<Pony><Cover><Ska Punk>Raise This Barn

[vaceslav]

Ok, I've been a little quiet recently.
Here's what I've been working on.
It's a little silly, but I kinda like it.

https://soundcloud.com/vaceslav/raise-this-barn-wip

[ghelded_kultz]

1) I'd speed the skank in the intro a little more but that's more of a me thing.

2) Like the person on Soundcloud said, the chorus (and the song in general) needs horns. It just isn't ska without horns (that might not be true but still).

3) The synth at 1:23 sounds wrong. Replace it with horns or something. (I like the melody itself though)

4) Vocals need rerecording or at least better mixing. They sound a little too reverby/far back or something like that.

5) The drums could be a little faster/more energetic, especially at the beginning.

Otherwise I liked the song. The fandom (and the world) needs more ska.

[SticktheFigure]

I'll second the idea of horns. Not necessary but would definitely add that extra something to it.
Aside from that, the vocals seem to get lost behind all the other sound. Compressors are your friend.

[Pickslide1992]

When I hear ska, I always envision a bit more energy. This had the main elements, but I'll echo the choir screaming "This need horns!". It just seems a little slow paced for me. The voice has a bit of a Jello Biafra feel to them, which isn't bad, but the reverb is a bit much.

Despite my criticisms, it's nice to see more ska around here. Nice job.

[vladnuke]

how is it even ska without horns?

go fix your grave mistake.

Some stuff could be a little punchier to make it sound closer to ska.

[vaceslav]

I'm starting to get the feeling that y'all want some horns.

I... just....

I really don't love sampled horns.
They always end up sounding so cheesy.

But you guys seem ravenous for horns, so here you go...

...a track with no horns:
https://soundcloud.com/vaceslav/raise-this-barn-wip2

I really did try to use horns first though. I didn't like them.
But I guess you can be the judge.

[ghelded_kultz]

I like the vocals more now. Almost getting an Aquabats feel in them at some points. But horns man. Who cares if they are cheesy? Ska-punk is such a cheesy genre anyway. Replace those synths with some cheesy horns (though they need to sound more energetic and in your face than they are in the horn version). A little more energy in the drums would be nice too.

Do you know any very nice and wiling trombone, trumpet players? Maybe they can help with your whole sampled horns issue?

[SticktheFigure]

If you can write sheets out, I'm sure there are a few people one the forums with a trombone/other brass instrument and a mic that would help you record something.

[vaceslav]

I think I've got my final version.

Just thought I'd swing it by you guys again before I put it on youtube.

https://soundcloud.com/vaceslav/raise-this-barn

[ghelded_kultz]

Great. The sax (?) adds a nice feel to it and there is a lot more energy in the song as a whole. I love the solo.

[Sonarch]

Well it looks like i'm late to the party here, but I definitely hear a lot of improvement from the first to the final track. I'm liking it!

[Dabrenn]

I'm also just going to pop in here to say that I really think your track made a very a positive improvement over the course of the thread, I think you did a great job; the horns add a lot.