#319645 - 11/25/01 12:09 PM
My review of the Comp III
|
Dan Barnes
Planeteer
Registered: 04/16/99
Posts: 9696
Loc: California Sur, USA
|
I have heard and lived with these tunes more that anyone, except individually by their authors, and I can say that I enjoy them all. There is an abundence of talent, skill and creativity here at the Planet and the Comp III proves it.
Please take my comments and suggestions with a grain of salt since I am no recording expert, that's for sure. I haven't even displayed any of my recordings yet, so you can take my opinions for what their worth. I promise that I will have a submission for the Comp IV.
Disc One
The Day The City Shut Down – TonyK
1. A well written song with excellent production. Lots going on (even dog barks!), but not overcrowded. Can hear each instrument in their own space. The vocal in the verses are somewhat Zappaesque. To comment on the lyrics I'd need a lyric sheet. Can't make them out in the verses for the most part. Chorus vocal with echoing background vocals is cool. Biting yet balanced bass guitar sound. Guitar solos tastefully performed and applied. Bridge with ethereal vocal and feel works well.
2. Everything I Need - Burton
Kind of a jangly “Bodeens” feel to this one. Good use of acoustic and electric guitars. I especially like the hypnotic guitar in the intro and how it sneaks back in again at the end. Nice snare pop. The cool "stuck record' guitar solo is again kind of hypnotic, too. Chorus background vocals creatively handled. The short bridge gives a needed break from the jangling guitars, then back with that cool "stuck record guitar' solo. The lead vocal, over all, compliments the feel of the song, though there are some intonation problems here and there.
3. We Can't Go On Like This - BobO
Pretty, acoustic guitar-based folksy ballad. The lyrics have a good flow and are well constructed. The basic harmonies in the verses, chorus and bridge work well.
4. Daybreak - Gonzo-X
Excellent acoustic guitar sound and performance. This is a nice counterpoint to the genre of music the Gonz usually does (but I like that, too). Interesting dissonance in the last chord that may not have been intentional, but it works nicely just the same. The song starts rather abruptly, like it was punched in, but it's a minor thing that most wouldn't have noticed anyway. Only a few distracting string zips (some people use the misnomer "fret noise', but it's got nothing to do with the frets) but I like some string zipping anyway. Very tasty guitar playing.
5. Inside - AcousticTones
Happy acoustic tune that flows nicely with clear deep vocals and good acoustic guitar solos throughout. A song with a message. The flow of lyrics is a bit awkward in spots, but a little polishing would do the trick. I don't think the drum machine is needed at all. The bass would have benefited by some compression.
6. Do What You Want - Hano
I like this energetic poppy ditty that got stuck in my mind for a couple of days. I'm sure Hano knows that this is very raw and needs some refining, but shouldn't be over-produced. I'm not sure if the vocals need doubling. One more verse or a middle eight wouldn't hurt.
7. My Larrivee - chapstick
Beautiful instrumental. I love the interplay between the lead acoustic guitar and piano. well written and execute dual acoustic guitar harmonies. The only thing I would suggest is rethinking of the percussion track, mainly the instrument choice. The clicking is distracting and the handclap sounds out of place. I suggest standard ballad snare and sidestick sounds.
8. Mold - Large Marge
Quality PopPunk. Nice to hear a vocal in this genre that doesn't have that snotty edge to it. This is a tune that would work in other idioms as well. Introspective lyrics a mother should be proud of.
9. Brain Drain - Wish
A song with potential to be a good hard rock song, but has a way to go. First I'd speed up the tempo to keep it from dragging and to give it more energy. The rhythm guitar sound is good but overpowers the other instruments. The lead vocal needs some snarling attitude in it.
10. Hippy Trippy Head - driversix
Highly successful in achieving the 60's feel. Very fun song. Vocals need to pay more attention to intonation and I think they work best with the vocal doubling. Lyrics need some polishing for flow.
11. Tell Me I'm Wrong - JimmyT
Nice country ballad. Decent mix, but bass guitar gets a little lost in it. I think entire mix could use some high mids. Piano and fiddle work well together.
12. The Good Sign - Eddy Free
Trance-like feel on this one. Vocal reminds me a little of Al Stewart. Good work. I wouldn't have let that bad string muff at about 43 seconds into the intro pass, though. The violin is a nice touch, I would have used it more and with more volume.
13. Hell To Pay - Grog
The song itself has a lot going for it, I like the upbeat feel and overall effect, but it could be improved a lot with a re-mix. The high harmony, while well perfumed, overpowers the lead vocal. Giving the lead vocal more presence would help, too. I think panning to the same location as the lead vocal would help. The delay on the drums is distracting. The bass guitar is indistinct and mushy. Rhythm guitar is good but it's stereo location competes with the vocal.
14. Capture Me - Chrisper
Decent song as is, but I think a vocal track is called for. Not enough melody happening to stand as an instrumental.
15. Situation - steive
Kick-ass rocking tune. Energetic vocal, inventive lead, interesting chord progression. The hook seems kind of awkward, though. The stereo field is very narrow, almost mono.
16. Oh! Darling - Blue Esq
What a fun song to do! I've recorded a cover of it myself. Not being a castrate, I had to do it down two, in the key of G, which dulls it up a bit. Not so with Blue's recording - it's right up there in A. He did have me wondering if he'd slowed it down when recording the vocal, that is until I read the track notes that it was his daughter, ......., that sang it. And she did a respectable job of it, too, not even accounting for the fact that she was 14 at the time.
17. Out There - Christian
I don't quite know what “Trance” music is, or if this is considered to be in that genre, but it sure put me in one. Lots of interesting sounds and textures intertwining. While not my thing, enjoyed it and I respect the performances and recording quality.
18. Happy Accident - The Vampire Lestat
This song just mesmerized me. Took me back to those days when a woman
could do things to my mind. Good acoustic sound and execution. Beautiful
voice. I'd try adding other instruments just to see how it sounds, but certainly
not because it's necessary.
19. Slow Swirl - Crispy
Killer electric guitar sound. I'd like a breakdown of what he's using, though I'm sure a good deal of the quality of the sound can be attributed to Crispy's guitar skill and technique. A very free-form guitar performance, yet it stays connected with the rhythm section.
Disc Two
1. By The Video Light - IntoWishin
Talk about haunting… this one may make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. A theme we can all relate to. Coherent tapestry of instruments and even sound effects support a well constructed song. The vocals are perfect, the rhythms insistent, the bass flows in and out as if guiding the flow, the guitar solo at the end supplying the summation. Everything works together to support the song.
2. Mission - Guitardaze
Cool phased guitar intro. Nice beat. Good vocal effect. Effective harmonies.
3. Fly On, Dive Down - chartman
Jazzy guitar sound. Laid-back feel is quite enjoyable.
4. Jigsaw Puzzle Blues - CLEAN
Mellow to the core. Nice handling of this tune. Proficient jazzy guitar soloing.
5. The Passage - sapple
Pleasurable instrumental that could benefit with a vocal track. All instruments nicely recorded and mixed competently.
6. Where The Roses Never Fade - Jeff G
I can almost smell the corn fritters and the salt pork a'fryin'. Down home
feel and sound. Nice harmonies.
7. Call You - maX
Nice romantic feel to this one. Well executed flamenco influenced guitar work. The vocal double tracking is not quite right – to much flanging-induced effect happening.
8. Ravel On - Mike B
A very ambitious instrumental piece that for the most part works pretty well. I don't care for the snare tone. It'd work okay for a ballad, maybe, but this one needs more pop. Drums played, well, however as are all instruments.
9. Shattered Innocence - Clem
Nice jangly guitars in a well constructed tune. The vocal needs more emotion or bite to it even though it's too loud in the mix. The vocal doubling doesn't work very well.
10. Better Things To Do - Stuart
Some really wailing harmonic feed back happening here to mostly good effect. Good use of dynamics. Some noticeable distortion in the vocal, especially in the beginning.
11. Keep From Sleepin' - fredellsworth
High quality recording and performance in a upbeat country rock tune with some Caisson feel thrown in.
12. Love Song - fenderbender
Love the intro. Vocals a bit over-effected and muddy. Tasty guitar solo.
13. Ave Maria - rwick
Very lovely Ave Maria. Expertly written and performed. While I've always loved classical music I have a problem embracing the operatic style of singing. The lack of that type of singing is what makes this piece more accessible to me. Very pristine and honest vocals. The instrumentation is skillfully applied to support the entire piece.
14. You Talk A Good Game - tjdesmond
Straight ahead blues shuffle here. Vocals might be helped out a bit with some harmonies in the hook and chorus.
15. Soul Healing - riitala
Masterfully performed, and recorded song. Very soulful. Consummate B3 sound.
16. Nonconformist Referendum - furypro
Dark, ominous intro foretells the song well. Then all hell breaks loose. Drums over-power the guitars a bit. Guitar solo jams well. It was a good idea to repeat the intro again.
Disc One
The Day The City Shut Down - TonyK
1. A well written song with excellent production. Lots going on (even dog barks!), but not overcrowded. Can hear each instrument in their own space. The vocal in the verses are somewhat Zappaesque. To comment on the lyrics I'd need a lyric sheet. Can't make them out in the verses for the most part. Chorus vocal with echoing background vocals is cool. Biting yet balanced bass guitar sound. Guitar solos tastefully performed and applied. Bridge with ethereal vocal and feel works well.
2. Everything I Need - Burton
Kind of a jangly "Bodeens” feel to this one. Good use of acoustic and electric guitars. I especially like the hypnotic guitar in the intro and how it sneaks back in again at the end. Nice snare pop. The cool "stuck record' guitar solo is again kind of hypnotic, too. Chorus background vocals creatively handled. The short bridge gives a needed break from the jangling guitars, then back with that cool "stuck record guitar' solo. The lead vocal, over all, compliments the feel of the song, though there are some intonation problems here and there.
3. We Can't Go On Like This - BobO
Pretty, acoustic guitar-based folksy ballad. The lyrics have a good flow and are well constructed. The basic harmonies in the verses, chorus and bridge work well.
4. Daybreak - Gonzo-X
Excellent acoustic guitar sound and performance. This is a nice counterpoint to the genre of music the Gonz usually does (but I like that, too). Interesting dissonance in the last chord that may not have been intentional, but it works nicely just the same. The song starts rather abruptly, like it was punched in, but it's a minor thing that most wouldn't have noticed anyway. Only a few distracting string zips (some people use the misnomer "fret noise', but it's got nothing to do with the frets) but I like some string zipping anyway. Very tasty guitar playing.
5. Inside - AcousticTones
Happy acoustic tune that flows nicely with clear deep vocals and good acoustic guitar solos throughout. A song with a message. The flow of lyrics is a bit awkward in spots, but a little polishing would do the trick. I don't think the drum machine is needed at all. The bass would have benefited by some compression.
6. Do What You Want - Hano
I like this energetic poppy ditty that got stuck in my mind for a couple of days. I'm sure Hano knows that this is very raw and needs some refining, but shouldn't be over-produced. I'm not sure if the vocals need doubling. One more verse or a middle eight wouldn't hurt.
7. My Larrivee - chapstick
Beautiful instrumental. I love the interplay between the lead acoustic guitar and piano. well written and execute dual acoustic guitar harmonies. The only thing I would suggest is rethinking of the percussion track, mainly the instrument choice. The clicking is distracting and the handclap sounds out of place. I suggest standard ballad snare and sidestick sounds.
8. Mold - Large Marge
Quality PopPunk. Nice to hear a vocal in this genre that doesn't have that snotty edge to it. This is a tune that would work in other idioms as well. Introspective lyrics a mother should be proud of.
9. Brain Drain - Wish
A song with potential to be a good hard rock song, but has a way to go. First I'd speed up the tempo to keep it from dragging and to give it more energy. The rhythm guitar sound is good but overpowers the other instruments. The lead vocal needs some snarling attitude in it.
10. Hippy Trippy Head - driversix
Highly successful in achieving the 60's feel. Very fun song. Vocals need to pay more attention to intonation and I think they work best with the vocal doubling. Lyrics need some polishing for flow.
11. Tell Me I'm Wrong - JimmyT
Nice country ballad. Decent mix, but bass guitar gets a little lost in it. I think entire mix could use some high mids. Piano and fiddle work well together.
12. The Good Sign - Eddy Free
Trance-like feel on this one. Vocal reminds me a little of Al Stewart. Good work. I wouldn't have let that bad string muff at about 43 seconds into the intro pass, though. The violin is a nice touch, I would have used it more and with more volume.
13. Hell To Pay - Grog
The song itself has a lot going for it, I like the upbeat feel and overall effect, but it could be improved a lot with a re-mix. The high harmony, while well perfumed, overpowers the lead vocal. Giving the lead vocal more presence would help, too. I think panning to the same location as the lead vocal would help. The delay on the drums is distracting. The bass guitar is indistinct and mushy. Rhythm guitar is good but it's stereo location competes with the vocal.
14. Capture Me - Chrisper
Decent song as is, but I think a vocal track is called for. Not enough melody happening to stand as an instrumental.
15. Situation - steive
Kick-ass rocking tune. Energetic vocal, inventive lead, interesting chord progression. The hook seems kind of awkward, though. The stereo field is very narrow, almost mono.
16. Oh! Darling - Blue Esq
What a fun song to do! I've recorded a cover of it myself. Not being a castrate, I had to do it down two, in the key of G, which dulls it up a bit. Not so with Blue's recording - it's right up there in A. He did have me wondering if he'd slowed it down when recording the vocal, that is until I read the track notes that it was his daughter, ......., that sang it. And she did a respectable job of it, too, not even accounting for the fact that she was 14 at the time.
17. Out There - Christian
I don't quite know what “Trance” music is, or if this is considered to be in that genre, but it sure put me in one. Lots of interesting sounds and textures intertwining. While not my thing, enjoyed it and I respect the performances and recording quality.
18. Happy Accident - The Vampire Lestat
This song just mesmerized me. Took me back to those days when a woman
could do things to my mind. Good acoustic sound and execution. Beautiful
voice. I'd try adding other instruments just to see how it sounds, but certainly
not because it's necessary.
19. Slow Swirl - Crispy
Killer electric guitar sound. I'd like a breakdown of what he's using, though I'm sure a good deal of the quality of the sound can be attributed to Crispy's guitar skill and technique. A very free-form guitar performance, yet it stays connected with the rhythm section.
Disc Two
1. By The Video Light - IntoWishin
Talk about haunting… this one may make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. A theme we can all relate to. Coherent tapestry of instruments and even sound effects support a well constructed song. The vocals are perfect, the rhythms insistent, the bass flows in and out as if guiding the flow, the guitar solo at the end supplying the summation. Everything works together to support the song.
2. Mission - Guitardaze
3. Fly On, Dive Down - chartman
4. Jigsaw Puzzle Blues - CLEAN
Mellow to the core. Nice handling of this tune. Proficient jazzy guitar soloing.
5. The Passage - sapple
Pleasurable instrumental that could benefit with a vocal track. All instruments nicely recorded and mixed competently.
6. Where The Roses Never Fade - Jeff G
I can almost smell the corn fritters and the salt pork a'fryin'. Down home
feel and sound. Nice harmonies.
7. Call You - maX
Nice romantic feel to this one. Well executed flamenco influenced guitar work. The vocal double tracking is not quite right – to much flanging-induced effect happening.
8. Ravel On - Mike B
A very ambitious instrumental piece that for the most part works pretty well. I don't care for the snare tone. It'd work okay for a ballad, maybe, but this one needs more pop. Drums played, well, however as are all instruments.
9. Shattered Innocence - Clem
Nice jangly guitars in a well constructed tune. The vocal needs more emotion or bite to it even though it's too loud in the mix. The vocal doubling doesn't work very well.
10. Better Things To Do - Stuart
Some really wailing harmonic feed back happening here to mostly good effect. Good use of dynamics. Some noticeable distortion in the vocal, especially in the beginning.
11. Keep From Sleepin' - fredellsworth
High quality recording and performance in a upbeat country rock tune with some Caisson feel thrown in.
12. Love Song - fenderbender
Love the intro. Vocals a bit over-effected and muddy. Tasty guitar solo.
13. Ave Maria - rwick
Very lovely Ave Maria. Expertly written and performed. While I've always loved classical music I have a problem embracing the operatic style of singing. The lack of that type of singing is what makes this piece more accessible to me. Very pristine and honest vocals. The instrumentation is skillfully applied to support the entire piece.
14. You Talk A Good Game - tjdesmond
Straight ahead blues shuffle here. Vocals might be helped out a bit with some harmonies in the hook and chorus.
15. Soul Healing - riitala
Masterfully performed, and recorded song. Very soulful. Consummate B3 sound.
16. Nonconformist Referendum - furypro
Dark, ominous intro foretells the song well. Then all hell breaks loose. Drums over-power the guitars a bit. Guitar solo jams well. It was a good idea to repeat the intro again.
[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: Dan Barnes ]
[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: Dan Barnes ]
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#319646 - 11/25/01 01:12 PM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Mike B.
Planeteer
Registered: 04/21/99
Posts: 711
Loc: Charlotte, NC USA
|
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the feedback. You're probably right about Ravel On's snare. We happened to be recording some ballads as well that day, and the deep snare was all we had.
Looking forward to receiving the CD! Thanks for all the hard work.
Mike B.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#319647 - 12/16/01 03:41 PM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Hano_dup1
Planeteer/Artist # 45
Planeteer/Artist # 45
Registered: 12/15/00
Posts: 11296
Loc: Leuven - Belgium - E.U.
|
That's an amazing job you did here Dan,
Thanks for your comments, and for bringing the VS-Planet back to life after it's ilness. Aditional thanks for "your wonderfull backstage team" ...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#319648 - 12/17/01 09:30 AM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
thanks dan!
for a great review of the whole cd.
and thanks for the kind words on my submission.
the guitar sound was a truely unique experience for me.....
you're hearing the first recording i ever made with my (at the time) brand new Taylor 414. The strings were the ones that came with it, the martin Elixer strings (the ones with the gore-tex finish!).
yes, they're very lively, and the way i recorded the song definitely brought all of that sting noise out, but that's ok with me, it was an experiment to see how well i could capture the real sound of the thing......
the abrupt song start..... well, when i recorded it, i didn't use a click or anything, so i had to count off the beginning...... "1,2,3,4......"
and i thought it sounded so lame, i cut it!
but yes, it did give it a sort of choppy feel.......
the dissonance in the last chord was definitely intentional. it's supposed to leave a slight feeling of unresolved something........... 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#319649 - 12/17/01 02:51 PM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Christian
Planeteer
Registered: 06/01/99
Posts: 195
Loc: New York, USA
|
Dan,
Thanks for the nice comments and for all the work you did on this project.
Christian
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#319650 - 12/17/01 06:10 PM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Stuart
Planeteer
Registered: 07/14/99
Posts: 13883
Loc: The Upper Right Hand Coast
|
Thanks for all your hard work and for the comments. If I can pry my copy back from my friend I'll see if I can make some comments.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#319651 - 12/17/01 07:43 PM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
acoustictones
Planeteer
Registered: 02/03/01
Posts: 474
Loc: Lakeville, MN
|
Great job on both the cd and the review. Thanks for everything.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#319652 - 01/16/02 07:16 AM
Re: My review of the Comp III
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
back to the top!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
2 registered
(Scottyjr, 1 invisible)
and 9 anonymous users online.
|
|
18146 Members
42 Forums
92195 Topics
971998 Posts
Max Online: 78 @ 03/26/08 03:12 PM
|
|
|
