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Post by Rob W on Aug 2, 2016 10:24:59 GMT
Comment and vote here
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Post by eddiecustard on Aug 3, 2016 22:41:26 GMT
It was heartening that people said in their notes that their song was either no good, very rushed or both. I thought this might help me to finish top, given that I generally treat Stephen and Colin to an expensive meal and a West End show the night before voting closes. Alas, there are in fact multiple very good entries here.
Stephen Clarke - I’m Happy
Stephen shows again that he’s a great storyteller, as he conjures up a Country and Western/blues-influenced tale of prostitution and the strain it brings to relationships. I like the way the characters’ fates are not revealed till the last seconds of the song. The ending is a shock and works brilliantly, after the line ‘she pushed me too far..’ has led us cleverly down a false trail. Then there is the classic gangster tactic of dumping a victim into the boot of a car.
I really like the dreamy guitar solo, which directs the song neatly back to the verse chords and then the staccato acoustic playing. As usual Stephen uses his box of tricks to create dynamism and excitement from minimal instrumentation. He can do this only because the songwriting at the core is so strong.
Mike Gosling - Adeline
Good grief, Mike, this is a classic. An atmospheric first few bars immerses us immediately into the world of this troubled soul who has killed his girlfriend in a fit of uncontrolled anger and gone on the run. There are perfectly placed harmonies in both the verse and the beautiful chorus. The combination of the powerful words and expressive vocals creates something very special. There’s some lovely playing of the acoustic and very effective use of keyboards, especially the string parts. Mike evokes desperation, sadness and regret.
I was impressed by the pathos of the line that the protagonist planned only to shoot birds. The lyrics and the singing are extremely good. I found myself taking a deep breath as the last notes faded. I think this was through admiration and because I felt a bit emotionally drained. Adeline is as good as anything I’ve heard on this website for some time.
Phil Sanderson – Mord I Mine Øjne
Phil started scoring points before I’d even heard this one, thanks to the good jokes in his notes. Boghandel doesn’t sound like a bookshop to me, though; more like a supplier of bathroom accessories.
I had to dig deep into my rusty O Level Danish to translate the title (Murder in My Eyes). I find Phil’s songs almost impenetrable when they’re in English so the fact that this is in Danish didn’t affect my enjoyment too much. Having said that, non-speakers of Danish are shut out to a degree because they don’t know what’s happening in the story.
Phil continues to create not such so much his own groove as his own genre through these experiments with language and sound. I really admire him for putting so much energy, commitment and detail into every song. It feels like each one is accompanied by the creation of a whole new world, as evidenced by the photography and the fine detail in his blurb. Dag Slot? He may be from Denmark, but could just as easily be an Australian drag artist.
I really like the spooky intro, with the bass working well with the trill of the guitar and spoken words. The poppy section on 2.50 is a success too. Phil is in complete control of the production and sound here – the dynamics are spot on. This type of atmosphere is perfect for the soundtrack to a Nordic murder series, and Phil is the man I’d pick every time.
Tim and Julie
- One Slip, You're Dead
A chirpy, bluesy jaunt which skips along briskly and very enjoyably. It’s another lyrical success. One of Tim’s and Julie’s great strengths is the ability to spin a good yarn, but also to do it from an unexpected angle. I like the dual meaning of the title, which at first I thought referred to a slip by a trigger finger but can also refer simply to someone falling over and getting a fatal head injury. The bridge is very good, with the bass weaving a nice high-pitched descending pattern to make this section stand out neatly from the other parts of the song. In fact, Joe’s bass playing is good throughout.
I really like the harmonies on ‘One slip, you’re dead’ right at the end.
I think the drums should be a little higher in the mix, but that doesn’t detract from the experience. Written and recorded in double quick time, this is an impressive piece of work.
Rob Warner - Murder
A comedy ska melody sung by a serial killer? This makes Phil’s stuff look mainstream.
It’s a grisly affair, but it did make made me laugh, especially the list at 1.53 of possible methods of killing, which includes ‘slice’. Perhaps you could have added ‘parboil’.
It’s dispassionate lyrically – as you’d expect from a serial killer – but Rob’s playful production makes it an enjoyable listen. The bass playing in combination with the drumming sound great – Rob is unmatched in creating tight rhythms. There are excellent harmonies and Rob’s mixing skills are as sharp as ever.
This could be the first chart entry with a serial killer at the helm unless you count the Charles Manson song that Guns ‘n’ Roses shamelessly recorded for one of their albums.
Tim and Glynn – Not Above Suspicion
Great stuff from T and G - this is rock ‘n’ roll theatre at its very best. A scary intro involving the chimes of doom is followed by a blistering riff. I could feel the murderer creeping up behind me at this point. I like Glynn’s ‘batty alter ego’, and the variety of singing on offer. The playful rhymes of ‘Colonel Mustard’ with ‘flustered’, and ‘Peacock’ with ‘teapot’ work well. The idea of basing a comic song round the game of Cluedo is inspired.
I really like the way the end of the first chorus brings in the Vincent Price laughter and the return of that great riff. (By the way, you haven’t nicked it from anywhere – it’s all your own work. That’s how Noel Gallagher would see it.) Glynn skilfully adopts her third or fourth different character round the 1.56 mark.
T and G deftly avoid repetition by adding further layers with the second chorus via funny background voices, additional vocals and keyboard variations. They have turned on the style for this funny, inventive and tuneful song. Superb.
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Post by timwarner on Aug 4, 2016 20:29:14 GMT
I guess we’re not going to do a song to mark Halloween after this month, there would have been some good contenders. Also, there’s nothing over 4 minutes so, I’m guessing none of us want to think about murder for too long.
I’m Happy - Stephen Clarke
This has a Stray Cats/Moondance vibe to this one which is very welcome, but I’m also getting quite a bit of Jake Thackray too (all good and high praise). Adding to it is the humble production values which make it sound like those early records. The solo is spot on, too. It all combines to make a very agreeable sound.
The story is, as ever, smart and well constructed, without ever feeling forced. The curious conclusion is a great pay off.
Adeline - Mike Gosling
Quite excited to see in the notes it’s another kitchen table recording (I really loved the last one). This is another delicate song full of quiet yearning, melancholy and regret, something you do incredibly well. I think you should do a kitchen table album.
I slightly mis-heard the opening line and wondered why anyone would steal a ‘raffle’ before subsequent lines made my mistake obvious. I really like the guitar work with the harmonics and the way the backing builds but never gets in the way of the song. Your harmonies are always good and are particularly effective here.
Goodbye, My Love - Christian Duffin
Some lovely chords that create plenty of interest, helped by the sparse arrangement, making the melody is comparatively straightforward. I really like the slightly off-kilter start, making the beat difficult to pin down in the intro. Did you need the percussion? I’m not sure.
I really like the way the vocal harmonies move around the melody. The ‘good bye, my love’ hook is really strong and the guitar sounds are unusual but, entirely appropriate. ‘Cocktail so vicious I never made it back’ is a great line.
The subject, seeing it from the victims perspective, is similar to the song I abandoned. I’m really glad I didn’t pursue it now.
Mord I Mine Øjne - Phil Sanderson
Atmosphere! This is loaded with it. The choice of doing it in something other than English makes it even more mysterious and dark and I’m slightly jealous as it’s an option I don’t have.
I like the break down but the bass feels a little uncertain (as if I played it rather than a proper bass player). Because it’s not in English, it makes it harder for me to find the hook, despite the lovely melody. Perhaps I'm more of a 'lyrics' man than I though.
There are some really pleasing backing vocals later in the song.
Murder - Rob Warner
This is a surprise, those opening chords give me no clue we’re in for an up tempo ska song. I can only guess you saw my sleeve notes and decided to show us something entirely different (except I sent the song late Sunday night and you’d have had no time). It’s great to have such an up-tempo song with such macabre lyrics, this dissonance certainly adds to the overall effect (a bit like Alice Cooper’s rousing anthem ‘I love the dead’). It takes no stretch at all to imagine Bad Manners, or The Selector, playing this. I love it.
A really good, very catchy, pop song that would have our parents worrying about what we’re listening to. Failing that, it would have done well on ‘not the 9 o’clock news.’
Not Above Suspicion - Tim and Glynn
I really like the use of Cluedo, it makes me wonder why nobody else did it too. I really like the samples used all over the backing and there’s a really powerful motif at the beginning of each verse. Very atmospheric. I like the slightly ‘over acting’ voice Glynn is putting on too. I really like the change to the major chord at the end of the verse.
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Post by Rob W on Aug 15, 2016 7:15:31 GMT
Stephen C
I love the feel of this from the off. I’m always impressed at anyone who can choose a style and stick to it. I also love the sound and note choice of the bass. There’s a great mid-8 break followed by an uncharacteristic (but nonetheless well-judged) guitar solo.
Spoiler alert! The story appears to be about a door-mat husband who’s just happy to receive the love of his strong-willed, prostitute wife whose dalliances eventually lead her to dispense with her faithful spouse.
It’s nicely put together and the lyrics and music interweave perfectly. I can only compare its musical and lyrical elegance to my own ‘sledgehammer’ approach and you are top drawer, again.
Mike G
Like most of us (I’d imagine) I wish I had your kitchen table! I’m always fascinated by the stories attached to lyrics because Mike here really paints a picture - the music adding the colour - of the pain and misery of the situation. So did you just make the story up? Had you read it somewhere?
This is so simple and yet so beautiful. The melody is great, the backing is as always fantastic and as I’ve mentioned already, the lyrics appear simple and yet as I know from my own efforts, hard to create.
Great work, Mike.
Phil S
Phil almost gets my vote automatically purely from the effort he has put in by creating the illusion of a brand new Scandi-wegian TV series. I feel humbled and honoured to be among a small merry band who are in on the joke.
Certainly, from the off, the music conjures up quickly fading and overlaid images of the type one would expect to see in a title sequence. This is also one of the best melodies that Phil has created even though at times I felt like I was listening to the preliminary regional rounds of ‘A Song For Europe’ - the Danish version.
Though Christian mentioned that he felt excluded from it a little because it was sung in a language he didn’t understand, I disagree. I think the sound of the lyrics was merely another texture in a very finely constructed piece (though I wondered whether it would have been an idea to have a spoken voice behind the melody speaking the lyrics in English like audio subtitles.
I really liked this and your extra effort, I’m sure, will be rewarded. Oh, and by the way, have you invested in a new drummer? He’s very good and uncomplicated. And it was nice to listen to a 4/4 song for a change.
Christian
I loved the sound from the off and reminded me of bygone days (I was trying to think which bygone days and perhaps I’m remembering the way that Patrick used to present his songs to us - the band - back in the day!)
There are some great chords and melodies going on here and of course the lyrics are, as always, intriguing and engaging. From the blurb, I assumed there’d be some twist explaining exactly why our hero had been murdered but I didn’t get that (it’s possible I missed it.)
All in all, another really accomplished and well thought out piece of music that deserves a vote. In fact, this month it would appear you’re the fourth of four who deserve a vote!
Tim & Julie
This has a very similar feel - both in terms of the chords and way it appears to have been recorded - to T Rex’s ‘I Love to Boogie’ (that’s no bad thing.)
As ever, the lyrics are sharp and to the point (but I never really got whether this was a song about falling over or being shot or perhaps - more likely - both.
The music is great (and Joe really knows those upper register scales!) All-in-all, this was great and very easy on the ear. Perhaps a couple of words of advice though. a) It’s highly unlikely that any member of SWC will go back and listen to your back-catalogue of material and pull you up on any similarities which leads me to b) Don’t mention that it’s a copy of a previous song!! I also have to add that it’s really NOT a copy of an earlier song but perhaps it is for you because you’re aware of the genesis of the idea and the process of producing it into a song.)
Another great song among many great songs this month.
Tim & Glyn
When the song-proper started, that guitar/lo piano combo reminded me of Pink Floyd (one of the tracks from Dark Side of Moon.)
As I think Stephen mentioned, this was a brilliant idea. And Glyn’s vocal is absolutely brilliant as she throws caution to the wind and totally lets her hair down and has fun with it. I was smiling throughout. And then the chorus starts and it’s a great melody, very cleverly constructed. And then it’s all followed with that Pink Floyd-esque riff. Brilliant work and my favourite T&G track of 2016.
Voting this month is definitely THE hardest it’s ever been as I haven’t heard a duff track.
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Karl
Junior Member
Posts: 72 
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Post by Karl on Aug 17, 2016 11:00:51 GMT
For me, this is one of the best collections this year.
I'm glad there are 3 votes, but even then it's a struggle knowing I'll not be voting for at least 2 songs which in other months would have got my vote.
Good subject and good, varied songs. Well done everyone.
Stephen Clarke - I'm Happy
A catchy foot-tapper of a song with more than a hint of Stray Cat Strut about it.
Neat lyrics and a vocal line that does them justice.
Not the kind of mood I'd have associated with murder, but it does suit the quirky story rather well.
Mike Gosling - Adeline
Mike and I recorded a demo for a song called Starlight over a year ago now, and this has a similar feel.
It fits the subject and I like the slow build, the great plucky / hit strings sound, and the harmonies are well judged. Good song, well delivered.
Phil Sanderson - Mord I Mine Øjne
I have no idea what this is about, but the sounds used and feel are quite un-nerving in the way a David Lynch film can be.
So, perfect for the theme this month. The drums sound good, and even though the song is, mercifully, in 4/4, the off-beat snare gives the rhythm a nice groove.
Can we have a lyric translation please?
Christian Duffin - Goodbye, My Love
More strong story telling from one the Duffin brothers.
I like the minimalist instrumentation, although some a brushed ride and snare would sound great on this.
Tim and Julie Warner - One Slip, You're Dead
As ever, clever story telling from T&J.
Highlights for me include Joe's excellent bass playing, the delivery of the "One step, you're dead" line, and the crunchy guitar sound - Rob beat me to the T Rex reference!
Rob Warner - Murder
Blimey! Like Stephen's "I'm Happy" this is NOT the treatment I'd have expected.
However, it does work really well and showcases Robs tight playing, drum programming and recording technique excellently. Blackly funny lyrics (did Helen help?).
I think the key you selected really suits your voice too - it seems to allow you to hold back, so when you do go up, there is real contrast. Excellent.
Tim & Glyn - Not Above Suspicion
This sounds like a lot of deliberately over-the-top, tongue-firmly-in-cheek, fun - especially for Glyn!
The low note piano hook is great (reminds me of Ultravox) and the structure really impressed me.
A good idea which is, once again, well delivered.
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tandg
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by tandg on Aug 20, 2016 18:03:17 GMT
Just got back from holidays - have voted and will try to make comments but wanted to make sure votes get included.
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Post by philsanderson on Aug 21, 2016 23:46:55 GMT
A great month - we should definitely do a sequel to cash in on our success!
I’m Happy – Stephen
Fremragende!
Has a summery retro vibe, and as you say, a 20’s riverboat bar feel. The simple arrangement suits perfectly. I was transported back into Jeeves and Wooster memories and there you are dying (‘happy’) in the boot of an Aston Martin wedged in next to a picnic hamper.
Adeline – Mike
Vidunderligt!
A slight hint of 'With and Without You' in opening... but moves very definitely and brilliantly into classic Mike Gosling Music ( MGM). Really liked the arrangement and the echo effect. We need a photo of your productive kitchen table! As you’ve used it before for recording a masterpiece it’s obviously ‘re-productive’ furniture.
Me – Mord I Mine Øjne
Here’s a rough translation of some of my lyrics...
Scared, naked I stare up at the ceiling, Blood on my hands, Murder in my eyes. Lying here with – my eyes fixed at the floor - Revenge in my soul.
A heart is broken – but not mine, a soul is dead – but why
A life is gone but not mine, a mind has fled but why?
I love you, but what’s the point you're not here your life’s gone
I need you, but what’s the point, You are not here
My Scandinavian link/contact reckons I sound more Norwegian than Danish. Either way I know I slightly mispronounced a few words.
Goodbye my Love – Christian
Fantastisk!
Emotionally packed. It feels nicely direct and immediate, like you are playing in my lounge I like the sparse arrangement with the backing vocals when they appear as strong as ever. I assume the guitar sound is ‘Di-ed’( pun intended)
One Slip, You’re Dead – Tim and Julie
Velsmagende!
Fabulous guitar sound – I think only the into sounds a little like your May entry, after that the vocal sound and bass make it a very vey different song indeed. Great groove and interplay between bass and guitar parts. Would make a terrific live song, although take care as spilt beer on stage could lead to certain death.
Murder – Rob
Dødbringende!
With trousers loosened I really like the vocal range you used here. I now like the extreme cymbals, although I was not sure at first. The backing vocal section and beyond is my fav bit – the ending does have a PG feel to it – maybe it’s what I expect, rather than what’s there? Relentlessly cheerful, you make murder sound like a lot of fun - now off to the Cherry Tree pub... to murder a pint!
Not Above Suspicion - Tim and Glynn
Enestående!
Love that ‘stolen’ guitar riff/line... I don’t recognise it from anywhere, but it could well become a classic in its own right. Glyn’s varied vocal sounds completely batty in the verses –does it have a slight ‘Sparks’ or a 1980s feel ? Nice use of your new string sounds( and organ, I presume) A great song and now comes the inevitable voting bit which means that I shall feel like a murderer when I don't vote for three songs.
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Post by mikegosling on Aug 28, 2016 11:42:41 GMT
A successful month I think and maybe the idea of some tricky subject matter has encouraged us to approach it in different ways.
Stephen - I'm Happy
As Karl mentioned, this is a great slice of the Stray Cats (but I think without the quiffs). An excellent punchline and a well judged guitar solo. The lo-fi / demo treatment works well for the material, but I'd also like to hear this given the band treatment with drums and some Gretsch electric guitar.
Phil - Mord I Mine Ojne
A great concept for the task. The instrumentation is excellent - I love the classical guitar underpinning it; the distorted guitar and some good keyboard sounds. I'm a big fan of Sigur Ros (amongst other Icelandic/Scandi bands) and usually don't worry about the lyrics (there usually just another instrument). For this song though (probably because there was a subject) I was a little frustrated that I didn't know what was going on! I thought the main body of the song worked really well, the bass and vocal section @ 1:43 didn't work so well for me and (I didn't think I would ever say this) the straight section at 2:50 was too poppy for me! Overall though, a triumph of concept and instrumentation.
Christian - Goodbye my love
Another fine song built around some really good guitar chords. The simplicity worked well and maybe didn't even need the 2nd guitar and percussion. The lyrics, as well, were very fine and again the theme of murder was delivered in another interesting way.
Tim and Julie - One slip, You're dead
A great sounding riff (yes it owes a fair amount to Marc Bolan!). Some clever lyrics and a really good feel to this one - needs a live outing when we get our Songwriters Collective band together!
Rob Warner - Murder
I think Rob has already summed this one up with his release notes - this is either really good or really terrible! I love it - the bass and drums provide a great platform for Rob's vocal and I'm transported back to The 1st Harwich Festival in 1981. The lyrics, of course, are marmite. My favourite bit is the backing vocal section "Murder, maim,..." - love it.
Tim and Glyn - Not above suspicion
Have Tim and Glyn been spending too much time in Phil's company - it certainly sounds like it from this tour de force. The concept is great, the choice of musical theatre (Rocky Horror Show?) genre and the Monty Python voices work well to deliver the song. Glyn's voice has that coolness of Nico in the verses and I'd like to hear that a bit more in future songs from T and G. There are some really fine (and slightly dubious) lyrics - Mrs Peacock and her "perfectly round scones" spring to mind.
Well done one and all.
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Post by timwarner on Aug 28, 2016 19:20:08 GMT
Well done Rob. The winner in a particularly good month.
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Post by mikegosling on Aug 29, 2016 9:45:14 GMT
Congratulations Rob - let us know what Helen thought of your victory!
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Post by eddiecustard on Aug 29, 2016 18:44:47 GMT
Well done, Rob - death becomes you.
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Karl
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Karl on Aug 30, 2016 14:45:39 GMT
Nice one Rob - happy Alice, incredulous Helen?
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Post by Rob W on Aug 30, 2016 17:36:52 GMT
Thank you to all for your kind words. Alice was delighted. Helen was stunned that such p*ss poor lyrics should win but happy that my catchy murder jingle won the day!!
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Post by stephen on Sept 4, 2016 21:13:46 GMT
Well done, Rob - great win considering the high standard overall. Sorry I didn't review - I've just got back after a month-long road trip in America, no time for much other than motel-hunting. I did vote, though.
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