Our articles about the LA-based pop band “Lights Over Paris” have attracted a lot of attention. Read the articles below to see why.
Number 4 – The City
For this one I wanted to write a middle of the road torch song – folksy, yet kind of U2-like. The problem with that is that those types of songs tend to be fairly repetitive, so I had to experiment with bringing different elements in and out to differentiate the verse from the chorus. You can hear harmony vocal lines, extra guitar parts, melodica, and organ all doing the work (hopefully) to set the two apart.
I’m kind of stoked with the tones on this one – it still sounds home-recorded, but I managed to find an appropriate mix of compression, EQ, and reverb (especially for the vocals and guitar). I’m not much of a mixer, but this gives me hope. The lyrics feel a little pretentious – but I guess that’s kind of the point.
The City
The towns you were born in are built from the ghosts of your youth
each day you grow older their memory fades further from view
baby you will learn
that that home will not return
So go to the city
an angel in the night
under halo’d neon lights
you’ll arrive
Made up of orphan graffiti and subways and blues (subway/skyline tattoos)
all broken and brilliant and dirty and fallen and new
with the buildings standing high
blocking out the sky
Go to the city
an angel in the night
under halo’d neon lights
you’ll arrive
If I die in this city
lay my body underneath
its perfect empty streets
I’ll arrive
Comments
The vocals and guitar work are really the only things that stick out in this song. I had to really reach for the other elements you mentioned: melodica & organ. I have a feeling you want the focus to be on the aforementioned elements, so maybe this was deliberate. That said, I think the vocal harmonies add a lot to the song.
I think you’re trying too hard with the vocals. I can hear where you’re going, but it might work better if it wasnt sooo wispy/strained sounding. Perhaps save that tone for specific parts of the song, like “If I die in this city…”
I’m not sure I hear the U2 in it, but it’s definitely folksy! I think the guitar sound is excellent. Total rainy day strumming.