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Hey folks. I'm back! I had a bit of a haitus forced on me when my wife was diagnosed with RA about 6 months ago. She is doing better now, and I am back in the saddle.

Here is my new song, or pair of songs depending on how you define it. All critiques are welcome, especially on the mix.

Suite: Monster

SUITE: MONSTER

PRIMA

Love, crowded out by hate
Bliss, confounded by the pain
Pride, a casualty of shame
Fight to keep the fear at bay

There's a monster
A monster's in control
Monster
A monster's in control

Black, painted over white
Gray, can't get the shade just right
Dark makes a shadow out of light
Death survives because of life

I feel your fear

There's a monster
A monster's in control
Monster
A monster's in control

CODA

You are living in a dream
When the monster comes for you
Resist the urge to run away
Be the one who makes the rules

Use your fear to fight it
Find the courage and let it show
Remember it needs you to survive
It can't prevail if it's alone

Hi TC:

I just listened and enjoyed "Monster!" Glad to hear your wife is doing better. Where would we be without them?

When I hear a song I like (like this one) I sometimes pretend I'm a producer assigned to getting it recorded after selecting an artist, band or group to do your creative bidding. I immediately thought of "The Eagles" for this one. Nothing wrong with your version but it always seems to help if a big name or group is putting out a new album or even a single. This one fits the "long song" description but big names can get away with it... and we usually can't.

Thanks for your creativity and talent. Very nice lyric, vocal and production. Best of luck with it. ----Dave

For me the gaps between lyrical phrases are too big.
good contrast between verses and chorus

Hi TC
Welcome back.Pleased to hear your wife is doing well!
Quite a dark write but it works lyrically and musically
Thanks for the listen
Travis

Thanks, Dave. I am glad you enjoyed the tune.

I decided to take a creative risk and piece together a 2-parter. Interesting that you mentioned the Eagles because I can hear their influence on the prima section and Rush's influence in the coda. I used Gb & Ebmin. in the main song (prima) with a downtempo feel, and Ebmaj. in the coda with more of an uptempo feel. I figured I would go ahead and do the longer more progressive version to satisfy my artistic tooth.

A more commercial version would drop the coda, and simply repeat the ending chorus. I had this in mind when I recorded the song; I will probably post the 'remix' before the year is out.

I always look forward to your comments - muchos gracias.

Peace,
TC

I like this one.
Economical but complex at the same time.

Vic

Hi TC,

If I was to add one modern song to the Spielberg-ian "Stranger Things" Netflix drama which is set in the Eighties, it would be this song, played over the scene where Joyce (Winona Ryder), Jonathan and Will are frantically posting the pictures that Will was drawing and stapling them to the the walls all over their house. This great song would not have been out of place.

It's a beautiful and succint bit of singable poety that I like a lot.

Really nice arrangement and production and vocals, and all the parts worked together for me.

If I'd change anything, I think the first two sets of verse vocals could be mixed a tad louder or with slightly tighter compression levels. But you know what you're doing. This is mixed like a band would mix their song, and it great.

I love your mix of prog and hard rock elements and haven't heard such enjoyable synth leads in ages.

Nice work,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike

Nice one, TC! Interesting lyric and well done musical production. Reminds me a little of the days of album cuts, those long, hidden gems we used to listen to while laying on the floor and passing around...oops...did I say that out loud? Nevermind... I enjoyed my listen.

Ricki

TC,

Very cool song. Made me think of Blue Oyster Cult. And that's a good thing.
A little lengthy for sure but who cares if the radio plays it...
Great production and lyrics.
No tips for improvement, other than to shorten it to 3.5 minutes but you already know that.
I like it a lot!
Thanks for sharing.

Paul

TC,

Like the sound of this one right out of the gate. To me, maybe bringing the vocal out front a bit more would help. It particularly gets lost in the chorus. But that’s a production thing—clearly not my strong suit—so take it for what it’s worth. Enjoyed this one a lot.

All the best,

Deej

Hello TC,


Wow, good work, very creative.
This part is really nice......

Death survives because of life


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

TC,

I really liked this rock song. It for me is a great example of a song with a lot of drive, yet still has good instrument separation along with a solid melody--great vocals too that are easily understood. I can see the Eagles a bit, but your voice has a Graham Nash tone as well--a cool thing. I loved the mix, but think Mike Z was right about having the lead vox in places sit out a "tad" more. I like the lyrics but especially musically how it flows. Great percussion too!

steady-eddie

Like the song TC, I understand the lyric, except for one line in the song, like the way its written and what a great sound. Lane

The style is a bit sparse. I may add some touches in the spaces when I do a new mix soon.
This is your typical major key in the verse modulating to the relative minor in the chorus; that plus the backing harmonies provides contrast. It stills needs a little something in the choruse, though, just not sure quite what, yet.



Thanks Travis. I appreciate the listen and well wishes.

Thanks Vicarn. I kept the tracking to a dull roar and decided to take some risks with the arrangement. It was fun to do.



Thanks, Mike! If only... I could use the money for my studio. Of course, this is not the 80s anymore, and a retro tune like this is unlikely to garner much acclaim, lol.

I think the mix could use a bit of work, it's pretty good but not stellar. I do know what I am doing sometimes, other times I just fiddle around! I will be doing a new mix soon (working on a new song too, so I am juggling), and I will definitely consider this advice.

Glad you liked the synth solo. It was challenging to do because I just don't practice enough scales, etc. anymore and my chops aren't what they used to be.



Thanks, Ricki. I knew what you meant! - passing around the cheetos, right?



Thanks, Paul. I enjoyed doing this one, and I have zero illusions about it getting any radio play. If I still played live I might get a play here and there on college radio but those days are gone...

I will probably do a version where I cut the coda, and just repeat the second chorus for a shorter tune (this is really almost two songs in one). The other version would come across much less progy and be in the 3-4 minute sweet spot.

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Many thanks on the listens and comments.

I am doing these replies in chunks, and trying not to miss anyone.

Peace,
TC

A mighty fine piece of work TC.
Especially loved the old school synth lead and the chorus is very strong.

Nice work

Glad to hear your wife's doing better.

This is a strong rock and roll write TC. I really enjoyed it a lot.

Clever mix.

Thanks Deej. I will be doing a new mix soon; I was going to do one sooner but I got involved in a new song. I always appreciate critique - it helps me get better.



Thanks, Calvin. I appreciate the listen and glad you liked the lyrics (at least that one line! :-p)



Thanks, Eddie. After I did it I could hear the Eagles influence in the first part, and Rush a bit on the second. I will be doing a new mix and I will try to make the vox sound a bit bigger.

Drums were a nightmare at first but now I really have fun doing them.



Thanks, Lane. Glad you liked it. I would be interested to know which line you don't understand.

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Thanks again! I appreciate the listen and comments, as always.

Peace,
TC

Hi TC i`ll message you..was a pleasure to listen to you.

Thanks, Nelson. I am glad you liked it.

I appreciate it.



Thanks, David. It was a fun song to do.

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I appreciate the listens and comments, folks. I hope I haven't missed anyone so far.

Peace,
TC

It is The lyric that I like the most. Nice song PC Perkins.

Great Chorus....

There's a monster
A monster's in control
Monster
A monster's in control

2nd verse...I would have wanted you to put the 4th line as the 3rd


Black, painted over white
Gray, can't get the shade just right
Dark makes a shadow out of light - Death survives because of life
Death survives because of life - Dark makes a shadow out of light