An original song, by me...

[principal]

The link below is to a song I recorded. It's demo quality, if even that, so don't expect much. In fact when I recorded it I did not intend to one day share it with others so I haven't gone back and fixed some obvious errors (the guitar is not fully in tune, for example).

I recorded it using a freeware program called Audacity and my laptop - so the mic was 1mm or so wide, which is not ideal. Its the first song I wrote and one of the first I recorded. I would like to record it properly some day with a full band in a proper studio (as proper as necessary).

Anyway, take a listen and let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcome, good or bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAvoJrc4J9U

principal

[ballyhoohoo]

Not bad at all, I am no musical expert, but I do own two, I repeat two iPods! To me it reminds me of stuff from "alone the home recordings" from Rivers Cuomo. Not sure if he's an influence of yours or not.

I commend you for following your creative stirrings, I write and sending the first script I wrote to people to read was nerve wrecking.

Keep it up, maybe some more cowbell though

[XU Cowbell Kid]

Keep it up, maybe some more cowbell though

I'm more than willing to lend my talents if needed.

[pizza delivery]

I get a Weezer/Kinks vibe from it, as though it were an acoustic stipped down version of something they produced into something bigger. I thought it fit the downbeat vibe from a lot of Jim Jaramush soundtracks. If you decide to add layers to it, I think it can go as big as you want to make it, as it sounds like a breakup song. Nice first effort!

[principal]

BHH: I am familiar with Rivers Cuomo/Weezer, of course, but I've never heard his solo stuff (and only the more popular Weezer stuff). I'll have a listen to the album you referenced. Cool that you are a writer. Even cooler if you've managed to make money writing.

Pizza Div: A friend of mine is huge on the Kinks, my primary exposure is Waterloo Sunset, which is a great song. I'd love to add a lot more to the song, especially obvious things such as piano, bass, and drums. However, I am incapable of playing these instruments and I don't have access to a studio. If somehow it all works out I'll be sure to post the results on this board. I actually have a great business idea that would require musicians, a studio, a website, and lots of time to record. Maybe one day.

Thanks to both of you for listening and commenting. Though I am not a huge fan of either I take the Weezer and Kinks comparisons as compliments (and I realize you weren't saying, "Hey, you sound as good as Ray Davies", but still, nice comparisons).

I may post more here and there, though I realize a basketball message board really isn't the place for original music.

Thanks again,

principal

[Kahns Krazy]

I have been know to tell new parents their babies are ugly, so don't take any offense. I'd tell you if your song sucked. It doesn't suck.

It didn't particularly move me though. It reminds me of a lot of other stuff. That's not all that bad. I heard Beatles and Weezer, maybe some Smashing Pumpkins, among others. Nothing wrong with that, especially if you want to play music for fun. Keep playing what you like. If I could write songs as well as that, I'd do it too.

[principal]

I have been know to tell new parents their babies are ugly, so don't take any offense. I'd tell you if your song sucked. It doesn't suck.

It didn't particularly move me though. It reminds me of a lot of other stuff. That's not all that bad. I heard Beatles and Weezer, maybe some Smashing Pumpkins, among others. Nothing wrong with that, especially if you want to play music for fun. Keep playing what you like. If I could write songs as well as that, I'd do it too.

Thanks for the feedback Kahns. I've written several songs, all in the past 6 months or so, and this was the first. I think the base is there for it to be a pretty good song...if recorded properly with drums, bass, piano, etc. It also needs some embellishing so it doesn't just sound like every other song with a pretty good melody. Oh, and I could use a lyricist.

It is ironic that people have referenced the Beatles, Weezer, and Smashing Pumpkins as I am not a fan of any of their music. I respect the Beatles and what they did, but their songs seem cold and distant to me, even if brilliant. I am more of a Brian Wilson fan, but good luck trying to emulate what he did - the guy was more brilliant the John, Paul, and George (Martin) rolled up into one. Almost everyone writing pop/rock music, professionally or as an amateur, is influenced by the Beatles, directly or indirectly. They influenced so many bands that even if you dislike their music you are bound to like someone whose music wouldn't exist were it not for the Beatles. As for the others - Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, etc - I am sure that comes from my love of 80s-early 90s "alternative" music. Makes me miss 97x just thinking about it.

Thanks again for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

principal

[Ledgewood]

Needs more dirty words.

[ballyhoohoo]

Rivers has always said Brian was a big influence of him. I recently actually read an article on Pet Sounds, Wilson says that Per Sounds would not have happened without Rubber Soul. Paul later said without Pet Sounds there would have been no Sgt Peppers. A bit of musical one upsmanship

[Kahns Krazy]

Makes me miss 97x just thinking about it.

Thanks again for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

principal

I saw a pack of 97x Matches on the ground next to Kroger last week. I would have picked them up if they weren't all wet and gross.

I heard some Green Day at the gym over lunch that I really didn't care for, and I really like Green Day. It's hard for me to get a sense of musical style from one song. Keep on writing and playing.

[principal]

Rivers has always said Brian was a big influence of him. I recently actually read an article on Pet Sounds, Wilson says that Per Sounds would not have happened without Rubber Soul. Paul later said without Pet Sounds there would have been no Sgt Peppers. A bit of musical one upsmanship

The same is true of the guy from Smashing Pumpkins, whose name escapes me at the moment (I could Google it, but I'm not going to). The list goes on and on: REM, The Pixies, Elvis Costello, Elton John, most of the "Indie" music scene (all of the Elephant 6 bands (Apples In Stereo, Of Montreal, Ladybug Transistor, etc)), Sufjan Stevens, Beulah, Garbage, The Magnetic Fields, Animal Collective (and Panda Bear), etc. Brian gets a lot less credit than he deserves for the influence he has had on popular music. Then again, he has gotten a lot of credit and plenty of money to make up for the lack of recognition.

Thanks again guys.

principal