An honest review of your song

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 9:06 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Nick Gunzburg

Hey Nick, you have some interseting ideas on your tunes - listened to all 3.

Wish was a bit noisy in the intro but brought a cool kind of bell sound with it - I'd capitalize on that idea - and the vocals were a bit undercover and the harmonies could be tighter together as they are not always on the same timing. I liked the lyrics - thanks for posting them. Sound quality and overall mix could use some work I thought but I liked the fact that this tune is a bit out of the norm. Lead is alright - nothing exceptional but I liked the tone as it does fit with the overall tune. Ending is a nice take though I'd toss the vocal thing myself.

Maybe - Vocal is a bit out of it's range to really give the presence the song deserves. A decent tune and lyrics - good flow. Again the harmony is not always on time with the main vocal. Interesting ideas both musically and lyricaly. This one needs some work though

Drops - Vocals are way buried in this tune at the beginning. I like the inovative ideas in this tune - the musical ideas are pretty cool. There's some cool sounds in this one it needs a better mix so everything can be heard.

Overall you have some talent as an arranger and lyricist - need a bit of help with the recording and vocal work. Still I enjoyed the listens. All the best. Michael

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 9:38 pm

Hey Ross and friends I admire your attempts ... considering. Here's my honest feedback after listening to the 4 tunes you directed me to.

Timing. Timing in music is everything - work on that.
Mix. If the listener can't hear and understand the vocals, they don't exist. Learn about the mixing.
Headbanging electric guitar playing. Already been overdone, learn a more subtle approach and use it to back up the song theme rather than set it.

Some decent ideas, now the trick is to make it listenable to a wider audience. Best of luck to you and thanks for the listen. Michael

Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 6:09 am

Thank you Michael Frazier very very much for reviewing my music! as you might have guessed the songs are not completely finished and need work, which i'm working on. Your advice is extremely helpful and i really appreciate and admire what you are doing here. I'm quite touched that you went as in depth as you did in your review. i record my music very unprofessionally on a laptop in my dorm room and its good to have some input and advice.
Again, many thanks!
-Nick Gunzburg

-i have become a big fan of your music since i joined!-

ubw rookie Joined: May 03, 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 50

Hey Michael Frazier,

Rock on' Brother! I saw that you offered to do reviews and wound up listening to your "Passing Away". Real nice. I get so hung up in trying to find the "uber-mix" for my own tracks and then I complain and whine about the limitations of the stream rate and, and, and then I llistened to you...
Only lo-fi, well crafted and performed, elegant and tasty.
Oh, and you make some good points without being all "preachy".
Feel free to check my spastic, over-produced electronica at http//www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/herb

herb

ubw rookie Joined: May 03, 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 50

Hey Michael Frazier,

I made a mistake, I'm at

http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/4099/

herb

ubw rookie Joined: May 03, 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 50

Hello Michael,

God bless you as you go about the day to day living of life after suffering such a deep loss. My condolences. If you need anything, or want to talk, let me know.

http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/4099/

herb

Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 8:49 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Herb

I must say you have some interesting music here. I listened to a few tunes and each one had a unique quality to it. I am not a fan of beats and loops and electronica but you are doing something a bit different with your music that intrigued me. Got some good sounds and the interweaving of them is very well done in many spots. They all get a bit "old" to my ears before they are done, but I think folks who enjoy this type of music would appreciate your creatvity in yourarrangements and presentation. I liked the groove on your funky tune and acouple of others felt freindly to the ear. Ejnoyed the listens and thanks for your feedback on my material. Michael

Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 9:18 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Strange Worlds
I didn't find a post so I will respond here to your e-mail request.

Beautiful Blue World- There are some nice moments in this tune. Feels like the vocals could be a tad up in mix - they seem like 48% and should be 51% of the overall sound. Nice harmonies. Solid musicianship and I like the movement of the tune. Background strings are nice - hold the whole thing together, though they may be a bit hot in the mix. Solid lyrics and orchestration.

Heal This Wounded Heart - Strong song - solid musicianship, vocals, arrangement. Still the vocals seem like they are 2nd to the music again. Some nice lead guitar lines without overdoing it. A bit tough sounding for the tenor of the lyrics as an overall perspective. Some more softness in spots would allow the piece to build more - it kind of peaks right away, then repeats the peak.

Take A Ride - Once again I think the vocals are a bit low. Crunch guitar should back up a step - it's not the focus - it's stepping all over the vocals to this listener. Nice arrangement - just a bit harsh in spots - gets too heavy musically. The emotion still works without overkilling. Solid lyrics.

Alive - Solid tune and lyrics. More solid musicianship and arranging. Still those vocals at 48%.

I listened to a few more but got tired of typing. Anyway, the common thread to this listener is well written, unique rock songs that need a bit more vocal presence. The music mix feels pretty right on in every tune - just the vocals are not standing on top of it. Very solid musicianship, nice listenable compositions, well written lyrics. You guys have a very listenable sound overall. Volumes tend to take away a bit of the dynamic you are trying and probably want to create. Crunch guitar is alright in spots but feels overdone and starts stepping on the overall song.

I also noticed you have all your tunes listed in the Pop genre. I think they are more Rock or Acoustic Rock. Pop to me is Tina Turner et al.

Remember - all of this jabber is just one man's opinion. I do appreciate your talent - both the songwriting and the performance. Vocals have a very accessible quality and the harmonies are well done for the most part. The mix could use a little work but this is still solid music and very listeneable. Nice job gentlemen. Best of fortune to you and thanks for the listens.

Michael

Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 2:07 am

Thanks very much for your reviews.They are very welcome.You are right about the vocals slightly lacking in presence over the instrumentation in the songs and also about improving the dynamics,light and shade for "Heal this wounded heart'.Your other salient points will not go unheeded.A TOP REVIEWER who does not have to resort to SARCASM or debased insensitivity to get the point across.I've seen some reviews posted on a particular site that would make any decent person shudder!!

Guest

Hello to all,

Katharsis are a 4 piece Metal band based in the UK,

If anyone reading this is interested Shocked

, please give 'Inertia' a listen.

http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/3711/

You can let us know what you think, via this website (Theres another track on the website as this one wouldnt let me upload it!) or via the Katharsis Forum, if you want Question

Cheers,

Mystery Katharsis Person

KatharSiS Homepage or,
KatharSiS Online
KatharSiS Forum

Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 8:46 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Katharsis

You have some nice ideas on this tune - interesting melodies on guitar - I like. The recording quality is a bit low on this listen and there are couple of places where the vocal drifts off pitch. I could totally live without the screaming section. There is an interesting movement in the song from the sleeker quieter parts to the more rocky section - still the screaming has go t to go for this lisrtener to be at all interested. The piece seems a bit short and entering on a fade in - well it works marginally. Best and thanks for the listen. Michael

ubw newbie Joined: Oct 11, 2004 Posts: 4

Hey Michael, when you get a chance, could you please review either of these songs? It would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
DAMON

CRYSTAL CLEAR or VACANT HOUSES
http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/483/

Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 8:16 pm

Michael Frazier reviews David Hintz

Crystal Clear - Nice and smooth musically. Solid musicianship and I like the changes and song construction. Quite nice. It feels good. The vocals - partly due to the range - are a bit in the background in spots. It would help if the lyrics were posted but it feels like those vocals need to be moved a % or 2 toward the front of the mix. Recording is nice and clean. Overall, a solid piece of music.

Vacant Houses - I like the vocal better on this tune - just a bit more presence. Music isn't quite as attractive overall but still well done. Again the recording is clean and the mix is nice on this though I would still bring the vocal up just a bit. Nice feel and flow to this tune.

Nameless - Very cool feel on this one - a ton of lyrics and melodies popped into my head on the first listen. Conga sounds are exceptional. I would change it up a time or two in the acoustic version and leave out the loud power chord guitar part - it doesn't really add much in my mind except harshness. This could be a very cool song with a bit of work. I'd love to write some lyrics for this. It's got a bit of Robert Plant feel to it.

Overall you have some nice musical ideas and the ability to get them recorded in a very listenable fashion. Best of luck to you - appreciate the listens and thanks for posting your request. Michael

ubw newbie Joined: Oct 11, 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks for taking the time to review three of my songs, Michael. I would have been happy with one, but thanks for going the extra mile. I checked out some of your songs as well. Solid, well written stuff. Take care.

Damon Hintz

Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:38 am

hey there...

man, i've seen the work u've been doing with the reviews and i'd like to say it's just amazing... not everyone can say something about your music in a complete way like that... nice work man...

listen to Bypass when u get a chence, i'd really appreaciate a review like yours...

Check us out HERE

rock on!

An honest review of your song

UBW Resources

Music Forums

Music Forums

Partners