Middle Brother (Redux)

Post date: Dec 09, 2011 6:13:32 AM

As we near the end of 2011, I still can't get enough of Middle Brother.  I really think that their self-titled debut album was the best album of 2011.  Though I appreciate Bon Iver, their style is difficult (if not impossible) to reproduce at a jam session.  What makes Middle Brother so appealing is that the music is approachable (i.e. easy to play) but a complex mixture of country and southern rock.

At any rate, this song (Mom & Dad) was recorded over a couple of sessions.  For the first session, I recorded the acoustic guitar and vocals using my Rode NT1 condenser mic.  A few weeks later I decided to overdub an electric part similar to the original.  This was done using my 52 RI Telecaster through my small combo Vox (AC4TV).  The result is that bright crunchy sound that only a nice Tele can reproduce.  The amp was mic'ed using an EV Raven about 1 foot directly in front of the speaker (on axis).  The final mix could have used a bit of compression to even out my playing, but I was feeling way too lazy to fiddle around with that.  The timing is off in places (it's hard to "play with yourself" when you overdub without a click track).  It also would benefit with being recorded in stereo (that would add some "space" to the mix).  Anyway, have a listen...

EDIT: I've added a version of the track with heavy compression (second link below).  Most music is compressed this way.  The EQ has also been adjusted.  Note the difference below, it doesn't quite sound as dynamic (or natural) but the telecaster now sits in the mix better.