Manhattan Hangs by echoroom
Genre: Indie Rock
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Attribution-NoDerivs
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Keywords:
Manhattan (7), mother (37), guilt (4), creator (1)
Description:
Well ... odd one this. I got the idea for the vocal line for this on Monday about 6.15 a.m., and finished mastering Saturday 9.05 p.m., so it's the fastest I've ever done a track ... whether or not that's a good thing, I don't know.
Thanks go to Mr. Bob Dorsey for lyrical inspiration, and Racerat for mastering tips.
I mixed this on my new Tapco S5 monitors, which were a big help.
I wasn't sure about the title, as I thought that it may be misinterpreted ... NY is my favourite city .... anyway, fedback on the mix and overall sound of this would be appreciated.
After the last track being so lyrically clear, normal service is resumed ...
Steve
Thanks go to Mr. Bob Dorsey for lyrical inspiration, and Racerat for mastering tips.
I mixed this on my new Tapco S5 monitors, which were a big help.
I wasn't sure about the title, as I thought that it may be misinterpreted ... NY is my favourite city .... anyway, fedback on the mix and overall sound of this would be appreciated.
After the last track being so lyrically clear, normal service is resumed ...
Steve
Lyrics:
My heart was born in a dying starMy eyes were gems, cut from nebulae
You turned your back on the god you knew
But your creator didn't forsake you.
Awake - when there's no return
These golden miles, this sky so blunt
The cities that your mother built.
She bore your guilt and washed your hair
Manhattan hangs like Xmas bells.
Awake - when there's no return
Awake - let your city burn
Let your bridges burn
My heart was born in a dying star
My eyes were gems, cut from nebulae
The oceans swell and steal your youth
Manhattan hangs like rotten fruit.
Hardware:
iMac, Shure S57, Aria geetar, Keystation 49eSoftware:
GB3, Logic Pro, Addictive DrumsYou must be registered and logged-in to comment.
lengold
There is absolutely nothing rotten about this and I am in total awe and admiration of it.
echoroom
Hi Len - -ta, and I really enjoyed your new track this morning, bud - -great vocals. Luckily, I had a small spat with my wife, which meant we didn't speak Saturday, so I got this finished - don't worry, we've now made up, but every cloud ...
Thanks for stopping by!
Steve
dajama
How about with the vocal - it's an outstanding performance. The tone and emotiveness (?) of your singing is terrific - great feeling and power. Masterful stuff. Can't think who it reminds me of (apart from you, of course!) - maybe Bowie? The instrumentation hits the mark throughout the song - almost minimalist at times, and perfectly in keeping with the mood and tenor of the lyrics. Great imagery and sweep to the words - "My eyes were gems, cut from nebula", love it. The sound of the whole track is beautiful - great mix and production. I can't believe you did this in such a short space of time! This is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Very nice work. Peace.
echoroom
...Everywhere , David, he's stalking my voice box. I actually was looking forward to singing this, 'cause it's a pretty good register for me. Time wise, I was really sick of every track taking months, and I just wanted to blast something out. Some of my stuff is a bit busy, so it was nice to just pare it back - I liked the drums, and wanted to give them space rather than clutter things up. I'll probably re-listen to this (its sunday morning now) and think the mix is rubbish.... we'll see.
Thanks for stopping by - really appreciate it.
Steve
ledebutant
It's interesting how some of the best music seems to come together so quickly. Maybe it's because it just has that certain magic something, inspiration or genius or choco-freak goodness.
I'm not 100% sure about the "Manhattan hangs like rotten fruit," lyric. It feels a bit like a reach to me and I think it doesn't mesh with the overall feeling of the rest of the lyrics. It's a very organic image in a song filled with images of cities and stars and gems and metal bells. Hard stuff, not soft, rotting things. I'm not sure you need the image, anyway. Singing Manhattan hangs, twice would scan the same way and you'd get double benefit of the alliteration and assonance in those two words.
Random comments: That last "buuuuuuuurrrrrn" is an absolutely FANTASTIC bit of vibrato. I'm eating my heart out over that as well as the overall wonderfully indirect lyrics. Every time I write something, I swear I think of you and want to bash my head on a hard surface because of how subtle and evocative you're able to be.
The vibe is fantastic, very groovy and dark and the music is much more understated than you usually do. This may be my favorite of all of yours in the music department, actually. I love everything you do, but this has something very special about it.
The mixing! Oy! I'm thanking racerat, too, though I know you're a star in that department, too. This is the best mix you've ever done.
Thanks for giving this to us, Steve.
echoroom
Hey Lisa - really appreciate you commenting, I know it's a busy time for you. This is , as Djarma notes, quite an understated song, partially through intent and partially due to not spending the time to fill it with stuff.
Lyrically ... Inspired by The Fountain (love and death again), conversations with Bob about religion, and my relationship with my mother (paging Dr. Freud). The 'rotten fruit' line came about halfway in (so wednesday, then) ... started as 'ripened', then got played with - I liked it, but yeah, it does pop, although that was partially the intent ... god, what'll it be like when we write together??!! Paralysis by analysis!? But in hindsight, you're right about how it sticks out from he rest of the lyric - it's actually quite an unpleasant line.
The killer for me is 'She bore your guilt and washed your hair' ... some really odd things got dredged up saturday morning as I finished the lyric over my rice krispies.
If the mix is good, then its down to the new speakers - sound was really clear, and I just blasted through it ... it was a joy in that respect.
This is so new, I'm not even sure what to make of it myself ... it could be longer, but it's done now ... i should let it be (in many respects).
As always, really appreciate your feedback - thanks Lisa.
Take Care
Steve
great production and vocals, catchy melodies Bob is doing a lot inspiring lately! I like the tinny to dry vocals effect, its put to good use hear, cool piano to synth metamorphosis, digging it.
echoroom
...is like a little muse, flitting about the good people of this site. The telephone voice at the start really reminds me of Portishead (I described this song to Bob as a kinda bluesy Portishead) ... I was gonna do the whole song with that effect, but thought it might be too much.
Thanks Tom - this is a little darkness after the light of your recent track!
Steve
Vic Holman
friggin cool orchestration. a lot of drama as you manually (no automatic here) shift from each section. Someday you have to do a crappy tune so I can even suggest anything. Funny how uplifting a sound for a dark overtone.
Steve, you just do great stuff and you better not stop....like ever. even when we're in our eighties
echoroom
I can see us both still putting out angsty records in our 80's, Vic - "this one's about when i lost me false teeth!".
Thanks though ... you know i listen to your works thee mighty and weep, 'cause the production is so good ... i'm ashamed to say i didn't even double track the guitars here! Thanks as always Vic!
Your drama queen buddy
Steve
Axgrinder
Where do you get your ideas man? All your stuff is so unique, it's insane! Ah ha, that's it. Your a lunatic! Lol. I'm teasing. This is really good and I will definitely favorite it for sure. Keep em coming bro, your tapped in!
echoroom
Actyally, the initial inspiration for this Alvin came from the first track on Keren Anns new album - just a strummed guitar and vocals, but then it kinda took another direction. I think writing is therapy for me, actually ... lots of odd things in this one.
Thanks for the support bud.
Steve
jiguma
Love the vox Steve! harmony works really well. This is a bloody good song - without too much detail, all the instrumentation is just right, and you have a level of production amongst the best here at MJ. Slight nit at the end (just after "Lisa's vibrato") where there's some leftover editing noise - always happens on a quick work through! Quickly finished songs always seem to have a fresher sound.
VERY good stuff Steve - an all round winner.
Neil
echoroom
Yeah, I noticed the noise at mastering stage, and chopped a bit out, but it's still there ... never mind. Mastered this in Logic .. i was going to download Ozone for this, but figured I'd add about a week getting my head around it. Thanks Neil - I appreciate the comments, but I've a way to go 'til I hit your levels of production, but it gives me something to aspire to.
i'm a bit ... i dunno, Across the Water is such a wonderful track, I'm still thinking about it, and the memories it brings to me. That song is a gift.
Steve
DWL
One of the best songs I've heard on MJ.
Just superb in every department. Production is excellent, plenty going on but everything is sitting just right.
I am truly stunned and when I sort out how to get stuff on my new ipod it's being downloaded.
Cheers
Dick
echoroom
Praise indeed - thanks Dick - there's a lot to be said for simplicity, rather than overtkinking everything, which i usually do ... your new posting 'Stay' being a case in point.
Thanks for listening ... by the way, usually when you download a song, it opens automatically in itunes - my Mac and pc (urgh) both do this.
Ta
steve
Peter Bauckham
excellent song. Love the vocals on the introduction - your vocal performance is great throughout. The mix sounds pretty good through my computer set-up. The little bits of piano and strings work really well. The effect is very atmospheric. And, like all your songs, when I get to the end I want to listen all over again and again...!
Love it!
Peter
echoroom
Thanks Pete - this was based on a basic 4 chord sequence, which is looped and treated throughout to give some variation - i can't play guitar, so cover it with effects. Its nice writing a song with just textures, rather than worrying about hooklines too much!
Ta very much
steve
cjdaley
I hear some Portishead texture here, from the Great "Dummy" Album (or the N.Y concert). You really know of to give weight and grandeur to a song. I'm no expert but I think the mix is perfect.
echoroom
hi JC - yeah, there are definite shades of Dummy, especially the intro ... I've been waiting to use that vocal effect! Glad you liked it - this was fast for me, but not as fast as you post 'em!
steve
Now I'M the one who's "speechless"! I love everything about this: lyrics, vocal delivery, arrangement, choice of instruments...all dead on. But I really have to give you a double thumbs-up on this mix. An instant fave my man!
Be well!
echoroom
thanks mike - I mixed this, and then played it back on a hire car stereo (a lexus), which had loads of bass, and made all the hi-hats and cymbols seem really loud, so the mix took a bit of to-ing and fro-ing ... so i appreciate your vote of confidence .... my lyrics are as indirect on this one as yours are direct on Inside this Skin!
Always a pleasure to hear from you
Steve
Dont know where to start with this but to say greatness!
echoroom
... I'll just end it then by saying thanks!
Steve
five_extra_arms
Jeepers Steve!
This is beyond what I thought it'd be. The Portishead intro is dynamite (exactly what I was thinking when I was trying to inspire you...huh?). So glad you went with your crispy clean and rich voice, as it added significance to the intro. I was listening hard for your sinus sounds, but it sounds to me like your old schnozzola is back in tune. That's terrific!
Your mastering on it is superb. Now everyone's gonna hire racerat and buy new monitors.
Great stuff Steve. You're an inspiration to us all.
echoroom
..I was just gonna e-mail you! Well, you seem to strike a rich vein doing your tuesday night music club thang, so i thought I'd try and get a song done in under the 2 months it usually takes! It's weird how songs evolve, isn't it - I used the vocal effect on the intro, thought portishead, and was gonna do the whole song in a similar style - drums were gonna be beat box, but then it kinda went its own way.
Hope you like the lyrics ... make up for the last set!
I aim to be an inspiration for everyone on the planet ... not sure what exactly I'll inspire them to do though ...
LOL
Steve
guitapick
...like Christmas bells..."
Indeed it does...
"Manhattan hangs like rotten fruit..."
Ohhh yes...it can definitely do that, as well.
I love the distorted guitar and melotron/synth (not sure which) in and out of the tune. Very powerful when in..nice and smooth when out. Great dynamic shift.
Vox are really fine...throughout...
Got that "tag" at the very, very end...is that for effect?
I love it, Steve...great piece.
echoroom
Hey bob - the tag at the end ... not sure what you mean, probably some aural junk that i didn't clear out. aside from the logic odd organ at the start, all other spooky noises are treated guitars - treated to cover my crap playing!
thanks for the kind words
steve
bud
but praise. I got the sense that you built the music around the vocals - yopu mentioned as much - and as a result the music supports the turns of your voice really well. Great full throated singing - lotso confidence. Likewise - excellent production.
echoroom
thanks Bud - i have no choice but to build the music around my voice as i can't really play anything (all guitar chords recorded seperately and joined)! Actually, the vocal line came first on this, as it usually does for me, then a sort out the (very) basic cgord structure. Still, nice to keep it simple, huh?
Thanks for checking this out bud, and thanks for opening up your cassette collection to us!
Steve
digitalnirvana9
Steve:
Man you outdid yourself on this one...so much soul, rolled into one tune. Excellently performed....Was a definite download for me....Thanks, Norman
echoroom
thanks Norman - I thought this was sorta bluesy, and wasn't comfortable with the style originally, but managed to push it back into my arena. i gotta say, after working on this for a week, i really need to get out and do something else!
Cheers for the kind words - we're well overdue a song from you, you know!
Steve
gregd
of your supermarket has amazing stuff. Love the way your music fits electronic bits with all the vocals, guitars, and acoustic lines. You've got a great sound to all your work.
I'm not sure I understand this tune so well as your other tracks. The metaphors are a bit less connected and more abstract. I'm not sure about them, but you make them sound so fine.
-g
echoroom
hi Greg - i must admit, i realy like trying to mix 'real' instruments with electronica ... and i find it easier to play the keyboard stuff!
I did think that this lyric was waaay to vague, and may just put people off ... my take on it is as follows:
Its basically about the end of naivity (is that how you spell it) or innocence. You're born as this special being (everyone thinks there kids are the most special, right?), and the creator figure here is the mother. The 'washed your hair' is a very strong image I have from childhood, and at that age, everything is wonderful, hence the city hangs 'like Xmas bells'.
But as you grow up, things get twisted, and you understand differently, or re-interpret, things that happened when you were a kid .. so the things that seemed good at the time may becone tainited ... hence 'steals your youth' and the shiny city hangs 'like rotten fruit'.
The chorus ... well, you can't go back and change your past, so you have to let these things go. There's a lot of train of thought stuff going on here ... bits and pieces came out, and i put them on paper without too much intent of making the themes obvious.
The Doctor will see me now!
Thanks for stopping by
Steve
cjdaley
I don't think a obscurity is a bad point as long as the lines have a certain depth to them. Some dead englishman named Burke once explained that the expression "Angels of the Lord" really produced a tremendous effect on the listener/reader because there was something indefinite and literally awesome about it. He called this "sublime". Some of these lines have this ring to it because you're using "big words" to that effect :stars, ocean, nebulae, manhattan as the myriad-lit city. And I like this effect combined with drops to very concrete perceptions (of childhood, then): the washed hair, the rotten fruit etc.., as a return to reality. There's also a text by Wordsworth I just read where he comments on the word "hangs" as a sublime metaphor " for the gratification of the mind". The eerie synchronicity, sir.
Maybe you're a romantic poet, after all.
Sorry if this is too long and boring.
---
No redeeming qualities
five_extra_arms
CJ,
You took the words right out of my mouth!
---
she'll love five extra arms.
cjdaley
long and boring ? ;)
---
No redeeming qualities
five_extra_arms
well, since you mentioned it, yes, I too am worried that Steve's songs are becoming "long and boring" as you said.
---
she'll love five extra arms.
echoroom
hey Bob . . this one's under three and a half minutes, so at least it ain't long (as rachel also said ...)
Steve
five_extra_arms
Are you crazy?! Who has that kind of time?!
Great song Steve.
I've been singing it since moments after I inspired you to write it!
---
she'll love five extra arms.
echoroom
If you inspired it, does that mean I have to give you 50% (of nothing)??
five_extra_arms
Hey, I'd rather have 50% of nothing than 100% of a load of junk. Actually, I think I owe you on this one, as I've tried to make this song all about me in an effort to steal your spotlight. A spotlight where my inspiration stood patiently waiting for you.
You're a handful of Aces, Steve. 5 Aces, in fact.
---
she'll love five extra arms.
echoroom
.. really appreciate your comments on this.
I was listening to this track in the car today, and realised that it can also be read as the corruption of the singer/ narrator himself, rather than the corruption of their memories.
I like quite vague lyrics (Bowie, Bunnymen) - not so vague that you haven't a bloody clue what they are on about, but enough that you can read your own meaning into them.
This may sound like a cop-out, but I like writing some stuff that even I don't fully understand, because you get to re-interpret your own songs, and find new meanings - this one is a case in point.
Appreciate your take on this - thank you.
Steve
echoroom
. really appreciate your comments on this.
I was listening to this track in the car today, and realised that it can also be read as the corruption of the singer/ narrator himself, rather than the corruption of their memories.
I like quite vague lyrics (Bowie, Bunnymen) - not so vague that you haven't a bloody clue what they are on about, but enough that you can read your own meaning into them.
This may sound like a cop-out, but I like writing some stuff that even I don't fully understand, because you get to re-interpret your own songs, and find new meanings - this one is a case in point.
Appreciate your take on this - thank you.
Steve
TobinMueller
Aside from the opinion that I think Manhattan is a great city, I totally dig the track. Could use even more slow blues feel, but I dig the mainstream feel of the song, the edge, the mix and performance. It ends kind of abruptly. I heard a long extended fade out vamp with a searing guitar lead...
echoroom
Hey Tobin - yeah, i bottled the full blues fell for my alt. rock comfort balnket, but even the bit that sneaked thru was a big jump for me. In some respects, this song feels a little like it hasn't reached it's full potential ... i agree about the guitar at the end. ANY GUITARISTS OUT THERE WITH LOGIC PRO WANNA PLAY (PHIL, YOU LISTENING~?_).
Thanks for checking this out
Steve
Willywagga
Waooooar, jeeeeeze, man this is stunning. Your voice sounds great, really great. I love the, almost, Tom Waits vox at the begining, then the whole thing just funks up. The percussion sound and arrangement is brilliant. You say the word 'blunt' exactle as Mr Bowie would. Your voice has a great richness that is fully expressed here. I disagree with Lisa on the 'rotten fruit' metaphor I think it fits in really well.
If this song happened to be on an album of anybody's I would be impressed. Thou probably unfair to say this is, I think your best vocal performance to date on MJ, tho, 'Jesus' is probably one of my favourite songs, I've listened to it alot, it's damn infectious.
This is brilliant and shiny. Great stuff Steve
Willie
echoroom
Hey Willie - I have good and bad days with the voice - this one was ok, and i blasted this out in about an hour. Sounds a bit flat at the start, but , I'm never happy anyway.
Difficult word to rhyme blunt ....
The drums etc were Addictive Drums, which are about £150 and worth every penny. Its odd listening to this back to back with Sweet J., as there is such a big mood swing between them ... it still makes me smile that song .. I can't wait to play it to Alex!
Great to hear from you - thanks for checking this out
Steve
alexweiler
i agree to some of the previous speaker: this is one of best i've ever heard on macjams. congratulations, steve!
echoroom
Thanks Alex really appreciate your kind words. Now, if I can just do an even better job on 'Converging'. I'll be happy!
Cheers bud
Steve
echoroom
Thanks Alex really appreciate your kind words. Now, if I can just do an even better job on 'Converging'. I'll be happy!
Cheers bud
Steve
alexweiler
I'm dying to hear your vocals ...
Cheers!
Doadars Uncle
Very cool! Nice performance.
echoroom
Thanks Doug - not as experimental as your last one, but I'm trying ...
Thanks man
Steve
Ash Tree
which is always a good sign that I like something. Nice work. 'Specially the sound effects stuff and the strings.
echoroom
thanks Henry - that's my barometer as well! Glad you liked it ... good luck with the next book, by the way ... let me know when it's done.
Steve
racerat
my jaw has dropped and is lying on the floor...
can....not...speak.....
P.S. Yes, I'm listening. Tobin is right, what this track needs is a BL. (blistering lead...;-) )
echoroom
...it needs a BL, and a DG (Decent guitarist) ... all the guitar on here could be improved ... the file is yours for the asking. Thanks for the mastering set-up .... i used what you've sent me, but am also getting my head around the article you sent ... wish i'd payed more attention during physics at School!
Thanks man
Steve
peacepiano
I don't say this often, but from the sound of your voice on this one, you might consider giving up your day job. Not many people with a better sounding voice. Thanks for sharing.
echoroom
... thanks Bill ... ironically, my work-life looks like its going to rachet-up significantly .... less time for music! My voice is still a bitt iffy due to recent surgery, but I prepped for this by smoking and drinking whiskey (but not in excess!) the night before to get it a bit gravelly.
Thanks for the kind words
Steve
apb
.. to add to the "Steve's a bit good" collection ;o)
I really like your voice on this - lower down I thought you sounded a bit like Walter (moorlandt) .. just a bit .. the song is brilliantly done - it's got that polished effect that just makes you not think about production at
all - it's just 'there', sounding simple but not. I like the kinda 20s megaphone old but new intro ...and
synth touches, guitar sounds fine to me (just enough
to balance with the keys and give some 'oomph' ..sorry, to go technical on ya .. ;o)
Brilliant stuff Steve, sorry to hear your music time is going to get shorter :o( ..darn you work!.. you were on a roll too. Keep sipping the whisky, in moderation of course.
apb
.. sort the ending :o)
echoroom
well, i'm gonna collab on this with Racerat and do a proper version ... so i promise to sort the ending out!
Thanks Alan
steve
echoroom
'steve's quite good' collection will be the sequel to 'steve's not bad' suite. thanks Alan - you know, i'm not sure about the intro - I love it, but i'm sure some people have probably given up after 20 seconds 'cause it sounds like some bloke dying down a phone.
even tho' this is the same 3 chords and me tooling about over them, i do quite like it. Now onto your next point ...
mikkinylund
What a great song, and performance! This takes my breath away. The voice...wow!
echoroom
...is mutual, Mikki. Thanks for stopping by, so i could discover 'Dirty chords' - great track.
Nice to meetcha
Steve
RacerX
the laid-back groove a whole lot. You do have a sweeet voice mr.eroom. The mix sounds real good. The guitar tone is nice. I like! At first, I was unsure what I thought of the intro verse being devoid of bass tones. I guess being in space, you'd get that thin sound.
I'm gonna D/L and put on my ipod and giv a dozen listens over the course of the week. See how it shakes out. You a natural sense for good vocal phrasing
echoroom
...is a little analogue, and a lotta digital. Thanks racer ... it is kinda chilled, until the chorus gets all uppity. As this was done so fast (for me , at least), there's a few improvements to make (like someone else play the guitar), so hopefully an improved version will appear at some stage. I thought the same thing about the lack of bass in the inro myself toady ... aggh, songs are never finished, you just chuck 'em ot when they make the place look untidy. Nice to hear your first track this week - look forward to many more.
steve
Leon
Steve, I've been out of the Macjams loop for the past several weeks because of studies and work, but your work is totally irresistible and I just have to drop by to write this comment. This is fabulous! Every new work of yours just falls into its place in your musical landscape. You have developed a really mature distinct sound and each of your songs are like pieces in a harmonious collection of songs. In my iPod, you have already earned a place in the albums list, and this one goes right in there!
PS: If this is what you'd sound after sinus surgery, I guess other patients will be looking forward to that procedure with more eagerness.
echoroom
Hey Leon - well, i really appreciate you taking time away from hitting the books to listen to this. the old sinus surgery is still playing havoc with my voice, so i just try to get the singing done on 'good' days. I'm honored to be a part of your ipod, and cna't wait for you to get your studies done so we can get more music from you .... and one day, we gotta duet!!!
LOL
Steve
onesweetworld
Really nice echo! I like manhatten too but it's pretty clear manhatten has had some rough times.
Really cool chorus!!!! Has a great catchy quality and is so powerful! Your singing is great as it shows off your sexy natural tone. Yes...it's sexy.
echoroom
... now that OSW has called my voice sexy, i'm finished ... turn the lights off.
Actually, I'm double happy Linda as:
a/ You've posted a new song, and
b/ It's acapella, so i can download it, put it into GB and sing with you!
You have been warned ...
LOL
Steve
estellie
Wow. You said somewhere this was pared down. It sure didn't seem that way to me. You really know how to make something (key word) *relatively* simple be spectacular. I think it's in how you structured it. The muffled beginning, the building of momentum with effects and drums and piano, the beautiful refrain, sweeping strings, etc.
Your voice always is filled with contageous emotion, but this one, is, well, drenched in it. Lovely.
echoroom
Thanks Ella, and great to hear from you ... I'm sooo behind with doing a colab with you and Bob, but one day.... I always get nervous when a song is just one simple chord sequence, 'cause it seems to simple, but hopefully it's disguised a bit!
Gotta say, this was a joy to sing 'cause it's comfortably in my range ... i don't suppose you have access to logic pro - your voice would be great on this 9I'm re-doing this with racerat).
Lemme know ...
steve
ktb
intense, mysterious and nuanced. The mix really rocks this one. Very polished. What a great way to spend a day. Lots to show for the effort as well. Love your voice
echoroom
Hey KTB - thanks man, really appreciate the feed back. This was a good exercise for me in working under a bit of pressure ... I'm pretty pleased with thsi given the time I spent on this, but then you always hear the stuff that's not quite right in a track, don't you? a second version will hopefully appear soon-ish ...
LOL
Steve
Brian Weiland
The vocals, the lyrical imagery, the amazing production, the killer drums, the great playing- this is thouroughly professional.
Just a great song all around. Judging by what others have written, this kind of quality is expected of you- I will have to check out more of your stuff!
~Brian
echoroom
Hey Brian, no word of a lie, i was on MJs last night and saw your name on some tracks i was listening to and thought, 'I must check out this guys work'! Spooky - so i'll reciprocate your visit asap. Thanks for your feedback and compliments, and will listen to your work real soon
Steve
chinaman2
i'm totally blown away! great production
echoroom
...to chinaman 1? Are you the sequel? Have read your great poem, but haven't had a chance to listen - will do so in the next few days.
thanks for stopping by and commenting
Steve
BranDaMan
and nothing less than pure gold
echoroom
...it's the Man!! Long time no hear Bran - great to see you. Thanks, and glad you liked it ... look forward to more from you soon.
Steve
and the arrangement, mix and overall feel. Very cool. Wish I had more time to be at macjams...
echoroom
Hey daphne - never checked out your work, so thanks for spending some of your precious time on the site listening to my tune - thanks for your comments, and I'll visit you real soon!
Steve
echoroom. I'd be happy if you dropped by - my main music site is at www.daphna.ca
SmokeyVW
life - it's so big
and so small
all
at the same time
we're the greatest beings in the universe
and we are star shit
tremendous
thanks!
echoroom
Hey Bill - great take on this song, really made me think ... wish I could've thought of it! Thanks bud
Steve
The Infinites
Simply stunning.
Slightly reminded me of Nick Cave's "Where The Wild Roses Grow", but only because of the underlying slow pendular mood as the song swings side to side...
Until, BANG!!! In your face, no nonsense, full on filmatic final third. Top formula for keeping the listener fully engaged. One minor selfish crit is that it's too short - probably because I wanted more of the same!
Excellent snare sounds, BTW.
Oh, nearly forgot; when I read the rotten fruit line before hearing the song, my instant reaction was, hmmmm that's a pity, it's spoils the earlier Xmas bells reference. However, on hearing it sung, I think it sits very well in a ying yang, change that picture in your head, way.
I like it a lot. DL'd. Cheers!
Jim
echoroom
.. thanks for this ... drums are Addictive Drums ...unfortunately the disc is protected, otherwise I'd pass it on! About £150, but well worth it. I totally get the Nick cave comparison - this is the first 3/4 time song I've done, and it has a touch of Cave's bluesy feel to it. Racerat is collabing on a version of this which'll probably lengthen it a bit (ooh -er missus), which I'm really excited about. Thanks for checking this out - happy skanking!
Steve
Shimky
Top of the fan picks chart again and no surprise with such a strong track. Excellent "70s American Detective" groove going here (my interpretation). Strong vocals, great lyrics and great backing band (I can't believe they are called Steve, Stephen, Stevie and Steven - how weird is that!). The mix is crystal clear, so whatever Racerat told you or whatever you already knew - or both - paid off.
You've got talent, boy, and it's a pleasure to listen to it. You should be really proud of this song - it's excellent.
echoroom
Hey Shimky - America detective groove - what, like the theme from Kojak!!!???
Naw, thanks man, you're too kind. I am pretty pleased with this, especially as it's musically very simple, just like me. Racerat is gonna put some proper guitar and backing vox to this, so we'll hopefully post the collab version soon. Thanks for stopping by ... still waiting for your next one with anticipation!
LOL
Steve
Shimky
No, not like Kojak!! I like the sleezy slow groove on this. It just gave me an image of white macks and hats in the rain. I didn't mean it sounded like a tv theme tune!
"White macks and hats" - I like the ring of that.
echoroom
...what an excellent album title, followed by 'Return of the white mac!' Yeah, see what you mean about sleazy ... and I'm just like that in real life too!!
LOL
Steve
...with the delicacy and light touch of a Japanese watercolour? There's just such a night-swept feeling of timelessness, it makes me want to walk outside and find the stars burning through the muddy orange city night sky.
And I don't even live in the city; I live in Vermont!
With 93 comments and counting, there's nothing new I can add you haven't already been told, but, well... this is breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.
'Steve's not bad' indeed... there are many, MANY musicians, from here to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and anywhere between and betwixt, that I would class as 'not bad', but you and your band (Steve, Stephen, Stevie and Steven) shame 'em all.
echoroom
Thansk Ric, what a gushing comment - I'm blushing. i paint this sound with 2 fingers, 'casue thats' the extent of my musical ability. this track is currently with racerat, so i hope to post an alternate/ improved version soon.
Wow - thanks for the comments!
Steve
Parichayaka
You are really outdoing yourself everytime you post a new song! Love the mimalistic piano, the raw drums, the strings come in just right and sound great in the mix (I'd add cellos and basses and fade them out slowyly at the very end). Not to mention the engaging vocals. The arrangement is suprisingly balanced, suprisingly only because you didn't seem to spend all that much time on it - "Great intuitive sense you must have." as Yoda used to...no he didn't say that. Truly impressive though - the drama you create, the atmosphere with this heavy, dark sky crowded with towers of clouds - and yet I feel that there's always hope in your lyrics.The title - yeah, why not use a metaphor, using the place as a symbol, rather than making you focus on the actualy city, if you know what I mean. "Dying Star" or "City of Gold" come to mind. Anyways, great performance on so many levels!
echoroom
Firstly Pari, great to have a new track from you!
I agree about the srings, this could have been written with a better part, but I was so determined to get it done in under a week....! racerat is working on a much 'harder' version of this, so it'll be interesting to see how the two compare ... it doesn't have the atmosphere of this, but it ceratianly ups the drama!
Thanks for stopping by, and great to hear from you.
P.S. Appreciate the thoughts about alternate titles - most of mine omly stretch to 2 words!
Steve
lavalamp
Love the vox at the intro. Great atmosphere. Ballady feel. Emotional piano sound.
Why did you put this under Indie Rock?
What are you doing, man? Now, I'm gonna' have to work even harder!
One of the best I've heard on this site.
Great job!
LL
echoroom
... i never know what to class my stuff as ... whaddya think? As for trying harder ... hell, that's what this site is for - i felt the same when i listened to your latest.
I'm currently doing a collab with racerat on this track - he's put some awesome guitar on it, so will be reposting this ... soonish. Thanks for stopping by dave
LOL
Steve
dolby
...now I'm gutted! Only two tracks down your list and I feel like a rank amateur. This is fantastic - sounds so fresh, fantastic vocal, just awsome.
I'm getting my drawing board out as we speak!
echoroom
... in record time, this was .... Logic pro just makes it sound a bit more polished. I'm working with Racerat on a new version of this, as he's a great guitar player and a mixing genius, so will hopefully post an improved version soon. Thanks for the kind words, Phil!
Steve
chipan
quality song and mix in my opinion. I'm not a pro, but this sounds really good to me!
I like the atmosphere change about 2/3 in. The electro-wah-wah sound leading into the strings. Very cool.
Your voice is so full of character. I wish I could sing like that!
chip
echoroom
Hey Chip -thanks for stopping by here - and you're too modest, I was very taken with your first posting. I am musically, not very gifted, so all the guitar on this is one 4 chord sequence looped and effected - the wah-wah sound is the same loop as the chorus, just with different effects! My voice is very variable (I work in a loud factory, and am often too hoarse to sing), but this was a good day for me!Thanks for the kind words - look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Steve
tbivans
Everything. The lyrics, the production, the vocal. Damn. DOWNLOAD. FAVORITE. 10'S.
echoroom
Thanks Tim. I was inspired to write this after listening to 'Its all a Lie' by Keren Ann. Got the vocal line, worked out the chords, recorded and mixed in a week - my fastets ever. i'm currently revamping this with Racerat, who's putting some proper guitar to it.
Thanks for listening
Steve
michael2
great; the production is so lush. love the bit towards the end with the alladin sane piano, with the stepping synth followed by the mellotron. did you build those drum fills, or are they loops? great job.
echoroom
Hey mike - I wish I could play like mike garson! i played guitar and use the same loop througout, including the 2nd verse after the break, which is just a heavily filtered guitar. The drums are addictive drums, programmed rather than looped - it's a great piece of software - i used this on 'Crashed' as well.
cheers man
Steve
Shimky
I'm listening to A Lad Insane whilst reading these comments!!
echoroom
See Shimky - Bowie seems to follow me around!
Drew Kopr
Wow best captures it for me, especially when that string arrangement hits...great performance, production and writing!
echoroom
... glad you liked this.... Racerat has collabed on a new version of this, which wipes the floor with this one .... hopefully I'll post in a week or so ... watch your in-box this weekend!
Steve
kingbee
Almost like Nick Cave with a different band behind him..in fact I'd rather listen to this than Nick Cave. he does go on a bit but this was very to the point and much more melodic. Enjoyed
Steve, you left me speechless ... This amazing song by all means. Your vocals are at its best and recorded brilliantly, Manhattan Hangs (the collab) is downloaded long time ago into "My Favorite MJ Songs" CD and now after hearing this, I noticed Philip and his stuff by how to change this song into another direction. This is superb Steve. One of the bests ever heard here ... KUDOS FOR THE WORK. Please more of this kind .... PLEASE!!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
Steve You Rock!
Sounda amazing. I love to hear your voice.
Music is spot on also sounds really good.
I looove it. Thank you for sharing.
Peace Dee.