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Totally disagree with solos being "a relic from the last millennium" as they always add dynamics to the whole piece. I don't think I've ever heard a song with a solo that was unneeded. I've also previously commented on this forum that some songs with no breaks in the vocals would be dynamically improved if there was one. I can think of oodles of songs offhand which just wouldn't be half of what they are if the solo was taken out. Just one corking example is Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower" - though Johnny Winter just sprang to mind: imagine his songs without solos. Dynamics will never be "a relic from the last millennium".
That said, this is a brilliant song in all aspects, plus it has great dynamics. Even though I don't like Synth V vocals it works in this song, though when it started and I immediately recognised the voice I thought I wasn't going to like it. In this song it has the right feel, when I usually find all SV vocals bland, soulless and less good than even average human singing when the song is truly felt. Thanks, Wao, for listening and your positive feedback, especially if you expected not to like the vocals. That means a lot to me! As for instrumental solos, as I wrote in my reply to Dave above, the days of solos being a natural and obvious (rather than forced) part of a song are more or less over, at least in music that's in the charts.
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B. D. - You did a fantastic job mixing your talents with BIAB and the drums you created! I'm a bit opposite of you as far as a starting point - as with this composition of yours, I typically always start with lyrics since, for me, they drive the feel and direction of the song. No right or wrong way, though, eh?
This was a very moving song, btw! You are a very talented producer (and songwriter) to be sure.
Na zdrowie!
Dewey
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Oh, man, Brain, this may be your best yet. The lyrics are perfect, and, man, that vocal is outstanding. Love the melody, and so much excellent dynamic moments that help tell the story so well. Yep the piano was the perfectly played choice.
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B.D., outstanding song, and the arrangement and performances are perfect. Not much for BiaB to do when you have these kinds of mad skills...
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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Wow!! What drama, intensity and painful emotions! I think this is your finest masterpiece and one of the best songs on this forum. The arrangement sounds really professional and it can be really heard how much work has been put to all the details. The piano and the drums are very expressive, and those small effects are tasty and spicy. There is nothing that feels unnecessary. The breathiness in the singer's voice adds haunting authenticity, every word is filled with suffering, the drowning is almost tangible, love the part where the music stops and only the singer's breath can be heard. "The silence grows where your laughter lived/And I’m drowning in what remains" is touching poetry. And the melody in its sadness is completely to my taste. The biggest problem with this song is that it shows how emotionally lame my songs really are, can't compete with your competency in creating emotional charge  Janne
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A beautiful song. Taking a 3/4 is a good idea and starting with the lyrics seems to me to give better songs because the music carries the text and not the other way around. I like the video.
Laurent Thank you, Laurent, for taking the time to listen and for your nice comment. Much appreciated!
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Wow delicate and powerful. The Vocals are absolutely beautiful, expressive and tender. The lyrics are powerful. I really like your use of dynamics throughout the song. Excellent mix, production, and spot on performance. Thank you for your kind words, Elliott, especially about the lyrics, as my main goal for 2025 is to improve them.
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B.D.,
Great song.
No flaws here.
You're a true melodist.
I love this sad melody.
There's no accompaniment like this in BIAB for sure.
And the accompaniment you created is so wonderful and perfect for this song.
As always, your use of Synth V is genius.
Enjoyed my listen and watch a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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B.D.,
I listened to this song some days ago . . . and am revisiting your revised version. Can't recall my prior listen to this one . . . no matter. Both are outstanding . . . but my recollection makes me feel like this version takes it up a notch. You continue to work wonders with the AI vocals . . . but I envy, notwithstanding that, your talent in producing a clear, powerful, and very professional sound. Killer!
Deej
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BD,
Stunning.
A good (very interesting) write.
Beautiful production.
Bass and piano sound good.
Amazing vocal.
Good mix.
GOOD Music.
fj Thanks Floyd. "Good music" is what I strive for, and hopefully I get a little closer to that with every song 
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Hi BD.
What an absolutely stunning song in EVERY possible way.
I totally disagree with your assessment of yourself as someone who is "not a proper musician".
What I heard was a song created by someone who stands head and shoulders above many musicians.
I really, really liked the AXXA rhyme scheme in the verses. The feeling of open-endedness that this created was powerful.
It's easy to hear that a lot of thought and planning has gone into creating this masterpiece.
What an amazing musical journey!
--Noel Thanks Noel - I always blush a little when I read your comments. I really LOVE that you always explain why you like something, it helps a lot for future songs. AXXA indeed works well for this song, and it's one of my favorite rhyme schemes anyway because I'm not a fan of too much rhyming. And there are two lines where you don't have to find a rhyme  I totally disagree with your assessment of yourself as someone who is "not a proper musician". A proper musician can play live - I can't 
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Fantastic composition and production. I agree about the excellent work with the synth vocals. I would have thought it was a person. I love what you did with the melody. Big build at 2:45 and the vocal soars. Thanks Scott, for your really nice feedback. Much appreciated ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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Brian,
You're up to your old tricks again.
Producing fabulous pop music mixed to perfection. You are truly the pop master. Another gem.
I suppose I could get wordier but I wouldn't even know where to start.
Occasionally on this forum you will see moments of hyperbolic praise which sound almost too good to be true.
Like, this can't be human. A mere mortal could not have accomplished this. It's as if the second son of the most high king of music came back as Glen Campbell singing with the hair of Dan Fogelberg using the guitar of Willie Nelson and the backing band of the resurrected Allman Brothers. Then remixed to sound better than the best efforts of Led Zeppelin, Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi and the best of Cyndi Lauper combined.
Best. In. The. World. Ever. No. One. Could. Ever. Do. This.
Brian, forgive me if I say this but I usually I have a look of gentle skepticism on my face when I read something like this, but not now, not right now. Because now I have to say that you've proved there's no such thing as hyperbole or overdoing it.
But seriously man, all jokes aside, this is really great, and you really have a knack for the pop genre. Really nice work.
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B. D. - You did a fantastic job mixing your talents with BIAB and the drums you created! I'm a bit opposite of you as far as a starting point - as with this composition of yours, I typically always start with lyrics since, for me, they drive the feel and direction of the song. No right or wrong way, though, eh?
This was a very moving song, btw! You are a very talented producer (and songwriter) to be sure.
Na zdrowie!
Dewey Thanks a LOT for your really nice words, Dewey! For me, the music has always come first, but it makes sense that when you start with the lyrics, you have fewer restrictions on where you want to go with them. The downside, as I wrote before, is that it takes me a lot longer to complete a song. But I think with each song it gets a bit easier. I'll find out...
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No details - the package & contents sound excellent.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Oh, man, Brain, this may be your best yet. The lyrics are perfect, and, man, that vocal is outstanding. Love the melody, and so much excellent dynamic moments that help tell the story so well. Yep the piano was the perfectly played choice. This is music to my ears. I'll forward your comment to my wife to read Thank you, Marty
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It’s a beautiful lyric and these two lines are heart wrenching: “The silence grows where your laughter lived” “Your melody lives in the spaces I can’t fill” Bella sings with so much passion - well done indeed. We love the song’s dynamics via the band and Bella. Us boomers like the vocal solo also. Well done in so many ways and enjoyed by us several times through! 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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Nicely done.
I like how you subtly raise the bar a little bit on everything you do.
Indeed, you have a knack for realistic vocals.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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B.D., outstanding song, and the arrangement and performances are perfect. Not much for BiaB to do when you have these kinds of mad skills... Thanks a lot, Ron, for your really kind words I really appreciate it, especially what you wrote about my own noodling.
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Wow!! What drama, intensity and painful emotions! I think this is your finest masterpiece and one of the best songs on this forum. The arrangement sounds really professional and it can be really heard how much work has been put to all the details. The piano and the drums are very expressive, and those small effects are tasty and spicy. There is nothing that feels unnecessary. The breathiness in the singer's voice adds haunting authenticity, every word is filled with suffering, the drowning is almost tangible, love the part where the music stops and only the singer's breath can be heard. "The silence grows where your laughter lived/And I’m drowning in what remains" is touching poetry. And the melody in its sadness is completely to my taste. The biggest problem with this song is that it shows how emotionally lame my songs really are, can't compete with your competency in creating emotional charge Janne Thank you, Janne, for your (as always) very detailed feedback It's really helpful to get an idea of what works best for the audience and why. Regarding your last paragraph: there is no competition in art. Every song makes this world a better place. That's what it's all about. And, needless to say, I like your songs
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