Putting down sound

So TTW is starting to record.  We have set up shop in two basements.  One in Lansing and one in Fenton.  We've been toying around, but the project pretty much officially began(one of the most official, but non committal statements I've ever made) on Wednesday, March 3.  By that I mean things that were recorded that day have a chance to make it on the EP.  We think the drums will be one of the major hurdles in getting a really good authentic sound.  Moving away from the last project, we have decided to pretty much use acoustic, mic'd drums exclusively.  Finding the balance between setting a mic in the middle of the room  recording things on one take per song and having the instruments so produced that you lose the soul of the band.  We aren't good enough to just plug in and play.  I heard an interview with Mick Jagger and he mentioned that he doesn't allow his band to do more than a few takes per song.  Errors are Ok because that 15th time you do a part and land it it is missing all the emotion you interjected at the beginning of the session.   There is something in that statement.  I was listening to a friend of our band that released his CD.  His album was produced a member of Third Day who is a grammy wining producer.  It's pretty amazing.  Everything is perfect.  In the right place.  Balanced.  EQ'd.  Each part carefully orchestrated.  I think that works well for him.  He is a solo artist who is a lead singer and not a musician.  The music was designed to be perfect and compliment his singing.  That type of producing is amazing.  However, I don't think that is the route a band like TTW should take.  Our goal is to record the band, not make an awesomely produced recording.  Not that it isn't going to be awesome.  Just that we don't want to lose the soul of the band.

Broken Bells

One group that I really like is the Shins.  Although the song writing, lyrics and producing is awesome, they can be somewhat unpalatable to some people.  The lead singer is on a new project.  Broken Bells.  I have only been able to sample music from the myspace as the Cd is not out yet.  At first glance, I would say a cross between, The Gorillas, The Shins and Beck.  If the presentation is anything like The Shins, I will only be listening to the tracks and never looking to see them live.  For as much as I loved the Shins, I caught them one time when they were on SNL.  The sound didn't translate to live music and the stage presence was basically of the attitude that "we're not really trying to entertain you that much."  Maybe it's part of the persona, but it didn't work for me.  That said, something about this video, Pink Bullets is pretty cool.  I love this part of The Shins.

Anyways, I digress.  I love pretty much everything I'm hearing.  The CD doesn't release until 3-9-10.  I'm definitely going to make it one of my next downloads purchases.