ShortScale.org

hey shortscale

over the past week or so my band has got together and recorded two demo tracks on garageband, in order to figure out structures and improvements that could be made before we go in and do a proper recording next January (i'm away to Denmark for the rest of the year...)

any advice on these two tracks would be pretty cool. with regards to what could be improved musically (as the recordings are pretty poor - vox on one take too)

we're still kinda trying to find our sound, and i'm still trying to improve my songwriting ability + general guitar playing. it's pretty effects laden so some might like;

song 1; "headaches"
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/39250-garageband.mp3

song 2; "tearing the planks"
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/20052-Planks.mp3

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p.s. i've posted this in one or two places where i thought i might get a decent response. Still trying to figure out the bands direction and whether or not this 'sound' per say, is worth going for.

i dig both of em. especially headache

gaybear wrote:i dig both of em. especially headache

That.

But.... as a matter of opinion, the lead vox may be a bit to high in the mix. I consider floating them in JUST over the guitar. Bit overpowering as is, absolutely excellent though.

i remember these from the gig. i'd never have guessed they were recorded in garageband, good stuff.

if it were me i'd make a bit more of the pitch shifted/fuzz guitar, it could maybe do with being beefed up a bit, give the bottom end some welly. the jag will naturally sit on top of it so i think you can afford to have it quite 'in yer face'.

stewart wrote:I remember these from the gig

Sounding good but I'm going to attempt to comment anyway...

Headaches - There's an instant hook on the shouty vocal parts 'and the next one' etc. but it still has depth. I agree with Stew that a beefed/fuzzed up low end would add to it. As far as song structure goes, I'd like to hear a few more vocals towards the end to bring it to a conclusion. I'd say it's 90% there!

Planks - I'd trim the intro a bit, the 'big' part before it slows down again is your 'ooft' moment. Definitely keep that in and maybe reprise again a bit sooner? I'd maybe stick a bit more of a drive on the guitar there and go for the 'wall of sound' approach... it'll draw attention to the quieter part to follow. Vocally/melodically it's good.

As far as a general overall sound goes, I think they sit well in your overall approach to things and make for an interesting listen. Want moar!

nice one lads, cheers for the critique.

we're not so much bothered with the recordings (quality or mix) at the moment, however i'll definitely bare all your comments in mind when it comes round to doing something legitimate next year.

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@Stewart - we're kinda always toying with adding a bass guitar (at least to our recordings), so i reckon that's an approach we'll take when recording comes around, so hopefully that'll boost the low end giving the guitars a bit more room to manoeuvre. I've also been looking at different ways of playing things and the overall impact - at the gig in Edinburgh my guitar part was wholly fingerpicked, however i've strummed quite a bit instead on the recordings.

@Empires - Intro to planks, i agree it might be too long, especially since the singing doesn't kick in right away afterwards, however I think for the release we're planning next year that might be the opening track, with a bit more added to the beginning (Harpsichord/Piano/mbira) so that might keep interest, especially as an opener - however point taken

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cheers for all the comments though. good to see there's some positive stuff coming from it at least. I definitely recommend everyone getting an interface and mics and doing some demo recordings. We're fortunate enough to practice with an electric drumkit so we can record that whilst guitars play, however even if the recordings were to sound poor, it's still a great method of arranging and structuring, as well as listening to your sound. I think a lot can get lost in the midst of live playing / practicing.

check out DARTZ!


http://www.myspace.com/darts

songs:

fantastic apparatus
cold holidays



very close, a little more angular then what you are doing but thats not a bad thing

I don't think you need a live bassist though, I think having the split guitar sounds quite unusual, in a good way.

Fuck that shit. Bassists are the most important part of any bands sound.

robroe wrote:check out DARTZ!


http://www.myspace.com/darts

songs:

fantastic apparatus
cold holidays



very close, a little more angular then what you are doing but thats not a bad thing

Brilliant band! Not sure they're together anymore though Some amazingly catchy tunes though and a brilliant guitarist.