Trouble in the HOOD III

Trouble in the HOOD III:  http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11336079
-- That HeavenlyChoir

-- (Dedicated to: groove artist: Shad (Foxwolfen) ... whose early songs prompted my protracted investigation into clacky grooves and beatz ... a fresh deliverance from my garage-band norms, etc.)

***Trap Music: Urban Christian: Skate and Dance***


3.5 Minutes ... 

Vocals: Joy Traynor, Philip Traynor
Groove, Beatz, other 'Instruments': Philip Traynor
Guitars, Bass, and Co-Production: Danny Danzi

*Note: Beatz were largely developed via Toontrack's Beatstation (a 'quirky' drum machine). :)

Please insult, criticize, enjoy, etc. as feasible.  Utmost thanks in advance for any thoughts great or small !!!

I think you are the most creative person on the forums, bar none. And You seem to have come long way with your mixing skills. Really well done. Bass is just right, mids are clear and nice sizzle on the highs. Awesome. True, your music is often a bit disturbing, but that is part of your appeal. I find it nowhere near as disturbing as I used to. Now I just find it really cool. Exposure I guess.

Not my cup of tea musically, thematically or lyrically Philip, but top marks for the production, it sounds excellent.

I love it. Who is the kid singing??!! (Gives it almost a haunting feel)

I don't find it disturbing at all, certainly artistic and original.

Similiar to tony, I found the lead vox to struggle to fit the music time in places.

Vgood though,

Cian

Frank and James: Thanks for the listen and thoughts.  Much appreciated!  Thematically, this is spot on, IMHO:  i.e, a Christ's judgement on our behalf and his resurrection!  ... Not some sugary Xmas travesty.  This is 'hood' groaning in a disturbing society as perceived by child and adult.

Shad: Thanks for your validation; hope you didn't mind dedicated this to you ... for the beatz sake.  I thought of you during the grooves.

Cian and Tony: Thanks for your thoughts, I'll check the timing and vocal takes et al.  The girl is Joy, my daughter.

Dayrl: Much thanks for your encouragement.

Lynn: Thanks for your awesome thoughts.  In light of recent events these last few years, plus Xmas travesty, the kindergarten massacre, Hurricane Sandy's aftermath, etc., everyone's losses and crosses, etc.  ... trouble in the hood has been as surprising as ever, IMHO.  

Lynn, I know you succeed to be exceedingly masterful here ... I always covet your thoughts.

Mind? I am flattered. It is me that has been validated. You reasoning behind the motif of this piece strikes me a both rather profound and sound. In context of your belief system, this would seem a most appropriate cry.

 A really cool tune, I love the the percussion and weirdness of the whole thing. The lead vocal melody was very nicely constructed and great performance. Danny did a great job as he always does. A real pro sounding production here. Congrats.

I'm glad you took my advice Philip and returned to the "weird" stuff again.  Like a few have said your mixing has come along really well.  It's perhaps the clearest mix I have heard from you.  I love the crazy kids voice's.  I also love how this is an anthem as well.  Once again I cant really here the "god" message so that is a real skill you have, that is the way you can make "christian" music but it's very main stream.  Finally I also love the thermin sound you have got going. 

Peace Ben

OhGrant: Thanks dear sir for your awesome thoughts and validations.  I'm totally flattered by your crit :):):)  It appears that you didn't let the other crits hamper your encouraging thoughts.  (This song has conjured up some diametrically opposed opinions ... hahaahaahha!)  I hope to witness your next excellent offering.

Ben: I've always loved your awesome pieces and adamant diversions ... and thank you for your validations.  I don't really listen to Christian music (except church) and hope the groanings and the beatz layers are entertaining enough.  I honor your signature btw ("Opinions are like ... etc etc).  Music + opinion(s) = "Song", IMHO, JMO :):):)

Kev: Thank you for your extremely thoughtful and perceptive crit ... which I agree with.  I've always considered you as one of precious few rock stars that we have here.  I'll see what I can do about enhancing some other lows in the chorus.  One reason this was 'less busy' in areas, was that Danny helped me weed out the mush.  He somehow managed to discover discordant dissonances that had to be fixed.  His bass-line is extremely solid.  So now, the solid 'music' drives the piece with less confusion, methinks.

Yes I'm the portrait painter, too.  The Avatar is an acrylic portrait of my 9 y/o Joy, the child-singer, along with her little sister (Ariel) ... traversing on the outskirts of a 'hood-of-disturbia'.  
Originally the painting was orange and black (more apocalyptic).  Joy requested her dress be changed to pink ... so I sugar-coated it somewhat. 

Dodsie: Thanks so much for your listen, thoughts, and utmost encouragement.  I tried to 'hook' from different directions ... without going too overboard ... for repeat listening.  Layers, counters, eclectics, multi-vocs, skillful stringed instruments and bass (Danny), etc.  I may pull up his instruments, per Kev, as they are truly worthy (to my ears).

JamesYoyo: You've always been the envy of all of us, so your thoughts and validations weigh most heavily here.  I'm certain Danny appreciates your chiming tremendously, as he went overboard fixing this into solidity.  Vox-wise, I have a lot to learn, from you and others.  (The original Trap version was as incoherent and jumbled as Dirty South can get.)