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Craig's new album

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:58 am
by CraigGrannell
Bit of a pimp-me-do here, but what the hey: in-between bouts of subbing for Rob, doing some actual work for various publishers and clients, and sneezing like a maniac (hay fever is such fun), I finally got my new album (the first since 2001!) finished: check it out at www.projectnoise.co.uk — there's even a freebie downloadable single!

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:04 am
by Lloyd Mangram
oi, let's check it out then! :D

Hayfever? Here's another victim (16th year now), but I must say I have some excellent medicins now, so almost free from all symptoms! :o

btw, Craig, where should I send the DEF tribute to?
Your corporate snub address?

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:13 am
by gordon
I don't want to turn this into a hayfever thread, but I read that as projectNOSE.co.uk :shock:

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:24 am
by Lloyd Mangram
Is that domain nicked already? :P

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:37 am
by gordon
Nope. Still available. :) Along with MyEyesAreBloodyItchingLikeHell.co.uk

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:04 pm
by Lloyd Mangram
thread is officially hijacked now! :D

Image

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:35 pm
by Professor Brian Strain
*sends in the Threadbusters*

OK, we'll have no off-topic posting here.

Love the single, Craig! Nice stuff in a classic New Order stylee...

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:36 pm
by LeeT
My verdict?

Loved the instrumentation - reminds me of elements of Joy Division and Nine Inch Nails. I think the vocals were a bit weak, to be honest - Perhaps you could consider linking up with someone else to do the vocals. The first track was quite 'catchy' (though I hate using that word in connection with this type of music!) though I think it went on slightly too long.

Overall - Pretty good.

(Hope you don't mind the criticism, Craig!) :wink:

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:04 pm
by Lloyd Mangram
LeeT wrote: I think the vocals were a bit weak, to be honest - Perhaps you could consider linking up with someone else to do the vocals.
Well, I dunno, but I think (hope) Craig can sing, but this particular type of music is all about out of tune-ness?

I mean, I liked the instrumental stuff, but I erm, disliked the rest of it.
Not specificly Craig's fault (I guess), I just do not like the whole new (or old-new) wave/gothic/industrial style of music, from Cure to Smiths to NIN to (dare I mention) Manson & co, from Joy Division to whoever's crying in a microphone. (yeah, I know, trying to squeeze them all in one box here, sorry fans! :wink: )

Some exceptions though: Pumpkins (mostly) Radiohead (well, bends and ok computer) and Kraftwerk (only recently found out about them).

As a kid already, I was into the Beatles, so I'm all melody and nice harmony stuff, see. Please, do not hold it against me. :wink:

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:27 pm
by gordon
Mr.Zzapback wrote:I just do not like ... [The] Smiths
:shock:

Has anyone still got that rolled-up issue 44 handy? :)

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:30 pm
by Lloyd Mangram
Oi, replying to myself, tsk, tsk.
Anyway, while we're anyway entering the 'famous to a few area', I thought I might as well unleash my own silly recordings to a puzzled audience of fellow Zzap! nerds ™. :D

Here (right mouse button, save target as...) you'll find a 'song' ('66) I (sort of) recorded back in 1996 for my girlfriend (who I was about to marry that same year).
I won't bother to tell you about everything that's wrong with it. I'll leave that all up to you, hehe. :wink:
(oh, please forgive me my pronunciation! :roll: )

My wife still loves it...but then she likes Kool & the gang as well. :shock: :D

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:31 pm
by LeeT
Well, I dunno, but I think (hope) Craig can sing, but this particular type of music is all about out of tune-ness?
Not necessarily - I can see what Craig is trying to do with the vocals and he has made a good effort but my comment from above still stands.
I mean, I liked the instrumental stuff, but I erm, disliked the rest of it.
Not specificly Craig's fault (I guess), I just do not like the whole new (or old-new) wave/gothic/industrial style of music, from Cure to Smiths to NIN to (dare I mention) Manson & co, from Joy Division to whoever's crying in a microphone. (yeah, I know, trying to squeeze them all in one box here, sorry fans! :wink: )
Although I don't listen to a lot of the heavier music at home, I do DJ every week at a club playing a wide variety of indie/rock/alternative stuff, so I do feel qualified to give an opinion. In fact, I've DJ'ed for five years out of the past ten years (on and off) - Bloody hell, wheres the time gone!
Some exceptions though: Pumpkins (mostly) Radiohead (well, bends and ok computer) and Kraftwerk (only recently found out about them).
Funnily I don't really like those groups - Billy Corgan gets on my nerves for some reason (probably reading Melody maker during the 1990's didn't help, as they had it in for him). I saw Radiohead at Teeside Poly in 1992 supporting Sultans of Ping - They just basically made a noise and I wasn't that impressed (though I did buy their first EP which is now worth about £100). I loved 'The Bends' and their live act had also improved a hell of a lot by this point (circa 1995). Since then they have disappeared into self-indulgent toss, so I haven't bought any of their records in the last eight years!
As a kid already, I was into the Beatles, so I'm all melody and nice harmony stuff, see. Please, do not hold it against me. :wink:
I must admit that I prefer a tune with a nice melody - If I went to a club I would rather hear some classic indie stuff (The Smiths, Most of the Madchester stuff) than the likes of System of A Down and Disturbed - Sadly that's what the kids seem to be into these days... :(

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:38 pm
by Lloyd Mangram
LeeT wrote: I loved 'The Bends' and their live act had also improved a hell of a lot by this point (circa 1995). Since then they have disappeared into self-indulgent toss, so I haven't bought any of their records in the last eight years!
Yeah, me too. Such a shame! (oi, nice song btw :wink: )
LeeT wrote: I must admit that I prefer a tune with a nice melody - If I went to a club I would rather hear some classic indie stuff (The Smiths, Most of the Madchester stuff) than the likes of System of A Down and Disturbed - Sadly that's what the kids seem to be into these days...
Yeah, another shame. *sigh*
Where have all the good times gone? (oi, another nice song btw :D )

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:46 pm
by CraigGrannell
LeeT wrote:(Hope you don't mind the criticism, Craig!)
Of course not! To the greater extent, you're bang on the money anyway. I think the new kit I've got available has done wonders for the production values of the instruments, and my guitar playing has improved (especially due to the wonderful ability to cut and paste), but the vocals are still... problematic for me. Still, I gave it my best shot (in fact, many shots, as I ended up doing plenty of takes), and there are some decent vocals here and there (well, I'm definitely happy with the vocals for "Another Second" and "Collide"—check the clips in the "Preview the album" section!).

Collaborations may be possible in the future, depending in what direction things go. A vocal coach may also be a possibility, I guess.
The first track was quite 'catchy' (though I hate using that word in connection with this type of music!) though I think it went on slightly too long.
But it's the classic pop-song length of about 3'30! ;)

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:56 pm
by Lloyd Mangram
CraigGrannell wrote: But it's the classic pop-song length of about 3'30! ;)
Nah, that's under 3! :wink: