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Date Posted: 14:38:51 04/08/03 Tue
Author: SCOT CAMBELL
Subject: baby -i : UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Well I hate to burst the bubble on this little project, but I have to. This is one of the worst bands I have ever heard. There 4 song ep came across my lap a few months a go so I gave it a listen. I hope they are not shopping this as a demo because I know the industry is laughing their heads off. Here are examples of what not to do:
baby i demo notes
SINGING: HORRIBLE IS THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS
NO FEELING, BAD PITCH, NOT ONE MEMORABLE MELODY OR CATCH PHRASE, NO SUPPORT, JUST BAD. REAL BAD!
GUITAR: HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF TONE? WHY ARE YOU TUNED SO LOW? IS THAT THE DIST. FROM YOUR AMP? SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HOLD YOUR HAND WHEN YOU BUY ANOTHER AMP
BASS: GET REAL. I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ONE TIME WHERE YOU PLAYED WITH THE BASS DRUM. HAVE YOU HEARD ANY MUSIC IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. I BASS AND BASS DRUM ARE SUPPOSE TO PLAY TOGETHER. NOT FIGHT EACH OTHER
DRUMS: GET REAL WITH THIS ONE. REALLY, NO REALLY GREAT TEMPOS. HE'S SURE DOES HAVE A REAL GROOVE. THESE ARE JUST GOD AWEFUL DRUMS. DID HE TUNE THEM?
YOU KNOW AFTER BEING ON THIS SITE AND LOOKING AT WHAT YOU PRESENT AS A BAND IT'S VERY FUNNY. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE CHICKS ARE THE REASON THIS IS A BAND. BUT GUESS WHAT NOBODY WOULD EVER PUT MONEY INTO THIS PROJECT UNLESS THEY WERE SLEEPING WITH A BANDMEMBER.
THIS IS A HARSH REVIEW OF THIS EP AND THIS BAND.
I WOULD SUGGEST EVERYONE LEARN THEIR INSTRUMENTS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND TORTURE ANOTHER CLUB OWNER AND FAMILY MEMBER.
FOR MORE ABOUT THIS DEMO REVIEW PLEASE EMAIL ME.
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everyone's entitled to an opinion. -- mr. asshole, 19:03:36 04/08/03 Tue
wow... probably the strongest words ever said about my little band, but hey everyone has their opinion right?
i will write you, just to see what your credentials are...
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everyone's entitled to an opinion: addendum/postscript -- mr. asshole, 21:04:17 04/08/03 Tue
Dear Scot Cambell,
I decided to add more to my last response because I didn't really put a full response in my last post, so here goes.
If you are trying to help us to be a better band (you should support all local bands, even those you hate), this is not the way to do it. I notice your email address is "solidstudios@hotmail.com". If you are trying to get our business by saying this recording sucked and that you would record it better, this is also not the way to do it. And if you're just some kid with nothing better to do than post vitriolic blatherings with little backing; I congratulate you for keeping me busy for 20 minutes writing this response!
To answer the question raised in your post: no, this EP is not being shopped as a demo. If it were,
a) it would have taken more than 8 hours to record.
b) I would have complained in earnest about my guitar tone, the highs from my amp's horn tweeter were never mic'd. the marshall half stack I play through now doesn't have the same issue.
c) we would have worked with an actual producer to hone and tighen our sound (especially tightening up the bass/kick relationship).
d) we wold have waited till dave was out of the picture and marty was fully in place. we are not going to shop a demo without our current drummer.
Thanks for your honest feedback, but I think that there would have been far more positive ways to express your distaste with my band than trying to destroy our self-confidence. Positive criticism would have been far more effective at getting your point across. Example: instead of saying "I WOULD SUGGEST EVERYONE LEARN THEIR INSTRUMENTS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND TORTURE ANOTHER CLUB OWNER AND FAMILY MEMBER.", you could have stated "This band needs a little more experience before moving on to the next level." I know you may feel that would be watering down the message you are trying to get across, but it's the same message with a positive take.
I'm truly glad you came to our message board to post your thoughts, and I'd enjoy it if you emailed me personally with a more detailed review.
Jake
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Live drums don't mix in the studio -- gretschplynbonzo, 20:41:52 04/08/03 Tue
all of the comments were fair except for the sleeping and chicks one...that one wasn't cool. but oh well.
and in my defense...i was fighting bursitus in my elbow and i bought my drums for a live setting (big deep shells and resonant heads), not for a studio...that's why they sound crappy on the demo.
and i can't wait for jake to get the credentials...
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Re: Live drums don't mix in the studio -- amanda furich, 14:06:54 04/09/03 Wed
I HAVE THE EP AS WELL, AND I THOUGHT I WOULD PUT MY TWO CENTS INTO THIS ONE. I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE A HATER
BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE BAND I JUST BOUGHT THE CD AT A SHOW ONCE.
AS FAR AS THE DRUMS GO REPLY
I DON'T THINK YOU READ WHAT MR.CAMPBELL'S PROBLEMS WERE.
HE NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE WAY THE DRUMS SOUNDED.
YET YOU REPLIED WITH EXCUSES THAT REALLY MADE NO SENSE.
TAKE WHAT THIS GUY SAID AND LEARN FROM IT, DON'T MAKE EXCUSES
FOR IT.
PERSONALLY, FROM WHAT I HEARD OF THE MUSIC, I THOUGHT THIS
GUY WAS RIGHT ON. SOME OF HIS COMMENTS DID GO OVERBOARD, BUT THE ONES ABOUT THE MUSIC DID RING TRUTH.
THIS IS COMING FROM JUST A AVERAGE MUSIC LISTER, WHO WASN'T
FAN OF WHAT SHE BOUGHT.
THANKS
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Re: Live drums don't mix in the studio -- gretschplynbonzo, 14:17:08 04/09/03 Wed
sorry i didn't specify, but i was refering to the section when he was questionning the tempos as well as whether or not i tuned the drums (and yes, i tuned them exactly how i wanted them to sound with brand new heads. he apparently is not a fan of weathercoated heads). and if he wish to questions my abilities to tune...well i think my record of playing drums for almost 13 years (and in a college drumline) should speak for themselves. i know how to tune drums. i think in that case he was him and i just differ on opinions on how drums should sound. he should realize that people have different opinions on how they like things to sound.
and if he feels that the album sounded like shit, then so be it, i respect that. the part that really urked me yet again were the comments of people sleeping with people and what not. very much not cool.
and i'm sorry that our album disappointed you, but thank you for being honest.
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Re: baby -i : UNDER THE MICROSCOPE -- Keith (SHAFT!), 18:47:36 04/09/03 Wed
What complete garbage and filth you speak. Since everyone else has tossed in their two pennies I will too. For the record I have not heard the EP so my opinions are strictly drawns upon live performances and the one very cool practice session I witnessed on March 4th.
1) I dig Jake's guitar playing and style. Different is cool and different is good. At least someone is going out on a limb and trying to do something we haven't all been tortured by for years already.
2) KJ has a beautiful voice. I've never noticed any pitch problems and I find her to be vocals to be explosive and inspiring. She ought to be commended for being one of only three female lead singers of hard rock bands in this city and for doing an excellent job.
3) Ann Marie is a stellar bass player. Every bass player and drummer has timing issues. I happen to play bass and go through this at every practice. Now throw in a new drummer into the mix and I'm sure this is something they work with all the time. Ann Marie has great style and has some kickin backing vocals. My only thought on a live show was maybe she could show a some more energy but thats all.
4) Dave (former drummer) was one of the most precise, accurate, and all around talented drummers I have ever watched. And as far as his kit, just about the sweetest kit I've seen in Toledo from a local band. Marty (current drummer) I've only heard play once and was blown away. Powerful and amazing come to mind.
5) This band is a force to be reckoned with hands down. If you have any questions about that come watch them live with my band, SHAFT!, on April 18th at The Longhorn Saloon, 946 Phillips Ave across from Mancy's Steaks (yes that was a shameless self promotion).
There, I hope I made my thoughts clear. Keep on rocking guys and gals, we'll see you on the 18th.
Keith
Http://www.geocities.com/shaftband2000
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for the record... -- mr. asshole, 19:20:09 04/09/03 Wed
this "scot cambell" character has yet to reply to any of my email... hmmmph.
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fhqwgads -- wand, 21:04:22 04/09/03 Wed
Thanks for all the positive feedback. I hope you have a project that you work hard on and get responses from zeros like yourself.
Has this character (Scott) even heard us live? We didn't make the EP to woo and impress, just to get our name and a taste of our style out there. Whatever dude. I don't feel like I have to defend myself. There are plenty of people out there who enjoy our music and have even given us a chance as far as coming to see us live and not basing their opinions on some piddly cd. Check back to us when you get a better attitude...or don't check back with us at all. It's ok, man, we can still get show without you...did we ever get shows because of you anwyay? Um, no, can't think of any.
and try some Belltones, they work great.
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Re: baby -i : UNDER THE MICROSCOPE -- Scot, 21:58:48 04/09/03 Wed
Ok, first of all, if this guy was a credible head in the industry and really had any clout, I doubt he'd really have the time to waste on a bullshit review like this. I've never read a legitimate review that is anywhere this caustic. Also, if he were actually representing a credible studio, then I'm surprised he had nothing to say about the mix or the studio work. It came from my band's studio, GrooveBox Recording, and I know my boy Jeff would probably admit that there's some things that could be better with the mix. Where's Mr. Campbell's tyrade on all that?
Secondly, let's go down the list...
Vocals: I will vouch for KJ (and I do beleive she agrees with me on this) by saying that this style of music doesn't fit her vocal style as well as other genres. I've heard her sing pieces that are more classical and really allow her talents to shine through, and let me tell you, she's amazing. As far as lacking energy, I can see where you're coming from, but recording in a studio for the first time will do that to many vocalists. I know it happened to me the first time I laid down studio vocals.
Guitar: Ok, I'll agree, an Ibanez through a Zoom pedal to a Roland keyboard amp isn't gonna produce the best tone in the world. But I will say that Jake's tone does sound a bit better now in live shows since he's upgraded to a Marshall half-stack.
Bass: Where's it written that the bass pattern absolutely has to follow the kick drum beats? Fuck formulas, just do what sounds good to you.
Drums: Kick and snare sound decent, toms could use some work, but they're not bad.
Third, although having 2 attractive females in the band may add to their draw cuz because of the sex-appeal factor, I highly doubt they were brought into the band on looks alone, and I also doubt that it was an intended gimmick.
Now, on a personal level, I'm not putting money into the band, but I am sleeping with (and very much in love with) one of the band members, so fuck you, and choose your words more carefully next time, especially when it comes to peoples' personal lives, and especially if you want people to take your words completely seriously.
In my honest opinion, is this band that terrible? No. Needing some polishing? Yeah, sure. I'm sure they'd agree with me too. Any self-respecting project in any given local scene would probably think that same thing of themselves. To never be self-satisfied is to grow and flourish, and I beleive baby i is doing just that. I've witnessed them grow immensely since I first heard them nearly a year ago, and I know they've not become self-satisfied.
If you've got the jacobs, Mr. Campbell, I invite you to be present at their next show and witness their growth for yourself. I'll even pay your way in and buy you a drink if it makes you happy. Anything to soften the blow, because one way or another you'll be eating your words.
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i re-listened to the demo (first time in almost 3 months) -- mr. asshole, 02:00:21 04/10/03 Thu
ya know what, i just did a quick listen to the EP, just to see what my opinion of it was after all this time... i agree with Scot on a few things:
Vocals, not nearly as much energy as the i know Kj is capable of producing. but the pitch problems and lack of hooks? i dunno where that came from.
Guitar, overall mildly muffled (the negative effects of micing a keyboard amp with separate horn and tweeter), but otherwise *I* love the tone (especially in the choruses of "she can win"... thick and cutting, wonderful fusing of distorted guitar and distorted bass)... and that's the important thing. I'm not out to impress anyone with my music, not out to make money, i'm out to do something that makes me happy. i spent the last 3 years getting the guitar tone that best suited me. only recently have I begun to make changes to that tone... and in Mr. Cambell's eyes, it probably sounds even worse.
Bass, almost every bit i listened to had the bass playing tight with the kick drum. for example, i'm listening to the chorus from "show" right now. the kick matches the bass exactly.
Drums, I don't like the drum sound on the record, i would have liked to hear everything tuned far higher, especially the snare, but Dave chose to have them sound that way, and I respect that.
All of this leads me to believe that either Mr. Cambell (why am i still giving him the respect of being call Mister?) never listened to the EP at all and is posting maliciously for some unknown reason.
If anyone would like to post an legitimate review of this EP, I'd be happy to read it!
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i meant... -- mr. asshole, 02:02:06 04/10/03 Thu
when i said "i agree with Scot on a few things:", i meant Scot Cambell, not the good Scot.
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Re: baby -i : UNDER THE MICROSCOPE -- crispen, 09:22:27 04/25/03 Fri
this made me laugh. haha. this sounds like another "it's gotta be recorded my way or it's shit" guy. they're all the same, they waste $20,000 on some equipment, so they think it's THE best. thus they have to insult anyone who resorts to using more cost efficient and equally decent equipment at ANOTHER studio. i bet this guy records all the TOP acts from toledo.(*cough* audiomatrix). i heard the demo and it's sounds like a demo, but a good one. in fact, it sounds better than some actual "albums" some of the shit bands in toledo "release." and the bass following the kick drum comment was just plain stupid. this ain't the 60's anymore, there are no "formulas" for sounds. go back to listening to aerosmith. ROCK!
jc
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