New Band Studio Recordings (alt/indie/pop/rock/ish)

[:amaze:]

after hitting the studio hard, here's 4 songs from our upcoming album. let me know what you think? I play bass in the band, so you know. input on any aspects of the recordings would be awesome. thanks.

http://www.myspace.com/jslrocks




:amaze:

[Crowley5150]

For a Beat : Started out a little generic and I wasn't sure what where it was going, but once the bigger riff came in, and the higher pitch verse vocal gave the song a great structure.... and then the chorus came in and was a real pleasant surprise.... the chorus lyric, on paper, is pretty cheezy, but you really pull it off well. I don't know why people generally can't make "happy" music anymore, but man this song is great.... the bridge works so well too.

Excellent effort on this song. Its not rocket science and its not ground breaking, but it doen't need to be!

How to Stay : I liked the guitar/vox only start though the guitar was very low in the mix I had to turn it up to hear it. Nice melody, nice build up, adding in the second guitar melody, then the drum and bass kick in building well. The first time the chorus played felt a bit flat. Felt like it needed to be more punchy. More of the guitar tone of For a Beat.... the whole songs opening progression built to what needed a more powerful chorus.

Good work on the song, I just think the chorus is let down by lack of dynamics. It almost sounds like its an acoustic track of a song originally written heavier.

Borderline : I love the dirty start. A totally different feel that the first 2 songs I listened to. I thought that it started really well, but needed to build to the chorus by the introduction of a more muddier guitar under the guitar melody thats the main musical focus of this song.

Like half way between each verse, there is a great drum/bass/guitar fill in there which would be a great spot to up the rhythm guitar in there and make it punch alot more. Great work though..... Solid melodies and and good structure.

Was it Laszlo : Now this is totally different. It wasn't until the vocal kicked in that I actually got into the groove of the song. The riff seemed to be pulling against the drum pattern and the vocals actually gave it some form enough to work out how the rif was supposed to be heard.

Not a big fan of this song.... I think its too forced and its like you are trying hard to be something else. The first 3 songs I listened to soudned incredibly natural, but this one just seemed forced.

Overall you have done a great job and I look forward to hearing more you.

[indietrash]

How to Stay:
the first bit with only the guitars and vocals is excellent. and you really pull off introducing the bass and drum kit to the track.
really like the part with the falsetto, followed by the guitar solo - and then the more credible vocals. a very laid back and consistent song. it's very pleasant to listen to. such a tranquil acoustic guitar, kept company by an equally tranquil bass. the drumming is nothing short of excellent. the vocals are really good, 'specially towards the end.
3/5

Borderline:
good guitar harmonies. top notch vocals. a very flowing bassline and, nice drive on the drums.
when the acoustic guitar _really_ kicks in - it's amazing. I don't know if the solution with cutting the acoustic guitar's drive, in favour of a more attitude-filled punching is a good solution. I think that it'd perhaps work better with letting the acoustic guitar continue it's drive, and further evolve into a more intense drive. the electric lead guitar is awesome the whole way, though. it does a very good job of keeping the song alive. the vocals keeps getting better towards the end of the track. the "oh no no no/borderliiine" and so on- bit is very good. but not only the vocals are thorough here. the drumming and bass is just... very cool, to put it easy. the track in itself is very cool. and good.
3.5/5

Was It Laszio:
totally different from the previos tracks. but in a good or bad way? well. it's hard to tell. the song isn't really all that bad, I s'pose. but I just can't get into the groove of it. the only thing I can dig 'bout this track must be the main rhythm guitar riff, but it gets quickly worn out. this track just gives me a creepy pop-"punk" (think Good Charlotte, Start Trouble, The Summer Obsession and so on) vibe. and I'm afraid I do not like it very much.
2/5

For a Beat:
now we're getting back to the more familiar JSL sound. as Crowley pointed out - a bit generic in the start. but only 'til the lovely melodic guitar riff kicked in for the second time, whilst the more high pitched vocals make you feel like this track is going somewhere (good).
the bridge is awesome. the perhaps best part on the song, along with the breakdown after the bridge - who kicks ***. the cheezy grande finale chorus that you find on damn near every good pop song is of course evident. maybe a bit predictable; but look on the bright side - you actually pull it off without making me puke. a good song.
3.5/5



overall I'd say you've got heaps of potential, and a nice core sound. keep recording.