Critique my never-before-heard track I recorded, please

**Eric Perry** · #1 08-03-2009, 03:14 PM

Hey all,

A friend of mine is in the studio recording a 10 song disc to be sold regionally. He is doing all the guitar parts, vocals, keyboards, and drum machine programming. He asked me to lay the bass tracks.

There was one new song he sprung on me when it was time to lay the bass tracks. I had never heard it before, but he wanted me to give the scratch track a few listens and try and lay something down. He said if it works, great. If not, scrap it.

I'm asking my fellow TB bruthas to give it a listen and tell me what you think. This is only the tracks. There has been no final mixing, mastering, etc. done yet, so it's rough. There's some lead parts and vocal parts that will be cleaned up, jsut ignore that mess. All I'm asking is you critique my playing and how it fits the song and let me have it. Feel free to be brutally honest. I disliked it initially, but it has grown on me. If there are any parts or sections you dislike, don't be shy. Please tell me. I don't want this released with my name on it if it's poo to the first-time listener.

THANKS!

http://www.supload.com/listen?s=AMV0cp

P.S. It takes a while for that site to load is it initially streams. You can download the track too if you so desire.

Thanks again!

VroomVroom · #2 08-03-2009, 03:46 PM

Right on, Eric! I think there's some great stuff there. The tone is spot-on, and your playing fits both the song and the genre. Well done!

There are a couple of spots where I probably would've gone a different route - most notably about halfway through, you seem to lay back while the drums are building (upbeats on the ride cymbal) and then you toss is some sixteenths at the beginning of the next section when the dynamic settles down a bit. This may just be a subjective thing, and by all means keep things as-is if that's what you're hearing. However, the section seems to consist of an eight-bar phrase, and you don't repeat your phrasing for the second four bars. So...and again, just my take, I'd either simplify the first four bars, or add more to the second four. Yada yada, blah blah.

Good stuff, man! Great to hear you play...

Darkstrike · #3 08-03-2009, 03:52 PM

Don't touch a thing, fantastic playing, and a great song overall.

Joe Gress · #4 08-03-2009, 03:54 PM

Whoa, another hardcore OT guy that actually makes music!

Sounds pretty good to me! Very Dave Matthews crossed with some alt rock. Great tone on the bass as well. Some of the fills sound like they could be tamed a little to fit in more with the rest of the laid back bass style that you had going.

Febs · #5 08-03-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric618

He said if it works, great. If not, scrap it.

It works. Good sound, good feel, and the line serves the song.

**Eric Perry** · #6 08-03-2009, 06:03 PM

Awesome. Thanks much guys! I really appreciate the feedback! Any other input?

VroomVroom, the drum track is actually going to be tamed a bit. We decided it got a little crazy as it progressed for the type of song it is. We (well, he) have a drummer coming in for a few tracks. I'm going to try and convince Jax to let him lay all the tracks and scrap the drum machine altogether. We'll see how that goes!

**Eric Perry** · #7 08-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

...There are a couple of spots where I probably would've gone a different route - most notably about halfway through, you seem to lay back while the drums are building (upbeats on the ride cymbal) and then you toss is some sixteenths at the beginning of the next section when the dynamic settles down a bit. This may just be a subjective thing, and by all means keep things as-is if that's what you're hearing. However, the section seems to consist of an eight-bar phrase, and you don't repeat your phrasing for the second four bars. So...and again, just my take, I'd either simplify the first four bars, or add more to the second four. Yada yada, blah blah.

Good stuff, man! Great to hear you play...

Hey man... I just reread this on my 'puter while again listening to the tune (I was on my BlackBerry before), and I definitely see what you're saying. As I'm just the hired cat, I will bring up what you say to the front man, an we"ll see if he thinks changes would be beneficial or not. We collaborate well, so he'll certainly be receptive. Thanks much for the suggestions! Definitely appreciated, as many times my ear deceives me, that dirty bastid!

**Eric Perry** · #8 08-05-2009, 06:12 AM

Bump-diggity. Studio bound later today to finalize this track. Anyone else?

jojobean39 · #9 08-05-2009, 06:18 AM

Great playing and great tone. My only comment would be for the lead guitarist to beef up his tone a little more. As for your playing, top notch stuff.

Grayson C. · #10 08-05-2009, 10:19 AM

I don't hear anything other than "root, root, root"

TheBassTard · #11 08-05-2009, 10:35 AM

I thought it sounded really good!

Good luck in the studio!

DWBass · #12 08-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Not my style of music but I think you did a great job!

**Eric Perry** · #13 08-05-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayson C.

I don't hear anything other than "root, root, root"

While I certainly followed the root, I tried to add spice here and there. What would you do on such a laid back song? I'm not being sarcastic, but I thought that line complimented the song, which is always my goal. Again, not being sarcastic.

**Eric Perry** · #14 08-05-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojobean39

Great playing and great tone. My only comment would be for the lead guitarist to beef up his tone a little more. As for your playing, top notch stuff.

Thanks man. That will be addressed in a few hours.

Joe Gress · #15 08-05-2009, 03:46 PM

Oh, and more cowbell.

bassbrock · #16 08-05-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Oh, and more cowbell.

+1 - This song has a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

**Eric Perry** · #17 08-05-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Oh, and more cowbell.

Darkstrike · #18 08-05-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayson C.

I don't hear anything other than "root, root, root"

Eh, you want a shred bass solo through the whole song?

Sometimes, its much better to take it easy, lay back, and hold down the low end, smoovh like, Eric done this, beautifully I might add.

There is a reason that root notes are very important, and thus called the roots......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Oh, and more cowbell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrock

+1 - This song has a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

I'm damn sure cowbell can imprive anything! Even sex!

**Eric Perry** · #19 08-05-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

...Sometimes, its much better to take it easy, lay back, and hold down the low end, smoovh like, Eric done this, beautifully I might add...

Wow. Thank you sir.

Joe Gress · #20 08-05-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Eh, you want a shred bass solo through the whole song?

Sometimes, its much better to take it easy, lay back, and hold down the low end, smoovh like, Eric done this, beautifully I might add.

There is a reason that root notes are very important, and thus called the roots......

+1 It's great to hear a nice grooving bassline that sits well with a simple song.

Quote:

I'm damn sure cowbell can imprive anything! Even sex!

+2