Another from the collection, #50 a few more hours work and I'm ready for some critical ears please... anything you can think of to make it better? Production/Performance/Songcraft, and specifically the mix. Any little thing... please and thanks. And thanks for all the great feedback already. Piece by piece this is coming together and I may well be done sometime during 5090!. :)
This one started life during FAWM 2015 and was written 5 days before Have You Seen Charlotte Lately? Boy, I must have been on a roll :)
It's hard to play favorites but this is one I'm particularly fond of.
I hope you like it too!
All updates based on feedback can be heard on the bandcamp version: : https://wolfkier.bandcamp.com/track/strength-to-believe-next-to-you-wk050
Strength to Believe (Next To You) by Wolf Kier
wk050 Copyright Wolf Kier 2015 2022
I'm happy right now but I'll still be around when the rain comes
I owe it to you to be strong and be true, when it does,
A woman like you make me believe that the
pain can't hurt us, the pain can't hurt us,
And the strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new
And when the flood comes a calling, baby, I'll be standing next to you.
I'm standing my ground, every sight every sound it's a warning
With your hand in my hand, we can leave every Eden behind
A woman like you make me believe that the
pain can't hurt us, the pain can't hurt us,
And the strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new
And when the flood comes a calling, baby, I'll be standing next to you.
(instrumental)
And when the Rapture is past and we gaze at the light of the morning
I'll still be the man who stands strong and true beside you.
A woman like you make me believe that the
pain can't hurt us, the pain can't hurt us,
And the strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new
And when the flood comes a calling, baby, I'll be standing next to you.
And the strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new
And when the flood comes a calling, baby, I'll be standing next to you.
And the strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new
And when the flood comes a calling, baby, I'll be standing next to you
next to you.
@radiobenedetto Mar 2022
I really enjoyed this one. I think the strings add lightness and color to the arrangement that stands out against the other pieces in this collection. It both fits right in and adds. The more I get into your project the more I appreciate your work as a unique sound than as stand alone songs. This is so solid that cc is picking nits at this point. If I had suggest something to take a second look at it, it's that the chorus effect on the guitar and the synth sound are competing at some of the same frequencies. You notice this especially in the intro at :12 to ;20. You might consider high pass filter on one or both and compare the graphical channel eqs for both and pick spots to carve out unique space for each. That's getting into the fine grains that we rarely have time for in fawm so good for you for sticking with these and bringing them back for feedback. Sounding great! #tit4tat6
@intoyourlight Mar 2022
Ooof…where shall I begin? First, the lush strings got me right from the start. Then your gritty vocals - love them! I also Don’t think that there are too many affects on them. But I’m someone who doesn’t mind looking up the lyrics if I can’t understand something. I think the effects are very fitting to the whole song and they make your vocals feel like an instrument, which of course it is. There is more about Vocals than just words. But again, that’s just my view, coming from vocal lessons where we just spend half an hour experimenting without words. Love the song.
@ayehahmur Mar 2022
I like so much about this. It properly rocks along, with the big reverb on the guitars and the lush strings in behind making it a very smooth listen. There's quite a late 80s vibe to the backing in fact (which is nice to hear again), although it's offset by a much more contemporary vocal performance. It all amounts to a big song, really well constructed and a very sweet listen.
In terms of criticism, I'd agree with those below mentioning the lack of separation. The strings fill up so much of the available space that for me they're crowding things like the guitars out just a little. Also, I'd edge a little of the reverb (is there a delay on there too?) off the vocals too just to let the diction come out a little clearer.
@bethdesombre Mar 2022
I love the framing of "but I'll still be around when the rain comes" as a way to indicate the bad times (and the idea of standing next to you in the flood). I also like the phrasing of "strength to believe is the strength to stand brand new." So many excellent phrases/images to demonstrate steadfastness. Nice! #tit4tat
@n24 Mar 2022
I love the vocal style! Got a very growly 90’s feel. This mix is awesome too, there’s a lot of cool things going on. I like the strings and the stereo sound as well which I haven’t heard many people play with. The instrumental break is a nice change in the pace with the very punchy drums and the riffing. Very cool lyrics too, very dense (which I appreciate). Awesome stuff :) I’m afraid I don’t have a lot in the way of constructive feedback for you, though maybe recruiting someone to add some backing vocals or to take a portion of the song to mix up the vocal stylings a little? #tit4tat
@wolfkier Mar 2022
More mix updates March 4: https://wolfkier.bandcamp.com/track/strength-to-believe-next-to-you-wk050
@sheslin Mar 2022
I really like the lyrical pacing of this song - the quick pace sits nicely over the instrumental track which is more minimal and compliments your cool vocals. I really like the "pain can't hurt us" - how your phrase it and how the instrumental track highlights it - it is a nice moment in the song. I really like the instrumental outro - sounds a like a little isntrumental chaos as it builds and then fades out. #tit4tat
@fearlessflight2014 Mar 2022
‘The pain can’t hurt us’ I love those contradictory lyrics that stop you in your tracks and draw you in further. So many beautiful sonic touches and that driving drum track further enhances the expansiveness of the setting. Moody and lush - love it! #tit4tat
@wolfkier Mar 2022
Thanks all so much for the input, an updated version March 3 is in the soundcloud player above. The complaints department is open for business, and happy to help, any other nits/crits/input/opinions to make this better? :)
@rshakesp Mar 2022
First off - I really like this - I like the grove, the pace, the instrumentation and the vocal. If my ears aren’t fooling me I think you have a broad pan on your strings - laid out as you would expect them to be arranged orchestrally - violins left viola cello right - you have a fair bit of decorative guitar soloing going on at the same time and I would like to hear a bit more separation spatially between them - perhaps close the strings closer to centre and move the guitars left and right - I think that might clean the mix even more. I hope that helps and is the kind of feedback you want
@sheilerk Mar 2022
That first line is what every person in a relationship wants to hear! And then you repeat the key message at the end of every verse. Perfect!
That solo between verses was killer. I loved it!
T4T
@driftwood1 Mar 2022
I can see why you are fond of this, this is great. The opening line sets the scene perfectly and is so full of meaning and relatability. Great production as well. I dig how the instrumentation rises up at the end like its going to overtake the vocal. This is ready for the big time! #tit4tat
@tukayandryan Mar 2022
Also your vocal is ace! #tit4tat
@tukayandryan Mar 2022
Beautiful lyrics. Such a rich soundscape. Love the strings. This is a really moving song and lovely to hear such positivity about a relationship. Guitar solo is ace. This is very empowering. Great production.
@bithprod Mar 2022
Great song, perfect instrumentation, sweet harmonies, and really well produced. A bit of an 80's influence? Chris Rea, Dire Straits....? As for production tips, I'm SO not an expert (not even mediocre), but perhaps some more punch in the drums (a bit of compression and very light reverb, perhaps) and less treble on the vocals? Just my thoughts as a listener, you're obviously a far better producer than I am.
@edwardsmusic Feb 2022
Immediately I'm hooked by the infectious drumbeat and bass, with colourful guitars and synths. Nice lead guitar. I like the subtle vocal harmonies in the choruses. #tit4tat1
@kenficara Feb 2022
Great structure, especially the end of the verses that momentarily sounds like a prechorus but is actually the refrain. The whole vocal subdued vocal approach works very well with the rich backing. And it’s nice the way that backing drops down for the (spare, elegant) instrumental
(Also if you don’t mind me putting on one of my professional hats — copy-editor — add an s to “A woman like you makeS me….”)
@ttg105 Feb 2022
The music feels like rain on the windshield on a dark and chilly night. I really like the lead guitar on this! Very liquidy, and it goes well with the squiggly keyboards. The break at 1:30 rules! Vocals top-notch, as always. An emotion-packed bullet of a tune!
@bradbrubaker Feb 2022
The "pain can't hurt us" part is super-catchy. Favorite line: "With your hand in my hand, we can leave every Eden behind"
@audrey Feb 2022
These lyrics are beautiful. Wonderful melody too and full, rich soundscape. Nice to hear a song about a strong love. Refreshing. I really enjoyed this song. You're very talented. You create such a complete and satisfying sound.
@keithcuts Feb 2022
The mix sounds on point to me !
Strings are nice and help lift the piece.
Cool track all around
@jayjay Feb 2022
Great lyrics. Love how the whole thing is put together all topped by smooth, laid back vocals. Really great. I can see why it’s marked as a favourite.
@rayboneor Feb 2022
Listening to a Wolf Kier recording is like snorkeling in clear water: there's clarity and depth, and you see all these pretty things swimming around. This is a really moving song, and the vocal performance is outstanding. And there are lots of pretty fish everywhere :)
@apauls Feb 2022
I second what folks are saying about Mark Knopfler vibes. You've got some really great textures going on with the interplay of the synths and percussion.
@williamjames Feb 2022
Very cool melody o the vocals, very laid back feeling and brilliant images in the lyrics. Such a cool song!
@writeandwrong Feb 2022
"And when the Rapture is past and we gaze at the light of the morning..." Beautiful visual. I love the positivity in this one. It's slick and oozy sweet while keeping your usual fun, upbeat energy. Smooth!! Another awesome Wolf tune!!!
@wolfkier Feb 2022
Thanks all, and @nadine, I'm updating based on feedback the newest version with tiny tweaks is here: https://wolfkier.bandcamp.com/track/strength-to-believe-next-to-you-wk050
is the vocal the right volume throughout now?
@dzdandcunfsd Feb 2022
Such an amazing and seemless blend in some of that guitar and those strings, they're indistinguisable in parts. I as well can see why this would be one to be especially proud of. Is that some cowbell? :D
All sounds great to my ears. I especially liked the bass coming in a big hotter in that instrumental, that was going to be my only complaint was the bass could be featured a bit more, but it was :D
@ferry0123 Feb 2022
I understand why you like this as a favorite one. It's got an empowering feel by the sharing of love. And the music underpins the message so well with its sudden surprises. I like what I'm hearing!
@nadine Feb 2022
I like the vibe of this song. A typical Wolf Kier in terms of instrumentation and phrasing, cool bass groove and it's catchy. Smooth.
Happy to hear such improvements on the mix. The chirping synthesizer is a bit too loud, especially on the left sight. Vocals can be a bit louder, but this is all I can spot. Well done!
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Oh my! Right off the bat I hear the “Sultan of Swing.” Awesome lyrical story and the way the words roll off your tongue as you sing them is your usual smooth style, which I always enjoy.
@musicsongwriter Feb 2022
Love song from Wolf! Strength, love, believing. Strong, poignant and special song, Wolf. Very smooth production.