’ll get work as a dialect coach.
There are some interesting instruments used, fiddle and accordion, that would never occur to me. The drums you’re using have really improved lately.
The main hook is quite a mouthful of words.
Setting Light To A Flame - Tim and Glynn
I like the vocal sound on this, the slightly croaky 40-a-day sound works well. There’s something very grown-up about most T&G songs and this one is no exception. You hit the nail on the head with the line ‘people just wanted to feel safe.’ I like the solo but I’ve been spoiled by the sound Mike had on his track.
Turf War
Surprised to hear Rob refer to Alice Cooper; I thought I was channelling SRV.
A Fair Society - Rob Warner
The raspy nature of the vocal make the high notes a real surprise. I would never have thought that was within range, making it feel like you captured a performance (that’s gotta be a good thing). It’s ‘lighters at the ready’ (or, lighter apps) if/when you play this live.
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Post by philsanderson on Jul 17, 2016 23:06:25 GMT
Colin Parish – To Be a Good Parent
Love the samples they do indeed have their own rhythm. Ukulele has never sounded so good. This is really well produced and a veritable listening pleasure. Robert Bobra would not get the concept of mixing samples (horse neighing and lasso sounds excepted ) and the lack of a traditional singalong song structure, but I certainly do. I’ve tried combining radio and other samples, finding the initial juxtaposition not too difficult, but then knowing when to stop and choose is the hard bit and getting a good balance between the spoken bits and the backing. Well, you’ve certainly struck GOLD on this one. Fab!
Stephen Clarke - Blood on Your Hands
You could try to send this to the future powers to be over the Atlantic, but I fear you may become a target of the CIA and end up with your whole literary back catalogue being wiped from Amazon.com.
More excellent playing on this song, Stephen. It sounds so natural when you play. This performance, more than ever, has a late 60s, almost nostalgic sound to it
Robert Bobra reckons issuing lassos to the police force would turn round the country overnight. He may be right. Either way he’d make a better leader than Mr Trump.
Mike Gosling – The Promised Land
Love the instrumentation and the great flow of the song. Highlights: acoustic guitar separation, chord / tune in line 2 of verse ( very specific ! ) and where it is revisited in chorus, use of synth string sound, oh....and the guitar solo! Really enjoy playing along to your songs, Mike. I’s go as far as to say that I actually have my guitar at the ready before I ever listen to your songs, as I know I’ll want to play along immediately.
Robert Bobra was lost for words on this one, Mike. Everything which happens outside the US is practically alien and may as well be happening on Mars, certainly way beyond his understanding. In any case, excellent horsework would be wasted with so much boatwork involved.
Christian Duffin – The Other Animals
Where on earth do you get your story angles from...! You’ve extracted a good story but then transported it onto a different level! Clever lyric work, and loved the honky tonk piano solo – just perfect and perfectly delivered.
Robert Bobra reckons that all bike thieves should be rounded up and tossed into various animal enclosures. Some lasso work might have rescued the child without need to kill the gorilla.
Tim and Glynn - Setting Light to a Flame
Instrumentally I actually get quite a bit of Kate Bush / Aeriel from this month’s song. ( and KB vocal from this period in the chorus, too) I think there’s a small dose of Portishead influence in the vocal parts, too. All this is music to my ears! Love the sound in guitar solo and the way it sort of floats on top of the chords. The drum rhythm propels the song along so well, there’s real momentum to the song. Repeated listening allowed me to focus on the other guitar parts which are also so well executed. Would make a memorable live track!
Robert Bobra commented on how well the rhythm suited the movement of his horse!
Me_ It Catches a Bandit Good
The ‘rather a mouthful’ chorus ( almost a direction quotation from the actual words spoken by Robert Bobra) was intended to be ironic as a contrast to how easily the cowboy manages to ride down and lasso the transient seattelite robber. I slowed down the song at one point of laying down backing track to more easily accommodate the chorus line, but then the rest of the song didn’t seem to work as well, so returned to originally intended tempo.
Tim and Julie – Turf War
There seems to be more than a slight ( although I am sure incidental ) influence of Frank Zappa here, particularly in the backing vocals and the up front guitar sound / level. Also in the rather ridiculous ( but true ) story line. ( FZ is one of biggest musical influences)
The only other wrangling over cemeteries / funerals story I can recall came in a Dave Allen comedy sketch!
Robert Bobra loved the US feel in this song ( UK vocal permitting ) He didn’t get why you would feel so strongly about a piece of grass, so I had to explain)
Great drum sounds and use of synth / keyboard bits which seem to emerge from the guitar sounds into the spaces left. Mad. Wonderful.
Rob Warner - A Fair Society
Tight trouser time indeed! I wonder if in hindsight you wish you had recorded the song in a lower key! I think even you with massive vocal range may have reached your upper limit on this one. We’ve missed you at recent races...could this be the legacy of tight trousers. Great chords and nice piano / string sound. Quite grown up lyrics here - really like them. Chord used on end of line ‘I represent you all ’ is really good. More success with the backing vocal. There seems a little bit of ‘unfinishedness in the song’, although the ending may have been deliberate??
Bandit Catcher Bobra wonders whether you’ve spent too long on a horse of late! ( if that is possible )
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Post by timwarner on Jul 18, 2016 15:41:07 GMT
Hi Phil, I've been dreading writing something that was done previously ever since we started.
I'm only really listened to two FZ albums: Live at the Roxy and elsewhere; and Sleep dirt. I'm intrigued to know what you had in your mind about the FZ reference?
I remember the Dave Allen sketch where two rival funerals were racing to the cemetery.
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Post by philsanderson on Jul 18, 2016 16:05:27 GMT
Hello Tim! Around about late 70s FZ began to employ more and more musicians who were increasingly more than capable of taking on role of lead vocalist during different songs or part of songs. A lot of tracks from the early 1980s onwards have 'wild' and 'untamed' backing vocals of high quality from these vocalists - like yours in this song and in other songs you've produced, so hats off to you and well done! .... without realising it you've paid blind homage to one of my fav artists! ( Blind Homage - now there's a possible track title! ) I've got a lot of the later FZ material sitting around at home - most of it copied from vinyl onto CD if you're interested. FZ used Steve Vai for quite a few of his albums in the 80s, propelling him to future stardom. I still love 'Roxy and Elsewhere', although the musical and production jump to the 80s albums is quite a large one when I listen back to it now.
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Post by Rob W on Jul 20, 2016 14:10:46 GMT
I absolutely LOVE that 'Roxy and Elsewhere' album.
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Post by stephen on Jul 20, 2016 17:08:57 GMT
Really difficult to choose just three. I wish we could do a Eurovision descending order marking system.
Colin P To be a good parent
True, that is a good hook line, and the spoken words work very well (you seem to have inspired Rob's theme for next month). I like the ukelele sound, especially because it sounds just like a guitar (I'm not a uke fan), and I enjoyed your upbeat chord sequence. It sounds like something that could be played to parents as a wake-up call on their radio alarm clocks, to get them going for the day.
Mine
That hissing sound on my guitar track is no way a sign that I recorded it at too low a microphone level and then had to turn it up really loud in the mix because I didn't have time to re-record. What happened was, I recorded the song in a cave in the Arizona desert, and I woke up a hibernating rattlesnake. It started rattling but then I told it I don't use percussion on my songs, so it contented itself with a straightforward hiss. Honest.
Mike G This Promised Land
As ever, beautifully recorded and arranged. Trademark jangly guitars, a sliding bassline, great drums. The multi-tracked voices work especially well, and the lyrics are really poignant. I like the line about "orange hillside, but not from the fruit of trees". Emotional guitar solo, mixed really well so that it plays us out behind the choral vocals. Totally professional recording, you should put it on YouTube.
Christian D The Other Animals
Great chorus, and towing the middle line works - "the other animals" is a very effective way of putting down us humans while not getting too shouty. Excellent slightly distorted rhythm guitar and punchy bass - combined with the tight vocals it makes the track feel very urgent. Love that keyboard solo, really simple-sounding but memorable, and a neat contrast with the feel of the rest of the track - reminded me a bit of the Stranglers.
Tim & Glyn Setting Light to the Flame
Sounded to me like an Alison Goldfrapp track, combining "cracked" and pure vocals with a funky beat. Great hook with the multitracked voices, and I like the line "what we had is blown away". The backing track is excellent - driving bass, those simple keyboards pounding the descending riff into our brains, and the ringing guitar solo.
Phil S It Catches a Bandit Good
Completely bonkers - a sort of Arabian/Western version of Benny Hill's Ernie. As usual you do your thing like no one else could. Those background horse and lasso sounds, the guitar "sirens", the effects on the vocals, the almost military drums over your trademark distorted guitar, then ending on the in-store announcement. It's another track for your ever-growing library of inimitable songs. Great stuff.
Tim & Julie Turf War
Great overloaded rhythm guitar, especially that bending lick at the end of the intro and choruses. The live feel works perfectly. I listened once just to the guitar, and it reminded me of tracks by rhythm/lead players like Kossoff and Blackmore who can't help showing off behind the vocalists throughout the whole song, but in a good way. I like how you take the "turf war" hook and play with it vocally - it's a good joke too.
Rob W A Fair Society
It doesn't sound like a sketch. Nice melancholic chord sequence, especially with that unexpected chord on "suits them". The bass sound is great. Very powerful vocals, too, and the tight trousers worked a treat. Excellent play on "don't turn your rights into wrongs" and the Orwellian "fair society, when it suits them". Wish I could write something this good this fast.
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Post by mikegosling on Jul 23, 2016 17:40:18 GMT
Another set of very enjoyable songs this month. I'd already written my song but the time the Brexit vote came through - which might have been a good thing as I would probably have written a more depressing song!
Colin - To be a good parent - This works very well - the backing has a great reggae-like feeling to it and the natural rhythm of the words works a treat. I'm sure September's "Spoken Word" task will be a doddle for you!
Stephen - Blood on your hands - Great country guitar (with string bends) and some classy lyrics. The "drowning man / calmer day" is a highlight, but I also like the "pasty orange face" jibe. It's frightening to countenance Trump as US President and the idea of protest songs has certainly lost some power since the 60's. But you've got to keep trying.
Christian - Other Animals - You've chosen an interesting story and then chosen a really interesting angle. There are some great lyrics - the chinchillas and aardvarks part is really good. I like the chords in the chorus and the honky tonk piano solo is a treat. Once again Christian you've created a proper pop song which echoes the late seventies / early eighties songs of Squeeze but it's distinctively you.
Tim/Glyn - Setting light to a flame - For me the verse vocals remind me of Beth Gibbons/ Alison Goldfrapp - but yes I can hear the Eartha Kitt influence as well. The sound is trademark Tim/Glyn with a lovely wash of piano, bass, drums and some nice guitar. I really like the "don't know" backing vocals in the chorus. Maybe I was getting into the music a bit too much on this one but the lyrics passed me by a bit as I think they were less specifically news stories than the other songs. Very enjoyable listen.
Phil - Catches a Bandit Good - Phil maintains his reputation for unusual (and sometimes quite barmy) arrangements. I love the accordion and snare shuffle. The double tracked vocals I found a little hard to decipher sometimes. There are some marvellous moments - the "Robert Bobra" vocoder vocals @ 1:30 with that little bit of violin - the way the guitar mutates into the police siren. All in all a fascinating listen from Bob.
Tim/Julie - Turf War - Excellent story choice - yes this story passed me by. As ever, great guitar work whether it's Alice Cooper / Frank Zappa / Stevie Ray Vaughan inspired, it sounds like Tim - it sounds great. Really good chorus with some great backing vocals for the Turf War hook. A real success.
Rob - A Fair Society - The piano intro promises a power ballad and I think we got one. There are some good lyrics - the line about learning different songs is very smart. I like the snare rolls which punctuate the drum track - especially at the end. Not sure I would have chosen to resolve to a major chord at the end of chorus - but it's a minor quibble. A very good 3 hours and 45 minutes work Rob!
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Post by timwarner on Jul 24, 2016 20:58:42 GMT
Congratulations to Mike on a fabulous song.
Quite a spread of votes reflecting a very good month.
The results from the voting get increasingly curious. Flattering as it is that 'Turf War' appears as good as 'The Promised Land' (which it clearly isn't), I find it amazing that two people did't use one of their votes for for Mikes song. Still, we all know about the strange results voting can bring.
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Post by eddiecustard on Jul 24, 2016 21:14:10 GMT
Well done Mike, Tim and Julie - two very good songs.
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Post by mikegosling on Jul 25, 2016 8:53:34 GMT
Congratulations to Tim and Julie - I really enjoyed your song.
Thanks for the positive comments for my entry (and the votes!).
Hope you're enjoying the weather and getting into a murderous frame of mind for August's entry!
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Karl
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Karl on Jul 25, 2016 9:24:22 GMT
Well done Mike, Tim & Julie. Sorry I didn't comment or vote this month.
Tim W - This isn't just because I was struggling, typographically, to enhance my comment headers with this month's theme! By the way, I thought your font choice was appropriate!
However, my votes would not have altered the outcome of the poll at all.
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Post by Rob W on Jul 25, 2016 18:27:55 GMT
Congrats to Mike, Tim and Julie. There's no bitterness on my part as I languish in dead last place because I voted for one of the winners (ie I was 50% right as opposed to being 51.8% right earlier in the year!!)
I thought it was a great and inventive month. Well done all.
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Post by colinallcars on Jul 25, 2016 18:35:04 GMT
What a fabulous task this was - I really enjoyed making my song and listening to everyone else's. Thanks for the nice feedback about my effort. I'm not doing murder, but I'll be back for the speaking song. Hope you are all having a good summer.
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Post by stephen on Jul 27, 2016 8:30:35 GMT
Congrats to Mike, Tim and Julie. Deserving winners with some real guitar hero stuff going on.
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