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Hi Folks. Been out of the loop for a while. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. Here is a recent, as Janne coined, apocalyptic tune. Usually I try to record a sketch and then do a clean recording. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to record vocals, so they all had to be done in one session. Result is slightly less than what I hoped for. Please feel free to offer any constructive suggestions & critique. Thank you for listening! Shines No More Wise man said: "All will pass", Yet we hope for a brighter tomorrow. Building castles of sand, Hiding pain, muting sorrow. Never ending misery, unsolved mysteries, Sardonic laugh of the history - ripples on a water Sweet dreams of "permanent fix", The future smells like microchips. Smiles for a camera - meaningless ephemera Turned into paper planes. Games of "Truth or Dare" Circle sold as squares, I don't know whether to fight or start running Tarnished silver lining, Shines no more... no more. Nights are getting colder, stars brighter, Motifs getting older-steps wider, lighter Eyes are getting used to the darkness Never ending misery, unsolved mysteries Sardonic laugh of the history - ripples on the water. Sweet dreams of "permanent fix" The future smells like microchips. Smiles for a camera - meaningless ephemera- Turned into paper planes. Roads that lead nowhere, eternal solitaire I don't know whether to fight or start running Tarnished silver lining, Shines no more... no more. ---------------------------------- Tech Stuff: Arrangement, lyrics, vocals - me. BIAB: 2865:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticSlowWaltzDave Ev 100 2675:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm BluesFunkySwBrent Sw16 075 2613:Bass, Electric, FunkPumpingOffbeat8ths Ev 100 3920:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltRockTremoloHeld 085 2364:Synth, ElectroFlutes, Rhythm Pop Ev 085 Drums programmed through Groove Agent and NI Studio Drummer, Programmed and revoiced custom midi through EZkeys. Korg Triton synth. Recorded in Cakewalk.
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Misha,
Your sound is immediately recognizable...
Great vocal and production. The instrumentation sounds so crisp and spacious. Excellent song as well. Some really great lyrics.
Much enjoyed!
Bob
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Misha,
Your vocal sounds fantastic. No need to do any more takes. The vocal could use a slight boost in the mix in spots, especially in the first verse.
"Smiles for a camera - meaningless ephemera" That is a million dollar lyric!
Excellent song. I love it.
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Hi Misha,
Really interesting song and you sure put a lot of work into it - most entertaining.
Best Regards
Nigel
Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
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fabulous intro Misha, I knew I was in for a treat.
The vocals are really good.
Your choice of words for this apocalypse leave hope...tarnish can be removed and the silver may gleam again bringing something from the cloudy of vision and fog of war.
Loved it.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Misha,
A truly interesting opening. Draws ya in.
The vocals in the first section were somewhat "boom-y". I had trouble with a word or two without looking at the lyric. Got much clearer at "Never ending misery..."
It could be a combination of frequencies - in the lower vocal range and the instruments in the low-mid to mid range? A guess. When the backing is more sparse, the vocal sits well. (the section from 2:40-2:57 - a shining example....vocal sounds great...)
LOVE the flute & drum interlude from 1:32-1:52. ESPECIALLY those drums!!
Incredible arrangement. Imaginative. Expressive. Impressive.
The pizzicato strings are a nice touch - and well placed...
SO many bits of candy for the ear.
Amazing music.
fj
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Hi Misha ...
What a terrific and interesting song. You are so creative! Your music is never boring. I find all of your songs inspirational and very pleasing. Loved the intro - fabulous!
I echo the comments about your voice in the first verse. I think bringing it up just a bit would help., Also, perhaps, a slight bit less low EQ on your vocal ... just a littler bit, not much.
Great song - loved it!!!
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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I particularly like the drums and the little tinkling that goes on in the mix. Man, I really like that melody, Misha. You always manage to add so many interesting ingredients that pop up here and there; it makes it all so interesting play after play. Hey, I think the vocals sound really good.
The way you play with the melody and lyrics is outstanding. Love that flute thing in the middle. Everything is so darn good. Quite a good production. Thanks for sharing, Misha.
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Hi Misha,
You mostly have songs I called 'eastern mystery songs' and this is one of them!
Beautiful, mysterious and so well sung.
As far as I know you are the only one making songs like these and I love them.
I also loved fairy tales from that area and Russia so maybe that makes me love your songs too.
Very well done and I join how Marty puts all this in his post!
Hans
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Misha, this is fantastic.
Loved that flute drum part and the ending drums.
I did have problems hearing that first verse but after that all is good with the vocal.
Super song.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I do say you have a creative brain that captures the essence of a dystopian, de-humanizing society that suffocates it's population.
Brings to mind authoritarian regimes like North Korea or more aptly, Russia . . . Never ending misery.
Great overall job, especially the drum programming.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Hi Misha
Interesting and inventive, as per usual. I love the way you sing this, particularly these lines:
'The future smells like microchips
Smiles for a camera - meaningless ephemera
Turned into paper planes.'
Always a treat.
Regards,
Leon
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Misha,
I really love the lyrics and music here.
The sound is very eclectic as usual, which is grea. It has shades of your regional sound, but combined with other elements it makes quite a magical brew.
Excellent my friend!
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Hello Misha
A really cool song
Great played and sung
But the intro sounds absolutely fantastic
Great work Misha
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
Last edited by PROJECT M; 06/20/23 04:08 AM.
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I love your productions, and this is no different. I agree with what's already been said - a fantastic swirl of changing instruments, cool touches of ethnic sounds, well sung and a poetic. A real treat for the ears! 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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What a magical musical bed and vocals too, Misha. Janice was reminded of a carousel where one can pretend to be inside the fairy tale.
That is a stunning mix and choice of tracks. Amazing drums and more.
Your production reminds us of some of the best by George Harrison.
“Games of "Truth or Dare",
Circle sold as squares,
I don't know whether to fight or start running,
Tarnished silver lining, Shines no more... no more.”
The above is sad and yet hopeful about the current situation.
Excellent!
J&B
PS Love what Ray said, "Your choice of words for this apocalypse leave hope...tarnish can be removed and the silver may gleam again bringing something from the cloudy of vision and fog of war."
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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Happy carnival vibe intro turns into darker story, like a S. King's novel.
"Circle sold as squares" - clever point, as someone always buying it. Permanent fix, ephemera and many other great lyrical images, not as apocalyptic as I was expecting, but definitely no shining.
Another fantastic arrangement, even as an instrumental would be a great listen, so much curves and creativity fills every turn. The piano and drums rule!
Melody, chord progression and vocals are to my taste, your music is like a free lunch at a gourmet restaurant of abundance.
Janne
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Bob,
Thank you for listening and your kind comments!
---
Scott,
Thank you for tunning in and your feedback!
---
Nigel,
Thank you for your time and feedback!
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Ray,
Thank you for listening and your positive take on gloomy tune!
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FJ,
Thank you for listening & positive things you said, but most importantly BIG thank you for critical comments on vocals!
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Alan,
Thank you for giving this time, and as with Floyd, I deeply appreciate constructive comments!
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Marty,
Thank you for giving this time, kind words & your support!
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Hans,
Thank you for listening and your positive feedback here and on SC!
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Mario,
Thank you for positive words and especially critical comment! These Electro flutes from BIAB surprisingly very flexible. Unfortunately they are only ones of that type in RTs. I wish they (PG) would have more like this in MIDI...
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BT,
Very true. Thank you for listening and your support.
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Leon,
Thank you for giving this time and your positive comments!
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David,
Thank you for listening and your feedback here and SC!
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Andi,
Thank you for listening and your excellent feedback here and SC!
---
David,
Thank you for your kind words of support!
---
J&B,
Thank you for giving this time and your amazing feedback here and on SC!
---
Janne,
Thank you for your kind feedback & your support!
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A single take for the vocals is obviously all it needs, well done!
I'd probably make the nice intro a few bars longer to build the song up more slowly, but overall I really enjoyed listening to it.
Different from what we usually get to hear on this forum, but different in a very good way!
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Misha,
Love the opening. Vocals sound good, maybe a touch hard to understand in that very first verse, but all good thereafter—actually, excellent thereafter. Engaging and creative melody and arrangement. That instrumental break at 1:30 is awesome—just a great listen throughout. Outstanding work!!
All my best,
Deej
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