And I was welcomed back with open arms. (I still remember Frankie’s response: “magenta! Welcome back you crazy broad!”) The internet was a weird time back then. Everyone had to learn how to behave, including me. I'm almost there. Twenty years, wow! I came on the scene in March of 2001, fight #14 (&...

See-man-ski: +1000 for everything leading up to that acoustic break and then -800 for that acoustic break. What I took from this, I should definitely do more acoustic breaks :P Absolutely! Although I am a Two-Time Nur Ein Champion®, I am also a Six-Time Nur Ein Loser so you really shouldn’t listen ...

I gave the songs a spin. Here are my nontraditional reviews (don't be offended - I'm just being playful and I'm bored): Cavedwellers: +100 points for that acoustic guitar sound at the beginning. Also, +20 for not over-indulging on the challenge Frankie Big Face: -1000 points for being so depressing ...

Frankie Big Face - Moody, atmospheric, slow-burn songwriting. The various polyrhythm layers work well, although I'm not a huge fan of the scattered drums. Lots of sibilance in the vocals. This feels like it'd be perfect on a film soundtrack to set a mood, but within this batch of songs it sounds ki...

Jon Eric, you’re bringing back some tough memories! Of course, I was robbed in the Nur Ein 2 final. That is common knowledge. ;) It is hard to do anything in the final round other than what you’ve been doing all along. I could not have remembered that “Source of the Light” was the final without look...

Frankie - This is atmospheric and moody. I feel like it's building to something that never quite comes. On the other hand, it's late at night and I only listened once. Good chance this song grows on me when I listen more. Thanks for the quick listen and comments, Jon. It’s interesting you should sa...

Homestretch - Frankie Big Face Running down the homestretch Neck and neck with my deepest regrets Face to face with the universe Counting all my missteps Taking the long odds on every bet Trying to shake this wretched curse Looking to claim my cut of the purse Lumbering down the homestretch Making a...

Thanks for the reviews, Mo and Owl. I’m not sure what to do about my mixes on various listening devices but, for now, I’m opting not to let it drive me crazy (as it has in the past) and just mix in headphones, figuring that’s how most people are listening these days. Owl, thank you for always paying...

Haha. Yes, that is a good philosophy when maintaining one’s curmudgeon status. You do realize you don't have to be a curmudgeon, right? Hahaha Well, I never said I was a curmudgeon only that I had the status! Everyone knows I’m a softie on the inside. 🤪 And anyway, I’m supposed to be in Tuscany rig...

I think the challenges have mostly been fine. Oftentimes, it's the combo that creates the problem. But as I said to Mike at precisely 11:49am, "Problem is just another word for opportunity, Mike!"

Haha. Well, I hadn't listened to the examples yet. However, I do have proof that I said to Mike at 12:01pm that I expected most people would interpret this as polymeter rather than polyrhythm. And at 12:29pm, I said "I was considering asking them to clarify but I figured I'd listen to the examp...

Glennny, you beat me to it! Mike and I were just having this very discussion.

Haha. Yes, that is a good philosophy when maintaining one’s curmudgeon status.

Congrats to Frankie. I dig your more rockin stuff so I'm glad you did this. Unfortunate that there's no more immunity now you've finally won a round, eh? Thanks furrypedro. It dawned on me yesterday that I haven’t touched my acoustic guitar the entire competition! Feels good to win a round, but of ...

Frankie Big Face - Bold panning decisions! I like how the guitars sound in my headphones but might have been tempted to drop it when the vocals come in on the first verse as it maybe feels a little overdone. I really like how the doubled vocals drop out to the solo voice before the chorus and then ...

Seemanski, I think you met the challenge too. I never even listen to the examples (although I did have “Black Water” in the front of my mind as an example since I know it so well). But mostly, I was just razzing lunkhead. I mentioned it earlier because I noticed the discrepancy so I wasn’t too surpr...

“If only they had provided examples of what they meant!” Is something someone might say in response to Lunkhead.

Not me, but someone.

Listened to the songs once on my way to Costco to get my stupid tire replaced. These are the things I remember that are worth sharing: Cavedwellers - Probably the best vocal performance I've heard from you so far. Also, the tone of the guitar solo sounds really good. (Like really really) Maybe I wou...

Certainly no judgment for using it. I mean, I called the president a MFer a few songs ago. I don't like to swear in my lyrics often, but there are times when foul language fits. If I were an arbiter of such things, I'd say you used it appropriately, given the context and characters in your song. I ...

Frank, I don't think I've ever heard you swear in your lyrics. That F-Bomb really caught me off guard. I made a clean version for my kids. I’ll send it to you. 😂 Also, remember, it’s not me saying it. It’s entitled rich kids who are struggling to find a purpose in life. And finally, I think I have ...

I’m just going to do a prog rock cover of the Leroy Anderson orchestral pops masterpiece.

Also, is homestretch really one word? I did not know that. I’ve learned two things this Nur Ein! At my age, that’s pretty good! Old dogs, etc.

Owl, I appreciate the note about the lyric. I actually added the M/C/Q verse after the fact because I felt the song needed another verse to be balanced but some others thought the song was a bit too long so maybe I’ll try editing it out and seeing how it feels. Thanks again for the thoughtful remarks.