Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back

I made rough mixes of Lies & Speculation. Then I fiddled with the mix. Then I fiddled again. And again.
No matter what i did, I couldn't make the vocals sound the way I want to. They're pitched properly, but have an awful brittleness that I can't get rid of.

I recorded this album with the same microphone I did Overture with: An AKG 2000B condenser mic (nice, fancy). This time, I've also recorded some last-minute clips with my Shure 58 (industry standard, indestructable average mic) and they sounded much better.

So i've realized that I have to re-record almost all the vocal tracks AGAIN. And i have to do it this weekend, as it's the last one i'll have until mid-june at best. This schedule is brutal....

And of course it's the first nice weekend Toronto has had this year and i'd rather be spending it outdoors. But, this is the choice I've got to make.

Dream Analysis

Permit me to be a little self-indulgent here. Because it’s MY blog… haha.

I’m really loving ‘The Dream’ at the moment. It’s the only song with a decent mix, and it’s getting some incredible reviews. I was just out on my balcony smoking a Monte Cristo, and listening to the song again. Suddenly I saw (imagined) it on another level.

The introduction: steady, like a freight train. If you work hard, you’ll get what you want.

The first verse follows suit: Put your nose to the grindstone, slow and steady wins the race.

The first bridge section: a crash, an explosion: Life gets grandiose, but there’s a trip-up, a stagger. Don’t worry, you caught the beat fast enough and kept to the path.

Guitar Riff: Who’s that cocky bastard that jumped the beat, getting in before the starting gun? Flashy, showy SOB aren’t you?

Second Verse: You’re still following the path, the straight and narrow. But that cocky guitar keeps interrupting, jumping in and out, distracting you. Something’s not right. It’s not flowing as simply as it did.

The second bridge section explodes: Similar to the first graduation, but there’s a little more tension in here. Stumbling again, catching yourself and moving on. But you know what’s wrong.

The chorus: That’s right, this is life. Speak your mind, it’s the only way to get what you want. Need help? Ask for it. Wanna barrel through? Try that too.

Afterwards: What’s this? This is weird, and it’s not comfortable. Pretty isolated and lonely huh? Way to go, you’ve really locked yourself into something haven’t you?

Another bridge section: This one’s got a little more struggle in it. You know what you’ve done wrong, now fix it.

Chorus number two: If this song was a Rocky movie, this would be the training montage. Get yourself back into shape. Remember that man you used to be? The one you respected? Let’s get you back there.

Guitar Riff: Yes, that cocky SOB is back. And he’s not deviating this time, he’s unstoppable. You know he’s going to end it with a balls-out bash! When he’s good and ready.

I hope that wasn’t too arrogant, I just really felt the need to express that. It wasn’t too far from my thoughts when I wrote and arranged it, but some introspection came to me tonight. Maybe it’s the beer and cigar, maybe it’s because I just hit a major milestone in my life tonight (finished my university qualification), or maybe I’m just full of it.

Pre-Release

I'm not a patient man. I can't wait to get Lies & Speculation mixed. So here's a rough mix of 'The Dream.' Enjoy!