PhonoBrainer

Anyone else get a heavy Steely Dan vibe from this? Maybe it's your vocal, which I quite liked! I listened on headphones and loved the separation and panning, very very well thought out. And the tune is a boppy one for sure, toes were tapping. Mixwise, what is on your master bus? Do you have a character compressor of some kind affecting the entire mix? If so, a personal choice of mine (not that you should care about that!) would be to dial it back down a hair. I know from your other songs that you often bring out the grit! And it sounds good for sure. I was listening to the hi hat or cymbal, with the little syncopated rhythm it has, and when hi hats get gritty that could be a hair much on the old beef compressor. YMMV big time. Loved the tune, as with many of yours now it lives in my head. cheers, -Tom

I also always enjoy your music, as the unexpected is expected. I was not at all offended by the video, mostly because I couldn't settle on one singular meaning for it. Thus confused, any outrage I might have felt remained completely unfocused. The synths are cheerful. Oh, wait, I found some outrage. What the hell is that cat doing in this? phew, I feel better now. cheers, -Tom

This band is tiiiii-ght. Sounds very live. Especially the drums, please tell me you had a real human drummer? Sure sounds like it. Mix wise, you might use a little more air or snap on the snare? Like a heavier transient attack on it? Might be worth a thought, or not. Usually I'm the guy who says "turn the bass guitar up a bit! and I'll stay true to form here. Not a lot. That bass part really drives the song for sure, sounds great! Guitars were killer, and you don't put a foot wrong with the rhythmic complexity. Loved it. cheers, -Tom

This brought me back to some early Level 42 memories. Loved it, "air to spare" as Wookie said. So sad that it looks like I'm third in line to buy your album at this point. Fantastic groove. Lights Out!!! cheers, -Tom

I believe Sir Isaac Newton answered it best in this video:

This once knew life as "'Round Corners" a while back, but it went to the big city, as you will see. This is now v2.0, some tweaks made on good suggestions, and the horns dropped a tad in the mix. Fun video if you like (stream @1440p if you can?) . . . audio-only is below . . . Soundcloud: I appreciate any comments very much, thanks! cheers, -Tom

Great rendition and loved the vocal! As it happened, I had it cranked in volume, and found some sibilance along the way in the vocal, you might not notice it at lower volumes . . . might be worth a check. Could just be my system or some such. Loved the pedal steel, is it real? Your vocal is the real deal! cheers, -Tom

I guess I'm an idiot because it took me a bit to figure out what time signature this was in. Once I figured out it was basically a waltz, I had to smile. Cool choice. Vocals are amazing! Mix is clean and crisp, maybe just maybe just a hair bright in spots, for me anyway, maybe on the lead ovation-sounding guitar, but the playing is impeccable. Love the outtro chords, too! wow just wow! cheers, -Tom

I f you really want a used one but find them in short supply, check out ebay in Italy. All Rhodes lead to Rome.

That's something I have experienced as well. A drum loop kicks it all off. I have the Phil Gould drum loops that often get an impeccable groove going. As for the reverb idea, a lot of reverbs have a post verb eq where you can dial out any reverb returns below a certain frequency, so you can only hear verb effects above say 500hz, leaving the kick essentially unverbed I'm betting you prolly knew that, but it took me a while to grok how useful that feature was. Great tune.

Good luck with your idea! However, it's hard to imagine what your ROI could really be on this. AI could never replace Lars. I can find what a current deal's historical track record has been with a simple google search.

they also meant what they said.

Hasn't this been around for a bit?

At last, a bacon-flavored VU meter.

I don't think your vocal on this has any problems, really. The mix might be a bit on the bright side, but I'm listening on cans so that could be that. It's ver y listenable, and super impressive to take it on. When you are in eardrums mode, you might need them up with some punch-type compressor so they are more in the same territory sonically as your real kit. Just a thought. Glad you are still able to get your licks in! Bummer about your tendonitis, but inspirational is your approach to it.

This song has a lot of feel, and your instrument choices are fresh and interesting. It seems to offer a unique take on the well-travelled territory "love song". I like how your lyrics actually say something. Vocals are for me a tad too forward,ŷ perhaps, and sibilant in spots, but that's a tough one to fix if compressors are required for the vocal. Soothe is great but even better is to zoom in on the audio wave, find the "footballs" that are almost always preceding your s word, and volume automate the guts out of that football. I fully realize that what I just wrote is very nearly incomprehensible, but on the off chance it isn't, there we go. Very good song! I also enjoyed the others on Soundcloud . . . you are a good writer!

Floaty! The upright bass gives it the jazz touch, really elevates things. Love the blends of pianos, horns, and eerie pads. Great combination. cheers, -Tom

What's not to like about this??? Sweet piano chords, nice unique pattern in the arrangement. You live in a beautiful area! Bonus! Maybe when the drum kit comes on, it might have a bit more reverb on, to match up with the chill piano? Just a thought, might be worth the experiment. It's the composition that sells it, very nice composing! cheers, -Tom

The tone on the guitars is great, I think you are all set there! I look forward to hearing your country polish on the vocals/effects. I agree, the drums need some punch added, kick particularly. I liked the lyrics a lot! I'll keep my ears open for future remixes, good one!

The background synth/pads are super hi res! Great background for this. Those pads "really tie the song together" because the girls get weird! In a good way. I appreciate the panning and rotary-type effects. A cool listen! cheers, -Tom

Simeon, nice work!!! In the basic patch, the bass register seemed pretty light, compared to the upper mids which were ultra clear and loud. Were the lower mids and bass really that suppressed, or would you say that's a YouTube recording anomaly? Thanks, I enjoy your reviews very much. Cheers, -Tom

I bought two of these to sit on top of my studio monitors. About $50 bucks each. Audio reactive if you want them to be, or subtle, or bright AF. Love 'em!

What, you're telling me DAW's have built-in instruments and effects??? Next thing you'll try tellin' me that credit card companies charge exorbitant interest.

Also, generally of course you want the vocal up front, but maybe it's just a bit too forward here? IDK, tough call. Great tune, though. Guitars and piano have great clarity.

The second version addresses what I heard in the first version, pulling some low mid out of the vocal. This version is much cleaner down low! I'd also be tempted to add a bit of tight delay to the vocal, or maybe a reverb with a lot of the low end return cut away. Dig the structure of that riff after "Disappearing Man". Version #2 is soooo much better! Cool tune!