I'm going to be releasing one song at a time from now on -- releasing them online, compiling them in collections that I'll call "albums" as soon as they have enough music.
The first of this bunch should be ready for human, and Obnerian, consumption next week.
I'm really damn proud of this one.
The chord changes are cool. The melody is good. The hooks are insidious.
It's in the same vein as this song, but with a better composition behind it:

Can't wait for you all to hear it.

IMO...

The recording and mix sound crisp and lively.
The snap of the snare and the snarling tone of the bass are a nice driving force (although I would prefer only staccato downstrokes during the "verses" that reinforce the pace of the intro sample and then get all sloppy during the chorus).
The layered and varied vocals add complexity to a simple melody that you didn't beat into the fucking ground (punchy brevity).
To my ears, the guitar track backing the intro and verses disrupts the momentum of the song (muddles the mix and buries the dense vocals).
(I would reserve the guitar back-tracking for the bright vocals of the chorus, the bridge and the last full measure of the song.)
//constructive criticism.

Nonetheless, well done.

Thanks. I appreciate the thoughts.
But the song that I posted is a song that was released nearly 4 years ago. I was just posting it as an example as to what the sound of the new song will be similar to.
The new one is not yet ready for public consumption.
Still, it's something to chew on and I do appreciate the feedback.
But soon… hopefully next week.

Dig it.

I hope that you do.
This one took a lot of fucking work. And, while I still hear little things that I would like to change, it could go on forever if I keep retouching everything.
Overall, I am pretty happy with it.
Hope you dig.

The song, despite its solid lyrical content, is long-winded in its composition.
...and the synth lines are an annoying distraction.
In summary: not my bag...but as long as you're happy with it...

BTW, you sound like Cake's lead singer (John McCrea) on that track.


But don't take my word for it...I don't know shit

I just appreciate you listening to it.
Thanks!

So then, here is the solo/acoustic version of the song, too. Seems that some prefer this version.
Certainly puts a stronger focus on the song, itself, as opposed to what might be a distracting arrangement.
And I do think that it is one of my stronger tunes, from a pure songwriting point of view.

Anyway, curious to hear what y'all think

nice piano licks

Thanks!
Those were played by Dave -- whose first instrument is actually drums, and whom is the drummer on most HoP stuff. Talented, talented dude.

If you liked the song, I made it available for free, along with the solo/acoustic version, and "The Key", which I recorded over the winter.
http://hoponpop.bandcamp.com/album/one-by-one
Just letting you know.

So, the release strategy has taken shape.

I have decided that, until I have 10-11 songs uploaded, and/or 35 minutes, when I call it complete and move on to the next collection, I will offer the album, and each song individually, as (a) free download(s).

There are now 4 songs, and an alternate version, uploaded and ready so far. I would love of you all to have it all for free, so keep watching it and download each song as I put it up.

Anyway, that is the news for now. I hope that you like it so far, that you will take advantage of the free downloads, and that you will like everything else that is coming down the pike.

Thanks!
http://hoponpop.bandcamp.com/album/one-by-one

would you consider doing a small run of vinyl for each collection as they come together?

Budget.
But yeah, if I had such a budget, I would love to have vinyl.

i just listened to "spinning" and now it's stuck in my head.

I'll try to listen to more later.

That's a good thing! (I hope.)
Thanks for checking it out.