VEGANGELICA

Hi, Bluesman,
Thanks for adding your vote in support of recording drums first. That does sound wise and does make sense. The way I've been recording songs so far is in reverse probably because of how I compose the songs (the drum part usually being the last for me to work on).

Here's what I've been trying to do most recently when recording a song:
(1) Concoct melody and lyrics simultaneously, then figure out guitar part.
(2) Use keyboard to play melody with metronome on (this will be deleted eventually, and just serves as my guide track).
(3) Sing lyrics with keyboard track to (try to) ensure I stay in tune and have correct timing.
(4) Record electric guitar while listening to the vocal track.
(5) Add in a new keyboard track (non-melody) in lieu of bass guitar.
(6) If I like all the above, I then record the whole shebang onto a 30-year-old tape player that belonged to my brother, and play the tape in the room where I have my drum set so I can work out the drum part. This is my favorite stage, because it means I'm almost done, plus I'm always tickled that this 30-year-old tape/radio player still works and has been with me since I was a child.
(7) Once I know what I'm going to play on the drums, I lug the drums down the hall to fill up all available space next to the computer, squeeze onto the throne, hem myself in with the cymbals, tell everyone to put in their earplugs, and record the drum track.
(8) Eventually, I plan to re-record all the tracks to improve them in a reiterative process. At that point I could start with the drums, like several of you suggest. I have not gotten to stage 8 yet, but hopefully will someday!

Thanks again for adding your suggestion!

--Erica