A truly significant digit (God's Thumb reviews)

[Albatross]

Yay for bad math-related humor.

[HeuristicsInc]

I noticed that there was no fight art, so I whipped something together yesterday. I know, God's forefinger is more prominent, but the thumb is in there too. I was really hoping to make it look like the words were carved into stone, but I couldn't figure that one out using the gimp.
-bill

[Billy's Little Trip]

That was the first thing I though about , Bill. But it works. It would have been funny to change one of the hands to ET with his glowy finger.

[Spud]

I noticed that there was no fight art, so I whipped something together yesterday. I know, God's forefinger is more prominent, but the thumb is in there too. I was really hoping to make it look like the words were carved into stone, but I couldn't figure that one out using the gimp.
-bill

Fixed it up a bit for you, Bill

SPUD

[HeuristicsInc]

Awesome, thanks! Much like what I intended. Oh, I hate to be pedantic, but can you take the comma out of my name? thanks
-bill

[Mike Lamb]

Billy's Little Trip - wow, that rocks! How did you get those guitar sounds, both the clean and the brain-bleeding marilyn manson distortion? Which parts were Paco?

edit - full reviews soon

-Mike Lamb

[Billy's Little Trip]

Billy's Little Trip - wow, that rocks! How did you get those guitar sounds, both the clean and the brain-bleeding marilyn manson distortion? Which parts were Paco?

edit - full reviews soon

-Mike Lamb

Thanks Mike! Paco played the bridge guitars, the screamer on the outro and the power chord rhythm guitars are Paco on the right and me on the left doing our best to duplicate each other. I played the acoustic and verse guitar parts.

By the way, Niveous wrote this song.
.....that is if he still wants his name on it. We kind of bastardized it.

[Niveous]

No bastardizing there. I'm proud to be a part of that song.

[MC Eric B]

My God's Thumb reviews:

Billy's Little Trip featuring Paco Del Stinko - I like the lyrics and the song is very professional sounding but I did not really get into about 1/2 of the way through but then it became catchy. The singing and beat reminds me a little of the Rolling Stones. Overall I liked it a lot.

Carpetburn - Pleasant song. Not a song I will remember tomorrow, but very well done.

chonny - I like the harmonica. Catchy tune but the vocals are hard to hear at times. I liked the vocals on verses but I am not sure they went as well with the music in the chorus part. Overall a good song.

Dean Sky - Not bad, but the song does not seem to have a chorus so the song just kind of meanders along, making it nothing I will remember later.

Embers of Autumn - Pleasant sounding. Kind of long though since nothing about the song really drew me into the story that much, but the chorus (oh Mr. Hitchhiker)was catchy.

Jimmy Jet and his TV Set - Catchy chorus and good singing on the chorus. Good song.

Jon Mayor - Good instrumental, but I really wish you had added singing to it. It could have been a good song.

Lord of Oats - I liked the instrumental parts, but I found some of parts with vocals kind of slow/boring, maybe because it had build-up that could have lead to a chorus but then never had one (or one that was catchy). I like the music and guitar playing and the song has a good atmosphere to it.

Madgin and the Party Bears - Good catchy song, but maybe the vocals could have been mixed a little softer into the music to make it blend better.

Melvin - Great catchy song. Very professional sounding.

Paco del Stinko - Catchy tune and I think the singing went well with the music.

The Pathetic Wannabees - I started off not liking it to much but then I got into it and by the end I ended up liking it a lot.

Plain Songs for Doves & Tigers - Something about how this was mixed (or maybe how it was sung) made it so I never go into the song. It is pleasant sounding, but kind of a plain song.

Prose/AIC Industries - The slow verse certainly made the insane type chorus unexpected, which is good. I wish it ended with the chorus again or something similar though. Overall very good.

Rone Rivendale - This seems more like a Halloween type instrumental, and did not make me thing of God's Thumb, plus it was not very musical. More like something in the background of a horror movie, not a song.

Ross Durand - Rockin' intro. The lyrics seem a little too unconventional (both intellectual and silly) for this type music, but maybe that adds to the irony. Your singing is great and so it the electric guitar.

Spinlock - I like the part best nearer to the end when you double up on the vocals. I am not sure you should have written so many high notes though, since those don't sound so good. Overall a great song.

Steve Durand - I like the lyrics. The music is very good, but I think the vocals need more of a change during the song, like maybe doubling them up on the chorus or having harmonies or background singing. Everything seemed kind of the same throughout the whole song with nothing really jumping out at me, other than the solo at around 1 minute which was great. Overall a very good song though.

The Weakest Suit - Not bad, but a little boring.

[EmbersOfAutumn]

God’s Thumb Reviews:

BLT f/ Paco – Very effective intro, soft and hard. Love the lead licks through the verse. There’s a lot right with this song and very little wrong. The background vocals are fine—I like them, but during the chorus they seem a little much, or maybe just would have sounded better with some actual lines rather than just “heyyyyy”. Little heavy on the language for my likings… 7 of 10.

Carpetburn – Gotta give you some prefight credit here—I’ve been listening to some of your past stuff the past few weeks (Maki especially). The things I like about your style is that lead guitar playing well written, long and continuous phrases throughout the song. Nice effects on the guitar during the bridge. I think there are nice contrasts in your music, too. Hard and soft that contrast and lead in and out nicely. I like this song. 8 of 10.

chonny – Nice harmonica. Track was a little soft, maybe just me… Rhythm Guitar is nice for the mood being set. The minor chords in the chorus was a little odd, given the feel of the song up to it. The lead slides on verse 2 were nifty, especially that bend on line 3. Minus the chorus, I really like this song a lot. I would have either complemented the minor/flat chord with a major one on the other guitar, or just avoid that flat chord—other than that, awesome job. 8 of 10.

Dean Sky – Have a soft spot for jazz guitar, so I love your intro. Seems to be lacking a little… punch I guess is the word. It just seems a little hollow is all. The drums need something to complement it, turn up the bass more or added some distortion to the rhythm guitar… or… now that I notice… ADD a rhythm guitar—I think that’s what’s missing. I like it, but it needs a few more ‘pieces’. 4 of 10.

Embers of Autumn – Well, this is me. As usual, my downfall is a lack of ability to sing, which is even more obvious during this song because I was working on harmonics (as if you couldn’t tell). I honestly think I did a much better job than I usually do singing—but this genre (Simon and Garfunkle-esque Folk Rock) requires a good vocal quality voice, which I obviously do not have. Hope you enjoyed though—I actually had a little fun doing it.

Jimmy Jet and his TV Set – Vocals need something—EQ maybe? Reverb perhaps? Seems to be lacking a little something. (like I’m one to talk, huh?) I like the dark-acoustic feel of it. Your guitar riff reminds me of a Stephen Lynch song, which, though vulgar, reminds me of good times, so you get some unintentional points from me. I think you pulled off what you were trying to accomplish for the most part, just a little extra effort in the mixing. 4 of 10.

Jon Mayor – Buy a better Recorder if you are, indeed, going to use a recorder in your music. Or give it back to your 6 year old cousin when you’re done with it. I’m going to be taking my Dog to the vet now—he’s convulsing on my floor. Also, unless you’re going to be joining “Blue Oyster Cult”, you may want to tone down the non-drum-based percussions. 1 of 10.

Lord of Oats – The song was weirding me out at first, until I realized (listening to it through a full time) that it was humorous. However, as a song (SongFight!, ya know), it needs some more stuff. Just seems barebones is all. Although, another unintentional bout of points for you--I actually used to sit and think of all the words that rhyme with a word in a song I needed to rhyme when I was younger. This reminded me very well of those times. Just trim… oh… say 3 ½ minutes off of the song and you’ll have a nicer song. (Preferably most of that should come from the end—I like what you do music-wise near the end of the song). 3 of 10.

Madgin and the Bears of Partyness – Guitars are a little murky—a tad bit of cleaning up needed—otherwise nice sound on the guitars. The chorus has a nice guitar piece also. Song has a little potential, but, again, some mixing issues—for instance on the vocals: Mids or Highs… can’t tell, but one of them needs to come up. Maybe some help from one of the more experienced (read: anyone other than me really) fighters could pick it out. It’s not bad though. 6 of 10.

MC Eric B – Again, it may be just me, but the volume is low. I just may be going deaf—should go to a doctor. Got a little “New Kids on the Block” goes Gospel feel to it. Vocals definitely need a little boost through the verses, especially in a beat-heavy song. I think this is alright—I’m just not ‘feeling it’. (Get it, cause it’s gospel-like). Heh heh… … Ok, I’ll shut up now. 3 of 10.

Melvin – I’m glad that your name starts with an ‘M’. In most songfights, this is where I start to get headachy. (This fight has actually been really good so far). In any case, you fall right in the middle of my session and are the usual breath of fresh air for music quality and likeableness. I like the heavy reverb (I think) on the lead guitar during the intro/verse bridges. Verse 2 starts off really cool. How you keep pumping good songs on a regular basis is beyond me—but I want to know the secret. 10 of 10.

Paco of the Stinko – You did an excellent job with BLT earlier, just want to say that before I get too far into your song. You’re guitar skills, at least in my opinion, are always above par. I like the feel of this song, how it moves and connects, and the leads are nice. Honestly, and I can’t be an authority because I haven’t heard all of your stuff, this is one of your better songs. 7 of 10.

The Pathetic Wannabees – I do like the bass. … That’s about it. Sorry, bud. 2 of 10 (for the bass).

Plain Songs for Doves and Tigers – Winner of the most creative band name, that’s for sure. I think you kind of fell in the same pitfall as some other bands—just doesn’t really take off. Not to say every song has to be a rip-roaring fast paced rock song. But the pieces you bring to the table just don’t exactly fit for some reason. In this case, I can’t put my finger on it—I mean, the individual instruments sound fine by themselves, but when they’re all together… I don’t know if it works. It could just be me again. But then again, these reviews are my opinion of the songs. 3 of 10.

Prose/AIC Industries – The industries you represent is obviously zippers, snare drums, and wind chimes. And Cheech Marin. … Sorry, I’m just laughing—thinking about some Cheech and Chong. AHHH… ok, that snapped me back to reality there at 1:20. This song must be from “Cheech and Chong meet Sloth” from the Goonies, right? That one’s a classic. -5 of 10.

Rone Rivendale – I see you bought some wind chimes from AIC Industries. Picked up a Nature CD while you were there too, I hear. Sorry sir, you have not produced a good song. 0 of 10.

Ross Durand – Mssr.* Durand, that is a catchy intro—80’s rock style. Drums are a tad loud. I can speak, because I’ve made that mistake a number of times. Guitar lead is nice at the bridge. Nothing too bad with the song. 6 of 10.

* Mssr. is the French abbreviation for the English equivalent Mr. (I just couldn’t spell it out in French)

Spinlock – Kind of soft, but given the type of song, understandable. This isn’t half-bad honestly. Horns are nice. I like your attempts at the higher notes, but you should have retried a few of them for recording’s sake. Choir Chorus was a nice touch, as well. In fact, in that short bit you did, you trumped my whole song 10x over. 8 of 10 for the song.

Steve Durand – Mssr. Durand #2, that was a catchy intro as well. I, unfortunately, am getting quite a Disco feel from this song. I must ask you to please be careful for future reference. (Sorry, I just was born during the death of Disco and therefore really don’t have a keen desire for it). I love the horn solo around 1:00. I can tell a lot went into this song, and though I’m not keen on the genre that it is—or that I’m interpreting it as, is definitely worth at least a 7 of 10.

The Weakest Suit – You, sir, are a dedicated man to SongFight. Nary a week goes by that I don’t see you and Melvin participating. I like the quality of the mixing—this actually does sound like it should be like the last track on a lite alternative band’s album. (Could be heavy, depending on the band in question). Don’t think it’s worthy of a win, but I do think it’s a good song. Please keep up the good work. [EDIT: Sorry, forgot the last line. 6 of 10.]

[The Weakest Suit]

The Weakest Suit – You, sir, are a dedicated man to SongFight. Nary a week goes by that I don’t see you and Melvin participating. I like the quality of the mixing—this actually does sound like it should be like the last track on a lite alternative band’s album. (Could be heavy, depending on the band in question). Don’t think it’s worthy of a win, but I do think it’s a good song. Please keep up the good work. [EDIT: Sorry, forgot the last line. 6 of 10.]

you are correct. this song ends my first year at songfight. i have participated in every regular fight in the last 365 days. MOB starts my year 2. melvin and mceric b and the durands have submitted quite a bit this last year as well, and i don't think lord of oats has missed a fight since he started with TGFM.

[Jerry]

My personal reflections on God's Thumb:
Pathetic Wannabes: This is a pretty kooky and entertaining arrangement. The lyrics mine a predictible vein, but are clever enough to keep me listening. But the real grabber here is not the song itself, but the odd combo of twangy bass, sparse percussion and reverby guitar.
Plain Songs For Doves and Tigers: The keyboard tinkles on the right side are quite inspired. I've got really nothing negative to say about this tune. The progression is unorthodox and compelling. Not sure if the vocals are sung in that preachy tone by intent or not, but it works pretty well.
The Weakest Suit: I like the rising 'gravity...' parts. The tune itself is a bit sleepy, though. The meaty tone of the acoustic serves the solo instrumentation well, and might not be as effective on a more fully realized arrangement.
Dean Sky: This is quite unusual harmonically. The guitar tones are gorgeous, man. The only suggestion I might make would be to double the vocal line with a keyboard or dark-toned guitar. This would lend more power to the harmony there. The active bass is cool and maybe could be goosed a bit in the mix.
chonny: Well, this is mine. Hope you dig it.
Carpetburn: Good name! Pretty tight 'n' groovy playing. The tremolo-picked guitar is most wicked. Dynamix galore and very well-arranged. Yeah! I like this tune very much.
Ross Durand: Well sung and the lyrics are clever. I find the guitar riffs a bit mundane and rock'n'rolly, but I really enjoyed the recording quality.
MC Eric B: Are you referencing Britney Spears' 'Oops I Did It Again' on the intro? Similar. This has a bit of a tin-can quality to the sonics. On my system anyway, it's missing something in the bass frequencies. Not too keen on the sneering quality of the vocals, either. As someone who also struggles with singing, this may however just be a trait of your voice. This is an okay tune, tho.
BLT feat. Paco del Stinko: Righteous dynamics. There's a helluvalot going on in the guitar department at times, but it gels well because the playing is excellent. The singing, in the back and upfront, is spirited and f*cking awesome. Great tones. I listened a few times. Then I went to church.
Prose/AIC Industries: This is quite cinematic, in that evokes visuals an' shit. The percussion is suitable arid, real desert-like. I'm gonna have to say I liked this alot. There's a conception at work that's pretty cool. Nice.
Embers of Autumn: There is a pleasant Simon and Garfunkesque vibe to this tune. The pitch of the vocals wanders a bit, and I would suggest playing the vocal line on another instrument, sing along with it, then erasing the guide track. It works pretty well. The song is well-conceived but a tad earnest and dull, sorry.
Just ran out of time-gotta get the daughter to her baton class (you heard right). More later, gents and ladies.

[reve]

My God's Thumb reviews:
Jon Mayor - Good instrumental, but I really wish you had added singing to it. It could have been a good song.

Huh. I had the same reaction. So I added some vocals and a guitar part to Jon's song for him. Y'all can grab that here: http://www.chingus.org/gt2.mp3 I don't think I improved it... at all... but at least it's related to the fight title now.

[MC Eric B]

reve - Yes, that is much much better now! It is a real song now and I could not even tell that it was not all from the original composer. One of the better songs this week.

- Eric

[reve]

Hello. My name is R. Mosquito. I was in this week banging things and screaming at the top of my lungs. You know... to try something different. I learned things! So anyway, today you can earn a Tostada, a Burrito Deluxe (for Gram Parsons fans), or the coveted Enchilada Combo Plate. Due to the time, I’m going to break it into two posts. First ten here, next ten in a day or so.

BLT & PDS :: Clearly we’re starting off with an Enchilada Plate! While both BLT and PDS turn out consistently good product, together they do even better. EXCELLENT vocal delivery, and excellent use of la la las in the background. And few people do la la las well.

Carpetburn :: Damn, you also get an enchilada plate. I didn’t think there’d be so many going out. The post-punk sound and delivery is fantastic. While the recording isn’t as slick as some of the regular songfight winners, the song is better. While there’s nothing above an enchilada combo, I give you a creamy horchata with your meal.

Chonny :: So Chonny, the trem guitar up front works up well, but when the stereo guitar kicks in on the chorus, it’s kind of an awkward switch for us headphone listeners. And harmonicas are always difficult to mesh into this style of music. However, you make up for this by having one of the most awesomeist choruses in this fight. So burrito deluxe.

Dean Sky :: Hi Dean. This was a funky little jazzchord of a thing. You could have swirled this into a bit more of a psychedelic wonderland by adding additionally swirly delays on the instruments as well. Anyway, I think you did what you set out to do well. Tostada.

Embers of Autumn :: Embers, the tape hiss & saturation is intense on this. Why not record digitally? Anyway, your harmonies work pretty well on this, but the one in the background does sound a bit forced sometimes -- out of range? Anyway, a good track, thought it’s hard not to draw a John Denver comparison, but a bit long. Burrito deluxe.

Jimmy Jet :: Jimmy, this is good work. I generally find straight political songs hard to get through, but this is quite good on a number of levels. The bridge / chorus dichotomy REALLY WORKS WELL. This is notable because such switchups almost always sounds forced, but yours is excellent. That noise that pops in should warrant a re-record in most situations. Burrito Deluxe!

Jon Mayor :: Jon, you forgot to record vocals again. Like I mentioned last week, it’s hard to convey the title without singing. So I recorded vocals and a guitar part for you (see above post). Tostada. With me singing… also Tostada unfortunately. Maybe a tostada minus.

Lords of Oats :: Lords, this track started out really quite good…. But you lost direction. The songs are good, the overall sonic character is good, but the breaks do wind up sounding contrived, as do the vocals in the center part of your trilogy. All that sort of weigs down otherwise excellent composition.

Madgin :: Hi Madgin. I give you a greater degree of criticism here because your song is already a head above the competition. A second guitar should come in at 0:16. Single notes, and hit chords on the chorus. It may be the temple-of-love-esque arpegiations at ~1:00, that give me this feeling, but copping some tricks from the sisters of mercy might work well for you. Cleaner, chorused bass, reverb on the snare drum. You get the enchilada plate, of course.

MC Eric B :: Hi Eric. Man, I’m sorry. You’re usually hilarious, but the casual listener can't tell if you’re being serious or if this is irony. Your overall levels could serve to come up a bit, and your usual dope beats sound sorta… well, they sound sorta Britney this week. I’m afraid you get a Tostada… but I hope you’ll go back to your usual combo meal next week, okay?

[DeanSky]

Jerry Wrote
This is quite unusual harmonically. The guitar tones are gorgeous, man. The only suggestion I might make would be to double the vocal line with a keyboard or dark-toned guitar. This would lend more power to the harmony there. The active bass is cool and maybe could be goosed a bit in the mix.

Right on Jerry - you must be a guitar player. That was the fun part of this one, doing the guitar parts. There's a clean semi-hollow body playing three note chords high on the fretboard, mixed with a phaser'ed strat playing similar chords closer to the neck. I wanted to do a bit more with this tune, but ran out of time. I'll try out your vocal double suggestion when I get back to this project. -Dean

[Jerry]

I'm continuing my reviews:
Madgin and the Party Bears: Pretty down-beat party, there, Bears. The melody is well stated throughout, though a little on the dreary side. Suitable for the content, I suppose. Got a keyboard? Because the verses would really benefit from the added beef of another frequency, just single-note stuff. All things considered, this is a nicely crafted tune.
Steve Durand: There's so much tasty stuff in here, I gotta get the negative out first: the drum track isn't doing you any favours. It's a bit busy with emphases that seem at odds with the flow of the song proper. The horn flourishes are rich and exciting and kick the tune off with a bang. The lyrics express complete thoughts, which sounds funny but isn't exactly common (or always necessary). In the end, it just ain't my kinda song, but full props for taking it to the limit.
Spinlock: Nice reach for those high notes. Geez, I wish I could lay down vocals like that. You know, if you had, like, a month to lay tracks for this song instead of songfight's week, it would shine even brighter. As above, not my kinda song, but I can smell the stink of quality coming off this. It reeks!
Paco del Stinko: This is a guitar fan's dish of delightful flavours- autowah, plucky clean stuff, fat, greasy searing lines. Hm, I'm hungry. The angelic choral voices are a nice touch. Good song.
Jimmy Jet and his TV Set: Dang! How come so many good tunes this week? Though not always true, in this case I believe more production would mean more impact. Judged purely on songwriting merit, I think this is good and the minor key serves the content well.
Lord of Oats: There's a real stoner ethic to a lot of your tunes. This one is no different in this regard. I like the notes chosen on the acoustic, real stark and haunting-like. I can see that this would mesmerize and amuse the permablazed among my friends.
Jon Mayor: Dusted off the old recorder, eh? S'okay. Contributing instrumentals is almost like saying it's too hard to come up with music and lyrix.
Rone Rivendale: Brooding and eerie, alright, but see above.
Hope I've insulted, er, reviewed everybody. Good fight, people. I really enjoyed this one.

[melvin]

Hope I've insulted, er, reviewed everybody.

Erm, I think you missed me.

[PlainSongs]

Okay! Reviews, written while listening. You all get an animal totem for your efforts, they do not represent any fixed aspect of the tune, just whatever seemed to resonate with some aspect(s). A lot of good material in this fight so it's a handsome zoo.


BLT feat. Paco - Nice intro. Crisp sounding drums and guitar, and I like the vocals especially, convincingly rock! (i.e. the ahow- prefix things and screamy endings and the lyrics too). Nice background vox around the middle. All in all a very good rock song, and while not very exotic still with enough sparkly details. You guys get an active hedgehog!

Carpetburn - Very cool bridge in the middle. You've got good vocals too technically, though I don't especially like (but can humour) the British-whine-punk flavour. Good overall, not entirely my style. An opposum for you.

Chonny - Hey I like this. I like the lyrics and the vocals, and the arrangement, interesting though not overcomplicated. Feels not too far from what I might (aspire to) do, a bit mellower, so... that helps? Like the harmonica and love the variety in the vocal style. Yes, a swift tern skimming along the beach for you!

Dean Sky - Aye to the funky vibe. I really liked your lyrics when I read them before hearing the song, even if I don't really know what they're about, they ring well. Not sure I entirely get them while listening, your vocals are really nice but maybe too smooth to concentrate on the lyrics? Anyway, good stuff! And you can sell me a spacey bridge anytime. A wide-eyed owl flies your way.

Embers of Autumn - Aw hiss, but it's not too bad. Read your lyrics in advance too... almost opposite to Dean Sky, they work better heard than read (though both are still good either way). Others mentioned Simon&Garfunkel yet, right? ... Yes. Well done, pleasant, and not so melodramatic that I stop caring about the hitchhiker. A tad long perhaps. You and your hitchhiker get a pensative donkey.

Jimmy Jet & His TV Set - Wow - I love this from the start. Simple but very cool guitar riff and percussion, and nice rhythm to the vocals. Clear lyrics that I like. You make me listen and I would definitely remember this song if by accident I hear it again in a year. Yeah - you get a fiery boa constrictor!

Jon Mayor - Another song that I care about from the outset. No probs at all if the flute sounds a bit cracked or whatever - I love it. I don't mind much that there are no lyrics. This has a feeling of subdued wildness to it... yeah! So, a mustang ready to make its move!

Lord of Oats - Heh this has a bit of a Wild West feel to it like the previous song. No complaints! I love the slow pace. Now we go electronic - ok! Good lyrics man. Correction - great ones! (When you um-rhyme, I like it, it could be gimmicky but no, due in part to your delivery, it's kind of daftly grim.) Meanwhile you don't lose the pace. Ended when I thought it needed to, which is after a long enjoyable while. Obviously a smashing red toxic millipede for you!

Madgin and the Party Bears - Quite nice but the melody of the vocals seems to miss a bit of focus, a decision as to where to but the accent - I don't know how else to express it. Dreary lyrics that I don't 'get' in detail. But I'm sounding too negative, I do like this song! Just this focus/punch thing. A melancholy autumn wolf's your totem.

MC Eric B - Huh, this is nice musically, but the holyish lyrics spoil the fun for me :/ Good confidence with the vocals though, the chorus is real cool! You could even make them a bit louder still and perhaps boost the low end a bit. I guess you get a peace dove!

Melvin - I'll repeat myself if I talk about your guitar & drum style which is just not quite my thing, respect for the competence though. I like the unhurried pace of the song and the bass. This must be a workhorse I get from the stables for you.

Paco del Stinko - Whoo. Great. Reminds me of Dire Straits from the start. Cool lyrics and phrasing. The low vocals especially work great. Sweet wah. And hey, handclaps - neat. Hm, the solo synthy aah at the end was a wee bit disappointing, but overall great stuff, and nice 'n' short. No doubt: a wolverine. (You already got a hedgehog, enjoy :-)

The Pathetic Wannabees - Hiss :/ The lyrics could be a bit tighter... Playing's ok even if nothing's too new. As a bluesy semi-improvisation it's quite cool though, I go grooving along. You get a gang of meerkats to join in the jam.

Plain Songs for Doves & Tigers - This must be me. Intended: the instrumentation and a flamenco-inspired rhythm (a pain to sing and play to). Accident: the moody atmosphere. 'Preachy' tone, Jerry? :-) Not consciously intended, but I see what you mean and it was implicitly intended, glad you think it worked. Others didn't perhaps, could pack a bit more punch yes, oh well, I'd like a turtle.

Prose/AIC Industries - Third Wild Westy song in the fight - God must make his thumbmark in the prairies and deserts, yes? :-) I like the exotic 'instruments' here, and the sudden howling, this sounds like not easy to make and make well. Really good job, enjoyed it, glad to hear fresh ideas - experiment on! May this chameleon help you.

Rone Rivendale - As right above, enjoying the experimentation - it's interesting without being dislocated. A bit short and an abrupt end - could have developed more. You get an axolotl :)

Ross Durand - This starts out whopping. Man all I can say is you've got me a-headnodding and a-foottapping along. I'm not hearing all the lyrics because of all this grooving, but I get the gist. Good stuff. Would be nice to walk into a bar and hear this. Thus, you get that terrier what sits next to the bar and knows all the patrons.

Spinlock - Quite a change from the previous song, but a change from good to good. Ambitious singing and mostly pulling it off beautifully. I like how you say 'free'. Good harmonies and piano too. I'm surprised I don't find this combination of melody and lyrics cheesy (Elton John style), but I don't. So instead of a mouse, you get a deer.

Steve Durand - Neat caribean-style funky vibe. Neat brass. Glasses high to the lyrics! even if they are delivered in a somewhat too monotone style. You get an irreverent goat to frolick in the garden, good luck with the flowers.

The Weakest Suit - I think your song should perhaps "break free from gravity" a little ;-) Perhaps you didn't want it too, though. I like the song more as it develops, slowly, with the 'gravity-oh' iteration. Nice singing from low to high pitch. Turns out it did break free, turns out really good. Please take this lark from my hands, then.

[rone rivendale]

Jon Mayor: Dusted off the old recorder, eh? S'okay. Contributing instrumentals is almost like saying it's too hard to come up with music and lyrix.
Rone Rivendale: Brooding and eerie, alright, but see above

Dude, the lyrics was the sounds of the waves and the rain and the birds and the wind etc etc. The idea of the song was that of showing the sounds of nature. It fits the title imo. I'm sorry if you think I half-assed it but I think you just simply missed the point.

[Ross]

Ross Durand you get that terrier what sits next to the bar and knows all the patrons.

Woo hoo!! I'm Spuds Mackenzie!! Sounds like my song was a success.


(I know I know - he's a bulldog)

[Spud]

(I know I know - he's a bulldog)

Actually, a bull terrier. So there you go.