JPF Home Page Forums Week 37 MP3/Lyric Pick: "The Grind"

Hi, Mike!

I would like to address the lyrics first. Except for a few lines that I think should be deleted for musical reasons, they are perfect as is. They describe very well the feelings of those who are frustrated with their situation and have been for a very long time. I can relate to this. It is exactly how I am personally feeling right now and I couldn't have said it any better. Sometimes we need songs like these. It's like talking to someone who really knows exactly how we feel. There are times when we don't want to hear that things will get better. We just need to express how we feel. Sometimes the negativity in a song like this can actually help us release the feelings that are trapped inside. Once expressed, they can actually make us feel better rather than worse. One of my favorite songs is "Break Stuff." I may not walk around saying the words that are in that song, but I sure feel like it and I feel better after the song.

Regarding the melody: I think most of it suits the song very well. I would prefer to hear the pre-chorus reduced to "Under the weight I'm drowning, Transparent cage surrounding me, " and then going directly into the chorus. Can't tell you why, I just do. I also think that the instrumental bit just before the second verse could be deleted. Again, it's just an instinctive thing.


The singing was very good and I could understand all of the words. You have a very good voice and it is well suited for this kind of music.

Production values:

I would like to hear the accompaniment a little lower in volume when the vocals are being sung.

The sibilance could use adjusting - it is very pronounced throughout the whole song. The cymbals in places also sounded very tinny. It made me wonder if perhaps the treble was up too high. It could be just me though, because I usually lower the treble and raise the bass a little when I am listening to the music on the radio, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

The reverb (I think that is what it's called) is Ok in the beginning but as it continues through the music, it becomes an irritant to me. I think just using it at the beginning and maybe at the end would be OK.

So all in all, I really liked the performance, words and music. It is solid lyric writing and composing in my opinion. If I heard it on the radio I would listen to the whole thing.

Good luck to you.