My Social Uniform - Straight out the blocks this is very impressive. Everything sounds really tight and sharp. Excellent mix/production. The vocals are probably the star, especially the backing and harmonies but everything - horns, guitars, percussion – it’s all uber slick. There’s a lot of inventive elements in the arrangement and perhaps some that are a bit derivative of stuff like Chic, EWAF, etc. Nevertheless, this is classy and will certainly be getting my vote.
Paco del Stinko - This has a tidy drum beat though it seems a little algorithmic. The mix is good but for me the dynamism is somewhat missing. Everything sounds a bit polite and there’s a one dimensional feel to the song in general. It could of done with some sort of stronger melodic aspect.
Jon Eric – The production is generally pretty good, though there’s a lot of reverb which has a tendency to make things sound a bit muddy here and there. Vocals are nice and I quite like the song – you belt the chorus out. There’s something hesitant or not tight enough about the timing of the vocals or drums in some places though. With the reverby sound and the big chorus this reminds me somewhat of the Mighty Wah/Story of The Blues.
Blonde & Bald – This is great and made me smile a lot. There’s something about the vocal performance that’s on the money – it’s endearingly cute but there’s some bite in there too. Another definite vote, if for nothing else than just for cheering me up.
Sweeney Toad – The lyrics are clever, entertaining and thoughtful. The nasal, snarly delivery of the vocals is too much of a relentless diatribe, like someone poking you in the ribs with a sharp object. I’d have like some more light and shade in the music rather than being all at one level throughout.
Seemanski – The gimmick bookends are cool. The synth beat is great too - big and sparse. The production is tight. I like the sort of Bowie-ness to the double tracked vocals. This is a well put together track and the extended instrumental section with the cleanish guitar solo works well. This’ll be a vote too.
Brown Word & The Big Whine – There’s a kind of Deep Purple vibe to the music that I like though the vocals are more punk especially the chorus which is catchy. Mix is a little muddy (except the vocals) and is perhaps too bass heavy (could be my cheap earbuds) and could do with some clarity. Ending could’ve been sharper.
Sober – I think you complained about someone else’s intro being too long last time out?
But other than that small snipe not too much to criticise. The arrangement, production and performances are up to your usual high standard. You handled the big boomy kick drum well in the mix. Vocals have the perfect throaty grit for this track. Odd time signature is nicely unsettling. Has a chunky repetitive plod without ever getting boring. Good song, with excellent story telling lyrics. No brainer vote.Phew, not even half way through yet…….
Hardmonica – The Jethro Tull-ish flute is a nice though debateable whether a slightly less-is-more approach to it might have been better. Very retro rock sounding harking back to the 70s. Well produced. Once upon a long time ago I might have loved this – I still quite like it now for its nostalgic vibe.
Balance Lost – Short and energetic. I like the new wave feel. The growly Stranglers-like bass is nice as are the split pan guitars. The vocals are possibly a bit too low pitched and I get the feeling they would’ve sounded better with the song transposed to a higher key, or maybe if there was just some greater transition into the chorus.
Lichen Throat - I only just realised the pun in your submission name. This kicks off okay as a plausible 80s synth band (ala Depeche Mode) pastiche. Nice big gated drums, stabby bass, chimey synths, but when your singing comes in it shatters the illusion. I don’t believe vocals always have to be in tune, but I can’t even tell what the melody is that you’re going for. Even if you can’t hold a tune, you could really do with tightening up the timing (scansion?) of your vocals.
JTTJ – Well I love the intros, bridges and the verses. The guitars sound excellent and the arrangement is very cool with some nice touches – e.g. the distant heavily reverbed tinkling piano. Great treated vocals too. However, the chorus? (at 0.54 and 1.09) doesn’t really work for me though with that big throbby bass on an offbeat – feels like the timing goes wrong and the vocal melody get’s a bit wishy-washy too. Interesting and different though.
Max Bombast – Has a nice spikey sound and feel. Another very good production with a sort of modern-glam sound. It all sounds very sharp. Reminds me a bit of bands like Suede perhaps. Excellent vocals. I might perhaps complain that it’s rather short but in a week of 19 songs I’ll button my lip. Yet another definite vote.
Pigfarmer – Not that I’m a particular fan, or listen to his music much but this somehow is what I imagine modern Bob Dylan stuff to sound like. I think you handle the vocals rather well and the doubling/harmonies work. I quite like the song and it’s put together nicely. Maybe the middle eight is a bit throwaway.
Shade & Honey – I can’t say I’m sold on the telephone effect on the vocals. It can be an okay effect used in limited amounts - not sure about throughout the song. That aside, I do like the modern psychedelic vibe of the song along with the slow groove. The slow tremolo guitar is nice and adds to the laid back feel.
Wow (!) Signal – Not sure what to make of this. I guess it’s a sort of modern take on prog-rock. I can’t figure out if you want the autotune to be an obvious effect or not. The song doesn’t really float my boat but there’s nothing much wrong with how it’s been recorded, produced, etc. No doubt those more into the genre will like it.
Phlebia – This sounds very loud and compressed. I kind of like it for it’s power/noisiness and there’s some interesting textural vibes. The chorus is a bit Nirvana-ish, so no complaints there. It could probably do with being tamed a bit without losing the edge. I couldn’t listen to a whole album of it but my ears don’t mind one song’s-worth.
Night Sky – Aside from the bass and drums, I’d like to hear something more than the Doobie Bros guitar, which needs more finesse to carry the song, in the backing. Perhaps some electric piano or maybe if the bass had more movement it would help. The horn stuff is great. The song is okay, reminds me a bit of very early Steely Dan songs, though I’m not keen on the fade out.
Pannacotta Army – I kind of forced myself to do something featuring resonator slide – I’ve been meaning to for a while. I’d prefer this to be shorter but I didn’t feel I could cut any verses. I was unhappy with the resonator tone initially but it sounded better with some tinkering and when the other stuff was thrown in. I’d of liked more variety with the harmonica but was restricted by the key of the one I was using.
Lot’s of good stuff in this fight – I got four definite votes already and a whole bunch of others on the cusp, so some thinking to do
. Bring the hihat down a bit relative to the rest of the drums. Could have the snare punch through a bit more. As usual, lots of good pieces here.
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