[MUSIC] Help With This Song I Wrote

supersloth

Senior member
Apr 19, 2005
270
0
0
Hey, i come to you guys all the time to get some honest opinions about my music. I'm not too fond of writing love songs, but i've written two and i need to decided which one's better.

Which song is better. Song 1 or Song 2

Song 1
Song 2

listen to my other music at www.davidvossel.com

I really really really appreciate your feedback!!! you guys have no idea how much you've helped me lately.

~David

 

ShadowOfMyself

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2006
4,227
2
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Id say song 1... Great work as usual :) You somehow manage to create a very easy-to-listen sound that doesnt scream "radio", thats VERY good
 

angminas

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2006
3,331
26
91
*I don't know you or any of your other music, and I tend to be brisk in my criticism, so skip this if that's not what you're looking for. I have also never been a professional musician.*



I liked the first one better. The second one started out strong, and I liked the more distinctive singing, but you didn't seem to know how to end it, as if perhaps you ran out of things to say. Both could easily be on the radio with some fancying up (distorted guitars, harmony, higher singing part, bad haircut). I don't know how close to the radio sound you're wanting to get- you're a bit in the middle. Perhaps you want to slide more toward radio or more toward indie?

If you're asking ATOT for advice on your music, and from what I hear in these two songs, I'll guess you're still working on finding your musical identity. Try recording several versions of each song, even if you have to make a change you think you won't like. You might be surprised at what you end up liking when you listen to it, and you might also find strengths and weaknesses you had no idea existed. It doesn't mean you're a cheap sellout if you experiment with your sound, unless perhaps you end up recording stuff that everyone else loves but you despise yourself for charging for. I personally have a lot more respect for people who sound weird but sing from the heart than I do for, well, stuff that's not that. I'm not necessarily saying you belong to either of those camps, because I honestly don't know.

It's only fair to note that this is not my favorite kind of music, but I hope I haven't let my prejudice through too much. Above all, don't do anything because we tell you to. You've got to be who you are. Music needs to come from the heart, or it's just tricking the audience into confusing sound with music. There's a lot of that around, as I'm sure you've noticed.

You might benefit from reading standard English composition manuals, such as Elements Of Style. Many of the lessons can be used for songwriting as well. This can help you know what you want for your sound in terms of audience, expansiveness, efficiency, innovation, etc. Pay attention to writing exercises as well, and adapt them to practicing writing music. For instance, one I had to do in AP Comp involved writing continuously without stopping for a certain period, even if all you could think to write was nonsense or blah blah blah. I thought my teacher was nuts at first, but it's surprisingly liberating and it helps you sharpen your thoughts.
 

biggestmuff

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2001
8,201
2
0
#1 is pretty strong. I was expecting a full backing instruments to kick in somewhere to give it more power. It sounds like you really holding back? Are you over-compressing the vocals or just singing in that breathy sytle? Don't be afraid to open up your voice.

#2 is very good, too. I think I like the vocal melody better than the first one. It harmonizes well with the guitar during the chorus. It suffers from the same restrained vocals. Where's the rest of the band?

Overall, you're a good songwriter. I wish I could write in this style. Good job! Keep it up!
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
It sounds like you really holding back? Are you over-compressing the vocals or just singing in that breathy sytle? Don't be afraid to open up your voice.

yes, i would like to hear a song where you really sing it, not that whatever style that is, which is good and all, i would just like to hear something really strong/powerful
 

supersloth

Senior member
Apr 19, 2005
270
0
0
Originally posted by: nkgreen
Ask Megan what her favorite is.

i will tomorrow. we will have been dating for 5years and 7months tomorrow, so song 2 will be a nice gift :)

 

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
7,044
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Both are very good. As said before I was waiting for Song 1 to break out... you could easily turn that into an extremely powerful love ballad. Regardless, I really like both of them. I chose number 1 though.
 

supersloth

Senior member
Apr 19, 2005
270
0
0
Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Both are very good. As said before I was waiting for Song 1 to break out... you could easily turn that into an extremely powerful love ballad. Regardless, I really like both of them. I chose number 1 though.

yea, i'd really like for that song to break out too, hopefully i'll be able to afford a nice drum set soon. some real drums and bass would definitly help out a bunch of my recordings.
 
Apr 16, 2007
99
0
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Originally posted by: supersloth
Hey, i come to you guys all the time to get some honest opinions about my music. I'm not too fond of writing love songs, but i've written two and i need to decided which one's better.

Which song is better. Song 1 or Song 2

Song 1
Song 2

listen to my other music at www.davidvossel.com

I really really really appreciate your feedback!!! you guys have no idea how much you've helped me lately.

~David

Song 2 has got my vote. I love your music man.. Keep up the great work! I hope to see you in concert some day.
 

supersloth

Senior member
Apr 19, 2005
270
0
0
Originally posted by: FoBoT
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
It sounds like you really holding back? Are you over-compressing the vocals or just singing in that breathy sytle? Don't be afraid to open up your voice.

yes, i would like to hear a song where you really sing it, not that whatever style that is, which is good and all, i would just like to hear something really strong/powerful

yea, i'd like to hear that too :( i'm don't know what my malfunction is, but that breathy style seems to be the only thing that will come out of my mouth. i'm taking lessons so maybe i'll get better?! who knows.
 

ntdz

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
6,989
0
0
I like Song 1 way better.

Edit: Accidently voted for song 2...why would song 2 be first in the poll over song 1?
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,524
1,132
126
nice job. your songs just need a little more punch. the vocals are another insterment when you mix, don't think of it as speech, but another piece in the band. you can do that by the way you mix it. you can eq out the breathy sounds on the voice and kick up the base line a bit. i think with a few more pieces you could be great.