Downtime, with music. (Convalescence reviews)

[Erwin Cloibhofer]

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[WesDavis]

Wes Davis – Pretty danged nice! I like the layered guitar part, and the harmonies and lyrics are toight. Vera swoote. And you can sing-a-real nice like. Nice bass vocals, aswell! Love the guitarsolo! Vera goud job.

Were you reviewing my song in Italian? Anyway, thanks for the nice comments!

[ephedream]

Don't you get it? It's like Mario said it, 'cause of the a's after the words. And, what's wrong with instrumentals?

uh, not really...but I'm fersure n ot the sharpest tool in the shed...I dunno who mario is...

as for instrumentals...i was jess tryin' to throw something at ya, and that was all I could think of.

Pretty m uch I was just actin' like a bitch. No bad feelin's....

[WesDavis]

Don't you get it? It's like Mario said it, 'cause of the a's after the words. And, what's wrong with instrumentals?

uh, not really...but I'm fersure n ot the sharpest tool in the shed...I dunno who mario is...

as for instrumentals...i was jess tryin' to throw something at ya, and that was all I could think of.

Pretty m uch I was just actin' like a bitch. No bad feelin's....

As in, "It's-a ME! Mario!"

Y'know...like in the Mario Twins(they look the same!)

[ephedream]

atonal coil bros - its kinda mushy...which means there's no point, no bite, no definition to the dif. prts. i thnk u have an aight voice though.

billys little trip - like that env. filter or whtvr on the geeter in the intro. wish it had more bite in the main song... i like teh chorus change. i like your vocal styel and sound. i like this.

bootsy's sofa triptych - i'm not sure what brickwall is, but i'm happy to share it with ya blue. compression thing, right? i like the low down bass snarl and the drums'r cuttin nice. this rocks perty hard and i like it. the guitars need more beef or sepration or something....kinda washy and hard to find. pump that shizle.

caravan ray - this is fun for kids i guess. no parental advisory on here

cranial biffida - wo...when that bass comes a kickin' i'm ready to pump my fist in the air! this sounds more like what I'm here to hear! But....it gets kind of long on that thang....aw dude....where's the meat? this is a great intro that's way too long...

damien verret - sounds like it all came from casio. bloopy blop stuff never did do it for me....'k, now yer gettin somewhere. vocals are way wimpy sounding...so much that i can't really hear the words well.... aight...not for me, but aight. I like the pumping part.

disciples of beer - great name. hope ya'll were drunk wehn u laid this down. vocal sound is cool...music is weird. not my thing. kept thinking it was gonna go somewhere....

eidolon - hey i thnk you're first fight was mine too way back.... this needs drummin man. it's rockin' but not enough....more edge!

ephedream - well, if the title hadda been conjugal, i'd be so rocking. but....it's not. oh well! thanks for the reviews all! i'm not really that twisted...usually.

flvxxvm florvm - snotty! hopin' for a rockin' beat... still dig it though. there needs to be more tapping.

jim tyrell - very nice and pleasant.

jolly roger- you have a voice like Lowest of the Low...canadian band I think. this tune rocks, but it's bit washy..vocals are a bit dodgy. alright...I'm all over the middle bit....fuckin' a. Sweet jr... i like it.

klownhole - oh shit ya. that's what i came to hear. this rocks! i'm keeping this shit. klownhole might be my new favourite songfighter. b tw, the bass in my tune is at the bottom of a bottle of JD, where my buddy left it after downing the sucker. it wasn't worth the vomit the pussy couldn't hold down afterwards.

masterhyde - are you rappin' about your own accident or Kanye's? this is aight...you got pretty good vocal stylin'..but it gets real same real quick. might try changing up your rhyme cadents or syncopation....it's like the first line got repeated all the way through the song, inserted different words on the ryhtmn. nothing bad here, just nothing awesome. yer close though....

mceric b - not for me...but good on ya for workin' it out. i been reading the comments about how hard it is for you to write with beats and stuff....dude...hip hop/nerdcore/whatever ain't any harder than any other kind of music...

Melvin - rockin' for sure. Weezer comps are spot-on..especailly when this winds up into the chorus. But there isn't enough good Weezer out there, so there's plenty of room i guess. i've heard better Melvin. good voice, solid production. though the crunchy gitters are a bit thin for my taste...

pacodelstinko - not sure if you paid me a compliment or not in your response about repetition, but it doesn't matter much I guess... nice guitar sound at the intro. clearly you are a smokin' axe-master...i like that ebow or whatever it was.... this is a good tune. great sounds, good mix. btw, if you want month long song fightin'...tuneflow can help widdat. but the field of entries is perrrty crap, (or it was last fall when I listened for a coupla months)....

rdurand - acoustic intro is way crisped.... this is pretty ok...doens't hold my limited attentin span well.

spinlock - nice to hear real drums! this is aight. see last comment on rdurand. nothing personal....

sdurand - brothers? boppin'. i like the groove and bunch of instruments you play....cool. i wouldn't buy it, but i don't mind listening.

steve hand puppet etc... - sorry....this is ok, but the comb of slow and draggy and pitchy and dullsville doesn't help at the end of a long fight....

swillington - what is this? healing instrumental? it's a nice piec eof music...but no soup for you.

those meddling kids - i like the noodly guitar work at the beginning....this is cool and styloized..... i'd keep it.

wes davis - i like the vocal work.... the g&g thing....yah. the song is aight.

wormsweater - smooth stylee, hah...thought it was instrumental...that shows me for not listening all the way through before....duh. nice music...i feel chill already. this has a thin mix, but a nice verbed out backing space. I dig this.

zoosneakers - uh...too artish....the rambly vocal over so-so backing tracks doesn't bode well for a win for you. not bad, but not good.

[Ross]

Decent fight this week – lots of songs that are enjoyable to listen to – but it is, after all, a a fight so – everyone to your corners!!

Atonal, etc… - This sounds like a Wages project. Not a bad song – I’m sure others have already commented plenty on sounds. The song comes off a little boring I think, and you’d have to work this in the arrangement. Can you sing the last chorus up an octave? Sounds like a decent demo. – ok

BLT – Groovin” good sounds as always. This is solid and I like some of the words, like the second verse. But something isn’t isn’t quite “grabbing” me. Neat little breakdown. Good.

Booty … - more groovy sounds. Did Sam Ash have a special on Wah Wah pedals this week? Cowbell – what we need more of on songfight is cowbell. (Seriously it’s working hard for this song.) once this song gets into the second verse, I’m getting a bit bored. For one thing I can’t make out all the words. That also makes it hard for me to assess the overall quality here (and it’s relationship to the title) – OK-

Caravan Ray – Genre bias alert: The Wiggles give me the wigglies. Good song concept and some nice word work. I wish you could have gotten your girl to actually sing a little bit of it. And, strictly speaking, not exactly convalescence. Fun none-the-less. Good.

Cranial Biffida – I can’t tell what you’re saying, but I’ll bet it’s fun creating this soundscape – thanks for playing.

Damien Verrett – cute. Nice arrangement. Wow did you play all this (banjos and all)? Somehow I doubt, but even so, they are well assembled pieces. The triangle beat, for instance is a great touch. Too much instrumental for my taste, though, as far as total percentage of the song. Good-

Disciples of beer – I like the micro-tuning stuff (assuming you’re not just out of tune). It’s neat that you know how to use the pan control on your equipment. This song is okay at the beginning, but then it just gets much longer than it can support.- Thanks for playing

Eidolon – This is fine. Some nice tune choices here, I like “Day-ay-ay-ays,” for instance. The song just isn’t especially compelling – although I don’t think there’s really much wrong with it either. ok

Ephedream – Yeah, you didn’t know what it meant. –thanks for playing. And people say American schools aren’t good enough.

Fluxum Florum – I have learned to look forward to these tunes. Lets hear it. Cool groove – I wish it was three am. I like the vocal rhythms with the lyrics. Is this about CIA recruitment? Robocop? I think it’s Robocop. A bit too instrumental heavy (time wise) Some good things here but overall – ok

Jim Tyrell – Nice 6 major (I think that’s what it is). Very interesting take on the title. Morbid, sensitive, not overly exposed. I like this a lot. Good + Possible vote

Jolly Roger – I guess you had someone in mind here, but I’m not sure I get how all the pieces fit together. A lot of the words feel like they could be worked better to fit rhythmically instead of turned around like some fast rapper. The ending is odd and the “bridge” feels unnecessary. Nice guitar and kicking snare, though. Ok

Klownhole – At least you know what you’re getting. And you get what you deserve J You lost me on the first line. And the rest of the verse didn’t get me back. Thanks for playing.

Masterhyde – Ok, so I seriously am tiring of the fact that each song you do has the same vocal rhythm (with slight variations), or at least seem to from here. That being said I guess this deserves to be reviewed on its own terms. When all you have is rhythm and words, one of those two needs to be compelling or the arrangement needs to carry a song. None of those is working for me on this. – Ok

MC Eric B – I appreciate you putting in the sung chorus to break up the rap. When you get a chance you may want to collaborate with a singer to sing the chorus parts of songs like this – just like most rappers do. –ok

Melvin – Cool stereo guitar! Where do I get one of those?J The shouted thing against the anthemic sound drags this down for me – I guess it makes it sound like a spoof all of a sudden, and I wasn’t getting that before that moment. It sounds great, and it has a good build. I wish there was a slight bit more “content.” – ok

Paco Del Stinko – This is pretty interesting, and I think the music and lyrics complement each other well. Nicely done (and slightly unsettling). Good - Possible vote.

Spinlock – nice song, good structure. Interesting story. I like the breakdown to just voice and guitar in the middle. Very Good.

Ross – Steve can tell you how I was just pissed (angry for those of you thinking I meant drunk) trying to get my vocal mixed here. I have since fixed my recording problem, I think. I like a lot about this song. Hard lyrics to work, and I think they came out pretty well.

Steve Durand – This is clever. But a little too layed back I guess, that includes the vocal and the brass, which I wish was slightly punchier (although as always – it sounds great) I wish the vocals were a little more out front, either in the mix or by being sung a little higher. Good song though – nitpicky little brother stuff.

Steve Hand puppet – This starts out very nice and slows down a little bit until around the time th string patch comes in – then it backs up a little. Overall, I think it needed to go somewhere more musically to get my attention and keep it. Pretty but OK

Swillington – A “Snow White” sample?? This could be called anything. Sounds like The Shelton With Sunspots to me. Thanks for playing.

TMK – I know this will sound totally stupid, but the intro sounds like Carpetburn guitars to me. This song is nice, but it just kind of toodles a long – nicely structured, and as always, well produced. Perhaps a bit too repetitious for my taste. Is that rain? I feel I’ve heard that on your tracks before? Good

Wes – I wish I had your voice. Nice rhythm work on the vox – reminds me of Jude. Tuneful, and nice words. Very good song. The outro is a bit long and I wish I was feeling more connected to the title (I heard the word in there). Good

Wormsweater – ooh major 7s – damn they’re prettyJ This is nice, too. Good word work. Assuming you weren’t somehow mocking the style I think the idiom fits the content well. I just wish there was more than one verse. Which is what makes it – OK

Zoosneakers – opening is intriguing. Do you like Camper Van Beethoven? This reminds me of some of their stuff, in a good way. Alright just a softspot – but I really like this!!

So my short list is: Spinlock, Steve Durand, Paco, Jim,…oh, and I like mine. And for purely selfish reasons – Zoosneakers.

Second tier: Wes, TMK, and BLT – hold the mayo

[jimtyrrell]

Congrats, Booty Chesterfield Trio!

Also: Goose egg. Ouch.

[Ross]

There is no B-95 in Bingo. Don't the "B"s go from 1 to 15?

Am I missing something KA?

[furrypedro]

I saw the results and thought "1 vote!!!!!???? not fair!" and then "Jim Tyrrell 0 votes!!! has the world gone mad?!"
It's always the way I guess, and I'm glad Booty won.

I voted for Paco. My reign of terror over you is finally at an end, it happened the way I would have wanted, great song dude

I want to reiterate how great I thought Damien and Ray were and also Cranial Biffida and Jolly Roger in case they're feeling hard done by, I would be. I've had the Wormsweater one in my head all day too, mainly the bit that goes "...one thing on my mind". Good to see Melvin high in the field once more too.

I'd be really interested to know if the Fightmaster has any picks this week, I was glad for the heads up on King Arthur's song last week, it was better than 8LO imo, no offense to 8LO.

Thankyou for all the comments on my song this week, they are much appreciated; whoever said breathy vocals are a fad, I disagree, I'm just a big Stone Roses fan. And to the Carpetburn guitars comment, yes the line between my projects is blurring more and more these days. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, I feel like I lack focus and yet I do like this song, and some others I have done recently.

anyway, enough Convalescence. Onward!

[Billy's Little Trip]

Congrats Booty, that was a pretty good entry.

[spinlock]

Yo.
To anyone that cares, I (the left half of spinlock) am in the middle of redoing the convalescence entry in the light of the comments. Given that they were mainly about the unspokenlike nature, I spoke all the lyrics and then tried to sing with the same rhythm. Anyway,
Here's what I have so far and any advice would be welcome. Even if it's just "give it up, you won't get those words to fit anything ever"
Thanks.
Also, should I post this in some other section instead?

[Erwin Cloibhofer]

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[Damien Verrett (Jonas)]

Damien Verrett – cute. Nice arrangement. Wow did you play all this (banjos and all)? Somehow I doubt, but even so, they are well assembled pieces. The triangle beat, for instance is a great touch. Too much instrumental for my taste, though, as far as total percentage of the song. Good-

Yes, I played everything. The drums are the only fake thing in the song.

[Ross]

Damien Verrett – cute. Nice arrangement. Wow did you play all this (banjos and all)? Somehow I doubt, but even so, they are well assembled pieces. The triangle beat, for instance is a great touch. Too much instrumental for my taste, though, as far as total percentage of the song. Good-

Yes, I played everything. The drums are the only fake thing in the song.

Awesome - sorry to have doubted you.

[Zoosneakers]

hey, good fight (obviously).

I gotta say, after a week+ of listening to the tunes, my favs were definitely:

- jolly roger (NO VOTES...what up??? injustice! good tune. I listen to it often.)
- wormsweater (we're going have to form a collab "wormsneaker" at some point...I keep mistyping Zoosneakers now.)
- ross (rocks)
- billy's (certainly best theme award, and, oh yeah, rocks)

I think Paco and Fluzzum generally rule but they did better tunes last week.

Oh, and Swillingbottom, give me some more!! OK?

[Caravan Ray]

...better late than never. In order my personal preference:

VERY GOOD:

1. BOOTYCHESTERFIELD: I love that BootyC sound! Great guitar riff. This cooks. Production really jumps out and grabs you. Great work. Cool incidental guitar noises too.

2. PACO DEL STINKO: This is really great! I love that droney bagpipe-like guitar. I feel like Enya might start singing (but I'm very glad she doesn't). Great sound. Best bit is your chourus – beautifully simple, the way a good chorus should be.

3. THOSE MEDDLING KIDS: Love the vocals. Taking me back to the early 80's and bands full of pasty-faced English boys with foppish hair and puffy shirts. Nice guitar stuff. This is catchy. I like it a lot.

4. ROSS DURAND: I like this a lot. Great chorus. Nice simple percussion on the verses. What you do with you hands keeps me interested until your organ takes over (feel free to use that as a signature quote). Maybe a minute too long – but great job all the same

GOOD

5. MELVIN: I'm sure the Weezer comparisons are wearing thin – but I suppose, if you are going to sound like another band – at least you picked a good one! This really is very good – your writing, performance and production are impeccable as always. Job well done – thank you.

6. DAMIANVERRETT: I like the quirky low-fi approach. Reminds me of the Young Marble Giants (does anyone remember them?) Cool recorder – banjo is a bit too much though. Nice melody here – good song – good work.

7. ZOOSNEAKERS: I like the sound of this – it sounds very similar to an REM song I recall, the name of which escapes me for the moment. Also – the lyrics bother me slightly. "covalescence" doesn't seem to make any sense in this context. You haven't just shoe-horned the title into a pre-existing song called "Salvation" or something like that, have you? (BTW – it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if you had…but I digress). Whatever – I like this very much.

8. FLVXXM FLORVM: Very cool. Great vocals and those lead guitar bits are just beautiful. At 4:10 it probably overstays it's welcome though. All things in moderation – 2:30 would be plenty

9. SPINLOCK: Great pop song. I approve. Good chorus. Nice clear vocals. Good.

10. KLOWNHOLE: "Least you know what you're getting'"! Heh! – perfect. Probably my favourite Klownhole to date. Some of your others have left me looking for a hook to grab onto – this has that great heavy guitar riff which drags me right along. Very good.

11. JR: There is a really good song in here – but production is not great. Excellent drum work is really going to waste through bad sound. Your remix on the other thread is an improvement.

12. WESDAVIS: Good quality guy-tar. Like the riff and the catchy chorus. Perhaps some build up of percussion could have helped this along more

13. MASTERHYDE: Nice groove going – the little piano bit is a nice touch. Very good vocal delivery. Very pleasant.

14. EPHIDREAM: Don't like the guitar intro – but after that - great vocals and great guitar. Song doesn't really grab me a lot – though I do like the bit about using hardware from the garage and all that that subsequently implies.

OK

15. JIMTYRRELL: Very well done – your voice sounds great – but I'm losing interest quickly

16. STEVE DURAND: I love a good "oops, somebody's cut my dick off" song. Vocals a little dodgy – but not drastically so. Entertaining.

17. BILLYSLITTLETRIP: I like the porn-movie waka-waka guitar – but it doesn't really reach any great heights after that.

18. SWILLINGTON: For an instrumental – this is really quite good. But it isn't shouting the title at me.

19. ERICB: Your vocal delivery in the verses is very good – though there are one or two stumbles where you loose the flow, and that brings the whole thing down. Downsides are that chorus - isn't good at all, and the lyrics – the story really isn't dragging me in at all. Great rhythm on the vocals though – that is a difficult skill – you do it well.

BAD

20. CRANIAL BIFFIDA: I liked the pig noises – but I had trouble dancing to this.
21. WORMSWEATER: This not doing much for me.
22. ATONAL COIL BROS: This not doing much for me, either
23. STEVE HAND PUPPET: Nothing really grabs me here
24. EIDOLON: I don't like this at all
25. DISCIPLES OF BEER: No.

...and CARAVANRAY: This is a true story. My daughter had a temperature of 38.3 and wasn't allowed to go to daycare, so I took the day off work and stayed at home with her and wrote a song. I discovered that you can get a giggling sound out of a sick child by gently poking them with a stick.


I didn't vote. WTF are the freaking fightmasters doing? What happend to the traditional "week of reflection" beetween the end of one fight and the start of another? Don't know if I like this new quick change system. Anyway, I would have voted Booty-wise - so it made no difference - Congratulations Booty Chesterfield - well deserved win.

[Reist]

- jolly roger (NO VOTES...what up??? injustice! good tune. I listen to it often.)

I want to reiterate how great I thought Damien and Ray were and also Cranial Biffida and Jolly Roger in case they're feeling hard done by, I would be.

Definitely nice to hear this, especially after having not much love on the reviews/votes. I'm planning on remixing this one, and possibly having some tribal chanting with weird instruments in the bridge once I have a synth. Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I feel like a jerk for not reviewing. Maybe I'll do some for 'Get a Life'.