I think I like this minimal version
[audio:https://hellocomein.com/soundbox/hellomusic_greg/Slowly Yes_minimal.mp3]better than this crappy one, but to be honest I hate both at the moment.
[audio:https://hellocomein.com/soundbox/hellomusic_greg/Slowly Yes_2.mp3]I think I need to work on some other songs for a while.
Its funny… on first listen to the minimal version, I was half expecting it to kick in again, how your version 2 did. I dont know if it was perception changes after hearing the more poppy past versions or what, but I found myself missing the soft synth sound of the flute chords underneathe. It was at times a bit alienating because i wanted that warmth. Your voice sounds good here, but at times a little over exposed…but there is something terrifying to me about a near acapella rendition of a song…its so fragile, but you pull it off.
The second version here might be the best b\c it incorporates the ideas of both past versions…the strippped down nature of the the “minimal” and the upbeat and warm nature of past versions. It was a nice mixture of the delicate electronics of Mum or Sea and Cake or Imogen Heap, but also warm and poppy like the Postal Service. The drums keep it moving along nicely.
Keep up the good work and I cant wait to hear what the next song might bring.
I am noticing a lot of self doubt with all our work. Is this scrutiny getting to us already? I think I can see the benefits of playing in a band for one more reason… we can lift up eachothers weaknesses and insecurities and make that one song the sum of all our various strengths. Here we spend so much time under the microscope of our own work, we can overthink and the work then becomes anemic.
I am always a bit afraid to deconstruct a song (much like Greg did on the minimal version here) because i am a) unsure ill be able to get back to how it was b) tend to add to many parts until it becomes this soup with too many flavours… either way you have to have confidence in the direction you are going when youre doing it….happy accidents will only happen if you create situations for them to occur…by trying something new.
I think the self-doubt is only a natural part of this process, as we are trying to create an album or a grouping of songs or just one song by ourselves. Its a medium that we have never really used before ( kind of but not to this extent) and I think it will only get easier to create better things, but the scrutinty will also get ramped up as we get more adventurous. my prediction of the future.
oh man i love that background synth line in your fast version.. its about 4 or 5 ascending notes w\ a bit of a wah effect. its so beautifully simple… well maybe its a guitar. its my favourite part b\c when you hit that chorus you hear all those catchy hooks and swells. grabs you emotionally which is so great.
Greg: yep just a guitar filtered to the extreme
i really love ghosty guitar lines when they get totally washed out
such a nice sound
I’m actually pretty happy with this song
When I posted it to the blog, I had been tweaking it for four hours straight and was totally fed up with it
but even a day will give some perspective
considering my goal was to actually complete a song, this is progress for me
Mike: the only thing id change in the fast version is to end it a bit better w\ a fade out vamp or something
Greg: i agree
Mike: but that is so small…i love this song
Greg: I really need to work on writing melodies
Mike: i love the melody of your line right before the chourus where your voice goes up
Greg: yeah. i wanted to do that twice per verse
but never got around to it
maybe it’s better that it only happens twice
Mike: no i like how it is b\c you know its changing
and your chorus melody is strong
Greg: yeah i really like how the drums came out on the chorus
Mike: yes it has this beautiful swell of sounds and colours all come in there
Greg: But still so many changes I could make!
Mike: oh i know
Greg: I think I’ll just leave it for now
Mike: the painter is never done right?
Greg: so true
Mike: im never happy w\ most of my creations, but you sometimes know when to not tinker any more
i say finish the ending and its good to go
either vamp it out simply…or perhaps bring in a few elements from the minimal version and fade out
Greg: hmm i like the second idea
Mike: some of those nice colours in the other version would be nice to let simmer for about 20seconds and fade out
Greg: so I think between this and modern english we have two solid songs just about ready for the first ep