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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 598
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 598 |
We Hold The Light Hello Forum Friends Back again! Apologies for the song-spam, another one's escaped the confines of my brain and limped its way here. Boring backstory if interested : This little ditty was intended to be a sonic love letter to my stunning partner. ♀ Think romantic serenade, candlelight dinner... the whole shebang. Instead, I was met with a lukewarm reception colder than a penguin's pedicure. Her exact words? A soul-crushing "Meh." ☹ Naturally, I probed further. "Any other feedback?" I stammered, feeling the room temperature drop about 10 degrees. "Guitar solos are so last century," she declared. Ouch. 😮 My ego retreated, whimpering, to a dark corner.👇 But, I'm a resilient chap! I can handle constructive criticism... even when it feels like being mauled by a dingo. So, chin up, chest out, and onwards! ☼ Confucius wisely said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." I suspect he never tried playing a power ballad guitar solo to a woman who prefers lo-fi indie. He might reconsider that philosophy. 😏 So, I'm releasing this song into the wild with the expectation that it'll flicker briefly, then gently fade into digital oblivion. Consider it a sacrificial lamb offered on the altar of musical experimentation. No need to comment unless you're absolutely compelled to tell me it's the worst thing you've ever heard (I'm already bracing myself).☂ But, to those brave (or perhaps recklessly curious) souls who give it a spin, I salute you! May your coffee always be hot, your Wi-Fi strong, and your karma overflowing with good fortune!" ☕ 👌 🌷 Iͥzzͣyͫ Lyrics on Soundcloud Key D Tempo 91 bpm Style is _PULSAR.STY (Pulsar Pop Rock Ballad) 1767 acoustic piano 365 acoustic guitar 1761 acoustic guitar strumming 409 fiddle 2474 Bass acoustic 1410 Piano Synth Real Drums RockEven 16 2692 Organ solo guitar from my daw library
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Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,258
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,258 |
Hey Izzy!
Love the chorus, and also the 'generator effect' powering up for the guitar solo. The piano outro also is very fitting for the style of the song. Did guitar solos go out of fashion? I wasn't told - I'll have to get with the programme.
Good job!
Andrew
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Izzy, this is quite a sweet song. Love your arrangement and vocals, and the harmonies on the chorus create a nice dynamic lift. You always put a different spin on your music, and I always enjoy listening. Like you, I've found that writing a song from the heart is a bit hit and miss for the object of the affection. Finally did one that hit, so now I'm done with the exercise.  If I were playing Cyrano in your attempt to wow the fair Roxanne, I'd offer two suggestions. Clean up the word "love" in your second line. It sounds digitally garbled in processing and sets a questionable opening tone for a song about...well, love. Lose the solo or replace it with something more in keeping with the romantic ballad feel of the song. Don't think she was wrong about this particular solo. It's just not a great fit for the effect you want. Or don't change a thing and move on. That's what I've usually done. More than once. Or twice... Ha!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,149
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,149 |
Song-spam <-- cool, but definitely not applicable to what you give us, Izzy. Ah, the whole shebang of this one is so pleasent. Your partner was surely stunned with this gem and all she could muster in such a state was Meh. Egos are always best in dark corners. Excellent vocals and a singable melody with relatabel sentiment in the lyrics. I like the way you broke it down with the piano. Hot coffee simmers. Hey, I forgot to mention that cool guitar solo --now I didn't.
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 598
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 598 |
Izzy, this is quite a sweet song. Love your arrangement and vocals, and the harmonies on the chorus create a nice dynamic lift. You always put a different spin on your music, and I always enjoy listening. Like you, I've found that writing a song from the heart is a bit hit and miss for the object of the affection. Finally did one that hit, so now I'm done with the exercise. If I were playing Cyrano in your attempt to wow the fair Roxanne, I'd offer two suggestions. Clean up the word "love" in your second line. It sounds digitally garbled in processing and sets a questionable opening tone for a song about...well, love. Lose the solo or replace it with something more in keeping with the romantic ballad feel of the song. Don't think she was wrong about this particular solo. It's just not a great fit for the effect you want. Or don't change a thing and move on. That's what I've usually done. More than once. Or twice... Ha! Hi Ron, Well, if that's not the kindest, most insightful review I've ever received, I don't know what is! Seriously, you've managed to distill everything I love (and occasionally fear) about songwriting feedback: empathy, a dash of world-weariness (the good kind!), perfectly timed humour, tech wizardry, and advice so wise it borders on prophetic. 👍 👋 💯 And speaking of prophecies... are you and my better half secretly plotting my musical destiny over tea and biscuits? Because you're both singing the same tune about that solo! (Maybe it is time for that poor guitar to retire to a nice little ballad-free farm...) 🙄 I'm definitely not one to think any mix is sacred. Consider your esteemed ears officially deputized for remix duty! Thank you so much for investing the time to listen, analyze, and offer such brilliant guidance. You've given me more to chew on than a starving musician at an all-you-can-eat buffet. (◔_◔)🍔🍕 Huge thanks Ron. Izzy P.S. I'm still debating whether to fix that "love" sound, or just claim it's avant-garde digital distortion. You know, for artistic integrity. 😎
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369 |
What I liked most:
That little chord change on "with whispers soft"
The way you built it up--first verse simple mix, then 2nd verse added guitars, then 2nd chorus vocal doubling...nice augmentation
Real tight rhyme scheme, nice.
Very nice subtle, gentle ending.
Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,228
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,228 |
We are a “together for 45 years” couple that can deeply appreciate your write and sentiment. Fits us perfecto. So why do we write so many blues songs? 🤷♂️😀
It all sounds fine to us but we were too smitten with the lyric to further parse things out!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,116
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,116 |
Izzy,
Great song and a great vocal. I also really like the arrangement and mix. So well done!
Bob
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,891
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,891 |
Izzy, this is truely a masterpiece
Outstanding arrangement, vocal, and lyrics
The instrumentation is perfect for this song
Great mix
Super piano ending.
One of your best for sure.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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