I could really use some input or reviews of our new CD.Music

[Pako]

We could really use some reviews on our new CD that we just just released. You can stream the whole thing on Spotify or if you're feeling adventurous, you can buy the CD or download a digital copy from CD Baby or iTunes. I'm not looking for sales here, that's what Facebook is for. You can listen to the whole thing for free with the Spotify link below. I will say it has a Christian theme so don't be surprised with the lyrics, but I would say it's not your typical "Christian" CD. Standard three piece power trio format. I appreciate the input.

Here's some links;

iTunes: iTunes - Music - Who Is He? by The Kenny Coen Project

CD Baby: The Kenny Coen Project | CD Baby Music Store

Spotify: Open Spotify Album The Kenny Coen Project

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the music.

 

[fortbo]

Haven't got to listen to it yet, but it's great we have some musicians on GTP. I play guitar.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I'd say that generally I like the vocals and the sound - the range of styles throughout the album is good...

Some of it has a really open, 'summer evening' feel to it (possibly where I'm getting some Hendrix and/or CCR from in the guitar work!); "When the son comes down" for instance definitely feels like relaxed festival tune, or just an evening around a camp fire with friends kinda tune... "Give it all" is a dead simple relaxed song that worked really well too, and "Soul Shine" really appeals to the Hendrix fan in me )

Where as on the other hand, "Without your Love" is more of an understated, but funky, finger tapping blues tune... which again is all good (I'm a Joe Bonamassa fan if that helps).. and the way the album sounds like it was recorded helps compliment this. It's a good tune though that definitely works well opposite the songs I mentioned above.

I'd say the more up tempo songs feel like they should be more like 'driving music' but - and forgive me if I'm talking utter rubbish as I'm no expert at all - the acoustics in the recording aren't right for it... the instruments sound too abruptly muted, not 'spacious' enough, whereas the vocal sounds a little too much like it was recorded in a small empty room... it works for some of the more bluesy stuff, but on "Who is he?" for instance I think it stops the song from sounding the way it should.

"They will know we are Christians" & "Amazing Grace"... y'all should just have cut loose and got more edgy with these...

It's inescapably Christian as an album though, on it's own that may or may not be a turn off for some, and whilst it doesn't bother me that much, I can't help but think I'd enjoy it more if each song wasn't so much one simple message, and more like a step of journey - but that might just come from listening to it more.

.. I'm probably talking rubbish now.

I did like it though, and I have at least one friend I'll definitely recommend it to... he'll appreciate the sound and I think he'll love its roots.


👍 Good job.

 

[Touring Mars]

I had a chance to listen to a fair chunk of the album while locked out of my office this morning - I can add this to my growing list of "Things I Didn't Think I'd Ever Do"... listening to a Christian rock album in the foyer of a Chemistry department in California...

I think @MatskiMonk has hit the nail on the head on a few counts... great review 👍

Some of my impressions:

Musically it's tight and punchy, and you guys have captured a real 'as live' vibe - some songs could use some backing vocals or a harmony or two in there, but the lead vocals are generally very good and strong enough to carry the songs alone. That said, I can see why backing vox might be tricky for a power trio to pull off! I particularly enjoyed 'Give It All' (a really fresh, acoustic sound), 'Revelation Song' (very soulful performances throughout) and 'When The Son Comes Down' (an upbeat tune with a more heartfelt lyric); I agree that 'They Will Know We Are Christians' needs something of a pick-up, 'Door Jam' is great and sounds much more free flowing and inspired. Lyrically and thematically it's not really my cup of tea and I do find it a little bit one-dimensional at times; I agree what MM has said above, but I guess as a 'devotional' album it's pretty on message! (Not that I would really know )

 

[Pako]

@MatskiMonk and @Touring Mars:

Thank you both for your generous time you put into both listening and remarking on the CD. I think you guys are both spot on though my own perspectives are a bit harsher of course. Backing vox would have been great, but my vocals suck unless I'm screaming some Swedish death metal. We recorded all instruments 'Live' to try and get as much energy captured as possible. Even still, the studio is such a sterile environment (much like your Chem lab Chris) that it's hard to really get that energy found on stage in front of people. The vocals were in fact recorded in an empty room. Just too much bleed from the drums to try and capture the live vocals so we had to drop the live vocal track and overdub.

 

[Driving Park]

Just finished listening to the album - I really like what I heard! I don't think I've ever heard a modern bluesy Christian album - most I've heard are alternative and punk rock and such. I dig those, but I really dig the blues. Mix is good, sound is good, playing/singing is great. Really love that crunchy bass sound! I'd agree with everyone else that some additional harmony would be nice in places, but for a power trio I think you created a lot of presence. Lyrically, occasionally I also agree with the "one dimensional" comments, both as a listener and a Christian, but for the most part it's solid. My favorite track is probably When the Son Comes Down, and I love that you threw in a jam-ish instrumental at the end with Door Jam. I'd love to hear a longer 8-10 minute "epic" that really says a lot, both musically and lyrically. Great stuff overall though, I enjoyed it! 👍

 

[Pako]

Just finished listening to the album - I really like what I heard! I don't think I've ever heard a modern bluesy Christian album - most I've heard are alternative and punk rock and such. I dig those, but I really dig the blues. Mix is good, sound is good, playing/singing is great. Really love that crunchy bass sound! I'd agree with everyone else that some additional harmony would be nice in places, but for a power trio I think you created a lot of presence. Lyrically, occasionally I also agree with the "one dimensional" comments, both as a listener and a Christian, but for the most part it's solid. My favorite track is probably When the Son Comes Down, and I love that you threw in a jam-ish instrumental at the end with Door Jam. I'd love to hear a longer 8-10 minute "epic" that really says a lot, both musically and lyrically. Great stuff overall though, I enjoyed it! 👍

Thank you so much for the input. Our idea is to continue to produce these projects and hope to take all these considerations to our next CD.