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From | Chuck Lindo <chuck@theamericanprofessionals.com> |
Subject | Re: The American Professionals' New Record |
Date | Sat, 22 Jul 2017 09:53:03 -0700 |
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Thank you, Peter. That was just what I was looking for!
Chuck Lindo
The American Professionals
http://wemakeitourbusiness.com
(415) 346-1779 (office)
(310) 994-5999 (mobile)
San Francisco, CA
USA
"We make it our business to be the very bestâ
> On Jul 22, 2017, at 12:14 AM, Peter Scott <pmrscott@tpg.com.au> wrote:
>
> Howdy, Chuck
>
> Thanks for giving us the opportunity to listen to Sympathetic Overdrive.
>
> I typed my responses as I was listening, so they may be a bit brief and/or scattershot. Sorry in advance.
>
> Anyway, here's what I thought.
>
> Have fun!
>
>
> Peter.
>
>
> -----------------------------------
>
>
> First thoughts on the album:
>
> I won't comment on the lyrics, as I tend not to notice them the first time I listen to anything. I focus on the melodies, harmonies, and production.
>
> As for the melodies, I thought they weren't all that strong.
>
> Overall, I thought the album was a little bass-light. I wouldn't have minded the bass guitar pushed up in the mix a little more than it was. Or at least having a bit more presence than it has.
>
> I like the brevity of the first three songs.
>
> Immediate reactions to each track:
>
> Track 1 "In Case Of Emergency, Break"
> I like the sound of the guitar in the right channel.
>
> Track 2 "The Story"
> A complete change in style -- and lead singer -- leads me to wonder, "Is this the same band?"
>
> Track 3 "Just Do Something"
> This was the kind of song I thought was going to follow track 1. There's a bubblegum feel to this track that I like.
>
> Track 4 "Guide To The Perplexed"
> A change back to the singer from track 2. Is this going to happen throughout the album (i.e., alternating lead singers from song to song)? I like the brass section. The part of the song from 3:14-3:29, with the vocal interjections, was fun.
>
> Track 5 "Regret"
> The lady lead singer again. I found the song low-key and interesting. Nice cello in the right channel.
>
> Track 6 "Higher Degree"
> The start of this reminded me of "The Way" by Fastball (https://youtu.be/b0wfu3tOrtQ?t=40s). This one didn't do much for me.
>
> Track 7 "Civic Living"
> I was going to say this song sounded like it was going for a moody alt-country / "murder ballad" vibe, but then the chorus (0:46 onwards), with its distorted guitar, put paid to that notion. I like the background vocal harmonies. They're a bit sparse, but at least they're there. I thought the middle 8 (2:07-2:24) didn't suit the rest of the song. I liked the unexpected ending.
>
> Track 8 "Familiar Ghosts"
> Another moody alt-country-ish ditty. 1:38: That was surprising. 1:55-2:06: A little bit of prog. This song's all over the place, but not in a good way.
>
> Track 9 "Falling Down"
> Back to the vibe of the first half of the album. The main melody is reminiscent of the verse melody in "Kids in America" (https://youtu.be/r_GH6M7cUq4). I thought the ending was a bit limp.
>
> Track 10 "W.M.P.M.S."
> Cute harmonica. Also cute: the song being in mono (except for the "di-di-di-di" backing vocals) -- it gives it a retro vibe.
>
> Now that I've heard the album in its entirety, I can say I didn't mind it. As an album (as opposed to simply a collection of songs), however, I didn't find it very consistent. It veered from one style to another. For me, it didn't flow. The production was OK, nothing spectacular. But I really don't like the mastering. It's another instance of unreasonable peak-limiting/brick-walling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war), which results in a distinct lack of dynamics for almost the duration of the album. It also results in listener fatigue, because the songs aren't allowed to breathe naturally.
>
>
> -----------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: audities-owner@smoe.org [mailto:audities-owner@smoe.org] On
>> Behalf Of Chuck Lindo
>> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 9:45 AM
>> To: audities@smoe.org
>> Subject: The American Professionals' New Record
>>
>> Hello Popsters,
>>
>> I need some honest feedback on our new record
>> <http://theamericanprofessionals.com/epk/> âSympathetic Overdrive.â
>> Password is âamprosâ (no quotes).
>>
>> Thank you in advance.
>>
>>
>> Chuck Lindo
>>
>> The American Professionals
>> San Francisco, CA
>> USA
>>
>> "We make it our business to be the very bestâ
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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