Nur Ein VII Round Seven "More or Less"

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:30 am

Just listened to your song, Ross. Good job! I especially enjoyed the strumming and the picking.

melvin · Post by **melvin** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:53 am

Ross has got to be the sentimental favourite here. He’s the workmanlike songsmith, the second-most prolific contestant in the regular fights, and a well-loved competitor who has yet to take the Ultimate Prize. I recently complimented Frankie for being one of the only Songfighters who can pull off GnG in a high-stakes situation, and I was *this* close to mentioning Ross as one of the few others. Lo and behold, here we are in the finals with his brave GnG entry.

Ross is a great storyteller, a fine musician, and despite claiming not to enjoy the recording process, the producer of consistently warm, natural, well-balanced sounds. This entry features a passionate vocal performance, some nice instrumental flourishes, and lyrics that are weightier than they may initially seem. And while I appreciate that lyrics are really important in this genre, musically, I question whether this track ventures far enough from well-worn tropes to be truly engaging. I am left wanting a fresh melody, a virtuoso solo, an unexpected chord progression, a great beat, something to take it to the next level.

In the other corner, we have Frankie Big Face. A guy who rarely if ever enters regular fights and who’s already won this Nur Ein thing before. The somewhat brittle and occasionally peevish east coast foil to Ross’s sun-baked west coast calm. Can he pull it off again?

In my book, yes. Crazy strident synth hooks, an upbeat bounce, a wonderfully chunky guitar tone, effortlessly tuneful vocals, and a fun narrative broken into “acts” a la Elvis Costello? Yes. Melody, counter-melody, and harmony forming interwoven layers of relentless catchiness? Yes. Repeated use of the name “Rorschach” in the lyrics? No, okay, it’s not a perfect song. But it’s pretty damn good. If I had the chops, my own music would sound a lot more like Frankie’s.

Beers by the campfire, I vote Ross.
Nur Ein champion, I vote Frankie.*

*But that’s not necessarily how the official WSA votes added up.

roymond · Post by **roymond** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:27 pm

Ross wrote: Based on the small number of comments, sounds like we gave them a decent final

Well, neither of you threw the fight. Which is causing great heartache among those registering votes. Thanks a lot, guys!

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:53 pm

@Melvin - first of all, wow. I've heard your music and for you to say you'd like to write like me ("if you had the chops"--yeah, right) is pretty flattering. Thanks.

Re Rohrshach, I think you're right. That gag works really well the first time but I should probably come up with two other equally clever lines to use in that spot. Good tip.

Niveous · Post by **Niveous** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:21 pm

One competitor is beginning to pull ahead. About 4 & a half hours of voting time remains! Get your votes in!

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:23 pm

melvin wrote: Beers by the campfire, I vote Ross.

Sounds good, let's do that sometime

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:53 pm

Ok, listened. Good song, Frankie! Nice and hook-ey. And what an interesting pair the two somgs make.

My fingers are crossed, and I'm excited to hear it's close, but the suspense is killin' me.

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:39 pm

Yeah, I'm anxious. It's hard to go up against the "sentimental favorite."

Whatever happens, I'm happy with my song and you should be too! It's been a good Nur Ein.

Niveous · Post by **Niveous** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:13 pm

Only minutes remain!

Get your votes in, NOW!

RangerDenni · Post by **RangerDenni** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:17 pm

Both these songs are stellar Frankie and Ross. I have sent my super secret vote in. Well done indeed. I liked way many more things than I disliked about either of them. All dislikes were artistic choices and I didn't hear any silly mistakes from the either of you, only choices. A-games indeed.

yes please on a FBF / RD supergroup.

PS. Thanks for the DJRD shoutout, Rone. I'm really tired now and would have REALLY wanted to do another song about a lobster.

roymond · Post by **roymond** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:54 pm

Congrats, Frankie and Ross. Good game, gentlemen!

And thank you, Niveous, for bringing the Ein. Awesome trip. Well done.

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:54 pm

Huge congrats, Frankie! Proud to at least have given you a run for your money.

I know thanks are usually from the winner, but I'd like to say a few:

Thanks to everyone for all the support throughout this thing. I got to write songs I cared about, and many of you seem to have heard them that way.

Thanks to Steve and Sierra for being on a couple of tracks.

Thanks to the judges and of course to Niveous for taking this thing on every year.

Thanks to my wife for her patience as a Nur Ein! widow.

See you next year. Brick wall 6, head 0.

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:55 pm

I can't even tell how elated I am! I was nervous all day and did not even enjoy watching live major league baseball tonight. (luckily, I am going back tomorrow!)

Congrats to Ross on a well-fought final round. And also WSA, ADD, and DJ Ranger Den. That penultimate round was a nail-biter. I don't know if this was the best overall Nur Ein ever but it certainly has to be near the top if it isn't.

Thanks to the judges as well. Good titles and challenges this year.

And now we rest. Nur Ein!!!!!!!

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:58 pm

Ross wrote:Thanks to everyone for all the support throughout this thing. I got to write songs I cared about, and many of you seem to have heard them that way.

Although I am not familiar with everything you've done, I thought this was some of your best work, Ross. Seriously, I was impressed. Great job!

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:42 pm

Congrats fbf! (though the strangely asian flavor of the synth line became your hook for that song, for me, and not in a positive sense, rather than the lyrics/vocal delivery which weren't able to overcome it... it just overpowered the song). I'd voted Ross, give me them protest songs, and protest singers, yo. 1st & 1/2 wave punk... (I was listening to the NY-esque art music--Laurie, Lou, Residents, &c--at the time instead).

Nur Ein!!!!!!

Maybe next year, hey?

Post by **Lunkhead** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:35 pm

Congratulations frankie!

We forgot to vote (facepalm). It wouldn't have changed the outcome, though, as we preferred frankie's entry. Both songs were really good though. This was one of my favorite songs of yours from this Nur Ein, Ross, good job.

Hard to believe another Nur Ein has come and gone. Thanks to Niv and the judges for making it happen.

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:54 am

Congratulations to Mr. Face, two-time champ! If we have to wait for NUR EIN! to get you to make music, it's worth it. Always humbling. And great work Ross. You will no doubt take the crown one year. If I can, anything is possible! That other title, though, is all mine!!!

Great entries from all the entrants, brutal to judge at times. Thanks to you all.

Thanks to Niveous for his sweat and toil, I bow to you and your efforts. Also thanks to all the other judges, who did all of the work. I appreciate your creativity, patience, and dedication. Hats off to you all as well.

Next year, I will be back to compete again. Until then...NUR EIN!!!!!!!

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:46 am

Congratulations Frank! I couldn't vote on the final round this year because I didn't play, but both songs were great in my opinion and you pulled off the victory. Two time Nur Ein champ is pretty awesome!

Great job Ross. You rocked the cat box this year with you heart felt folk songs and made it to the finals. Nothing to sneeze at, my friend.

ken · Post by **ken** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:35 am

Congrats Frank! Well played this year.

See you in Seattle! I'll buy you a beer.

Manhattan Glutton · Post by **Manhattan Glutton** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:58 am

Nice work, ya catchy sonofabitch!

Both of you should be proud.

adamadamant · Post by **adamadamant** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:48 am

Congrats to Frankie. I totally missed the vote, but to add to the closeness I would have voted for Ross

Both great songs though.

glennny · Post by **glennny** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:57 pm

Frankie! Congratulations! Well deserved! You are the champion among champions and serious freaking contenders! Even when I didn't care for one of your songs, I always respected the craftsmanship! You're rather amazing at crafting a song. Also comparing the genre variations in those 8 songs is very impressive. It's like a Beatles album, all over the genre map but always very Beatles. Well done!

Ross, I am rather familiar with your work over the last six years. These 8 songs are on par with my favorite stuff of yours over the years. I really like the zone you were in over the last 2 months. Your recordings were fantastic,your playing was excellent, but most importantly the songs were soulful and moving!

Nice war everyone!

Nur Ein VII Round Seven "More or Less"

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