Fill The Void EP! Some Critique Guys??

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Hello!
Member Since: Jan 12, 2004

Hi Guys

I have been prolificaly writing my EP. It has taken me only 8 months!! At this rate, I will be marginally more productive than the great Stone Roses (5 years for 1 album!!).

All joking aside. Its now all but done so I am looking for as much critique, feedback, advices and comments you can muster! There are 5 songs in all and I've linked from here to the page containing them all (though 1 song is not on the EP - Wasted Land - please critique anyway!).

Only point, if possible - LISTEN HIFI! LOFI is poor.

Here's the link:

www.soundclick.com/bands/6/deadflowersmusic.htm

As I say - all input will be very greatfully received. I've had some critique before for 2 of these songs but no the others. Also, Independance is a version of my song "America" based on Scotland using the same music (bit like Guns N Roses 2 versions of Dont Cry!). I'll let you listen and let me know yer thoughts.

Many thanks for all you guys taking the time to listen.

Cheers..

Coco.

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Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jul 01, 2004 01:21 am

Sorry, have to listen lofi.

Anyways, this is a very solid album. I imagine Candy Girl and Dead Flowers on soundtracks for feel good summer movies about young love. The guitar is really nice on all the tracks. I'd say that some of the vocals are a little flat here and there and have a bit much reverb for my tastes on most of the songs. I like the piano on Apart from you, and actually think the song writing is very strong on all of the songs, though I was waiting for the Independance track to kick in a bit more, and transform from melancholy to energized.

I guess that's what I think without being too specific.

Bohemian
Member
Since: May 04, 2003


Jul 01, 2004 06:10 am

I actually like all of them there's just one thing that sorta "bothers" me is that everything sounded very clean (or distorted if you like:P ) and then the vocals kicked in, they're sung well that's not the point but what EQ or reverb are you using on them?

I noticed you have Amplitube, A friend of mine uses it on his vocals NO EQ just some preset it was tasty hall or something and then the reverb time from that preset cut in half Incredible how warm it makes your voice and just a tiny but effective Reverb

the rest is cool man! TOP!

I'dd buy it

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 01, 2004 02:54 pm

Thanks to you both for the comments and feedback - much appreciated always.

I had thought long and hard aboot adding someting to Independance and tried a few things. Nothing come off so I left it as it was but I will DEFO be doing another version when I get some time with something a bit different..may need to start from scratch but I will give it a bash.

Sometimes vocals go off a bit, I noticed a couple of instances myself but I live with it in the main cause my singing is still maturin...I am a guitarist first and singer second! I do take the comments and thank you for the honesty tho Coolo - much appreciated.

Presley - I only use Amplitube for geeeetars. Never tried it for Vox (I tend to use the Steinberg plug ins - compressor etc) but I may very well give it a go just to see how it sounds.

I currently add some delay and very little reverb in response to the question - I am shooting for a John Lennon type vocal sound - I HATe my voice flat. With some EQ tweaks, and some delay and tiny verb - it improves!

Thanks for the comments guys...very VERY much appreciated.

Coco.

Phatso
Member
Since: Mar 31, 2003


Jul 02, 2004 10:45 am

Sorry dude, it's lo-fi or no-fi! I really dig Candy Girl. So far, it's the only song I've listened to. It's a wonderfully written song! I was jamming pretty hard. The only things my tastes didnt care for were: To me, the vocals seem a little "too far". Not sure if it's the delay or the reverb you're using. Normally (my preference only, of course) if I can hear the reverb/delay, there's too much of it. Also, I wanted more DRUMS. Of course, all of this can be attributed to the low fidelity of the streaming audio. I too recommend downloading the hi-fi, if possible.

EDIT: WOW! MAN, does hi-fi make a difference! I am only getting about 11 seconds of streaming audio in hi-fi before AOL media player craps out on me, but MAN is there a difference! Disregard any critique's I made until I can hear the whole thing in hi-fi.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 02, 2004 10:46 am

Hey buddy..thanks for the comments and taking the time to listen.

Ive also got the song on HRC right here under members music if you fancy listening to it here...

I think the delay may just be a tad much - I thought that maself so am glad someone else confirmed it!! I will look at that overall the whole EP.

Cheers again and enjoy!

Coco.

Phatso
Member
Since: Mar 31, 2003


Jul 02, 2004 11:05 am

Alright. After releasing AOL media player from service in lieu of another player, I was able to listen to the song at HRC's member's music. I still think the vocals are a tad too distant, but the drums now seem spot-on! It's a really good song, dude! Let me know when/if you have the EP available for sell.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 02, 2004 04:36 pm

Thanks for that Guitarlord..all comments most welcome and appreciated!

I think I'll look at the reverb/delay and see how it sounds again..this feedback is just what ya need when you perform, track, mix and master - you get too close and cant see the wood for the trees.

Ta very muchly.

Coco.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 07, 2004 05:30 pm

Hey guys

I know a few folk had asked this before so I've now added links straight from HRC (Check out my Profile) to my music.

You can listen to it directly from this site rather than Soundclick...

Ta.

Coco.

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Jul 07, 2004 07:10 pm

Coco,

You rock! I loved your tunes! "Dead Flowers" is awesome. Great song, great recording. Vocals really stand out there. I like "Candy Girl" too, but vocals seem to have too much reverb. They don't fit in the mix the way they do in "Dead Flowers".

"Wasted Land" rocks. Guitars are great! "Apart From You" is a nice change of pace from the heavy stuff. Vocals sound nice! "Independence" has a great feel to it. Arrangement is nice, but I keep waiting for you to count "one, two, three, four!" and then rockin' it home.

All in all, I'm VERY impressed! My favorite is "Dead Flowers", which I'm going to listen to again right after I submit this! (Whatever you did for the vocals on "Dead Flowers", you should do for all of the songs! IMHO)

Jim

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 07, 2004 07:37 pm

Hey Jim

Thanks a million! I take ALL your points and they are all correct. The trouble with recording something well sometimes is..it can be lucky - I think thats what happened with Dead Flowers vox!

Dead Flowers was my fav too - I love the song (loved the Stones original countryish version) and thought Id rock it. Vox came out well, geetars and bass and drums! But, I think on reflection the other tracks could do with the same amount of time spent on em perfecting the vox.

In fact, when I get a chance am gon back to fix them all. If I am being honest, I felt the same but after a good few months recording..I just kinda gave up a little and compromised! Bad move.

I am also thinking what to do with Independance. I think id like to give it the rock up but just dunno where/how. I WILL defo do it tho. Everyone has said the same thing so its defo a valid point..need to think how best to do it.

Now youve confirmed my thoughts am goin back to fix those damed vox! Thanks very much for your comments ..very much appreciated and thanks for takin the time.

I just listened to your own stuff coincedentally..will post on your thread. Good stuff.

Coco.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Nov 04, 2004 09:22 pm

Dood! Warez da muzik?

BoysMum got me all psyched to listed to Fill the Void and all I see is...well..a void that needs to be filled at the link provided above.

Ive got a fever...




...and the only cure is more cowbell! Or the Bad Martini EP, whichever.

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Nov 04, 2004 09:55 pm

Go to Coco's homepage:

www.badmartini.co.uk

You'll find a void there. :-)

Jim

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Nov 04, 2004 10:01 pm

I looked, but I just saw samples. Is it only available for purchase now?

Member
Since: Apr 22, 2004


Nov 05, 2004 04:57 am

I'm sure Coco will be along soon Tadpui...

But I think Coco has posted the 6x songs from 'Fill the Void' under Member's Music. Try it for ya fever...hehe

Cheers,

BM

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Nov 05, 2004 07:06 am

Hey Tadpui

The songs should stream via my profile I think.

If not, the versions on my website (www.badmartini.co.uk) are the full versions I think - they all stream via the player I have embedded on the site (HiFi and LoFi available).

Im sure I deleted the short versions of the songs and uploaded the full ones again - so, if you have any bother, let me know buddy.

Cheers

Coco.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Nov 05, 2004 07:12 am

Ya know, if anyone wants to check out easy ways to sell your mp3's (this springs to mind due to Coco's fighting with his mp3 player to use the purchasing option on his site) check out www.homegrownvinyl.com that is where I have my mp3's, it's new, I am doing an article on it right now, but it's a cool little buziness model they have started.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Nov 05, 2004 07:24 am

I would second that dB. I was lookin there whislt they were settin up - the more distribution channels there are the better.

I am only looking to make back the cost of web hosting/discs and no great big profit (tho it would be nice all the same) so I am not goin mad for it but if I can get the music out there, thats the main goal.

So, I will be setting up an account with these guys too. Is their site live now dB and fully running - I knwo they had teethin problems to start with??

Coco.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Nov 05, 2004 08:19 am

Yes, it's fully up and running, they are working on new features and such, but the artists management, uploading, radio and purchasing systems are live. Their forum isn't very lively, but thats not the purpose of the site really, and if one person can liven it up, that would be you.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Nov 05, 2004 11:54 am

Cool thanks Coco...I guess I shouldn't post for help until I try something sober :-D

I'll give it a spin after I finish listening to the expanded and remastered Electric Warrior disc.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Nov 11, 2004 05:36 am

OK, I guess that the line that says "Listen To Samples From The Latest Bad Martini Release - Fill The Void" turned me away, I thought that they were just samples.

I might not make it thru all of these in 1 sitting (that's a lot of music to review!). I'll try to give a quickie about each song, just to provide some feedback.

Apart From You - The piano really sounds pro quality here. It's very clean and polished sounding. Nice "Slash in November Rain" guitar tone ya got there :) The drums are lagging behind the beat some during the latter half of the song. Mix sounds great, which I'm going to pretty much assume for the rest of the way...

Candy Girl - Might wanna back off on the delay on the vocals a little...it does give the vocals more presence and space, but the amount that's applied would be more of a spot effect instead of one to be applied to the entire song. I like the chord progression on the chorus a lot, and the way the vocal line fits over it.

Independence - Again, very pro sounding piano. The MP3 compression gives it a little grainularity, but that's just the nature of the compression scheme. The vocal effects are just about right here...spacious and up front and well EQ'd. this version sounds much more polished (both in performance and mixing/mastering) than the version that I'd heard previously.

Let It Go - Just reviewed this one in another thread.

The Words - great pop song. I think that the kick drum is fighting with the rest of the song here, and the direct acoustic guitar (always) bugs me, but otherwise this is a good one

Wasted Land - wow, quite a departure from the rest of the EP. This kinda steps outside of my tastes. Again, lots of delay on the vocals is a bit distracting to me, but it kinda fits the song somehow. This is the best that I've heard the direct electric sound so far, it's a pretty convincing tone on both the rhythm and lead parts.

All in all, an outstanding effort, Coco. It sounds like you're really taking off in songwriting and recording ability. I look forward to hear where you go from here.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Nov 11, 2004 07:34 am

Hey Tadpui

Thanks for taking the time to listen to, and review this EP. Its real great that you took the time and done this - much appreciated.

Also - thanks for those words...always nice to hear.

Aye - I agree with pretty much most of what yi say regards to the critique. I think, I may have addressed some of this but I really MUST get the new MP3's posted up on that darn website!

I am also mucho glad you hit the "Slash November Rain" Chord...that was the sound I wanted there. In fact, I believe it may be the preset I saved so cheers indeed!!

OK...with thanks to ya again. Good man.

Coco.

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