Downtime, with music. (Convalescence reviews)

[MC Eric B]

Here are my reviews (I am MC Eric B):

atonalcoilbros - The quality of the recording is very good, in that the vocals are very easy to understand and the music is still clear also. The melody of the vocals is catchy. The music seems a little jumbled though.

Billys Little Trip - guitar and drums are great. Chorus very catchy. Good guitar solo too.

The Booty Chesterfield Trio - Vocals and guitar remind me a little of Rage Against the Machine. I like it.

Caravan Ray - Creative, but I don't little kid theme too much. Music and vocals are good. It is a good kids song I guess.

Cranial Biffida - Amazing intro. After that the song never really starts though. Sound like one short loop over and over with no chorus. Reminds me of a movie soundtrack, like Flash Gordon by Queen. Doesn't sound like the other songs that were submitted or on the radio, so that is good.

Damien Verrett - video game sounding. Can't hear the vocals too well. Banjo is a good touch. Chorus is good because has lots of instruments. Overall, very creative musically.

Disciples of Beer - Sets a mood, like I am sitting in a coffee house hearing it live. Vocals are a loud which is good, yet sometimes they are too soft to understand.

Eidolon - Sounds like something I would hear at an Irish Pub, like maybe for sailors. Overall I like it.

Ephedream - This intro hit me so hard to I had to convaless. Now that I am recovered, I will continue... The guitar is great. Overall it sounds like a real song I would hear on a hard rock radio station.

Flvxxvm Florvm - I didn't like this too much. Lots of music, few words. Not very catchy.

Jim Tyrrell - Reminds me a little of Wish You Here by Pink Floyd, without the "epic" quality of that song. Vocals are relaxing and easy to listen to it. I like it.

Jolly Roger - vocals seemed pretty low. You sing good, so you should make them easier to hear.

Klownhole - I like this a lot. Vocals make me feel like I am at a circus or wrestling match or Rocky Horror Picture Show. I especially like the "Convalesce This" part added on top of the primary vocals. And, I like how to totally speed it up in the 2nd half.

Masterhyde - I like it. Catchy.

MC Eric B - This guy is awesome (ya, I know that's me singing, but I like hearing my own songs). What he lacks in vocal talent, he makes up for with his lyrical ability. It is a shame he gets no respect. He's the Rodney Dangerfield of Songfight.

Melvin - I like it a lot. Very melodic. Makes me think of Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Keane. Sounds like a real song I would hear on the radio.

Paco Del Stinko - I like the guitar intro at the beginning. Then the vocals slowly come in, leading up to the more rock part, then it slows down again. All that is great. Very creative a musically. Vocals fit the music very well. And, even during the loud guiter part, I can still understand the vocals clearly which is good.

Ross Durand - Melody is catchy. Vocals seem a little off key on the chrous (maybe 'cause you are convalescing?), but overall I like the song a lot.

Spinlock - Sounds clean and professional like a real band. Not particularly memorable though (maybe because there is lots of tough competition this week).

Steve Durand - I like it. Johnny Cash sounding. Different than the other entries this week, which is good.

Steve Hand Puppet and His Poorly Considered Solo Effort - Ok. Didn't thrill me, but nothing bad about it.

Swilington - The music is nice, but would be much better with lyrics.

Those Meddling Kids - Sound a little like the Shins I think (I have only heard one of their song). Doesn't jump out at me though. Kind of distant sounding. Overall good though.

Wes Davis - You are a good singer and guitar player. I like the vocal harmonies.

Wormsweater - A little too mellow for me, but nothing wrong with the song.

Zoosneakers - The background music is great and the military overlay of the vocals is great. It just needs more of a chorus.

- MC Eric B

[WesDavis]

I like the ephedream track.

I was just sitting here, sucking it, and wondering, is ephedream the one that is "adult" in nature? Has to be....that "lessons" line is just scary. It's like audio snuff .

Wes Davis you're such a fucker. You with your mad soulful vocal stylings. Love it!

Yeah dude Ephedream's gotta be the adult track. It's gotta be.

Also thanks!

[Billy's Little Trip]

Atonal Coil Bros. - I've said it before and I'll say it again. I really like what you're striding for with your music. I have confidence that you will get all the planets to align pretty soon and put out some amazing stuff. But in the time being, I can see through your recording and mixing issues and I hear good lyrics and passion. But I do think you should take the bass player out back and kick his teeth in.

Booty Chesterfield Trio - I love stuff like this. Making good use of your recording and mixing tools in front of you. Very interesting, makes me want to listen all the way through. I like it.

Caravan Ray - Very cute! Well played and arranged. Great job Ray.

Cranial Biffida - I've come to notice you are the king of monster movie music. Always entertaining.

Damien Verrett - A good arrangement of quite different sounds and instruments. The pipe organ sound is cool. Good job.

The Disciples of Beer - The demented sound of the guitar fits the story. I like the southern bayou feel it gives me.

Eidolon - I love the electric with the acoustic guitar. Vox pop out of key here and there, but I'm no one to talk, lol. I like the story and use of the title. Good job.

ephedream - This song RIPS! I would have liked to hear the drums a little more, but that's just a mixing issue, the song itself kicks ass. Great job.

Flvxxvm Florvm - Love the distortion on the bass, and the way the heavy distorted guitar comes in. It has this In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida thing going on. I love it. Great job.

Jim Tyrrell - You always have nice music with a wonderful feel and flow. Great follow up to Flvxxxvm. It's like my ears are getting a massage. Great song Jim.

Jolly Roger - Fun rip'n song. Interesting change with the core vox mixing in after the song already led me down the Cal punk path. Still rocks regardless. Nice job.

Klownhole - Awesome! Entertaining and rocking. Really starts to rip at 2:40. There is no doubt in my mind that you have a great time making music. And no, it wasn't too long for me, and yes, when I see Klownhole on the label, I DO know what I'm getting. I love it.

Masterhyde - As usual, smooth and ear mending after listen to Klownhole, lol. I just wish I could appreciate your style more. I know I should, because all of your music is written and performed so well. I think it's the "keyboard band" that makes it hard for me to love unconditionally.

MC Eric B - You are another fighter that I wish I could appreciate more, but I have this instant road block when I hear a "keyboard band" But other than that, very well done and your lyrics are really good. Also, I like that with each fight you try new things in search of a signiture just like Wages does. To me, that is worth a ton to me. Good job.

Melvin - You guys never let me down. I don't think I've ever heard a Melvin song yet that didn't make me want to listen multiple times and take note on your arrangement. You're very confrotible with the style you've melted into and you stick with it. This entry has a wonderful Weezer vibe to it but with a Melvin color painted on it and I dig that. Great job!

Paco Del Stinko - OK, this is a GREAT SONG! I love the lyrics with the "one flew over the Cuckoo's nest" guitar sound through out. This seems a bit different from the past Del Stinko songs I've heard and I LOVE it. Wonderful guitar, awesome melody, and again that slide guitar (for lack of a better word) makes it set the mood. It was so well performed.

Ross Durand - I love the 12 string. You seem to have some great instruments. Very smart lyrics with a flowing story that made me listen and hang on every word. At first I thought I heard a kazoo towards the end but it was your backing vox saying doot doot doot. Good song Ross.

Spinlock - Good writing. Nice use of words and melody. Memorable chorus to sing along with. I like the piano. Very good song, great work.

Steve Durand - Fun time music. I always enjoy your swinging style entries. I usually get up off my chair and start dancing with my dog. She thinks I'm nuts, but she likes dancing with me. Funny story, it's always entertaining to hear such an upbeat song about someone nearly getting stabbed to death, lol. Great horns!

Steve Hand Puppet and His Poorly Considered Solo Effort - Nice song, I like the lyrics and melody. For some reason I thought you were the drummer Hand Puppet, but after hearing the well played guitar and the electronic drums, you must be the Guitar Hand Puppet, right? Good job.

Swilington - Pleasant sounds. I like it, but I never know how to review electronica. Nice arrangement of loops? Regardless, it sounds good, so I'll just leave it at that.

Those Meddling Kids - Another band I look forward to hearing each week to see what new and interesting thing you're going to do. As usual, you made me listen all the way through. I put you in the same genre as Melvin, but where you change it up is the addition of interesting use of effects and sounds. This technique that you seem to have mastered gives you a unique sound that can only be described as "Those Meddling Kids" Great job!

Wes Davis - I love your guitar playing and the melody is very smooth and conforting. But WAY to much vibrato in the vox. It sounds very forced and unnatural to me and it turns me off to the point that I have trouble listening to the song, but the guitar work sucked me right back in. All I can say is I'm looking forward to hearing more of your guitar work in the future. Other that the vibrato thing, this song is good.

wormsweater - I always enjoy good guitar work. Very good flowing song with some nice effects to set the mood for this song. The hallow sound on the over all mix is a tad distracting, but it helps to give the tone of the 70's am radio era that this fits in my opinion. Good job.

Zoosneakers - All I can say is very interesting. The music is really good. The vocal delivery reminds me of the Butthole Surfers or Talking Heads in a way. I like it, good job.

[jeff robertson]

Flvxxvm Florvm - Love the distortion on the bass, the the way the heavy distorted guitar comes in.

Some details on how the instruments come in.

The instrument at the very beginning is guitar tuned down a 4th with the distortion pedal on full blast and the volume pot at about 6. Then around 0:20 or so the volume pot is turned up to 10 and the same guitar starts playing the main chords. (Same guitar later plays both solos)

At 0:33 the "bass" enters mostly panned right. This is actually a mildly distorted guitar pitch-shifted down in software. (This is how all of the bass on all of my songs works)

[Billy's Little Trip]

Interesting technique Jeff. You do have an original sound, I like it.

[WesDavis]

Wes Davis - I love your guitar playing and the melody is very smooth and conforting. But WAY to much vibrato in the vox. It sounds very forced and unnatural to me and it turns me off to the point that I have trouble listening to the song, but the guitar work sucked me right back in. All I can say is I'm looking forward to hearing more of your guitar work in the future. Other that the vibrato thing, this song is good.

Yeah, the vibrato is a problem for me right now, actually, as I don't have a mic that isn't attached to my mixer, so I can't stand up and sing. So until I get a real microphone, I'm stuck sitting down and recording with my mixer and flex-o-mic, which is too low even when I'm sitting right by it, so the bending over while sitting down thing kind of equals bad vibrato. Also maybe I do put too much in, in general. Sorry, I listen to too much Roy Orbison. It's almost involuntary now. Anyway, thanks! I wasn't sure I'd get compliments on the guitar work, but then again, I've been told before my strumming is very smooth, back when I used to enter under Pipefist. At least, on some of the songs. Never, ever listen to my Red Skates entry. Unless you go to my Myspace page, where there is a better version.

[lesChaps]

I will wait a week just to be ornery. There. See you next week.

That's the spirit! I like your spunk. Wait....

Um. Dude.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Billy's Little Trip - I like the funky guitar intro, vocal delivery is cool but a little muted, backing vox rocks, guitar solo is effective. Good song.

I'm trying to get the mixing thing down. I do my main mixing with a good set of Sony Pro studio head phones, then burn the song and listen in my truck while driving around and I take notes to fix it up. After I submitted this song I played it on my living room stereo and I was so disappointed because my speakers are set very far apart and the room acoustics combined with my song reverb sucked! But thanks for the kind words. I hope to get this digi mixing stuff right soon.

Billy's Little Trip

The music's alright, but the vocs completely ruin this for me. Sorry dude.

Nahh, don't be sorry, I hate my vox too. I just try to deliver what I want to convey the best I can with some passion and energy. But I think it's very noticeable when I do my vox in a single take. That kind of thing is ok live, but I should put more into it when I'm recording something that is pretty much written in stone. This particular song will be on our play list and performed live, so I can guarantee that 6 months from now if I re-record it, it will have a completely better energy level. But I'll never re-record it, this song will never see the light of day again. Sad but true.

Billy's Little Trip

I like the the auto-wah (or whatever that is) in the first 20 seconds or so, wouldn't liked for it to stay. Is it just me, or do you sound at times like you're trying to sound like you have a cockney accent?

I ended the song with my wah pedal too. Just a taste to fake the brain into a funky vibe. Cockney accent? I'm pretty sure that's just a standard California accent. Maybe subliminally I'm trying win over Caravan Ray's heart. But he thinks I'm a septic tank yank.

[WesDavis]

Billy's Little Trip

The music's alright, but the vocs completely ruin this for me. Sorry dude.

Nahh, don't be sorry, I hate my vox too. I just try to deliver what I want to convey the best I can with some passion and energy. But I think it's very noticeable when I do my vox in a single take. That kind of thing is ok live, but I should put more into it when I'm recording something that is pretty much written in stone. This particular song will be on our play list and performed live, so I can guarantee that 6 months from now if I re-record it, it will have a completely better energy level. But I'll never re-record it, this song will never see the light of day again. Sad but true.

Yeah, if I'd submitted my first take for this fight it would've been pretty bad too. Unfortunately, when I started songfight, I almost always went with the first take, and it really, really shows.

[Reist]

I can't understand the lyrics, and the drums and bass are far too quiet.

By that, you mean that the guitar is too loud?

You sing good

Don't think that's every been said, so I don't know if I should believe it, but thanks anyways.

I want to review, but for some reason I'm busy. I'll get on that as soon as I have time. Thanks for the reviews, even if this is a pretty bad mix.

[WesDavis]

I can't understand the lyrics, and the drums and bass are far too quiet.

By that, you mean that the guitar is too loud?

Maaaaaybe.

[spinlock]

First of all.... Wow! Really tough first week, you guys are amazing. We'll have to really pull out some stops for next week.

Atonal Coil Brothers
This is nice, like hootie. With it's laid back style it delivers what it promises, apart from an ending. A little more polish on the guitar solo wouldn't go amiss.

Billy's Little Trip
Yay! Punk. Harmonies! Catchy chorus. An honest to goodness solo. Can't be unhappy with this song, and it grows on you the more you listen.

Booty Chesterfield Trio
Production's good, distinct sound there. Didn't know what to make of it at first, but we've grown to like it. Bit long.

Caravan Ray
Like warm comfortable bottled happy. Can't help smiling along to this! Brilliant. Length is perfect. Not the most musically interesting of the bunch.

Cranial Biffida
Can't hear the lyrics, though from the style, it doesn't seem important. It's very evocative, but the 4 note riff was a bit repetative. Feels like it could do with a bitching guitar solo, but never arrives.

Damien Verrett
Love the crazy mix of sounds, apart from the wobble board, which is a bit bassy and makes it sound cluttered. You need a video with claymation in for this. Didn't really tie together at the end.

The Disciples of Beer
Is that a violin in the background? Nice. Matches the tone of the piece. But weird resonance on the vocals is off-putting. Got bored about 3 minutes in.

Eidolon
This felt like it would make a kickass metal song. The "planned convalescence" lyric was a good touch. Good song, let down by arrangement, the vocals, acoustic and distorted guitar don't make a single consistent style.

ephedream
Gloriously wrong, in topic, and content. Way to go. This song is great!
Would maybe sound better with doubled guitar. No solo, and didn't miss it, thanks to the crazy awesome vocals. Ace.

Flvxxvm Florvm
A really promising introduction but doesn't live up to the expectations of the first 10 seconds.
Not sure what the solo is about.. and it's a bit long. Not a fan of this style though.

Jim Tyrrell
This is lovely, and a good performance. Lyrics are good too. Length is good. Thanks, this was a treat to listen to, exactly the sort of thing to have on when you're feeling under the weather. Can't fault it

Jolly Roger
Good lyrics, tune, style. Shame the recording makes it hard to make out exactly what's going on. Sounds a bit rushed in places, and then about a minute forty in it all falls apart? Looking forward to hearing your stuff that's had more time to prepare, though. Please make more.

Klownhole
Either it's good and I just don't like it, or it didn't say Klownhole on the label.

Masterhyde
Nothing wrong with your lyrics, but the backing is irritating. If it's going to play over and over, a human-performed sample on a real instrument is much more listenable.

MC Eric B
Drums are good, Lyrics draw up a picture. Accompaniment isn't that irritating. Dude, your chorus was fine, but maybe you can get someone else to sing it for you?

Melvin
This is bloody good, Like the rhyming and content of the lyrics. A real chorus! Interesting harmonies. What's not to like.

Paco Del Stinko
Gorgeously recorded! Like catatonia without the annoying welsh woman's voice. Only one odd moment when the bass and lead jarred slightly. Happy song. Props, sir.

Ross Durand
This is poignant. Some of the lyrics don't always fit comfortably. But it's good. Something about the arrangement doesn't quite sit right, perhaps the vocals could be a bit softer, or benefit from some reverb? But mixing aside, an enjoyable listen.

Spinlock
That's us! Thanks for all the feedback

Steve Durand
I love this song. Real instruments played well. Love the rhymes, fluent and stylish! (Apart from strife, I hate that word). Think the ending should have had a bit more of a flourish, you earned it.

Steve Hand Puppet and His Poorly Considered Solo Effort
Like the guitar part. Love the line about being friends with the ceiling. But overall, doesn't really get going.

Swilington
Beautifully executed! It's a keeper. Truly beautiful. But, uhm. . . well, it's not a song is it? Still don't let that stop you. If you can do something like this every week please do. Nice length too.

Those Meddling Kids
Don't like the drums in the introduction, they distract from the shiny guitar work, which is lovely. Apart from that the lyrics are simple but damn effective, and the tune is catchy. Awesome song. Ending is a bit inconclusive.

Wes Davis
Nice song. You just managed to keep it from getting too complicated in places.
Good use of some quiet words, and though it's fairly quiet it's not a boring song, just relaxing.

Wormsweater
Ewww. It played perfectly the first time, and now it's gone to pot. But it swept us away the first time through. A well done song, and you have a great voice.

Zoosneakers
Would have been nice to have the main voice in the clear. And ... really let down by the ending, Believed it up till then.

[WesDavis]

Wes Davis
Nice song. You just managed to keep it from getting too complicated in places.
Good use of some quiet words, and though it's fairly quiet it's not a boring song, just relaxing.

You should've heard some earlier versions of the song. There were some points when things I thought would sound good together sounded more like someone banging pots and pans by your ear. I also found out that apparently I can't clap in time.

[wages]

Atonal Coil Brothers
This is nice, like hootie. With it's laid back style it delivers what it promises, apart from an ending. A little more polish on the guitar solo wouldn't go amiss.

The "hootie" comment would offend many, but I take it as a compliment.

My guitar cop-out....I'm the songwriter, not the guitarist. But I keep tryin'...

[SteveHandPuppet]

Steve Hand Puppet and His Poorly Considered Solo Effort - Nice song, I like the lyrics and melody. For some reason I thought you were the drummer Hand Puppet, but after hearing the well played guitar and the electronic drums, you must be the Guitar Hand Puppet, right? Good job.

Well, I am one of two guitarists in The Hand Puppets. I'm generally the "clean" guitar sound (Rickenbacker into Vox amp) and John is the "unclean" guitar sound (Jazzmaster or Tele into Marshall half etc.). David (drums) and Lina (bass). We're hoping the band can do another SF soon, but work on our live set and recording is taking precedence. With luck we should have recordings up on the site (and MySpace, I suppose), including the corrected mix of "It Belongs to Me" [with re-recorded, and thus usable, vocals].

In the meantime I'll probably continue to do these solo things, although they are specifically NOT Hand Puppet type music. Anything remotely HandPuppet-y goes to the band for development.

Anyhow, the drums on my solo demos & SF songs (Woman on Paper, Convalescence) are kind of depressing. Those aren't electronic, nor programmed, but Drums on Demand (tm), (supposedly) real, professional session drum loops. I don't play drums and I generally despise drum sequencing, etc. and I needed some solution [this was before I joined the proto-Hand Puppets]. Yet multiple people have assumed these were programmed or electronic.

My theory is that they are TOO professional, too "antiseptic", compared to a "live" drummer playing along with the rest of the band (or to a reference or scratch track). In fact, to record drums with The Hand Puppets we direct inject the bass and one or both guitars into the board to provide a (near-)full band headphone mix for David to play against. We usually keep the DI'd bass performance as well and then overdub each amp'd guitar and the vocals separately.

Thanks for the comments, and I'm glad you liked some parts of it. I'm fairly ambivalent about it myself but decided it was important to finish it for the sake of finishing it.

[Eidolon]

My reviews:

I tend to listen a bunch to the tunes before reviews.. then I find a night where i've got some time and just go through them and sorta free form type my thoughts as they play. My thoughts they are often quite rambling and not very constructive at times i'm afraid. You've been forewarned!

Also, it's good to be back after almost a year break from active songfighting. I had tried a few times over the year to write stuff for titles but nothing came through till now. It has been good to watch all the peeps submitting during this time and checking out the tunes now and again to see if people I remembered liking were still submitting things here. It is nice to see all the old favorites still doing their thing and all the new peeps too that I am looking forward getting to know their sounds. Anyway, enough yapping'.....

Onward to the reviews!

atonal coil brothers

I think the rhythmic problems and some of the musicianship on the guitar playing on this track really hold it back for me from being fully immersive and enjoyable but if I ignore those I really do love the chorus and a lot of what I hear going on in this song. I have always been partial to your voice and do love the feeling you put into your music and singing. I think it really shows. You seem to be working really hard and I definitely hear some major improvement over when I first was listening a year ago to your tracks. I look forward to hearing where you will be at in yet another year!

billy's little trip

great intro wah. like the quick bass breakdown in the first 20 seconds and back to the song, nice. Your voice definitely reminds me of the ways kurt cobain used to sing some of the earlier nirvana tunes back in the late 80s, very early 90s that I used to listen to a lot of. I mean that as a compliment anyway. It isn't like I think your music sounds like nirvana, because I don't think it does. Great energetic and odd harmonies on that chorus too.. love it. I really dug your pink ribbon entry and some of the other stuff i've heard as well. All in all a decent little song.. dig it.

the booty chesterfield trio

Damn, another song with a great intro riff.. love the high screetches on that guitar/bass distortion. Right up my alley.. very groovy. I dig your voice well enough, might be having a little trouble hearing it clearly in this mix. Reminds me somewhat of rage against the machine hear and there.. once again as a compliment. Maybe it is some of the rhythms of the backing tracks that make me think of rage.. anthrax.. others. Dunno. Yeah- very groovy little song. Feels a little more jammy than coherent to me perhaps, could just be that i'm tired. Nice work.

caravan ray

baby noises.. wtf?! Heh.. this one caught me off guard. Very cute song with a ridiculous chorus. Though something about the mix sounds a little off somehow.. maybe missing something but I can't place what. If I look past that this is a good little ditty. Not really something I'd go out of my way to listen to again but that is mainly personal taste and not a comment on the song.

cranial biffida
Weird crunchy noise samples in the background.. sounds like little creatures munching on something. Well isn't this an ominous little piece! Some kinda robotic demon vocals. Is that artillery shell samples I hear?? Heh. Not sure I can handle this at this late hour, sorry. Sounds fairly well put together and mixed for what it is but I don't really listen to a lot of this style of music anymore. It's me not you.

damien verrett

I must admit I listened to this one quite a bit. It helps it is so short so that it joyfully rolls on by. I love the bubbly bass thump that comes in.. sounds like some kinda nintendo plunger noises with the soundtrack from the game 'bubble bobble' (1st gen nintendo) .. whoa, then banjo interlude into recorder .. haha. Well, certainly mixing it up. I feel it might change a little too much for to let me grab onto any particular section. At least you do bring back the thumpy bass hook to help re anchor the listener. I wish I coulda heard the lyrics better. Anyway, intriguing entry.. love the church music ending.

the disciples of beer

This lyrics are sorta funny and definitely very weird. I think the music doesn't quite sound like it is all part of the same song. Not sure if that was intended or just a mixing issue? Anyway, I guess i'm intrigued into listening even though everything sounds a bit disjointed just because it has this odd style to it that is keeping my attention despite what would normally not. In the end i'm not really sure what to make of this.

eidolon

my first successful songfight entry in almost a year! By successful I mean one that didn't end up dying on the table after missing the deadline. It is good to be back no matter how briefly that might be for. I've enjoyed everyones feedback so far, thanks for the reviews.

ephedream Adults Only! hehehe

Pretty rocking number. Good feeling on this one.. you seem to rock the passion even with such a potentially funny lyric base to be singing. Maybe it wasn't funny to you.. I think with a better mix, this could be a rather decent dirty little ditty hehe.

flvxxvm florvm

that bass sounds like a guitar pitch shifted no? The way it reverberates seems like that to me. It sounds cool, but being a bass player it sorta stands out as odd initially! Anyway, I recall other entries by you (what the hell does your name mean anyway?? I don't even know if that is supposed to be pronounced...) that rock similarly to this one. I am not normally in a mood for this style / singing style but tonight it is catching me ok. Some akward bits about the lyrical phrasing here and there.. and definitely a wacky mix balance. Some of the base line progressions and notes going on during the solo remind me of some great moments from some later 'who' live shows I used to listen to with entwistle on a distorted 5 string. Plus some of these guitar readings are very tasty early sabbath.

jim tyrrell

Quite a sonic change after the past few tunes. Nice arlo guthrie kinda vocal sound. Makes me want to listen right away to the story. This song sounds like one of those ones that once the song fight deadline has passed and you can keep playing and practicing this one it will be a damn fine song without to much further work at all. Not sure how I feel about that horn solo.. a little out of place IMHO.. to each there own of course. Maybe if it was in a higher register.. anyway. Good music and catchy, thoughtful tune.

jolly roger

Damn.. I think below the 10 miles of cotton swabs I can hear a great song going on down there! 8) Dude, you totally need to re-record this but so you can actually hear all the parts. Someone just started a mixing thread over in 'how to'. I'm thinking of checking it out and you should too! Anyway, dig your drumming and singing and guitar playing. I think this is all you playing from what I think i've seen you post. Not really digging the low voice screamy section.. it doesn't really fit right IMHO. Dig the other pop/punky bits. Rockin'

klownhole

At least I do know what i'm getting. Well, I could get through this more than most klownhole i've listened too. Just meaning a personal preference / genre bias thing. I rarely listen to songs like this anymore. Seems to hold together pretty well for what it is and seems like you're having a great time so props for that. Is that time length comment at the end because of reviews from last weeks pink ribbon song?? Heh.

masterhyde

I first heard your 'shelton with sunspots' entry and was blown away pleased. Since then i've definitely listened to everyone of your submissions. Hear's the deal from my perspective.. once again, please feel free to ignore this! Anyway, I'm really wishing you'd break out and just explore some new ground. You right great lyrics. I love listening to lyrics and rap and the stories and clever wit and phrases therein, but i'm feeling you are a bit in a rut. It seems this song is a little quicker than most of yours but not sure. I will not attempt to say what you should do, i've got no clue.. but you've got great talent and are way on the beat which is quite refreshing for most song fight rap. Plus, if you write those beats.. than that is awesome because they are great old school beats with great ambience. Anyway.. looking forward to more. I'll keep listening but hope for the day you blow me away with a big change or something. On this story anyway.. love the hooky music and the lyrics are just great. Love some of those moments where the music drops out mostly below certain parts. Great job.

mc eric b

I'd like to hear you try and write some of your own beats. There are a lot of programs out there and I know i've seen you writing in the forums about not being good enough but you gotta start sometime right? This is a weekly fight.. I think it will free you up eventually to really plan the music even further custom tailored around your stories and lyrics. While the lyrics in your songs aren't mind blowing or anything there are moments here and there that are nice. I think your story arcs are decent and well thought out even though the actual lyrics are often painfully cliched / trite. But, you are writing a lot and that will continue to improve. I definitely think if you are putting yourself out there singing which you've said you have troubles with than how big a deal to try dropping some beats on your own to? Anyway, props for song fighting and writing so much material but yeah- I think it is a little weird to use the fully canned music too. Just my opinion and that ain't worth much but i'd respect it better if you were crafting more of it yourself or with other 'live' collaborators.

melvin

Ah.. melvin. Even though I was away from SongFight for a year as an active participant when i'd think of it I'd definitely come back and check out a few melvin tunes here and there to see what you were up to. They were always pretty darn enjoyable. It was interesting though.. normally you sing so great I was shocked to hear last weeks entry be a little out of tune vocally. Not bad mind you, but I guess it made me feel a little better that even you are off some weeks too. I say that of course because I struggle a LOT with on key vocals and more takes than you would ever want to be around for to even get my vocals half-assed there. Good to see that this week has you back on your normally great sounding track. Dig your harmonies and the different parts to the music you incorporate. Also the great buildups that you plan in. Sometimes I do have a little trouble following your lyrics or story but in the end it often doesn't matter to me because the music is enticing enough and the lines I hear here and there keep me imagining a song story arc whether it is there or not! Guess I haven't said too much about this particular song. I know that isn't really helpful but that's what I got tonight.

paco del stinko

This is a great song. Even if the vocals are a tiny teeny bit odd. I'm not sure why I think they are odd though. I don't think it is just a tune thing. Maybe it just needs to grow on me. Love the chorus and the music on this. So many cool things to listen to as the song progresses. Dig that baseline synth or whatever it is. The lyrics seem pretty cool during the chorus too. Great job, I really liked this song tonight.

ross durand

So here is one of those rare cases where for some indescribable reason lyrics that should be encountered with cringes and moans of cliche are just so frickin endearing that I just love this. Congratulations on pulling off material that most wouldn't approach at all! Love this song. The snaps are great too!!!! Heh. Even though the vocals are just a little odd sounding I think it almost adds to the realness and the genuine quality of this. Like, how I can listen to Niel Young sing about anything in that voice of his too and not cringe no matter how sappy it might be. Superb song.

spinlock

The music sounds great here but there is something seriously wrong with the sounds / mix. Meaning, there is something horribly awry with the production or mixdown / mastering that is making it tough to really hear this song for what I think is probably pretty darn enjoyable. If you redo this one i'd love to get a copy. I'll keep looking around in the forums if you ever announce it. So - from what I can hear anyway I really like. Nice music changes and rhythms. That background vocal seems like a little too quiet or reserved or something, but not really sure. I dig the primary vocal and the lyrics. I do find the line about firing the nurse a tad bit funny but oh well. Funny relationship lyrics about the spider and web too... hehe.

steven durand

Hilarious lyrics. Brings back the ol' Lorraine Bobbit story.. sheesh that was a while ago huh? I think you often write very humorous songs right? Anyway this is a great humorous song and quite enjoyable even with the not perfect vocals (i'm not one to talk trust me). Great horn lines, so peppy and happy. Musically fun and bouncy and quite toe tapping. Great chorus lyrics... especially the stitches bit.. hehe.

steve hand puppet

Sounds like this recording is all in one great flat vertical plane. Little tough to hear, but i'll do my best. Dig the lyric about making friends with the ceiling and the paint peeling etc.. nice. Wish the recording was a bit better. Singing is off a good bit hear and there and combined with a little of the guitar being sorta strummed out of tune here and there it gets in the way a little. Dig the basey bits. Good song structure and content wise. Plenty of rough edges but I hear a good song in there.

swilington

Really dig this instrumental track. Would've loved to hear some samples or vocals or lyrics.. but that is just song-bias... Anyway maybe you'll collab with someone or do some of that stuff and we'll have a great song on top of some great beats and music. This thing changes up in all the perfect places and I like the descending base runs with the high chime thing. The drum patterns are nice and tasty too.

those meddling kids

Man.. I love this. You all have gotten a lot tighter or maybe i've been away too long or something but anyway- this song rocks. One of my favorites so far this fight!!! I am such a sucker for this style I can't explain it so it would be tough to do wrong by me. Love the vocals and the lyrics and rhythms. Dig the sound of the pulsing base line and the drums and high beep-beep-boops. Dig the chorus lyrics so much.

wes davis

Those verse and chorus lyrics are great! Especially the chorus lyrics. Plus the delivery is awesome. I had to read to lyrics you posted to catch everything so I wish it was a little clearer but anyway great sound to that section. Also, love the guitar in general.. the strummy bit and then the single note bit.. back and forth.. that is just great. Love the instrumental bits near the end. Heh.. sounds like your solo ran out of song near the end.. i've had that problem before. Yeah- great guitar and song here Wes.. glad you are back too and can't wait for some more tunes of yours!

wormsweater

Nice groovy music going on here. Very slinky.. ooooo nice base pulse that comes in at 20secs.. Wish the recording was a bit better but this is still pretty darn awesome. Like your vocal style. Quite smooth and relaxing.. draws me in. Everyone just sounds like they are kicking back having a good ol' time jamming on this one. I think this one has had some of the best 'vibe' of any of the songs this fight. I think with better production and a few tiny tweaks here and there on some playing mistakes this would be grand. Looking forward to more from you wormsweater peeps.

zoosneakers

There are some great noises and musical things going on here. I dig your voice on this tune. It seems to be all in the right ear of my headphone though which is a little weird but not too bad I guess as I get used to it. Oh i see, the radio dude is on the left side. I do dig the music on this one a lot. Also, I think your idea is cool that you tried to pull off with this song. When I read the lyrics posted many days before the fight on this one I didn't have high hopes for this song I must admit but I think you pulled it off better than I figured it would. Hadn't heard a tune from you so i didn't know what to expect of course. The ending bit with the artillery is a little funny but whatever. Interesting tune so props for that.

[Meatwad]

klownhole

At least I do know what i'm getting. Well, I could get through this more than most klownhole i've listened too. Just meaning a personal preference / genre bias thing. I rarely listen to songs like this anymore. Seems to hold together pretty well for what it is and seems like you're having a great time so props for that. Is that time length comment at the end because of reviews from last weeks pink ribbon song?? Heh.

Not last week. Every week.

[cbiffida]

cranial biffida
Weird crunchy noise samples in the background.. sounds like little creatures munching on something. Well isn't this an ominous little piece! Some kinda robotic demon vocals. Is that artillery shell samples I hear?? Heh. Not sure I can handle this at this late hour, sorry. Sounds fairly well put together and mixed for what it is but I don't really listen to a lot of this style of music anymore. It's me not you.

Those noises are me playing Doom2 in god mode. Walking into a room full of cacodaemons, hellknights, and imps. And my rocket launcher.

[WesDavis]

cranial biffida
Weird crunchy noise samples in the background.. sounds like little creatures munching on something. Well isn't this an ominous little piece! Some kinda robotic demon vocals. Is that artillery shell samples I hear?? Heh. Not sure I can handle this at this late hour, sorry. Sounds fairly well put together and mixed for what it is but I don't really listen to a lot of this style of music anymore. It's me not you.

Those noises are me playing Doom2 in god mode. Walking into a room full of cacodaemons, hellknights, and imps. And my rocket launcher.

Wow, that suddenly makes the song a lot cooler. I'm going to listen again.

[WesDavis]

My reviews:
wes davis
Heh.. sounds like your solo ran out of song near the end.. i've had that problem before.

Heh, yeah the lead ran out, but I'm not very good at improvising leads and by the time I decided to put one in I didn't have time to plan one out, so I just kept the best take I got. Thanks for the comments, though, and I'm glad to be back too.

[martyr]

Paco The intro guitar lick is really nice. The dual guitar overlay is well done, and has nice changes. I really like the CHORUS to this. Pop sensation! You got my vote for this entry. I have to say I don't quite get the story line upon one or two listens. I like the solo, and the bridge is sensational! This almost ends abruptly if you're not paying attention; the song is well composed and tight.

Wormsweater This has great feel. Jazzy sensibility done with a folksy rock smooth. This track just *sounds* like Convalescence. Very cool and healing. I'm getting better already.

Those Meddling Kids Epic! I love this track. What a week. This is so textured and full of indie delight, I don't know what to say. The harmonies are amazing.

8) 8) 8)

[blue]

Ross Durand: This song is so nice and understated in the verses, with a big ol' hooky chorus. I think everyone who saw you in LA knew you had it in you, it's nice to hear it on tape. The recording and mix are great - I think I recall Ken working with you on some stuff? Anyways, I'd buy an album of this. I wish you had come into the bridge from a little less cliche' arrangement, but it ends well. Try backing off of your mic just a hair more, the main vox have an unpleasant edge. If only you had some badass snare drummin' on this, it'd be perfect. Heh, this is the guitar riff from "Jack and Dianne." Or.. "Lightnin' Hopkins", by REM?

Booty: Lyrics sound thrown together. Is that an Archers of Loaf ripoff in the chorus?

wormsweater: You missed your calling, the Yacht Rock fight was months ago.

KLONZHIZZLE: This song isn't nearly long enough, sellouts. Not even one "punch you in the neck"? It's all about the nuts now? I'm saddened you've gone gay on your core demographic. I like Ralph's snare leadins when the progression loops, but overall this recording is 12% too sober.

Paco: Your vox sound like Big Fish Ensemble these days. Are you jewish? And tall? This is a good chorus rendered useless by a lazy, drawn-out verse. No one could dance to this. [additional listens] This is a pretty good song, an album-ender, and I'd have really enjoyed it if the chorus lyrics had some nuance. Out of the storm, back to the fair weather? Awful.

Billy's Little Trip: Heh, listen to 15-16 Puzzle's "Let's Get Naked." That is one hell of a chorus, bud. Did I already use "anthemic" in a review? This tune is very reminiscent of the end-of-era 90's alt rock scene, the whole Meat Puppets revival and maybe The Presidents of the USA. That solo was superfluous - as I guess solos, by definition, are, but I could have used a double chorus there and fuck the wanking. Nice outtro, it could have used a couple more repeats as well. Disk space is free, abuse it.

Masterhyde: This is cute. The beat is ass, but you have a compelling vocal style and you've got a story goin'. I want that shit to HIT, you know? It's just kinda goin' mwee mwee boop boop what the fuck ever. Bring it.

TMK: SOWETO IN MY FACE. Aaaaaand then it's gone. Them vox is way too breathy - I think you need Ken's recording school. Neat progression, great little bit into the chorus there. So wordy, give me something I can remember.

Ephedream: Well I'm glad I'm not the only brick wall abuser in the mix.

Flvxxvm Florvm: You know, I object to your inconsistent vowel replacement, but I love the meat of this here tune. Couldn't you at least put a bass drum behind it? I hear.. a ride cymbal? This song is mostly square waves = sweetness. Klownhole should sound more like this but the beer has ruined all of their fucking mics. And the gayness.

Jolly Roger: This is pretty damned terrible, except for the drumming.

BEER DISCIPLES: I'm waiting to hear beer, but all I hear is .. oh man, it is a "worst of songfight" entry. Hey-yo, you can play the bosso-nova. And that's where your talents appear to end.

Eidolon: I hate the music, but the lyrics are grabby from the get-go. They don't go much of anywhere, but it's a good lead-in, at least. Look man, poorly recorded acoustic guitar doesn't need a poorly-recorded electric playing power chords thru a $5 distortion pedal behind it. Cut the bass out of the acoustic, pan it somewhere, fake a bassline, and quit the shit with that electric. Kill the distortion and write a part for it or something. I'm listening to this again.. the very first chords of the tune are compelling - think Johnny Cash covering Soundgarden - why do you need more? Just find the good bits and don't trash the tune up. Repeat the first half of the verse progression, don't switch to the drivey chords on the second repeat. Go lower, somewhere not cliche, on the chorus. Get an organ, or an accordian, or anything to counterpoint. God DAMN that mosquito-y guitar in the background sucks the life right out of this.

Cranial Biffida: You could have turned in the last 20 seconds of this and had more impact than this boring, lengthy, humorless pile of shit.

Spinlock: The quick-hit Dave Matthews guitar style relies heavily on groove to be effective - with the drums syncopating along, it becomes a big crappy mash. The chorus is saccharin and over-repeated, and the verses are lyrically.. bludgeoning. Really, this song makes me want to punch people. I erased my original review because I see that you are new and looking for some kind of feedback, but.. God, stop singing that damn line over and over. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Song time is 2:58, you've sung the chorus 35 times, and I'm ready to kill myself rather than face the 30 seconds of this song.

Swillington: I admit, my first response was along the lines of "fuuuuuuuuuck you," but I've listened to it a couple of times and it's not terrible. It's nice and short, has some decent changes. It's not a song, mind you, but it'd be an aight demo for one of those little all-in-one 4 track flash recorder units. My head bobbed, once, on the final repeat. Once.

MC Eric B: Black baby jesus weeps. I'd love to be constructive here, but, come on. Maybe electronics is a better hobby for you.

Damien Verrett: Haven't you been songfighting for years? Why can't I hear the vocals? Them banjo loops is sweet, but.. meh. Garageband abuse + recorder = a chuckle and not much else. ... actually, I can't hate this as much as I want to, it's pretty infectious. I really do like the mix of crazy sounds, I hope you played some instruments.

Caravizzle Rayvizzle: This is cute. Drums is too busy, guitars is too quiet, toy piano is piercing. Song sounds a lot better when the guitar and bass drop out. That guitar, take almost everything below 150hz or so out of it and listen to your mix blossom.

Stevie Durand: The King Arthur of songfighters who sound like King Arthur with horns?

Wes Davis: Who has a window overlooking the sea? Once you use the word "sea" in a rhyme spot, you're just fucked. Pleasant Beatles ripoff there in the chorus. You know, the lyrics in that first chorus are _great_ and then you just totally shit the bed on the second one. Effervescent convalescence? Is this a rapping contest? Repeat repeat repeat! How am I ever going to remember this song if every goddamn line is different. If you need to say fifty different things, write fifty different songs. They are free.

zoosneakers: Cool kinda lofi indie riff there, very Pylon-esque, but it just loops forever and the "vocals" don't make me want to finish listening.

Everyone: EQ the muddy bass out of your acoustic guitar. And your vocals. Every single nice preamp ever made has a low cut filter. Wonder why? Now you know. Listen to Jim Tyrell's recording and try to make yours sound like (if you can stay awake )