Nur ein xiv 1
A brief note: we at Mandibles had an extensive talk about how this challenge would manifest. It seemed like it could go in two directions- Dynamics meaning Volume, and Dynamics meaning color. If compression is added to the song, then the volume option is voided. Often in classical singing, Dynamics are referred to as more of a color change than a volume change, and truth was pretty confident that since that’s how the pixies do it, that’s probably what the challenge wanted. We elected to go that route because of how much people complain about ‘riding the volume knob.’ I think both are valid for the challenge, but the latter is better for listenability (though at first I did float the idea of retooling Haydns surprise symphony).
Abominominous - I love the sound of it from the very start. Those fast triplets are great. Like with last time, I love the sound of your lyrics; the phonemes really pleasing, particularly the way you use assonance. The way you say the words, too, is fabulous. I really like how you say ‘close’: [klaous]. From there, let’s go into your choice of words- things like fog of lore, eviscer-valuation- is really great. Your lyrics are beautifully crafted, and as a nice nice bow on top, they depict this hilarious story about antiques road show! I suppose technically there are dynamics, but it seems to be mostly a everything-drops-but-one-track kind of thing. Totally counts, but as a whole it felt like it had the same energy. I like this track more and more every time I hear it. It’s going in the permanent collection.
Agony Sauce - well, you def have Dynamics. I am extremely unmoved by the lyrics, but the music is good and I quite like the chorus. Great solo!
Berkeley Social Scene - again not moved by the lyrics. I feel like I’m listening to a 3 minute ad for bss. Also, I know you were doing the song for song fight too, but the bend the knee bit rubbed me the wrong way. As always, great production and sound. I would have liked deeper breaths under the higher notes, like in high caliber rocking. Sounded a little pinched.
Boffo Yux Dudes - this was a fun song. I like like the intro a lot. The lyrics painted a cool picture. Is this also about Milgram? Or about an alien abduction? Dynamics: present.
Faster Jackalope - I was unimpressed. It’s an interesting idea, I can hear truths hand in the lyric writing, but I think you can do better. Well sung. Flute playing is good- didn’t know you had one! The transition to the flute is too abrupt. I need a couple of measures of polyrhythm before the tempo shift.
Frankie Big Face - I like the intro. Reminds me of bio shock. This is one that I got into the more I listened - musically, I mean. The words are creepy. Reminds me of that Simon and Garfunkel silent night. Are those real stories, or made up?
Grumpy Mike - I see what you’re doing, I respect it, I love the line “just like I’m driving a book,” the start trek/jar jar line caught me off guard, it’s probably not going in the perm collection. Though I really was jamming out to it at work today... ah, the words get in the way.
Inflatable Vegetables - sounds very phantom of the opera. Has dynamics.
Lichen Throat - your singing is getting better with each round! I like that now I can tell it’s your song before I hear you. “Fed with greed and soaked with gin” love that line. The poetry is great.
Lucky Spoon - I love this song. The prodigal son story, the sweet music, the rocking choruses, the happy ending, the well worked words, the false end, the harmonies... all great.
Mandibles - one of the reviews mentioned last time that we should chose between alt rock and rock opera.... be careful what you wish for.
this was fun to put together. As mentioned before we went for color change over volume, but I think it reads as volume. Milgram is one of those experiments that really put the human race into perspective for me, so I’m glad we got to do a song about him, even if it’s a little all over the place. I’m really glad to have brought in Estaphonia on the bridge. You’ll be hearing more from her!
Max Bombast - Man am I glad you were after us- same material, done with more finesse, and with a princess bride reference? You deserved the win.
Merisan - I really like the panned intro to this song. It’s so satisfying when you hear it come in on both ears. Dynamics in there with the lead into the bridge by virtue of color- compression takes out volume dynamics. I like the ooohs you do there. I’m not sure if I have a slight genre bias against you or if I’m just really envious of your talent, but this doesn’t really stand out to me. I suspect the first, because listening to your nur ein back log, i really like your early stuff (and I loved your winning song last year, which I think harkened back to that sound). It could also be a case that you guys are just so good that I unconsciously judge you more harshly. Good thing I’m not a judge, huh? This is an objectively great song. Well done!
Mike Lamb - what a sad song over such ambivalent music. I suppose that was the point. I like the bass line.
Mousehole - this is a very confusing song to me. It has hiphop vamp sounds mixed with final fantasy midi video game sounds, and a siren sample that I haven’t been able to take seriously since the Trial by Fire challenge last year. I read your lyrics and looked forward to the song, but every time I went through the list, i didn’t notice it. Then I realized it was because every time it came on I didn’t hear any of the words because I was focusing on the strange amalgamation of pitches and beats. Normally I’m all for political songs, but this seems more angry than critical. A little more lyrical finesse would be good. All in all, pretty good for a hotel/traveling song, but not one I will come back to.
Nick Soma - this strongly reminds me of an English language Rammstein, especially in the chorus vocals. I love how you did the dynamics.
Paco del Stinko - I don’t really get this song. You perform really well, and the challenge execution is superb.
Rachael Layne - this is going on the permanent playlist. The lyrics are great, really well realized, and I love your diction. The harmonies are great. A great pump up song. I want to listen to this every morning. I’m get a strong Joan Jett bad reputation vibe. I love it! One of my favorites from this round.
Rain Watt - God I love this song. At first I thought it was a general statement made about the some (more privileged) members of the LGBTQ community who don’t always show the most compassion to other members. Now that I know about that chad guy, I’m especially impressed. This has some great use of line breaks (“to put yourself down
....as a writer”), great disses, coulda been used for this week. Really well sung, love your voice, especially when you come down to the quiet chorus bits.
The Sunday Colors - another great song! The music is pleasing to listen to, the message is sweet, and lyrics are beautifully crafted with a medieval twist. Production is quiet, but I’m not the one to ask for tips on that front. Maybe sit closer to the mic?
Third Cat - super vague lyrics. They are definitely not what makes this song great. I love the two vocal lines. The swelling of the arrangement is lovely; but like others the compression takes out some of the volume dynamic making it color dynamic.
Ujn Hunter + Friends - I liked the intro a lot. I think the SF crossover lessens its validity as an entry for both, though. I like how you guys sing.
Vowl Sounds - as always, the instruments and singing are exquisite, but starting the song with two girls one cup put me off. I think with several of the songs in this round, the words just got in the way of some truly great music. The panning done in this is really tastefully done, especially with the “nothing nothing nothing” and some col legno sounding thing early on. Ok and going back and rereading the lyrics, the lyrics really are beautiful. I suppose this one’s a grower. The first line of a song is one of the only things I remember in the first few listens, so starting with that left me feeling put off rather than enjoying this great piece.