The Smiley Smile Message Board

So, as is such tradition, I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmastime with a free single!

This year, I've really pushed hard to make a great track for everyone, I hope you enjoy!

https://mikeleroy.bandcamp.com/track/my-favorite-time-of-the-year

(To download free, just type "0.00" as the dollar amount and you're set!)

Before commenting I should note that I do not like Christmas music, and that includes the traditional songs,The Beach Boys, Spector, all of it.  With that said, I like this song in spite of the theme.  It is the sort of song that makes you feel good, it reminds you of childhood and the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. 

I'll have to listen again on headphones as opposed to my cell phone to get a better feeling for everything, but my primary criticism right now is the vocals.  They seem to need a bit of work.  If I'm not mistaken there are some bits where you don't quite hit the notes.  Have you ever worked with another vocalist (certainly not me, LOL, I have a bit of a weak voice)?  I think some of your material is really good, especially your recent stuff, and a solid vocal would put it over the top.

Regardless, a really good song.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! I'm glad you like it! As for the vocals, I totally get you there, this track in particular, the vocals were a bit rushed, but the session added that excitement you can only get when you're really in the mood, so I kept them in regardless. I've been looking into working with another vocalist, but I work at such at such a strange pace that I normally just keep trying until I get it as perfect as it can be :) This track was a bit more laid back, so I promise the album tracks will have much more "professional" vocals haha :)

Just out of curiosity, - why is that? Because you find that the topic somehow pulls down the songs themselves in making them less relevant and/or gimmicky?

Oh, and Mike, I like the song. Nice mellow feel that, at least to me, evokes what Christmas is all about. I can hear what Empire of Love is commenting on in terms of parts of the vocal but overall I think it's a solid song & performance. Well done. You seem to have become more active recording-wise these last couple of months. Good to see.

Thanks, yeah I've been working a lot more, as matter of fact I've always been working a lot on a commission from last year that's still ongoing!