THE SONGS IN THE ULTIMATE COMPETITION!!!

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:18 am

You_Enjoy_Myself wrote:
audiophile8403 wrote:
gcom007 wrote:I'm so gonna get like 0 votes...darn me and not getting my song in on time...
votes or not, i think your song is pretty incredible, no joke
Agreed.

Elliot, I've love the hendrix/srv/mayer feel of your song. It's really good and the solo in the middle is awesome. Very nice indeed. What kind of gear do you have?

I think I recorded that w/ my Martin OM-28V...I've got some MXL V93M's that I run (one soundhole, one around 12th fret of neck) into a Behringer mixer into a PodXT on bypass w/ USB into my Mac. I record using Garageband or Logic Express depending on if I'm lazy or not. I've got some other mics for different situations and a lot of other guitars. The song to me is very much influenced by Hendrix. I was sitting around listening to Hendrix, then I was listening to Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam which is an obvious Hendrix take and thought to myself, "Hmm, Pearl Jam did it, why can't I?" I kinda have an aversion to directly copping someone's style but Hendrix is such a huge influence on me and it's an obvious tribute to the man so I just went with it. At first it was just the opening riff and it sat dead in the water for months before I finally decided to build a song around it. The tough part was lyrics because the song never meant much to me on an emotional level so I kinda just BS'd some stuff in all honesty. They're far from done in my opinion...right now they're just there for the sake of the song existing, though it'll never be a lyrical behemoth. It's just not the point of the song. It's just a fun song to play and move to.

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:26 am

AdamCU81 wrote:
Elliot "A Little More"- I like the guitar riff, but it seems like you could have gotten a more steady, percussive take. I like the way the vocals were recorded and minimally processed, but there seem to be tenny tiny timing issues. Some phrases get really rushed and I think practice will solve that. The falsettos are a little bit weak, and seem to throw off the following phrase..once again, practice is the key. I like this song. It reminds me of Jack Johnson.

There's really no processing on the vocals besides a bit of reverb. The timing issues are no doubt partly influenced by the fact that Garageband and Logic don't like how I input things...as in, tracks don't line up when I record and I have to manually adjust them after the fact. I have no idea why this happens and it's colossally annoying...but there are some definite rushed phrases and uncomfortable parts. I scribbled down a few sets of lyrics, did takes, didn't like how they turned out, redid them, then did another take and just said, "it'll do!" They need work and you're dead on about needing more practice. The falcetto's are weak for three reasons: 1) I've never had a very strong falcetto it seems, 2) I've just begun using it so I'm learning how to on the go and it's taking some getting used to as well as just sheer confidence to throw it out there and 3) I'd sung a ton the day I recorded it and by the end of the day, my voice was just feeling pretty shot. You can tell on the last time through that there was barely anything left. It was a huge stretch to get it out. So I really gotta work on that. Vocals are definiltey my weakness. The guitar part was a one take deal. I didn't think it was great but I didn't think it was terrible either. It got the point across. I wasn't really going for professionalism as it was just a quick demo I did of a song that is normally played on electric recordied on a machine that doesn't track things in sync with each other. Blah blah blah, so on and so forth. I appreciate your openness on the matter. As you said, I dig the critique as well. It's very helpful to me. A lot of it I've realized on my own, but it's nice to get the reinforcement so as to add a little more fuel to the fire and focus in on certain points. Thanks!

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:30 am

and for the record, I'm really surprised about the Jack Johnson comparisons...I've honestly hardly listened to him at all so it's tough for me to see what you're saying, but I'll take your word for it. It was definitely written with Hendrix in mind though...

a1075dd63aa12 · Unread post by **a1075dd63aa12** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 2:13 am

holy shit elliot. honestly, one of the best songs ive ever heard, i really enjoyed that. definitely hear the hendrix vibe in it, but still completely your own, amazing man, definitely going on my ipod.

You_Enjoy_Myself · Unread post by **You_Enjoy_Myself** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:47 am

gcom007 wrote:and for the record, I'm really surprised about the Jack Johnson comparisons...I've honestly hardly listened to him at all so it's tough for me to see what you're saying, but I'll take your word for it. It was definitely written with Hendrix in mind though...

Yeah, I didn't really hear the JJ comparison either.

What kind of electrics and amps do you play Elliot? Sorry to harass you, but lately I've been going after that Hendrix sound too.

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:51 am

You_Enjoy_Myself wrote:
gcom007 wrote:and for the record, I'm really surprised about the Jack Johnson comparisons...I've honestly hardly listened to him at all so it's tough for me to see what you're saying, but I'll take your word for it. It was definitely written with Hendrix in mind though...
Yeah, I didn't really hear the JJ comparison either.

What kind of electrics and amps do you play Elliot? Sorry to harass you, but lately I've been going after that Hendrix sound too.

SRV Start, Jimmy Vaughan Strat, Vintage Deluxe Reverb, reissue Super Reverb...selling off some of the crap to get another Custom Shop this fall...

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 2:05 pm

AdamCU81 wrote:
Mitch "Dignity"- arggg YSI expired....sorry it took so long for me to get to. I'll definately critique it if you re-up it.

yea sorry about that man. i'm not sure what happened. it said busy then expired. anyway, i put a new link up on the second page. sorry again, i'd love to hear what you have to say. later

http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=33UJ ... 2EP42B3UPF

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:23 pm

oh yeah, the SRV strat is really overrated...I got it b/c it was 800 bucks used and in perfect condition and it seemed better than an American. It's a nice guitar, don't get me wrong, but the pickups are too hot for my liking and it'll quickly be moved to backup when I get a Custom Shop. The neck on it is great though.

carter29 · Unread post by **carter29** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:31 pm

crap, forgot to come back to listen to these...doing it now

Average Man - really solid tune, perhaps ran a little too long?

A Little More - heard both hendrix and Jack Johnson, fantastic tune, loved the soloing parts too

blind fold - enjoyed the intro, the change-over part was great. Too long IMO. Great voice, reminds me of somebody but I cant finger on it. I really liked the song.

coldest night of the year - man your voice is crazy awesome...sounds confident and demands attention, unique and just adds that "something" a performer needs, I could hear it in so many types of songs, lots of potential in your work I say. The song was mysterious and dark. I really enjoyed it.

The Waking Hours - musically terrific! I loved listening to the melodies, and the percussion, drums were perfect touch. Layered nicely. uniqe different "lounge" sound to it, or from hawaii or something, very original

No Other Way - dark song, solid. Loved the strings, voice reminds me of a guy that plays open mic around here all the time. Did blow me away or anything but I enjoyed alot, the instrumental part was great.

Thats all I'll say for now, some songs were expired I didnt actually vote and I have to go to bed soon, I wanna listen to the rest and post my opinion even though I am not voting

a1075dd63aa12 · Unread post by **a1075dd63aa12** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:51 pm

A Little More

Swede · Unread post by **Swede** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:22 pm

thanks to all the people who voted and those who had balls to put up an original, i just want you all to know that it was VERY VERY close and all the song got points..

and here is top 3:

nr 1: Tom
nr 2: Elliot
nr 3 both Mitches on the same score..

but it was VERY VERY CLOSE!!!

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:07 pm

congrats fellow songwriters. this has to be one of the most successful contests we've had yet. :thumbsup:

good idea swede.

Coldchillin · Unread post by **Coldchillin** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:25 pm

I enjoyed it. I thank everyone for their ears and votes and most thanks of all to those who entered and contributed!

gcom007 · Unread post by **gcom007** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:10 pm

wow, I'm surprised I was even ranked especially considering how late I got in...thanks for the votes guys! When's round 2?!

freshead16 · Unread post by **freshead16** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:14 pm

congrats to the winners and thanks to all that organized

and also thanks for the critique everyone

Micah

DMBTabs.com

THE SONGS IN THE ULTIMATE COMPETITION!!!

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