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Keywords:
evolvweb (13), echoroom (16), engines (1), believe (13)
Description:
Tobin asked me to sing on his track, Believe This, months ago (3,4... I can't remember now). You can hear the original on his home page.
He sent me the track and I've spent forever tweaking and prodding, adding and subtracting ... at one point I described it as Nelly Futardo meets Joy Division (the JD bassline went). I kinda had a mental block on the track, couldn't decide which direction I wanted to take it ... a frustrating but interesting experience, as I think the song has mutated into something quite odd.
I don't know what I'd describe this as now.
I really wish I'd got someone to play real guitar on this.
Tobin, thanks for letting me play with the track ... hope you like it.
He sent me the track and I've spent forever tweaking and prodding, adding and subtracting ... at one point I described it as Nelly Futardo meets Joy Division (the JD bassline went). I kinda had a mental block on the track, couldn't decide which direction I wanted to take it ... a frustrating but interesting experience, as I think the song has mutated into something quite odd.
I don't know what I'd describe this as now.
I really wish I'd got someone to play real guitar on this.
Tobin, thanks for letting me play with the track ... hope you like it.
Lyrics:
Believe This.1. We crumple like paper cups, who's gonna pick you up?
2. When engines fall from the sky, who's gonna put it right?
3. These buildings were made with love.
4. I never did no one good; but it's not too late for you.
Hardware:
Keystation keyboardThe mic that Phil bought me.
Software:
GB3 and 4, Logic 8, Ozone 3 (whilst reading the manual)You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
I like it.. Very good for the vocals.
Skean
As always you sing your voice is outstanding... Very cool take on Tobin's track... Kudos
five_extra_arms
The hand claps are a strong element in this song. I thought I'd get tired of them, but I never did. I guess it's a "We Will, We Will, Rock You" kinda primal rhythmic thing that makes it work so good. Really sounds great.
Steve, your vocals are as sharp as ever and your chorus of back ups compare to nothing in musical history!
I think the musical instrumentation is tight and rock solid performances on everything. Did Tobin play everything else for the most part?
Glad to see this clab happen.
DL'd
echoroom
Man, I've been avoiding finishing this song forever, as you know... I think Tobin has emigrated. The drums were inspired by say it Right by Nelly F, not by Freddie M!
Actually, the only thing that remains of the original track is the left panned synth in the verse, but the song simply wouldnt exist without Tobins original, which is quite different, but a great track.
8 tracks of my vocals.... bliss (not!)
guitapick
...and delivery. Tune's like a new Bowie, to my ear...cool extension...
Can you sell me your voice?
echoroom
Can you sell me your hands????
'cause they're wonderful!!!!! (see what i did there??)
guitapick
...I saw...
Peace,
Bob
Bob Rodgers
intro and great vocals Steve, I really like this and I love the hand claps, the instruments and production! Superb song and very much enjoyed!
echoroom
thanks for listening.
s
Henke
really cool track, guys! Up there with MissChaos' "Fragile" in my popularity list (and that's high up)!
One little suggestion: Is it needful with two "Attention" each time? OK, it does have a bit of question mark after it, but should'nt once be enough?
Also, it works great as it is already, but then again it would hurt no one if your vocie came forward a tiny bit more. Now it often sounds as one of the instruments, not THE leading one. But maybe that's just me.
Well done both of you, instant fav and dl of course! Thanks!
/Henke
echoroom
... attention got your attention, eh?? I liked using the samples... one less thing to sing! i really wanted the drums up front and the vocal a bit more buried... its in there somewhere!
LOL
steve
thoddi
I thought I was listening to some Bowie tune for a while there... Fab production. Great tune, and super duper singing.!
echoroom
... some days i think i am Bowie... but with better teeth! Thanks man!
Drew Kopr
Wow man this is remarkably good! Just perfect in my opinion on really every level imaginable.
echoroom
... have you come out of hiding? Great to see you... we must get together with Dave soon buddy!
lol
steve
ktb
its great. I would not have caught the fact that the guitar wasn't the real deal. Its wonderfully placed and mixed. The whole tune has an instant appeal. Something worthy of many repeated listens. Love your vocal.
echoroom
i had to do a big work presentation recently, and did it as the Rat Pack, and sung 'under my skin' live at the end. A lady came up and insisted I'd mimed. I said no, I sung live, but when I spoke, THAT was dubbed!
Thanks KTB... nice to know the fake sounded a little real!
michael2
this is your best in awhile. so damn hooky I can't even believe it. everything sounds amazing too. fabulous job reworking this, it's obvious that your time was well spent.
echoroom
I used to spend a lot more time on songs... this was more like the way I wrote older stuff, and has some of that feel... glad you think the effort was worth it!
s
WOW!!!!
YOUR VOICE ROCKS !!! WELL GOOD.
echoroom 8 tracks of your vocals BLISS !!!
Well done and the backing music is Brilliant as well.
Tobin Congrats too. Thank you for the DOWNLOAD. Hee Hee
Peace Dee xx
echoroom
... lucky it wasnt 8 tracks of my terrible guitar playing!
lol
S
lengold
Your patience,tweaking and prodding certainly paid off, big time.
Fantastic production of a very catchy and well written and performed song - I tried reading the ozone manual once! It's the little videos on their site that get me.
Love this and downloaded of course.
Cheers
Len
echoroom
Thanks Len ... loved your latest track! APB put me on to ozone - i used the eq match (from madonnas 'music') and a number of presets... i think it worked!
s
This is echoroom's classic. Great vocal delivery (as usual) and gorgeous orchestration and music work. I wish I have time to work a guitar but it sounds good here. KUDOS guys, happy to hear a new tune from you. Classic!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
echoroom
Thanks for dropping in. Tobin deserves a lot of kudos for the music... this wouldnt exist without him. Yeah, i shoulda got you to play o this.... next time!
Vic Holman
this is so excellent. I applaud the clapping! As always great vocals. Outstanding production & mix. The 3 or 4 months was worth the wait. Great take from Tobins original
If I Iistened to this before I just posted I may have reconsidered.
echoroom
Ditto robo boy. glad you liked my big claps... more clapping on MJs!
Vic Holman
that probably didn't sound right. It was something I should have taken some extra time and gone ahead with on my tune.
Feter
WOW ... great vocal and arrangment ...my
memory so blind today but I realy hearin a very
cool rockin band playin on my ears .cool harmony
work at the answers ..just fabulous what a song
thnx for sharin !!!!!
echoroom
The band is just me and Tobin, 1000s of miles apart... dontcha love the internet?
s
rsorensen
wahhh this is cool! so catchy and familiar, yet original. great idea with the handclaps. love the overlapping vocals. hot damn this is good!
echoroom
original is just stealing something and making it sound new! Thanks for the pimp for Vic and i in the forums ... appreciate it, comic book guy!
Willywagga
as always Steve very high quality toon here, you have a way with phrasing that really lifts a song up, this is a perfect example of that. Apart from the strong Mr Jones influence I also hear a little (dare I say it) Culture Club vibe goin, and of course the Furs are preening in the background. Magiko Man.
echoroom
Culture Club??? fookin ell, you trying to say i wear a dress???
Anyway, long time fan of the P Furs, so that may have leaked in. When you gonna post something new???? Its been ages!
Scott Carmichael
excellent work Steve... the octive vox.. the backing layers... your thumbprint passion... very creative.... I'm tired but not too tired to nod in your direction...
hat is tipped
echoroom
.. thanks for the tip... nice to hear from you
Ed Hannifin
How's it feel to be a genius?
Is it like being other people, or like being more yourself?
Do you find that when engines fall from the sky, that people buy you mics?
This is great, Steve. Singing, production, mixing, mastering... Ultra cool... Hard to see the seams, but this collab certainly works.
Ed
echoroom
Oh, genius is hell, especially sat reading the ozone manual and not understanding it and wondering how the hell Alan and Racerat get their songs sounding so damn good?! If i was a genius, it would take me hours, not months!
thanks for listening Ed - always a pleasure ... hope to hear something new from you soon.
Ibstrat
is like a perfect song.Everything is mixed perfectly and the vocals are superb.Even though the song uses a pretty standard chord sequence I didn't get bored at all.(Of course most blues songs have 3 chords but look at what Muddy Waters,Hendrix,Robert Johnson,etc. did with it.)Just shows what can be done with a simple concept,plenty of soul and lots of creativity!
echoroom
Hey mark - i think this is just one four chord sequence repeated, which is how Tobin wrote it, and a lot of my stuff is the same, as I'm not really a musician. But you're right, by working on song structure and different musical and vocal ideas it 'diguises' the simplicity of the track (and the singer!).
Thanks for listening
s
kassia
The vocals on this are just amazing! You did an incredible job and as always your lyrics are stellar. Definitely has a Bowie sound to it, but it reminded me more of "The Echoing Green" than anything else. It's a really cool tune - wanted to clap my hands right along with it! Thanks.
echoroom
Hey Kass - I hadnt heard of Echoing Green but checked them on itunes... great stuff. Thanks for checking this out... really enjoyed your latest posting.
racerat
Masterful song my friend. I the time and care you spent on this one really shows, it is a masterpiece. Pro-mixing of a very complicated piece--Boy 8 vocal tracks...glad you counted me out,...but then again no, I'd love to have been part of this gem, but it's all you--and of coarse Tobin! Very complex and moving. (I hear shades of ELO's lush harmonic backing vocals myself...)
Plus your mic sounds great....
P
echoroom
...its the mic that did it! I recorded 2 x4 vocal tracks in a seperate project, without fx, then mixed them down to two tracks, and just panned 'em left and right, so it wasnt too hard to mix. wish you coulda done guitar on this... that's working life man!
Leon
Steve, it's 2 AM here, and I just can't resist having to make a comment about this song at this unholy hour.. Yeah, it's that good :-) This has a modern vibe, indeed ala Nelly Furtado meets Bowie (why does this guy's name keep coming up?) It's like giving Bowie a 21st century makeover. Totally digging and tripping on this, and I rarely say that about anything when I am about to hit the sack. You continue to surprise me with your ever-changing style and vocal versatility.
echoroom
always great to hear from you ... that makes me the love child of Dave n Nelly - nice! Great to her from you, now get some sleep!
s
lavalamp
have the vibe of that Futardo song. Bowianly sung, which is great every time.
Really enjoy this.
Fantastic job. You're one of this best around, mate.
LL
echoroom
thanks Dave... see you did a collab with 5 extra Bob - great stuff!
jiguma
... I mean Steve ;)
This is really classy - vocally astounding, musically wonderful (which bits are Tobin?) and the production is as good as I can remember hearing here.
So this is Logic Pro 8 eh - are you using Ozone 3 with it or is that in the GB bits? I'm getting Logic Studio in the next few days and can't wait - I'm a bit worried about whether Ozone 3 will work on my new iMac though. Vic H insists that it's not necessary with LP8 - we'll see!
Steve, you've seriously raised the bar on this one - REALLY good!
Cheers from Oz,
Neil
jiguma
.. I liked it?
:)
echoroom
...is my weak point ... i listen to guys like you and the work you do astounds me... this took a lot of time but it seems to have paid off... i'm now itching to knock one out quickly (er, if you know what i mean!).
Logic studio is ace, and i have no problems using ozone. I actually think ozone, used properly, is better than the logic mastering tools, but then i dont really know how to us the logic tools properly.... i did a mix of this with logic, and i gotta say ozone sounded sweeter... hope this helps.... cant wait to hear what you do with logic!
s
Rebsie
Blimey Steve, you always turn in a fantastic performance. I won't use the DB-word, but it certainly does have that feel to it (I always liked his wonky teeth, actually). Excellent work all round and very creative prodding and poking.
echoroom
Must admit, i never even thought of Bowie on this (maybe an upbeat Sisters of Mercy?) but i bow to the tide!
My eyes are both the same colour too ... bugger!
bud
taken your game to a higher level. All the struggle you went through on this has resulted in a very finely crafted piece with a lot of nuance and invention. Tobin's track sounds great and you really managed to make the most of the opportunities it presented. Great collab. Your voice sounds fantastic as usual.
echoroom
Man, when i think of our collab, it was done in days. Maybe it suits me to do one track every four months, and become like an MJ Syd Barrett! Thanks for checking this out Bud... now i've got to go an walk our new Cairn!
Pete_NB
... the amount of work that must have gone into it. The biggest telling feature is how natural and organic the final product is. The hand-clapping puts me in mind of a group of people celebrating something important, and this is something worthy of celebration.
Kudos!
echoroom
.. great compliment, considering the only live things here are the vocals! Thak you!
8piscean8
This is top-notch Steve. The production is outstanding! You rock dude!
echoroom
... I rock kinda quietly, not as loud as you! Thanks man
s
8piscean8
Your too flattering Steve.
craft
this is a great song.. Well done folks...
echoroom
.. see what happens when you collab with me??? hope you have patience!
echoroom
.. see what happens when you collab with me??? hope you have patience!
Roxylee
Your vocals tracks are amazing, along with the rest of this. It reminds me of Bowie,m too, but I like this better. The hand claps were quite cool, too. I really enjoyed this.:-)
echoroom
Hey roxy - the multi tracked voices are not dissimilar to your latest! Glad you enjoyed this - many thanks
steve
aclarke
....freakin' wonderful song.....!!! mumble, mumble, stutter.... awesome....!!
echoroom
i LOVE that pic of you with the empty beer glass in front of you! Thanks for the kind words Adam.
steve
aclarke
it's half full!
echoroom
... you were a half full kinda guy!
ledebutant
Steve, what are you taking lately and how can I get my hands on some? This is ridiculously good. I don't have time to comment properly at the moment (I WILL be back) but I can't let any more time pass without letting you know that I've either had this song playing constantly on the iPod or have had it running through my brain since I first heard it. I've probably listened 30 times at least. I LOVE IT! I'll be back when I can be more intelligent. I have a lot more to say. I might actually say those things via an email.
echoroom
Sounds kinda threatening! What am i on... how long have you got .....
blaky smith
I agree with all which is said here above, what to add ?
That I discover this morning a masterpiece at MJ and my day begins fine...
It's a great performance at every level Steve. Your style, vocals and music are absolutely remarkable and to crown the whole, the production is perfect ! A great pleasure to listen to this work Steve, thank you...
Marc
echoroom
Thank you... too kind, my friend.
DWL
you did this is a really fine piece of music.
Wonderful production.
Cheers
Dick
echoroom
I coulda got you to do guitar on this! Look forward to seeing you on the 3rd June!
DWL
you wouldn't me spoiling it :-)
Yeah, see you next Tuesday
Cheers
Dick
K.I.S.KISMET
your both simply amazing! steve, your voice is stellar as usual!!
clapping along happily...
peace,
k
echoroom
Thanks for checking me out... as it were...sounds a bit odd that..
cheers!
s
Bowman
What a wonderful treat from you both. Strong melody, terrific mantra lyrics delivered with conviction. I love the mix. Enjoyed every moment of this amazing work.
Looks like the GW Bridge in the graphic. As a boy that was the view from my window in Washington Heights.
Best,
Charles
echoroom
i hadnt thought of that Charles, but its absolutely bang on, it does feel/sound like mantra, the repetition and the kinda chanted style. Really enjoyed your new track ... as always!
s
You are now my favorite MJ male vocalist Steve!
Beyond excellent. This is totally pro! Release this on CD and I will pay top dollar for it.
Be well friend!
echoroom
There's too many vocalists to chose from here. and you can have this for free Mike!
Thanks bro
steve
What should you do when you no longer believe in anything?
: )
echoroom
Isnt that when love comes in?
chipan
Something about your vocals and the electronic elements make parts of this sound (to me) a bit like the group erasure. (I really liked erasure- believe it or not.) Then the song just keeps evolving and getting odd (as you said), but in a good way and very fun to listen to. Very artistic. Excellent vocals as always.
chip
echoroom
interesting one, Chip - that's not a comparison I would have thought of immediately, but I'm trying desperately to remember some of their songs. I kinda like the contrast on this of the poppy-ness, the mantra-like qualities as Bowman says, and the oddness of the spoken voices.
We will have to get together and do a BIG handclap song one of these days
I really like this and the obvious care you have taken with the production
I don't really get the Davey Jones vibe on this either in the same way as I have with some of your other stuff
To me this is just....ECHOROOM
Bravo!
echoroom
Yeah, you're on... could be our Eurovision entry (too late this year!). I dont get Bowie on this at all, tho' so many people have mentioned it, I wonder if its the 'time time time' bit... I have to say, he wasnt at all an inspiration for this, but i always take it as a compliment. I appreciate you saying this sounds like Echoroom a lot... thank you!
Lightman-
The drums and claps, is really great to this song.... It sounds fantastic.... And the background vocals is beautiful..... I like it a lot.... Good lyrics....
cjdaley
someone compliments you for your lyrics.
nothing but great lines.
Who's this david Bowie, by the way. Does he ever post on MJ ?
BossHook
like you got the handle on Ozone - this is a pro mix. So Bowie my friend.
evolvweb
Steve,
Sorry for my absence but I've been without a computer or internet up until today and just got the email...you should have seen the smoke coming from my keyboard trying to get to MJ to hear the final product!
You've been very generous with including me in the credits as this has really "evolved" beyond what I ever could have imagined. MJ really has taken music creation to the next level and it's a lot of fun to be a part of (however minor a role I may play).
I think the list of comments you already have sum up my feelings about what you were able to put together from my humble beginnings. Well done my friend, you are a genius!
Regards,
Tobin
echoroom
Hey Tobin - the original track was all you, and for some reason you asked me to sing on it, and let me poke and prod about with your track .... i'm really happy with what we've created here... thanks for letting me work with you on this.
steve
davisamerica
you got my "attention" right from the kick off steve ... i honestly believe your vox is "Perfect" for this ... man this is killer ... Tobin ought to be grinning lie mad cos this rocks!
echoroom
Hey Jack - thank you! To mix the vocal I nicked the settings Racerat had done for a song we'd collab on - they were a big help!
alexweiler
(I believe) yet again a high-skilled songwriter met an outstanding singer with the result of a radio compliant song (in a positive sense). steve, I think this time you've pushed the production level again (do I have to visualise you & ozone3 like a cook with a cookbook?).
compliments to both ...
echoroom
I was very nearly gonna get you involved in this, as i thought you'd have done a great job on the beats, but persevered with it... this time! nice to hear from you, hope all is well with you
alexweiler
flattering to read this, steve. Your decision was right: I really don't think, that I could have made this better! The beat is to the point here. Maybe next time ... I'd be glad to!
P.S.: thanks, I'm ok; due to a lack of time I'm sidelined (pawing the ground).
Dragonas
Bowie voice (except even better) with amazing drums and great melody!
Why is this not a huge hit on the radio?????????????
I am listening again right now!
Fav'd!
echoroom
I dunno, probably as there's no clear demographic for it or something! Cheers bud
steve
dajama
Amazing vocal, and an amazing song! Haven't heard Tobin's original yet, but what a great collab result. The drums are perfect - great moving rhythm, and I like the handclaps - and the arrangement is perfect. I especially like the combination of synths and then the introduction of the acoustic guitar. Brilliant combination. Damn, this is good (currently on second listen...) especially for the vocal. Outstanding. This is brilliant. Can't think of a single thing I'd change about this. Sweet. Kudos, my friend. You just get better and better. Peace.
echoroom
loved the new bluesy you, btw!
Mystified
What a superb track!
I know a lot of people have mentioned Bowie, but I hear elements of Spiritualized--especially in the chorus sections.
Thank you :)
I'm still listening my friend... there's no day pass without listening to it.. Man, kudos for your work on this masterpiece... Killer!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi
alfalpha
Needless to say,you've probably heard this already- this is gobsmackingly terrific.
The clarity is razor sharp- my earsdrums are simply ecstatic. I love your vocals- yup Bowie-esque, which is an A in my wee book.
Tobin, once more, great stuff.
Kudos to both you guys!
Cheers,
Alf
echoroom
Thanks for this.... glad you enjoyed it....
magnatone
wow - this is excellent - I'm really sorry I missed it the first time through. I'm currently on my second listen to this - your lyrics/vocals are just outstanding. This song is so thoughtful, well produced, and if you know what I mean - wise. All your tweaking really paid off. Congrats to you both!
Dj French Toast
you sound like that dude from u2 and Bowie combined ....Cool song indeed !
estellie
Of all the things I miss about macjams, hearing a new song of yours is at the top of the list!!!
Gorgeous in its bold way of being strange. Love that your lyrics are a list. An odd-beautiful list at that.
My favorites: 3 & 4.
Be well.
*E
dolby
Missed this Steve, along with a million other tracks form otheres here at MJ's over the last few months. Great sounding track and great vocal performance. For me the track is a bit too "Queen" sounding, but what you do with the backing vocals and the variety throughout is captivating. It's a sprawling mass of a thing that actually ends up sounding like something the Flaming Lips might do. Don't really know what to say - there's so much happening and going on, but it has that sheen of quality that we expect from you.
Cheeers,
Phil
echoroom
Thanks Phil - the Queen thing wasnt intentional, it just turned out that way!
rabittwhole
... no really .. wow
segiperkasa
cool song... remind me of Morten Hacket from Aha...