Song Reviews
Sometimes you get surprised...
Mike Harty brings us Southside Surfin'... a Progressive / Classic Rock instrumental with plenty of high octane blues in the vein of Greg Allman meets Molly Hatchet in many ways. This kind of instrumental gives voice to all parts. The guitar playing has its own way of singing through the song. While there is plenty of energy in the mix there is a lack of separation and clarity as the instruments all get up to full strength. It holds together quite well but it does suffer a bit in its dynamic range as well as the spacial carving out between instruments. I can tell by the unison movement of the VU meters that while ever track is in stereo it also shows that almost every track is center panned. From a production standpoint this costs half a point and another 2/10s of a pts is lost in the repetitiveness and lack of proper resolution to bring the user back around. I will admit the harmonies are a nice touch in this particular song as I just completed a harmony based instrumental this weekend myself. It has plenty of flavor, but lacks essential spices to make it really tasty.
United States, Texas, Houston
Killer Southern Rock Done Right!
Today we will be looking at Mike Harty's "Southside Surfin' " I don't know if Mike knew that his intro to Southside Surfin' was dangerously close to sounding like "Run to the Hills" by Maiden but it definitely got the track off to a rocking start. This is a great blend of Classic and Southern Rock. I loved the rockabilly feel to the rhythm and solid leads, Mikes approach to melody and soloing really give the song a distinct flair and a sound that's comfortable and timeless. The production is well done, all the instruments can be heard clearly and Mikes lead sound really shreds. There are a few timing issues but they aren't substantial enough to detract from the overall musicality of the track. My favorite part of the song is the solo near the end. Mike throws down some killer riffage and rips some quality guitar shred that compliments the song and brings attention to Mikes well honed guitar skills. Overall I really enjoyed the music. Great melodies, a solid rhythm track and great production will ensure that anyone who is into Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers or any other Classic Rock band of the era will get an ear full of killer Rock and soulful soloing. What else needs to be said but check out "Southside Surfin'" and feel the power of Mikes Rock. Great stuff! Christopher Carrion XXX
Canada, Ontario, Kingston
What I hear
I like the groove and the dual leads and the interplay between the guitars. Would like to not hear so much gain on the rhythm guitar. If it was clean with a little crunch it would be tighter with the bass and the kick. Everything would have it's own space. Very well written and crafted. Keep up the good work, waiting to hear more. MHD
United States, Arizona, Scottsdale
Good work
Keep on pushing for what you want out of life and cant no one take that away from yall.. Never give up. Love music. I love beat and the rhthym of yalls music. It is a good soundwave. Music to my ears.
United States, Texas, Houston
Southside Surfin'
I felt the intro did not connect with the lead guitar line played in the beginning. Adjusting how it comes in should help with that. At first it did not seem the two lines worked together, but that primarily is because of how the second line came in. The bridge just doesn't feel right to me. I understand what you are trying to do, I just don't think it works with these two lines. That being said, I like the guitar work, kind of miss the bass in the track.
United States, New York, Uniondale
southside surfin
well i had a listen to this...and it starts a bit fuzzy and i thought it was an EDM track...but then the axe comes through...and it started to sound like a guitar band...and then it just began to groove...at 3 mins it sort of went 60,s ...not bad overall ...and i am sure once the right groove is found..the california sound will be back..and not soon enough...Death to EDM BOOM BOOM
Australia, sea lake
The Brown-Harty Project, a luky find.
A mix of feeling and technical are the basics of this song. This composition starts with a riff that seems a run with the wild horses, but after a few of measures, immediately the atmosphere changes, bringing the listener thru the waves of the sea, on a californian bay. Great song and great musicians
Vanuatu, Unknow
Nice Guitar Driven Instrumental
This song has a nice melody and some very nicely played guitar parts well played by guitarist Mike Harty. The song would have more radio appeal if it was better produced and drums were better directed. There are a lot of cymbal crashes at odd places and the time feel rushes a few spots. But even with that, the guitar melodies and harmonies drive and are very compelling. I could see this as a successful instrumental with some radio play and building a fan base from the able guitar work of Mike H. I look forward to hearing more from this talented artist.
United States, California, Studio City
Battle of Two Guitars
Nice grooves and some well placed breaks. Incorporating the influences of both Robin Trower & the Allman Brothers, I found myself drawn to the song. My suggestion for Southside Surfin' would include both guitars ending at the same time (end of the song), and a remix that would let each guitar breathe a bit more . Best to ya'
United States, Illinois, Palatine
Nice Guitar Work!
Mike - while the guitar work is really good - you obviously know your way around the fret board - it seems at times out of step with the groove. Like it is not in the pocket. Is that a live drummer? If not, you might could tighten it up with a real drum track. Seems the groove needs to change at times to match what the guitar is doing. My best analogy I can think of is a real good jazz band. You ever listen to one - and all the musicians are really good, but seems like they are playing different songs? That is kinda the fell this gives me at times in the tune. Other times it is right on. Just not coherent all the way through the song. Again, Nice Chops though man - keep it up. With a little work and tightening up, this could be really good!
United States, Oklahoma, Moyers
THE GUITAR SOUNDS THAT ROCKED THE DAYS OF OLD.
TAKING US BACK TO A SOUND THAT NEVER GROWS OLD. THE GUITAR SOUNDS THAT ROCKED THE DAYS OF OLD. GREAT JOB GUYS. KEEP UP THE GREAT SOUNDS NOW THAT YOUR IN THIS POSITION LET IT ALL EXPLODE INTO NEWNESS OF THE CREATIVE MUSIC MIND. IT GOES EVERY WHICH WAY ONCE IT STARTS. LYRICS FLOW THRU TIME AND SPACE . A BOND WILL SURE TO BE. JML
United States, California, MOJAVE
Ballsy Cool
Solidly produced recording with a great drum track providing the foundation for a rockin' feel. Most instrumentals are sterile by comparison, but this has loads of vibe with it's solid guitar work. Nice tones!
United States, Tennessee, Nashville
