MOTUnation.com

[Editted since files are no longer there]

The album is done and is available as a free download complete with iTunes artwork... Please enjoy if you care to..... The link is

http://www.missingpalmerwest.com/Songs.html


Thanks

You sound depressed. After hearing your music, the themes of your music seem to support that. You didn't ask specifically for comments about the music, but you did say to let you know what we like or dislike. I don't dislike your music. I think your production is fine, and other than an occasional hi-hat that seems too loud, I think you're on the right track, production-wise.

My personal inclination is to steer clear of sad music. I realized long ago that music can affect my mood. Hearing the Samuel Barber Adagio (that you may recall from the movie Platoon) has me reaching for the nearest straight razor. Some artists (Phil Collins and Hank Williams come to mind) wrote some of their best work in the throes of depression. And lordy, there must be a huge market for Cry-in-Your-Beer music. But, I'm not a consumer of that style, so I'm not the best to judge it. This is just a kind of overwrought way of saying that I never want to hear these songs again. Write something peppy, and I'd like to give it a listen.

Curiously, Sadder Than Sad is the most uplifting piece. Musically and arrangement-wise, I found it to be the most compelling of your mixes. There was some flatness in your vocals, and I'd like to hear the BG Vox a bit louder (I love harmony, and there's way too little of it in today's popular music for my tastes.). I'd prefer that you repeat the last 8 measures and do a long fade than just abruply end it. I'm not a fan of the abrupt ending. Old school. I say polish this one and make it your showcase.

And if you are depressed, channeling it into your music may be therapeutic, but please be on guard that you don't get sucked further in. I hope your head is feeling better.

Jim

Jim wrote: I'm not asking you to be a horse's ass and be mean and thoughtless and shred on my poor taste of musical style. It's great that so many of you are kind and considerate people.

Jim wrote: And lordy, there must be a huge market for Cry-in-Your-Beer music. But, I'm not a consumer of that style, so I'm not the best to judge it. This is just a kind of overwrought way of saying that I never want to hear these songs again. Write something peppy, and I'd like to give it a listen.
Jim

While I do appreciate the time you took to listen to my tunes, I must say the above statement seems a little contridicotry to your previous "Suggestion Post".

And don't worry I am not depressed. I just have been mixing non stop to try and finish these songs for a Dec. release.

So I guess you summary is

--- sounds fine
--- I don't dislike it
--- I never want to hear them again
--- Write something peppy


Thanks....

I gave you some concrete feedback including what I thought was a compliment on Sadder Than Sad, notwithstanding my differences in taste of style. I'm sorry that you took it as contradictory. If you didn't want honest comments, you might want to reconsider posting your work on the web and asking for comments. I felt I detected an overall morose tone, not only in your music, but your post. I was not trying to be flip about your emotional state, and I apologize if you took it that way.

My two cents FWIW:

Great songs. I really like this kind of indie pop.

No need to mess with arrangements -- unless you want to try to pull some things out and see how the songs stand. You know, sometimes a verse with only bass, vocal and maybe some other instrument can be cool sometimes.

Let snare and toms cut through a little more. On all tracks. Perhap a touch of parallel distortion to add a little bite? I'd back off room and/or OH mics. Or roll off their lows more. I think they're adding a little mud.

Back the hi-hat off just a pinch. A little hat goes a long way, IMO.

Try to push a few things farther left or right here and there to open up the stereo feel. Just test in mono to make sure it holds up.

Vocals are great, but then again I like imperfect, its-my-own-unique-voice vocals.

Be bolder, man. Right now, everything's pretty even and equal. Let some instrumentation pop out now and again.

Maybe reference something like The Shins' "Chutes Too Narrow" for some guidance? For whatever reason, that's the sound that comes to my mind.

Anyway, great work. Hope my input helps instead of hinders.

Thanks Chrispick....

I love that Shins ablum....

I feel like I am struggling with the low end sometimes.... The OH' are one of the few tracks I haven't rolled off. I will give that a try.....

I don't have a HH mike, I usually bus the OH to and aux, Highpass and compress to get a little more cymbals....

Just listened to your tunes and I must say this is the first time in a long while that I've listened to just the songs as opposed to production values.
Really enjoyed them especially "Congratulations"
They may not be everybodies cup of tea but I'd Buy them.
Then again I like "Crying in your Beer" songs
Dunc

Thanks brother....

I just got it mastered and sent it out to disc makers....

PM me your address and I will send you a copy if you like....

Word

Hey,
These songs are really good. tho......I think you should get rid of the intro on "Epic". When I first listened, I thought "oh, I've heard this before", then the verse happened and "Oh, here's the mans personality coming thur loud and clear".
The verse gets right to the point.
The intro works well as the tag of the song.

Sound:
Pick some spots in the songs , ride the faders for emotional impact of those spots. Just to Tell the story a little clearer.
Maybe just brighten all the mixes.

DG
You should be proud of this work, it's real listen-able.

It funny you should say that....

The intro was actually not originally there, we took it from the middle because we thought it might be too abrupt, like where did that come from....

Thanks for the comments.....

builder, I would buy this. In fact I want to, so PM me when you get 'em

I liked them all, but Anonymous really got embedded in my brain -- loved the writing, loved the performance. It was exhilarating. Very hooky and that bridge reallllllllllllllllly got me.

ey Builder... Link gone?

Yea, sorry about that.....

The albums been mastered and pressed so I figured any comments here on out would be kinda moot....

I will send you a disk if you like....