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#723765 07/12/22 04:18 AM
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This is a song about war and a bit of hope.
Scorched Earth https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/scorched-earth

I imagined coming back to my hometown and see there was nothing left. That's also how the lyrics start.
I hope to hear what you think of it.

Hans
----------------------------------------------
Scorched Earth
I visited my hometown today
For too long I was away
There is only rubble everywhere
Deep craters I see there

My parental home I can not find
All is destroyed, crossed my mind
A pungent odor I became aware
The smell of death hung in the air

Chorus
I only see scorched earth
Where children once had fun
Now there is nothing
Bombs made them all gone

My home, my country all a ruin
I don't understand what we're doing
Even the cemetries exist nomore
Now my tears I can't ignore

Chorus
I only see scorched earth
Where lovers once kissed their dreams
Now there is nothing
Rockets made them scream

Bridge

Chorus
I only see scorched earth
Where people once had hope and faith
It came from out of nowhere
Now wiped out by grenades

I only see scorched earth
And now there is nothing -2x-
I only see scorched earth
But there, a green sprout out of nothing...
================================================================
Style: Poised. Key: G Tempo: 90

Instruments:
RealTracks 2474: Bass, Acoustic
RealTracks: 3101:Piano, Electric
RealTracks: 3545:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking
RealTracks: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve
RealTracks: 3141:Fiddle, 5-string
Loop in Song: Dubstep\Dubstep - straight_gee_70_drum_loop_1_a_minor ev8.wav
Loop in Song: Chillout\Chillout - colours_75_drum_loop_a_minor ev16.wav

Keyboard in Logic pro and some loops
Vocals, bg-vocals


Hans Berkhout
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Hi Hans. I really liked your use of effects throughout and the percussion with its interaction with the acoustic guitar and keys was very nice. To my ears, the kick drum was a bit loud, or boomy, but please take that with a grain of salt. I'm not very familiar with this genre, so it may be exactly what you were shooting for. I really liked the last line of the song where you turn everything around with just one sentence.

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Hans,

Love the intro with that four on the floor beat...it really sets the mood! It's a sad and serious subject matter but you handled it well! Your vocals are really great in this as well as the background vocals! There are a lot of little subtle touches with the instrumentation that did not do un-noticed by me! You did a pro-level job with the whole production!

Thanks, Torrey




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Very creative use of BIAB. The loops work great and the arrangement has a very strong, spatial sound to it.

The subject is grim, but the song is effective for sure.

Well done!

Rob & Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


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Your vocal is really good - a little separate from the band but that suits the narrative - the processing isn't obvious and there're not harsh frequencies dominating. Well done.
A sad story well told.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hans

Very effective backing tracks, extremely well produced. A serious and sad topic, well sung and written.

Good work all round.

Peter

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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 Spiers
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info@nzacoustics.com
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I like the combination here, Hans.
Maybe take the kick drum down a bit though.

Vic

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Hello Brad and Torrey,

I'm glad you came by for listening to this somewhat heavy song.
Although it's summer and the sun shines bright, I had to make this song about Ukraine.
I don't mention it by name, because I think it's obvious.

This country is getting so brutally destroyed now, while you can see we are losing interest in this event.
That makes sense in a way. It is going on for 5 months now.
But I had to think about what it would do to me if I grew up there and see what it looks like now.
Then I made the song.

Originally Posted By: Brad Williams
Hi Hans. I really liked your use of effects throughout and the percussion with its interaction with the acoustic guitar and keys was very nice. To my ears, the kick drum was a bit loud, or boomy, but please take that with a grain of salt. I'm not very familiar with this genre, so it may be exactly what you were shooting for. I really liked the last line of the song where you turn everything around with just one sentence.


Hi Brad, thank you for your nice comment. The loudness of the kick drum was done on purpose. I wanted it to sound a bit like a heart beat, to give the song it's tension, together with the second bass. I doubted it for a while, but I left it as it was. At first that last sentence was something like "and I? I felt nothing", but changed it into a bit of hope.

Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Hans,

Love the intro with that four on the floor beat...it really sets the mood! It's a sad and serious subject matter but you handled it well! Your vocals are really great in this as well as the background vocals! There are a lot of little subtle touches with the instrumentation that did not do un-noticed by me! You did a pro-level job with the whole production!

Thanks, Torrey


Hi Torrey, thank you for this! Yes, that is why I had those loud kicks in the song. Nice of you to mention the amount of touches of instruments. This is the first song where I've used a lot more of my own instruments than RT's from BiaB. So, thanks again!


Have a nice day today,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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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.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
and https://soundcloud.com/babumusic-5080285
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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

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

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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!

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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


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

jannesan #724175 07/15/22 09:10 AM
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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


New Song "PRETTY GIRL" for my wife...Dec 2023
(my vocs....mixed for good earbuds.)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs/prettygirlrbfinalcalfsongsdec2023mp3
(and rock song THE STALLION and bluegrass song... BANKER MAN....90 songs useing bb/rb.)
PeterF #724225 07/15/22 11:54 PM
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Hello RnAM, Ray and Peter,

Thanks for your nice replies on the song. In a way it is unreal I had to write these lyrics. Something of the times of WWI and II, but here we are facing these horrible things that are going on and who nows how they continue...
But about the song: your posts are very kind and gave me the idea I've improved my 'song making' skills somewhat more.

Originally Posted By: RnAM
Very creative use of BIAB. The loops work great and the arrangement has a very strong, spatial sound to it.
The subject is grim, but the song is effective for sure.
Well done!

Rob & Anne-Marie


Hi RnAM, actually I used more instruments myself in Logic than from BiaB. For the first time! But the base was of course BiaB!
Thanks for your compliment.

Originally Posted By: rayc
Your vocal is really good - a little separate from the band but that suits the narrative - the processing isn't obvious and there're not harsh frequencies dominating. Well done.
A sad story well told.


Hi Ray, I had to think about that 'separate'line. I had no idea I was a bit loose from the band? The band always has to do what I told them to do; following me! But I like a little explanation if you want to. I'm curious of course.
And this was also the first song I used 'Tonal Balance' from Ozone from the beginning to the end. Man, I used some wrong words now and then! But when I read your comment on the frequencies, I then knew it was worth it. Thanks!

Originally Posted By: PeterF
Hans
Very effective backing tracks, extremely well produced. A serious and sad topic, well sung and written.
Good work all round.

Peter


Hi Peter, glad you mentioned the BGV. They gave me a headache during the mixing process...
Thanks for the compliments

I wish you all a very nice weekend,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
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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 ;-)

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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.

Last edited by musician17; 07/16/22 08:24 AM.
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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


Scott Collingwood
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https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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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


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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