Castle Paradox

[Setu_Firestorm]

Okay, so on the plus side, I've had some vocal lessons from the woman I work with on the worship team of my current church although my singing isn't entirely perfect -- plus I lack the Autotune plugin that professionals use to mask their singing errors (yes, professional vocalists DO cheat on their album recordings), so I've been trying to not make too many mistakes. Also, I came across a lovely little tutorial on how to do metal screams without tearing up your throat, so all the screams in this album are the real thing, baby!

Also, this is my submission for my Creative Writing class (in which I'm the only one submitting music as a final project). The downside is that the parameters of an Audio CD assignment was that I have to do two cover songs (which I've already taken care of), because I personally hate cover songs; I feel that the original band probably got the sound they wanted with the song when they recorded it.

But, at any rate, I've improved greatly in my skills of mixing and EQing (even though one or two songs have glaring problems in that realm) as well as composition for an audience that prefers alternative rock to be something catchy.

So, feedback and criticisms are welcome, but to save some of your breath, I will list the known problems with each song. Some of you who've kept up with my MySpace have probably already heard most if not all these songs already.



Album Name: Other Side of Yesterday -- The Cheshire Act
Genre: Alternative Rock
Status: almost finished
Album Art: Silentpair of DeviantArt

Track List
1) Just a Thought (still my favorite track; no known problems with this song)
2) Hidden in Plain Sight(I experimented with low octave singing like Blue October's technique; Known Problems: Vocals weren't properly mixed so they sound layered)
3) The Cheshire Act (Probably the worst song on the album; Known Problems: Vocals were recorded in the morning -- the worst time ever -- so they kinda suck. Also, the guitars were somewhat poorly EQed so they about dominate the soundscape of the piece)
4) The Sun and the Moon (cover of the song by Mae) (I was pleased with the way this mix turned out; Known Problems: Everytime I hear the "wasted time" part in the beginning, I shudder because the vocals were off to a rough start although they got better)
5) When Shadows Fall (This song's music was inspired by Breaking Benjamin. I tried a new way to EQ drums which I believe turned out much better; Known Problems: Vocals are far more dominant than they should be)
6) Simon (cover of the song by Lifehouse) (I freaking loved this remake -- it's catchy and puts some meat on the bones of a great slow song; Known Problems: These vocals were recorded while I was sick (this was yesterday), so they suffer just a bit from that. However, I had to finish this song before tomorrow, so it had to be done whether or not my throat was up to it.)
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[Uncommon]

At least your naming is clerverer this time 'round.

[Setu_Firestorm]

So then, are you implying that that's all this currently has going for it?
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[Uncommon]

I'm not listening to it. No offense, but I hate that kind of music. Passionately. Nothing I would say about it would be helpful at all, unless a broken spirit is what you're after. Then again, with this genre...no, I'm shutting up.
wait is Cheshire Act the band name or the album name

[Setu_Firestorm]

Well, I went back to doing alternative rock and gave up on the whole emo thing. I just had a realization one day that I had a better grip on alternative rock than the emo style I was attempting to do.

So, it's your choice -- I just figured I'd mention that in case that was the reason for not wanting to listen to it.

And to answer your question: The Cheshire Act is the name of the album. I'm still sticking with Other Side of Yesterday as a band name.
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[Uncommon]

Oh no, if it's possible, I actually hate alt rock more.
i didn't even know you did an emo thing

And the names just feel backwards somehow.

[Jack]

[Uncommon]

I hadn't realized the band name didn't have a "the" also. It's just that "The Cheshire Act" sounds like it should be a band name; it's some bit clever, referential, short, and maybe the "Act" part. Sure, it sounds like a celtic folk band, but a band nonetheless ('course, as an album name it also feels like a celtic folk album, but whatever), but that might only be if you're not taking the referential context into account.
While "The Other Side Of Yesterday" doesn't strike me as a band name at all, and as such it just brings up imagery that do not attract. It would be more acceptable as a song, or maybe an album.

[djfenix]

I've only time to listen to one for now (and they take way too long to download for me ). So i chose to listen to the one you concidered the best.

First, i think the instrumentals are very professional. It didn't sound digital and it didnt sound like you recorded it in your own garage. The composition was very good (i loved the guitar solo).

And, well, you've already mentioned that you're not exactly a vocalist, so i'm not gonna rail on you for that (But, nonetheless, it was adaquete). But I think you really need to work on the EQ for the backup vocals. Some parts were overpowering the lead. No part specifically, but the end was especially bad on this.

Bottom line, instrumentals excellent; vocals alright, but backup vocals bad.

[Setu_Firestorm]

Well, the long download time is because of the connection speed with CP's server. It downloads everything at roughly 56kbps.

I'm assuming you listened to "Just a Thought". While I agree that the backup vocals needed better EQing, I have practiced new mixing techniques as I went along, so the latter songs have the more recent mixing experiments.

Thanks for the feedback, Fenix.
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[Artimus Bena]

I like the title Cheshire Act; except that it reminds me of Sister Act ! : o
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