Ladders - Cassini Meet Saturn - Music - Forums : Best Ever Albums

Puncture Repair

Hey all,

After four months I've finished my very first solo album 'Ladders'. It's acoustic driven indie rock, if that's your thing - but I've tried to keep it progressive. I recorded the whole thing in my bedroom (cliche I know) with a microphone I picked up on Amazon for about 80 quid, so needless to say the album will feel very lo-fi; my challenge was get it sounding as good as possible with the limited technology I had, but retain some of that sweet lo-fi charm. If I had to say what it sounded most like, I'd say my key influences for this album would be Bon Iver, The Antlers, R.E.M.,Neutral Milk Hotel and Sufjan Stevens - to name a few.

My ultimate goal was capture how I saw the world as a seventeen year old kid, as something I'd be able to return to. At the end of the day I'm just a dumb kid who has a lot yet to live through, but that's exactly what this record is about. It would mean a huge deal to me if you gave it a listen and told me what you think of it, all constructive criticisms welcome. Whilst I don't want so sound like a hippie and act like I don't want your money, I've made the album free to download - of course I'd greatly appreciate any funds coming my way, but I don't want anyone to feel like my music should be paid for to be accessed.

I've said enough, here's the album, I hope you enjoy. It's only 32 minutes in length, so hopefully giving it a listen won't feel like too much of a commitment.

http://cassinimeetsaturn.bandcamp.com/

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Ladders

1. In The Trees ... 1:26
2. Place Away From Home ... 2:58
3. Fallen Snow ... 2:54
4. Here Comes The Rain ... 3:01
5. Faces We'll Never Meet ... 3:13
6. People Like Me ... 2:11
7. Into Blue [Interlude] ... 0:59
8. Point And Cross ... 3:23
9. Climbing Higher [Instrumental] ... 1:40
10. I'm The Air, I'm The Waves (I'll Buy You A Drink) ... 6:17
11. Minute On The Time ... 4:36

GeevyDallas

WATTBA

I DLed it there,will listen later.

Wombi

really pleasant listen. if i had to say which artist you reminded me most of i guess it'd probably be kurt vile (though with michael stipe's voice Wink

). though not saying you're exactly like either of those artists, you're a lot dreamier, and that's greats. i enjoyed the more 'atmospheric' tracks in general although 'people like me' is probably still my favourite on here (though i still wish it was longer) and in general the second half was better mostly because you were trying some more interesting stuff - i loved the interlude.

i think you worked fantastically with the equipment you had and you've definitely created your own sound. my only criticisms would be that the mixing is a little off on most tracks (but i know how much of a bitch it is to get that 'right' so it's not something that's easily fixed) and maybe sometimes you need to push yourself a bit more lyrically but your voice is so great to listen to a lot of the time it doesn't matter.

awesome job, man. 75/100

Puncture Repair

Jhereko wrote:

really pleasant listen. if i had to say which artist you reminded me most of i guess it'd probably be kurt vile (though with michael stipe's voice Wink

). though not saying you're exactly like either of those artists, you're a lot dreamier, and that's greats. i enjoyed the more 'atmospheric' tracks in general although 'people like me' is probably still my favourite on here (though i still wish it was longer) and in general the second half was better mostly because you were trying some more interesting stuff - i loved the interlude.

i think you worked fantastically with the equipment you had and you've definitely created your own sound. my only criticisms would be that the mixing is a little off on most tracks (but i know how much of a bitch it is to get that 'right' so it's not something that's easily fixed) and maybe sometimes you need to push yourself a bit more lyrically but your voice is so great to listen to a lot of the time it doesn't matter.

awesome job, man. 75/100

Ah, mixing, mixing. I think the album was 10% recording and 90% trying to get it sounding right, at in least time spent. I came to a point where I decided the imperfections would have to stay as a complete novice at mastering. I know 'Faces We'll Never Meet' definitely falls short on the levels side.

I was hoping my lyrics would stand up better than they did on my band's album, they're something I spent a while on to get across the message I wanted to - I'm a little annoyed to know their not quite up to par yet; I understand lyrics can really jar and take you away from the song if you don't get them right. This is definitely something I should focus on more in the future.

My Dad always said I sing like Michael Stipe, but I don't hear it - it makes sense though since I listen to him so much. I can take that only as the highest compliment.

I've been focusing on your criticisms here, but really I'm glad you enjoyed it - it means a great deal to me that you listened to it all the way through and I appreciate everything you've said. I'll keep on rocking Smile

Wombi

Puncture Repair wrote:

I was hoping my lyrics would stand up better than they did on my band's album, they're something I spent a while on to get across the message I wanted to - I'm a little annoyed to know their not quite up to par yet; I understand lyrics can really jar and take you away from the song if you don't get them right. This is definitely something I should focus on more in the future.

and enjoyment of lyrics is entirely subjective. if you started writing lyrics that i like then many people might not like that vibe. your lyrics weren't even close to bad on here and i love some of them (i still think 'there's no room for people like me' is a gorgeous refrain - akin to 'i guess i just wan't made for these times') where i was saying that from my point of view you might wanna push them is that in some areas they started to sound a little generic (which isn't a bad thing since generality breeds relatability) which is admittedly difficult to avoid gven the volume of lyrics out there.

but yeah, definitely focus on the positives, there's more of them

Puncture Repair

Jhereko wrote:

but yeah, definitely focus on the positives, there's more of them

Great to hear Very Happy

I just removed the second vocal track on Faces We'll Never Meet because I think it messed up a levels a little bit much and they didn't sync well enough. It sounds better with one, I think.

SingingPeasant96

Coming-of-Age

Gender: Male

Age: 28

Location: In the aeroplane (maybe it's over the sea)

is it your solo project?
much better than I was expected! Very Happy

I like your vocals effects and you have nice one
and falsetto from some songs is very favourable Applause

nice lo-fi inde album
_________________
If you're feeling sinister, Go off and Listen to Indie Pop

Puncture Repair

SingingPeasant96 wrote:

is it your solo project?
much better than I was expected! Very Happy

I like your vocals effects and you have nice one
and falsetto from some songs is very favourable Applause

nice lo-fi inde album

Yes, this is my solo project - great to hear you enjoyed it!
Falsetto is where my voice is most comfortable, but I'd hate to use it too much, it's good to heighten certain moments, it's good to know it doesn't sound like a drowning cat Razz

Guest

Very pretty, very passionate, and really just a nice album. I'm not sure how memorable it will be, but only time will tell. I definitely feel like this is a sort of starting point, and if you expand on your sound, and really flesh it out (and maybe get better recording equipment) you could make something really special. Very Happy

videoheadcleaner

formerly Harkan

Gender: Male

Age: 40

Downloading now. Will listen to once completed!