I spent over 250 working days on this god damn album and it's finally done. Thoughts?

[plextonic]

New to this forum, so I apologize if this post is in the wrong thread. I went through hell to make this album, and would love to hear any critiques, pointers, comments, questions, complaints, and/or concerns on a track or two. Maybe the whole album if you have time. I appreciate it lots. Thanks!
http://plextonic.bandcamp.com
:biggrin1::biggrin::confused::wink::eek::evil:

[CRAZY-HORSE]

ok Robert....just heard your album,made a few notes while listening to it, i hope you want honesty mate???.....

1. i like the way the tracks build up from very little,especially tracks 1 and 2.

2. i didnt like the instrument you used in the beginning of track #1, and it sounds like you didnt get your breathing right between the vocals at times,sounds like you were gasping for breath.

3. sounds like you were struggling to hit the high notes during the acapella on track #6.

4. track #11: didnt think that the accordian did much for the song,found it annoying to say the least

5. only two tracks i can honestly say that i did not like,those were tracks 3 and 12.

6. the rest of the tracks were either ok or good,nothing brilliant here IMO.

7. i'd say that tracks 5 and 9 were my favourites on listening to it once.

8. im just an average listener of music, but i do listen to a lot of different things...i hear shades of Ben Folds going on here, are you a fan of his music?,did he have an influence on you at all?...again,just my opinion mate.

all-up, not a bad album,cudo's to you and anyone else who has the courage and talent to actually go out and make original music.
i certainly think there is a market for your material, and it gets a pass mark from me

i'd be interested in what Jerome thinks of the whole recording process and the way you put it together from a technical point of view!

good luck robert, hope you achieve all you have set out to do in your career.

[Jerome]

ok Robert....just heard your album,made a few notes while listening to it, i hope you want honesty mate???.....

1. i like the way the tracks build up from very little,especially tracks 1 and 2.

2. i didnt like the instrument you used in the beginning of track #1, and it sounds like you didnt get your breathing right between the vocals at times,sounds like you were gasping for breath.

3. sounds like you were struggling to hit the high notes during the acapella on track #6.

4. track #11: didnt think that the accordian did much for the song,found it annoying to say the least

5. only two tracks i can honestly say that i did not like,those were tracks 3 and 12.

6. the rest of the tracks were either ok or good,nothing brilliant here IMO.

7. i'd say that tracks 5 and 9 were my favourites on listening to it once.

8. im just an average listener of music, but i do listen to a lot of different things...i hear shades of Ben Folds going on here, are you a fan of his music?,did he have an influence on you at all?...again,just my opinion mate.

all-up, not a bad album,cudo's to you and anyone else who has the courage and talent to actually go out and make original music.
i certainly think there is a market for your material, and it gets a pass mark from me

i'd be interested in what Jerome thinks of the whole recording process and the way you put it together from a technical point of view!

good luck robert, hope you achieve all you have set out to do in your career.

Will give it a listen today sometime CH - let you know

[CRAZY-HORSE]

great Jerome...always keen to hear your thoughts on music,especially(as i said) on the recording side of things.

[Jerome]

Just gave it an overall listen and it's going to be quite difficult to judge technically because some of the vocals/effects etc might be intended as opposed to not being recorded as per the norm. Will have to listen again inorder to get a better idea. One point though - 250 days is not a long time to record an album - not by a long shot. I think it's better that I do this one on a track by track basis - it just seems too diverse to comment on the whole thing. There is one thing that stands out though from a first listen - the bass is way to far back in the mix. Too indistinct IMO.

First track - 11:00AM (Flash)

It starts off quite well - an unexpected intro. As this builds up the accordion type patch/sound seems to become discordant and hit a 'bum' note every now and then. Once the drums come in it sounds better and more complete. Guitar bits are interesting but then you have some kind of electronic noise going on which I find distracting. The applause section comes in too suddenly and does not sit well in the rest of the mix. Also the vocal could have done with a touch more reverb - it would have made it sound more ethereal. Found the words very indistinct in the first few lines before the drums come in. I don't like the voice quality - sounds too deadpan to me and I also cannot figure out where the story is going at this point - it's not cohesive enough - but that's just a personal opinion. Others might understand what's going on but I certainly don't. Tomorrow track 2.

Second track - Rocksteady Tumbleweed No. 4 Op.8 Movement 1 to 6 (title is too complicated)

Still don't know where the storeyline is going (can't make head or tail of it). Sounds like Bowie with Tin Machine in parts. The 'fast' section timing is all over the place and that double kick drum fill just before the loud section just does not work for me. I can see what you are trying to achieve but you have not quite pulled it off. I like the fact that it changes timing quite often and the section with the ride cymbal makes a nice change in pace and feel. The vocal still does not sound right. It's changing in volume too much. Also one minute the bass is prominent and then it's not - but that might be intended. Don't know. Would I listen to this again? Probably not. The sort of thing Syd Barrett would have done.

Third track - 12:00PM (Lift)

Can do without the electronic scratching and noise - goes on for a bit too long. That would sound more effective with some reverb and not just dry. Piano is very catchy - like that. This is an improvement on the first 2 tracks. Where's the bass? Like the quiet piano and ride cymbal section. There is some string instrument that just sounds plain awful. I assume that's a saw coming in after that?? - quite effective. The rest of it is allright.

Track Four - 1.00 PM (Tilt)

Really like the intro of this one. Bass sounds better in this track. Instrumentation sounds better too. Drums need to be more prominent in parts especially when you are playing a steady beat of the floor toms. Like the FX.
Snare needs some more punch - maybe some EQ and compression.

[plextonic]

Thanks for the honest reviews! I really appreciate people taking the time to listen to a complete strangers album, even they don't like what they hear.

[Jerome]

Thanks for the honest reviews! I really appreciate people taking the time to listen to a complete strangers album, even they don't like what they hear.

Don't panic too much at my comments - that's just just how I see it (or hear it). As the album went on it became more intriguing. Will do a review of the other tracks when I have the time. One thing I will say is you at least are trying to do something apart from the mainstream. I wish more would.

[SteveO]

Great point Jerome rearding ...at least are trying to do something apart from the mainstream. I wish more would.[/QUOTE]

Don't panic too much at my comments - that's just just how I see it (or hear it). As the album went on it became more intriguing. Will do a review of the other tracks when I have the time. One thing I will say is you at least are trying to do something apart from the mainstream. I wish more would.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

totally agree SteveO and Jerome

[plextonic]

Don't panic too much at my comments - that's just just how I see it (or hear it). As the album went on it became more intriguing. Will do a review of the other tracks when I have the time. One thing I will say is you at least are trying to do something apart from the mainstream. I wish more would.

thanks again for taking the time to do this, jerome! Quite a few people i've showed this album to have had similar thoughts. Generally people don't like this album at first, but then go on to like it a few tracks in, and end up liking the album which they disliked moments ago. Not sure if this hesitant listener acceptance is a good thing or a bad thing...