Matthew Breuer (and other artists) - EHS Compilation

[mattybobviously]

Hey everyone,

After being pressed by James to record something, I made an effort to put together a quick EP of some covers and a few originals. Unfortunately, I've had no luck recording without my microphone channels cutting out during songs or Audacity deciding to shutdown halfway through.

However, today I finally got a copy of a compilation I had recorded two songs for as school ended last spring. I figured I would put the whole thing up here for people to download, and hopefully it'll be of interest to some. I am pretty pleased with the tracks, I think I've gotten a lot better vocally since then, but aside from a youtube video, I think these are the best recordings I've had to put up here. Also, I have some friends on this who are really incredible. So for every track that is forgettable and probably worth skipping, at least half of it is decent.

Here's the link: http://sharebee.com/4a8c796f

I'll re-post the lyrics to these songs for the hell of it.

[mattybobviously]

Discount at 'Ol Sam's
You can pack your bags and bag the check you’re headed home
Respirators aren’t the only things broken anymore

Amongst the sunken boxes lying there you had your fit, whether
It’s a lack of air or hollowed stare I’ll never get that much of it

Shake off and take off fast
Shake it off, it’s all over fast
Someday the EMT won’t show
Left stranded by the things you don’t know

American dreams weren’t built on Twinkee expirations and daytime TV
Clerks yelling out for help don’t realize they’re the answer that they seek

You stuttered when you pulled your checkbook
But never demanded to take a second look
If the prescription always exists
Then why’d you never see through it?

Shake off and take off fast
Shake it off, it’s all over fast
Someday the EMT won’t show
Left stranded by the things you don’t know

In the panic the number to call rings as a busy line
He’ll speak 45 minutes on news, but each is a waste of time
You talk of people round the world, and the weight they bared
But lately eyes in department stores tell me who’s really scared

Shake off and take off fast
Shake it off, it’s all over fast
Someday the EMT won’t show
Left stranded by the things you don’t know


Levin's Ferry
If I was meant to wade the water
I guess that I’ll float during the flood
Tide’s been out all these years
But when it rolls in you won’t know I’m gone

Don’t want to be another cigarette butt in the sand
Don’t want my results to fail my demands
Cause when the waves carry me away
I want to think everything’s going as planned

It’s always something
Keep fighting, but stop struggling
You will be forgotten, does this
Scare, or comfort you?
Normalcy’s an illusion ‘cause I’ve found
What’s real cannot be touched
If the good die young, I suppose
Love called, and they answered

I imagine it’s a lonely boat to nowhere
Paddling in circles out at sea
But as long as I’m surrounded when I leave port
I’ll drop the paddles, let the waves take me

TV told us that life’s a three-hour tour
Well I’m dying to see what’s on the opposite shore
When my bottle rolls up on the beach
I hope these sound waves carry from street to street.

I ain’t worried about dying young
I just need to know that I’ve done enough
Spend too many nights trying to connect the stars
Just take comfort in the space right where you are

It’s always something
Keep fighting, but stop struggling
You will be forgotten, does this
Scare, or comfort you?
Normalcy’s an illusion ‘cause I’ve found
What’s real cannot be touched
If the good die young, I suppose
Love called, and they answered

[OveriseFan]

Thanks man!

I'll post thoughts soon.

[OveriseFan]

First impressions:

First song: Good, catchy, even. You've got a decent voice, albeit a bit nasal, and your playing is decent. There's some timing issues, where the playing isn't fluid. Thus, the guitar kind of falls in and out of time - rushing at points, and dragging at others. This especially happens transitioning from the verse to the chorus. Also, on the chorus, I'd like you to take the song somewhere. Rather than singing in the same register - take it higher, and make it more expressive. I know you have the range for it, and I think the chorus would benefit substantially with this slight change. Maybe I'll post what my idea is tomorrow, in an audio file.

Second Song: Same complaints on your voice, and even more the timing (probably because it's slower.) I think this song would benefit greatly from an increased tempo, because it's really dragging. A good song, otherwise. You've got a good songwriting sense, especially for your age. Really weird vowel shapes at times...

My main advice, I guess, is start practicing keeping in time. I know you'll probably not want to hear this, you might be offended, and I'm sure you'll say you've gotten better since then. Believe me, I know, it's a shitty thing to realize. Hell, I'm working on it now, because I'm not where I want to be.

Do you have a metronome? I know they suck - but start practicing with one. If not - just bring up a click track in Audacity, or any free online metronome.

Best of luck. These songs were good - I enjoyed them. Far better than anything I posted. Haha.

[MyWorldEntire]

I'm on my Mom's laptop in Michigan, so I'll have to listen to these when I get back on Monday.

[mattybobviously]

You're completely on about me keeping time. I had never played with a drummer until I started playing with my friends from Brattleboro, and that has helped me a ton recently, I had never really played to anything before. It is definitely something I am focusing and working on, not offended at all by it.

Vocally I think I'm sounding a little better lately, I've really changed my delivery. My singing technique could be a hell of a lot better if I'd suck it up and get some kind of instruction, but I'm just overwhelmed with a ton right now so I don't see it happening.

With Levin's Ferry, I've played with that song a ton since then, I think it's painfully slow in this version, I've got about three different ways I've been playing it lately, all substantially more up-tempo. I'm interested in hearing what your advice would be for the chorus on 'Ol Sam's, always open for ideas.

Thanks for the feedback man, glad you enjoyed them

[OveriseFan]

Do you mind just giving me the chords for the chorus - rather than having me (possibly) butcher it?

Haha. Then I'll post what I have in mind. Obviously, it will come with me (crappily) singing my idea.

[mattybobviously]

C/G --> Am --> F --> G

[bootsydan]

Hey man. Ol Sams is a good song. I agree with James, you could maybe try playing with the chorus a bit, but it was pretty good as is. You're voice is pretty good as well. Still needs a bit of work. But I just think its a good song in general. Lyrics, melodies - I liked them quite a bit.

Levins Ferry did a lot less for me. Maybe because of the pacing? I just found it pretty uninteresting.

I'd love to hear more if you have it though.