MacJams.com - Song: They Come with Smiles (collab w/t Pengui) by echoroom

thoddi said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

oh yeah
Super collab guys! Very good song. The tasteful guitars with the simple hook-line like moves, and then the fatter chords and soloing is all great work!

The drums sounds like live drums, and are very supportive to the groove. Together with the bass, they make the ground solid and good.

The vocals are sooo good Steve. I think you have one of the best male voices on this site for this kind of tune. And the electronic bits adds a hip touch.

All in all... a fab production!

Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve

	said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	mighty tasty good sound! i have to agree with thoddi - there's a smooth confidence to your vocal delivery that's a pleasure to hear. i'm liking the yummy bass in this - love where it is in the mix. interesting melody keeps my attention - lyrics do the same: nails and crucifixion was a cool line. wonderful team effort, gents. enjoyed the listen - anne

echoroom

echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Hi Anne
.. I gotta say, i really struggled with the structure on this ... took me a while to understand it, but I love it, 'cause its very different from my normal thing. I loved the bass also - glad it cuts through on the mix.

I had a whole other set of voacls and lyrics for this, but ended up junking them ... the 'nails, crucifixion' line is all that remains of the original, and is basically the key to the themes of the song.

Thanks for stopping by

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Dead drummer Thanks Thoddi - I found this pretty stressful, as I didn't want to ruin someone elses song! The drums took loads of fiddling, but are just GB jazz kit samples - I wanted to get a kinda brush sound for this. The guitars are fa, aren't they? Rich's solo is fantastic. Many thanks for the comments Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	excellent work this is so great of a tune, i wish i wrote it, Pengui, great guitars with edge , your style is always recognizable, steve great vocals and mix and nice additional touches. not to mention great cryptic lyrics. Stunning piece! Check out my latest song called November

echoroom

echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Advice needed
Thanks Vic - the only thing I regret about this (other than the reverse reverb vocal not being so hot on this) is the guitar sound ... I'm sure i could've got it better. If you feel like passing over some advice, please do, as you always have a great guitar mix, Vic.

thanks for stopping by ... and I'm serious about the above, by the way!

LOL

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Estella	Estella said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	well-done! Rich and Chris did an amazing job and their groovy song together with your vocals makes it so likable! I agree that one line about wanting to buy nails not start a crucifixion is beautifully human. Check out my latest song called Este Momento

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Hey 'Ella Thanks for the comments. I'm not sure how immediate this song is ... I think maybe it's a grower, but Im really glad you liked it. I'm glad to see you getting recognition for your songs here ... despite that, I will be bothering you to do some vocals for me in the future ... you have been warned! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

RacerX	RacerX said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	works well cools vocals and phrasing. cool guitar hooks Check out my latest song called Fall Down King (Mcboy/RCAndrews)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Cool! Thanks Racer - as you obviously have great taste (I see you faved Estellies new track), we appreciate the compliments! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

stevel	stevel said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Epic drama!! Its funny cos I have been listening to the new Arcade Fire album this week...and this track has a similar epic quality to it. Great vocal performance, crisp and powerful guitar work...like it a lot! Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

echoroom

echoroom said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

None bible!
Well ... funny you say that, Steve!
I wrote most of the lyrics to this in the car, the monday morning that Neon Bible was released ... so i was pretty surprised to get the album later in the day and find the 'mirror mirror' lines in Black Mirror (spooky). The original mix of this had horns and strings in the 'Every night..' bit, which made it even more epic, but I just wasn't sure about it ... I may post that version at some stage.

I've been listening to the album a lot too, so influences probably slunk in to my parts ... funny, in the 'who does this sound like' bit of the song submission, I couldn't think of anyone! Be interesting to see what Rich and Chris's influences were for this track.

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

pengui

pengui said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Influences
It's actually kinda funny how little my influences probably show through. I'm a The Smiths worshiper (and can play almost any Andy Rourke bass line from memory) but I rarely feel anything Smithy in my music. I think most of it comes really from the drums. As soon as I hear drums, I usually have a bass line in about 10 seconds and a chord progression. I struggled a lot with the melody. It originally had an acoustic guitar track on it, but then I killed it and did the keyboard thing. Then I asked Chris to come in and put some guitar down. So, I don't think it sounds much like anything but original:)

---
(o_
//\
V_/_

3HSW

Check out my latest song called Louder Than Words

pengui

pengui said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Awesome
This is just too cool. I like how the music keeps the flow of the keyboard without organ track. They lyrics are awesome. I really liked this track when I wrote it, and liked it better when Chris came over and put some guitar on it (by the way, the solo is Chris, someone mentioned it was me, but wasn't) The "telling you to compromise, economise" line is just sung wonderfully. I haven't had a real chance to soak this in yet, but I'm sure I'll have more to say. Great job!

Check out my latest song called Louder Than Words

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Ooops Hi Rich - I think it was me who thought you did the solo - please apologise to Chris! Guess this is one of the downsides of working with people that you don't meet! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

ktb

ktb said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

love it
wow, a home run on your first collab. Sometimes you know in the 1st few moments whether you're gonna like something, and this was no exception. Dark, moody vibe. Love your voice. At times makes me think of Peter Murphy (I offer that in the highest regard). Its a really strong alt rock voice. The whole thing is greater than its parts. Well done

Check out my latest song called Texas stump

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Moody Hi KTB - dark and moody was what we were aiming for (and it's also how my wife describes me ... also sulky). Never had Pete Murphy comparison before, but I was a Bauhaus fan way back, so he's probably still kicking around .... saw them live 2 years ago ... they were just great. LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Heck of a track and heck of a vocal.. ...I really enjoy the lead guitar here, too... This is one of those good collabs, where the end product really sounds seamless and like a band or a performance and not a patchwork of performances... Very enjoyable... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Stuck together Hi Ed ... having spent the weekend mixing this, i can't get the solo out of my head, but that's a good thing! seeing as this was all done across the internet, it's a real compliment that we sound like we're all playing together. Thank you. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

SickTransit

SickTransit said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Wow
I almost didn't recognize my own playing on it. Great job Steve! Great lyrics, great vocal dynamics (meaning melody and what you did with it). Good job all around. This is so much better than the original piece Rich and I did... If I'm not mistaken though, I think we switched around, Rich taking the keys and me the bass, with the elec. guitar dropped in a few weeks later as kind of an afterthought.
But yeah, Steve, if you're ever in Seattle... amazing job on this.

Check out my latest song called Godsend

pengui	pengui said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)
	Now I remember Ok, now I remember, Chris played bass, I played acoustic, then later replaced the acousic with the keyboard, then later added electric guitar. Of course, then Steve did all this :) Funny how these songs evolve. --- (o_ //\ V_/_ 3HSW Check out my latest song called Louder Than Words

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	A pleasure Hi Chris - really glad you liked this, it was great to work with real musicians and real instruments. I think i'll tidy up the early version (horns and strings) and send it to you, just for interest ... organ included! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	ooops Sorry, apologies, i replied to you on penguis post below ... Monday morning confusion! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

paddler

paddler said 977 days ago (March 25th, 2007)

Wow
- what a song,great production very professional,you mentioned about wondering how 'immediate' the song is - well by the 2nd verse I was really into it.Powerful voice,lyrics.I'd be interested to hear the original track to see what you added - I'll go n hunt the forums.Well done - good stuff,the guitars sound fine to me by the way - plenty of impact in the right places

Check out my latest song called Tiger Flame (Halloween Challenge)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Original version Thanks paddler - glad you liked this. Not sure if the original is on the site, but contact pengui - he'll know where to look! Not often i get to mix real guitars, so glad you liked this. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

BAMPOT	BAMPOT said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Oh Hell Yeah! Radio friendly for sure. Catchy,well produced and damn good. I love it. Check out my latest song called LA LUNA

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Friendly! Hi bampot - pleasesd to meetcha! Pretty taken aback at 'radio friendly', but .... thanks. Actually, my wife thinks the start of the chorus vocal sounds like ABBA, so maybe that's it. Thanks for commenting, and will check out your tracks this evening. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

jiguma

jiguma said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)

Nice bass sound!
Big sounds on this - very well mixed bass on phones (it's really difficult to get it right - I know!). Lots of confidence in the guitars and vox, and the drums really do sound real.

A really good production - sounds very pro from here. The trouble you took with the drums was really worth it - if I was really looking for a nit (as I always try to do), it would be to add a tad more gain on the drums - but I'm only adding that so I don't seem too sycophantic ; )

Very good stuff!
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	gain Hi Neil - thanks for the kind words, and listening to all Fall Down last night, any advice from you on the production will be warmly received. Sorry to be dumb, but what do you mean by gain ... the volume? I'm going to remix the original version of this, so I'd like to act on this. Many thanks for listening Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

jiguma	jiguma said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Steve I usually say "volume", but everyone tells me to increase the "gain" - just trying to fit in! Yeah, it's volume : ) Neil --- ALL FALL DOWN Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

echoroom	echoroom said 977 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Ta thanks Neil - I've learned something new today! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

bud	bud said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Excellent collab - great match of talents. Love the vocals - tense and relaxed at the same time - really suits the writing "contradiction". The production and playing here really rocks - nice guitar work/tone. Faved and DL'd. Check out my latest song called try not to think

echoroom

echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)

woof!
Ta Bud - I appreciate the time you take to comment, as you most spend every other minute of the day writing music! Your new track is particularly great (and i'd urge anyone reading this to check it out asap).

Tense and relaxed vocals - spot on, I knew what I wanted for this but couldn't quite verbailse it - you've hit the nail. The narrator of this is a bit unhinged, but doesn't realise it ... so it all makes perfect sense to him.

Glad you enjoyed the collab - i very much hope that Chris, Rich and I will work together soon.

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Ni-i-i-ice! Why isn't this on the radio? (Rhetorical question, I know...) Your vocals are just perfect, and the light, spare production gives the paranoia a real edge. Love the guitars! "Sleeping in the car... don't drop your guard..." I do like that line.

echoroom

echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)

Nice picture
Hey Rik - that is a fantastic picture - is that you??!! Will check out your tunes asap. Thanks for the comments - I didn't think this track was remotely commercial, so have been surprised by some comments ... but I've been so close to it for the last few weeks, i've completely lost perspective.

Funnily enough, those two lines were the last to be written .... they have a real paranoid feel to them.

Ta

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)

Yup, that's me
It's from an early version of my website years ago. There's gray in my beard now, which means I'm old enough to remember when radio used to play stuff like this piece and treat it with intelligence. Now radio is just amped-up stupidity and stale laughter coast to coast. What a pity.

Commercial... meaning if I heard this song on a radio around 2:44am, thought "wow, who does THAT?', found out the artist's name, jumped on my old motorcycle, braved the heavy rain and went down to the 24-hour music store on the corner to pay a small slice of my hard-earned paycheck to buy it, then absolutely. But now, commercial means 'American Idol' and that just makes me reach for my ball peen hammer.

echoroom	echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	Cool Cool pic , Ric. i know what you mean, commercial now seems to mean 'lowest common denominator unit shifter', but now and again something worthwhile breaks through. Do you really listen to the radio at 2.30 a.m.????? LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	.... One of the Best I've heard here at MJ ------- wow (!) play it LOUD (!!!!!!) Tx

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Loud Thanks ZOI - we glad you like. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Retro edge I dig the retro feel, especially the straightforward keyboard work and really nice vocal stylings, the spaces you leave then fill up. Edgy mainstream track. Nice. Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Edgy Hi Tobin - always interested in/anticipate your comments, because you are the real deal. Anyway, 'straightforward keyboards' is probably pretty generous, especially my two-fingered piano playing! If you give it the thumbs up, that's good enough for me - thank you. LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

DWL	DWL said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Retro stuff :-) This is so well done. Vox are straight out of a New Romantic band pretending to be Bowie. Excellent. I like the sparse feel and the lyrics. Nice one. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Fighting talk! A New romantic band pretending to be Bowie??? WTF??? You mean I sound like Steve Strange, or Midge bloody Ure??!! Outside. Now. Anyway, ta for the comments Dick, always good to hear from you. Will check out the latest on you Rockera (ropera?) - I see you've some new posts. Cheers guv Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

DWL	DWL said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Do you sound like a New Romantic ? Er... on this, yes ;-) That's no bad thing though and I think this is great. Oh and by the way my Dad's bigger than your Dad so watch who you're threatening to take outside :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Hah! er ok - and your operas better than mine! Cheers mate Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Hey Steve, Sounds like Rich and Chris gave you one killer track to work with. You did an excellent job on the lyrics/VOX. Now that I know more about your background from the forums here, I guess I shouldn't be surprised :P Nice one guys!

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Hey Mike ... they certainly did. After about 2 years of working on my own, I really enjoyed this collab ... would definately want to do more in future. Hope you didn't get your hands dirty digging into my dodgy past! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

guitapick	guitapick said 976 days ago (March 26th, 2007)
	Great lyrics... ...and a voice to carry them... Great collaboration...music works really well with the lyrics...lots of depth and variation. Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

echoroom	echoroom said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Guitarman! Hi Bob - thanks for the comments. The guys wrote this with a really good structure, which i think helps keep the song interesting as it moves along. Cheers Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

*itiswotitis*	*itiswotitis* said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	wicked track guys great collab the music is excellent love the synthy waver that goes thru it... and the vocals are very nice and deliver the brilliant lyrics clearly and with great strength and style ! COOL STUFF!!! Check out my latest song called WALKING BASS IN THE CLOUDS

echoroom

echoroom said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)

More dodgy past stuff
Ho Jojo - glad you liked this ... do you think Ollie would approve? (Un)fortunately, i don't have any pictures of me in a fringed jacket - but the ones on Attica are bad enough!

I redid the vocals to this on Saturday, as I'd had a head-cold and my voice sounded a bit rough, which suited the song (actually, i'm having my sinuses done in about 6 weeks - might ruin my singing voice!).

LOL

Steve (ex goth rock god)

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

racerat	racerat said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	mmmm mmmmm goood Nice collab. Great lyrics, production, mix. Haunting and inviting. Glad you decided to par it down. I like the simplicity. The chorus is unusual in a way for poprock. Kind-of a waltzing bassline. Innovative. fav'd and downloaded! I'll definitiely check out Pengui and Sick Transist's pages. good solid stuff. Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

echoroom

echoroom said 976 days ago (March 27th, 2007)

Waltzing along
Hi Philip - yeah, spot on, it is a kinda odd chorus. The original version, which I'm going to finish mixing, and then Pengui will post on his page (if he likes it ...not sure!), has strings and horns in the chorus, and almost sounds like a swinging Bavarian drinking song. I thought it was a bit OTT and abandonded it, but it did have some charm (and the rough mix sounded kinda epic). I'll hopefully do this at the weekend.

Thanks for the comments - great to hear from you

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

dreadmon	dreadmon said 975 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	NICE! Great production all around - nuttin' to say but "YES!" Check out my latest song called Dive!

echoroom	echoroom said 975 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Short and sweet Hi Bing ... a man of few words, but they all count. Cheers for stopping by Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Denver Dem	Denver Dem said 975 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	Sure Like It Just a great sound. Guitar solo is terrific.

echoroom	echoroom said 975 days ago (March 28th, 2007)
	solo Thanks DD - glad you liked it .... totally agree about Chris's solo - it's kinda the centre piece of the track. Cheers Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

I. Spike	I. Spike said 975 days ago (March 27th, 2007)
	A band is born... Cool dark vibe... I feel like I should put on my black clothes and eyeliner. Nice use of space in the entire tune. It didn't feel over crowded. Only suggestion. Try gating the guitars. The hiss at the beginning and end is a little distracting. This sounds like a band. When will we have more cuts? Check out my latest song called Mighty Cracker Fly

echoroom	echoroom said 975 days ago (March 28th, 2007)
	Close the gate Mr. Spike, always glad to hear from you. Have just written 'gate guitars' on a post it, as I'm working on an alternate mix of this, and so will take your advice. Hopefully more tracks will be forthcoming in the near future. Thanks for stoppng by - I'll send you my eye-liner! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 974 days ago (March 28th, 2007)
	Collaborative Magic You guys did an amazing job. This is such a polished piece of songery. All parties should be proud. Equal parts - equal praises. Steve, glad to see you didn't shout random numbers in German throughout the song. It was a good last minute decision and I think the song can be taken seriously now. Chris, you shred. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

echoroom	echoroom said 974 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Hofmeister Hey Bob - I'll save the random German shouts for the next collab - the horns and strings version will hopefully get done this weekend - you can then put your lederhosen on and jig around the room. Just saw '300' at the imak - off to buy some little leather pants. LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Leather Pants vs. Rubber Pants Try rubber pants the next time you watch a good movie. Makes cleanup a breeze! --- five extra arms is not what you thought it'd be. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

echoroom	echoroom said 972 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	hey I'm not THAT old!!!! Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom	echoroom said 972 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	hey I'm not THAT old!!!! Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 972 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	That was BAD! Sorry, that was a rather tasteless comment, wasn't it?! Have a great weekend. Good luck with the horned version (of the song). --- five extra arms is not what you thought it'd be. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

	said 974 days ago (March 28th, 2007)
	Alright! I eat this stuff up. Excellent musical vehicle for a very timely message. Vocals are positively top-drawer Steve. This one shoots to the top of my play list. Bravo and kudos! Be well! http://www.macjams.com/song/30366

echoroom	echoroom said 974 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Hey Mike... ... great to hear from you. Thanks for the comments - it was a pleasure to work on a track with guys who can really play. Will check out your new track asap. Cheers man Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Shimky	Shimky said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Thank You That is VERY cool of you. What a nice guy! I'll have a listen to "They Come with Smiles" tonight - I'm at work now, so it's not possible. Thank you for your initial comments and looking forward to hearing the rest... Check out my latest song called Funeral

Shimky	Shimky said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Sorry I've added this comment in completely the wrong place! PLEASE IGNORE! Check out my latest song called Funeral

echoroom	echoroom said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	No problem ... ...it's been a long day! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)

etherial and multi-dimetional
I was really digging how the guitars are used to create the etherial pads.. I personally love using my electric guitar that way... It makes for a great contrast when the lead kicks in... real smart and intuitive producing... I didn't read the comments above, but I know someone had to mention Bowie type comparisons, and though I like to shy away from that... I can't help but point out that the things I love about Bowie are so present here... a masterful vocal presentation, capturing so much emotion effortlessly... very natural yet passionate

Check out my latest song called Good Morning

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

Not the dame again!
Hey Scott - kudos to Chris for the great guitar work. I actually think no-one had yet mentioned Bowie on this osng, which would be a first for me, 'cause I think it's been commented on everything else I've posted! But it's a great compliment, and he's a massive influence.

Thanks for listening ... having listened to your latest work last night, i take this as high praise indeed.

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Shimky

Shimky said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)

ACES HIGH
Steve, Rich, Chris: congratulations on a superb collaboration. 10s accross the board from me.

Steve, we were pegged at 30 each on Fan Picks, but I just have to return the favour - although it isn't about favours; it's about great writing and musicianship from the three of you.

You've got a great voice and you certainly know how to write intriguing lyrics. My fav line: "Telling you to compromise, to socialise".

I'm starting to get less surprised by the quality of work on MacJams but it's still electricity when I find a new gem.

See you around the place. :O)

Check out my latest song called Funeral

Shimky

Shimky said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)

Too long away from Blighty
and I'm adding extra letters to my English words.

I forgot to say that I can't understand why you left the "guitar warming up" sound at the beginning of the track. I hope you know what I mean - the buzzing before the song kicks in. I think a cleaner start would just sound more professional.

Also, I don't peg this as Grunge. It just ain't, uhm, grungy enough. :O)

Check out my latest song called Funeral

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

Ditto
Hi Shimky - I first heard your work last night, and it was a case of 'how've I missed out on this guy for so long??!!' Many thanks for the kind words - I found Funeral really inspiring, to the extent i was sitting listening in headphones trying to work out how you'd mixed it.

Lyrically, i do tend to like stuff that's a bit obtuse ... hopefully not too much that it's off-putting.

Glad you liked it ... see you around!

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom	echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	oh bugger... ... I replied to the wrong post! Anyway, yeah, the guitar warming up has been commented on ... i'm doing another version of the track and have gated this, so hopefully it will begone! Ta Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

moorlandt	moorlandt said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	all has already been said... ... the only thing i can add might sound very selfish: wish i had written this brilliant song :-) Man, you're a talent. - Walter Check out my latest song called boundaries

echoroom	echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)
	Greetings Hi Walter - that's probably the highest compliment anyone here can give, so thank you. I actually thought the chorus to this had the same rolling feel as 'Sail On' - something about the ocean in it? Am working on the aborted version with horns and strings - should sound great in a Belgium dock-side bar! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

craft	craft said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	great collab I like it a lot. Excellent vocals... The lyrics and the rhythm are tight and the mood is catchy... Superb Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

moody
Thanks craft - i haven't caught up with your latest, so looking forward to it. This is pretty moody - kinda sits in a corner and pouts - the next few I'm lined up to work on all all kinda moody also ... think i need to get out more! Maybe Pengui and I can get together and go out on the rzz then write some drunken rock songs!

Ta

SAteve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

moody
Thanks craft - i haven't caught up with your latest, so looking forward to it. This is pretty moody - kinda sits in a corner and pouts - the next few I'm lined up to work on all all kinda moody also ... think i need to get out more! Maybe Pengui and I can get together and go out on the rzz then write some drunken rock songs!

Ta

SAteve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

moody
Thanks craft - i haven't caught up with your latest, so looking forward to it. This is pretty moody - kinda sits in a corner and pouts - the next few I'm lined up to work on all all kinda moody also ... think i need to get out more! Maybe Pengui and I can get together and go out on the rzz then write some drunken rock songs!

Ta

SAteve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Joe Brady	Joe Brady said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)
	Love this tune! Very professional sound! I thought of Bowie too, but it was the way you pronounced "dog"; reminded me of a line from Diamond Dogs. Great song, great performance, and delicous bass playin'. Wonderful! Check out my latest song called The Refugee Blues by Feter with Jiguma

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

Cooking up a storm
Joe - firstly, that's a lovely apron - is that your professional work-wear? Whoever took the photo did a crap job, as they've cut your head off (kidding).

Thanks for the comments, yeah, I get Bowie a lot, but I can sleep at night with that (not with him that would be hideous). I'm currently remixing this track, and see you've done 2 versions of your latest ... will give this a spin for some inspiration!
Cheers

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Leon

Leon said 973 days ago (March 29th, 2007)

Autograph, pls :-)
Steve, you pulled this awesome song out of obscurity and layered it with the sheen of your substantive lyrics and emotion-laden vocals.. The outcome is nothing less than outstanding. Kudos to Pengui and Sick Transit for this unique sound bed. It is a cross of rock and alternative, and your unique voice and vocal styling is just what it needed... like a bolt of lightning to make it come alive.

Your lyrics, by the way, is right at the center of gravity for this kind of song. It doesn't give too much away. It kinda teases the listener to mentally unravel it.

If this is what you make out of your collabs, I imagine more requests will be coming your way! You're the new star--make that superstar, in the Macjams block!

Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

echoroom

echoroom said 973 days ago (March 30th, 2007)

jeez...
... i could be the next Simon Cowell .... i think i'd rather eat my out foot than be him. Anyway, great to hear from you Leon ... it was a joy to work with these guys, and they wrote a great song - chords in this that I'd never even heard of before.
My only regret with the lyric is that it probably should be

'Mirror mirror on the wall
SHOW me who's responsible' ...

which would make more sense to me (still probably equally confusing for everyone else).

I have been offered another collab, which is THE MOST SCARY THING EVER, and I really hope to do more stuff with pengui.

But at some stage, we've gotta do something Leon - that would be fantastic! I may even have the song ....

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Willywagga

Willywagga said 972 days ago (March 31st, 2007)

Awsome
Great production, there's an eighty's feel to it sure, but that does not distract. Your voice sounds great. Love the tumbling bass. Totally radio ready. Can't think of any single thing to complain moan about, except maybe the absence of the silhouette of the georgous naked woman writhing to the rhythm, over and over and over. That's missing, that's all.
Brilliant.

Check out my latest song called The Jes on Sea Road

echoroom

echoroom said 971 days ago (March 31st, 2007)

Get nekkid!
Thanks Willy ... i still covet the idae of doing a version of Mr. Egans Car! I grew up in the 80's... dunno how I make myself sound more contempory (how do you spell that!?) - it all comes out like this.

I'm remixing this ... will ask Mrs. Echoroom to writhe around whilst i do this ... Tales of the Unexpected style.

I knew there was something missing from this track.

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 971 days ago (March 31st, 2007)
	big bass Like the complexity in the chord structure . The singing is spot on a great collab. Your lyrics are well written Great song

echoroom	echoroom said 971 days ago (April 1st, 2007)
	Big Ego Tnaks EB - we've had a great response from folk here, and I'm looking forward to working with these guys in future. maybe I should holiday in Seattle this year! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

ledebutant

ledebutant said 971 days ago (March 31st, 2007)

Hopping It
I've been in the habit, lately, of listening to your song and then wandering off to let it sink in before commenting. I kind of thought it was because I wanted to truly absorb everything that was going on and give you a really considered comment, but I'm starting to realize that it's mostly because I'm mostly saying "wow," over and over again in my head for about four days while I dance and sing along, then I spend a day eating my heart out, then I'm fully able to comment.

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, (see, there's still some of that going on).

I'm truly amazed, given that you were working with Rich and Chris's really terrific piece of music how much this sounds like an echoroom song. It has the strut and everything. Now, I'm trying to decide whether you were drawn to this because you sensed the strut inherent in the music or whether the Stevestrut(tm) just happens because of the way you sing and write.

The crucifixion line is a killer (um, no pun intended) and your voice sounds incredible on this one. Chris and Rich, the music is extremely well-played and a it's a real gift for a singer to have something so well put together to work with.

Congratulations all around, guys, this should go in the macjams hall of fame.

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)

echoroom

echoroom said 971 days ago (April 1st, 2007)

Strut!
Hey Lisa - I can only assume you're living on legal uppers these days, having to reply to all the rave reviews to your and Jims latest track (well deserved), so I do appreciate you dropping in to comment.
It's an interseting point, it sounding like one of my tracks - Rich just sent me the song without me hearing it before-hand, so I didn't pick this one ... he had heard Gentle Machine though, so maybe he figured this was to my particular tastes. First time I heard it, it sounded kinda REM-ish to me, but it doesn't now. I have a limited range (vocally and musically), so I guess that's why it ends up fitting with the rest of my stuff (having had my bits sprinkled over it .... that sounds hideous).

The lyric was done twice .... no word of a lie, the first version was called Another Hidden World, and was about infidelity (real and imagined) ..... I've just realised this, but it would've been the male version of After All ... how wierd is that.

The crucifixion line is about lack of personal responsibility when a situation you create escalates out of control .... originally this was about having an affair ... in this version it's about giving over control of yourself, your life, to others in general ... governments, media, my usual obsessions.

You know, I don't ususally analyse my lyric to this extent, but I really enjoyed doing the Cliff notes to the version of Amnesia I sent you ... maybe I should start posting a full explanation.

Whew!

Thanks from all of us, Macjams goddess!

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

ledebutant

ledebutant said 971 days ago (April 1st, 2007)

Cliff Notes
Hey, those other lyrics sound cool, please email them to me sometime, just for fun. That would have been super-freaky to have a male-female convo going about infidelity.

As far as the Cliff notes go, I really enjoy reading everything in song descriptions, the longer the better and I'd love it if you'd get more into the subtext of what you're singing. You're a sneaky fellow when it comes to conveying meaning and I dig hearing about what's going on under the surface.

As to the uppers, it would be so wonderful if that were true. Unfortunately, any stimulant but coffee seems to have the opposite from intended effect on me. Likewise, downers. My mother was tired of me not sleeping as a toddler, and she wasn't getting any sleep herself, so the doctor gave her baby valium (this sounds a bit creepy...) and she gave it to me and I spend the whole night jumping in my cot saying, "Jumpy, jumpy" over and over again.

Besides, you should talk. You're the hardest working man at macjams. ;)

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)

pengui	pengui said 971 days ago (April 1st, 2007)
	ledebutant funny, i actually asked ledebutant to do this song long ago. I've been trying to get her to show up for one of our song writing sessions :) --- (o_ //\ V_/_ 3HSW Check out my latest song called Louder Than Words

echoroom

echoroom said 971 days ago (April 1st, 2007)

Spooky
What do you call it when everything lines up ....calamity?
I'd have been really intersetd to hear what Lisa did with this.

Anyway, we'll see what the future holds ... I'm working on some lyrics with Ms. Ledeb at the moment, and we'll see how that goes.

I happened to be out with some friends last night, and they were talking about their trip to Nepal, telling me about the Kumari ... I'll explain more, but it would be a great subject for a song.

Here's to future collbs!

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

SickTransit

SickTransit said 967 days ago (April 4th, 2007)

Serendipity
That's the word, my friend. That and "Peter Murphy." It occured to us when we tried playing it live with a flaky pothead of a drummer. I just pressed my magic Bauhaus button and out came Echoroom. Ah, the 80s are in my blood.

The story behind the song, if Rich didn't tell you, is we wrote it with another singer who couldn't write and couldn't sing, and presumed to be a rapper. It was abominable. We tried hard to salvage something, going back three times to rerecord stuff, and finally trashed the vocal track and set it to you. You saved it.

Check out my latest song called Godsend

echoroom	echoroom said 964 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Rap! Hey Chris - I never thought of rapping over this - maybe I could do an alternate version. I'm usually a pretty modest chap, but this song has really grown on me over the last few weeks, and I really love it - I think eberyone brought something really good to this party. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

ledebutant

ledebutant said 969 days ago (April 2nd, 2007)

Really, Pengui!?!
You know, I'm pretty sure I've been dropped on my head recently because I have no memory of you asking me to do this song! This last year has been nutty, to say the least and I must have missed it. I'M SORRY!

Man! It's definitely my loss...although if I'd done it we wouldn't have Steve's version, so it's fate or kismet or another word with a t in it. :-)

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)

echoroom	echoroom said 969 days ago (April 3rd, 2007)
	To a T! What word, like s++t!!??? Self-depreciation comes so naturally .... Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

musichead	musichead said 970 days ago (April 1st, 2007)
	Bass guitar The bass guitar comes right through. Very nice collab!!! I also liked the guitar that follows the bass line..Nice tasty work Check out my latest song called Lets Take a Holiday

echoroom	echoroom said 970 days ago (April 1st, 2007)
	bassy Thanks M'head - these guys wrote a terrific song, and I was lucky enough to be let loose on it. We gonna post an alternate mix on Penguis page for those interested, then hopefully cook some new stuff up soon. Thanks for checking us out Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Gav

Gav said 967 days ago (April 4th, 2007)

Great stuff
You sound really like David Bowie... hold on ...we had this conversation befor and I'm Bono right! ;)

Production is great on this. Dont know why the heck you are asking me for tips??

Well I dont know if I can help but here you go: I wouldnt touch the vocals. Maybe a little more reverb. I'm pretty sure I daid thsi to you before but I reckon you need more vocal tracks on 'watching from afar..' I think this could be graet with a variety of two girls and two guys backing this. It would make it really kick ass. Keep your vocals at front of course as you really have great vocal charachter ... a bit like suede?? OH NO not MORE comparisons.......!!!

Your guitar could do with a bit more grit. I could send you a garageband setting that I think would suit if interested?? The one you have sounds like a mono version of an electric setting (sorry). Its just a little shy for my liking. Saying that ...be careful not to overshadow those great vocals!

Let me know if you want that setting.

p.s. we should collab sometime! Think our styles would compliment.

Gav

Check out my latest song called Understand

echoroom

echoroom said 967 days ago (April 4th, 2007)

Bowie!
Well, really appreciate you stopping by Gav. Bowie and Suede ... well, it's the same thing, really!
I tried to get my wife to sing backing vocals, but they were unfortunately rubbish, and had to be erased. take your point on doubling the vocals ... will do this in future.

Please do send the garageband file, and really find that useful - can that be e-mailed? I'm changing broadband providers in the next few days, so I'll give you my details when I've got my new e-mail address.

Definately up for a collab .. anytime, anyplace - I warn you, i'm a slow worker though!

Cheers again

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

dajama

dajama said 966 days ago (April 5th, 2007)

Stuck in my head...
...and I mean that in a good way. This is riveting stuff - excellently produced, truly interesting lyrics( Favorite Line: "Just stepped out to buy some nails, didn't mean to start a crucifixion"), and an awesome vocal performance. The guitar solo is melodic and beautifully played. This is what I call collaboration. Sweet.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

echoroom	echoroom said 964 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Stuck Hi Dajama - well, it's stuck in mine as well - glad to share it. This was my first collab and I really enjoyed it - I hope to do more with these guys. I'm now off to play your latest track... LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

cjdaley

cjdaley said 964 days ago (April 8th, 2007)

I just
checked Pengui's version and I admit I like the organ there. But you're quite a singer. I understand the Suede comparison (a band that could be stellar at some times) and I Like the tension, the edginess in your voice, that keeps the song from being "commercial" (and which Suede lacked at some point).

Check out my latest song called shortbus spaceship (feat. the Flying Monggz from the Ninth Planet) by the Monggz

echoroom

echoroom said 964 days ago (April 8th, 2007)

Organ-ised
Hey CJ - I never felt like I mixed the organ well into the track, hence it's absence in this version. Having said that, I'm torn between this version and the one on Penguis page - they are different takes on the same song. I think this one is a bit moddier.
I always liked Suede, and as they were influenced by Bowie, I can see how it seeps through into my singing.

You're spot on about me - I'm never comfortable with something being 'too commercial' - dunno why really, but I'd rather write something 'interseting' than something just for the sake of popularity. I know my lyrics can be obscure, but that's the sort of things I like reading/ listening to - I think it makes it more intersteing for the listener to interpret the song, rather than be told what its about directly.

I should've gone to art school, obviously!

Great to hear from you, I'm still wearing out my Hamlet Machines cd.

Steve

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

macfreddy	macfreddy said 963 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	this song is great, not least the background arrangements, that varies and are very original! The drums especially I like :) Thanks for a great song /Fred Check out my latest song called Piano song - still under construction

echoroom	echoroom said 958 days ago (April 13th, 2007)
	Drums! Hi Fred - thanks for this. the drums took a bit of time, but were worth the effort - I've always wanted to try (digital) brushes, and they really add to the feel of this. Thanks for stopping by Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 955 days ago (April 16th, 2007)
	This song is really cool! Hey Steve, since when did you learn about java script? Bob Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

echoroom	echoroom said 955 days ago (April 16th, 2007)
	Hah! Hey Bob - since you took my hand and pointed me towards it! Thanks bud! Yours technophobically Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 955 days ago (April 16th, 2007)
	Technophobia Hey Steve, It doesn't take a 15' Paper Mache Bird to figure that out. Glad to be of assistance and even more glad (huh?) to help make those little confetti things twinkle on your profile page. --- five extra arms is not what you thought it'd be. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

8piscean8

8piscean8 said 951 days ago (April 21st, 2007)

Steps to take.
Step 1) Steve, Rich, and Chris create more music.
Step 2) The music created above in step 1 is promoted.
Step 3) Fame and fortune ensue and the rest will be history.

And that's all you gotta do.

Nice colab. This is the type of song that encourages and motivates me to get better and work harder at my skills (or lack of).

Thanks for the inspiration. I'm gonna say wow a few times also.

Check out my latest song called The End

echoroom	echoroom said 949 days ago (April 22nd, 2007)
	Thanks adam Hey, thanks Adam .. if only the three of us weren't on different continents! Glad you liked it - i know you've just started with LE - I found it a really big jump from GB, but keep at it, it's worth it.! Ta Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

The Infinites	The Infinites said 950 days ago (April 21st, 2007)
	Excellent! Straight to the Pod! Jim Check out my latest song called Day-Glo

echoroom	echoroom said 949 days ago (April 22nd, 2007)
	Infinte and beyond Hi Jim - ta for this, just send me the cheque! Glad you finally posted your first work with Bob, and excellent piece of work. I think he's gonna send you my copy of LE, which means you'll get bogged down in it for months ... look forward to more from you guys SOON! LOL Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

The Infinites	The Infinites said 949 days ago (April 22nd, 2007)
	Yeah, cheers Steve, We need to get our collective napper round a project too. 80s grooves does it for me. Check out Bob's "Away The Raven" with added vox over at my bit, if you don't mind. All the best, Jim Check out my latest song called Day-Glo

echoroom	echoroom said 949 days ago (April 23rd, 2007)
	Away t' raven Hey Jim - checked and faved - nice work. I've got a few bits on the boil, including a collab with BOb (that is some way off) but yeah, the three of us definately need to get our heads together on something ... I'll consider my dance card marked! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 948 days ago (April 23rd, 2007)
	consider my dance card marked! Won't that be a pretty picture! --- five extra arms does not help you sing any better. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

echoroom	echoroom said 948 days ago (April 23rd, 2007)
	hah! you haven't seen me dance!!! And you dont want to! Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

bonnieprincejohnny	bonnieprincejohnny said 931 days ago (May 10th, 2007)
	Mystified I like the production but the tune...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Check out my latest song called twenty seven

echoroom	echoroom said 931 days ago (May 10th, 2007)
	Valium Hey, at least you liked part of it .... hope you sleep well. Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 931 days ago (May 10th, 2007)
	ROTFLMAO!! Steve, you are without a doubt one of the funniest guys here, and so dang humble! A real class act. I am absolutely screaming! Now I'm gonna listen to your song again so I can get some shut eye. --- five extra arms does not help you lose weight or make you look younger. Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

echoroom	echoroom said 931 days ago (May 11th, 2007)
	Sonambulistic Hey, each to their own, you know? Maybe you could use it to put the kids to sleep Bob .... Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Axgrinder	Axgrinder said 918 days ago (May 24th, 2007)
	Sweet collaboration guys! This is top notch! I'm impressed, really. If your ever in need of a lead guitar/mandolin/bass or back up vocals let me know! I would love to work with you. Collabs are a kick in the butt man. Kudos on this one. Check out my latest song called Dark Circus

echoroom	echoroom said 917 days ago (May 24th, 2007)
	Collabs thanks Alvin. this was the first collab i did - i'm currently trying to finsih one with Wilywaggy, and starting one with Alex Wiler, but I'll keep your offer in my back pocket. I can't play guitar to save my life, but love guitar music - I tried to learn but didn't have the patience! Thanks for stopping by Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

steck	steck said 832 days ago (August 18th, 2007)
	Superb Mammoth one Steve. Well done. I'll definately be checking out more of your uploads. This one is most worthy of airplay. I wonder if I could alert some of my contacts at the BBC to MJ's and see if they would consider airing tracks like this. Drop me a line through the mailbox if you want to further discuss. Steck Check out my latest song called Fire In The Sky

echoroom	echoroom said 831 days ago (August 18th, 2007)
	Hey Steck - thanks for this - i'll be in touch - steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 633 days ago (March 3rd, 2008)
	Great What a great sound on this song... Really great vocals... I like the voice.... A happy song... Almost a perfect mix... Sounds so amazingly.... Thanks for sharing....

echoroom	echoroom said 632 days ago (March 4th, 2008)
	Hey lightman Thank you... this is one of my fav tracks I've done! Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

saymme	saymme said 633 days ago (March 3rd, 2008)
	10zzz My FAV tx also for dl... : ) : ) : )

echoroom	echoroom said 632 days ago (March 4th, 2008)
	Hey sayme Thanks so much for checking this oldie out! lol steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

	said 629 days ago (March 7th, 2008)
	Great! This is great song Steve, the guitar & bass and the whole music playing is at its best. Your vocal is shining over this great sound bed. Amazing collaboration and WOW this is your first collab here ?! KUDOS BRO. Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

echoroom	echoroom said 629 days ago (March 8th, 2008)
	The first Hey Yeman - this as the first, and I never looked back! hanks for checking this out steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

drakonis	62
Feter	41
hackneybloke	1
MarkHolbrook	21
MJReunionNAR	10
Ren-Tin-10	9
scaustrita	12
tonestones	4
XxWICKEDGARDENxX	8