New song

New song "(I Won't) Run Away" - your thoughts are most welcome
Hi gang,

This song has been challenging for me from a mixing standpoint, and I don't think I'm quite there yet. Any thoughts or suggestions along those lines would be well received.

(I Won't) Run Away

Cheers,

Chris

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Lane

3/5/2009 1:18:14 PM

Hi Chris
Here are our thoughts (Anthony, my husband and I, we're sitting next to eachother both at our computers - how sad haha!)
Well, your song is playing right now on our speakers and we suggest, the whole thing is a little faster? just kind of sounds too slow for the melody. Intro is a bit long, coming in earlier would keep interest. How about a female vocal octave parallel to yours in some points? The bit where you sing 'I won't run away' is great. Lovely harmonies!
As for mixing, the lead guitar doesn't have enough bite, bass is too loud and occupying too much of the space, thin it out and give it a more defined position in the track. Is it a touch over compressed? Sounds like it needs a little more space. With the speaking bit, we can see where you're coming from completely, but if everything was taken down or for instance, the rhythm guitar was dropped out when that bit comes in, it would make more sense and would be clearer - ie as in the beginning, although even then it's getting swamped by the guitars. It's a great track, not usually my type of thing but I really do like it, it's just too busy at the moment.
Nice work though Chris! (ps Anthony just said, how about listening to soundgarden or pearl jam and then remixing it - for the space aspect)
Cathy & Anthony

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Diego B

3/5/2009 1:38:29 PM

Excellent track, sounding "dangerous", it rocks!

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Richard Scotti

3/5/2009 3:15:02 PM

Great track! I usually don't give specific production advice unless someone asks for it so since you asked....I love the lead guitar solos but they seem buried and panned too far to the right. They would breathe a little better if they were center-right instead of hard right and if they were a little louder. I would also like to hear them in spaces that now exist in between the words of the chorus...like "I won't run away...solo...I won't run away...solo......As it stands now the singing is on top of the solo and it kind of conflicts. Weave the solo in and out of the chorus rather than having them play at the same time. Then have a section where it's just a solo and no vocals, Because I have to say that the lead guitar playing is great..perfectly executed with great effects.Show off your strengths!

I agree that the bass doesn't stand out enough or is too thin. The drums are excellently performed and mixed. I love the melody of the chorus. It would be nice to hear a vocal harmony with it. Overall I give the song an "A" and the production/mix an "A-"

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Chris Mahon

3/5/2009 7:23:14 PM

Hi Lane, thanks for taking the time to listen and make all those great suggestions! Believe it or not, the mix was even more cluttered two days ago! There is a certain density that I was looking for, especially in the "bludgeon" section. But I have been gradually thinning out the other parts. Still a work in progress I guess...

Thanks again!

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Chris Mahon

3/5/2009 7:24:10 PM

Diego B, thank you my friend!! I remember enjoying "When We Were Band" on another site. :)

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Chris Mahon

3/5/2009 7:29:13 PM

Hi Richard, thanks to you also! I appreciate your time.

Funny thing is about guitar solos, I have been gradually phasing them out of my songs. I am a lead guitarist from way back, but am increasingly under the impression that nobody wants to hear guitar solos anymore! I can't resist a few licks here and there of course, but am going for subtlety now. Maybe too subtle in this case, hehe.

The bass was recorded through a guitar amp, so that would explain the thin aspect. I just got the bass expansion pack for my pod xt pro, so maybe I'll retrack the bass entirely. Or more likely just add a second bass track to provide low end.

Thanks again mate!

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Richard Scotti

3/5/2009 7:57:48 PM ---- Updated 3/5/2009 8:00:30 PM

It's a pleasure to critique a song by someone who takes constructive advice so well.
A well placed, well played guitar solo will never go out of style and your lead playing is terrific, so let your freak flag fly! What people don't like are long self indulgent solos that don't really add anything to the song. Your solos are not in that category. Also:
the myth that guitar solos are no longer popular was started by bands with less than stellar lead guitarists as an excuse for not having any solos in their songs. It's an art form that should not be allowed to die out. Lead guitar fills are also important to any good rock song. You know the famous guitar lick in Layla? That was added to the song by Duane Allman, not Eric Clapton.

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Chris Mahon

3/6/2009 8:15:19 PM

Hi Richard, I'll be sure to include a couple of rippers on my next song. At least I know one person will appreciate them! :D

Thanks again bro.

Chris

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