PERFECTION IS OVERRATED
May 31, 2009
Pro Tools is an amazing tool, we all know that by now. So what separates the amazing productions from the pack. I think it’s the sense of when not to do something. So many engineers and producers are beat detectiving and auto tuning and melodyning as part of the process I think we sometimes feel unnatural if we leave it alone. I recently did some keyboards for Music Is a Weapon. It was a little wurlitzer part and in the process of writing the part over and over I start getting pretty good at playing it. Well when I was ready to record it “for real” I set it up to record the midi track so I could quantize it and C&P it easily. I did a take, quantized it and made it feel in the pocket. Now here’s the danger: after about five listens it actually started sounding better all corrected and quantized. Since I had also recorded the live audio I decided to a/b it. The live take absolutely kicked it’s ass.
Occasionally I’ll go back and listen to a recording I did back in the day on 2” analog without all this editing and I’ll really feel it. Now the older I get the more and more willing I am to use Pro Tools just as a simple recording medium. I’ll still edit, but perfection is definitely overrated.
ECHOVALVE EP REVIEW
May 27, 2009
Steal the Spotlight
http://stealthespotlight.tripod.com/echovalve_ep.html
The Hot-Lanta band called Echovlave is streaming back as they release their newest single “Because Of You.” The track is part of the three song EP that they have been working on and a waiting to release into the big-old-world. The other two tracks are titled “Intoxicating” and “Too Late.” After the success of their debut Hellogoodbye and single “Dirty Little Secret” they guys are back and ready to start to roll again. “Because of You” opens up with a infectious vocal set backed by strong drums being the backbone of the track. The addition of the guitars soaring about tops the entire song off. This track gets the blood flowing and the feet moving. It is sure to take off like a rocket. “Intoxicating” begins with a sweet serenading voice saying “To see you shimmer/Your so beautiful/So intoxicating.” They then begin to jam a bit surrounding the vocals like a blockade guiding the song down the chosen path. The guitar solo set fire to the track drawing you in closer. There is one spot that they include a low backing vocal set that just sounds a bit muffled and not needed. Other than that…simple perfect! “Too Late” again opens up with a strong vocal presents. They go to the softer side changing speeds. They so that they don’t have to be all fastballs to do work, yet the change-up can just as well. There is solid guitar play yet again with a nice twist on the solo. The drums are also solid holding down the fort. Overall this is a near perfect 3 track EP. They give you everything that they have. The emotion and passion is high, the writing and playing are even higher. This is a phenomenal start to an album.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Track List:
1. Because of You
2. Intoxicating
3. Too Late
DAY MINUS 7 REVIEW AT AWAY-TEAM.COM (10 OUT OF 10 !!!!)
May 12, 2009
| DAY MINUS 7 4-Song E.P. |
| Independent Release Rating: 10 Out Of 10 Reviewed by: Bam-Bam
First of all, you’ll probably be like me when you check them out on MySpace by clicking (HERE) and purchasing this 4-song E.P.; it’s just not enough music to cure the skin crawl that opener “Hate You” infects you with from the very first few notes. Killer chorus, catchy as hell and hooky melody lines, and guess what??? There’s guitar solos for cryin’ out loud!!! Hell yeah!!! This is easily my favorite track of the bunch, but that’s saying a lot when you’re slammed in the face with “Alive” which follows in shining armor. Now, here’s a track that opens with a classic THREE DOORS DOWN acoustic bit with the vocals, however, when the band kicks in, you still have no idea where they’re going for the chorus and that’s the magical thing this band has going for them. Their mastery of musical elements that surprise and delight is intense! Incredible writers, these dudes! Track 3 produces the band’s lone ballad number, “All I Wanted” (another easy hit for radio to grab hold of) that really isn’t a true ballad, but since I don’t know what the fuck the kiddies are calling slower, more mellow and introspective tunes these days, I’ll keep it old-school! Very good song, for sure, with a vocal performance that would make SAVING ABEL blush! The closer, “Never Free”, is one that fellow musicians will find nice and chewy since it seems like the most technically written track with some very tight musicianship and switch-up passages that flow between “stop-on-a-dime” thrusts, a heavier rock chorus, and a brooding verse divider. Again, totally impressive on every level. The guys can sing, they can play, and they can pen tunes that stick to the eardrums with Super-Glue consistency. Truly an awesome grasp at the Golden Ring, guys. This one comes Very, Very Highly Recommended. Head over to RED ROCKET ENTERTAINMENT now to learn more about the guys, check out tour schedules and find out how you can own this insanely perfect Paul Trust produced, self-titled E.P. DAY MINUS 7…it’s not just good music…it’s a way of life!!! |
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Here’s a band that I’ll bet my entire reputation on that they will not be unsigned for very long! Easily the BEST unsigned band I’ve heard in the past 5-years, DAY MINUS 7 are everything that Active Rock Radio is screaming for. A little HINDER in the vocal delivery, a little THREE DOORS DOWN, THEORY OF A DEADMAN and SHINEDOWN in the musical delivery and tiny drops of BREAKING BENJAMIN and THREE DAYS GRACE to hold it all together, but with one nice saving grace…IT’S BETTER than all of the above sans possibly a tie with SHINEDOWN for some of the most tuneful Rock you’ve ever heard! I’m shocked that I live in the same town as these guys and have never heard of them. I’m literally embarrassed and I hope my oversight and radar being set to high-level will garner forgiveness from the guys with my certainty of being a true fan of what they’re doing.