I'm liking this thread! My thoughts:

The earlier "bend" sound: I'm in agreement with guitarfool that the style of the bend is reminiscent of a guitar in its smoothness, but of course it doesn't sound like a guitar. Is it possible that this is the oboe and the reverb is boosted just for this bit and not the other oboe parts? In either case, the reverb is the main thing here, it's so thick and making the instrument sound so other-worldly that it's nearly impossible to tell what it actually is.

The outro doubled instrument: I'm hearing a woodwind doubled by a string instrument (viola?).

As promised, and without much ado, here is the full version of the instrumental I posted last week. There's a Beach Boys sample in the song- see if you can identify it. First correct answer wins a cookie  

https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/nervous-shakedown

This newest track is a bit of a banger, if you will. Yes, more electronic-based aural pleasure (or pain, depending on your definition). Since I feel my last song got lost in too many effects and tinkering, on this one I tried to focus on simplicity and sound quality. I tried a few new things- sounds nice on a good system or in a car if you’re willing and able to try. This is the instrumental, I think I’ll have the full vocal version up next week. As always, any comments are fully appreciated.

https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/nervous-shakedown-instrumental

Tharnk d@rn, I agree that the tag is probably the best part. I think I overdid a bunch of things and lost some of the vision on this one. So my newest track (below) is more focused and simple, and follows the feel of the tag from "The Boy / The Wolf."

My first released track of the new year is an experiment in something, but I don't quite know what. To be musically snobish, I'll call it a trip-pop/EPM (electronic prance music) mash-up. If you have a better description let me know! Instrumental version up as well for all you daytrippers out there.

The Boy / The Wolf: https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/the-boy-the-wolf
The Boy/ The Wolf (Instrumental): https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/the-boy-the-wolf-instrumental

Quite atmospheric and moody, which I personally like. I listened to the 2 songs you recommended. Very dry vox on Cherry Battered Sky, and they sound good and work with the music. Reminds me of Air a bit.
Oh you were right, totally different feel on Spoon Surgery. Great sloppy feel (which I hope and believe you'll see as the intended compliment!).
Really like how the songs build to a climax. Very nice Mayo.

Very interesting. I'm definitely feeling the 60s vibe. I didn't listen to every song though- anything you would specifically recommend?
One thing I would mention, and this is not to disparage the work at all, but I'd love to hear a bit more sloppiness/human feel, I think it would really benefit the songs. But I really like the songwriting, and there is some very interesting mixing going on!

Jonah, I'm really liking this. Great stereo imagery. The blend of electronic with more traditional pop (that chromatic piano) is something I'm trying to do myself a bit.

I like the thematic quality of the whole thing. It sounds like you went into the studio and laid down a bunch of songs in one session (which I'm sure isn't true at all). Like with the Van Morrison "contract obligation" album but with better songs   

Really nice Donny. I like the bass sound a lot.

As someone pointed out, the only difference really between 1993 and C50 was Carl.

And the (not inconsiderable I would say) passage of 19 years.
But really, all else holding true, less Beach Boys present would mean a less Beach Boys-like blend.

I don't mean to disparage the first half of the song at all cap'n, but those harmonies in the 2nd half are lovely.
Did you get any lyrical inspiration from "Alone on Christmas Day" or is it authentic sorrow? 

Wow, decent effort on this mike. I didn't listen to everything, but the overall aesthetic is very nice and your vocals are great. What mic do you use?
Did you intend this as a complete piece when you wrote the songs, or is it more of just a collection?

Great vox in the second chorus. Cool videos too, you know how to sell your stuff- I need to get on that    Are the video clips all the actual master takes or are some lip synched?

Somewhat abstract but still melodic, which I always enjoy personally. I'm know this isn't any revelatory advice, but I think this could go on a good bit longer, with different parts coming in and out. But I mean, I know for me, once a song is "finished" I usually like to move on to the next one. But either way, keep going joe!

I’m back with some chip tunes arrangements of 2 Christmas classics. If you’re wondering what the heck a “chip tune” is, it’s a song that sounds like the video games of the 80s and early 90s (i.e. think “Nintendo”). A lot of producers these days use elements of chip tunes combined with more modern sounds, and it’s quite an interesting combo. However, these 2 are straight up recreations of the Nintendo sound, and were actually intended for an update to a Christmas themed video game, before the project got shelved. Merry Christmas!

https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/angels-we-have-heard-are-high-angels-we-have-heard-on-high
https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/o-holy-fright-o-holy-night


Also, with slightly less ado, is this organ-based instrumental that I put up last week, but figured not worthy enough to post here   So, you know, if you’re quite bored here it is!

https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/organ-donor

Yes. Really like the prominent, classical use of organ and harpsichord alongside the more modern production elements. Outro round is nice too, and harmonies sound nice on the instrumental version.

P.S. instrumental versions for the win.

Sounds great. The piano intro is beautiful, sounds like a Sufjan Stevens recording! I like the vox a lot, nice double tracking   

Alcudia is an interesting recording. Nice mixture of different elements, and the strings sound excellent- looking at your list of musicians, are they all real or is there some synth in there- if you're wililng to reveal that is!

Here Today with a Blondie lead is a great suggestion.

Heartily agreed, and also the recommendation to play Leaving This Town- yes! I absolutely love that song, and of course we know how much the In Concert version rocks. To be honest, there aren't many more songs I'd like to see them add.

Nothing wrong with the vocals. It even sounds a bit like some of the Lennon demos in tone as well as the more restrained voice he used there . Nice chords and feel too   

Quite nice joe. I like the horn parts a lot. Do you plan to add vocals or just leave it as an instrumental?
One thing I would suggest is to add some variation. This is something I really learned from the Beatles, they had a basic first verse, then added something in the second verse, etc. This type of building can make your song feel more like a story.

If anybody's listened to Exist, what did you think of the acapella section in the middle? I'm thinking the vocals might be a bit buried, until it gets towards the end. I might have mixed some of the effects there too high.
Or any other thoughts you have...even to say "it sucks"   

If it affects one's enjoyment of the music either way, there's a problem.

This I would disagree with. Of course there is a huge spectrum to consider, but my take on your statement is that ANY level of homophobia (or what have you) shouldn't affect your enjoyment of the music, i.e. separate the art from the artist. But I much prefer to enjoy and support musicians who I appreciate outside of their music as well (or as much as you can ascertain), even just down to how they carry themselves.

Thanks cap'n.

I have another in my series of existential love songs, this one literally so. I did a little vocal break in the middle of the song that is probably my favorite part. This is a chilled song, definitely a good one for headphones 

https://soundcloud.com/orange22222/exist