how can i top THAT?

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:51 pm

ive always kept the mentality of 'the next project will always be better', but im getting to the point where i dont think i can top my last recording. anyone else felt this way before? is this maybe why bands sometimes 'sell out'? maybe i just ran out of inspiration and used up all my persperation on the last song..

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:16 pm

Do you mean that the last project you recorded sounds better than anything you have ever heard?

Or that you need something new to inspire you?

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:38 pm

Music_Junky wrote:

Do you mean that the last project you recorded sounds better than anything you have ever heard?

Or that you need something new to inspire you?

Inspiration.

Motivation.

Desperation?

Resignation?

Consternation!?

No defecation!!!

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:57 pm

MadTiger3000 wrote:

Music_Junky wrote:

Do you mean that the last project you recorded sounds better than anything you have ever heard?

Or that you need something new to inspire you?

Inspiration.

Motivation.

Desperation?

Resignation?

Consternation!?

No defecation!!!

Sorry I don't quite get you. Am I spelling something wrong?

Damn I need some English writing lessons I probable sound like a 5 year old all the time Smile

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:05 pm

No, I just am "riffing" off of the bolded word.

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:47 am

Well, Music_Junky, I don't think anybody here can speak Icelandic? So I think you're really talented???

Can you say "microphone"?
Ms. mumble mumble mumble

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:28 pm

RemyRAD wrote:

Well, Music_Junky, I don't think anybody here can speak Icelandic? So I think you're really talented???

Can you say "microphone"?
Ms. mumble mumble mumble

hehe believe me I speak much better than I write.

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:09 pm

ya my last song was of course better than anything else ive written (isnt that how it usually goes), but it feels like i wont be able to top it without using filler songs.

im wondering if this is the reason some bands eventually 'sell out' because they lose inspiration and just start writing more simple and what people like hearing.

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:44 pm

No one sells out they just change.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:54 pm

if people just change then theres been a lot of bands who got a lot worse than better. i use to have that mindset with metallica going into load/reload, 'oh they just have a country like influence now they have a different sound', but with st anger its like theyre not even trying anymore. a lot of bands stay underground for a while then out of nowhere have a real manistream metal sound on their next cd.

i think a lot of bands do just change but its hard to imagine some of these bands just change on their own.

still, replace 'sell out' with 'change' in my last post and my point stil stands.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:41 pm

lol fair enough.

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:25 pm

Rider, you have presented one hell of a question that there is no one answer to. Due to the way technology has evolved over the past 10+ years or so, the very nature of recording has changed. Nowadays the one hit wonder has evolved into the one hit writer. When bands (like Metallica) first started out, the option of a decent quality bedroom recording didn't exist. Artists played their asses off for peanuts everywhere they could find an in. Most of the more dedicated bands lived together, played together, and travelled together in search of that single someone or something that might open the door. They lived on shoestring budgets and ate bologna sandwiches because everything was tied into the live band. When you live like that for a few years or more, it in itself can be your greatest source of inspiration, and motivation.

Another phenonmenon is that during this period of virtual oblivion, when all of those emotions are diverted into the music. Often, this period represents a quality of writing that is never matched again as the success grows. By the time the band receives any recognition at all, they may be sitting on 25 to 30+ songs that were written during this period of tribulation. Most likely the best and purest songs they will ever produce. When they finally receive a label contract and enter a quality studio to produce their first album, they're sitting on the best repertoire that they will ever have. Both in quality, and quantity. After that intial repertoire is released and becomes successful, the entire complexion of the beast changes. All of a sudden, writing becomes a job instead of an inspirational outlet. I'm sure that everyone in this forum could think of many bands that gained major success over the past couple of decades that faded away to nothing after the release of one or two albums. A good example of watching out what you wish for because it may come true!

How this all equates to you on a personal level is for you to decide. My current experience in the industry gives me reason to believe that the music (song) is no longer at the forefront of what we do. I have seen marvelous songwriters sink into oblivion because they're more interested in acquiring the equipment needed to make a good recording. Of course, good is never good enough, and the circle continues. There are more self-proclaimed songwriters out there that know more about the advances in recording technology than they know about the basics of songwriting. At some point in time, we all seemed to have fallen into the same phenomenon that John Lennon described when he said that life was something that happens while you're busy making other plans. Stop planning and contemplating over that next big mic purchase and those new nearfields you're saving up for. Get your ax out and grind it! Remember, a shitty recording of a great song is still far better than a great recording of a shitty song.

I know that a lot of what I have said is off-base regarding the original post. But quite frankly, it's difficult to acknowledge the fact that anyone can say that they may have written/recorded there best song ever, and there may not be anymore gas in the tank. The only entity that can decide if anyone has produced their best material ever is an audience, and subsequent success. Until then, cut off your ear for inspiration, or plug your ears and complete a symphony. Get your ax out and continue to grind, that's what it's all about. It's also the only thing that will help you through your mediocre ideas until you stumble across something that excites you....

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:31 pm

there have been many times in my life where i have thought to myself "that is the best song i've ever written." thats why i write music. so that i can hopefully say it again. and again.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:20 pm

The quickest way to burn yourself out is trying to top your last work. Don't look at your next recording as a chance to top the last one, look at it as a drawing board to put out more musical ideas.

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:29 pm

another way of avoiding this is by trying something completely different. i normally play acoustic stuff but this latest song i made is kind of inspired by sublime / punk rock and it was so much fun to do. actually now if i were to start a band i think it would be in this style of music haha

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