Good choice, in my opinion.

This is a song I wrote a couple of years ago but only recorded recently.  It isn't really a country song, but when I first wrote it I imagined it would be recorded in a country style (it didn't work out that way).  The lyrics are all over the place and don't really flow (or even match), so I will have to re-write some of them in the future.

https://soundcloud.com/empireoflove/another-country-song-iii

EoL

I'm not able to stream the song but if I could I would be glad to comment.  For some reason it is requiring that I download the track to listen.  Any chance you could upload to soundcloud, youtube, etc?

Rab/Swedish Frog, thank you for listening and commenting.  Rab, you are right about the vocals, especially during the verse...I still need to fool with the volume but I haven't done so yet.  I still need a bass line so if anyone is willing to give it a shot let me know.

Here is a link to the most recent version of the song (link above is also updated):

https://soundcloud.com/empireoflove/never-coming-back-ix

EoL

Ha, great idea.  I didn't recognize the actual tracks but then I don't know any NS instrumentals, everything I love has vocals.  We should trade notes someday, I've spent days downloading NS and still haven't listened to all of it.  I'd have to dig up my old hard drive where it is all stored.  I'll post some of it if I can find it.  Glad to know someone else on the board is into it.

BTW, a movie about northern soul was supposed to be out this year.  Have you heard anything about it?

Four great songs, though the first two were my favorites.  I liked the piano "solo" on the last song, Tell Me.  It almost sounded like a harpsichord for a second.

Thanks for sharing, I really liked it.

Nice.  Keep Your Hands also has a northern soul vibe.  Are you into so-called northern soul?

Dooooood, nice Northern Soul-ish vibe to Day By Day.  I love it.

Nice man, really nice.

This is a short little song (as it stands right now, eventually there will be another verse or a bridge).  It's got a bit of an 80s vibe to it.  The song sort of climaxes at the end, so listen all the way through - its less than two minutes.  

https://soundcloud.com/empireoflove/never-coming-back-ix

EoL

NOTE: I've updated the link to the most recent version of the song.

I like the bridge as well, great job.  I can never seem to write one, so I'm always impressed when someone else does it well.

MBW:  Thanks for listening.  I believe Zach is working on some harmonies and FOTM may be doing a bass line.  It would be nice to fill in the sound some.

It sounds like you are about as likely to make a rock and roll record as Brian Wilson is. 

I like what you've got going on here, the melody, the bgvs, etc.  Also, this is probably my favorite vocal of yours.  I look forward to hearing the finished product.

EoL

Great band, great song, and great cover.

Sounding great as always.

Great job guys, one of the better songs from the later BBs material and you all sound great.

Zach that would be great.  If you need anything from me (chords, whatever) let me know.

Ok great. How low/high can I get with the notes? If you're not sure check out a video like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IejHKpfHso

I haven't got much of a range so it might be best to do what sounds best, I can always find someone else to sing the harmonies.  I'll PM you a bit more info.

I actually liked that song.  It would be good to hear it in better quality.  I've always liked Mike's voice, it's very nostalgic for me.

Zach that would be great.  If you need anything from me (chords, whatever) let me know.

Thank you for the kind words FOTM...

Regarding the reverb on the drums: I have been using GarageBand and the latest version does not have the option to add reverb to MIDI drum tracks.  Strange, I know.  I've since downloaded Logic Pro X but have not had a chance to mess with the reverb in Logic.

Reverb on the vocals: there is a touch of reverb on the second vocal track (which is lower in the mix). 

Volume of vocals: I've taken your advice, and Rab's, and Swedish Frog's, and have increased the volume some on the vocals.  After I play around with the reverb and add a few other things I will upload a link to the revised version.  Any further comments are greatly appreciated.

Harmony: I wouldn't know where to begin.  Zach once posted links to some harmony tutorials on Youtube, but I lost the links before I could listen.  If you want to give it a shot and I will see if I can duplicate it, that would be great.

Bass: I don't have a bass line and have no idea how to come up with one.  Again, if you want to give it a shot please do.  I'll PM the chords to you ('cause the four chords I use are top secret). 

Thanks for your comments regarding the story/lyrics.  Its not Bob Dylan but I like them anyway, I'm glad someone else does too.

EoL

Glad you like the music!
Gruff is sorta where I was going with this one... am I really off and it's bad?

This album is goin very slowly for various reasons... personal stuff good and bad is really leaving me little time.

But... this will be finished before the summer ends!

My objection to the gruffness was completely subjective, there is nothing wrong with the gruffness outside of my opinion, and of course there is no good reason to conform to that.    Zach mentions the pitch, and that is off a bit here and there (as best I remember, maybe its just one spot).  However, I was initially commenting on my personal preference for non-gruff.  Regardless, I like the clip and would like to hear more...

Mike, I like the music on this one.  The vocals were in that gruff vein that is not my favorite, but you did a good job.  When do we get to hear the rest of it?

I especially like the lyrics, I'll have to give the tune a few more listens before I can judge.  It didn't grab me, but then it's not in a "grab me" kind of style to begin with.  Thanks for posting.

I posted a very raw version of this song here a long time ago and have finally had a chance to record it a bit better.  The timing gets away from me a bit, but it is a work in progress.  Forgive the canned drums, they are the only drums I know how to play.  

https://soundcloud.com/empireoflove/holiday-with-you-vii

Have a listen and let me know what you think.

EoL

FOTM:  thanks for the nice bass part as well as the harmonies and everything else.  I can't seem to find the time to revisit this song in order to incorporate what you've done, but I plan to keep the bass, it's fantastic, and maybe some of the other ideas...the ukulele idea is nice, I might have to buy one.

Rab: thanks for the harmony ideas in the chorus.  I will be in touch soon via email.