Our first single... whatcha think?

[jonnyenglish358]

Hi guys this is first single please let me know what you think but try not to hurt my feelings If anyones in essex this weekend we are doing a gig as one of a few bands at the mill beach pub in heybridge from 7pm till midnight on Sunday so feel free to come down for a great night. Have a great day! Jonny

https://www.alphawaves.rocks/music

[the boy]

It's really good mate. As long as ye aren't ugly bastards I'm sure ye have a really good chance.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='jonnyenglish358' timestamp='1493468345' post='3288573']...but try not to hurt my feelings...
[/quote]

Now there's a challenge..! I'll try; I may not succeed. First, then, the good stuff...

...

Now then, as for the piece, and admitting freely that I'm certainly not the target audience, I was rather underwhelmed by the 'U2' clone production, the rather predictable format and the several gimmick 'hooks' in there. Competent enough on all instruments, although the eternally chiming guitar grates quite quickly, but the 'big beat' on the bass drum leaves me cold; my feet rarely tap to that. The bass is solid enough, except in the (obligatory...) instrumental bridge, when it loses the sparse quality of providing impulsion to 'flub around' (a technical term...) unnecessarily.
Well done on producing a single, though; that, in itself is an achievement not to be sneered at, and I appreciate the work that went into this. I shan't be buying (No..? What a surprise..!), but sincerely wish you (all...) all the best in this difficult and ungrateful field you've chosen. No hard feeling, I trust; I try to be honest, that's all. Good luck in your ventures, and thanks for sharing.

[jonnyenglish358]

Cheers guys all comments welcome it's only by being criticised we can all get better thanks for giving it your time and taking the time to reply means a lot

Jonny

Edited April 29, 2017 by jonnyenglish358

[SubsonicSimpleton]

On the whole I think you've done a really good job in all aspects, but two things jumped out at me - personally I don't think the initial unaccompanied guitar riff works well as an intro because when everything else enters the change is jarring and it feels like an intro to the intro proper - I would just chop that first 10sec off completely IMHO.

There was also a mixing/production decision that feels a bit odd - in the verses, the main vocal is well presented at the front of the mix, but when you hit the chorus the vocal gets quieter (on my speakers at least) although the singer is obviously singing at a louder dynamic, which feels a bit wrong to me - as a listener I'm expecting a dynamic lift there.

If this is your first collective effort at a single, then criticism aside I think you should be proud of what you have created and achieved.

[Chiliwailer]

It takes a lot to get a band to that stage, so you've done really well to get there, nice one.

So much is about taste though isn't it? It's not the type of music I'd listen to but the singer can sing, you guys have made something as a unit and the tune has a catchy element.

My main thoughts are that the guitar delay and some parts are too obvious, stripping back would have worked well. You played the bass well, and I see how it matches up with the guitar vibe, but that delay might just have you guys playing in a way that is verging on self indulgent and doesn't back up your singer (though must be fun to play loud, right?!). My advice would be the age old 'less is more' and to play purely for the song and the singer (because it's that kind of music). Also, get a critical producer who will challenge you, not just a guy who will make the sound good and hit record. (Edit - 'press the record button!').

If that's your starting point, you guys will progress great and have a lot of fun along the way so keep it up

Edited April 29, 2017 by Chiliwailer

[leftybassman392]

Very good as a first effort I'd say:

I like the singer's voice, the song has a nice hook (a tad predictable perhaps but catchy nonetheless), and the playing per se was generally fine IMHO.

I'd endorse the comment about the intro though. Also I thought the song lost momentum on the run up to the choruses. I think I know what you were trying to do but I'm not so sure it worked. Finally, I thought you lost just a little bit of cohesion around the 2:45 - 2:55 mark - could be me but something didn't quite sound right...?

Not my natural listening these days, but trying to be as objective as possible.

[jonnyenglish358]

The final mix is now online.... I don't suppose it's incorporated many of the above comments but it is the final version

[Chiliwailer]

Use the comments that make you think. ignore the ones you don't click with, that always helped me anyway.

Good job, so good luck

[dmccombe7]

Although it does have similarities to the U2 thing i have to admit i really enjoyed it.
Taking a step back and just listening to the song as an average punter i thought it was catchy enough to get attention.

No matter who the band is there will always be something that isn't quite right.

I personally struggle to criticise it and if this is the first attempt then it will surely or hopefully get even better as the band gets tighter and your writing skills are perfected to get the best out of everyone.
I'd be very happy with that guys.

Its always good to get an honest opinion and that's what Basschat is all about so take peoples advice and use it to your advantage for the next single or album.
Wealth of knowledge here on basschat and its all good advice, everyone means well and its for your benefit and at the end of the day its free.

Good luck and wish you all the best.

Dave

[Les]

I liked it mate. Well done.

[jonnyenglish358]

Cheers for all the comments guys thanks for taking the time to listen and comment! I realise it won't be to everyone's tastes but as a band were really happy with it. But I do agree with some of the points made with regards to levels and things like that so it's all good in the end! Appreciate it a lot .... just gotta get through a few songs tonight! Nervous first time we have played live in a whil!

[Nicko]

I think it's a great effort. Unlike some of the comments above I thought it sounded nothing like U2 which I guess is a ringing endorsement. I still dont like the intro, it feels a bit disjointed and the instrumental left me cold.

[jonnyenglish358]

Thanks Niko.... If any one is interested in downloading it please visit our website here: [url="https://www.alphawaves.rocks/music"]https://www.alphawaves.rocks/music[/url] it will be on there for free to download until this weekend if anyone would like a copy... alternatively there is our band camp page here: [url="https://alpha-waves.bandcamp.com/releases"]https://alpha-waves....mp.com/releases[/url] and it is now available on itunes here: [url="http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1232055182?ls=1&app=itunes"]http://itunes.apple....ls=1&app=itunes[/url] and on apple music here: [url="http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1232055182"]http://itunes.apple....um/id1232055182[/url]

Thanks for your support guys, also if any of you guys actually did really like the song if you could help us out by tweeting or posting on facebook or instagram or even just a follow that would be amazing! All details are on our site or click on the images in my signature.

Thanks again guys

Jonny

Edited May 4, 2017 by jonnyenglish358

[Truckstop]

Really enjoyed it.

I listen to a lot of post rock and found the overall sound very enjoyable.

Mid section felt a bit weak though. Since verses are also quite delicate could have done with more power in that section to lead into the last chorus (which is awesome, by the way!)

[jonnyenglish358]

Thanks Matey

Edited May 4, 2017 by jonnyenglish358

[jonnyenglish358]

Song is now available on all streaming services so give it a listen if your interested

Thanks again guys,

Jonny

[tinyd]

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1493474956' post='3288627']
On the whole I think you've done a really good job in all aspects, but two things jumped out at me - personally I don't think the initial unaccompanied guitar riff works well as an intro because when everything else enters the change is jarring and it feels like an intro to the intro proper - I would just chop that first 10sec off completely IMHO.
[/quote]

I agree with this - it's a really good song and generally the playing and production are great, but that same guitar part is a bit off IMHO all through the song. But this is coming from someone who's never released anything approaching this kind of quality so please take my comments with a large pinch of salt!

[Lord Sausage]

I don't like it. Therefore it's probably very good and will do well.

Nowt like U2 apart from the chimy guitar but the song isn't.

[molan]

I liked it. Kind of thing I'd turn up if it came on the radio

Your site formatting appears to be buggered at the moment though. On my, new, iPad the content is hanging off the side of the screen on both horizontal edges and it's not scrollable,so I can't get to that content or click on links

Vertical content falls off the bottom of the page but that's quite common and scrolling works fine.

Given the high volume of web traffic generated by mobile devices I'd try to get this fixed quickly. It's the kind of thing that can 'lose' people on site very quickly

[jonnyenglish358]

Thanks for the comments Molan the site bird is looking into this hopefully will be fixed soon! not sure if anyone else has had this problem....

we have just made and upload a music lyric video thing to youtube so feel free to like comment and subscribe there

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxEJvhkMUkk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxEJvhkMUkk[/url]

Thanks Guys

[Geek99]

I thought it was totally awesome

Yes I can hear U2 but more in the bassljne, actually, in the sense of being driving and supportive.
The guitar parts didn't really remind me of U2 more perhaps Coldplay, Athlete etc

I'd turn it up, so thumbs up from me

[molan]

Just re-checked and mobile formatting is still out of whack. I used three different browsers and three different devices and it was the same on each.

I've been wracking my brains as to who the voice reminded me of in the quieter sections and then realised it was The Psychadelic Furs (who I used to like)