This one has been setting in the DAW for longer than it really should have. I've been busy with life and haven't had the time to play much music recently.

Just a few observations about what is going on outside my front gate.


The style is Stonz Flash and just like the Stones, it is guitar rock. I didn't play on this one.... yeah I know.... What the Hey!

The band:

Bass 519
Drums Nashville Even 8
Rhythm guitars 499 & 505 panned 50%
Solo guitar Brent 1171 that's a fat sounding guitar.

Vox... 3 tracks, the usual, but no fixing.

Original mix: STILL AMERICA

NEW MIX: THis Land is America

What's new? I raised the double vox trax and added 2 harmonies ( if you want to call them that ) and I dropped the lead guitar a wee tiny bit. Based on early comments which I'll start addressing tomorrow in the A.M. Who knows.... might be a third mix....but probably not

The lyriks:


Some say our country has seen it's better days
People want to burn it down and put something else in it's place
I'm here to tell you buddy, that ain't gonna happen today
Too many people died for for old glory for me to just walk away

This land is America, The home of the free and the brave.
If they had the faintest idea of what you're doing today
Our founding fathers would be rolling over in their graves
This land is America home of the free and the brave


You can call me names, friend I don't care, just take a number get in line.
But if it's on my block and in my town, you best watch your own behind.
Around these parts we don't play those games and you better not burn our flag.
Good old boys with our country toys, man that's a fact not a brag

Y'all better stay away from here with that communist nonsense
we ain't playing that game



Hope you enjoyed it.

A great song Herb sung with conviction and an even greater message !!! Bravo.
regards
Gary.

nice gtr bends at begin.
as i believe in honest comment herb please, i beg of you...try singing along with yourself
herb to double the vocs. this song cries out for it.
with a few added production touches this song would
soar into the stratosphere. and be a huge winner.

eg you can call me names... and this land is america etc.
believe me mate doubling vocs can really make a song.

herb this is v well done. like the lyrics...inventive.

i also liked the ending vocal talking...and the bass
and the mix.

bestest
om

Howdy Herb....

This is a good write....mix sounds good to me and vox is performed well.
As a vet, the lyrics certainly reflect my views.

The only (quite subjective :)) comment I would add is that it screams for some harmonies during the chorus....I know, don't make you work any harder than you already have on this one

A good rocker....well done.

Sounds great Herb.

I will look for this style.

Cool man!!

Good, classic rock and a great vocal as always. Enjoyed it!

Will

Herb,

Always nice to hear one of your songs. I'm glad to see you found some time to devote to recording.

LOVED IT and it is so true!

Super production, vocal, and instrumentation.

This should be on the radio today!

Two thumbs up!

herb...darn you lol.
this is one hell of a catchy tune. this is a potential big hit.
i listened to new mix.

in the choruses the song really needs back up singers.
or record a local pro choir who can really belt it out in the choruses.
but please dont change your own lead vocs cos i really like the character of your vocs and your vocs sound picture.
i also like those little voc words like >allright<

i can hear now millionsd of pepople singing along with this.

best/respect
om

It's strutt'n stuff.
The only thing I'm not keen on, musically, is the Brent guitar - too many country licks for my taste is all.
I think the backing vocals do a fine job...I understand JAOM's thing about doubled vocals and you seem to have done a cool job of vocals on this mix whatever was done..

I assume the spoken part at the end was meant to be humorous. There's an awful lot of talk about socialism & communism going on at present about things that are neither. Anyway, it gave me a laugh.

Well written rock song. I would've liked to hear you playing to replace Brent but it is what it is.

Nailed the Country Rock sound. Good job on the vocals. I agree that some vocal thickening would be nice.

Fun listen.

thanks. It's fun writing songs like this.



I actually did have doubled vox in there but I was running them low. Very hard to hear them.... I did bump them up and added harmonies. Have a listen to the new version.



As per your observations, I went back and added harmonies to a new mix. I tended to not do a lot of work on this.... down and dirty mix, a few loose ends left hanging.....





I have seen that style and auditioned it a few times and for this song... it just seemed to be the right one.

You've created a nice Country Rock vibe.
Nice job on the performance and the mix.

Given the current volatile political climate, I'm more sensitive to messages that conflate divisiveness with patriotisms.

Herb,

A good Rockin' BAND. And a good gravelly vocal to go along with it (the first version the vocals seemed to be "tucked down" just a hair too much. The new mix, they are just where they need to be). Bass and Drums sound good - a nice solid bottom.

I'm with ray on the Brent guitar. The fills didn't "jive with the track" and the solo seemed to really go off-the-rails about half way through and then seemed lost the rest of the way.

Good mix.

fj

Cool driving rocker Herb. Super vocal and excellent backtrack. I agree the world has become crazy place. Thanks for sharing.. Well done...

Love it, Herb. Excellent lyrics and sentiment. The harmonies and doubles really add to the excitement and the statement. Well said and sung. The mix is perfect.

Thanks. THis was a fun tune to record

Yeah... life sometimes intrudes into the plans I have for myself. With a farm and 28 acres.... there's always something needing to be done.

Thanks for listening.

Yeah... I think a lot of people should hear this but I have a feeling there's a lot, and I do mean a lot, of folks who feel the same way. Kinda like poking a sleeping bear.... you will get away with it a few times.......

Thanks for listening.

Really well done Herb!!! Love the energy, and love the message....you nailed it!!! Take care. Greg

Herb,
Strong Country Rock tune, well delivered. Tried 2nd mix. Sounds good on my Sennheiser phones.
Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

I listened to this last week. I guess I forgot to post my response. Sorry. Yep, this is a good power-country patriotic song ala' Toby Keith. Good work. Good message too.

Herb,

This is great! Really enjoyed the song and the sentiment.

Regards,

Bob

I apologize to everyone who has been so kind and taken the time to comment and I have not had the chance to respond.

I certainly appreciate the comments and critiques.


THANK YOU ALL!!!

Your first version sounded good, but changes make it sound even better.

Still good!

herb.
either version cranks me up.
its a belter. kudos herb as i said in my last post.
its a v good song.
if you could , round up 100 people choir.
all singing that hooky chorus.
would sound to grrreat effect if you had a huge no of people singing this with you.


love your song herb. its an excellent example of useing hooks in a song imho.
in summary, excellent song write.
best
om

Hi Herb,

Kick...
Butt!

The vocals tell the story. You've got a good sound going there. I don't like a lot of things that are going on right now and your song pretty much sums it all up.
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed the listen!

Well... as far as we're concerned the double vox does it!
Being back after some time ourselves, it struck us that we've not been the only ones who have been busy with other things and are now returning to the forum.
However.... it is a very cool song with great music!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Good song Herb. It has the vibes of Charlie Daniels songs from back in the day. Good company to keep. Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

Rock on!

Listened weeks ago and thought we had posted. The vagaries of old age!

Well done.

J&B

I just enjoyed the song Herb. I did not feel any need to pick it apart.

I often just want to just listen and enjoy the music.

Plenty of others here to give you critical feedback.

Thanks,

Billy

Thanks for the recent comments..... I'm working on another similar song..... Gotta get busy on the recording.