The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hello everyone, it's been a while hasn't it!?

I've been very surprised by how many people are awaiting my next album, and I'd love to say it's finally here, but unfortunately it's going pretty slowly :/

But, I'm finally ready to talk about it! My next album is going to be by far my most ambitious.

This currently untitled album is a rock opera. It will have 2 halves, but be essentially continuous with no breaks.

It will also be a bit shorter than past albums, think Friends length, to allow a nice little listening session.

So, what's it sound like? Well you've heard "It's You", but the album will feature a lot of different styles, like my past works...

What's that? You... want to hear something and I'm really slow? Well then... here's a sneak peak at a track called...
"On My Own"

It introduces the plight of the opening half, and really kicks off the album well :)

Please, enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/mikeleroymusic/on-my-own-album-teaser


Oh, and remember, this isn't even like, CLOSE to finished. So listen with casual ears ;)

THANKS!
 ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

FOTM: it's been some time since I've listened to this track, and I meant to comment sooner, so my apologies.  Have you finished up anymore of the album?

Hey, not much man, I've been working on a very interesting project you guys may love that I can't yet talk about ;)

What did you think of this clip? :D

I think you should spend more time performing than recording... that's still the way people find an audience.

I would also sing in a higher register. It's more suited to The Beach Boysque music you want to make.

I like the song, has a nice vibe, and I really like the instrumentation.  However, I am not into the "growling" vocals and the background vocals sound off (but it is a demo, so perhaps you plan to tighten them up).  From a song writing standpoint I really like it.

Hey guys!

About preforming, easier said then done. I'm a junior right now, and if you know anything about that, it's considered the hardest year for a reason :/

This song is interesting, because I was going more for CSNY then the Beach Boys...

About the growling, that'll most likely be cleaned up, I may actually end up re-recording all of this :/

The backing vocals didn't sound too off to me... maybe they just need a remix :/

FOTM, you're a talented dude, and this does sound lovely but what you're gonna have to do is get out and find collaborators. I've been in your boat and neglected the musicians around me because I thought I could do it by myself, but you've gotta listen son, you've gotta get a rhythm section and play some gigs. It's all well and nice making songs on the computer but you've gotta reach out.


I mean, that's my problem too, but get on it before you end up in my situation - No-one's gonna sign me offa my soundcloud!

Kinda agree with you Hypehat...but...I think these early albums of FOTMs will prove to be a great learning experience for him...and, though he could rush into making a band right now to start gigging, it's probably better for him to continue refining/evolving his style until he can work with proper musicians (perhaps starting a band at college where he's more likely to find collaborators and musicians more in tune with his style).

FOTM, love the clip you posted...that instrumental track (and the chords) are flippin great. I agree with empire of love about the growling vocals. But, I love that you're experimenting with new things! (Too many of us musicians take the safe way and thus we'll never be able to find that "new" sound).

Definitely think about Hypehat's advice though - record labels aren't looking for the next Mozart, Wilson, or Beethoven, they're looking for a group of individuals who can sell their product. You'll go far if you find the right bandmates, no doubt in my mind.

Yr right, Rab - I forgot Mike's a bit younger than I was when I started paying attention to music. You get to college and you get yourself some likeminded bandmates!

That's the plan!:)

I've recently been hit by the "life" train and realized I'll need a group
to sell my music, so consider that in motion, there's a few plans on how to go about that set for this summer :)

Oh, and forget about that demo.

The song is really good now, it sounded much worse than I thought and I've touched up the F*** out of it in the past few days, mostly due to not being happy with it....