the songs got left at the gate (outside paradise reviews)

[Wages]

Wages - if I tried to sing like you it'd be like Fozzy the bear having a seizure.

I'd kind of like to hear that....

So you are sayin' I do pretty good.... for a muppet?

[Wages]

If Pearl Jam releases something that sounds like shit, you assume that's how they wanted it to sound, right?

Are you talking about their new album? I'm a huge fan of PJ, but I personally felt the new album was, as compared to all their other albums, weak (to put it nicely). I like (and mostly love) every single track of all the other PJ albums (especially Ten, Vs, and Binaruarauraurl.. oh, and Yield). And they really rocked St Louis 2 years ago on the Vote For Change tour (the only time I've had the pleasure of a PJ).

I felt that it was what they wanted it to sound like, but that about half of the songs were too bland (I think they've been playing too many Who songs and the influence isn't great). Of course, I DO like all the classic Who stuff, but anywho....

[Phil. Redmon.]

UNREAL, I AM DOING REVIEWS.
Reverse alphabetical!

Wormsweater - Hard to listen to! So shrill! Drums so loud! Great harmonies going on vocally, and junk, but like, there is a lot of kind of meandering going on. The sparese bits kind of drag, but the speedy payoff is... well, it WOULD be a payoff, it's just so shrill and, like, almost reverse mixed. All in all, I'd say there are two minutes too many in this song.

Wages - I made the comment earlier about the Black Keys, and I stand by it. A fine song, and whatnot. I like the way you play, for the most part, but there are some definite fall-apart moments, and I'm sure you know where they are. You've got a great vocal delivery, you know, most of the time, and a great voice, but 1: There's not enough going on for me to really get excited about it, 2: You could have "known it" a little more.

Tamlin Music - Hey, there's only so many possible chord progressions in the world, so I'm not gonna sweat you, as I presume a few have. Great vocal delivery. I must be in a good mood or something, because you're striking me as, like, a male Emily Haines, delivery-wise. Maybe that's a stretch, but I'm apparently guilty of it elsewhere, ba-ha, ba-ha. Rill good singin', dude, for rill. There's a couple spots in there where you're treading really heavy on "What a Wonderful World," but hey, whatevs. A little long to maintain the same, like, sonic space, you know, I could have done with a new sound at 3 mins, but I'm pretty impatient.

Somewhere off the left coast - Ha ha, remember that "just don't get it, keep it copasetic" song? That just jumps out at me in the, well, you know, the bit that sounds kind of like it. I'm a big fan of those kind of, uh, fade-in harmonies. You know what I mean. There's a "musical term" for it, but it escapes me at the moment. I'm not sold on the drums, but, whuddjagonnado. I like the bee-doo guitar at the end. Is like frosting, you know? A fine tune!

Ross Durand - Hot dog, you've got my subwoofer hoppin'. Man, this fight is featuring the shakers! I'm glad I didn't wedge them in to our song! Ha! I so much enjoy the opening sprawl, but I get a little turned off by the change, especially the 4th cord in the bit... The "big" bit is HOT, for sure. I could def have gone for a little more of that, woah-ho! Props for the BIG FAT GIANT BASS.

Raised by wolves - You already know about the lil' polyrhythm echo nonesense. I really dig the accordian harpsichord duo bit in the middle. Vocal sound is a little plain and buried in your instrumentation, and will SOMEBODY GET THE FUCKING DOOR? Ha ha, sorry. Something very Chariots of Fire era about your synth sounds. I dunno, I don't wanna slag, but it's kind of a mess, eh? I will likely enjoy the cover, if one ever comes up. (high five)

RadioFace - Dude, I fucking LOVE Metalocalypse. I feel you, man. Sold!

Paco Del Stinko - Fuck, I love it. You'se the competition in my book, dude. It's got so much going on! I really, REALLY dig the vocals! All ove 'em. I mean, i'm not really focusing on the lyrics, but the singing is so good. That little guitar lead in to the slow part, a little glimmer of, i dunno, Queen or something? It's just so on. SO ON. Ha ha, I dig it so much. So many beautiful kernels of sound. High fucking five!

Landstander - When I heard this, I thought I caught a lil' familiar something..... INDEED! Elliott Smith's 2:45am! You're totally walking all over it! This one time, I accidentally wrote Black Sabbath's "Hand Of Doom." Seriously, like, line for line.

Lack Of Sleep - A well written song is buried under this mess! That is one of the worst guitar sounds ever! BUT those vocal harmonies are so fucking cash money fabulous, Especially the "big mistake" bit. I really want to hear those kick ass drums a little louder. I mean, This is another example of an inside-out mix, to me.

Klownhole - Well, I've got you beat, by the numbers, dude. I am so far away from into this. I DO like the 70's game show synth, but I am so sick of the word paradise, mo hey. I guess the music is ok, but... I dunno, the whole thing is kind of a mess, and fucking a, 'PARADISE!" You know what you did.

Jim Tyrrell - you are a super talented guy. "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone." - That is the closes I can come to placing that vocal melody. It super rubs me like it's something I've heard, but whateves. The chorus seems so jarring to me. Every time I listen to the song, I get stumped trying to anticipate the chorus. It just seems like such a jarring turn. It leads back into the verse pretty well, so I dunno. This has not my thing written all over it, but I can't deny the quality, you know? Quality, purposeful performance. HIGH FIVE, JIM!

Jeff Robertson - OK, I know I'm overdoing this whole "this sounds like this" biz, but, like, even though I KNOW I'm listening to songfight songs, when this comes on, I keep thinking it's going to be that fucking OK Go song. Just for, like, that second with the ramping in guitar. This jam has a unique sound. I like the width... It's not quite a wall of sound, but it's a REALLY sturdy table of sound. I assume there are more drums than just that snare, but I am charmed by it's persisting *pap*. I love the lead guitar sound, it sounds like it's melting in a really good way. I almost don't want to say it, I really am trying to hold back, but... but... MEXICAN RADIO! Hee hee, I dig it.

The Hell Yeahs - Yeah, boyee. Had fun recording it. Suffers slightly from a rushed mix, but a lot of it is also intentional. Since I'm the one playing the damn things, NATURALLY I want the guitars louder. Hee hee, man, it totally sounds like "chicken side kickin'." Seriously, though, all criticisms of this jam are totally moot. An' whether folks hear the Sonics or not, I was feelin' 'em whilst recording. (One of the drum mics was in our dryer.) OH! H-BOZ: didn't I even use the word "Thelmatic" at one point while we talked about the lyrics? hee hee.

Chin Music - The drums do NOT fit this song! The steel drums are great, the swoon of the music is really beautiful, but those drums sound like they're playing a totally different song, or at least with a different band. Love the vocals, love the voice, and I really, really like the island flavor of the instrumentation. Quite nice!

Blake Walker - Vangelis! OK, I'm kidding, but you know what I mean, right? Kinda sounds like the closing credits theme of the Blade Runner saturday morning cartoon.

B Ellison - More shakers! Bass heavy, and I dig it. Big blurry harmonies, which are cool, but a little loose on the front of the words, y'know? Another case of "really on the nose" title interp. That seemed to be kind of rampant in this fight. I'm more of a "the plastic rose to the top" or "Brown Boxes = Brown is a boxer" kind of guy. That bass needs some limiting or compression or some junk, and I KNOW nobody wants to hear that boring shit, but it just overtakes the song sometimes. I could have gone for some more lyrics other than the title. Nice sound, overall, and I dig it. High five?

Beefy - Well, at least you're tight (mostly.) I dunno, I hate this kind of stuff. Totally against the "Stab." How the hell do I review this? In one ear, out the other. Please buy an instrument. I mean, I am not against rap, per se, but there is no music in this. It's just a bunch of words. But, I mean, you are, for the most part, pretty tight. So, you know, keep up the good work. (please buy an instrument.)

Andrew Ayers - I like the "one good foot" terseness. By now, I am soooo burnt on "outside of paradise," but that's not your fault, right? I like the variety on the vocal delivery. I like the little post-whistle laugh, too. I like the way this sounds as though it is in a wooden room, or like, a cabin or something. It nails the sound, I figger, that it's going for. A fun tale, of sorts. You sound like you're smiling when you sing....and... wearing a hat? hee hee. I like it!

Adnoisium - Is that for real? Like, is that your real voice? Are you doing something to it? Did you get the music from a Mega Man sound test? I am just perplexed an bewildered by this song. Frilla! It gives me the giggles. If I could make one suggestion (like, if I could only make one), it'd be to cut a big chunk of the vocal frequencies. But other than that.... I am always surprised when it ends on that bunk. it just.... Stops! ha ha. I don't know! I don't know!

and lastly:

Aaron Price - Ok, I admit it. This is me. Got up before the kids on the day the songs were due, and I thought I'd have a stab crafting the worst case scenario / stereotypical g&g song. 16 uses of the title! Kudos to everyone who saw through the ruse. Like, actual, chocolatey Kudos™!

Good fight! Too much "paradise!!!"

[Heather. Redmon.]

Aaron Price - Ok, I admit it. This is me. Got up before the kids on the day the songs were due, and I thought I'd have a stab crafting the worst case scenario / stereotypical g&g song. 16 uses of the title! Kudos to everyone who saw through the ruse. Like, actual, chocolatey Kudos!

Ok, so you you fooled me the day the songs were posted, but I faked my review to keep the secret but the secret is out!

[Ross]

Better late than never – written over a few different days. Evey song was heard all the way through twice, although not necessarily as I was writing.

Aaron Price –
Is this a test? [I swera I wrote this line before Phil’s post] Quite bad – the guitar and voice often sound to be not involved in the same song, except perhaps the rhythm. The words cannot carry this. – Thanks for playing

Adnosium – not as bad as it sounds – but still not doing a lot for me. I think your presentation style actually takes away from your sontent here. Are you sure this isn’t “Ignorance is Bliss?” – OK

Andrew Ayers, etc.. – I like this a lot, although I feel a little disconnect with your description of outside paradise in the verses v. the chorus. Good word work – I like the john Prine-ness of it, how neat thoughts come out of simple turns of phrase – Good +

Beefy – ok rap – truly not my thing – I agree with J$ as far as not being into music about itself. OK

B Ellison – I thought Syd Barrett Died? Interesting song – but the words get pushed out by the textures. Good

Blake – ok, the build works, but as far as connecting to the title? I trust you, but to me this could be many things. OK

Chin – are you attempting a Dylan impression? Pretty close ot some Blood on the tracks era, but the backing tracks are a little more jimmy buffet. I like this pretty well, but I like the first verse much better than the second. It somehow doesn’t quite feel complete, to me a lot of song with these long verse forms also have long overall forms. Good

Hell Yeahs – I hate to write a review like this, but you know, this sounds like the Hell Yeahs, and you do it good. I agree with previous Thelma/Louise references, it definitely reminded me of that thematically. I wish there was a little more variety verse to verse or something to engage me more in the portions with the words. Good

Jeff Robertson – I like this for the first half – when you get to the solo it seem slike thing fall apart quite a bit and it got hard to listen to. The first half, though, is one of your best contributions so far, I think. OK (almost good, if tighter).

Jim – Nice tune/changes overall sound is good, It feels a little long to me, but with more arrangement it might weather the length better. Good

Klownhole – not my kind of thing – it’s kind of long – Congratulations on 40. Musically I like this quite a bit more than your usual (nice key sound) , but it doesn’t seem to have much else. OK

Lack of Sleep – nice guitar sounds. I encourage you to open your mouth and sing – you seem to be swallowing the more intense moments, Is this for volume consistency? Compression can help, but it’s taking away from the emotional impact. Just one verse?Pretty good Ideas here, though – could benefit as you improve in production. OK

Landstander – I find the guitar rhythm a little grating and overly frenetic compared to the rest of the content. Lyrically not pulling me in, either. OK

Paco – Neat changes and arrangement (as always). Danny Elfman duets with…someone nasally? Nice vocal variety. Content wise, not getting me. But fun to listen to none-the-less. OK+/Good-

Radioface – This reminds me of some stuff my good friend Seth used to make – except I Could tell what he was saying - you lost me. OK

RxW – SO are you knocking on the door to paradise? And never get in? pretty listenable, but nothing that really stands out to me. I do like the sound of the little harpsichord break – reminds me of some moments on Skylarking, by XTC. Thanks for trying to say something. Good

Ross – Me. Thanks for allthe kind reviews. The doors reference is taken, although I was inspired more by post-Floyd Roger Waters. I’m glad this came off ok – I haven’t really tried this sort of thing much – [note:the bass is an early 80s Aria Pro-2]

Somewher…. – I just don’t get it and I’ll live to regret it it’s so pathetic but I keep it copasetic. Can’t get that out of my head. This song sounds nice, but is a litte too “level” for my taste – it kinda gets going and keeps going. OK

Tam Lin – this could be off of “Time out of Mind.” Very nicely done. Solid in it’s pocket. Good+

Wages – I really like your aesthetic, although some how I feel like your recordings still may not represent what you have in your head. It might be interesting to work together a little sometime. Not my favorite of your songs, mostly because the I don’t think the lyrics are very “artful.” OK+/Good-

Wormsweater – there’s an interesting seed here. It is a shame that your production is getting in the way so much – the harmonica in particular is hard to listen to. The overall structure makes it feel a bit wandery and hard to focus on. OK – Oh, it’s not over. – still not over…much too long for what you’ve got.

Lots of good songs. So I guess my favorites are: Andrew, Chin, and Tam Lin…Oh’s and me. Thanks for listeningJ

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

well...maybe it does but i had no idea. i have never heard that song. " copasetic".whatever it is
i think whoever wrote it is still rich though so that means a lot of people liked it...but money sucks...and fame is hollow...and if all the feedback we get is " you suck cuz it sounds like you could be rich or famous" then oh well. left coast takes that as a compliment, but anyone that i have ever given a review like this to has ended up winning..not that it matters, im just saying.

[Ross]

if all the feedback we get is " you suck cuz it sounds like you could be rich or famous" then oh well.

Is that what I said? I thought what I said was, "A little too level for my tastes." Is that the same as "you could be rich or famous?"
BTW - I can't remember who sings that song - so they must be pretty famous.
I was just saying the rythm of the lyrics reminds me of the lyrical rythm of a song I've heard before - your High School English teacher taught you great powers of interpretation.

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

i didnt quote you man, i didnt qoute anyone, thats the overall feel of every review we have recieved, the copasetic thing was just the icing on the cake. im not angry or upset, and i wasnt really thining of your review in particular. you were just the second person to mention a certain song so i reffered to it. no hard feelings...i hope we can keep it copasetic

[Phil. Redmon.]

i think whoever wrote it is still rich though

Dude, you're outta your mind.

[Ross]

i hope we can keep it copasetic

Of course.

I take and mean very little (if anything) personally on these boards - except what I say about my brother

[Steve Durand]

i hope we can keep it copasetic

Of course.

I take and mean very little (if anything) personally on these boards - except what I say about my brother

Hey now! That's not copasetic.

Steve

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

i think whoever wrote it is still rich though

Dude, you're outta your mind.

hey man david lee roth is rich....the dude that played harry in " harry and the hendersens" is rich...why is it so hard to believe that a one hit wonder cant still be raking in the cash? anyways, who cares?

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

i think whoever wrote it is still rich though

Dude, you're outta your mind.

hey man david lee roth is rich....the dude that played harry in " harry and the hendersens" is rich...why is it so hard to believe that a one hit wonder cant still be raking in the cash? anyways, who cares?

hey everyone, i love the reviews, i appreciate every last one of them, i just felt the need to be a little defensive for a minite...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand time!! minute is up
sorry.

[Ross]

the dude that played harry in " harry and the hendersens" is rich

Yeah, but that guy also played Predator in Predator.

The Song is "Bound for the Floor" by Local H. Don't miss these very famous and rich artists at the Double Door in Milwaukee this Friday night.

[j$]

If Pearl Jam releases something that sounds like shit, you assume that's how they wanted it to sound, right?

Absolutely, but I would expect them, should I be talking to them in a message board environment, to be able to explain exactly why they wanted it to sound like that, not just say that it did.

j$

[j$]

if all the feedback we get is " you suck cuz it sounds like you could be rich or famous" then oh well. left coast takes that as a compliment

IMO, it could definitely get played on the radio, but professional sounding <> rich 'n' famous, sadly.

I guess, however, if the only thing that someone can say about your song is that sounds like it was played on a radio, what isn't being said is a review in itself.

j$

[Paco Del Stinko]

Good heap of reviews, everybody. Special thanks to the fellas who wrote after a bit of needling - good job. Your karma is balancing out properly now. Thanks peoples!

[Wages]

Why does everyone always give my guitar bad reviews?

"Your voice is great, your guitar could take a flying leap...".
"Bury your axe before it burries you".
"OMG, are you playing a Lotus!?"
"Some people shouldn't be allowed to wield more than 3 strings ala PUSA."
"Just because it has six strings don't make it a guitar"

Note to to gun jumpers: You won't find these reviews anywhere.

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

the dude that played harry in " harry and the hendersens" is rich

Yeah, but that guy also played Predator in Predator.

The Song is "Bound for the Floor" by Local H. Don't miss these very famous and rich artists at the Double Door in Milwaukee this Friday night.

okay....my logic was flawed...if i had any at all.
many thanks to all who helped in adjusting my thinking

[Thanks For The Frisbee]

Why does everyone always give my guitar bad reviews?

there are a lot of great musicians on sf. im sure i am on the bottom of the heap when it comes to guitar skill. you seem a bit sloppy with your notes on a guitar, but to some that is endearing and to others its not. you have made vast improvments since you started though.
i think you got some good reviews too didnt you?

[Wages]

i think you got some good reviews too didnt you?

Of course I'm always surprised at how many pretty good reviews I've gotten and I know if I could only get a full band I could pull a win eventually.

I was actually taking a stab at a bit of the old humor. As someone once said in a review, "You probably know your guitar is weak" (please to paraphrase).

And as Bart once said, "I've got a pain in me gulliver"

[jeff robertson]

Late, partial reviews. I am not reviewing every song. Just the ones where I could think of something more interesting to say than "good" or "bad".

Paco - the semi-middle-eastern sound at the beginning makes me think of the start of "In the Evening" and several other Led Zep songs that involve Jimmy Page's violin bow guitar. In fact, the music throughout reminds me of Zeppelin, which is a good thing, except that it makes me wish your vocals sounded at least a little bit like Robert Plant.

Radioface - people have cited "genre bias". Seriously folks, I am not kidding, is there *actually* a genre where all the songs sound like this?

Chin Music - You mention "Congress" and the "President" so you're apparently American, but I swear your voice sounds British at times. Great lyrics.. your idea of life after the rapture is a lot different from the "Left Behind" books (no I haven't read them, but I've read the blurbs on the backs of their covers in Wal-Mart)

Jeff Robertson - Everybody who says it falls apart after the solo is right. The first guitar you hear is all downstrokes, straight 8th notes, all the way through the song. That really takes its toll on your picking hand when you're as out of practice as I am. I actually couldn't play it at the tempo without feeling like I had arthritis or repetitive stress disorder. I had to slow the song down and record it and then speed it back up. Chipmunk style.

Wages - your guitar playing on this song is fine, by me. I swear to god it sounds like "She's really a freaking owl" at 0:49.