And so a few comments have been rolling in about the latest version of “Shino.” Through e-mail, I’ve heard from others, too — many positive, mostly constructive, all interesting. Among the thoughts:

1. Lots of people seem to be hearing echoes of David Byrne in the vocal. While I don’t discount the notion that there’s some similarity between the clipped phrasing of the verse here and his style, to be honest: I don’t really hear it. It certainly wasn’t intentional.
2. Another reader commented that there’s an Afrika Bambaataa /early Detroit techno thing going on in the backing track. Especially given that I was also using Kraftwerk samples for the drums, I can’t believe that hadn’t occurred to me before — it absolutely does.
3. Beyond the issue of influences, another reader comments:

“I actually like that the coda is kind of minimalist. I know what you
mean by suggesting that something like a solo might sound “right”
there, but I think the way it is, it brings out the bleak, mechanical,
digital qualities of the song in a good way.”

I completely agree, actually — this is one of the pitfalls of judging something immediately after you’ve recorded or written it. Part of the process, I suppose.

Along the same lines, whereas I initially felt some apprehension about this song, especially given that it was the debut of my vocals here on TWC, I’ve come around on it to the point that I’m actually starting to like this track a lot. If nothing else, particularly given the specific nature of some of the suggestions (ie, “This part feels like it’s lacking something”), “Shino” has proven a good example of how this blog is supposed to work.

Lastly, one reader suggested I ask folks their thoughts on the genesis of the lyrics — any guesses?