LIVESTREAM IN 5!!
Added 2021-02-27 18:55:34 +0000 UTCCome listen with me!!
Comments
Hey Malinda, I have a question. Did you by any chance ever hear Creek Mary's Blood by Nightwish? Elements of Between Us and Them just keeps reminding me of elements of that song.
Ra
2021-03-13 08:00:31 +0000 UTCaddendum. The whole time I was painting today I had Miss Her and I Blame You stuck in my head. So there's that.
Bree Campbell
2021-03-02 15:48:47 +0000 UTChttps://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/212052266-Get-my-Discord-role take a look at this!!
Malinda Kathleen Reese
2021-02-28 21:46:26 +0000 UTCCan someone please add me in the discord chat my tag is stephanie#5695
Stephanie
2021-02-28 21:45:06 +0000 UTCFeels weird to just throw out opinions like this, but oh well. Blue Eyed Boy: I like the pacing and the guitar. I don’t think I speak enough of your language to be able to say any more about it than that. World’s Last Shot: seems to me to have the vibe that I love from Concrete Blonde’s darker more mellow stuff. Miss Her and I Blame You: reminds me of Sara Bareilles King of Anything but even more dance-y mostly in that the words are something pretty serious but the song sounds strangely upbeat although not incongruently so. A Little More Time: very sad and sweet, somehow emotionally neutral in a way like swapping something you knew for something else unknown but somehow just as good. Figured Out: Love the chorus and the harmonies (that’s what they’re called right?) Introvert’s Dance Song: I like the repetition in this one and all the little playful touches Good Intentions: “crying for no reason I’ll find one for you soon” for some reason is moderately triggering for me. it calls up “I’ll give you something to cry about.” But the song as a whole at times feels like it has a sort of Jekyll and Hyde thing where one takes over for the other or maybe even some kind of substance abuse thing where the person becomes different under the influence. Remember Why You Sing: No big impressions either way. Between Us and Them: I didn’t much care for this one the first time I heard it but I liked it a lot better this time around and I’m not really sure what it was that changed that for me. The radio reminded me of Def Leppard even though it’s not talking about a rocket launch but that’s probably because I only really recall hearing Def Leppard Rocket and Concrete Blonde Jonestown using recorded sounds like that. I like the use of the flute and the march-y type drums. Wear Me Down: Not sure I have more to say on this one than I did before. It feels like that one step forward two steps back meander that comes with the early days of recovering from an abusive relationship and finding healthier things but not feeling comfortable or comforted by them. Don’t know what to call the instrumental thing 2nd to last. Feels kinda courtly like Man In the Iron Mask sort of time frame and then swells up kinda bigger into something else. The thing that really stands out for me with Collage is “I can’t be someone I haven’t met yet.” I think I feel that pretty constantly. I frickin’ love Own Back but I always seem to vibe with that strong sassy sexy “yeah, I’m poison come die a little.” feel. If I had to pick my faves from the lineup they would be World’s Last Shot, Miss Her and I Blame You, Introvert’s Dance Song and Good Intentions. Miss Her and I Blame You and Good Intentions probably closely tied for the top. and can I just say that you're too damn cute when you're nervous about sharing something.
Bree Campbell
2021-02-28 13:59:50 +0000 UTCSince you asked for feedback, I went back through the music you shared. Here are my general impressions; I hope this is useful to you. First of all, I love that the album has a concept to it and isn't just a random collection of songs. Especially that you view it in Acts. An album doesn't have to be a single-story 'concept album' in order for it to have a dramatic arc with themes, so I love that you are approaching it in this way. Also, I know you're still deciding, but I still love the simplicity of 'Now What?' as a title. It seems really appropriate for this period of transition in your career as you focus more on your original music. OK let's get into the tracks: 1) Foot Drop Voice Memo: OK you just mentioned this one, but I absolutely love the idea! 2) Blue-Eyed Boy: Love the mood of this. Great way to jump into an album. Adam Karren suggested adding bagpipes, and I think that's an excellent idea. 3) World's Last Shot: I actually still like the original version even if the chorus was too happy, but I think you've solved that issue with great skill here by heading in the completely opposite direction. Only thing I'd say is that I enjoyed the more Billie Holiday-ish raw singing on the verses in the older version. 4) I Miss Her and I Blame You: Love the juxtaposition of the happy tune with the heavier lyrics. It does work in the way you want: starting with a light dancey reaction and then the realisation of the words hits you. 5) A Little More Time: The version you shared with us a while back is already on my regular play list. This is a deceptively simple song, because the lyrics are full to bursting with heartfelt emotional vignettes. A great example of poetic writing in that you say so much with so few words. Still can make me cry almost every time I hear it. 6) Figure It Out: I can't remember the original version of this, but I really enjoy this new sound. Only thing I'd say is that unlike most of your songs it kinda stays in one place melody-wise, so it's only the lyrics that take us on a journey. 7) The Introvert's Dance Song: Love the vibe and--as an introvert myself--the concept. In its current incarnation I struggle a bit to hear all the lyrics, so if you can boost the vocals a bit that might help. There are some real crackers in there: some overt, like the line about finishing sentences, but also some more subtle ones, like 'shoes that don't tie my feet.' 8) Good Intentions: I'd argue this is better than some of the songs that have been attached to Bond films in the past. Love the way you play with alternating between isolated vocals and instrument-backed sections. Don't want to over-Bond it, but I was wondering if the climax could benefit from some backing horns maybe? Also love the idea of fading out before the last lyric, even if that's really mean. :-) 9) Remember Why You Sing: I think this does what you want it to. It's a nice, light sing-along. Was kinda hard to hear the lyrics on the version you shared. 10) Between Us and Them: I've said before how I love the proggy sound of this, and the way you're producing it is excellent. Some serious political truths in there amid the family love. Outstanding. Love the journey from war to war. The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh? Only thing missing for me was an electric guitar solo, but maybe that would be too much? 11) Wear Me Down: This reminds me of A Little More Time in its raw emotion, but not so similar that it comes across as a copy or anything. Another one of those that tugs at my heart strings. Almost sounds like you were gonna start crying at the climax. If this were in a musical I'd picture you stopping singing and turning away from the audience for a moment there. 12) ??: You didn't tell us the title or anything else. Is this gonna be just an instrumental transition track that stops suddenly like that, or will it fade right into the final track? I love the sound and was looking fwd to where it would lead, but I can also see it working as just a bridge. 13) Collage: I struggle a bit to hear the lyrics in places, but it has a great ending song vibe. Kind of a summation of what's gone before. Vocally it sounds like you're pushing yourself somewhere you haven't been much before. I agree that it can benefit from some good production, cuz some of those vocals are on a high wire where a slight straying to either side can be dangerous. I look fwd to hearing the final version. Obviously these are just my opinions and others may feel differently. Overall, I think the mix of deep and light songs works really well and achieves what you are looking for. Thank you so much for allowing us into the creative process like this! I'm used to being asked to edit people's prose, but I've never been this involved in the creation of music before, even if it's in a small way. Only thing I'd say if you plan to do this again in the future is that you don't need to apologise so much for tracks that aren't finished yet. We're on your side and understand when stuff is work in progress. BTW, when it comes to your concern about what patrons might be sharing with others, all I'm doing is telling them that this album is going to be awesome. :-)
Cinnder
2021-02-28 06:42:05 +0000 UTCLove the songs and very much looking forward to the album and hearing you live. Slainte
Paul Means
2021-02-28 03:58:03 +0000 UTC
