millions of nickels (If I Had One Reviews)

[BBABM]

if i had a nickel for every time someone entered and didn't review... well... id be making a lot more money off music than i do now! i don't care if you have the worst opinions ever... let me hear them!

[Daring Front]

i don't care if you have the worst opinions ever... let me hear them!

Worst... Opinion.... Ever! There is no emoticon for the way I feel right now.

I love you,
Daring Front

[BBABM]

i love you too!
BBABM

[RangerDenni]

someday ...
i am going to write a song with enough prep time...
to get my vocal levels right. and my piano not sounding deflicted.
and I am not going to slam a "p" so hard that it manages to get through even a "pop" filter.. someday.
perhaps I will actually use the soundproofing I have available as well.
none of these excuses count, by the way. i was trying to see if I could do something GOOD in a limited time.
let it fly.

[bgm]

if i had a nickel for every time someone entered and didn't review

Guilty as charged.
Going to force myself to make time this round.
Hopefully that won't come back and bite me in the ass.

[Tibor]

if i had a nickel for every time someone entered and didn't review... well... id be making a lot more money off music than i do now! i don't care if you have the worst opinions ever... let me hear them!

one nickel less...

[RangerDenni]

i JUST got mine in for last round when the fight changed .. and I can't get Pigfarmer Jr's to play for some reason. I'm going to come back and try later though.

This is what happens when you run late.

Sadly, I got to review but not vote. But hey.. if you have to pick one.......

[SchlimminyCricket]

BBABM- This is a little bit boring. It gets monotonous, particularly after the second iteration of the sample. I like the concept, but it feels repetitive.
Berkley Social Scene- What can I say? Your song is perfectly competent in every way, but I feel like you're not really invested in it. It doesn't hold my interest.
BGM- Yes, please. I love this to tiny pieces. I'm a sucker for cheesy synth and blatantly fake drums, and there are certainly those here, and the melody is pop at its sweetest. To me this feels like if Fountains of Wayne got trapped inside a Casio. Also, glockenspiel. I just really like this song and I want to be its friend.
Cannibal Parrot- I liked this for the first minute while I thought that there was a verse coming. Once I realized that this was the whole song I started to have dentist's office flashbacks. Not so into the smooth music.
Daring Front- Maybe it's because I live a jaded postmodern life, but after getting used to the cold, kinda funny sounding instrumentation, my reaction to your pumped-full-of-drama vocals was to say to myself "really?" In an ironic twist, your utter seriousness makes this impossible for me to take seriously. But if you had sung it in a detached voice, I would have bought it and enjoyed it. I don't know why.
DJ Ranger Den- I am a big fan of your piano. I really am. And I like your little voice. Do not take my statement of littleness as a criticism. It sounds fantastic.
EggNogAdam- Subject matter is good. I also want a dinosaur. I don't think I'd listen to the song again, though. Too much blues, too much reverb.
FOLK YOU- I'm in favor of more folk in these fights. However, this is messy. The mix is weird and your singing makes me think of an old prospector, and not in a good way. When the chorus vocals come in toward the end, I find myself wishing it had more harmony and clarity, and just generally sounded less like the Country Bears. Not a bad song, just presented in a character that I find difficult to get along with.
Graham Parry- I may be the only one, but I feel like this is overproduced. I would like this a lot more if it sounded less Muse-y and more like something I could imagine being played live in front of me. Good song, though. Just too slick a recording for me.
Hip Hop Anonymous- The thing about rap is that you have less to work with to make yourself stand out, so you have to really work hard to come up with something memorable. This is particularly true, I find, with the Nerdcore kind of thing you seem to be going for. The novelty is sort of gone from it by now, so unless you have something really special, it's better to not do it. There's nothing here to keep me listening because I've heard the bit already.
Jonathan Mann- Hooray for this. Banjo and tambourine make this track, and your vocals are right up my alley. And is that an accordion? My thunder is stolen. You have won my admiration.
King Arthur- Not my cup of tea. Everything sounds well put together, but I never liked this type of Conway Twitty sounding song.
Me- Well, I sound weak by comparison this go around. Not my best production ever.
Shamanizer- Uh... Politics. Cool, I guess? This comes back around to my postmodern distrust of sincerity. I find it hard to take political songs seriously. Also, your solo is way far to the right. It hurt my ear. You should probably fix that.
Tibor- Cool synths in the intro, but they go on forever. Your backing harmonies sound just a little bit off to me.

[Caravan Ray]

Nice cover art KA!

[Tibor]

Tibor- Cool synths in the intro, but they go on forever. Your backing harmonies sound just a little bit off to me.

I agree. Thanx

[Tibor]

if i had a nickel for every time someone entered and didn't review... well... id be making a lot more money off music than i do now! i don't care if you have the worst opinions ever... let me hear them!

I just got an idea... what if the voting system would be changed like voting would be possible only by entering a review for each participant (not just checking). This would also make it harder to enter illegitimate votes

[bgm]

...what if the voting system would be changed like voting would be possible only by entering a review for each participant (not just checking). This would also make it harder to enter illegitimate votes

The now-defunct garageband.com did this.
The problem with that scenario is that then people just post lame, YouTubey comments like "SUX!" or "THS SONG IS GAY" to meet their quota.

[king_arthur]

Tuneflow also had a system like that - you had to write a review before you scored a song - and tuneflow was all about bogus votes.

Charles (KA)

[Spud]

I just got an idea... what if the voting system would be changed like...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh. Sorry.

[RangerDenni]

BBABM
DJ Ranger Den- I am a big fan of your piano. I really am. And I like your little voice. Do not take my statement of littleness as a criticism. It sounds fantastic.

No, actually, it's nice to hear that as a compliment because usually I obsess about being surrounded by gorgeous billowy blues voices. I've had to get to know it rather well and I'm still learning how to control it - and about finding "my sound" or whatever

[FOLK YOU]

My first listen through. There are a lot of really good songs.

[bgm]

Bad Boys at Bat Mitzvahs:
Is that a Honeymooners sample? Kinda sounds like Norton.
It's a great groove, for sure. Seems like not enough happens though. I do like the sad growl at the end.

Shamanizer:
Interesting. I'd pan the kinda flangey guitar line that's in the middle off-center a bit so your vocal stands out a bit more. I'm all for anti-Bush/Cheney songs so you got me there but all the guitar stuff seems a bit wanky and goes on too long.

Schlimminy Cricket:
Hey, really great. Can definitely hear that TMBG influence. Piano sounds great. My poppy brain wants some harmonies on the "I wouldn't have to" line but that's just me. Love the accordion, they're almost French-Canadian.

King Arthur:
A country tune! Great lyrics and the awesome turn of phrase on "if I had one/two/etc." I almost went there but you did it better than I would have. I like the spare arrangement with just some acoustics and harmonies and a bit of electric lead. Nicely done.

Jonathan Mann:
Oh you had me at the banjos and shakers. Great song. Your voice is reminiscent of Tweedy for me, which is great. Lovely production.

Hip Hop Anonymous:
At first I couldn't tell if it's that sort of Andy Samberg jokey kind of hip-hop but by the end you sold it to me. It's quite well-produced and the melody is really hooky as is the "shut the fuck up and listen."

DJ Ranger Den:
Gorgeous piano; playing, recording and arrangement. The song is great and the performance is too; my only beef would be production-wise, in that the vocal seems disjointed somehow from the piano. Like it was recorded in a different place or with a different mic or just a different vibe somehow. It's a small thing but it's sort of not.

BSS:
Kind of brings me back to the mid-to-late 90's for some reason, although I can't pinpoint why. I like the shouty chorus the best. The sloppyish lead guitar on the left starts to bother me a bit after a while. Maybe that's the 90's part; is it a lo-fi Pavementy kind of thing? I don't know. I think if the tone on that guitar was more separated than the other guitars I'd like it more. Good song though.

Tibor:
And now is the time on Songfight when we dance.
I kind of love this. It's a bit cheesy but it totally works. There's a few moments in the harmony vocal where you're kind of off-the-note and wander up to the proper note which spoils it a bit. I think in synth-pop like this you have to be really right-on with the harmonies to really sell it.
Really enjoyed this though.

FOLK YOU:
A bit rough around the edges but sort of charming. I like the middle instrumental harmonica bit especially. I'd like to hear the vocals a bit drier, less effect stuff going on. Nice song.

Daring Front:
A slow jam. Nicely recorded. Great vocals.

Cannibal Parrot:
It's well played. I guess you hate hearing the name Kenny G but it's sort of got that vibe, sorry. Music for Making Love to your Lady.

EggNogAdam:
Hilarious. I was going to rag on you for too much guitar at the beginning, then you had me as soon as you started singing. But ya, too much guitar at the beginning. Love the soulful voice...and how it's singing about big scary dinosaurs. The spoken word stuff seems kind of unnecessary.

Graham Parry:
Great piano arrangement. And a nice recording. Love the melody. Another case where I'd like to hear the vocal with less effects because you obviously have a nice voice.

bgm:
Super sappy, I know.
Sort of inspired by my son who's in grade 4. He had these two best-friends at school for years; they were like the 3 Musketeers, just the greatest friends, but at the end of last year one boy moved back to England and the other moved out of Toronto. So this year he's one of the only grade 4's in a 3/4 split class and he really misses his friends. He tells me that he just walks around at recess looking for a someone to play with and feels excluded by the other kids who are pretty solid in their friend circle at this point. It just breaks my heart 'cause he's such a sensitive little guy.

[BBABM]

Bad Boys at Bat Mitzvahs:
Is that a Honeymooners sample? Kinda sounds like Norton.
It's a great groove, for sure. Seems like not enough happens though. I do like the sad growl at the end.

And bgm wins the "who is that sample contest"!!!
If you would like a free, one of a kind, home made bad boys at bat mitzvahs T-shirt... you can message me an address to send it to and your shirt size if you want, and I'll hook that up.

As for my song

BBABM- This is a little bit boring. It gets monotonous, particularly after the second iteration of the sample. I like the concept, but it feels repetitive.

I agree. I tried to make it pretty short to try and help this. I really want to make this part of a whole mix of d&b/dub step. It is boring alone, but that is what a dj is for. But again, not a lot happens.
I would like to reiterate that you can only hear half of this song through regular computer speakers, as it has some really really really low bass. If you do not have a subwoofer, or headphones with a low enough threshold I apologize.

Thanks for the reviews!

[Daring Front]

Hello beautiful.
Reviews for this week’s song fight
Shall be in haiku.

BBABM

Sonic range is key,
Especially midrange. Don’t
underrepresent.

BGM

Lush synth voicings. But
slumber party is lonely
with only a moog.

Berkeley Social Scene

A true challenge lies
in vibrant guitar tracking.
Sun brings a shadow.

John Mann

Some pessimism,
but you do have a job John.
You bring the sunshine.

Schlimminy Cricket

I sense a certain…
predilection for show tunes.
Play on music man.

Cannibal Parrot

I contemplated
Many things whilst I wept
to a sexy sax.

Folk You

My mother told me,
“Only folk on the first date
If it’s the right song.”

King Arthur

Expert song craft, sire.
I am a huge country fan
and I smell a hit.

Shamanizer

Mystical shaman,
The song overlooks one thing:
Rent is Too. Damn. High.

EggNogAdam

Time travel can wait.
The true dinosaur
lies within us all.

Graham Parry

Sounds better through a
boombox outside my window.
Might just win me back…

Hip Hop Anonymous

Like J Roc and T.
Canadians can rap. You
gotta get swollen.

Ranger Den

The piece is charming,
And I wonder: Can you add
Other instruments?

Tibor

I am transported
to a mid-eighties dance club
in Prague. It feels… right.

I love you,
Daring Front

[BBABM]

Time to heed my own advice...
Bad reviews for great songs in a very particular order:

Bbabm: start with my song... It's a little boring and monotonous, but most techno is. Made it on fruity loops, I think the crazy dub drop bass plugin is my new favorite thing on earth. The honeymooners sample fit well, and it made me laugh cause it's about cookies. Not a winner, but it was fun to mess with all the sounds. In hindsight a little more mids would have helped.

Bss: music sounds a little uninspired... Like you dont really care. Perhaps you don't... Cool chord progression, but just sounds weak, especially in contrast with the vocals, which are gritty and yelling.

Bgm: it sounds like an auto song off my old casio keyboard... With acoustic and a good singer. Your story makes me sad, the words are a little cheesy, but they work.

Cannibal parrot: very pretty, I think I'll take a nap now.

Daring front: I like the laid back r&b beat. But for some reason I want a sexy sexy black lady singing this. Nothing against your voice, you do a good job, but it just doesn't fit for me.

Dj den: hmm. I want to love this, but I feel that just piano and vox could be helped, especially towards the end when it gets big, with some brushed drums, and maybe a stand up bass. Just me.

Eggnog: dinosaurs are cool. The ocean of reverb your song is swimming in, not so much. The spoken words are a little too piercing and hurt my ears.

Folk you: tip one, don't record in the bathtub... It sounds like your singing through a tube.

Graham: more dulcimer/piano guitar... It is a cool sound. Very spacey song, and the spacey lyrics fit. I like the "in my pocket" line.

Hip hop anon: meh... Not nerdy enough. This middle ground your trying to find between nerd core and hardcore rap isn't that great. choose one and go with it. The beats were slick, but the lyrics were a little trite, and the delivery was a little weak.

J Mann: cool, banjo chords sound neat. Shakers always piss me off for no reason... Accordion yay! Honestly I want this to be faster, more energy, big drums and bass... Basically sound like a flogging Molly song... But very nice writing.

The King: it sounds like your voice is coming back a little better. I think someone said Conway twiddy... I agree. The only gripe I have is this weird swishing hi-hat sound in my right ear. It does add some rhythm to it, but it's a little too sporadic, and crazy for such a tight song.

Schlimm: fun piano, but the vocals (not the lyrics) are a little boring. The monotone verse is pretty tough.

Shamanizer: Where is the drums and bass? The two most essential parts of any reggae dub... As it is it sounds like some stoner and his metalhead best friend playing a sublime song with different words...

Tibor: I agree with what others have said about the vocal harmonies, they are off at points. Not really my type of music, but put together well.

There ya go!

[FOLK YOU]

Well it's clear to me that I'm pretty far out of my league. These are my reviews pretty much in order from favorite to least.

1) Jon Mann: vote. Love the banjo,vocals, harmony, & percussions.this is what I would like too sound like. So pleasant with an edge/bite. 5*

2) Eggnog: vote. I love those guitars! This is fun. 5*

3) Dj Ranger: vote. Love it! Great lyrics, piano, & vocal. I wish the vocals where slightly louder. 5*

4) B.S.S.: vote. Love it! Sounds great. I like the "punk" style vocals, great rhythm & lead guitars. This rocks! I'm not crazy about 3:00-3:40, but can't explain. 5*

5) King A.: vote: love it! Great guitar. Telecaster? Good backing vocal. 5*

End votes

6) BGM: I really like this. I like the bass line & vocals. I'm not crazy about the keyboard in the beginning, but later I do. Close to a vote. 4*

7) shcliminny: Cute, I like it. 3.5*

8) Daring Front: like it. Nice vocals. Sounds Elvis Costello-ish with an urban touch. 3.5*

9) shamanzer: I really like this. I went back and forth with it. I like the regea feel, & it had a touch of a pink Floyd feel. I didn't care for the vocals, they should have been louder. I like the guitars sound. 3.5*

10) Tibor: I like this. I don't think I care for the instrumentation, but I like your style. Your song always take a bit to grow on me. I don't care for them at first. Then I think they're brilliant. 3.5*

11) Graham Perry: I like this it's pretty.3*

12) Folk You: I don't like the vocal. The mix sounds like crap. Ok song. 2.5*

13) Cannible Parot: I really liked this off the bat, but then it gets a little boring. I kept looking at my watch. Nice use of the rises and falls. Very nicely done. 2*

14) Hip Hop: this needs a better lower rythm track and big drums. It looses my interest. It's not a bad rap it's just not that great. I don't need this much cussing. 2 *

15) Bad Boys @: I find this pretty boring. Sorry, I don't like to be too negative. I just didn't get it, or feel it? I thought the sample was maybe from the Honeymooners, and was the voice of Norton. 1 *

[BBABM]

Well it's clear to me that I'm pretty far out of my league.

i wouldnt say that at all, just recording practice... the song was nice, just the whole thing felt like it was being played at the other end of a tunnel.

15) Bad Boys @: I find this pretty boring. Sorry, I don't like to be too negative. I just didn't get it, or feel it? I thought the sample was maybe from the Honeymooners, and was the voice of Norton. 1 *

please, be negative... its not a great song. its probably "feel", rather than "get"... i was going for a groove with the little boops, and the low wubbing bass... obviously i missed the mark in both grooviness, and activity. either way thank you for your review!!! yes it was norton from the honeymooners... unfortunately someone else already won... but if you would like a t-shirt too, im sure i could work something out.