An honest review of your song

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:54 am

Hey dude, would be appreciated if you give an opinion on our material. Where a mellow indie outfit from the UK - influences Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Muse, classical etc...

Run to freedom

The band is DEVILHOOD, visit our Website - Devilhood - An Instance of a Specific State

Cheers ears:)

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:51 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Devilhood

Gotta say I don't care for the band name - it's just that it has a negative connotation. Name yells heavy metal and that is obviously not the style you are offering.

Lullaby For A Ghost - Very nice guitar work and I like the song construction. Vocal is well performed but the recording quality did not do it justice - I think the input volume was probably a bit hot as I hear that nasty digital peaking. Also, the lyrics are hard to discern - would be nice to have the lyrics posted. Mix on everthing else feels pretty smooth. I'd re-do the vocal to get rid of the clipping and extra noise. Very smooth feel overall and I like the build at the end without trashing the song like so many artists are bent to do these day. Nice work.

Run To Freedom - I'm hearing that same extra noise when the vocal comes in. Again - would appreciate the ability to check out the lyrics. Vocal quality is solid it's just hidden in the mix a bit. Decent song with solid musicianship - relaxing feel. Like that acoustic guitar work.

Plaster - One more time - where is the vocal link? Very nice acoustic guitar work. Adding the electric at the end works alright and still doesn't take away from the main focus of the tune. Vocal not as noisy this time - still hushed in the overall mix.

Raven White - Music starts out a bit more pop oriented. Nice little guitar hook. Vocal is back to either overdriven on the input - a bad signal, bad mixer channel, bad mic , bad effect unit - it still adds unnecessary noice to the song that is distracting in spots. Lyrics? Decent tune - need a recording overhaul to get the best out of your efforts.

There is a good amount of talent in theses songs both the writing and the performances. Can't comment on the lyrical themes - not distiguishable enough on a consistent basis - post those lyrics. Really enjoyed the acoustic guitar work. Solid and innovative. Thanks for the listens and best to you all in your musical journeys. Remember this is just one listener's opinion. Michael

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:52 am

Thanks for your honest and detailed review Very Happy

It's a shame you were left a bit lost when it comes to the lyrics - possibly our East London garb and slang masked the true meaning of the songs to our American listeners! Fair cop as regards to the overall mix and recording quality - It's far from perfect as it was a DIY recording using a small 8 track, V-Amp and Cubase! Our singer produced it all and we're quite happy with it due to the fact it was free and at our own pace. However, you are right, if we were to take it a step further the material would need an overhaul and an outsiders input. When ( Wink

) we get signed we will let someone else pay for it to be done!

Cheers again mate - I'll pass on the comments to the others

Dave, Bass - Devilhood

Guest

Hi im pretty new to this site, just stumbled across it infact. I just wondered if Michael would be able to do a review for my band Jacksonswarehouse. We are kind of alternative/indie rock with influences like I Am Kloot, The Coral, Nirvana, The Wedding Present etc.
Let us no what you think:

www.slipperygroove.com (MP3's can be found under the production artists section)

For more info on the band visit:

www.jacksonswarehouseband.com

Best Regards

Barney

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 3:57 pm

Mr. Frazier...

I am, for the first time, trying to put together a 5 song demo to mail out to, ideally, 200-300 record companies, magazines, etc. After asking many friends, family and some fans, I'm looking at going with the following songs...

old age
glorious tonite
michigan
sunday afternoon pt 2
the blood and snow

If you could review any or all of the following and if you happen to come across any others that might be better suited for a demo, let me know. I'd greatly appreciate some feedback and will happily return the favor. If anyone else has an opinion, please state it.

Thank you,
-Blake 'Buffalo Son' Woessner
P.S. my UBW link is below

ubw newbie Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 2

hello mate, im from a band called opusbridge. we are from kent and have created our own style of rock. Please could you go to our site, take a look at the downloads section, and have a listen to hard surface version. An honest view would be very much appreciated. With your permission, we would like to post your review in our news section if that is ok? many thanks sean (drummer). (www.opusbridge.co.uk)

opusbridge

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:45 am

Hello,

Would like a review of our song "deep within". Recorded in my mates living room but doesn't sound like a bag of pants!

http://www.li4m.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mp3/deepwithindemo.mp3

Cheers

Liam

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:32 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Jacksons Warehouse

Hotel By The Sea - Don't think I'll be booking a room here anytime soon. Very solid musicianship and a decent mix with good recording quality. Would be nice to folow along with the lyrics - wish they were posted. Full sound overall and the vocal is well done though feels a bit low in the mix - trodden over by the guitars as is usual with this style. Song is a bit frenetic for my taste but works welll - just get thev ocal up so the words are all audible and clean and you have a solid song. Thanks for the listen and rock on. Michael.

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:01 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Buffalo Son Music

Glorious Tonite - Very nice and smooth musically. I like the vocal lines and the voice is pretty solid - nice and smooth as well. Lyrics are very interesting - not sure what they really mean - but they do paint a number of pictures for this listener and fit well with the music. I'm sure there is more than one powerful inside story that is being alluded to . Mix pretty right on. Very nice listen. Nice work and thanks for posting the lyrics. Michael

Old Age - Great song - well done both musically and lyrically - captures the theme very well. Vocals are really nice in this tune - I like the recording quality. Nice soid mix. I would lose the beginning count down - doesn't add anything to the song. Very solid song all around. Simple but very compelling. Appreciate the lyrics. Thanks for the listen.

Michigan - Another solid piece of work. I like the harmony vocals. Percussion is not 100% on time, nor is the guitar but pretty darn close. Obviously you have grown from this recording. Still a nice mix and solid songwriting. Another enjoyable listen. Missed the lyrics though - I really do read them and kind of study the style and think about the meanings behind them. It helps to see some of the images in the song.

Sunday Afternoon pt 2 - A nice song though my least favortie so far. Lyrics would help me get a bit more inside this one. Still very solid musicianship, recording and mix. Another pleasant listen.

The Blood and Snow - Volume a bit lower in this one. Like the mandolin. Kind of traditional sound yet unique in the performance. I'm not sure the banjo really fits in the part where it is sort of the solo instrument. I do appreciate the idea of fitting it in but I think the mandolin or another guitar need to provide additional support in that segment. Like the slight instrumental build at the end. Prety listenable for a longer song.

Overall I found your tunes very relaxing musically - very nice after a long one on the day job. Solid lyrical and musical abilities. You have a nice voice for the style. Nice recording quality and mixes. I very much enjoyed listenening to these songs of yours. New takes on a traditional style. Best of luck on your musical journey. I'd listen to more but I have other folks asking for my ears. Sorry it took so long - been busy with my own projects. Thanks for the listens. Michael

ubw newbie Joined: Jun 27, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 43

http://unsignedbandweb.com/music/play.php?band_id=4701&song_id=8514&mode=song_hifi

Michael,
This is titled "Keep It Safe". Thanks in advance for your review.

James Gillice

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:52 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Opus Bridge

I find it difficult to review any of the particular songs fully hearing only short samples of them. After listening to several of your samples I am cofortable saying that you do have a very solid wall of sound. Musicianship is solid as are the recordings and the mixes. Vocalist has a nice punch and a solid delivery. Occasionally you bring some melodies into play briefly before you launch into the hard rock again. Born Again an example. I'm not a fan of this style so an endorsement probably lies elsewhere. I do appreciate the musical talent you bring to the table. Solid work. Keep on. Michael

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:56 pm

Michael Frazier reviews Jack's Union - Deep Within

A decent recording in terms of capturing the tune. Mix could use a bit of work but not bad. Vocalist is alright - solid on pitch - and pulls a bit of attitude. The hook lick on the wah guitar gets old pretty quickly - might want to change it up slightly to stay in the groove yet offer a different note or two . A second guitar part over the top might also work to diffuse the repetetiveness with a decrease in volume for the wah. Lyrics are pretty basic - ok but nothing special. Musicianship seems pretty solid and the sound is pretty tight among the players. Decent piece of work for the style. Decent work. A bit of redesign would make it better. Thanks for the listen. Michael

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:20 pm

Michael Frazier review James Gillice - Keep It Safe

I like what you are after here. Mix feels a bit too bright. Needs a stronger bass presence and a bit more drums. I like the guitar work but it is a bit too bright without the above. Vocals are pretty solid and the song is pretty well written. Nice vocal melody lines. Harmonies are not always solid on pitch though - just a couple of spots stuck out to me. Nice song construction - I like the changes and the movement they create. Pretty solid performance for the most part. I'd concentrate on the mix and the tones. Overall (I'm listening to it with flat eq) it is just a bit bright so starts to sound edgy and bitey on the high end with the low end sort of hidden. Solid song overall - would have liked to view the lyrics though. Anyway, thanks for the listen. Michael.

Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:52 pm

This thread is locked while Michael works on other projects!

To keep up with Michael, please visit him at his home page at:

http://michaelfrazier.net/

and of course you can always listen here too!

http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/michael_frazier

--------------------------------

On a personal note, I would like to offer a big THANK YOU to Michael for all of his incredible advice and feedback to all of us here at the UBW!!! His reviews are wonderfully constructive and he always has insightful things to say. We all wish you the best of luck on your current projects and hope to see you back soon!!!!

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:16 am

Feels like it's time to fill some time listening to some solid tunes here on UBW. Give me a link - especially to something acoustic. Michael.

An honest review of your song

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