Berkeley Social Scene
I don't think I like the synth with the hard pan. But dang do I like the progression, and the vocal melody complements it extremely well. For me this is Beach Boys + Weezer, and I mean that in a seriously good way. The solo doesn't do much for me though, technically proficient as it may be. Naturally the production is magnificent. No real complaints. B+.
big whatever
I do like your lyrics. But the beat/music simply isn't my taste. It's dizzying, in a way, and it's hard to tune out so that I can really focus on what you're saying. But that said, special kudos to your production, I really can understand damn well near every word in a song where the lyrics carry it. B?
Cookie Blue
So I like the vocal sound, but at times it sounds more like yelling lyrics instead of singing. Though I suspect that's an effect of the production. I absolutely dig the flute, especially when the harmony comes in. I have trouble maintaining attention for songs that don't really vary the rhythm much (not that's necessarily a bad thing). No real comment on the lyrics, they fit nicely enough. B.
Drum Season
Wow the rhythm and flow of this intro is killer. Musically I love it, I think it's got a cool feel to it and the rhythm the electric gives is quite nice. No complaints on the production either. It seems to lose tightness in a few spots though. From a songfight perspective, I don't think I can rate this that highly though. If the only lyrics you've got are the name of the song, and the music doesn't particularly grab me in such a way as to invoke the title, this music could be used for any title, know what I mean? So it's a really cool song. But it's also a C.
glennny
Is it Phish? Is it Frank Zappa? I like it a whole bunch, it's a really fun song. Yeah the jazzy break at 2:26 is awesome. I'd like to hear the organ a little more and the sax and the electric a little less (not that there's anything wrong with them). You seriously sound just like Trey Anastasio in some places, maybe that's where I'm getting the Phish vibe. You lose tightness in some spots, too, and the vocals get a bit pitchy in others, but I'm willing to overlook those spots. I'm really into this song, well done. A.
Here, Atticus
The lower range vocal needs some punch. It seriously sounds great, but it doesn't sit quite right in the mix... I guess there's a very stark contrast between the low vocal and the high, and it's kind of jarring. Double it, or EQ it more towards the high end. Higher range vocals fit really well. This is a cool song, and it's outside the realm of what I usually listen to, so... awesome. The higher vocal is extremely reminiscent of Umphrey's McGee, and that's awesome. You do lose me for a few seconds at the 1:36 bridge, but whatever. Nicely done. B+.
Jeebas Jones
Awesome. Nice work on that vocal processing, it fits absolutely perfectly, not to mention a good voice. The live feel is pretty cool, however you accomplished it. Simple and sweet. A-.
Ken & Chips
I can't understand the lyrics. And the hard panned electric to the left makes me feel like I'm falling over (to the left). I dig the vibe, but this is just okay. Solo fits very nicely though. C.
Klownhole
A bit of a Jets to Brazil sound. But this production... you're killing me. The level on the vocal varies a whole bunch and it really doesn't sound right. It's a potentially cool song, but I don't like listening to this. D.
Los Bumps
Sing or rap, you have to pick one. I'm not sure what you're going for, I can't understand most of the words and they don't sound very good. D-.
Lou P
The vocal is a bit too reverb-y, and sounds like it needs some de-essing. It might just need some detailed tender love and care. I'd be happy to discuss. Otherwise, I like this. It's simple and straightforward, and the lyrics seem sincere to me. Keep submitting. B.
Nobody and the No Shows
I get the sentiment (I think?) but I can't get into this. No real rhythm, no real melody. I mean it's kind of fun lyrically, but there's no reason I'd ever want to listen to it again. D.
Odilon Green
I think the story is kind of neat. Lyrically I don't hate it. Musically, it felt overwhelming how there are a ton of parts, but I figure you were going for that I guess. I didn't much care for the musical overload, but I think it did drive your point home, if I'm interpreting this correctly. As far as the production, come on man. I appreciate it for what it is, but in a couple spots it physically hurt my ears, and that turned this from "quirky" to "offensive". And seriously, that is completely unacceptable, even for internet amateurs. And it legitimately pissed me off. On that basis alone, I have to give this an F-.
Paco del Stinko
This is awesome, and it's not even quite my preferred style. I'm reminded of The Aquabats, and also of They Might Be Giants, and also of Reel Big Fish. And that's a seriously incredible fusion. I haven't really digested the lyrics yet, but I don't care. A.
Ross Durand
It's fine and fun, but I'm sick of this Irish-ish feel at this point, which is not your fault. Lyrics are fun, and I'm sure they'd be great to sing at a bar with a bunch of drunks while drunk. By definition, this is a C.
ShotPounder
Lyrically, I understood maybe 5% of that, I would guess. I might have caught "Johnny" and "son", and "drunk season". It's not my style, though I might see the appeal. D.
Slickitude
Dang that change in rhythm during the verse is delicious. Very well produced too, sounds sharp and is tightly performed. Structurally I find it to be a bit short, because really that rhythm variation sets me up to expect some more changes, but they don't come. But I'm nitpicking. Hat tip. A-.
toby roktot
I'm not sure the vocal sits quite right in the mix. It's hard to get a low-pitched voice to sit right, and you're close, but something doesn't sound quite right. Maybe a touch of reverb would help? Or play with the EQ a bit? But overall it sounds good. I like the simplicity, and the fade is well executed (and I usually find fade outs to be a cop out). I hate to say it, but I can't help hearing "Islands in the Stream" during the chorus (honestly I wouldn't even know about this song if it weren't for Steve Carrell singing it in an early episode of The Office). Anyhow, lyrics are good, vocal harmonies sound good (and I'd like to hear more of them). Was your acoustic recorded on an acoustic-electric plugged in direct? That's what it sounds like, and personally I don't find that sound appealing, but I'm just some dude on the internet. Again, overall, I like it. B+.
Tuners Union
I was happy with this, but I don't know. After I listened with good headphones, I discovered I need to work on the mix some more, specifically regarding stereo separation on some of the backing instruments. Plus the lead vocals were recorded in a bit of a rush and I find them to be a bit pitchy. Lyrically it means a lot to me.
WreckdoM
I like the spookiness of the opening, but it goes on for way too long. Er... I guess this is basically it. I can't really comment on this. Maybe it works as an artistic piece, but I don't really get those. So I don't really have an opinion on this. C?
YouPeoples
So my ear goes to the music before the lyrics, and I don't like this music (which is purely subjective, so don't mind me). Focusing on the lyrics, I like them. A lot, actually, even though they're a bit hard to understand in some places. "Every day to us is drunk season" is pretty great, especially as a lead out, because it gives me some time to think about it while the music fades. Scratch my comment about the music, I think it fits here. Nice. B+.
Zack Facco
I love the story.. a lot, even. The production leaves a bit to be desired, especially on the vocal. Ooh.. the rise on "it ever eeennNNDDDS" towards the end is not appealing. There's a ton of potential here though... google around for some production tips or ask on these boards, and please keep submitting. B-.
Zinkline
The groove is really cool in the beginning, and the mix has a different - but great - sound. But the vocal doesn't rub me right, and I really can't understand much of it. At 0:36 it's brilliant, but that's about it. The volume seems to vary a bit, and it's off key. Off key is forgiveable in places, but this is too much. Volume problems are way too prominent. Have you played with compression? That might help out a bunch. Generally it's got a good feel though. Seriously though, work on vocal processing, and you've got something great here. This is almost awesome, but the flaws are distracting. C+.
I've been away too long. This is sincerely awesome, and I had forgotten that.