I want some honesty.

jiant. · #1 11-30-2006, 11:24 PM

Hey guys, my band and I have been together for about a year, I joined at that point with a new lead guitarist, and we haven't written much since then since our lead guy still lives in WV and we all moved down to Nashville. (He drives in for shows and is moving here in May), but I would love to get your brutally honest opinions of our songs that we have up on our myspace. Finding Freedom is the only one that is professionaly recorded, and that was done about a year and a half ago before we were in the band. The other stuff is newer, but I want to hear some unbiased opinions of the stuff, whether you love it, hate it or whatever, I'd just know what you think and what you think we should change or whatever. Thanks a ton. -Brad www.myspace.com/withoutexcuse

jomahu · #2 12-01-2006, 05:19 AM

it sounds good - the first and fourth songs would sound awesome when professionally recorded!

on the second song , tho - i dunno, it feels like the drums and bass aren't together.
unless that was your intention....

that's some sick music right there.

jiant. · #3 12-01-2006, 03:42 PM

Bump, anybody else?

lawsonman · #4 12-01-2006, 06:54 PM

The 2nd tune was very good IMO.The others didn't do anything for me.

Ramble On · #5 12-02-2006, 01:06 PM

I really like finding freedom, I don't see why that couldn't be a national hit. To err is human is really catchy too. Your lead vocalist has a top notch voice. The drums and basslines work together well on Illusion. I liked the different parts to hold through dawn.

jvbjr · #6 12-02-2006, 02:38 PM

The songs do not flow IMO. When the vocals are going the band lays completely back, as soon as the vocals have a break the band sounds like they are playing a different song. To me it sounds like a compromise situation where we are trying to make everyone happy and the music suffers as a result. The singer's voice and style do not match the more aggressive riffs. Either you need to become the back up band (think 10,000 Maniacs) or you need a different vocalist. You said you wanted an honest opinion.

jiant. · #7 12-02-2006, 06:03 PM

I really am appreciating all the comments, thanks so much guys. Please keep them coming. -Brad

studentaccount1 · #8 12-02-2006, 06:42 PM

Songs 3 and 4 would be better with a better recording. I am guessing those are rough demos. Sounds very "TRL"-ish if that is what you are going for.

The only thing I really didn't like was the keyboard patch in Illusion. It sounded kind of weak compared to everything else. A different patch would be better.

jiant. · #9 12-03-2006, 02:03 PM

Yeah, we don't have a real synth yet or anything great to work with, so we're just using a Yamaha keyboard that has a ton of presets and demos, you know what I mean.

Joe Nerve · #10 12-03-2006, 02:22 PM

I listened to the first 2 - kinda quickly. I think they both have potential, I think the writing and chops are there on everyone's part - but I'm in agreement with jvbjr and jomahu. Something was making me uneasy - like the songs weren't flowing right. Couldn't put my finger on it but it felt kinda like you all need to flow a little more with each other. Either lay back some, or just work on grooving together. My $.02 for whatever that's worth these days.

Kristopher · #11 12-03-2006, 09:08 PM

Not my kind of music, but I wouldn't mind it if it came on the radio. The vocals are pretty good. The melodies aren't bad. I wouldn't say that the overall sound is one-dimentional, but nothing really jumps out at me that will make me remember the songs over anything else I might hear in a day. Basically nothing is making me go Wow.

Still, it's better than a lot that I hear. I say keep it up.

Matt Till · #12 12-03-2006, 10:06 PM

To be honest: I can't listen right now... it's late... no headphones.

dirtgroove · #13 12-04-2006, 03:08 AM

OK I'm typing this as I listen First thing that struck me is that it isn't something I would choose to put on, but it's not too offensive.
I like all the parts to illusion but it doesn't flow that easily for me- perhaps I need to listen to it again but the bass and drums work well together.
Finding freedom sounded more radio friendly. Good Harmonies on the chorus I'm finding the bass tone to be very edgy, in the verse. The "popping" tone sounds good- i'd like to hear you stray away from the octaves a little.

Hold through dawn didn't hold my attention aside from your diddly bass part with the drums. It still sounds good. Just not my kind of song.

To Err is human. I've realised. I like the drumming and the bass parts, chorus is good. I'm afraid I just don't like the sound of you guitarist- although having said that the noise lead around 3.20 is good. The guitar harmonies just before aren't too original.

Sorry if I come across as harsh. I'm just writing down my initial impressions on hearing. Good luck with it.

**Rune Bivrin** · #14 12-04-2006, 06:47 AM

Much to like, and some things to criticise.

Your singer is really excellent! Particularly when he isn't forced to wail. Let the velvet do it's work.

I like "Illusion", but there's just to many themes in it, with too many different time signatures. The 7/8 bits really give the impression of "Aren't we clever!", particularly since it's just there when there's no vocals. I think you need more lyrics, and cut most of the interludes on that one. It's jambalaya without the spice.

Finding Freedom is dynamite - just drop the slap bass. It really doesn't sound appropriate. The occasional "pop" could be left as an interesting distraction.

Hold Through Dawn: Until It Sleeps or Enter Sandman, anyone? I think you need to bring down the volume a bit, to let the drums keep the beat and allow the singer to be heard.
A bit tedious melody. I hear a little bit to much "carry on that waaaiiaaayyyy".

To Err Is Human: At this stage I can't help feeling that it's pretty much the same song as "Hold Through Dawn". There are some harmonic structures that reoccur. And once again, you need to let the drums be heard more.

Rune

GrooveWarrior · #15 12-04-2006, 07:03 AM

I really hope you get a different engineer/producer than you had on the studio tune. That mix is terrible. Very amateur sounding. I would also back away from the overt Incubus influence. They haven't been commercially popular for a while now. There's a reason. You need to establish an identity. Most bands can't pull off the CD where they sound like a different band on every song. I also think the drums and bass need to get tighter.

That said, it seems like there is some genuine creativity in the group. Keep plugging away.

jiant. · #16 12-04-2006, 12:03 PM

Thanks for all the responses! I really appreciate everybody taking the time to give me feedback. I feel like I need to clear some stuff up though. I'm not on the recording of Finding Freedom, as I stated before, and when I play it (though it's pretty much retired as a live song), I don't do any of the slapping or anything as I feel that it doesn't sound as tight. All the other recordings were done in our practice space by setting up a condenser in the back of the room, it wasn't done at a studio or anything. We've changed all the songs some since recording, including more vocal parts on all the songs with back up parts on both "To Err" and "Hold Through Dawn" and we're probably going to change the guitar harmony part in "To Err" if not just get rid of it all together. Anyway, thanks for all the feedback, and please keep commenting! -Brad