I was looking for something else on YouTube today when I saw this video had been posted within the last 10 minutes, so I decided to give it a watch.
Initial thoughts – the demo looks impressive, and polished, and I’d say that it’s going to be difficult for the average ElevenLabs user to get a feel for this. While I was watching, I had Comet agent run through some potential prompt possibilities to create a ‘Counting Crows-esque’ album:
Key Elements for 90s-Inspired Prompts:
- Genre/Style: 90s alternative rock, Americana, or folk-rock.
- Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, live drums, piano, organ, bass.
- Vibe/Mood: Melancholic, nostalgic, coming-of-age, hopeful, wistful.
- Vocal Style: Storytelling lyrics, raw and emotive, “live performance” feel.
- Tempo/Key (if you wish): Often mid-tempo, sometimes upbeat; specify keys if you want closer control.
- Lyrics: Optionally, add a single line or let the model generate lyrics in a Counting Crows style.
- Structure: Specify duration or transitions, e.g., “instrumental intro,” or “vocal chorus starts at 30 seconds.”
I ran a couple examples through and here are the results:
1. Heartland Nostalgia
A 90s alternative rock ballad inspired by Counting Crows. Acoustic and electric guitar blend with piano and a steady beat. Male vocals tell a melancholic, coming-of-age story. The mood is nostalgic and bittersweet. 110 BPM, in E major, 90 seconds. Lyrics about leaving your hometown and missing old friends. Live performance feel.
2. Midnight Highways
A cinematic 90s rock song featuring slide guitar, organ, and driving drums. The mood is restless, evoking long road trips and late-night reflections. Male vocals tell stories about searching for meaning on empty highways. 105 BPM, F major. Instrumental guitar solo after the second chorus.
Lyrics are off, cadence is off, and it just sounds *over* produced. If I’m looking for something from the 90’s (or what some might now call vintage *shudder*), I’d expect the recording quality and instrument / production quality to match.
I’m not a professional musician by any stretch, but I don’t expect this tool will be used to create Spotify albums anytime soon – at least not on the lyrical front.