Did they take my advice?

The band from the 2nd most viewed video on my channel is BACK. These guys sent in a rehearsal tape of their original song, "Grass", asking for some constructive criticism. I listened through and offered several bits of advice. If you haven't seen that video, the link is below. Well, it's been about a year, and the band (named Comfort Shag) has gone into a local studio to record their record. It is fully finished and available at the link below. So, did they take my advice?

Comfort Shag's record, "Third Coast Sound":

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[seanoflynnmusic]

Constructive critique. Always so humble. How much do we love Justins videos.

[drapp]

This is the kind of thing that's really missing from YouTube in the guitar community. Songwriting - arrangement - structure. At the end of the day you can know every scale and every riff but if you can't write a song what good is it? I really like these type of videos. They are so useful and insightful. I got some great tips from your feedback on this song. Would love to see more of this type of thing. Really appreciate it Justin!! Also kudos to Comfort Shag for writing a great song.

[MariJuce]

Really nice voice of that guy singing!

[mediocrecoverbandguitarguy]

Some people also respond to things negativity because they are jealous. I'm old enough to realize i don't have to like everything I hear, but out of respect for peoples efforts, I also have the ability to move on. If you're going to keep your mind closed, then you should keep your mouth closed too. This is by far my favorite channel on the Tube.

[SooBahkJoel]

I really like this guy's voice. Cool tune.

[VintageRadius]

Man, I wish I could sing that this guy. Lovely vocal tone and vibrato. I think the slower tempo emphasized the emotion in the voice a bit more, but the faster works okay too. I would go “less is more” and much cleaner on the guitar solo’s personally.

[officialWWM]

I remember this song. This dude has an awesome vocal style! This is my kind of music. Love it!
I feel like they may have sped it up a little in order to shorten it. I liked the slow version but I thought the quicker version was more commercial sounding.

[jasonlewis]

I’m a fan of the 60’s and 70’s rock. This reminds me of that era. I really like the vibe of the original in that it sounded like it was all in one room during a single live take. The new faster tempo sounds like it was played at a local bar. Who doesn’t like that?

I think it’s easy to get caught up in the “does it work for radio?” mindset. As a stand alone song, it’s pretty good. So instead of trying to compare them to others, why not just compare them to themselves. Did the song improve? I think so. Did they take the critique from earlier and make changes? Yes, they did. Are they happy with this new version? Obviously or they wouldn’t have sent it in. Will everyone love it? Probably not. Not everyone likes everything.

I would suggest that this is a solid song and something that they can be proud of and build off of. Is it radio worthy? Well, that’s a matter for people who are in the industry to really decide. As for me, I like it.

[tobytryon]

Never heard anyone describe phrasing like that, comparing it to a singer or horn player having to take a breath. It really made sense to me.

[mikeg]

Trying to recapture that first recording vibe is tough… like trying to learn how to play your own song again… no seriously frustrating in my experience. Cheers to the band for keepin on keepin on and to Justin for his constructive wisdom.

[scottbee]

I like that thought…..”take a breath in your playing”. I took a music class years ago where on the first day the music teacher said “silence is
beautiful”.

[Tom-kdsi]

I really dig the vocals and general vibe. For some reason I'm hearing the need for some vocal harmonies and a small bit of call and response vocals. I'm hearing female harmony vocals on the chorus, and just touch of subtle female call and response in the lead up to the chorus. Not hearing this song as guitar centric, but more as vocal dominated song i.e. it's about the singer and the song.

[dkelley]

Brilliant remarks and advice to the “mean” reviewer! Spot on! Love your channel! This track from the Dad band was very, very good! Great stuff!

[stringcodger]

I like the coaching and pointing out the things many of us overlook. But that tune is amazing. Love the vocal tone and guitar tone...just awesome!

[markflatt]

Even if the tempo increase works (have a bias since I heard the slower version first), I don’t think using the exact same lick on the intro works. It feels rushed. overall melodic concept works, but some of the pick up notes feels incredibly rushed.

It’s like they sped it up, but tried to play everything exactly the same, not sure that really works well.

[scrapeyhawkins]

Tempo on first recording I feel is right on...has that feel he is trying to convey

[discardedmischiefmusic]

The older tempo gave it more atmosphere, the new tempo makes less Chris Issac and more Bad Company. It's hard to judge the mix listening to you listening to it, but some room atmosphere would be nice....glue that makes it all sound played together. I dig the song, the lyrics and chorus are all cool.

The second solo might not serve the song the way I would do it, but I'm a hack. The guy has skill but less sizzle and more steak might be better. But hey, if they are happy with it, that is all that matters. Kudos to them for taking it from an idea to finished product! Keep rocking guys!

[danielhorsley]

Not a fan of the tempo change. Really dig how they wrapped up the tune also very cool of them to put their selves out here for our criticism

[hearpalhere]

Love your take on honesty versus mean spiritedness. I think there's a lot of nice things to be said for the song. I like the rhythm and vibe of the track and the vocals sound great. For what it's worth, I think I preferred the slower original tempo.

[mikefetter]

There are parts of both versions I like but I keep going back to the original. It had this groove you can lean in to. Great job!