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What an excellent lyric, Hans, and it is so sad to think about how many people all over the world experience these wars.

We like the band and all the little nuances of percussion throughout the song.
Nice Logic additions also.

The choice of tracks and mix are both outstanding and so well support your vocal and the theme of the lyric.

As always, your vocals are great and soulful.

“I only see scorched earth
But there, a green sprout out of nothing...”

Thank you for the hopefulness at the end of the song!

Kudos,

J&B


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Hans ...

In my opinion, this is your best song of all that have heard. Strong - powerful - passionate. You nailed it! This song says more thasn just the words and music. It moves the soul and makes the listener's brain think. Excedllent! Totally loved it! best toy ou ...

Alan


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Hi Nigel, Vic and Marty,

Thanks so much for your comments on the song! Very nice to read them.

Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Hans,
This is excellent work - good song, superb backing and good mix.
I particularly liked your singing with the big reverb which works really well with this song.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel, I was hesitating a bit on that reverb and delay in the vocal tracks. Changed it several times, but came back to my initial settings...


Originally Posted By: vicarn
I like the combination here, Hans.
Maybe take the kick drum down a bit though.
Vic


Vic, the drum were loud because I wanted them to. They had to pound in your head. Actually I used for kinds of loops for these drums. But thanks for thinking along :-)

Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Wow, quite a strong opening to this one. You draw a bleak picture, Hans. Damn, I can see so many people experiencing this tragic sensation. Everyone from the youngsters seeing their playground in ruins, teenagers seeing their neighborhood flattened, wives knowing their husbands will not return to see this tragic scene, old folks realizing the final resting places of their friends and loved ones has been obliterated. Man, you are so good at building a song and supplying it with the perfect band and arrangement, Hans. The mix, of course, is a shining example of your craftsmanship.


Marty, it's me who had to say 'Wow' for this complioment of yours. What nice to read this, although it's a bad situation the song is about.


Here we now have a real heat wave. Tomorrow will be worse. So in a way, I myself live on scorched earth, but I still can recognize my house...
Have a nice day,

Hans


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Hi Floyd, Greg, Deej, Janne and Mo,

Thanks a lot for listening and commenting on the song. we had some very hot days (looked like the title of my song). We haven't done much more than trying to survive the heat. That went ok, but now I have to do my homework I left waiting...
But it's no obligation at all! You had so nice responses!

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Hans,
Powerful.
A strong, dramatic write. Good vocal.
Outstanding tracks! Love that big kick (all the percussion, for that matter).
Tons of interesting stuff going on, but never sounding "crowded".
Awesome Music.

And an excellent mix.
Art. fj


That's a huge compliment from you Floyd. Thanks for that!
That 'big kick' or drumtrack was build up with the use of six different drum loops. It was not so easy to keep them in line, as the BG vocals. But I learned some more on mixing ;-)

Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Very cool write Hans!!! I think the music fits the subject perfectly!! Always like your vocals! Great stuff!! Take care. Greg


Hello Greg, that's very nice of you to say about the vocals, or actually all you said about the song. Like I told Floyd; every time I learn some more on putting the songs together.

Originally Posted By: Deej56
Hans,
Wow, what an opening. Wish I could get the percussion to resonate like that . . . and your vocal is so rich here. So in synch with your signature sound . . . but then you up the game with those brilliant harmonies, BGVs. Love that hint of synth on the left side . . . adds such depth. Brilliant!

Best regards,
Deej
And, those BGV harmonies . . . THEY ARE KILLER!


Hey Deej, a 'wow' from you! Thanks for that. The percussion was a puzzle, because -as I wrote to Floyd- I used 6 different loops for it. I wanted a different sound than from a drumkit in this song. The pounding of the kickdrum had to sound loud throughout the song, but not (too) penetrating. But hey, was I able to make you jealous? Cool! And did I understood you liked the BGV's? Ha ha!

Originally Posted By: jannesan
The massive sound resonates really well with the vivid images of the dark lyrics. Excellent set of instruments, the synths and loops create a landscape that is also mixed very well. Nice vocals. I really appreciate your creativity, your songs do not resemble each other, but still they have certain recognizable feel. Let the sprout grow strong.

Janne


Hi Janne, well you live near the country I had in mind. I was pleased by your post, especially the last two lines. And yes, let's help the sprout to become a tree...

Originally Posted By: justanoldmuso
loved the lyrics and the arrange.
i really dig the intro and also the bgv's.
tons of thought/work went into this.
well done. and a tension at end.

best
om


Hello Om, thanks for this reply. Yes it took some time to figure out what I want it to become. I changed tempo's, keys, instruments and when I had a kind of melody I like, I still had to find me a proper way to sing the melody and also the kind of lyrics that suit the sphere in the song. I mostly write lyrics after the melody is found. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to sing about, but it's mostly the other way around. How do you do these kind of processes?

I hope the temperature in your countries is nice enough, so you won't melt.
Have a nice day,

Hans


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MarioD #724880 07/20/22 10:57 PM
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Hello Andi, Musician, Scott and Mario,

Thank you all for your posts on this song.
I think the focus on the war in Ukraine is waning, although fortunately there is still a lot of support from many countries.
but other things like inflation compete for first place. But your comments on the subject are great!

Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hello Hans
really good song
The lyrics get under your skin
Great fitting music and vocals
Excellent work Hans
Really very emotional
Many greetings
Andi ;-)


Hi Andi, thanks for these nice words. Enjoyed them!

Originally Posted By: musician17
I really enjoyed this one. Grim subject, yes, but what a way to write, sing and produce a song about it. Original, professional and sophisticated. An absolute joy to listen to (which is quite a feat, given the subject!). No criticisms in any way :-) - you really put in the work with this one, and we are rewarded for it. Bravo.


Hi Musician, you really know how to express about it all. Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted By: Scott C
Loved that intro Hans. The mix is excellent. Loved the kick in the loop. Really had my sub pumping. Very cool. Really gets your attention. Very sad lyric. Super vocal and excellent choice of instruments for your back track. Well done


Hi Scott, thanks for your compliments. And I'm proud I let your sub pump ;-)
But yes, sad lyrics for a tragic event. If we had done this song together, you would have gone mad by all my changements during the proces of making it...


Originally Posted By: MarioD
Hans I found this to be an outstanding picture of a war torn town - brilliant!
I found it interesting that you thought of the kick drum as a heart beat as the first thing I thought of was the pounding of boots, i.e. much like a marching army.
Anyway your vocal and lyrics were fantastic.
The mix was excellent
Loved it


Hi Mario, When I read how you thought about the kick (marching boots) I got inspired. At first in changing those kicks into a boot sound, but then changed my mind. In this song no marching boots fit. But I also didn't want the kick sounds like a 'real' heart.
I saved your thought for a new song, alright?

Thanks,
Hans


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Al-David #724882 07/20/22 11:18 PM
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Hi Janice, Bud and Alan,

It was nice reading your posts on this song. The subject is unfortunately terrible and unfortunately does not only apply to Ukraine.
But I had Ukraine in my mind while composing the song, although I did not mention it.

Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
What an excellent lyric, Hans, and it is so sad to think about how many people all over the world experience these wars.

We like the band and all the little nuances of percussion throughout the song.
Nice Logic additions also.
The choice of tracks and mix are both outstanding and so well support your vocal and the theme of the lyric.

As always, your vocals are great and soulful.
“I only see scorched earth
But there, a green sprout out of nothing...”

Thank you for the hopefulness at the end of the song!

Kudos,
J&B


Hi Janice and Bud, that was a very nice post you sent! At first I ended the song with no hope at all. I sang: "And I, I was nothing"
But then I changed my mind. I think we always need hope to hold on (I'm not religious). And there was the sprout...
Have fun cycling!

Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hans ...

In my opinion, this is your best song of all that have heard. Strong - powerful - passionate. You nailed it! This song says more than just the words and music. It moves the soul and makes the listener's brain think. Excellent! Totally loved it! best to you ...

Alan


Hi Alan, thanks a lot for your so nice words. I think never before you called one of my songs 'my best song'. So I am very honored by this compliment!
But on the other hand a bit sad... (I'm kidding).
If possible, send my best wishes to Di.

Have a nice day,
Hans


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You have outdone yourself with this one, Hans!

Man, that percussion track is fantastic. Everything sounds great, one of the most creative uses of BIAB I've ever heard actually.

Excellent write and vocal, mix sounds great also.

One of your best!

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Hello Dave,

I thought you were on holidays. It was so quiet with you.
But what a nice review on the song. Thanks for that!
But as I recall you called al my last 10 songs one of my best.
So now I know for sure I'm improving...

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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