A:I Couldn't If I Tried (History of My Broken Heart reviews)

[king_arthur]

I did mean out of tune. There are certainly worse vocals in this fight, but in the music style you've chosen, the singing is usually very, very good, and it doesn't take much to make it sound off.

Just a thought - did you strobe tune your guitar before recording? While I don't have "perfect pitch" in the traditional sense, I have found that if I'm trying to sing with an instrumental track that isn't right at 440, I will tend to go sharp (or flat) on a lot of notes just because my throat is so used to singing right there. I remember one time I was having just a horrible time nailing the vocals on a song, and at some point I noticed that my strobe tuner had gotten set to 439. It can be that subtle.

Charles (KA)

[Rabid Garfunkel]

Thanks for writing these [reviews] in a way that is actually helpful .

Likewise, monkey-boy.

[EmbersOfAutumn]

was that intensional to have the music panned left? Other than that, cool song.

I jiggled my earphone jack to make sure I hadn't shorted out the right channel.

so did i.

You know when you're so focused on one thing that you just completely miss something else? I had my elec. guitar plugged into the mono jack on my pedal (It has two output jacks on it). I was a little rushed and I guess didn't notice. Sorry everyone.

[MintyHandy]

Only listened to two so far -- I'll hit 'em all over lunch today -- but had to say that The Hell Yeahs sound great and Paco Del Stinko channeled Les Claypool (also great.)

[Paco Del Stinko]

I just listened to the fight and will review after a few more times through. There's a wee bit o' poo in the pool, but I think there's some really good stuff in there.

I do, however, have to holler to Rabid for the outstanding Theremin performance. I am in no way sucking up to you when I say that I dig the song and could play it every time I drive a car, but the Theremin is nice, warm, and eerie. Great human tones. Excellent! (Note: Not a review, I'll still comment later, so stay tuned!)

[Rabid Garfunkel]

A 90 minute lunch Minty? Damn!

Thanks, Paco! Wish WreckdoM could've made it to the theremin party, too...

[MintyHandy]

Oh, and one more: Billy's Little Trip/Wages, once again you've got something that's unstoppable in arrangement and performance (musically), good lyrics, and terrific voice -- except that it (as usual) drives me crazy, because there's a different melody I want to hear you sing, and I want to hear background harmonies in spots. Someday I will have to force myself into your collaborations and impose my will upon you.

[spinlock]

Remarkably strong fight this week after one listen. Let's get this out of the way:

BillyWages...
I actually got chills listening to this. Just... wow. This totally works. I want to see this live. I want to be your drummer when you do it. Voted. I'll come back later and do real reviews when I've calmed down. You guys rock.

[The Weakest Suit]

is Add in this fight the same artist as ADD Music from other fights?

[Jefff]

Yes.

[KB Bren]

After 2 listens, this is what I hear;

Sheail - potential to this song, has good parts but they don't all fit together.

Slit Tearduct - that must hurt as it hurt me

BLT/Wages - good song, good singing wages, good riffs +

Veg rage - lounge style not for me

Han Gruber - poor quality could hear vox

Senz Valore - ambient sound, couldn't really follow vocals

Embers of - cool line, kind of reminds of the cars but too distorted and couldn't hear the vocals

Lord of - good intro

Melvin - nice weezer style pop tune +

Andre - not for me

Blues train - didn't work, train left without me

Kristin - strange little tune, not for me

Rabid Garf - not my style either

Lon Lobby - ok, good mix but not my style

Tig - ok, good musical score, vocals seemed strained

Hell Yeahs - sporatic and a little strange for me

Paco - nice intro but to abstract for my taste

Klown Hole - heavey but point lost on me

Bushido - not for me

MCEric - couldn't get into it

The Weakest Suit - bad mix, vocals lost

Audio video - not my style

Ross d - good acoustic story song

Add - Good acoustic story song

So the +'s are with BLT/W and Melvin but I will listen once again before I vote. KB

[Billy's Little Trip]

Oh, and one more: Billy's Little Trip/Wages, once again you've got something that's unstoppable in arrangement and performance (musically), good lyrics, and terrific voice -- except that it (as usual) drives me crazy, because there's a different melody I want to hear you sing, and I want to hear background harmonies in spots. Someday I will have to force myself into your collaborations and impose my will upon you.

Backup singers can often drive the melody. Anytime you're up for it and I'm not swamped with work.

Thanks Spin and KB, Phil will be really happy to hear that you're diggin' his flavah.

[wages]

Oh, and one more: Billy's Little Trip/Wages, once again you've got something that's unstoppable in arrangement and performance (musically), good lyrics, and terrific voice -- except that it (as usual) drives me crazy, because there's a different melody I want to hear you sing, and I want to hear background harmonies in spots. Someday I will have to force myself into your collaborations and impose my will upon you.

Thanks! The real secret here (besides BLT's excellent arrangement) is that I sent my demo to BLT (with my "all over the place" melody), he sent me a demo where he sang the entire song (which corrected several bad spots in my melody), I practiced to his revised melody, then I did several takes. After that, BLT suggested some changes in a few parts (he also helped tweak the lyrics a bit for better flow), I did some rerecording, and between 4 takes, wham-o: we have a decent Wages performance. So, please impose all you want on that future collab. I NEED direction (KA can attest)!

Remarkably strong fight this week after one listen. Let's get this out of the way:

BillyWages...
I actually got chills listening to this. Just... wow. This totally works. I want to see this live. I want to be your drummer when you do it. Voted. I'll come back later and do real reviews when I've calmed down. You guys rock.

**jaw drops** Chills!? Drummer!? VOTED!? OMG.. **passes out**

**wakes** I just had the strangest dream. I dreamt that I did this song with BLT and it was getting unbelievable reviews...and I was so overwhelmed that I passed out...and...wait... OMG **passes out again** (this is getting monogamous [sic])

But seriously folks, without BLT, this would have "just been another Wages tune". If you don't believe me, go listen to the demo posted in the Collab thread. ALL the credit goes to BLT.

[MC Eric B]

Add - I like it. Pleasant sounding.

Andre Was Here At Midnight - I found the thumping noise (guitar strumming? bass drum?) kind of annoying since it was too loud. Other than that, the sound was ok but kind of boring. Kind of the same thing over and over again from start to end.

AUDIO VIDEO iNTERCOURSE - I like it.

Billy's Little Trip feat. Wages - I liked it. I am not sure why the other reviews thought it was the best song ever, but it was good.

Blues Train Blues in D - The recording seems amateur (mouth too close to mic? Pop screen needed?) , I can't understand most of the words, and it is not very catchy. It is also boring.

Bushido Stylus - I like the beat and the rhyming. Rapping seems somewhat week, and your mouth may be too close the mic (you need a pop screen if you don't have one). You need to rap with authority, not like a wimp, to match these lyrics.

Embers of Autumn - It has potential but I am not sure it all comes to together perfectly. Vocals don't seem mixed well with the music. Maybe they are too loud. Still good though. I like the general structure of the song, it is just the execution that is lacking a little.

Hans Gruber: Ultimate Villain - I like the beat a lot. The production is great also. I can hear the lyrics clearly and vocals are relaxing and soothing. Great song.

The Hell Yeahs - I liked it. Fast moving so it never got boring.

KB Bren - Intro has 1980's power ballad sound, which I love. The electric guitar parts are great also. It would be better if the chorus stood out more, but the song is still great.

Klownhole - Vocals are a little faint. Much of the song sounded like the end of the a song. Also, I wish this song was 1/4 as long. Overall I liked it though.

Kristin - I liked it a lot until you started singing. Vocals are robotic sounding at the start of the song, and it does not go well with the intro music. After a few lines though is start sounding better again. I don't like the chorus though. I think I just feel let down because I was expecting something different from the opening music. I like the soft part 2/3 of the way through. This feels like 2 different songs in one. So, I guess it is good overall, just not my type of thing.

Lonbobby - Another song with robotic sounding vocals. But, it works well on this one. The electro type music goes well with it and it is pleasant sounding and catchy.

Lord of Oats - I have a bad ear for notes, but your vocals seemed out of pitch/tune, especially in the first verse. I am not sure why the song is so long though. Other than that, it was good.

Melvin - I like it a lot. It has a very good transition from verse to chorus, and nice backup vocals. One of my favorites this fight.

Paco Del Stinko - I like it a lot.

Rabid Garfunkel - Not my thing, but seemed like a good effort.

Ross Durand - I like it. Smart lyrics and good singing.

Senza Valore - Great music. I am not sure the male vocals are on always in tune, but overall a good song.

Sheail - Very good.

Slit Tearduct - Not very good, but not horrible. It conveyed the emotion of the song well at least.

Tig - Good song, but nothing about it thrilled me.

veGetar Ianra Ge - Good and entertaining.

The Weakest Suit - Very good.

[Lord of Oats]

Rabid Garfunkel - You ass. At least it's emotional. You get this week's balls award.

Since when did you give out the balls award?

[Billy's Little Trip]

Billy's Little Trip feat. Wages - I liked it. I am not sure why the other reviews thought it was the best song ever, but it was good.

Now Eric, as you well know, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. Nope sir, as a matter of fact, what might be right for you, may not be right for some. A man is born, he's a man of means. Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans. But they got, Diff'rent Strokes. It takes, Diff'rent Strokes. It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
Thanks E

[EmbersOfAutumn]

Billy's Little Trip feat. Wages - I liked it. I am not sure why the other reviews thought it was the best song ever, but it was good.

Now Eric, as you well know, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. Nope sir, as a matter of fact, what might be right for you, may not be right for some. A man is born, he's a man of means. Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans. But they got, Diff'rent Strokes. It takes, Diff'rent Strokes. It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
Thanks E

Don't go breaking my heart
Different Strokes

Hell, why not have an all musical/theme song fight?

[Lord of Oats]

Lord of Oats - I have a bad ear for notes, but your vocals seemed out of pitch/tune, especially in the first verse. I am not sure why the song is so long though. Other than that, it was good.

I think you're right. They're out of tune. Not the whole time, but there are a few very weak spots. The part of the verse where the dynamics pick up (I'm actually going to call it section C for this song) seemed to have the most problems. It was like, the first line was off, and by the second, it was okay. In the second verse, "No one can save us this time," time is really flat, and I catch on and kind of bring it up by the end of the word. It's quite awful. I realize I need to use more balls and push it out, so the "losing my mind" part comes out fine. Overall, they seem to get a little stronger as the song progresses, and I start to get an idea of what I'm doing. You get that kind of shit when you're crunched on time and you do the vocals in one take without a clear idea of what your melody is.

The song is probably so long because it has too many parts. If you don't count the intro acoustic, which is the same thing as the B, but with different instrumentation, you'll notice my way too drawn out rock song structure of ABCDABCDEDDA.

I think the song's kind of a big, uninspired, poorly produced disaster, however epic it might be. I'm glad those were your only big complaints. Thanks for listening.

[HansGruber]

I was impressed with the last fight, but this one's superb. I'm having one hell of a time figuring out who gets the cake. Nice work everyone.

ADD - Great song. Nice melodic progression...it really flows along nicely. I like the lyrics in this one, very visceral imagery like "I'm an animal with hungry eyes". I like the earnest delivery, even if the vocals sound a little strained for my taste. Fantastic song - and concise. Potential vote-winner.

Andre Was Here at Midnight - Mmm, nice. All sorts of quirky, but in a good way. You're not what I'd call a great singer, but I like how you use what you got - and sometimes that's better. When you sing the "rock and roll can feel so good", I believe it. Two gripes - the lead guitar goes on a bit much, I love the simplicity of the rhythm guitar. Also thetambourine not locking in with the guitar rhythm, which sounds a bit too loosey - goosey. My philosophy is everyone can get wasted but the drummer...

AudioVideoIntercourse - Love the breaks, really keeps the edge sharp. I feel that there might be a bit too much high frequency fuzz, and is obscuring the vox a bit. But it's a great freaky groove - reminds me a bit of the Butthole Surfers, or Ween. Great dark bluesy jam.

Billy's Little Trip - Go!!! Right on, man...Way to bring in the rock. Wages, dude, you can pump it out. Love this, two neurotic notes: The fuzz guitar is a little too fuzzy, it's making my skin tingle a bit - needs some high filter and more throat. Also, I think the bridge loses some momentum, I dunno, that drum groove feels a little too predictable. But that's being picky. Hair-rock masterpiece, and an all-time great collab.

Blues Train Blues in D (?) - How are you recording these? The noise in your 'Memphis' was bad too...not always a deterrent, but there's not enough going on here to keep my attention. I was into the mud and mumbling for Memphis, as IMO, the song called for it, but I can't even really follow this one. There's something about your sensibility that I like though, which I'd love to hear framed by a song with a good beat.

Bushido Stylus - Kind of a cool beat, like the delay on the piano. I really like the minimalism - it's kind of haunting. C'mon man - commit to that rap! It's so uninteresting - no excitement, no emotion, no nuthin'. You know, I think a faster tempo would help move the words along better. I don't care about video games. Songs about them are boring.

Embers of Autumn - Is it just my headphones? No - there's you vocals right up in front. Why is the instrumentation way in the back? There's some sour singing, but it's a great song. Love the dynamics - hope you re-record this better, it deserves a better shot.

The Hell Yeahs - Good gawd, great texture in this song. The harpsichord really adds just the right amount of twang. The drums are spectabular - love the little floor tom bloops at the end of the harpsichord lines - and those choked guitar chords leading up to the chorus freakin' rock. Nice little punk rock masterpiece.

KBBren - Oooo, nice soaring guitar in that intro. Dude, I'm seriously envious of your voice. Wait, is this Neil Young? With Slash churnin out tasty licks on lead? In the back of a Cougar convertible? In the middle of the desert? Nice...I think it is. Great song - I hold my lighter high in salute.

Kristin - Nice guitar playing - very mellow and smooth, works very nicely with the synth pad. I really love the spaced-out chords. I don't like the compressed few measures at the beginning of the singing and rhythm guitar, they're too harsh sounding compared to the beautiful clarity of the rest of the song. Takes away more than it adds.Everything's played so well, even that little drum fill at the end. Really clever lyrics and interesting composition. Great voice - love it when you push it out there at the end. Great song!

Klownhole - Nice organ! Your drowsy vocalizations kind of get lost in the metal, though - they definitely need some more force, or less 'verb, or come up in the mix a little. Ultimately a little too downtempo for my tired ass. Jeesus, how long is this thing? Bonus points for Bonham drum fx and feedback outro.

Lonbobby - This is really gorgeous. A little more organic sounding from what I remember, which is nice - this is a great mix of sounds. I've mentioned it in the past, and I'll bring it up again, in hopes to hear a song without it: I hate the effin dystopic robot-future vocoder or harmonizer, whatever that is. [edit] Oh, pitch correction. [/edit] I mean, it's your song, and if you like that sort of thing, be my guest. While I enjoy artifice as much as the next guy, it strips out what I like about about your voice. Potential win, if you promise to ruin your next song by not using the pitch correction

Lord of Oats - Love the intro, and how you smash the acoustic arpeggios with that chunky electric sound. Oh man, your singing is so of key, it's blowing the song - you're dialing it in too much at the beginning. Oh, there's your satanic interjection again. That stuff doesn't really do much for me - especially so hot n high in the mix, I think you could push it way back, and it will work a lot better. The mix is way too hot, the drums arefragging out. But I love that thrash rhythm. Read your post above - I don't think it's that bad - taming the levels alone will go a log way.

MC Eric B - Dude, that is such a great piano riff, I'd like to hear it broken up a bit more. Your vocal melody sounds pretty much the same as Memphis. I can understand, it's cool how you sing - but try pushing it into a new dimension on the next one. You've got a great foundation here to build upon. Fun licks and attitude.

Melvin - Another great song. Criminy, is there no stopping you? I think the "earth, sky and stars" is a brutal cliche, used in every seventh song ever written. You're better than that. Or are you making a meta-musical reference to those songs? Is this the only upbeat, hopeful song in the fight? Love the BeachBoyz bridge. Possible winner.

Paco Del Stinko - Nice Zappa feel to this one - love the shuffle beat and bass line. The chaotic intro is key - the beginning of the song needs it. What's that wind-up sound? Scraping a guitar string? Did someone mention atheremin? What?! Did Rabid sit in? The guitar solo after that melts my brain!! Does indeed have a wierd Claypool-esque progginess. Meaty (as in mad-cow meat) and good. Second in fun-ness only to Rabid.

Rabid Garfunkle - Oh shit, this is genius. Evidently the history of your broken heart involved some heavy substance abuse, circus freaks, and hospitalization. Love the junkyard trap set and the drunk-ass TomWaitiness. Most fun song in the fight by far, although I do have a brass bias.

Ross Durand - Woohoo! You're quickly winning me over to your vocal stylings with this and your "Memphis". Love the lyrics - probably the best in the fight. I wish you hadn't told me it's a cautionary tale - I'd rather find that out for myself. Beautifully mixed - sounds like a perfectly captured performance. Extra credit for the harp.

Senza Valore - Smooth, jazzy loopy goodness. Lovely trip-hop groove. Love the fractured "My Broken Heart" sample. The singing is good, but I think you need to commit a bit more to them - there are some moments when you're dialing them in bit. Overall a great song, though...

Sheail - Wow them some fat guitars. In fact, the whole song's pretty fat. Your vocals go a little flat, but that's nitpicking - you've got some interesting harmonies happening. LOVE the Steely Dan bridge. Amazing arrangement and axe handling. I think the drums can come up a bit in the mix, but I'm a drummer.

Slit Tearduct - Thought from the intro you were going into a spacey noise jam. wish you had.

Tig - Great first song. Love it - very ephemeral and tasty. Your voice is a little odd, which gives this a nice unique melancholy. Love the "Drug in the atmosphere" line - this is very old school psychadelia. That synth pad is nice too - just a touch. The restrained instrumental really lets your vocal harmonies shine.

Veggie Rage - Tasty little 'lectro-nova going. The singing is great - as is the guitar tone: gorgeous. The bullhorn interjections cheapen it! Otherwise, you have an amazing Steely-Dan-like glossy cut. Great freakin' job - Anothah contendah.

The Weakest Suit - Interesting arrangement - I like how you build the drums over the "I love you's". I'm not enjoying your singing, it's not conveying enough emotion to get away with being bad. The sloppy drums are disappointing. This would really shine tightened up a bit - it's a really cool song, just not presented at it's best.

[Lord of Oats]

Lord of Oats - Love the intro, and how you smash the acoustic arpeggios with that chunky electric sound. Oh man, your singing is so of key, it's blowing the song - you're dialing it in too much at the beginning. Oh, there's your satanic interjection again. That stuff doesn't really do much for me - especially so hot n high in the mix, I think you could push it way back, and it will work a lot better. The mix is way too hot, the drums arefragging out. But I love that thrash rhythm. Read your post above - I don't think it's that bad - taming the levels alone will go a log way.

I like how you refer to me to my own post. I think I explained there that the recording process was rushed, so...yeah. I can't really disagree with any of the criticisms. I wasn't too impressed with the composition, so I guess I didn't put any more into it than I had to to get it done...which was way more than I was expecting. I can't decide if it's worth attempting a rescue.

Oh, wait, though. I was totally excited that Satan dropped in for recording...his appearance in the breakdown is my favorite part...I can't get on board with you there. But thanks for pointing out the other nice things about it, anyway.

[veGetar Ianra Ge]

Rabid Garfunkel - You ass. At least it's emotional. You get this week's balls award.

Since when did you give out the balls award?

The posts are all clearly timestamped.

[HansGruber]

I like how you refer to me to my own post. I think I explained there that the recording process was rushed, so...yeah. I can't really disagree with any of the criticisms. I wasn't too impressed with the composition, so I guess I didn't put any more into it than I had to to get it done...which was way more than I was expecting. I can't decide if it's worth attempting a rescue.

Oh, wait, though. I was totally excited that Satan dropped in for recording...his appearance in the breakdown is my favorite part...I can't get on board with you there. But thanks for pointing out the other nice things about it, anyway.

Sorry, leaving out the 'I' before 'read' magically changes the meaning of the word.

I too, am always pleased to have Satan drop in, but he doesn't need to yell. After all, He is Satan.