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 > “Sympathetic Overdrive.” > Password is “ampros” (no quotes). > > Thank you in advance. > > > Chuck Lindo > > The American Professionals > San Francisco, CA > USA > > "We make it our business to be the very best” > >