The Goldilocks FX

I had the tune stuck in my head all night last night, so that may be biasing me towards the old version, which sounds a little “sharper?” I’m not really sensitive to the differences, they sound almost identical to me, sorry.

What do I know anyway – I miss the little bell sound between verses.

Well, I don’t think you are sacrificing any intimacy, but could either way. They are both lovely. Though I dislike the synth which comes in at “polite” and “appetites”, it distracts from the entrance of Helen’s nice vocals, your beautiful piano, etc. And I do like the drums, the only sound on them that rubs me the wrong way is the one that sounds like a washing machine knob getting cranked. Easiest to hear it at the very end, or just after “justified”. You sure can’t make everyone happy. And weren’t you supposed to put this away and start on the next one? =)

I liked the megaverb version much more than the dry one! Beautiful!!!

Well there’s two votes against that synth pad in the second verse. The bells weren’t doing it for me, but I’m not happy with anything (including nothing). I did start on the next one (aka Retro Alto), but only have a basic structure with verse and chorus melody. I’m definitely behind!

Thanks for making a clear choice Patricia! It’s good to see you here.

Comparing the two I prefer the dry version.

That being said, I would probably finish the album, then if you have time go back and play with the vocal chain on one or two of the tracks. Go much more extreme than the “megaverb”, boost that distorted delay possibly. I would like to hear something to the extent of a more modern version of the vocal chain on Some Great Reward or even something as extreme as The Faint’s Dance Macabre.

i like booth versions of this Song Greetings from Germany by René

Maybe I’m having such a hard time with this because the use of effects depends so much on the genre, and this song straddles two. Yeah, I’ll put it aside for now and come back to it with a clear head and fresh ears in June.

If it’s not too late for my opinion:
I prefer the “megaverb” version. Especially the “clapping” sounds are a lot more interesting (in a positive way) with reverb.
Plus the whole atmosphere of the reverb version is much denser/thicker/richer (??? still hard for me to explain emotions in english).

Touch is again one of those beautiful CT songs that are quite cute when you listen to it for the first time and then show there potential by sticking in your brain after the 3rd-4th time listening to it.

Congratulations and keep on going.

This is a very strong song with a great melody. I like the new one better. My only crit is that the piano is very beautiful sounding and very full- but the rest of the instrumentation doesnt match- especially the drums. To me they sound “cheap” and underproduced for lack of better words- they could sound more full and modern. I think its nice to have a balance of electronic, but only to enhance the song more. In this case, I think this song could be even better if it wasnt all electronic. I think a blend between that other chick that covered it, and what youre doing here would be a great balance.

It’s not too late Andy and Dave, especially since I’m setting this one aside for awhile. Dave, I agree it would work well with more acoustic elements (or even better as a legit R&B track), but I don’t want the sound of the album to deviate too much. I guess we’ll know better after a few more songs are in the bag.

Deviate! Deviate! Evolution is warranted! Might open up to new audience?

For a historical perspective on that approach, see Something Beautiful, my most expensive and difficult album, and worst seller. I deduced that it’s better to please your current audience.

Hey, I liked Something Beautiful! My favorite Color Theory track (and possibly my second-favorite too) is on there.

It’s “Numb.” For starters the songwriting there distills exactly what I like about your sardonic, pessimistic, romantic lyrics. But that’s not why it’s my favorite.

I love, worship the strings solo at the end that “sings” memorable lines from every song on the album with the piano and percussion in the background. I wish you’d do something like that again. Or did you already and I missed it? Maybe it can be done easily with the software you’re using now? I don’t know, also depends on whether you think the album’s even appropriate for something like that. The Thought Chapter was cohesive enough but if you did it there, I didn’t notice.

Took me a lot of listens to the album to catch most of them, but here’s what I hear when I listen to that part in “Numb”:
“Either way, either way,
The flowers die.

The phone shocks you out of sleep, like a fire alarm,
But it’s just what I promised you,
And you thought I was joking.
You are the stranger on the street,
But we’re familiar as best friends,
It may not always be like this,
I hate to be such a realist-
Let it overflow,
In this afterglow.
Your unassuming figure hides
Something beautiful.
I can never touch these stars…
It’s natural when you spend your life
Covering up your tracks -
Meet me at the top of the Eiffel Tower,
It’s alright now.
It’s alright now.

Catch a wild bee and hold it in your tightly closed fist,
Wait until your hand goes numb.”

I always sing the “Something Beautiful” line when I hear it so I guess that’d have to be my second-favorite Color Theory song.

I was actually reminded of this when hearing your pre-vocal sample of Touch and request for feedback on its lyrics, and have been looking for an excuse to bring it up. Heh, can you tell? Still, some of us appreciate “Something Beautiful”!

Wow Guy! I’d almost forgotten about that. Well, yeah, it’s easier to do when all the songs have basically the same instrumentation. Even though The Thought Chapter took five years, Something Beautiful probably took more hours. Arranging and charting for every player was a monumental task: drums, bass, two violins, viola, cello, flute, harp (I played piano and vibraphone myself). I thought it would be a neat way to tie the album together, and it’s nice to know someone appreciates it!