New Drift Effect Songs Posted--opinions?

Two songs have been uploaded to our myspace page:  www.myspace.com/drifteffect.

 

 

They were recorded at Pachyderm studios.  Produced/Mixed by Chris Mara.  Mastered in Cleveland, Ohio by Tommy Wiggins.  Let us know what you think... 

I was very eager to hear this stuff.

 

I plan on posting a more in depth view in the next couple days. Some things jumped out at me though.

 

Timing issues with the drums (verse of 'no rides').

 balance of drums in the mix.

guitar tones overall were pretty good.

that tripelet thing in  the end of the chorus on 'no rides' was not a good production idea. it wasn't executed well

 

I'm gonna listen some more tonight. It hurts because i'm fairly tight with Chris. Still, IMHO, I think the stuff could have sounded better. There is some sujectivity in this but when it comes to editing for tightness (or being able to get a musician to perform it 'better') I feel that you guys dropped the ball on some things.

 

To the band:

 I do certainly hope you are happy with the end result. Afterall, that's what matters.

This is good critique but to an untrained ear? I think the continuity of the music is amazing and the album in it's complete context is like nothing this city has produced in a long time.

These two tracks are not emblematic of the bands musical direction. They are doing some things different from the rest of the scene. And they are doing it well. I have had the good fortune of hearing the album in it's entirtey and there are parts of the album that make the hairs on the back of you neck stand up. A winning combination. Chris Mara and Pacyderm....There is always something that could have been better, Daryll ,but the overall quality of the record is undeniable. Top notch stuff from a top notch local band.

 

Bonzo:

and the album in it's complete context is like nothing this city has produced in a long time.

C'mon.

I downloaded a bunch of Chris' samples from his site. Seems like all of his mixes have the drums buried and the vocals cranked.

You're asking so I'll say something.

I like their manager and they seem like nice dudes but...

There's nothing new at all here.  This city has produced about 1000 bands just like this since Pearl Jam released Ten.  

 
As far as the recording.

I have to agree with the timing issues.  The kick is very obvious and I can't believe nobody at least "adjusted" it.   The snare sounds like someone hitting a cardboard box.  The guitars are a monolithic sludge most times along with the bass.  A lot of the vocals could stand some better takes. 

 

Originality:  2

Tones: 3

Mix: 3

Promotion: 10

 

Sorry, I did not like it at all. 
 

Bonzo:

This is good critique but to an untrained ear? I think the continuity of the music is amazing and the album in it's complete context is like nothing this city has produced in a long time.

These two tracks are not emblematic of the bands musical direction. They are doing some things different from the rest of the scene. And they are doing it well. I have had the good fortune of hearing the album in it's entirtey and there are parts of the album that make the hairs on the back of you neck stand up. A winning combination. Chris Mara and Pacyderm....There is always something that could have been better, Daryll ,but the overall quality of the record is undeniable. Top notch stuff from a top notch local band.

 

 

I guess I'm a little confused by your post. I wouldn't consider myself God's gift to engineers but I am confident my ears are pretty damn trained. 

I'm all for continuity and good songs. That's why I wasn't gonna blast the shit out of the 2 tracks I (briefly) heard.

Undeniable quality? That's subjective. I hope that after hearing the complete work, I can eat my words. My standards aren't the highest. I just go by 'could I have done it as good or better'. That's honest isn't it?

I have no reason to sugarcoat anything. As I said, I know Chris and like him a lot. IF I have critiques of the production ...the sonic qualities of the record, I am confident he will take them as I intended. I would want and welcome feedback on my production and engineering skillz.
 

 

 

No Rides sounds better on Chris' page FYI

 

 http://www.myspace.com/chrismara

 

 

Same Old:

No Rides sounds better on Chris' page FYI

 

 http://www.myspace.com/chrismara

 

 

 

I can't hear that version until tonight. Does it change your rating any? Honest question.  

Tones and mix bump up 1-2.  Must be a better mp3 ripper. 

Originality and promotion remain the same. 

Same Old:

Tones and mix bump up 1-2.  Must be a better mp3 ripper. 

Originality and promotion remain the same. 

 

from what i heard through various grapevines, they have a pretty good marketing budget. that could be just rumor.  

Daryll....

Their promotional budget is all there own..and yes it does look nice.

Same Old....Bryan,

 Who else in this scene is doing what DE does without needing justification to do it. They do it because it works...musically...it tells a story. We are in a period in our history where all people will  remember what was not done instead of what was done. Drift Effect puts these issues on the table. You make the "Pearl Jam" reference...there is nothing wrong with showing and playing with your influences, that is what inspired all of us to play music in the first place.  Pearl Jam is a pretty good influence....it is a noticable one relative to Drift Effect, and "Be Something" but what is wrong with that? Pearl Jam made a mark and still are, they tell the story as it is ment to be told. Without fluffy edges and smoke and mirrors.  

I think What Drift Effect is doing is different from what the rest of the mainstream musicians are producing today because it dosen't give a shit. Someone says EMO...Drift Effect says FUCK YOU. Some says POP Drift Effect says FUCK YOU.....Every one spends way to much time trying to be the next big thing and they lose sight of the big picture....music has always and will always come from somewhere...and although we all want comercial success it is when we work to hard to become what we are not that we lose sight of where it comes from in the first place. And our music goes from something that means something to just another hole in the boat.

 

   

Are you in the band Bonzo? 

I am not.....just a scenster that has been moved by Drift Effect.

 You see a Drift Effect show is an experience....and you really should take time out to be moved as well.

 You will not regret it.

I'm just giving my opinion.  I know these dudes work hard.  But I don't think they'll move beyond what they're doing now with the music on their MySpace page.  That's all.  I'm all for bands putting effort into being a band and all that entails, but I just don't think the music is there. 

Send your drummer to Donny to work on his right foot.  Take some time off from the super show schedule to write some original songs.  These dudes need to find a sound that is their own.  The singer sounds like about 30 other singers I've met, he needs his own style.  I'm not saying give up, I'm just giving my opinion as to where they are right now and what needs improvement, as was asked.

Bonzo:

I am not.....just a scenster that has been moved by Drift Effect.

Ah, another one of those illusive friends of the band that stumble onto this site.

Point taken...and I am sure the band will take that critic for what it is. But I can tell you this....there songs...all of them...are completlely original. They do have a sound all their own. They sound like no other local band I have heard recently and they have a singer that can actually hit his notes which is more than I can say for 99.9 percent of the vocalists out there. Who cares if he sounds like he has been influenced by a certain era. Influences are Influences. Every musician sounds a bit like those that inspired them it is only natural.

 

 

From your past posts you seem to work for Kinetic, or you're Charles alter ego. 

Alter ego...what alter ego?

Does it really matter who I am? I But yes I have helped Kinetic Music out in the past but I am not who you think I am. ANd I am not in the band. But I do know Charles and he is a good cat. Working Hard for local tunes. 

 

Bonzo:

Charles and he is a good cat. Working Hard for local tunes.
 

Completely agreed. 

Be sure to tell your friends about the CD release show. April 14th.

 

The album is worth the price of admission and the live show will be off the hook.

 Drift Effect is an experience.

 

 

which is more than I can say for 99.9 percent of the vocalists out there.

You should get out to more shows than just DE. There are plenty singers out there who hit the right notes. Locally, I have dealt with many.  

Daryll....99.9 percent is a bit of an exageration, the point was there are plenty of bands out there that May or May not be popular that have singers that can't hold a tune. And I have heard some really well produced albums that make the singer of a band sound like they have skills, come to find out at their live show it is all smoke and mirrors. DE is an amazing live band. And their music makes a statement. It comes from somewhere. WIthout the benefit of smoke and Mirrors.

Don't miss the CD release.

 

 

Bonzo:

Daryll....99.9 percent is a bit of an exageration, the point was there are plenty of bands out there that May or May not be popular that have singers that can't hold a tune. And I have heard some really well produced albums that make the singer of a band sound like they have skills, come to find out at their live show it is all smoke and mirrors. DE is an amazing live band. And their music makes a statement. It comes from somewhere. WIthout the benefit of smoke and Mirrors.

Don't miss the CD release.

 

 

I find it best to NOT exaggerate when you are taking a stand in a debate.

I'm in session the day of the release show. I will, however, be picking up the cd when it's avail. I look forward to critiquing the rest of the album.