The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hey guys. After two years of work, I have finished my album, a song cycle titled, "The Almond Years"

you can download the whole thing here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cyflv0

I hope it pleases! thanks for listening  :)

I'm downloading now and excited to listen; I've enjoyed what you've posted before.

Thanks Luther! I hope it is enjoyable. Please share your criticisms/thoughts/etc.

I'm a little over halfway through (taking a while, as--in case you didn't know--this has a lot of songs). Love your voice, as usual. Lots of interesting moments in terms of writing, arranging, and performance. I'll get into details some other time. Main question first is percussion: obviously a lot of it isn't organic instruments, but in some moments it does sound real. Can you talk about what you did for percussion sounds throughout? Also, what are your plans for this album? Selling, if so, through whom?

I had to use a midi keyboard to play...lame, I know. I am a drummer mainly!  :lol so that is even funnier to me. The album would sound much better if I had drum mics etc, but I tried to be as DIY as possible.

for proof, you can here some of my drumming here:

http://www.myspace.com/adamsoutrocks

I hope you enjoy the latter half!

Oh yeah, and as for selling, I'd love to. I'd really just be more pleased though if people would just listen and hear it. That to me is the best I could ask for! I just want to share my tunes.

Nah, not lame. You use what you have available. If a person waits for the perfect situation, nothing ever gets done.

Listened over these past few days, but wasnt able to get on this site to post responses. I'll tell you more presently. Overall: good work.

Thanks! Apparently lots of other people have been viewing this thread. I'd love some other thoughts if people have the time to post!

Hey D, just finished listening to it - it's incredible! Really loved the harmonies and little snippets - and i was surprised how briskly it moved for a forty song record too. Some great, great tunes on there. You got any artwork for it?

Blimey, there's a lot of music on this! Only had a cursory listen but very nice sounding, lovely production and a lot of work has been put in. How long did it take you to do in total?

Matt- thanks! This took me 2 years. My man Mr. Hat...add me on facebook: Dylan Samore

My main profile pic is the artwork. I'd love to give it to you for free as well  :)

Thanks so much for listening and adding your thoughts.


Much love.

Congratulations DSamore! it´s a great collection of very creative pieces. I like very much the combination of "conventional" rockpop-surf  songs  the more experimental material, the snipets. Very clever really, it is noticed the hard work and inspiration, good for you! and thanks for sharing with us :)

Listening to some of this again now. I know I've said it before, but I like your voice, which is very youthfully energetic. Bratty in a good way--brash, trebly and confident--reminding me of Ben Folds in that regard. Lots of (here's the same word again) energy in these songs in a way that reminds me of the pop-punk and ska revival of my college days (second half of the '90s), although obviously filtered through some different influences and vocally and arrangement-wise about 100x more interesting.

Hey Dylan

I've also had time to listen to your album now - thanks for sharing it with us man. 

Naturally, with 40(!) tracks some stand out more than others, but generally I like what I hear. Great vocals and I find it both admirable and impressive that you've tried your hand at so many styles, even rap/hip-hop and reggae!  :) I'm obviously not as broadminded as you since the songs that immidately caught my ears were the most BB-sounding; 'Every Night I Know is Such a Lie', 'She's the One', 'Nightsong', 'Items' etc. Good stuff indeed.

Oh, and I think your vocals are really awesome!

Keep up the good work.

Martin
/ Surf School Dropouts

Thanks Martin and Luther. I just got back on here after some time away. Appreciated all around. Thanks for listening and responding!

Just listened again to "Held" from this album. It's really clever, and in spots really pretty. The "we slipped away to be alone for a while" part just before the 1-minute mark is really very pretty. The 1:52 busy instrumental part is also really enjoyable.

On this!  :pirate

thanks for listening! I'm also collaborating with the man from another place- look out for that!  :)