Now this is quite a formidable opponent. I was immediately drawn in to the percussion, then the plucking duo, and once I realized you had a quartet of voices at your disposal, I turned around and gave up on life. This was a hugely refreshing track from the humdrum and the stress of life, at least in my life recently. And it had the perfect amount of everything; not too long and not too short. It's such a huge advantage that you had live performers and instruments. I half-wish you had a jaw harp solo just so that something was a nuisance in this piece. Great work. A perfect fit for the genre, to the extent of my little knowledge lol...
Reviews for "The Prodigal"
bassfiddlejones responds:
This was a refreshing review! I'm glad you liked the piece man, we will have to do vocal work more often. :) maybe next time we will include a jaw harp and credit you
NGADM Review:
This is the best and most memorable song in the competition. And the scores you got really show it. I know that I gave the lowest score out of the judges and it brought your average down a little bit, but it's mainly because I rated soundchris's track first and liked this track that much more. I have VERY little to comment on with this track, and only nitpicks. This has a wonderful soundscape and you chose each instruments sounds perfectly. The kick drum has a really nice, low feel that fits the environment of the song. The same with the snare and the guitar.
Vocals are awesome man. First off, it's not very fair because I'm obsessed with guy/girl duets. I don't have anything to comment on except that it would have been nice to hear the vocals panned a little bit more. You and your wife and Josh and his wife expressed so much emotion in your singing, and it was all composed very well. Vocals can be difficult, but you nailed it man.
And obviously, the part at 2:08. Holy shit dude. Everytime I listen to it I get chills (only listened to this on loop about 20 times now, nbd). It's just so unexpected and fits so nicely. The changes in the guitar, the drums, the vocals. I love it man. I can only describe all of the elements of this track as tasteful. Everything feels to be placed naturally and like the song needs it to be complete, but I didn't know I wanted it until you put it in the track.
Mixing is really solid too man, this might just be a preference, and I feel it might not really work with the emotion and soundscape of the track, but I would have liked to hear the overall track to be a little brighter. This could be fixed in mastering I'm sure. But again, just a nitpick. I feel this track has a much greater quality than your previous work in this competition which is awesome to hear. I feel it might have to do with the samples you usually use. Whatever it is, you seemed to have nailed it here.
Great work man, looking forward to your next entry. Good luck in finals!
9.6/10
-Ryan
bassfiddlejones responds:
Stunkel, thank you for the kind review! We really loved making this song. I hear you about the mix, though I think generally it's a pretty minor thing. Thanks for your comment on the vocals, this is really my first time putting my voice out there in a recording, I'm glad it went ok!
I love the edgy, down-to-earth vibe here. All of you guys have amazing voices, btw - they're so soulful and soothing. I can just picture the old country bartender luring me in for a drink after a long day on the road. I also enjoyed the structural relief offered by 2:15. The mood and atmosphere here is utterly fantastic, and the production quality is so high that it could've been taken right out of a commercial for either Viagra or Chevy. The lyrics are just as good as the vocals, too. Amazing. I don't even care about the liquor - you're getting a generous tip! ;D Insta-faved and downl- WAIT! There is no download! Why do you torture me?! Seriously, though, that banjo-playing can only be described as badass. "Doing something different" as you put it seemed to work out extremely well! Congrats on another breathtakingly good track! :D
I'm a country boy myself and I've been looking for something good to listen to...
THIS WAS AMAZING... I can't find the download button but I'd like to add it to my play list...
Thank You for such good quality music...
Very RDR2