Review A Little Bit More (Love Me reviews)

[signboy]

Haha, is it Oatsie mimicking rone? The vocals sound similar.

Thank you. 8)

[HeuristicsInc]

octopus rex

I like that one a lot, that should be a band.
Huh, it's a kids' book. Who woulda guessed?
-bill

[roymond]

Nice, next week try Quoons & The Gang.

I'm debating whether or not to take that as a challenge.

Jeff Quoons...

[furrypedro]

Nice, next week try Quoons & The Gang.

I'm debating whether or not to take that as a challenge.

You definitely should, I have more:
Quoonassic 5
Quoons With Attitude (hahaha, that was an accident, sorry I'm not often that crass)
Quoonsie Boys
De La Quoons
New Quoons on the Block
Hell, why not Those Meddling Quoons?

I could go on, but I won't.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Prom Quoons
Quoonatic
Wang Dang Sweet Quoontang
Down in the Quoondocks
Quoons Over Parma
99 Loft B'Quoons
RatQuoons
Quoon Hound
The Big Quoonsowski
Got Quoons

[reve]

I'm home sick today, so I thank the Songfight! gang for giving me like THREE HOURS of music to listen to. Really though, this is an insane amount of people to have in one fight.

Also, what's up with all the rad synthcore tracks this week? Usually there's like one or maybe two if I'm lucky. I have an unabashed electro-weakness, so thanks, guys! Overall I felt this was a very strong fight, with a lot of folks stepping out of their usual roles. As one of the previous posters mentioned, thank dave for multiple votes. In my case, the votes go to:

Berkshire SS - Chorus kinda has a Los Campesinos vibe which makes it quite charming, but it's a smidge long.
Chopped Liver Meat God - This was awesome. Not everyone's cup of tea, probably, but I dug it.
Cock - I'm glad we finally got a fight with some Cock in it.
Durand Durand - PARTY ANTHEM #1!!!!!!!
E. Strom's Daily - This was one of the stronger electro tracks.
Howl Down the Chimney - This is one of the strongest songs in the fight. I was hoping for a big change up at some point, and while the one at 2:00 did satiate my need, I was hoping for like... 2.. 4-5-6, SCREAAAAM!!!! But maybe it's just the Mr. Clarinetish organ sound that made me feel that way.
Maggie Kanuka - This was sweet. I thought a beat was going to kick in, a la Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. Might detract, though.
Melvin - You're always on the short list. You win the fight between the A-Listers this week.
Melvin is God - I liked it better than the Melvin track, so hey.
PiGPEN - This is awesome as well. Give it up, what are you using for the synths? However, after your prefight posting I was rather disappointed to hear that you sound almost nothing like Ai Otsuka.
Plain Songs - Of the stuff that took a couple steps towards left field this week, this was the best. You nicely balanced instrumentation, structure, and experimentation.
Rasin Bran - I voted for you.
Red Skeletons - I voted for you as well. Were this one of those fights from a few years ago, you'd be winning right now!

Other comments:
Noel - at 1:30, this would have been awesome. 4:00 is a little long, though.
Swillington - The vocoder kinda runined it for me. While vocoders are cool, the lack of pitch variation made it sound, well... kind of monotone.
Tribe Called Quoons - Clearly the best name this week.

Even if I didn't vote for you, I thank you for submitting -- and give yourself a pat on the back!

[ElaineDiMasi]

Review a little bit more?? 55 songs?? You've got to be kidding.

[MisterQuoons]

Quoonassic 5
Quoons With Attitude (hahaha, that was an accident, sorry I'm not often that crass)
Quoonsie Boys
De La Quoons
New Quoons on the Block
Hell, why not Those Meddling Quoons?

Prom Quoons
Quoonatic
Wang Dang Sweet Quoontang
Down in the Quoondocks
Quoons Over Parma
99 Loft B'Quoons
RatQuoons
Quoon Hound
The Big Quoonsowski
Got Quoons

Jeff Quoons...

Dammit, I'm OCD about this kind of shit. Now I'm going to have to.

Incidentally, I know that the entire phrase was not meant to be used, but I think "Hell, Why Not Those Meddling Quoons?" has a nice ring to it. That might be next week.

[A Bootleg]

Alright, folks. Here goes. Generally a good fight. Very few entries seemed as if they were created to waste my time. Lots of songs that were good and a greater than 10% “I’d listen to this again” rate.

The fact that I sat down and did these straight through comments not only on my social life, but also answers the question: "How much do you like to read journal articles?"

RECIPIENTS OF VOTES
• Berkshire Social Scene: 5. This is great. Love the guitars. The verse lyrics are good, too, but the chorus sounds, unfortunately, uninspired. The tune more than makes up for it, though. Probably going to download this into some sort of “I enjoy this music” file.
• Durand Durand – Someone’s bringing the rock. OH YEAH FUCKING HORN CHARTS YEAH. Some of those harmonies don’t sound quite right, but damn that chorus is good. Good syncopation. Excellent dynamics. You half-assed the guitar solo! You’re better than that!
• Hostess Mostess – TUNE THAT GUITAR! This is such a good song but then you didn’t tune your guitar and that’s all I can think of now. Nice R&B verve, though. Maybe drop the percussion a bit. Alright. You’re starting to win me back. Good bridge. Good vox. Alright. Possible vote. ITS SO SMOOTH!
• Max the Cat – This is fantastic. I am laughing aloud. Well-produced. Good guitar work. Dig the harmonics. This is a possible vote. Don’t lie to me, though, did you use a thesaurus for this? So good. Green category.
• Some Guy Called Noel: WELL SHIT DAMN THERE’S ANOTHER FINGERPICKER HERE. God, noel, it’s been lonely here. It’s like 50% of the population here is nothing-but-synth, 30% are rockers, and 18% are boring G&G setups. That, I suppose, leaves you and I holding down the fingerstyle fort. This is good. Watch the slide overdub. It sort of melts into the rhythm guitar. Good, though.
• Todd McHatton: Everything’s so loud in the mix except for the mandolin, which needs to be louder. Oh hey this is a great chorus. I won’t be the first one to cry Beatles. Solid guitar solo, too. Certainly a possible vote.
• The Worldly Self-Assurance: This sounds promising. The “same three words, same three words, same three words” thing grates a little. I like the backup “love me a littlebitmore.” I don’t know what you were going for around 2:15.

GOOD SONGS; NO VOTE.
• Cabin Fever – Good beat on this one. Good use of unobtrusive wah. I’d bring the vox up just a touch and drop out some of that reverb. Overall, though, very solid.
• Deetak – Your vibrato is haunting. Love the understated piano when it enters. I’d keep it down in the mix if I were you. Your vibrato is a bit much at times, but god it’s so good I don’t know if I want to ask you to stop it sometimes or not. This is good.
• Dutova – All the elements of this song sound good, but they’re all at terribly wrong levels. Raise the vocals. Lower the bass. Put the guitar at the level the bass was at. Bring the organ in a little more. You half-assed the synth solo! YOU CAN NEVER HALF-ASS A SYNTH SOLO! No, not even portamento will save you now! Not even timpani! Ok, maybe timpani. Love the ending
• Embers of Autumn – Good tune. Dig the accordion. Pretty well done. The lyrics, despite their complete and utter schlockiness, are compelling in the same way that a chick flick is touching. You know you shouldn’t enjoy it, but you do. Oh there’s no reason for that synth there. Nice little guitar overlay.
• The Hell Yeahs – I’m a big fan of when humor and good music combine. I am a big fan of this. Yeah drum solo yeah. Well done.
• Jon Eric – This is a great concept, pretty well written too. Ah, medical love songs. The harmony is like 90% of the way there. Just a little more effort and it’s perfect. Overall, this is good.
• Melvin: Hey, this is good. I enjoy the chorus. It’s quiet but touching. Someone’s getting a wonderful Valentine’s day present.
• Plain Songs for Doves and Tigers: Excellent names. DO NOT ROLL YOUR Rs AT ME. Your vox are too low and muddled for me to hear them, but I’ve spent a lot of time listening to rock music so you may have to forgive me. I enjoy the tune, though. Decent guitar work. I think you need to work a little more on that saxophone.
• Quimby: Good voice. Good lyrics. Solid. The mix is strong. No complaints. Perhaps the only love song ever to mention Alan Colmes. Props.
• Red Skeletons: Your vox are way too low, which is a shame because the lyrics are pretty good. Uke solo as all uke solos should be: short and unobtrusive.
• Roymond Feat. BLT: Dig the harmonies—maybe firm them up just a little bit. Drums are a bit crash-heavy. Excellent guitar solo. Has a beginning, middle, and end. Good song.
• Steve Durand: someone’s got a chromatic harmonica and knows how to play it. Your vox are muddled, which is a shame because what I can make out of it sounds good. Good harmonies. The harmonica is a bit high in the mix and slightly out of tune with the guitar. I have this tuning problem with some of my older harps and get by it by tuning to the harmonica.

SOMEONE CLEARLY PUT CREATIVE EFFORT INTO THESE; I STILL DID NOT LIKE THEM.
• Chopped Liver Meat God: Not going to lie. I thought this was a joke up until the bass and drums came in. I’d have to say though that you really don’t need to hold that A in the beginning. The crooner angle doesn’t work very well for you—lots of quavering going around. Truck driver gearshift at 2:15. And please drop that guitar down a few dB.
• Cobalt Stomach: I know you love your little brother. He’s probably a great guy. Thing is, he doesn’t need to sing the same thing you are singing, only one octave up. This song has some good opportunities for harmony. When the guitar solo comes in, consider using some dynamics on the rest of the tracks to make the song swell a little more. Right now it sounds like what it is, you playing your guitar to a machine backing.
• Cock: Can’t hear a damn lyric until like 40s. Your voice is way down in the mix. Bring it up a little bit more and consider singing something other than what the synth line is playing, you tend to get overwhelmed by it.
• Countrymartyrs: Is that a Nintendo bass? Good guitar hook. Gotta work on your vox. You seem to hit your pitch when your concentrating, but you’re often off. Also, the bass gets a little tiresome after halfway through. Consider modulating the line. Sounds kind of like oompah at this point.
• Eric Strom: This doesn’t scan very well. If you’re going to have that syncopated style you have to pretty much limit yourself to single-syllable words. Tune’s enjoyable in that “If this were on while I were playing Zelda, I wouldn’t mind it” kind of way. “More more more more more more more” reminds me a little of the Swedish Chef’s “bork bork bork.” Also, there’s a fair amount of unnecessary vocoding in there.
• Evil-E: Your vox are reverb-soaked. Sounds like you’re in your bathroom and it sort of muddles the clarity of the lyrics. “RE-spond” doesn’t scan right. Make it flow better. An interview I read with Chris Smither said that the key to writing good lyrics is to keep them as conversational as possible while at the same time making them fit effortlessly into your chosen meter. The progression is pretty good, but it gets boring after a while. Maybe an interesting bridge? Maybe a gearshift?
• Heine – Dig the lead guitar. Little reverby on the vox. Decent progression and good way to make it build and fall away, but somewhat generic and unremarkable otherwise. Not that that’s a bad thing. Good music is good music.
• Howl Down the Chimney: I like the Hammond patch as much as the next guy, but you’re being so closed-minded about it. You can do more than just the standard oom-pah-pah Also, don’t fake a british accent.
• Jimmy Jet – I like a good story. I also like a good uke. The lyrics are a little cliché-heavy, but I suppose that’s what a love song is supposed to do.
• John Kloberdanz – Pretty standard g&g. There is more to life than bum-ditty-ditty strumming. It’s a good story but the way you’ve set it lyrically is overwrought, especially if you set the verse against the chorus.
• Jonathan Mann – The verse progression is fairly predictable, but the guitar line on top keeps it interesting. I like the vibrato guitar every eight beats. Well done switching it up in the middle.
• Maggie Kanuka – It’s good to know that people still have real pianos around here. Raise those vox up and make them a little more trebly. You have a good voice, no reason to hide it muddled and quiet like it is in the mix now.
• McRamahamandhamsamsa: This is one of those songs where it’s difficult to determine whether or not you’re trying to waste my time. The kid in the chorus suggests that yes, you are wasting my time. But then you switch modes and it sounds like you’re really trying to make some sort of creative contribution here. Well, I’m going to listen to this all the way through. Hell, I’m even a little glad I did. Ditch the intro though, for the sake of us all.
• Melvin is God – You didn’t try too hard with the lyrics on this one. I can tell. We can all tell. Please spend as much time on your lyrics as you do on arranging.
• Paco del Stinko – Reminds me a little of the hold steady in subject matter. Didn’t expect you to switch to your bass register in the second verse. I like this a little, but only a little.
• The Pathetic Wannabees: this reminds me of the muppets somehow.
• Pet Squirrel: The lyrics are a little blah, but the tune’s enjoyable enough that I think I’ll sit here for the remaining three minutes and read my New Yorker, bobbing my head from time to time with mild approval.
• PiGPEN: dun-dun-dun-dudun-dududun. Was that quacking I heard in there? Ok I’m done with this. Mildly amusing I suppose. Maybe. Ok, sure. Mildly amusing.
• Raisin Brain: Great name. Work on your vox. You’ve got the pitch most of the time, but it tends to slip away at times. Drags a bit towards the end. Consider switching it up a bit with something.
• Rik Gerblick: Solid song. Great vocals, if a little low in the mix. Enjoyable progression. Good chorus. Nice hook and well thought-out solo around 2:25.
• R. Mosquito: Here is some hard rock right here. Not unenjoyable but I can’t hear what you’re singing. Too croonery and not high enough in the mix. Bring it up a bit. And what happened to that guitar overlay that we had in the intro. Oh, here it is, but it’s not nearly as good as it was before. Now it’s annoying. What’s the use of soloing on your guitar if you’re going to throw noise up louder than the solo?
• Signboy: Funkay. The lyrics are good, but you’re sort of half-singing. Either sing or don’t, you know? Whoa there, watch the fucking language. The rap is a little meh, perhaps because it sounds like you’re not even that into it.
• The Sky Looks Pissed – I opened once for Riot Folk. This sounds like that. You know, you don’t have to beat on the guitar like you’re slayer. I mean, there are powerful strummers—just look at Steve Earle—but there’s an art to it. You’re just playing the damn thing like it’s a $50 hondo imitation flying V with one functioning pickup. What happened to the harmonica? I miss that.
• Slats: HEY NOW THIS SOUNDS GOOD. Well-produced. Why do the vox sound like you’re in some sort of tin can echo chamber? The verse is totally not as cool as the intro was. So much more conventional than I was hoping it would be. What was with the three seconds of synth and then gone? Little heavy on the phaser there at 1:50. Also, consider harmonies instead of just singing an octave above the verse. I never really bought in that.
• Squid Bird? The birds in the mix are WAAAY too loud and high-pitched. I’m getting a headache listening to it. I understand that you want to make a creative loop, but come on man. Yeah. Nearly total meh.
• Swilington: Those vox are trippy. Also, singing the same thing over and over does not multiple verses make. This song could go places with some more verses and perhaps a chorus and a bridge.
• Tribe called Quoons: It’s impossible to have a badass voice and sing about a hamster. Badasses do not own hamsters. That said, I like the loop.
• The Weakest Suit: LOLGIRLSLOVESHOPPING. The progression is pretty good but the theme is a little played. Perhaps that’s not fair. This is well past the fiftieth song that I’ve listened to today. I’m sorry. You have a good song.
• Wet Towel Society: I like how you sang “loner.” The same delivery over every line in every verse though is a bit much. Switch it up a bit!
• The White Hat: I had planned on recording a guitar part to this so that the mix wouldn’t just be a treble party but I ran out of time. Most of the elements are there, though. If I could do it over again I’d probably rerecord the vocals and do a more serious job of mic placement with the banjo.

REALLY?
• Babylon Five: I have no patience for this.
• The Chadderandom Abyss: I have no patience for this.
• LSK – There’s a place between whining and groaning. You’ve found it. I have no patience for this. Also, unnecessarily self-referential.
• Manhattan Glutton – The guitar is painful. Sorry. Can’t continue with this.
• Mar La Alma – What’s with the vox, dude? Can’t hear a damn thing you’re saying, but I really don’t think it’s that important. This is bad.
• Ocho del Culo: We’re 20 seconds in. You have five more seconds to make me not regret this. Nope? Fine.

[MisterQuoons]

Alright, some reviews and then I'm going home.

Based on some input I got from....I don't remember who, and I'm too lazy to look it up, but anyway, I've decided to change my reviewing process a bit. Instead of listening to everything at once and writing reviews to everything in one sitting, I'm going to cut things into chunks and try to give each song my honest reaction. I can't promise said criticism will be constructive, intelligent, or even relevant. In fact, in some cases, I may get bored with your song and my mind will wander, in which case I'll probably just write whatever happens to be going through my mind at the time. Anyway, here's the first batch:

Babylonhoruv feat pandamonieumandatryom - This is pretty damn awesome. I feel like if I had fillings in my teeth, and I could use them to listen to things that I'm not supposed to listen to, this is what it would sound like. I remember when I was like ten I read this book called Fat Men from Outer Space (or something to that effect), in which a kid gets fillings in his teeth and does precisely that with them. This song made me think of that.

Berkshire Social Scene - Meh, as usual. You guys are good musicians and all, and your music is palatable, but your sound is just too commonplace for me to get into. Don't really have any specific criticisms; like I said, your playing, lyrics, and composition and whatnot is all good in its own respect, but you're just not my kind of vibe. Sorry. For what it's worth, I liked this one better than the last one I heard, if I recall correctly.

Cabin Fever - Hmm, funkier than your last one. Definitely a good direction to be moving in. Nice guitar work. Would like to hear more of it, as in more soloing.

Chadderandom - would love to hear this re-recorded as a black metal song. this sounds more like Rone Rivendale's stuff than yours. The lyrics were amusing, but I think I like your experimental audio collages a little better.

Chopped Liver Meat God - This sounds very much like an eighties new wave song. I actually like it a lot, but I think that maybe you could add some fuller synth sounds to sort of fill it out a little, maybe accentuate that whole Flock of Seagulls vibe you've got going on here. Either that or some thick rhythm guitar; either way, I feel like the sound of the recording is a little too thin for the composition.

Cobalt Stomach - The bass and drum parts seem to dominate this song, and I feel as if there needs to be a bit more to it than that. I like the signature cheap-sounding synth voice you use in your songs, maybe bring it out more in the mix, or add a few more parts, or something? I don't know. Also, the vox are kind of shitty. I can't really sing well either, so I don't blame you for that, but maybe you should add some effects or something? Seems like if you're trying to make the song sound electronic, you might as well go all the way.

Cock - Okay, so here's the deal. This is an okay song once it gets going, but the takeoff is a bit slow, and I'll be perfectly honest: if you are going to give yourself (selves?) a name like this, you really need to be prepared to BRING IT, if you know what I mean. If a band has the brazen audacity to name themselves Cock, then I expect something a little more from them than I would if they named themselves something more conventional, such as The Cocks, or Cock Surprise, or even The Surprising Cocks. But just plain Cock? That's a power statement, and you need to be able to back it up. I mean, you don't necessarily have to convince me that you have the biggest dicks in the world, you just need to convince me that you think you do. And I'm sorry, but this muddy, rather watered down metal just doesn't quite convey that impression to me. I'm afraid you just don't live up to your own hype. Better luck next time, Cock.

Country Martyrs - I see what everyone was talking about earlier, about all of the Rone-sounding tracks in this fight. I like the simplicity of this. The way the drums just sort of click in the background and occasionally provide fills is awesome. Out of key fuzz bass is also up my alley. Just slightly off-kilter guitar playing completes the effect. This song is quirky enough to where I don't really care that the singing isn't pretty, in fact I think this wouldn't work nearly as well if it was. Nice.

Deetak - I like how weird you sound, but I still can't tell if it's on purpose or not. Anyway, the tremolo in the singing is awesome; it reminds me of the way people used to sing in those old movies from the old days, like the thirties and forties and shit, back when they still made movies where people sang. If I ever decide to direct a black and white silent movie, I would like you to score it for me.

Durand Durand - Cute. Also, nice catchy song. It reminds me, for whatever reason, a little of that solo album Trey Anastasio did, back in like 2002 or whatever. It may just be that the instrumentation is similar. Either way, good work. Based on some of your previous entries, I was honestly expecting to get a sort of slow, serious, pretty ballad from at least one of you when I saw the title last week. So, surprises are nice.

DuTova - Vocals barely come through. I'm not quite sure what effect it is that you put on them, but I kind of like the dreamy, tinny quality it gives them; however, I think maybe you should double up that vocal track with another one that has no effects on it, maybe mix it in quiet or something, just enough of a buttress so that the vocals come through better. Couldn't really pay attention to the words, so can't comment. Composition was nice, but unfortunately this also seems to fall into the category of a pretty, but entirely too conventional sounding song that usually just doesn't do much to grab me.

Embers of Autumn - I think I now get the sort of sound you're going for with the handful of selections I've heard of yours, but I think that the whole emotional pop-punk thing sort of reached it's apex of quality sometime between 1998 and 2001, and after that it just sort of kept getting more and more diluted and...I don't know...wussy, I guess. While I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad song, it definitely lies more on the post-2002 side of the pop-punk spectrum, and I guess that that is not quite my preferred side. Like, Enema of the State was about as far in that sort of a poppy direction as I was willing to go. So Long, Astoria was alright in that it was able to convey some genuine feeling without being too maudlin, but Blue Skies, Broken Hearts was a much better album by far. Simple Plan and Good Charlotte and all that shit just crossed a line. Alright. I seem to have completely lost my train of thought, and forgotten where the hell I was going with this. Anyway, whatever. Decent song, for what it was. The little humorous ending definitely helped.

Eric Strom - This sounds somewhere between an eastern European gypsy jig and a twenty-first century R&B ballad, if data on both forms of music were fed into a computer, and said computer was asked to create an original composition based on said inputed data and...I guess what I'm trying to say is.....I LIKE IT. Definitely a save, maybe even a vote. Don't know yet. Lots of songs to go, still.

Evil-E - Okay, in a similar vein (heh heh) to the Cock song, this is another example of a song that does not quite live up to the expectations I had from reading the name. Like, I'm sorry, but this is not Evil. It might be E, possibly...maybe a lowercase e...?....Don't know. I'll get back to you on that. Definitely not Evil, though, especially not with a capital E. If you called yourself, oh, I don't know, "e, who can maybe get a little disgruntled in certain situations; for instance, if his eggs are served to him overeasy when he actually ordered them overmedium", or something along those lines, I might buy it. Definitely not Evil, though.

Next batch in a couple of days, hopefully.

[PiGPEN]

PiGPEN: dun-dun-dun-dudun-dududun. Was that quacking I heard in there? Ok I’m done with this. Mildly amusing I suppose. Maybe. Ok, sure. Mildly amusing.

Whatchu got against quacking in a song?
I can cite as many as one song in which quacking was effectively used! (Colorful Pumpkin Fields by the pillows)

PiGPEN - This is awesome as well. Give it up, what are you using for the synths? However, after your prefight posting I was rather disappointed to hear that you sound almost nothing like Ai Otsuka.

I was trying so hard to sound like a cute Japanese girl but failed miserably.
Synths are Reason's Malstrom.

[Evil-E]

I just wanna say that I'm enjoying the reviews of band names most of all.

[swilington]

and that's thursday...

Babylon Horuv Feat. Pandamonieum and Atryom - strange but i'm sure you were going for that. clever use of the title.
Berkshire Social Scene - i'd recognize that guitar anywhere. great song. 5/4 nice. i like the winding up bg vocals of 'love me a little bit more'. i look forward to hearing this at the next songfight show.
Cabin Fever - good mix. funky. great vocals. this band is going places.
The Chadderandom Abyss - were you on the toilet when you recorded this? i think this song would be better if it was part of a cartoon or something like '12oz mouse'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMSS6aqP1Aw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY4Op6pTDlE
Chopped Liver Meat God - i'm imagining a band of guys wearing ray ban sunglasses and piano ties. not a bad thing.
Cobalt Stomach - this reminds me of really early nin like 'down in it'. cool solo.
Cock - i really like the climax. great synth.
Country Martyrs - i like the melody. i think it would have been better with a girl singing or maybe a duet. i'd like to hear a live version of this.
deetak - vocals sound like xiuxiu. brings up bad memories of hearing a xiuxiu song. this is a million times better though.
Durand Durand - awesome horns! i don't know why this reminds me of 'saddam a go-go'. i like this a lot. definitely up there.*
DuToVa - here's another one i'm curious to hear live. good groove. good synth.
Embers of Autumn - from the band name i thought that this would have to either be metal or emo. emo. emo song for an emo title. i like that everybody has been working synth into their songs. harmonica. nice.
Eric Strom's Daily Song dot Com - i bet britney spears would like to get her hands on this one. i like it. it's just the stabs can get a little harsh.
Evil-E - i like this guy. this really sounds like a songfight song. simple and gets the job done.
Heine - cool solo at the beginning. this sounds like it'd be fun to play.
The Hell Yeahs - i like that this song starts big. 'need a little monkey wrenchin' hehe.
Hostess Mostess - this song could allow many highschoolers to rub up against each other nicely at prom. you should be happy about that.
Howl Down the Chimney - another dark one. i see the music video set at a midnight carnivale in a graveyard. great organ. that's what she said.
Jimmy Jet and his TV Set - everybody loves a ukulele. i bet you have no problem with the ladies. solid song. you should be proud.
John Kloberdanz - nice song. good use of waltz time.
Jonathan Mann - vocals fit nicely with the music. i could see this going with the opening credits of a movie that starts in the desert. nice build up.
Jon Eric & The Transpacific Babble Brigade - all the instruments meld nicely. little long though.
LSK - give this guy a grammy.
Maggie Kanuka - very nice. turn up the vocals a little bit.
Manhattan Glutton - a little loud. i like how the two guitars work together in the verse.
Mar la Alma - very avant-garde. i'm imagining a dog and cat team somehow figured out how to record themselves and send it in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM (turn volume all the way down on the video and listen to the song)
Max The Cat - great voice. sounds like someone i can't quite put my finger on. interesting lyrics.
McRamahamasham - volume needs to be turned down a lot. i can barely understand what is going on in some parts because it's so distorted. from what i could here i like. i like the irregular.
Melvin - *claps hands* you're a star. good as always.
Melvin is God - this guy will be famous too but for a different reason. *songfighter found in a mcdonalds playground eating mannequins* justin roiland is that you?
Ocho del Culo - are you okay? i'm imagining that you are injured and can't reach the phone so you decided to call for help through songfight.
Paco del Stinko - another songfight star. solid song. i like your vocal style. it's hard to review someone who knows exactly what they're doing.
The Pathetic Wannabees - cookie monster? really cool melody. great vocals. you sound like like an old captian.
Pet Squirrel - kinda faintish. great synth. nice and dancey.
PiGPEN - here we go. i always look forward to your entries. this is awesome. is that reason you're using? i would be curious to hear a different drum patch.
Plain Songs for Doves & Tigers - plain in a good way. this is an example of a good mix of the regular with the irregular.
Quimby - great voice. clever lyrics. i like the 'hannity and colmes' line.
raisin brain - nice melody. i like the casio drum deallies. great synth.
Red Skeletons - first off, great name. okay, this is great. this is definitely up there.*
Rik Gerblick - good mix. i'll probably run into this again on the radio.
R. Mosquito - wow. this song punches you in the face right away. in a good way. this is good. just turn the vocals up a little bit and everything else down a little bit.
roymond Feat. Billy's Little Trip - unique vocals. i like this a lot but i think it would rule all if it had a chorus that was completely different from the rest.
Signboy - great use of the organ. that's what she said. i like the lyric style. you should post the lyrics. catchy.
The Sky Looks Pissed - great name. i like live recordings. i only wish you were a little closer to the mic. i like that you didn't use drums but maybe it'd be cool to add a keyboard or something.
Slats - i like the vocal effects. good use of the keyboard. great effects on the guitar.
SomeGuyCalledNoel - the two guitars work really well together. vocals go really well with the music.
squidbird - hahahaha. post the lyrics. great chorus. i like the assorted birds in the background. chicken is the best.
Steve Durand - i'd like to hear this at a songfight show. unique voice.
Todd McHatton - wow. little loud. this song makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. oh shi- guitar solo. *
A Tribe Called Quoons - clever. i like the riff around 2:30. interesting mood.
The Weakest Suit - i like the lyric style. nice use of the tamb.
Wet Towel Society - cool synth around 30 seconds in. great ending. i kinda wished you had a crazy chorus to change it up.
The White Hat - are you singing about loving a gold nugget? i like the banjo. great harmonica solo. you should add a washboard in there towards the end.
The Worldly Self-Assurance - this almost isn't fair. you guys are the michael phelps of songfight. 30 seconds in and you are already two pool-lenghts away from the second place band. and i'm not just saying that.

The Winners:

1. The Worldly Self-Assurance
2. Red Skeletons
3. Todd McHatton
4. Berkshire Social Scene
5. PiGPEN
6. LSK (Barney's movie had heart but 'football in the groin' had a football in the groin.)

no longer will i think i'm being unique by doing something strange or electronic. 8)

[swilington]

octopus rex

I like that one a lot, that should be a band.
Huh, it's a kids' book. Who woulda guessed?
-bill

kids' book? is it about an octopus that kills his father and marries his mother?

[Chadderandom]

Babylon Horuv - Extra super boring. Except for the Marvin McFadden impersonation.

Berkshire Social Scene - Hello vocals that are buried under an unnecessarily loud guitar. No wait, the guitar tone is just annoying. Piercingpingpingtingledinglescreech. Maybe its also too loud too. But definitely annoying.

Cabin Fever - Extra super awesome psychedelic boogie.

The Chadderandom Abyss - How emo.

Chopped Liver Meat God - Oh, thats a guitar. I thought I was being barked at by a really weird yippy dog. I love the song once it starts going.

Cobalt Stomach - This is actually really cool and probably the best cover in the fight I predict.

Cock - Vocals, they are going to come forward soon, plz? Well, things are getting louder but the vocals still need to come forward.

Country Martyrs - The guitar is kind of cool but I think I've heard some songs in your archive that were better... and would've been made awesome with that guitar.

deetak - Tiny Tim! I love Tiny Tim. This song is missing something though, for it to be as awesome as Tiny Tim, I'm not sure what though.

Durand Durand - Punk rock feel with a... not punk rock sound. Well, its a punk rock sound too, but with, like, not punk rockness but theres something you'd call this genre that I can't think of. But it is, like, the punk rock version of it. Whatever it is. Seriously, this is awesome.

DuToVa - Oh, hey, was I supposed to be listening to this? Luckily I started paying attention right before it got to the best part at 1:38 - 1:51, so, yeah, this song is really cool for 12 seconds.

Embers of Autumn - I don't care who wrote it, I like Chopped Livers version better.

Eric Strom's Daily Song dot Com - Is this song influenced by N*SYNC? But, like, also the autotune trend? And you're trying to mock these things, aren't you? If you're intention was to cause someone to want to punch someone in the throat, its a win, because its the only thing I want to do now.

Evil-E - The bass is the only thing in the right place or maybe everything should be down with the guitar because I'm not sure I like anything going on. I might like the guitar if it were higher.

Heine - Now those guitars are in all the right places. I don't know if the vocals are though. Although they eventually get to the right place. There are some really cool guitar phrases in this song.

The Hell Yeahs - I think... I'm confused. This sounds awesome. But I wasn't sure at the start. Yeah, I listened to it again, the vocals seem off at the beginning. Maybe its the vocal effects. But whatever it is it doesn't take long to mesh well with the rest of the song and everything starts working on all cylinders. On third listen, I have no idea how it just randomly starts sounding awesome. Thats weird. Its all, hey, this isn't working and then just slips into awesome without really doing anything different which would make me think theres nothing wrong with the vocals at the beginning but there totally is. I hear it every time. Except on the fifth listen. Which is the listen that makes this whole song awesome. On sixth listen, I love this song, and is the only song I've been willing to listen to more then... well, I'm sure I listened to a couple of those more then once, so, uh... more than twice?

Hostess Mostess - Thats weird. Is that weird? I think thats weird but its not. And it feels like it could be on the radio except not. There are a lot of things in this song that I could say that they are but aren't. I don't know what that means though... you're not enough of anything to be anything? What does THAT mean? For something that doesn't sound like anything, this sure sounds like something. But it kind of doesn't, you know? I want to like it, so I'll listen to it a second time. Yeah, that is weird and familiar and something and yet not. And its kind of freaking me out for some reason, so I only make it half way through the second listen.

Howl Down the Chimney - I like the vocals but I am unsure of all this organ-moog thing going on. It sounds like its trying to freak me out but apparently only things that aren't spooky are creeping me out today.

Jimmy Jet and his TV Set - I think those vocals need more accompaniment, its a little too bare bones and definitely feels like it needs something else.

John Kloberdanz - This sounds like its repetitive and I should stop paying attention eventually but I think it held my attention just fine. It wasn't amazing or anything but I didn't ignore it, so I guess your vocals must be charismatic but nothing really stands out.

Jonathan Mann - YES. Surprisingly this took a little bit before I realized this song was as awesome as it is because somehow, when it started I was thinking thoughts of... incorrectness, as it turns out on second listen. I love it.

Jon Eric & The Transpacific Babble Brigade - This is, like last week, not *blank* enough but, rather, bland enough to not be awesome. Some of the instrumentation, I like though, and reminds me of Marty Robbins a little. But the vocals are reedy and uncharismatic and almost sound like they're going to work a couple times but only disappointment is achieved.

LSK - Do I like any of this? Someone needs to tell me. I think I do. But maybe I don't. I need a memo. I want to like it and thats good enough for me.

Maggie Kanuka - What does the beginning remind me of? Tinkle, tinkle, something getting sold? The vocals sound like I have a cold and its messing up my ears but the tinkle, tinkle tells me otherwise. Does this... keep sounding like this? I'm not feeling any of this other then the beginning that I keep trying to figure out where I've heard that before. Maybe its so obvious that its going way over my head but I know I've heard it before. Tinkle, tinkle, jazz hands *insert correct thing here*. What IS that? I'm just sitting here moving it back to the start obsessively, this is getting insane.

Manhattan Glutton - Wow, that was a shock to the system. Brain overload! I was just thinking of turning it off before the ROCKINGOUT started, so I guess its too late now.

Mar la Alma - Seriously, that "for us in store" thing just sounds backwards.

Max The Cat - I enjoy the vocals and the wordplay but not necessarily enough to actually like them. It reminds me of that one guy that does that. You know the guy, I'd imagine. Respect knux but no luv embrace.

McRamahamasham - Maybe if this used Rone's lyrics, I could see it sounding like this intentionally being bad, but, like, it doesn't an OHMYFUCKINGGOD I had to turn it off when it got to the guitar solo.

Melvin - You're no Andrew McMahon. Probably because he actually rocks out. Don't you normally rock out? I guess there were rocking out tings but your song borders on having no rocks at all, iykwim.

Melvin is God - Hahahahaaaaa. I love that synth especially at the end.

Ocho del Culo - The vocals kind of gradually change into different things and those things are awesome.

Paco del Stinko - Were you not that interested in singing this song? There are a couple places where you don't sound bored but generally, you sound like you'd rather be anywhere else doing anything else and not even in a cool snarky way. Maybe none of this is true but I didn't feel you feeling anything.

The Pathetic Wannabees - Hahahahahaaaa. That poor sound quality is an intentional effect, isn't it? You ran everything through a distortion pedal, didn't you? I know this because I did it once. And it sounded exactly like that. And this song sounds like it has a couple places where the distortion is hiding something awesome. Why are you hiding the awesome from me? Jerk.

Pet Squirrel - I do not find the things that are supposed to be charming to be at all charming and it seems to be going on for too long.

PiGPEN - Its like Atom and His Package filled with ducks and System of the Down-ish qualities. I love it.

Plain Songs for Doves & Tigers - There was some vocal phrasing just before somewhere in the middle of the song that I liked and I thought the song was going to go from not engaging to possibly engaging but then it didn't, but then the vocals get a little better at the end but its the end and its, like, man, why wasn't I given these good vocals earlier?

Quimby - Whoa, I might be impatient because I was thinking it was nothing but guitar for too long and I was ready to hate anything else that happened but the vocals immediately sucked me in and I absolutely love this.

raisin brain - I got bored pretty fast with this and stopped paying attention but then the vocals eventually pulled me back in and this is kind of cool.

Red Skeletons - Something about this is irritating me but I'm not sure what. I think its the droning synth... oh good, it changed. But it kind of changed into something a little too random. This sounds like what people described my song as last week. I do not get this though. I feel frustrated and irritated and if this is what people feel after my songs... sucks to be them because it sucks to be me right now.

Rik Gerblick - I guess I like your vocals, I guess I like the music, I guess I like the lyrics... I don't know about this song. It sounds too much like stuff I've heard a thousand times before.

R. Mosquito - You were able to mix this in a way that all the noisiness is pushed together and nothing is really getting out and becoming too abrasive. But it also kind of kills it. Because I don't really care. It seems like the type of song you want to mosh about the room too and this is the only song of yours that I've felt I'd want to do that to but its just not... coming out of the seams... or something. Its like, here are some tight jeans that feel really good which is strange because they're tight jeans and I can barely move in them and so I'm just going to stand here and chew on my lip and appreciate them. I appreciate your tight jeans is what I'm saying... I guess.

roymond Feat. Billy's Little Trip - This would sound better if it were a little bit more stoner rock. Too much hard rockin, not enough doom metalin. It sounds like it could be, with a few tweaks.

Signboy - There were segments of this song that were tremendous. But mostly not so much. The bass was fun though.

The Sky Looks Pissed - Maybe if you weren't on the other side of the room I would love this song just a little bit more. At least your vocals got closer as the song went on. Were you inching closer to the mic?

Slats - Whoa, that was a great intro. Whoa, those are some vocals effects. I think this might be awesome but its all a little overwhelming with so much being thrown at me. It doesn't seem as awesome on second listen but its nothing to sneeze at... whatever that means. Thats kind of horrible that someone would sneeze on something because it was deemed not good enough. But whatever, this song is cool.

SomeGuyCalledNoel - Why does Noel never answer his phone? What is afraid of? Who is he afraid is calling? I don't know what the joke is that I was going for but this song is a little too relaxing and I can't not let it fade into the background, so I needed to do something to stay engaged. What are all these stringed instruments in this song because there seems like three and they're not the same. But it might all be my imagination because I'm daydreaming.... did I mention this song is a little too relaxing?

squidbird - I think I want to like this, so I'm not sure why I don't. I like it in theory. On second listen, I can't help but feel I like it. It needs something more for me to love it. You need more atmosphere. Not the hip hop group, the thing. Have you heard my Half a Million Nerds entry? That song is hella birdcore.

Steve Durand - I like the beginning, that is a great intro. I like some of the vocals but I'm not really digging most of them. But the intro, that was an intro.

Swilington - The synth tings are just synth tingy enough to be kinda cool but thats about all this song has going for it.

Todd McHatton - Well, my ears aren't broken, nice start. I think I like this song. I think I might really like this song. Well, I spoke too soon. That guitar is kind of piercing... I think its a guitar. Yeah, I say guitar. Piercing guitar. But this song is kind of cool without the piercing guitar. And, hey, that mini guitar solo or whatever was somehow less piercing and annoying than the guitar was being thus being an extra cool part and the ending is definitely cool. This song was equally awesome and annoying.

A Tribe Called Quoons - I don't know if I can love this a little bit more because I already love it so much.

The Weakest Suit - Do you ever listen to Ashton Shephard? Probably not. I deemed her last album sitcom country since it was just a bunch of ridiculous sitcom and country stereotypes and this seems like a bookend to that. None of this really feels real is what I'm saying.

Wet Towel Society - I like some of the tings but not enough and theres other stuff that could be likable but not enough. And so I turned this off because I'm getting ansty, as there are only two songs left and I just want to stop already.

The White Hat - I don't think I like your vocals for this song. Its like you're mocking bluegrass but you're not really mocking bluegrass. It just doesn't fit with the banjo. I guess the harmonica is okay. But none of this feels genuine or real or honest or whatever. I had to listen to it a second time and now I don't know, maybe it fits. It doesn't sound as offensive as I thought it did, at least. On third listen, I give it, I guess it works. Maybe its the fact that its an entry on songfight thats giving me this feeling that its not legitimate but something inside me wants to reject it, like I'm the protector of authentic bluegrass or something.

The Worldly Self-Assurance - There is absolutely nothing wrong with this song other then its just not catchy enough to grab me and make me notice anything... except the thing that happens two thirds of the way in, thats kind of cool. But other than that.

That was incredibly draining. I think I'm going to go lay down, curl up in a fetal position and cry myself to sleep.

[PiGPEN]

I voted for Cock, Hell Yeahs, Quimby, Red Skeletons and myself (because i deserve it).
I really enjoy Cock.

[tonetripper]

I really enjoy Cock.

Wow!!! That's some strong choice of words and, for some reason, "dirty", coming from a guy named PiGPEN.

[EmbersOfAutumn]

Love Me A Little Bit More reviews...

54 Songs... I might collapse before I'm done with these reviews, but in the name of music, I will give it my best shot. I just hope I don't have to subject myself to a lot of crap... here's hoping...

Babylon Horuv, et al – Vocals are a little breathy and... well.. I guess they kind of blend in with the broadcasts. ... ... What the... ... I'm... unsure of what to say about this. 1 of 10.

Berkshire Social Science – Catchy intro, always a good first step. I like the effect on the background vocals. I like the uptempo halfway through the chorus. (At least it seems uptempo, it just may be more energetic). Also, great comedown back to verse. The vocals in the background are starting to become slightly distracting—almost disembodied. It isn't too horrible, but it's noticeable. Awesome bridge at 3:00. Definite runner for winner. 9 of 10.

Cabin Fever – I like the intro a lot. Late 80's, early 90's feel. Nice vocal effects on the 'love me's at 0:40, given the style of the song. Sounds Radio worthy so far, and actually sounds kind of fun to play. Personal opinion—I think the vocals could be cleaned up just a little in some places. 7 of 10.

Chadarrandom Abyss – They make laxatives to fix whatever your problem is... 0 of 10.

Chopped Liver Meat God – Guitar is squealing just a little too much for my liking, but a nice build up anyways. .... Why... Why do these lyrics sound familiar... *Looks at my lyric sheet* Well... I'm... I'm not sure how to take this, but uh... I guess thanks for.. the... taking of my lyrics...? It's not bad, and in all honesty, an improvement on my song. It's almost like looking into a parallel universe of a song I wrote... Creepy in a cool sort of way. I'm gonna have to give you bonus points for that. 6 of 10.

Cobalt Stomach – Always a piano fan, but it's kind of running with a rough crowd in this song... It doesn't exactly grab me. Also, lose points for not losing my lyrics... (just kidding) Actually, coming back to this one after doing some other reviews, I realize that this is a “Rone Rivendale” cover. Interesting.... 3 of 10.

Cock – While a few things are done nice here (good use of compression and volume mixing, for instance), another song that just doesn't really reach out as an awesome song. It was appropriately short, I felt, though. 3 of 10.

Country Martyrs – I like the tonal quality of the guitar. I just realized that this is one of the participants of the “Rone Rivendale” cover series. I guess that gets a bonus point for 'holiday spirit' or whatever. 3 of 10.

Deetak – Wow, i'm actually being serenaded here... Again, I like the piano, though the guitar is a little muddled in the mixing. I'd really like to hear it come up in the mixing a little—as well as add a little something to the vocal track. With some refining, this would be nice. 3 of 10.

Durand Durand – Oh, the band title pun is killing me... Is this really the Durands? I like it a lot. Mixing quality is great. Again, another song that sounds pretty fun to play. Especially the guitar progression. Love the bridge. Actually, the lyrics for this song was posted WHILE I was doing the review for this song—ironic, i thought. I think this is a great song put-together. 9 of 10.

DuToVa – Good guitar intro. Bass is a little heavy in comparison, one or the other really should be adjusted in the mixing. It seems to lack a little punch, but it's structured good and I like the different instrumental parts. 6 of 10.

Embers of Autumn – Alright, I'm not totally proud of this song, but I ran into a lot of time consuming activities during the week (including a full 3 days with the in-laws). This is the first fight using my melodica—that was a lot of fun. I had some piano I wanted to add in, but couldn't really find the time to come up with anything that sounded good, so in the end, I just left it out. I guess it isn't horrible, but it certainly isn't the best I could do.


That's 12 down... Break time.


Eric Strom – The vocals are just far too distracting with the staccato-style, even if it is electronica. This has modern b-movie written all over it, which I guess isn't too terribly bad, but it isn't cutting it for me. 3 of 10.

Evil-E – Great effect on the guitar, but it's far too quiet. Vocals either should come down, or the guitar should come up (or possibly both). Mostly mixing issues in this song, but it's not horribly bad. 4 of 10.

Heine – Audio quality is good. Nice Rockin' intro. The verse is good in comparison to the chorus, with nice lead-ins. The bridge is pretty simple, but it's nice (I was kind of expecting some hott lixx). 8 of 10.

The Hell Yeahs – The song is great. The drum fill on the bridge was noteworthy. Some of the high peaks on the vocals squeal just a tiny bit—could just be my audio, but I think it's an a-ok song all around. 8 of 10.

Hostess Mostess – The bass has an odd effect on it—not bad, just a tad overpowering for my liking. The chord progression is nice. 1:10 sounded a little strained on the vocals, not horrible—but i noticed. I always like the feel-good feel of your songs. Breakdown at 3:15 is a nice job of mixing on the vocals. 9 of 10.

Howl Down The Chimney – Sounds like one of those infamous 'drinking songs' that I keep hearing on the forum boards... Feel like grabbing a Heinekin and waltzin'. I like the lyrics a bit. I think it's worth a 5 of 10.

Jimmy Jet + TV Set – Had to listen to the intro a few times before I realized you weren't saying 'vagina'. That's always an interesting sign how the song is going to turn out... The instrument quality could be a little better—maybe something in the recording or maybe mixing. It would work for a live or demo track, but it just sounds a little unprofessional. Definitely needs something else. 3 of 10.

John Kloberdanz – This has a nice folky story song feel. I like it. The vocals have some heavy echo on them, but it works just enough. Something seems a tad etheral about this song, so maybe tone it down just a little, maybe on the guitar a little too. 5 of 10.

Jonathan Mann – A Jazzy drinking song. Which, if you think about it, is an oxymoron... I think the musical techniques work. (The pauses, off-beat notes, etc.) It actually comes more across as a Noir movie song now. It kind of wears on as it goes on though, but that may just be me. 6 of 10.

Jon Eric, et al – Catchy intro. I like the music, though the rhythm guitar could come up more. Actually, never mind that, when the band came in full, it sounds good. Still sounds like something needs to be mixed better—maybe it's the lead guitar. The vocals do seem a little hollow though, maybe a little reverb or something... But this is all just creative criticism. I like the song a lot. 8 of 10.

LSK – lo-fi. ... Do you... just want attention or something? Pass. -1.7 of 10. (That's a negative score for wasting my time...)

Maggie Kanuka – Ah, piano. I'd see in the future if I could block out the background ambience that's getting picked up. This is a bit Funeral Dirge-ish... It lacks the panache needed for a replay, but there's definitely framework here for something good. 2 of 10.

Manhattan Glutton – While the quality is fine, this just sounds like a cacophony. Like a clean dumpster or something like that. I think i would like this better were I drunk... but it's 2:20 PM and it's too early to drink. The chorus was a little better, but it's nowhere enough to save it. Next. 2 of 10.

Mar La Alma – Easily the worst of the “Rone Rivendale” cover series of this fight. 0 of 10.

Max the Cat – Before I begin my review, and this isn't getting onto you or anything, but the intro few seconds sounds almost exactly like your “501” song. Only reason I know is because that song has made it to my regular rotation of SongFight songs. Ok.. back to reviewing. Absolutely love the guitar to this song. The lyrics are amazingly awesome. Definitely in the run for the win in my books. 10 of 10.

McRamahamasham – Kefka! Oh, sorry... having Final Fantasy VI flashbacks there. Actually, I... ... huh? Wow... I've heard some crap so far in this fight. The organ is pretty good, but... I didn't know Itchy and Scratchy were in demand for background vocalists... Part two of the song is not an improvement. 1 of 10 for the organ part.

Melvin – Melvin + Piano? Ooohhhh... my interest is immediately caught. This is vying for top Melvin Ballad. Cello and strings, too? I'm thinking they may be synthesized, but there's no problem with that. If not, bonus points, def. Outro is really well done, really the icing on this cake. 10 of 10.

30Melvin is god – And now Metroid? It's a video game smorgasboard today. And, of course, it's a “Rone Rivendale” challenge competitor. Well, it's not the worst one here today, but it's still not better than a 3 of 10.


The 30 mark just got passed... I... I gotta take another break... *goes for the aspirin*


Ocho Del Culo – Correction from earlier.. This is possibly the most pathetic... You know.. I know this is part of the 'Rone Rivendale' collection... but... this is an obvious attempt to make fun of him or something... It's not even laughable. It's sounds like you're making fun of retarded people... and that's just wrong... -1,247 of 10.

Paco Del Stinko – Catchy, foot-tapping. Vocals have improved from past projects it sounds. (Except the metal ones, you've got a great metal voice). As always, love the licks. 7 of 10.

The Pathetic Wannabes – lo-fi. Attempt is here, but it's not really commentable. The music is ok. Vocals... not so much. Reminding me of that band who plays in the club in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 season 9 episode called Hobgoblins... I guess that's kind of a stretch for a comparison. 4 of 10.

Pet Squirrel – Intriguing intro... well.. until the beat started. It's ok. Vocals need to be clearer, EQ maybe? The music is ok, but the bass just sounds like farts, so it's kind of unappealing. 4 of 10.

PiGPEN – It's an alright song, Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.... A VEEEERY Super Mario Bros. II feel to it... So, I guess, pick up a radish and throw it at your closes friends.... um... dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun... 4 of 10.

Plain Songs... – Usually a good idea to tune your guitar before recording... What IS that noise in the background? I kept thinking I loaded my dishwasher wrong in the kitchen, until I realized it was coming from your song. Lackluster at best. 3 of 10.

Quimby – Nice sober intro. This is good—some replay value for easier-listening repertoire. I like the little lick between the chorus and verse two. 7 of 10.

raisin brain – Again, nothing that stands out as great about the song. It's alright, but the vocals could use some processing of some kind. The keyboards starting at 1:18 are pretty good. 4 of 10.

Red Skeletons – Vocals are too low. Can't hear what's being said... well, kinda.. but it still should come up. The chorus is a little bit better, but the song as awhile just isn't exciting and actually kind of drags at times. But, still good for the genre. 5 of 10.

Rik Gerblick – Well, it's an actual song, so that's good. Kind of a folk rock feel-good feel. Good bass and guitar riffs. Nothing really wrong with this song, but it lacks polish. Again, though, it does sound like it's fun to play. Especially the bass—i like bass. 7 of 10.

R Mosquito – Well, i'm deaf after 3 seconds, so I can't really review this song properly. From what I could hear afterwards. I really can't hear the vocals—I like the heavy compression, but it's way too muc... AHHH!! What the hell is that?! A Modem?! Turn it off, turn it off!!! You get a 7 of 10 for the first 1:30 of the song, and a 2 of 10 for the rest...

Roymond – I'm starting to run out of reviewing juice again, but I can tell you this... the background vocals need to be redone or even removed. Mixing is a little off somewhere too—I can't say where, but it's noticeable. 4 of 10.


42 down. One last break before finishing...


Signboy – A new morning for reviews, a fresh mind. Bass is a little heavy, but it's got a Red Hot Chilli Peppers feel to it, and it seems pretty well structured for a song. 6 of 10.

The Sky Looks Pissed – Sounds like a one-shot recording with everyone. At least I hope so, as unrehearsed as this sounds... and as often as the tempo changes (methinks unintentionally). Two bonus points, one for the cool band name, another for the energy level, but that's about all I can offer—this is just lacking in a number of areas. 3 of 10.

Slats – Vocals are a little lo-fi compared to the rest of the instruments. Otherwise, not a bad song at all. 7 of 10.

Some Guy Called Noel – Nice intro... The slide guitar could be cleaned up a little bit—maybe just an opinion. In fact, as the song goes on... this is very well done...including some interesting chord choices for finger-picking (such as at 2:20). It doesn't even get repetative because it changes up a number of times. 9 of 10.

SquidBird - ... Is.. the name of the song you're singing about SquidBird? Because... the song is 'Love me a little bit more'. Not about birds. Unless the pun you're going for is 'lovebird' and thus sing about nothing but other birds... It's ok for rap, but major fail for missing the point of what SongFight is all about. The title FINALLY comes in at the very very end, as if to say, we wrote the song without caring, and then just decided to say it at the end. 0 of 10.

Steve Durand – Song seems short, but that's understandable with you pulling double-duty this week. Always a nice selection of instrumentals. I guess the shortness of the song kind of fits the song, really. 7 of 10.

Swilington – Vocal compression is a little weird, but I liked the music during the singing parts. Not so much the in-between parts. Good thing it's short, cause it was getting slightly repetative at about 1:30. It's alright, but not standing out. 5 of 10.

Todd McHatton – Always can expect something interesting from you. Very cheery song. Nice harmony job at 1:00. Just sounds a little empty. It sounds like a lot of work went into it, but maybe something else could buff it up a little, especially during the softer-empty parts. Not to knock it, though, awesome song. 8 of 10.

A Tribe Called Quoons – Heh, interesting pattern on the piano there at the beginning. The music is catchy enough for a rap beat. I'm... I'm missing the point of this song, much like SquidBird. I don't see how it links with 'Love me a little bit more...' Ok there it is again, almost a tack-on. But at least, it worked its way into the story in your song, so I guess that makes sense. I just was sitting here wondering through the song. 3 of 10.

The Weakest Suit – The almost-forgotten entry. Nice guitar starting at 0:21. This sounds a little better quality than some of the songs I hear from you. Slightly low on the guitar, I think it could come up just a bit more. I like this a lot. I think if you added in a few things and maybe mixed it so it doesn't sound as lo-fi, this would be a really good song. 6 of 10.

Wet Towel Society – TEEN GIRL SQUAD... CHEERLEADER... oh wait... Sorry... It seems bare-boned, but it's not off-putting. Needs something. 4 of 10.

White Hat – Rock-Swing beat on a banjo. It's ok, but not your best. I've heard some great stuff from you before. 5 of 10.

Worldly Self-Assurance – And finally, a project I always enjoy. I'm glad its either you or Weakest Suit that finishes the alphabetical listing. Great intro. Got a 'Barbara Ann' feel to the vocal pattern. I can't really point out any place to improve on, but the overall feel is a little lower than some of the other songs from this project. I still think it's worth an 8 of 10 though.


And that is all. Thank goodness... As great as it was to have been a part of a record-breaking submission count for SongFight, I don't know if I can do 54 reviews in short order again. I may have to just do it in sections like I ended up doing here, but space them out even more. (The first 42 were done within about 4 hours time).

Good job all. This fight's scale:

7 – 10 A Vote, well done. Any critique for improvement mentioned in the review.
4 – 6 Definitely a song there, but there needs to be some corrections.
2 – 3 Long way to go, but it isn't a write off yet.
<= 1 Thanks for making my 54-reviews just that much more painful.

[ujnhunter]

Whatchu got against quacking in a song?

I actually thought the quacking was awesome! Quack away my dear ducky!

[roymond]

roymond Feat. Billy's Little Trip - unique vocals. i like this a lot but i think it would rule all if it had a chorus that was completely different from the rest.

Damn it damn it damn it. I totally screwed the mix, and after BLT's great vocal and guitar contribution I feel really bad. I thought we had till Friday and had to do a quick mix and master early Wednesday to submit. So, I hear ya on this...the break should certainly go into a new space, and it's lopsided with the guitar but I really like the song and BLT's voice rocks it for me.

[ken]

Funny, with Berkshire Social Scene as one of the first songs and the Wordly Self Assurance one of the last, you get a couple of the same guys opening and closing the fight.

Ken

[glennny]

Heine- So the German guy blatantly rips off the Scorpions? I usually like your stuff, but a Weird Al-ish cover of Rock You Like a Hurricane, with new lyrics is a bit offensive. It's not an exact replica, just incredibly similar riffs and structure and dynamics.