A very touching and heartfelt tune. The lyrics are wonderful. They really get the feeling of missing another person across in only a way that someone who's been left behind could feel. Great, emotional vocals.

I like the minimalistic approach of the backing guitar. It works well to give a "lonely" feel. I might back off just a hair on the FX, especially when you go the thre strummed chords. You may want to back off even more there just to give some contrast. You might also play around with some light orchestration as you hit the middle. Maybe some very light strings as backing, but not enough to detract from the vocals and guitars.

I really think it's a great tune and I look forward to hearing it once it's past the demo stage.

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Wow! Thanks so much for that review. I will look into the strings. It's a great idea.

Thanks again,
Stacey

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Take all the effects off the guitar except for a little reverb. For something that is so close sounding vocally, the effects add a layer of distance to the guitar that causes a disconnect. It sounds like it's well played and recorded, so why mask the guitar with a sort of dated phased sound that's applied with a slightly heavy hand? The vocal is perfect and I don't know if I would add too much...though the song seems to be short and perhaps needs some development somewhere. Exactly what is eluding me, but that's my first thought. Hopefully that's the type of feedback you were looking for; it's a great song that is worthy of devoting some time to; very tender and touching.

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Didn't sound like a demo to me. Your voice is absolutely beautiful. Perfect use of reverb. very professional sounding.

Of course, I think this could have been filled out a bit more with some other instruments. Some bass definitely. Some subtle orchestration with strings. I Kept waiting for the bridge.

No big deal though. This is good as is and anything you add, make it subtle. Just more less to fill things out a bit. Wouldn't dare want the intimate feel of this to get lost in a bunch of over production.

Again, love your voice! :)

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I can agree with the rest of the guys. So guitar without phasing effect.
You might add a few (one or two) insruments (suggestions: violin, mandoline), and maybe
you can do more than 3 cords, it's possible.

No comment on the singing, it's perfect.

Stefaan

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Sometimes in the first few seconds of a track you know you'll love it. Your vocals make this track one of those. Honest, intimate, clear, a window, a mirror, beauty, desperate yet relaxed, sad yet hopeful yet hopeless. There is a panning flange aspect to the guitar that was initially offputting but I liked by the end. My ear tells me the song needs slightly more variation, yet my head tells me this works as a concept piece as is. Consider posting lyrics? I think it could use an instrumental break with a solo cello, perhaps a fiddle, if you can swing it; some solo instrumental with lyrical legato potential that also says "alone" and "more alone." It would give the pice an extra dimension of introspection. Fabulous straightforward simplicity.

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I don't think that you should consider this a dem. Its beyound that. If you plan on expanding it i.e. adding extra tracks, Id keep this version as its great as is. If I were to add anything, some strings - cello perhaps? Great stuff. Only beef is that it may be a little too long - just a tad.

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your vocal is up close, personal, intimate, and SO GOOD. i very much like this - i agree a little string synth starting at 2nd verse might improve this.
what a sweet mood of melancholy you've created. lovely lovely lovely.
anne

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Just a beautiful tune in all aspects. Lyrics and music.
I like the comments about minimizing the guitar effects. If you're going to add other instruments (definitely not a necessity...the guitar, vocal, and lyrics carry the tune perfectly), I'd go with something very simple and minimalistic. Maybe a harmonica, guitar, violin, or cello doing some simple fills.
Dept. of redundancy Dept.: the tune works perfectly on it's own. Don't let anything detract from the message.

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i also like the guitar...nice spaces in this song...strings when the strumming starts is a good idea but i would leave it the way it is..

great vocals

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.... all the "advice" has already been given ... so I'll just stop here with "I luv it" .... and NO way it's too long ... it's JUST right .... I too would love to read the lyrics.

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Call me crazy but I like the effects on the guitar. I do however hear some bass and drums in there some build up points. You have a very nice voice not stressed or strained just right. Posting the lyrics would be nice also.

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Who says you can sing?

Oh... yeh... me... and everyone with ears.

Yes, this is raw and honest and flanged. It would probably still work if you were using a spoon and glasses of water for instrumentation.

It will be fine with extra instrumentation... or without it. Sometimes less is more --- it's hard to say until you try it and compare.

Flanging is an especially delicate (and potentially annoying) effect. I've heard far worse than this usage. But I would try it at different gradations, as well as not at all, to see what you might like best.

Whatever production decisions you make, *subtlety* suits this song best. ;)

--- Joe

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at MJ. This song, like so many of your others, is very likeable from the git-go. The others who have commented have really said already what is so good about this song (your voice, etc). I do agree about the guitar effects. If you feel energetic, Tobin's input is spot on, especially the "lonely" string instrument solo. Looking forward to the next installment... and more.
cheers...


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Great singing, Stacey. I also think the guitar fx are too much at the beginning, then it sort of grows on you. Still, it could have a more intimate, drier tone, I suppose. The emotion and melodies somehow reminded me of Jim Croce... but, whereas I think he overdid the string sections in his songs, I think with this song some backing strings could be very cool.

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Thanks so much everyone. I'm very excited to get back to work on this one. I am going to take each suggestion to heart.

Thanks again!

Lovins,
Stacey

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...reminds me of some of Ferron's best... Really 'present' and intimate... And some of your phrasing is very Ferron-ish, and to me that's a compliment, because she can be so good...

The lyrics are ridiculously good... This is the art of speaking the language of the heart in plain and simple words, without unnecessary ornamentation, without affectation, and it works, works, works... And the melody is sweet without being saccharine...

I'm not so bothered by the flanging as are others... I agree it could be backed off... If it was me, I might double the guitar left and right, with just a hint of the flange on one side and a unifying slight reverb... But I tend to over-guitar everything anyway...

Can't wait for the final version... I have the feeling it will be album-quality...

Ed

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Looking for the final cut to download it. Great singing, stacey !

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This is an awesome song. I think the first thing that impressed me was the quality of your voice. It matches the feel and honesty of the song. The words and the way you sing them (with such an accessible melody) gives the song its charm.

The guitar work was also exceptional. The phased electric was just the right touch.



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Hey, I'm reposting the song today. It's been re-worked a little. I mean, I re-did everything, but you'll see what I mean!

Thanks for all the input you guys! You are all so amazing!

Stacey

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Once again you've shown yourself to be a true artist... the vocal delivery is emotional and... really perfect... I agree that the guitar should be as intimate as the vocal... and you've always been a poet, so post the lyric if you have a chance... your words usually matter...

you've got a gift

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When you go the second verse throw in another instrument (Bass, synth strings). I could really see this tune building up with every verse. Like the other comments an acoustic guitar would have worked better than the phase guitar. Great vox.

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i'd like to see the lyrics they sound good. i shall listen to the newer version after this one and hopefully it shall have the lyrics. like the sadness to it.

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