Nice work, Steven. Please bear in mind, at all times, that any and all comments made about your music should be taken with a grain of salt, whether good or bad, because it always comes down to personal preferences. There is no right or wrong -- it ain't math -- just what people like or don't like. But you know this. So, with that long-winded preamble, here ya go: Good Stuff: The lead in is pretty. Lots of energy coming through once the main theme kicks in. Good drum work. No gratuitous guitar solos. The backing guitar provides a lot of drive -- shades of "Highway Star" here and there. The theme is simple but catchy. The keys are mixed in well and provide the appropriate context. The chord progression is simple but interesting, with good tension and release. Ways to Improve: Noise: There's an occasional fizzy sound that could be reduced, probably with EQ. Even in the intro, there is an airy midrange hum. Maybe it was intentional, but you might try to reduce that and see how it sounds. The keys and strings should be heard against a pristine backdrop. Pan: The sound needs to be spread out. I'm not hearing good separation and the full panorama coming at me. The "organ" is panned far right. And there are times when it dominates, flooding one side of my head. At those times, spread the organ around to get a left-right balance -- or move the guitar to the left. Dynamics: The transition to the main theme could use some volume contrast -- or at least the illusion of a volume contrast -- from a quiet intro to a balls out main theme. Guitar could probably stand out a bit more. It's often buried. Guitar: The lead guitar sound could be fattened up a bit. The guitar is expected to carry a lot of weight here, and it should convey the "I'm the leader" attitude. The lead phrase during the verses should be, as Jeff Beck would say, rammed down our throats. Drums: The following comment was made to me once. I'm passing it on. It sounds like the drummer is sitting right next to me. It gives the impression of a small room or a garage. You don't want that. The drums need to be moved "away," to give the impression that the drummer is banging the hell out of his (or her) kit -- you know, that Big Rock Sound. It's not the volume, it's the nearness that isn't right. Reverb, I suppose, does the trick. I'm not an expert. That's it, Steven. Hoping to hear a lot more. MacIdol could use this kind of energy.

This is very well structured and performed song. When the song opens it's delicate pace doesn't prepare you for the mass of guitars that takes over after the song starts to build. At first listen I'm reminded of some of the best goth bands of the early nineties. If groups like Rosetta Stone or Nosferatu hadn't been so preoccupied with their capes and eyeliner one can easily imagine them trying to pull off something like this. Of course their attempts would have likely included some dramatically ridiculous thing which would have ruined the song. This song is dark and driven without being trite which is good. This is a great track and an artist I'll be sure to watch for. Post more stuff please. I'd love to hear more.

Nice work, Steven. Please bear in mind, at all times, that any and all comments made about your music should be taken with a grain of salt, whether good or bad, because it always comes down to personal preferences. There is no right or wrong -- it ain't math -- just what people like or don't like. But you know this. So, with that long-winded preamble, here ya go: Good Stuff: The lead in is pretty. Lots of energy coming through once the main theme kicks in. Good drum work. No gratuitous guitar solos. The backing guitar provides a lot of drive -- shades of "Highway Star" here and there. The theme is simple but catchy. The keys are mixed in well and provide the appropriate context. The chord progression is simple but interesting, with good tension and release. Ways to Improve: Noise: There's an occasional fizzy sound that could be reduced, probably with EQ. Even in the intro, there is an airy midrange hum. Maybe it was intentional, but you might try to reduce that and see how it sounds. The keys and strings should be heard against a pristine backdrop. Pan: The sound needs to be spread out. I'm not hearing good separation and the full panorama coming at me. The "organ" is panned far right. And there are times when it dominates, flooding one side of my head. At those times, spread the organ around to get a left-right balance -- or move the guitar to the left. Dynamics: The transition to the main theme could use some volume contrast -- or at least the illusion of a volume contrast -- from a quiet intro to a balls out main theme. Guitar could probably stand out a bit more. It's often buried. Guitar: The lead guitar sound could be fattened up a bit. The guitar is expected to carry a lot of weight here, and it should convey the "I'm the leader" attitude. The lead phrase during the verses should be, as Jeff Beck would say, rammed down our throats. Drums: The following comment was made to me once. I'm passing it on. It sounds like the drummer is sitting right next to me. It gives the impression of a small room or a garage. You don't want that. The drums need to be moved "away," to give the impression that the drummer is banging the hell out of his (or her) kit -- you know, that Big Rock Sound. It's not the volume, it's the nearness that isn't right. Reverb, I suppose, does the trick. I'm not an expert. That's it, Steven. Hoping to hear a lot more. MacIdol could use this kind of energy.

This is very well structured and performed song. When the song opens it's delicate pace doesn't prepare you for the mass of guitars that takes over after the song starts to build. At first listen I'm reminded of some of the best goth bands of the early nineties. If groups like Rosetta Stone or Nosferatu hadn't been so preoccupied with their capes and eyeliner one can easily imagine them trying to pull off something like this. Of course their attempts would have likely included some dramatically ridiculous thing which would have ruined the song. This song is dark and driven without being trite which is good. This is a great track and an artist I'll be sure to watch for. Post more stuff please. I'd love to hear more.