Originally Posted by Izzy
Well, Ron, you’ve done it again. You’ve taken a relic from 1981—a time when we were all arguably too dumb, too numb, and definitely wearing questionable fashion—and turned it into a polished, contemporary gem.

First off, the mix. That LCR balance is spot-on; it’s clean, precise, and gives every instrument its own "neighbourhood" to live in. And kudos on taking the feedback regarding the drums—the selective use of those big, tom-heavy sections now creates a beautiful ebb and flow. By holding back the thunder until the B section, you’ve turned the drums from a potential "distraction" into a masterstroke of emotional storytelling. It’s a great example of how a small structural tweak can make a song feel like it’s actually breathing.

As for the performance: your vocals are, as always, impeccably recorded. You have this distinct, unique vocal DNA—a certain grit and sincerity that is perfectly suited for delivering your brother’s lyrics. Speaking of which, the fact that these words were penned 45 years ago is mind-boggling. R.W. Davis was clearly writing with the wisdom of a man much older than his years (or perhaps just the classic dread of being young and confused!). The irony of the narrator claiming to be "alright" while clearly overcompensating with "other girls" is a clever touch that hits harder through your delivery.

The song is smart, the production is lush without being cluttered, and the arrangement choices—peeling back the guitars in the middle only to bring the full arsenal back for the finish—show a real maturity in your craft.

Excellent work on this remake. It’s clear that even after four decades, this song hasn't lost its edge—it’s just gained a cool producer. Exceptional stuff!

besties

Izzy

Geez, Izzy, THANKS for the detailed analysis. Really appreciate the careful listen this level of feedback took, and also you taking the time to share your thoughts. Really means a lot. smile

DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)