Alphabet Review, 527 days later...
She Don't Believe in Time:
The outro is a little long and confusing. But I still don't mind listening to this song at all. I can't actually believe I was able to sing that high for an extended amount of time. Thank god it didn't take 302123 takes. I give it a 9, 10 if we chopped the outro slightly.
Welcome Back:
Smokey and smooth, much like the scotch I'm drinking. I still like this one as well. It gets an 8.
Her:
The lyrics in the "chorus" annoy me in their simplicity, though again, I can still put up with this song. The outro again is a little long (christ, me complaining about the length of these outro makes it sounds like we were on coke the entire time). I think Jeff was right, the Spanish bit at the end might have been a bit too much, but I still like the false ending. It gets a 7. I listen to it all except the Spanish bit usually.
Down in the Sun:
I'd axe the 3rd or 4th verse, and my vocals aren't strong enough to carry the song in the verses (but we knew that in mixing) but I love everything about the chorus as well as the outro. It gets a 6 due to length and lack of strong vocals, with those fixed, I'd an 8. We should have gotten to that outro sooner. I usually listen to at least part of this song.
Britain Baby Blues:
It gets an 8 because it does what it does. Too much Jeff vocals though, which is kinda my fault. I don't mind hearing this one again.
(Not Your) #6:
Alright, this gets a 5. It was a fantastic idea on paper, but things went badly. My vocals aren't strong enough *anywhere*, the verse shouldn't have harmony but need backing unless you want something softer sounding than 'Down in the Sun'. The chorus is muddled because it has to be due to numerous issue in mixing... but the guitar solo kicks straight up ass. But yeah, I usually skip this song.
Quietly, Slightly:
At first I wasn't overly fond of my vocal tone. But I don't mind so much these days. The last two lines in the verse are pretty damn generic. Jeff keeps song the song as interesting as he can considering he had a tight chord loop to deal with. But fuck it, it gets a 9.
Wireless 2.0:
Music wise, this song is awesome. I'd probably chop a verse out and I'm not completely sold on the "I could buy you diamonds or even sand" line as it's sole purpose was to set up the following line (which honestly kicks ass). It just kinda feels too long for a 3:35 song. It gets a 7. I usually listen to most of it but I kinda get bored.
She's Online Right Now:
I never skip this song. Sure, the female vocals are... stiff, and the 'foster grants' bit feels a bit forced, but screw it. Feel the heartache! Live the heartache! For fuck's sake, there's a violin in the song! A 10 it is!
Blue Oyster Blues:
I still don't like my vocal tone in this (for lack of a better word). I seem to slip between Captain Kirk and Bobby Darin, or something. It's too damn long as well but hey, we took a chance considering the attitude/vibe of most of the songs on the CD. It gets a 7 and yeah, I usually don't listen to the entire thing.
SDT:
Alright, don't tell anyone (namely Jeff) but I still think my vocals should have been mixed higher, or the music lower. And seriously, that's my only mixing complaint which is saying quite a bit. It has to be "whisper" singing style in the verse in my mind, which is kinda hard to sing loudly. Another kick ass solo, but the bridge is the best part. It gets a 7. I usually listen to most of it.
Your Only Friend Part 1:
It gets a 9. Listen to those fucking bongos! Listen to the smooth delivery of Jeff's vocals! Listen to me actually sing a backing harmony! It's very organic. The lyrics are deep but completely baffling. But hey, who's aren't? I never skip this song.
Have Fun in Lisbon:
Too fucking long for a fake punk song. It should be under 3 minutes. If you listen closing to my back vocals on the chorus, in my high harmony I'm trying to intentionally sing like a punk rocker chick. All I can say is, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Jeff throws some sort of effect on his lead vocal...I dunno. it gets a 6. I usually listen to part of it.
Cut of Attention:
Again, not a fan of my vocal tone. I was thinking more whispery but that wasn't working in mixing, so I had to sing it more forcefully. And is it me or is it odd to have a piano rocking in a song about someone cutting themselves? Again, it's too long. It gets a 6 as I usually listen to most of it.
My Favorite Hand Me Down:
Smokey, smooth and slow. There are a few bits that sound a little stiff, and lyrically the third verse could be stronger but it gets a 9. And that's all I have to say about that.
Drug Perfect:
This is a 10 song that gets a 5. All sorts of things got fucked up. It sounds like the verse has a head on collision with the chorus (should be another round in there) and the chorus is muddled and then there's the bridge which... well, the less said the better. I *love* this fucking song, I think. There were just too many problems in recording that carried over into mixing. I rarely skip this song as I day dream how rockin' it could have been.
Mangoes & Peaches:
It gets a 9 solely because I know there were "better" recorded intentional vocal cracks that failed to make the cut. That and it's the most lyrically honest that pokes fun at just about everything. Never skipped. Christ, it has a f-bomb in it!
Think it Over (Smile):
Another 10 song but this one gets a... 9. I'm in whisper mode again but the music isn't over powering so it works. Jeff manages to keeps the song the moving with the guitar, everything is pretty level but there are slight jumps in mixing (hey, you go from whispering to screaming in the course of three seconds). I love this song. Never skipped.
Your Only Friend Part 2:
It gets a 2, and no, I don't wanna talk about it.
--
If we did it all over again as a serious commercial release, what would I lobby for?
She Don't Believe in Time
Welcome Back
Her
Quietly, Slightly
She's Online Right Now
Your Only Friend Part 1
My Favorite Hand Me Down
Wireless 2.0
Mangoes & Peaches
Think it Over (Smile)
Britain Baby Blues
Have no idea what I'm talking about? Buy the fucker.