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 | ledebutant said 579 days ago |
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Clear as a... It's interesting how some of the best music seems to come together so quickly. Maybe it's because it just has that certain magic something, inspiration or genius or choco-freak goodness. I'm not 100% sure about the "Manhattan hangs like rotten fruit," lyric. It feels a bit like a reach to me and I think it doesn't mesh with the overall feeling of the rest of the lyrics. It's a very organic image in a song filled with images of cities and stars and gems and metal bells. Hard stuff, not soft, rotting things. I'm not sure you need the image, anyway. Singing Manhattan hangs, twice would scan the same way and you'd get double benefit of the alliteration and assonance in those two words. Random comments: That last "buuuuuuuurrrrrn" is an absolutely FANTASTIC bit of vibrato. I'm eating my heart out over that as well as the overall wonderfully indirect lyrics. Every time I write something, I swear I think of you and want to bash my head on a hard surface because of how subtle and evocative you're able to be. The vibe is fantastic, very groovy and dark and the music is much more understated than you usually do. This may be my favorite of all of yours in the music department, actually. I love everything you do, but this has something very special about it. The mixing! Oy! I'm thanking racerat, too, though I know you're a star in that department, too. This is the best mix you've ever done. Thanks for giving this to us, Steve. |
 | Vic Holman said 579 days ago |
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cheese and rice friggin cool orchestration. a lot of drama as you manually (no automatic here) shift from each section. Someday you have to do a crappy tune so I can even suggest anything. Funny how uplifting a sound for a dark overtone. Steve, you just do great stuff and you better not stop....like ever. even when we're in our eighties |
 | Axgrinder said 578 days ago |
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Damn Steve! Where do you get your ideas man? All your stuff is so unique, it's insane! Ah ha, that's it. Your a lunatic! Lol. I'm teasing. This is really good and I will definitely favorite it for sure. Keep em coming bro, your tapped in! |
 | jiguma said 578 days ago |
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All rounder! Love the vox Steve! harmony works really well. This is a bloody good song - without too much detail, all the instrumentation is just right, and you have a level of production amongst the best here at MJ. Slight nit at the end (just after "Lisa's vibrato") where there's some leftover editing noise - always happens on a quick work through! Quickly finished songs always seem to have a fresher sound. VERY good stuff Steve - an all round winner. Neil |
 | DWL said 578 days ago |
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Feck me this is good One of the best songs I've heard on MJ. Just superb in every department. Production is excellent, plenty going on but everything is sitting just right. I am truly stunned and when I sort out how to get stuff on my new ipod it's being downloaded. Cheers Dick |
 | Peter Bauckham said 578 days ago |
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Yet another excellent song. Love the vocals on the introduction - your vocal performance is great throughout. The mix sounds pretty good through my computer set-up. The little bits of piano and strings work really well. The effect is very atmospheric. And, like all your songs, when I get to the end I want to listen all over again and again...! Love it! Peter |
 | cjdaley said 578 days ago |
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my jaw hangs. I hear some Portishead texture here, from the Great "Dummy" Album (or the N.Y concert). You really know of to give weight and grandeur to a song. I'm no expert but I think the mix is perfect. |
 | five_extra_arms said 578 days ago |
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Inspiration Jeepers Steve! This is beyond what I thought it'd be. The Portishead intro is dynamite (exactly what I was thinking when I was trying to inspire you...huh?). So glad you went with your crispy clean and rich voice, as it added significance to the intro. I was listening hard for your sinus sounds, but it sounds to me like your old schnozzola is back in tune. That's terrific! Your mastering on it is superb. Now everyone's gonna hire racerat and buy new monitors. Great stuff Steve. You're an inspiration to us all. |
 | guitapick said 578 days ago |
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"Manhattan hangs... ...like Christmas bells..." Indeed it does... "Manhattan hangs like rotten fruit..." Ohhh yes...it can definitely do that, as well. I love the distorted guitar and melotron/synth (not sure which) in and out of the tune. Very powerful when in..nice and smooth when out. Great dynamic shift. Vox are really fine...throughout... Got that "tag" at the very, very end...is that for effect? I love it, Steve...great piece. |
 | bud said 578 days ago |
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I wish I had some crit - but I got nothin but praise. I got the sense that you built the music around the vocals - yopu mentioned as much - and as a result the music supports the turns of your voice really well. Great full throated singing - lotso confidence. Likewise - excellent production. |
 | digitalnirvana9 said 578 days ago |
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Hot Blues! Steve: Man you outdid yourself on this one...so much soul, rolled into one tune. Excellently performed....Was a definite download for me....Thanks, Norman |
 | gregd said 578 days ago |
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the produce section of your supermarket has amazing stuff. Love the way your music fits electronic bits with all the vocals, guitars, and acoustic lines. You've got a great sound to all your work. I'm not sure I understand this tune so well as your other tracks. The metaphors are a bit less connected and more abstract. I'm not sure about them, but you make them sound so fine. -g |
 | echoroom said 577 days ago |
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Thanks JC .. really appreciate your comments on this. I was listening to this track in the car today, and realised that it can also be read as the corruption of the singer/ narrator himself, rather than the corruption of their memories. I like quite vague lyrics (Bowie, Bunnymen) - not so vague that you haven't a bloody clue what they are on about, but enough that you can read your own meaning into them. This may sound like a cop-out, but I like writing some stuff that even I don't fully understand, because you get to re-interpret your own songs, and find new meanings - this one is a case in point. Appreciate your take on this - thank you. Steve |
| echoroom said 577 days ago |
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Thanks JC . really appreciate your comments on this. I was listening to this track in the car today, and realised that it can also be read as the corruption of the singer/ narrator himself, rather than the corruption of their memories. I like quite vague lyrics (Bowie, Bunnymen) - not so vague that you haven't a bloody clue what they are on about, but enough that you can read your own meaning into them. This may sound like a cop-out, but I like writing some stuff that even I don't fully understand, because you get to re-interpret your own songs, and find new meanings - this one is a case in point. Appreciate your take on this - thank you. Steve |
 | TobinMueller said 577 days ago |
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Where there's smoke... Aside from the opinion that I think Manhattan is a great city, I totally dig the track. Could use even more slow blues feel, but I dig the mainstream feel of the song, the edge, the mix and performance. It ends kind of abruptly. I heard a long extended fade out vamp with a searing guitar lead... |
 | Willywagga said 577 days ago |
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Simply Stunning Stuff Steve Waooooar, jeeeeeze, man this is stunning. Your voice sounds great, really great. I love the, almost, Tom Waits vox at the begining, then the whole thing just funks up. The percussion sound and arrangement is brilliant. You say the word 'blunt' exactle as Mr Bowie would. Your voice has a great richness that is fully expressed here. I disagree with Lisa on the 'rotten fruit' metaphor I think it fits in really well. If this song happened to be on an album of anybody's I would be impressed. Thou probably unfair to say this is, I think your best vocal performance to date on MJ, tho, 'Jesus' is probably one of my favourite songs, I've listened to it alot, it's damn infectious. This is brilliant and shiny. Great stuff Steve Willie |
 | alexweiler said 577 days ago |
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this is awesome! i agree to some of the previous speaker: this is one of best i've ever heard on macjams. congratulations, steve! |
 | Doadars Uncle said 577 days ago |
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Dramatic! Very cool! Nice performance. |
 | Ash Tree said 577 days ago |
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I'm jealous which is always a good sign that I like something. Nice work. 'Specially the sound effects stuff and the strings. |
 | racerat said 577 days ago |
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hrnnsdspf my jaw has dropped and is lying on the floor... can....not...speak..... P.S. Yes, I'm listening. Tobin is right, what this track needs is a BL. (blistering lead...;-) ) |
 | peacepiano said 577 days ago |
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Not Often I don't say this often, but from the sound of your voice on this one, you might consider giving up your day job. Not many people with a better sounding voice. Thanks for sharing. |
 | apb said 576 days ago |
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Another .. .. to add to the "Steve's a bit good" collection ;o) I really like your voice on this - lower down I thought you sounded a bit like Walter (moorlandt) .. just a bit .. the song is brilliantly done - it's got that polished effect that just makes you not think about production at all - it's just 'there', sounding simple but not. I like the kinda 20s megaphone old but new intro ...and synth touches, guitar sounds fine to me (just enough to balance with the keys and give some 'oomph' ..sorry, to go technical on ya .. ;o) Brilliant stuff Steve, sorry to hear your music time is going to get shorter :o( ..darn you work!.. you were on a roll too. Keep sipping the whisky, in moderation of course. |
| echoroom said 576 days ago |
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Hah! 'steve's quite good' collection will be the sequel to 'steve's not bad' suite. thanks Alan - you know, i'm not sure about the intro - I love it, but i'm sure some people have probably given up after 20 seconds 'cause it sounds like some bloke dying down a phone. even tho' this is the same 3 chords and me tooling about over them, i do quite like it. Now onto your next point ... |
 | mikkinylund said 576 days ago |
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Woah! What a great song, and performance! This takes my breath away. The voice...wow! |
 | RacerX said 576 days ago |
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I dig the laid-back groove a whole lot. You do have a sweeet voice mr.eroom. The mix sounds real good. The guitar tone is nice. I like! At first, I was unsure what I thought of the intro verse being devoid of bass tones. I guess being in space, you'd get that thin sound. I'm gonna D/L and put on my ipod and giv a dozen listens over the course of the week. See how it shakes out. You a natural sense for good vocal phrasing |
 | Leon said 576 days ago |
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Took me out of hiatus! Steve, I've been out of the Macjams loop for the past several weeks because of studies and work, but your work is totally irresistible and I just have to drop by to write this comment. This is fabulous! Every new work of yours just falls into its place in your musical landscape. You have developed a really mature distinct sound and each of your songs are like pieces in a harmonious collection of songs. In my iPod, you have already earned a place in the albums list, and this one goes right in there! PS: If this is what you'd sound after sinus surgery, I guess other patients will be looking forward to that procedure with more eagerness. |
 | onesweetworld said 576 days ago |
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Bravo Really nice echo! I like manhatten too but it's pretty clear manhatten has had some rough times. Really cool chorus!!!! Has a great catchy quality and is so powerful! Your singing is great as it shows off your sexy natural tone. Yes...it's sexy. |
 | estellie said 575 days ago |
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Steve! Wow. You said somewhere this was pared down. It sure didn't seem that way to me. You really know how to make something (key word) *relatively* simple be spectacular. I think it's in how you structured it. The muffled beginning, the building of momentum with effects and drums and piano, the beautiful refrain, sweeping strings, etc. Your voice always is filled with contageous emotion, but this one, is, well, drenched in it. Lovely. |
 | Karmatoburn said 575 days ago |
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like the city intense, mysterious and nuanced. The mix really rocks this one. Very polished. What a great way to spend a day. Lots to show for the effort as well. Love your voice |
 | Brian Weiland said 575 days ago |
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Powerful! The vocals, the lyrical imagery, the amazing production, the killer drums, the great playing- this is thouroughly professional. Just a great song all around. Judging by what others have written, this kind of quality is expected of you- I will have to check out more of your stuff! ~Brian |
 | chinaman2 said 574 days ago |
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excellent i'm totally blown away! great production |
 | BranDaMan said 574 days ago |
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Amazing and nothing less than pure gold |
| daphna said 573 days ago | |
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especially loved the chorus and the arrangement, mix and overall feel. Very cool. Wish I had more time to be at macjams... |
 | SmokeyVW said 573 days ago |
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scope life - it's so big and so small all at the same time we're the greatest beings in the universe and we are star shit tremendous thanks! |
 | The Infinites said 572 days ago |
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Steve, Simply stunning. Slightly reminded me of Nick Cave's "Where The Wild Roses Grow", but only because of the underlying slow pendular mood as the song swings side to side... Until, BANG!!! In your face, no nonsense, full on filmatic final third. Top formula for keeping the listener fully engaged. One minor selfish crit is that it's too short - probably because I wanted more of the same! Excellent snare sounds, BTW. Oh, nearly forgot; when I read the rotten fruit line before hearing the song, my instant reaction was, hmmmm that's a pity, it's spoils the earlier Xmas bells reference. However, on hearing it sung, I think it sits very well in a ying yang, change that picture in your head, way. I like it a lot. DL'd. Cheers! Jim |
 | Shimky said 572 days ago |
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Toptastic! Top of the fan picks chart again and no surprise with such a strong track. Excellent "70s American Detective" groove going here (my interpretation). Strong vocals, great lyrics and great backing band (I can't believe they are called Steve, Stephen, Stevie and Steven - how weird is that!). The mix is crystal clear, so whatever Racerat told you or whatever you already knew - or both - paid off. You've got talent, boy, and it's a pleasure to listen to it. You should be really proud of this song - it's excellent. |
 | Parichayaka said 559 days ago |
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Wow! You are really outdoing yourself everytime you post a new song! Love the mimalistic piano, the raw drums, the strings come in just right and sound great in the mix (I'd add cellos and basses and fade them out slowyly at the very end). Not to mention the engaging vocals. The arrangement is suprisingly balanced, suprisingly only because you didn't seem to spend all that much time on it - "Great intuitive sense you must have." as Yoda used to...no he didn't say that. Truly impressive though - the drama you create, the atmosphere with this heavy, dark sky crowded with towers of clouds - and yet I feel that there's always hope in your lyrics.The title - yeah, why not use a metaphor, using the place as a symbol, rather than making you focus on the actualy city, if you know what I mean. "Dying Star" or "City of Gold" come to mind. Anyways, great performance on so many levels! |
 | lavalamp said 549 days ago |
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First of all Love the vox at the intro. Great atmosphere. Ballady feel. Emotional piano sound. Why did you put this under Indie Rock? What are you doing, man? Now, I'm gonna' have to work even harder! One of the best I've heard on this site. Great job! LL |
 | dolby said 547 days ago |
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Oh sh*t ...now I'm gutted! Only two tracks down your list and I feel like a rank amateur. This is fantastic - sounds so fresh, fantastic vocal, just awsome. I'm getting my drawing board out as we speak! |
 | chipan said 547 days ago |
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Very high quality song and mix in my opinion. I'm not a pro, but this sounds really good to me! I like the atmosphere change about 2/3 in. The electro-wah-wah sound leading into the strings. Very cool. Your voice is so full of character. I wish I could sing like that! chip |
How about with the vocal - it's an outstanding performance. The tone and emotiveness (?) of your singing is terrific - great feeling and power. Masterful stuff. Can't think who it reminds me of (apart from you, of course!) - maybe Bowie? The instrumentation hits the mark throughout the song - almost minimalist at times, and perfectly in keeping with the mood and tenor of the lyrics. Great imagery and sweep to the words - "My eyes were gems, cut from nebula", love it. The sound of the whole track is beautiful - great mix and production. I can't believe you did this in such a short space of time! This is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Very nice work. Peace.