StaticNomad
LONDON, United Kingdom
Joined : 22nd Apr 2011 - 14 years ago
Last Online : 1st Jun 2024 - 1 year ago
StaticNomad comments on tracks
StaticNomad has posted 1053 comments on other peoples tracks.
on Lovin It by Spivkurl
I am taking this shit and shovellin. But I'm also lovin (it).
Are you taking lots of drugs and strugglin?
Tis a classic Spivkurl vibe. And a classic Spivkurl vibe that I like.
Great beat right from the start (I like the snare) and then that mid range bass is cool. But the best first thing are the effected vocals occurring soon after that bass entry. They repeat a number of times and it's always good to hear them return.
Then some funky little delayed synth. I swear it's still making me think a bit of Hot Chip, not so much the bassline this time. More that funky little delayed synth, with its lovely movement.
Main vocals are actually pretty cool.
1:17 bass gets even cooler.
2:08 more good slow attack synth.
Cool final synth flourish ending.
Overall: fine work and a really consistent track that's about the right length. No real criticisms.
This does indeed have commercial potential.
on Courage - feat RoseErin by DrvanLansberg
I must admit to not checking out your other stuff after being so impressed by Coffee At Angelique's.
I think you're using pretty much the same synth bass sound here. It's a good one.
I have mixed feelings about these vocals as I don't like some of the phrasing. But you make them work really well in the track and they are distinctive and that's an important thing.
Busy, active, energetic music even though it's chillout. Lots of detail that I like (and like to do myself).
Intro is a good collection of pad sounds and then we have some nice, delayed shaker percussion. Then it's quite sparse with that very distinctive electro tom/bass drum sound. This reminds me of a specific female Norwegian artist from the last few years but I cannot remember her artist's name. Sorry - I will try to find out.
1:51 that vocal I really do like! 2:02 there's a dodgy note but not to worry.
So much space in this track that you seem to have given yourself the freedom to add lots of detail without the mix being cluttered. It's an excellent mix.
1:36 nice, playful synth arp.
2:39 you give us a more solid beat by bringing that regular kick in. Good variety after all the sparse drums before.
This is a pretty memorable track and the vocals have grown on me as I listen. A bit of a leftfield classic, actually.
3:40 good drum fill work. Not so sparse now. You're making it bigger and better, something I always look to do.
End choir stuff is pretty cool too.
Sorry, no real suggestions here but I'll try to think of something.
Big congrats!
Thanks again for commenting so detailed. Although an occasional "nice track" or "well done" is good to read, it is even better to see people listening with an ear for details and the ability to analyse a piece of music.
"Mixed feelings on the vocals" is what I received back home a lot as well. I am sure however we can agree they are special. And sometimes I just like using the specials to break my own rules. You probably know what it is like, producing yet another track within the context of your own reference frame with the result that you do create recognizable tracks, but also run the risk of getting a bit lazy every now and then. There's no renewing in my music if I don't try out the specials :-).
So thanks again for listening and your comments and I hope to read and hear more of you in the future :-).
Best, Doc
on Got a Feeling ft Igor Pose by mrwolf14
I like the track very early on. Definitely you using Metal Machine here. It's a good kit though I'm guessing you're not likely to use it to make some really heavy music as you don't do that. John Tempesta's MIDI files are excellent and I use them quite a bit.
Drums sound better here than in your other tracks. I heard you using Metal Machine on another track recently but didn't comment because I didn't really like it.
First spacey synth sound is good and then we're into the track properly. Lots of good guitar and bass. Some swirling guitar chords plus some more lead type of playing. Bass quite loud in the mix though that's not a criticism.
Actually, you might think about turning it down at certain points, just for variety. Maybe let the drums become more prominent as you tend to push them back in the mix in your tracks. I guess you think like a bass player and I think more like a drummer (even though I'm much more of a bass player, my first instrument).
This has got a good vibe, with more attitude than your pop sort of music, so it's a vibe I much prefer. More on the Floyd side of things.
2:04 solo has some slow, gentle notes. Sounds like a cross between guitar and piano.
2:20 we get rocking a lot more. Bring the drums out here, push the bas back, even though it's fine bass playing. Should help take the track up, make it more powerful.
Lots of tasty guitar here to enjoy. Are you playing any of it? Not clear from your track description (please fix that).
Spacey vocal makes me think of blues. Also a very interesting alternative modern blues group called Little Axe. You'll like their album The Wolf That House Built.
Check this great track from it:
Little Axe - Ride On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_tWvSvTd9s
End section without drums works just fine. Spacey synth end is fitting though you cut it off a bit too soon.
Overall: very good track. One of the best I've heard from you and my kind of mood and attitude.
P.S. I have bought an electric cello so maybe you'll hear it in some tracks soon. Plucking is not too hard though bowing should be much more difficult. I haven't bought the bow yet.
Thanks for the comment. I will consider bringing the drums out more... even if I am not sure how to achieve good results: with my headphones I get a good sound ... I should test with different equipment to improve it. Will do it soon.
I am playing all the instruments on this one: I started laying down the bass part and then I played several guitar layers on top of it. And I had a lot of fun: though most of my music is "pop" I am a hard-rocker inside (my first band was a punk one... and I started playing bass because of Sid Vicious...long time ago).
I like a lot the Metal Machine kit and I think I will use it more often, also in "non metal" context. It has a lot of power.
Looking forward to hearing you playing cello...it must be fun!
Ciao, Domenico
on Hunting For Gatherers by Evisma
Not much love for your nice track bro so allow me to offer a little more (you have no choice).
Intro works well.
0:29-0:31 delayed (?) piano slide is cool. Kind of thing I go in for but not you usually. Tis also a little like some classic Dre Dre/Snoop Dogg hip hop piano bits (seriously).
0:33 and we're into the strings, which sound pretty decent. Many people's sampled strings sound much worse.
0:59 cool bass tone and first note. Just nice, sparse playing, sometimes with some runs to join in with piano. Very tasteful stuff!
1:25 cool second bass riff. Some might think it's guitar.
This has a really cool, spacious vibe and groove to it. A lot like some of my stuff. Actually, I'd be happy for this to be your entry as a tribute track to me, even though it's about 10 mins too short (semi-joke there). I'd be happy to have made it.
1:51 another cool bass riff. No bends but sounds awesome without. Bends: who needs them? Maybe I shall give them up.
2:44 cool return and now some guitar. Blends well with other instruments and isn't that obviously a guitar. On the beautiful side of things rather than badass or funky.
3:35 good little cymbal fill. And now things go up for a final flourish.
Overall: damn fine track. Complete music lacking nothing so not sounding like you're struggling (as you sometimes do) with only bass and drums. No real criticism from me.
Damn, I wouldn't like to live in the buckle of the bible belt. I have religious neighbours either side of me but have hardly met a religious person under 40 in years. More chance of meeting a Samoan with 30 cats.
P.S. Got the 5 string electric cello though no bow as I'm told they differ greatly in price so best look around, get cheapish one. Plucking no problem 1st day tho guess bowing will take quite a while to get good at. Will need to for doing aggressive cellometallo. Am also having extra low string sent so should be great for basslines. So, guess my new bass is a cello. Get ready for loads of slidey basslines!
Sliderman
"Not much love for your nice track bro so allow me to offer a little more"
I've really not been listening to much Looperman music lately because of the near total lack of tracks in genres I can stand, so I've not really been commenting on any.
Just for something new, I started searching Rock tracks, then click 'Last' on the pages, and listened to the first rock stuff put on here. The first ten or so pages of tracks. It was pretty few and far between then as well. Commenting is pointless, as nobody from then even has the same email, but I think I got one reply from a seven year old track.
"0:29-0:31 delayed (?) piano slide"
I duplicated the slide 3x and did the echo with velocity. No delay.
This track started by me playing the piano through my controller for about half an hour, added the drums, and I came up with the first minute, then I added the double bass thinking of your cello, though I tried my cello, the sound was not as good as the double bass, so I went with it instead. Then piccolo, then higher strings.
I thought everything came out well. The guitar tone at the end is something I've been picking on, but I think it was from picking a bit too hard.
Being surrounded by hard-core and in-your-face Christians, I've learned to just not speak to people. Religion and Politics are the same thing here. The craziest thing happens when you tell a patriotic, Christian American about the truth behind the "Disappearance" of most Native Americans. It has ALWAYS lead them to say that everything America has done to other people was justified because of what it has gained in doing so. Even slavery. That mentality blows my mind, but that's the guy who takes my cash at the gas station, or sells me insurance, or I do landscaping for.
Off topic, but I worked for Brad Pitts parents about eight years ago. Brad Pitt actually came from my home town, and his parents and siblings still live here. His dad started adding things to the landscaping job beyond what was on the contract, and after he ordered the wrong kind of sod and had it delivered to his house, and realized his fuck up in front of us and got embarrassed and indignant and basically fired us because he bought a Bluegrass-Fescue BLEND, and not a Bluegrass-Fescue MIX. A whole 53 foot flatbed trailer of it. So, because we didn't magically stop him from making this order for sod on his own, and for us seeing his fuck up, he fired us and stiffed my boss $10,000. My boss had to take out personal loans just for payroll.
My boss no longer watches Brad Pitt movies.
on Distibiant - The Floor is Lava by LivingInSilence
More solid dance stuff from you. I like it but don't love it. But then I'm not exactly a house guy so nothing for you to worry about.
First synths are quite compelling and almost "cute". Bassline is strong and gets filtered a bit later to become prominent. Drums are dry and tight. No criticism of them
1:00 and it's sub time! Lead synth gets much cooler. The little effected bits just before the start of the new bar are especially cool.
Drumless breakdown and then the rise back into same as before, with added percussion to move things forward a bit.
2:28 and it's getting more dubsteppy. People love that kind of stuff.
Not that uch new stuff after that for me to comment on (apart from some strings). But it's decent dance stuff that will definitely get people moving. I wouldn't actively listen to it at home but I'd be happy for it to be playing.
Just some of my thoughts though I can't imagine they're of much use.
I'm glad you like it (even if you don't love it). From what I remember the bassline was the first thing I made, building everything else around it, so I guess it's the star of the show. I'm starting to feel the "cute" synth doesn't quite fit in, it's one of very few digital synths in their so maybe that's why?
at 1:00 (sub time!) I pulled that off a lot better than I expected. It's not even that good but I use to struggle a lot with kicks and subs so I wasn't expecting much from myself when it came to that part. Someone said I "need more work from the percussion side of things" yet you don't seem to have a problem with them so hopefully it's just a personal taste thing.
and yeah 2:28 was originally going to be my master plan in turning the track into dubsteps/dubstairs but I scratched that idea coz it's silly.
Anyway thanks again for listening, i'm gonna try and break away from the 'dance' thing next time coz I know you're not a house guy (never preferred the indoors myself).
Cheers man!
on Hunting For Gatherers by Evisma
Shame on me for doing another review when I can't listen and give time references and stuff. Listened to this earlier today and was very impressed.
You sound much more confident with all the non-bass stuff ie the strings etc
Still guitar is a bit of a background instrument for you though I guess you're still getting used to it and will bust out something else more up front in the future. Try bending the strings a bit/a lot to add more expression and attitude to your parts.
There's no obvious genre name for this but I'd say it might best fit in 'ethnic' or 'cinematic' on this site. Not a lot of rock in here. Most of that probably comes from the drums, which sound particularly good this time.
I think you've used taiko loops a few times now and they give this more of a tribal feel that contributes to the 'ethnic' tag I suggested. A bit of an ancient feel, actually.
This kind of a vibe is cool departure for you and the sort of thing you should explore more.
Vulvadryer, Crucethus and Promenade will all be impressed by it.
I use an ancient Egyptian mouse that was in poor condition when I bought it cheaply at a local auction. But, after some careful restoration, it works very well. Still has some Egyptian sand it it. And, yes, it is pyramid-shaped.
Two fun facts:
a)I was born in Cairo and so was my grandfather though neither of us is actually Egyptian.
b) When I went back there in 2009, I bought three mini pyramids wrapped in plastic as a cheap and tacky souvenir when at the actual pyramids (y'know, the really famous ones). I have used them as a door stop for my bedroom door ever since.
Will re-review with additional details later.
Temporarily adios.
"Try bending the strings a bit/a lot to add more expression and attitude to your parts."
I intend to do this. I'm always afraid of breaking strings since bass strings are $40 a set, and bending is what caused many early string-breaks. I guess Elixer's strings are pretty cheap for the six-string, and I need some for the Squier anyway, so my wife can try and pick her's up again.
"This kind of a vibe is cool departure for you and the sort of thing you should explore more."
I'm wanting to. This track's whole sound came from the name. The name came to me while driving, and the idea stuck with me for the few days till I made the track. Always seems to work like that.
Fun Fact:
I now live less than one mile from the hospital I was born in. I've always loved the area I've lived in, though the people can suck. I live in a college town. We have about a dozen Universities, half are Christian Faith colleges. Buckle of the bible belt. If you put up a sign on a busy corner that read "Free Carbon Dating", it would be torn down overnight and the area would be cleansed by rubbing everything down with literature from Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck.
on So Long Bound by Evisma
Jeff is a community college physics teacher and failed musician. He has unnaturally corrosive skin oils which become enhanced after an accident in his lab (typical supervillain origins stuff). He finds their corrosiveness rapidly increasing when he melts all his guitar strings when trying to lay down a guitar part for a track his old friend Evan has sent him (that way we can get some of your nice tracks bro in the film).
Jeff is still bitter at the music industry for rejecting his talent and decides he must wage war against it. With his knowledge of physics, he also invents an anti-gravity device, enabling him to fly. Coupled with his highly corrosive skin oils, he is now a true angry supervillain with a score to settle. He can fly around a skyscraper, smearing his oils on it, collapsing it in seconds. Bullets fired at him disintegrate upon contact with the oils.
Whatever will he be called as Evil Jeff isn't sufficiently badass? Corroder, Corrosive and The Oil Man are contenders.
His goal is to destroy all of Nashville as well as the performers and industry executives at The Grammys. Jeff hates twangy country music so decides Nashville must go.
He is still bitter at Evan for ditching him to go solo and become the first solo bass superstar and intends to upstage him at The Grammys. But maybe Evan is the only one who can talk some sense into him.
Who can counter this menace to the music industry and modern civilization? No, not Spiderman, Superman or Iron Man.
Enter Sliderman.
When he puts that glass slide on his left pinkie, incredible energy is harnessed and converted into sonic booms capable of destroying buildings. Or he can send exhilarating frissons of harmonic joy through crowds. Or literally face-melting riffage. Gentle beauty or fearsome destruction, the choice is his. He can't fly but he can operate bikes and boats (not cars). Putting the slide into the water propels any vessel along at incredible speeds.
Evan has never seen or spoken to Sliderman but emails him for help with out of control Jeff. Exhilarating events follow.
Sliderman's weakness is the reverse cymbal - that annoying sound is his Kryptonite and brings him to his knees in despair.
Jeff will only get 1% of the takings for this film and you, being a third party, will get nothing. Except the chance to be a supporting character. If you can't do a decent job of playing yourself, we'll just have to cast someone like Brad Pitt. Or maybe The Rock.
Pass this on to Jeff so that we can get his approval and production started.
You will surely have some other ideas...
I must say, knowing Jeff, he would not become a villain. He would still do good, no matter what abilities were bestowed upon him. And he's not a failed musician, just a busy one, who had a kid and re-prioritized his time.... Not that you're knocking him, I know, it's the character's back story.
"Whatever will he be called as Evil Jeff isn't sufficiently badass? Corroder, Corrosive and The Oil Man are contenders."
The Rustition, but that sounds a bit like a hitman. I'll think on it.
Sliderman almost made me piss myself. So clever. It's replaced Spiderman in the Spiderman theme song that I hum in my head.
"If you can't do a decent job of playing yourself, we'll just have to cast someone like Brad Pitt. Or maybe The Rock"
I've been told before that I look like Ewan McGregor,... but thinner with a really long goatee.
Later masturbater.
on do nothing by promenade2239
Unfortunately I'm at work right now so can't listen to this now but very much look forward to checking it out when I get home.
So, for now, all I have to go on is the waveform. You've put it under 'rock' but I have a strong feeling it's probably quite chilled out, as is almost all of your stuff. The waveform doesn't look like a loud track with banging drums or guitars. More like a chilled out thing with good dynamic range.
Anyway, I won't have to guess when I finally hear it so a better review is coming soon.
Thanks again.
I decided to put always a 'rock' label on all of my upcoming looperman tracks anyway. just for fun.
waveform does not make any sound. any sound perception is very relative.
the drums here are much more realistic, with all the harmonics preserved. not so 'compressed'. it makes them sound more powerful.
that may be also the reason for the waveform shape. I love that kind of waveform, it's just pretty.
'do nothing' is a refference to 'non-duality' stuff I was exploring for almost 2 years. something like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA
I can't play guitars anyway. Does 'rock' mean only fast and loud? lol
Thanks again for your message.
on Tension by DouglasS
Ominous piano notes to kick things off and that's a good piano sound. Bit of subtle percussion in the background.
Then you're getting stringy, with some dark ladies' choir appearing to push things along.
0:42 higher string note of great tension.
0:59 bigger kick and bigger string theme. Something not quite right with that kick. Sounds like it should be a kettle drum or something more suited to this music. Good delay on it though.
1:38 piano does some nice higher stuff then a new string theme. And woodwinds. Then that kick, which is more of a metal/rock kick so that's maybe why it seems out of place.
2:46 good delayed percussive element, which is actually a synth. But it's operating more like a hat.
3:06 brass has good tone. Melody too. This is accomplished stuff.
I don't choose to listen to this sort of music but totally respect it so congrats.
No real suggestions apart from changing the kick.
on So Long Bound by Evisma
I only saw FMJ for the first time last year and didn't like it that much. First 30 mins excellent, rest was like a separate film. Don't recognise any of the fun lines you quoted but I did spot various cultural memes and things I've heard people say over the years eg "Show me your war face!"
Yes, uke bass just too limited and I don't like its one sound that much anyway. Useable but not for me. Guess I'd have one if I were really rich and owned, say, at least 30 basses.
Related: hope you've seen my favourite documentary film: Metallica's Some Kind Of Monster. In the bassist audition scenes, there's one where Rob Trujillo goes to pick out a bass with the guitar tech from the band's guitar room. He says that the band owns around 500 guitars! Have seen film many times and I swear you never see the same guitar being played twice. Always a different one used cos they have so very many.
I don't know what reversed theremin sounds like. That's a goood point. I have a track made in about 2001 featuring some theremin samples from a college friend who brought his round so we recorded some noises (no proper playing, it's damn hard). Quite a cool track but only about 3 mins so maybe I will open it up and extend it some day.
You don't bend strings? What's wrong with you? Hadn't thought about it before but can now believe there are no bends in your tracks. Get with the program! Extend to the bend or you will meet a sorry end...
Not sure how oiling up my fingers would help them with rubber bass string bends. Guess would have to be right type of oil (maybe vaginal secretions). But don't want to do that.
You friend Jeff has weird skin oils. I hope he's not a professional masseur/porn star or I fear for his clients/co-stars.
Yes, Ozark company probably based in the Ozark region. I think they get their guitar woods from the area though probably not mine as it's made in Far East. And there's only wood in the neck and head, body is all metal. Sure, I know exactly where you live*. A good stalker always knows that.
I'm moving from shed back to house soon ie under 2 weeks. I guess shed has been kind to me. Since December I've completed 7 tracks, running time 69 mins, so a good long album there.
Regards and retards...
*No, not really.
"I only saw FMJ for the first time last year and didn't like it that much. First 30 mins excellent, rest was like a separate film."
I'm not a big fan of war movies, but I saw that one when I was pretty young, and it stuck with me. Way better than "Platoon". Yes, basic training is a very different part of the movie. Even after that, it keeps changing. A few people die, and Private Joker gets more and more dark and emotionally wounded. Then the ending, with the young sniper girl that just killed his best friend.
Anyway, it's worth another watch. If not, rent "Stripes".
"You friend Jeff has weird skin oils. I hope he's not a professional masseur/porn star"
Last I checked, he was teaching Physics at a community college. All he's going to fuck up there is the adjustment wheel on the overhead projector, and the crank handle of the manual pencil sharpener. He says he's heard of other people with the same issue. It's not like he goes around corroding everything he comes in contact with, just guitar strings, from what I can tell.
" Sure, I know exactly where you live*. A good stalker always knows that."
Yes, and I've identified your shed on GoogleEarth. A few more magnifying zooms and I could see your stash of gay porn. I'd keep mine in the shed too.
Later, masturbater.
Evan
on So Long Bound by Evisma
Intro is you in your sad, deep mode. Could kick into a lighters-in-the-air 80s power ballad with that sorta vibe. I can hear the bass palm muting and have got quite used to that sound from you.
Except there will be no ballad, power or otherwise, without a vocalist. So more badass rocking takes its place.
1:08 quite an emphatic riff. But the drums aren't kicking enough. Bit too subdued so probably need open hat rather than pedal hat.
1:47 is a bit of a porn groove. See, you can groove. Bedroom soundtrack for Tool fans. Let's say the gentle intro is the emotional cuddling and looking into each other's eyes and then 1:08 is the more vigorous foreplay and then we get to the real down and dirty with that wah on 1:48.
Porn groove beats power ballad every time.
1:56 guitar sounds a little like something I might play. Might even be a bend in there (eg from a slip of a finger). Certainly some sliding about and little triplet trills.
2:34 extremely rapid nutsack jangle cymbal roll that I like. Something very pleasing about the 'nutsack jangle cymbal roll ' word combination. Greater linguists than I will be needed to explain why.
Back to your chorus, which seems just the same as before. Hats still not sufficiently kicking it though beat is otherwise fine.
Let's finish on some spacious groove porn and a final, triumphant nutsack jangle cymbal roll and the bedroom games shall be over.
Overall: good, tight stuff but could do with being heavier in parts. A little (more?) variation between the choruses might help. And you know I wouldn't shit you, you're my favourite turd.
"Might even be a bend in there"
Ah, still no bends. Quick little two-fret slides. I'm all hammers, pulls and slides. No bends. I'll probably have to make a track that's bent all to fuck now,... for practice.
"Something very pleasing about the 'nutsack jangle cymbal roll ' word combination."
I fully agree. Delightful. But "Rolling Jangle-Sack Nut-Cymbal" sounds even better coming off the tongue.
I'll work on the drums and give the second chorus something to separate it from the first.
Thanks for the helpful opinion.
Nave
on So Long Bound by Evisma
Just my little Thai prostitute joke there, with a bit of a reference to Full Metal Jacket.
Anyway, you're back to badass on this, my favourite kind of ass, after your recent Asian aquatic vacation. I listened hours ago and liked all of it. Shame I can't listen now and give details but I will return for that later, as always. For now I'll tell you about the uke bass and cello.
Uke bass was weird and I didn't like it. So small, seemed gimmicky. Also lacked expression as everything played on its rubber strings sounded the same. Lke a double bass but without ability to manipulate the strings for different tones.
One surprise was that I couldn't really bend strings, still trying to work out why. Trying to do so ended up with the pad of the finger rolling over the string rather than staying on it and pushing it across the neck. No bending makes me a sad chap as it's a big part of my playing (even on bass). Must be cos of rubber strings though don't know why it's not the same on a nylon string guitar. Maybe cos the rubber strings are much fatter. So, I won't be buying that instrument as it's very limited.
But I probably will buy the electric cello as I loved it and I didn't even get to try it out with a bow. Just has a cool tone and I love all the sliding about. Low end was good and I can already envisage loads of basslines I can come up with on it. I'm currently working on an Eastern slide groove swing metal track and am already thinking of cello lines for it so I think I must get that instrument (and make it cellometallo). If I can get the hang of the bowing, I can do some dirty bowed chugging, which should be cool. So, between plucking and fast and slow bowing and all the effects I will inevitably add (distortion, delay etc) I think it'll be a really expressive instrument for me and a useful new string to my bow (hahaha).
Final thing is about an unusual bass the cello/bass shop had hanging up. I hope you remember the band Morphine I told you about, with their exceptional 2 string slide bass player Mark Sandman (plus drums and baritone sax, that's all). I urged you to check them out. Bet you didn't.
I've wanted to play slide bass for ages but suspect you need a 2 string bass to do it as the other 2 regular strings would get in the way of the slide. One the wall, they had a 2 string bass with the word Sandberg on the headstock. I thought "Damn, that must be a tribute bass to Mark Sandman. I want one." I asked in the shop, they had never heard of Morphine or slide bass playing and said that particular bass was a joke instrument. Sandman, Sandberg, 2 string bass, just had to be in his honour. But no - no connection.
To be continued...
To be clear, I got your reference, and fucking love Full Metal Jacket.
"I wouldn't shit you, you're my favorite turd"
has always been a favorite. As well as...
"I wanna slip my tube-steak into your sister, take anything for trade?"......."whatcha got?"
Anyway, that U-bass sounds like you'd use it for two or three tracks and then it's time would be done. A Theremin would be better. Mic it and run it through some chopping gate and different distortions.
Question: How do you tell if a theremin line has been reversed?
Answer:....?
"No bending makes me a sad chap as it's a big part of my playing (even on bass)."
Funny. I've got over 40 songs on here and not one bend. I just don't bend the strings. This may change with the PRS, but who knows. If I play the intro to "Back In Black" by AC/DC,(who I'm not a fan of, but got the tabs for my wife to learn), there is a bend in the 5th or so measure, with the quick run down on 3 and open on E and B, then the bend on 2 of the G, bending and going open. That's the only time I think to bend, when it's written for me.
"Must be cos of rubber strings though don't know why it's not the same on a nylon string guitar. Maybe cos the rubber strings are much fatter"
I would think it's the gripping nature of rubber and the gripping nature of finger-prints. If you oiled up your fingers before playing, that would fix that. (sounds disgusting)
My friend Jeff has an odd issue. The oils in his skin unnaturally corrode guitar strings. Within one month of replacing strings, his are gritty and close to dead.
You mentioned to someone that your resonator guitar is an Ozark? Don't know the relevance, but the area of Missouri I live in is called the Ozarks.
""""The Ozarks...are a physiographic and geologic highland region of the central United States. It covers much of the southern half of Missouri and an extensive portion of northwestern and north central Arkansas.... Although referred to as the Ozark Mountains, the region is actually a high and deeply dissected plateau. Geologically, the area is a broad dome around the Saint Francois Mountains. The Ozark Highlands area is by far the most extensive mountainous region between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains.""""---Wiki---
Anyways, I'm smack-dab in the middle of it. We have some really awesome topography and views, much like your avatar, only forest instead of terraces.
I'm stoked about the cello. I found some online and they're around $1,200 to $1,600 for good electrics. Awesome investment if you're into it already, without fully using in even.
Hope all is well, and also hope you get to move back into the house soon. I'd be worried about all my shit being gone one day.
Take care.
Evan
on Still by Bennihunnit
Those synths buzzing around give this some depth. A good few layers going on there. Would be cool just as an instrumental.
Mix is indeed good so I don't have much to criticise. Except that it's a bit too short. Any plans to make it longer?
on Walk Away feat Farisha by mrwolf14
Lots of excellent instrument playing in this but my big complaint, not for the first time, is with the drums. More on that later. Praise first, criticism later.
Farish's vocals here are, as always, excellent. Probably something to do with her being a damn fine vocalist...
I think your initial piano part starts things off well and neatly fits her vocal. Then some quality lead guitar work, with some good bends. A good slow rock intro before the vocal.
Bass has your usual good sound and fluid movement.
2:29-2:42 I would suggest removing. It's the third time we've heard pretty much the same lead guitar part. It's good but I don't think good enough to be heard three times in 2.5 minutes. Just go straight from 2:29 into the 2:42 part of the solo.
So, the drums. Guitar, bass and keys all really sound like they're playing together ie in the same sort of physical space. But the drums really don't and sound kind of like a backing demo track. They're really lacking power and punch and they also maybe have too much reverb or something on them. The playing/programming is OK and works well enough but they just sound too weak to really drive the track the way they could/should.
You're again using the EZ kit (Funk?) I don't much like so that's probably part of the problem. How many EZ kits do you have?
Try EQing, stereo widening the drums etc. Anything to make them more powerful and sound like they're playing in the same space as the other instruments. The drums also don't push the guitar in the solo, as they could do to help make the guitar playing seem more powerful and exciting.
Otherwise, it's really a good piece of music.
As always: if you love these drums, ignore everything I have written.
Thanks for the detailed comment and for your hints.
- removing the gtr theme at 2:29... good idea! I liked the theme a lot, but it doesn't have to be repeated so much.
- drums... what to say... I am the first one not liking them so much. I started with the Funkmaster kit (which I normally like) and then decided to take a snare from the MetalMachine kit, to give it more power.
Didn't turn out well... :-(
I will try to replace it with a different kit.
Maybe the "rock-solid" one could work here... need to try.
Thanks again for the input!
Ciao, Domenico
on Mankind by RealProblemShuckers
I don't have that much to say after my last review but thought I'd drop in to say that your new string part is much more suitable now. There's no jarring clash with that bassline.
I can't listen to the previous version so what have you done to the strings since first upload?
It's not a perfect fit with the flute part (strings+flute) but I guess that's OK. A bit odd can be cool and helps a track stand out from others.
I'd quite like that string part to be bigger and fatter, certainly at times. Try to add some stereo widening effect to it as that will help. I use various stereo widening effects (or collection of effects) a great deal. Helps a lot on guitar parts which sound a bit weedy. Also useful to try out on anything else that needs to be more powerful. Doesn't always work but it's often worth at least trying.
This is quite a simple little tune but it's a bit of fun that people will definitely groove to on the dancefloor.
Congrats!
thank you! I completely changed the strings to something else and more simple.
Yeah, it's supposed to be odd.
Stereo widening effect; will try!
Yeah its supposed to be a simple groovy track.
Thanks :)
on Funkmatic by Byleth
I don't love this but there's a lot of good stuff going on.
Intro is cool and quickly sounds interesting and unusual. Much respect for just the first 5 seconds!
I'm not sure there is really a cinematic funk genre such as this so you're doing something original.
0:54 and the timpani/kettl drum pushes things along nicely and then we're into a cool string part.
1:12 sampled aah choir I don't like so I'd change that for a different sound as that one is a bit cheesy.
1:25 brass is cool and a good melody.
I can't tell here what Joe's samples are and what's yours but I guess most of yours is the cinematic instrument parts.
1:49 your bring in a clap but I think it could do with a hat or ride there as well to fatten up the beat. Clap doesn't sound enough. But it's a good conclusion though I'd quite like this to be longer and see a return to the first groove, which I think is the best one.
All the same: excellent, original work!
So I will try to change the choirs and adding hat or ride for my outro.
-Antonius in die tribulationis
on Chameleon by DouglasS
Anyway, your track is a good one. Here's some more detail:
I like the opening synth riff and the fat kick. Nice space on the drums to allow the grooves to form within. Then various long, low bass notes.
0:42 we get more pad-based lead work, stil with that main synth riff in the background.
0:57 and we're into a bit of a pop sort of chorus with that new, uplifting synth part. Then a drum break and it's all still very melodic. This isn't quite trance, perhaps more 80s synthpop with a more modern feel. Hands in the air stuff for sure.
2:12 we come back down to that initial synth part and the bass is still fat.
Not sure what you couldn't quite figure out with this one. It all makes sense to me and I don't have many suggestions or criticisms. It's a little commercial to be something I can absolutely love but will be very popular with people more into that sort of sound. Quite a few of the synths have a little bit too much fizz and brightness for me but not to worry (that's not really even a criticism, just a declaration of my preferences).
The structure and changes suggest there could easily be vocals added. Any plans for that?
Mastering is fine. It pumps but isnt too loud, thank God (and Buddha and Mohammed). Probably better than some/most of my mastering though it's a very different sound from most of my stuff.
Overall: big congrats!
on Secrets and Rumors by mykahc
I like the very first notes and synth instrument chosen. Bas heavy electro drums enter and then some sort of jangling percussion and a lead psychedelic whistling sort of synth.
This all sits really well and is melodic. Then a fatter snare beat. 1:16 you add another layer of percussion to make things fatter.
1:29 what sounds a bit like a repeated male vocal with loads of reverb. I like that a lot.
This track will be very popular on this site.
I don't think I've seen your name on here before but must say I'm very impressed. It's really well produced and has some class, lots of melody and good varied work with all the drum grooves and layers.
3:42 we get a fizzier synth layer to make things a bit bigger, deeper and heavier. Then some strings. People are probably dancing along by now.
5:11 transition was too awkward for my tastes. Just too abrupt as everything disappears and then into the bass and drums part. I think that's my only criticism of this fine track. Oh, that and the very ending, which seems to be cut off.
Big congrats...
on Keep You Close by BradoSanz
So, you've clearly recorded/processed that guitar really well. The playing's good too.
Again, the vocals/song are not my sort of thing.
1:57 subtle big reverb on the vocal in the background I did appreciate. You could probably make more use of that trick in this track (and others). Maybe it's too subtle here.
1:34-1:45 is probably my favourite bit of guitar playing.
Overall: it's another good, emotive acoustic pop song. Again, not a style I choose to listen to but well done. Damn, if I keep reviewing your tracks, I might end up saying pretty much the same thing in every review. I'll try not to.
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
Was thinking about you as I watched PF's excellent The Delicate SOund Of Thunder concert film from 1989. Awesome stuff. Never seen Gilmour play lap steel before but he did endless cool playing on Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun.
I'm still slightly surprised they're your favourite ever band but I don't actually know you so can't really be too surprised. I don't have a favourite band but Floyd are right up there, as are The Beatles, who I believe are easily the greatest and most popular band of all time (and may well always be).
I was actually going to leave a comment on your version of this track featuring Tumbleweed but you have deleted/hidden it. What I was going to say was that after one listen, I really didn't hear his guitar improving it at all. I might be wrong but can't go back to check.
Anyway, I'm, unsurprisingly, very much enjoying listening to this again. What I'd like you try to to do is something you may well without my encouragement. This track shows you're a master of PF emulation but it doesn't have your regular facemelting crunch. So, I want you to try to merge this beautiful chillout style with more of the concrete face smearing. Basically, take those Floyd boys to hell and fry their British butts.
Not quite sure who makes more aggressive Floyd music. No one springs to mind though I guess there are a few.
Anyway, those are my thoughts.
In addition, I have been busy and have some more badass riffage for you:
Questions Screaming For Answers
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/163950
and some chillout dance music:
A Little Bit Of Infinity
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/164118
Evisma also has an interesting new, Asian sort of track. Pretty far out stuff that's a bit different for him.
https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/163970
Sorry for the super late reply. I haven't been on much. That's not just Looperman. I haven't been on line much at all. Due to some crap with an oil pipeline over here, my hours are all kinds of messed up.
I agree, The Delicate SOund Of Thunder truly is awesome stuff. I had seen him play the lap steel before. It's always fun to watch. More fun to listen to, though. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun is one of my favorites of theirs too.
I'm not exactly sure what it is about Pink Floyd that does it for me. But ever since the first time I heard them in 1979 I was hooked. Even as a 5 year old, I knew that was some high caliber music. It's to the point where I don't really listen to their music, as much as I do merge with it. As cheesy an analogy as it is, it's like soaking up the sun.
As far as the Beatles go, I love them to. Not anywhere near as much as I do Floyd, but I do love me some Beatles. Even the "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," era. Moreso the psychedelic era, though.
I'm not sure why you weren't able to play the other version. It's still right where I left it. Someone else even commented on it after you made this one. (Which I need to reply to, yet.) I don't think I was really looking for a major improvement as much as I was a fun collaboration to give it a different dynamic. I've never done a collaboration before and Ed seemed like the right man for the job. I figured if anyone could work around my lack of proper chord progression and knowledge there of, it would be him.
I do have a couple of new tracks I'm half-assedly working on when I manage to find more than 20 minutes to do so. They aren't the full ValveDriver crunch. But they've got a couple surprising new elements in them. I wouldn't rally say they're Floyd influenced, though.
During the winter months, I tend to slow down and do more subdued, less aggressive pieces. Come late spring when the weather gets nicer, I'll start rolling out the chest kicking brutality that people here have come to know and love. (at least, I think they do.) I've been toying with the idea of picking up a real life guit-fiddle. I've had a couple in the past, I just never learned how to play one proper. So, I could probably fake my way through some riffs long enough to put together a couple of loops until I do learn to fully brutalitize the masses.
I checked out "A Little Bit Of Infinity" earlier today, just before I checked out Evan's new one. Thanks for the link to that, byt the way. I'll check out "Questions Screaming For Answers" soon, and get back to you on both.
Until then, Take it as it comes...leave it as it goes. Whatever the hell that means.
on MP3 Artifact Birdies by KwerkyVocal
Do you think you could maybe make a full track with other instruments using these sounds? Or maybe you prefer it just the way it is - extremely minimal.
on The Farcical Aquatic Ceremony by Evisma
Just a few have been more in the categories of "not bad" or "promising, needs work"* but then I've tried to explain in detail why I think that. Otherwise, many have been badass and they're pretty much all interesting, almost always featuring some fine bass playing. I wouldn't continually review your stuff if I didn't think it was good.
I went with the party barge of sounds analogy because since you first used that, I've been quite amused by it - one of your many charming phrases. I think I brought Valvedriver in when thinking what sort of seafaring vessel his music would be compared to. Definitely not a kid's inflatable dinghy or inflatable kayak such as the one I use. A destroyer was the obvious thought, reflecting the meaty sound he often gets.
He does have a larger arsenal of sounds but that's mostly because he only uses synths (so very many sounds available) and you focus on bass playing, with synths more of an afterthought. But there's more synth work here, so you're extending your arsenal, upgrading more to something like a party barge.
I've always used lots of synths and guitars in my 15-odd years of music production. Some of my earliest tracks are not so different from current stuff, just far poorer production and drums. I struggled with drums for years so I talk about drums a lot because I've been there and feel for people whose drums just aren't cutting it in a track.
Sticking with the seafaring vessel analogy, Spivkurl's would be a circuit bent sub, steering crazily all over the place and scaring whales with its weird, modified sonar tones.
An Asian junk isn't a raft but a type of sailing vessel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_(ship)
Not sure if a thigh powered accordion would work as it might be a slightly uncomfortable position to sit in. Would just be easier to use arms.
Over and temporarily out...
*I have many in that state, I just don't upload them. Sometimes I find a way to make them way better, sometimes I don't and have to accept that not everything I try to do is going to work out well, even if it seems really promising at the start. I currently have an old sort of rip-off Tool track (with more blues and chill, plus heavy riffage) that sounds OK but as though there really should be vocals so a bit too generic and simply not (yet?) good enough.
"I wouldn't ever tell you that one of your tracks was junk, in the sense of trash, crap, shit, a steaming pile of manure."
I truly hope you would, if that is what I produced.
Honesty, with no sugar-coating, is what helps the most. When I sense other's disappointment in something I've done, I feel it. I don't like the feeling, so I do all I can to not repeat the mistake, or act of laziness.
"the party barge of sounds analogy"
I believe it came from trying to put into words the feeling of one particular track of yours. Seemed very much like some wild floating spectacle.
"in my 15-odd years of music production."
Yeah, I'm at about 3 years. A year and a half was learning Cubase and Garageband with my buddy Jeff, and never really understanding either DAW properly, since they were on his computer. I joined this site right after I got StudioOne and started recording on my own. "Onward" was my first on my software, then "I4CRDK" was where I decided I didn't want a guitarist on all my tracks anymore, and I'd do it alone. Jeff had a kid and was getting busy with more important things. Hardly picks up his guitar now. Bought a better bass, a midi controller, and now a guitar, hoping to cover all the bases myself. Now, it's going to be EZ Drummer. It will happen soon. If you're celloing it up, I need to finally step up my drums.
Again, it was my nautical ignorance that created my misunderstanding, not your statement. I guess I'll have to wiki everything I perceive as an insult, before I take it as one, just to be safe.
Asian Junk seemed pretty straight-forward. Shows what I know.
The explanation was appreciated,... and apparently necessary when conversing with a land-locked individual.
Evan
on The Farcical Aquatic Ceremony by Evisma
You must just not know that sense of the word. But I'm still surprised you thought I was saying it was shit, especially as I praised it previously. You must have been a bit confused.
Hey, it was only a few years ago that I learned about 'your junk' being Yanktalk for your dick and balls. Not a meaning we have in the UK. You can use 'tackle' instead and it's considered quite polite and discreet.
Regarding cello, yeah, I know you're much more a "I wanna hold it" type of guy so software doesn't really do it for you. Theremins aren't too expensive but they're supposed to be extremely hard to play. No keys, frets, nothing, just empty air and you listening hard to what happens when you move your hand a millimetre. I guess you could play it with your dick, which could make for a pretty interesting live performance. Damn, not sure why I didn't think of that years ago. No that I plan to actually do it.
I imagine I could play most stringed instruments and there are a whole load I'd probably like to get. Don't think I'll ever play a wind instrument. While I do talk a lot, blowing a lot does not appeal. Not sure why.
Yeah, know what you mean about harmonicas. Other option is an electronic one that also does key changes (same goes for electronic accordion) but I have no idea who uses them.
I do need some new instrument boost or something as I've been shit musically for the last week and really worrying about running out of ideas and repeating myself and just doing average tracks rather than exciting, new ones. No idea how long I can continue to make interesting, unusual instrumental tracks entirely on my own. Having some good vocals would mean I don't have to come up with so many riffs and stuff.
Only a few days to go till I try the cello and I will also be trying the fretless ukelele bass at the same time (not the exact same time). Have to travel a couple of hours outside London for that. Definitely need to improve my bass tone and I've always wanted a fretless so maybe I will also get that. Or maybe just that. Or maybe neither.
To sum up: don't touch my junk or I won't play your junk track when I'm cruising along in my junk...
"a fairly common type of boat in Asia....You must just not know that sense of the word."
No. Never heard of it. I took it as my music being quite inferior, compared to yours and Valvedriver's. Two battleships beside some Asian junk raft.
I understand what you mean now. I was just going to accept it as a track you didn't like, and try to forget your opinion on my "level" of music making, and just try to do better in the future. I know I'm not up to date with synths, but I'm going to work on it and dedicate more time to it.
I understand, now, that "junk" is a boat. I get it. I was a bit bent, thinking how I would not say something like that to you or anyone else,... though, I ask for honesty, so I can't expect shining comments. I see now that that is not what you were saying. All is good.
Anyway,... best of luck with the cello, U-bass, dick-controlled theremin or ass powered penny-whistle. A thigh powered accordion would be cool as well.
on The alien tribes connection - Dream Dancer by joecramer
No, you don't need to take pills for making music. No unless you've got some particular medical problem.
Interesting to hear about your working method. I'm similar as I also try to go with the things that I feel really inspire me. My simple belief is that good parts that I really enjoy are most likely to inspire other good parts and riffs and new ideas. But if I only think something is OK/average, I won't really care much about it and probably won't be able to come up with anything to improve it.
So, I think it's good that you gave up on the FR direction when you felt the power of that Anubis drum groove.
One idea is that if you doubled the tempo of the Anubis beat, it would be much more suitable for doing an FR track. So, maybe a fast, tribal dance track. You could try doing that and seeing what happens.
I find that the same good groove at either half or double tempo (half if it's already fast, double if it's slow) makes me play other instruments in a different way. That's one reason I have lots of double time/half time tempo changes in my tracks. The same riff usually sounds good on top of a fast or slow groove.
Just a few ideas for you.
I will check out your other Anubis track.
Maybe he will return to Looperman sometime. He is a talented musician/producer and also seems to love a lot of my music.
Itz someting that is almost 16 years old - a special mix, made from two life tape recorded rebirth session from 1999.
Soundquality could sure much better but it is much closer to FR then my music sounds normaly. If FR not made music then already, then he makes maybe music in my "older" style :) ???
This is also a kind of a StaticNomad track :) cause it is over 20 minutes long.
Also it is in a way very close to this tribes ......
easy to get as download from lastfm
looperman has no space for this length
http://www.lastfm.de/music/M-M-M/the+rebirth+of+M-M-M
on Mankind by RealProblemShuckers
Strings here have a positive, bright, kind of triumphant sound. Gotta say I agree with previous comment that the bassline doesn't go with them. Are they each in a different key or something? That or their rhythms clash. So, not a comfortable fit though they're only heard together for a relatively short period of time. But it's still long enough to be a problem.
Bassline is good and a classic sort of house one. But then those strings return so things get awkward again.
I do quite like the flute part. Quite a seductive sort of melody.
Otherwise, this is a pretty damn minimal track - not much else happening to comment on. Try to make those strings somehow fit better with the bassline. If they're both just straight samples, you'll probably never make them work together. But, if you're programming them, you can always find a way to alter them to make them work better together.
Some good ideas though more work required. But don't give up - it's worth pursuing.