My new song

Hello everybody.

So, in a way this feels like shameless self-promotion, but at the same time, I don't have anything to gain from it, except some much needed feedback. I have been making music since I was a little kid and have gone through so many phases and stylistic changes that I can't even begin to mention them all. Anyways, I have a new project called Here Come Dots that is still in its infancy. We have played a couple of shows so far, but nothing special, and have yet to record anything. We are still kind of working on our identity.

I have been heading to our practice space and recording all of the new songs I write in order to show the bandmates the general structure of new songs. Recently, I have been getting this entirely new (to me) sound in my head and finally recorded a song that would fit under this new "paradigm". I am asking you, if you are indeed interested, to check it out and let me know what you think of it in general. This is a sort of trial period for me and feedback, more than anything, can really help me out right now.

You can find it at www.myspace.com/andherecomedots
The song in question is called "The Age of Reason".

A couple of notes:
*It still isn't EQ'd properly
*It was recorded by just me on really terrible equipment (one cheap mic and some free recording software)
*It sounds waaaaay better in headphones
*It will be recorded in a much cleaner way someday when I actually have money

Seriously, just let me know what you all think. This is a pretty savvy community, and although we don't all agree on everything, I usually trust your opinions. Give me tips, negatives, positives, encouragement, and advice.



ps. I kind of describe it as My Bloody Valentine having sex with Pet Sounds era Beach Boys, and while they are going at it, the Velvet Underground decide to come in and watch. If that sounds terrible to you, then you should probably keep away.


Thanks
prunetang

 

It's a little hard to hear everything cause it seems like there's so much different stuff going on at ones sometimes. This could be because of recording/sound quality.. But other than that I like it.

I've kind of stopped listening to music except the radio in the car, so I'm not the best judge but what the heck, right?

 

It's very good. It's similar to some recent indie pop bands like Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective/Panda Bear. They also do kind of psychadelic Pet Sounds-influenced types of pop. I'm quite impressed, because it's not obviously lower quality than existing and well-regarded professional indie bands.

I don't think it sounded poorly recorded, actually. I'd recommend against trying to "clean it up" a great deal. As it is, it sounds very good. Low-fi isn't a bad thing and excessive studio gloss isn't always a good thing.

I hope you do more like this and post about it. It's well worth hearing. You have talent.

 

Thanks a lot Minstrel. I agree with the comparisons to Grizzly Bear and Animal Collect/Panda Bear. I can definately hear similarities. There are definately shades of Spritualized in there as well. Of course, I like and listen to all of those groups, so I am sure influence seeps in. I think of Grizzly Bear as a little more subdued and more apt to throw classical instrumentation in the mix, while Animal Collective and Panda are a bit crazier - especially on the electronics side (mixing everything through samplers and manipulating sounds via electronics).

There is a fine balance between over-produced and excessive low-fi dirtiness. I am still not quite sure how to toe that line. Personally, I would prefer a little higher definition. There is a subtle hiss behind everything that bothers me, but that is completely expected given the equipment I was using and the fact that traffic was driving by my practice space the whole time and showing up in the mix...hehe At the same time, I have always lived by a kind of DIY ethos and dig the slight homemade qualities. I guess I will just have to experiment to find my balance.

Thanks for the review though. I got a few more up my sleaves.

prunetang

 

Part of the "blur" is from sound quality and part is in the design of the song. Musically, I wanted the parts to kind blur together and create this flowing sound that doesn't sound like its individual instruments, but instead like one big instrument. The vocals on the other hand, especially during the verses, are a bit more blurred than I would like. I am working on bringing them out a bit more actually.

thanks for listening.

the prunetang

 

Very cool. Unique. Definitely hear the My Bloody Valentine meets Beach Boys vibe. Interesting drummer you have there. He put his stamp on a slow, kind of plodding song. That isn't easy.

 

Thanks for the words.
That interesting drummer is actually me. The whole thing is. We are going to try to learn this song tonight at band practice.... I am guessing this one is going to take some time...hehe
I am definately not a natural drummer, so the percussion takes me forever to get right. My real drummer is amazing though. To make this bball related. I am like some kid playing in a YMCA league. My drummer is in the MVP running in the NBA. Stark difference. I am pretty excited to see what he can do with this song.

theprunetang

 

Understand, but just so you know, I really found the drumming to be unique.

 

So wait, you get religious when you're sad?

 

It is "I get religious when I'm sick" actually. I am trying to eq it a bit better so the words can be understood...hehe

 

Just yours and Prunetang's, I think. barfo keeps promising me his latest ukulele dream pop song, but no follow-through yet.

 

Ok heres my two cents for what its worth...

The entire song reminded me of the beginning of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"...not saying its rip off at all, just had that sorta feel.
Sorta got a Radiohead vibe from it too...dont listen to them much of them but from what I heard it sorta seemed that style...

Ok, you are good, you have talent, and there is something good in that song but its time for constructive critisism.... it needs to be tweaked and honestly needs another part IMO

It get too repetitive IMO. I know there were several (2 or 3 different parts?) but they all sounded too similar...Maybe add a chorus that is slightly uptempo from the main riff??? Or keep the same beat and go doubletime on the chords??? Something. The song never seemed to change,...i liked what I heard if I didnt hear so much of it....if that makes sense.

FYI...Ive been playing guitar for a good amount of time and have had my fun trying to write songs for a band...good luck!

 

Ed O has a song eh? I wouldn't mind hearing that. We should start a ripcitytwo allstar band...hehe

 

Multiple songs. He's rock star. That's why he's so self-obsessed.

 

Wow, you're so deep and mysterious!

 

Thanks for the thoughts Rizzle. Of course, coming from a Lakers fan, I don't respect your opinion quite as much as others (kidding of course).

I can see how you could come to the conclusions that you did. And I see it myself, although to a lesser extent. I kind of dig songs that get a bit stuck in a kind of repetitive malaise. So there is a purposeful kind of plodding spacy-ness to it. I had thought about livening up a couple of sections, and may still do so in the future, but it just doesn't currently seem appropriate, to me at least. I have a couple of ideas floating in my skull that are in a similar style, but quite a bit more springy and lively. I think the differences between the individual parts of the song will stand out a little more in a live setting. I guess I will find out eh.

Thanks for checking it out though.

 

for sure...start a new thread when you do it with a better recording