A truly significant digit (God's Thumb reviews)

[Paco Del Stinko]

Llamas!?! That guy from Falcon Crest?

[spinlock]

Thanks to everyone that listened and commented on my song. I appreciate it. Here are my impressions of your songs, for what it's worth.

Steve Durand: 8 - Slightly below usual towering standard

Some great lyrics as always - I particularly enjoyed
"Hoist on your own petard..
And chosen the wrong god". And stunning brass. Great take on the title. Same sort of theme as 'Thank God for Memphis - but I don't know which one'. - Of the two I'd take the Memphis song, and here's why.
This one is less funny. And-
There's something about the organ/drum/guitar combo that reminds me of auto-accompaniments on my first keyboard. I think it's the lack of dynamics compared to the wind instruments - and the very short fills. I don't know, I can't place my finger on it. Either way, it's not as cool as the rest of it, and lets it down a little.


Jon Mayor: Don't know you yet, potentially promising. 5.
This doesn't grab me, due to the persistent cymbal bangs - They sound like a toddler having a fit, compared to your more subtle background - standing out too much. I'd have preferred this with without percussion at all, and had it is a recorder freaking out over some trippy ambient background.
And the ending sucks.
The good points - the recording sounds nice and clean to me - so you don't lack skills there. The sung harmonies and recorder fluttering all fit together melodically. So there's plenty to work there - I'm not sure why this is what you came up with. Were you aiming for some particular style that I'm not aware of? What happened?
I guess I'll read back in a moment and find out.

LoO: 5/6 - improving with weak sections
The good parts:
Your arrangement (apart from the monotonous every-beat bass drums) is really pleasant and listenable. From the quiet reflective acoustic guitar solos, and the tubular-bells style synth riff, I can really enjoy the musical work you've put into the parts of this.
BUT

Once again you've completely lost me on the lyrics. Is this like the 'What if God was one of us?" song - You're saying that God is doing these roles (being negative, sucking his thumb, tickets to a show) because God is in every person? They're very random things to pick. I don't see the connection.

OH DEAR.
Please please please stop rhyming random words together.


Carpetburn: 8/9 - quality that shows with repeated listening.
I totally love and relate to your lyrics, and your slightly deranged harmonies. This is really good. I could learn a bunch off you, (and intend to) particularly the way you structure stuff interestingly and change your rhythms.
My expectation was that it would sound like this. And it did. I'm not decided on whether I think that means you've got a style, which you have perfected, or whether your songs sound all the same. Anyway, a quality song when taken by itself, and one which I will listen to and enjoy again. But I only really started to appreciate it after the second listen due to the genre thing.

The Weakest Suit: 7 - up and coming barebones.
Yet another song from you that shows a good idea - but you don't seem to have the instruments or production techniques to hand to fully express it. I wish the GravityGravityGravtiy parts were echoed and panned and stuff. And had some quiet but yelly and sustained "Oh!"s join in at the top. With some keyboards and drums and stuff.
I can't listen to your songs without hearing all the stuff that isn't there, but I enjoy that about them.
In itself this one ran out of ideas before you finished it - and the verses don't really hang together that well. But the intro and the first verse were really good - and your singing seems to be improving fast.
I listened to this 3 times, but that was enough. Length: Not too long, but I wouldn't have liked it any longer.

Ross Durand: 9 - Angry Rock and Humanism. Awesome.
I like this song. The politician line was a bit random.
Lyrics are fantastic in places - the thumbs twiddling with the only one working being the one in the middle. .
I wish you had been more of a Bastard. God doesn't get enough of a slating, and I feel like maybe you were going easy on him/her/it. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and have forced other people to listen to it until they agree with me that it's excellent. This is tied in first place for my favourite song of yours ever (with get a life).
The only downsides are the flow in places is a bit.. surprising. You carry on singing in places where I was expecting you to stop, and don't manage to completely sound like you are supposed to be there. Um that's it. Great!

Rone Riverdale: 5 - What. Huh. 'k.

This sounds like it should have some sort of sensationalist voiceover, explaining how YOUR CHILD's exposure to FLOODS of CHINESE-MADE wind-chimes will cause THUNDERSTORMS and DISASTERS! How can you be sure it isn't ALREADY HAPPENING.

Of course, I noticed your comment earlier on - but I really do get a sense of urgency from this more than anything else. A lot of that is caused by the abrupt gaps between the sounds, rather than, for example, smooth crossfades.

Prose/AIC Industries: 6 - Grating.. but thoughtful.
Nice recording quality - but the vocals are hard to catch in parts of the introduction.
It's nice to hear that you've put some time into recording this, and the changes in texture are good, but overall, this is a huge not my thing. I'm sorry.

Plain Songs for Doves and Tigers. 7 - Good, but better mixing would be a big improvement.

I like the guitar+music box/epiano thing,particularly the harmony it makes at the 'perhaps for good'.
The hard-panned drums aren't great. They'd be better in the middle - as it is I can't hear them and they seem unrelated to the rest of the song.
Your lyrics sound thoughtful, but they're not the easiest of things to make out. Still overall, I'm optimistic about your next song.

Pathetic Wannabes - 4/5 - A good start followed by a lot of structureless...stuff.
This is really quite freeform, and that's something that I don't like as a rule. Here it's no different - and you compound it with a fadeout - although that's probably the most appropriate way to stop this song, as the breathy vocal style and inconclusive guitar leave me with the feeling that not much happened. Lyrically, you have a point, and it's pretty good, but I can't get away from the inconsequential music.

[Ross]

Ross Durand:Nice things.

Hey,man. Thanks for the kind review - I'm glad you liked the song.

If you'd like to hear a tougher take on the big guy and his accomplices you can listen to "Am I Forgiven" from the archive.

http://www.songfight.org/music/am_i_for ... nd_aif.mp3

[Billy's Little Trip]

We'll be waiting.

Wise guy. Four against two, eh? That's what'd take, right BLT? Hey, where'd he go!

Crap, I suck at having y0 back, I just saw this. But YEAH, what Paco said!

[Paco Del Stinko]

Thanks for all the reviews, people, they are always appreciated. Here are my offerings, in my typical diplomatic style. Nothing too nasty but don't think it's because I'm scared of yas: it's just the way I am.

Billy's Little Trip featuring Paco Del Stinko - I like the lyrics, but think maybe a few edits might've made for a better flow. I really just played the same thing the BLTer did, so it's all him. Nice passionate vocal delivery, if in danger of losing it's grip occasionally. I dig the Pixies vibe here especially.

Carpetburn - Glad you're back in the fights, firstly. Wonderful guitars, and I really dig the spacey bridge. I'm sure I've seen you with a Ric somewhere, and it sounds like one here, esp. at the start. Doesn't matter, the playing is tops. I think that the vocal delivery is excellent as well, a more than simple melody but not all crazy. I am not sure what you're singing about, but that's because I'm a dope. Nice sounding sonically all around.

chonny - Pulling a comparison on you, I hear Richard Butler singing this. I like the easy-going strum of this and think the harmonica fits well. The chorus is an interesting shift that took me a moment to grasp, but when I got it, I got it. Very nice. The slide parts are sweet and I dig those Tele sounding riffs as well. Good tune.

Dean Sky - Steely Dan on the Magical Mystery Tour album. The guitars are sweet and airy and the bass line is secretly delicious. The vocals are werbley, and I don't know why I don't like guitar references in songs, but I don't. Regardless, the vocal delivery is a bit unsure of itslef more than anything. Abrubt ending takes away some of the fun vibe, but a pleasant experience overall.

Embers of Autumn - Sincere effort here, nicely structured. I've seen your posts about your inspiration and read the lyrics as well. I don't think that less is more would apply here, probably just more time to get the vocals tighter. Still, a genuine mood is accomplished via your sincerity. The late bridge is interesting and threatens to fall apart but manages to hang on. I do get a bit tired hearing the word hitchkiker, though.

Jimmy Jet and his TV Set - I appreciate the mood of the verses better after hearing them after they return from the chorus. I like the theme here, lyrically, and the dark mood sets the tone well. This could work well all electrified if one wanted to try it that way, but works quite well as is, due the heavy themes. Good work and well delivered.

Jon Mayor - A more Middle Eastern approach to the recorder might've sold this better. If that's what you were trying for, mmm no. Maybe an accompanying call to prayer voice as well, but the lack of lyrics doesn't help it's case that it's about anything but fartin' around.

Lord of Oats - Way moody, and a slight chuckle for the rhyme scheme, but this could benefit from a time edit. I don't dislike a long song, but this one just becomes redundant and takes too long to develop. I like the key programs later on, and the Tubular Bells comparison someone made was appropriate, but I would've preferred haring them earlier. Good ideas, good playing, nice acoustic touches, but get to the point a bit quicker. Now I'm being redundant!

Madgin and the Party Bears - I like the fat riffs and the complicated changes. I was strumming guitar the first time I heard this and was like "where the hell is he going"? Good changes and they connect well. The vocal could benefit from some more practice and maybe some harmony bits on the chorus as well. Nice layers at the end as well, if a bit shakey. Still, an interesting an strong effort that's not too typical.

MC Eric B - I like the simple bounciness of this, but it's too light for me. Not that it has to be all metal or anything, but too Disney or something. If you're being sarcastic, the vocal should have some more sneer to it. If you're being sincere, it's more effective, if corny. I like your stuff, Eric, so don't get bummed. This is a great candidate for hand claps, whether real or canned.

Melvin - Some of the biggest yet most soaring guitars ever, what a feat to pull off. I like the trippy bendages, and it's sweet when they fade into the more sparkley guitars. The brief breakdown and return is delicious. Nice vocals and although I'm enjoying the grand nature of the lyrics, even if I'm not sure of what they're about. (see "I'm a dope" comment above. Oh, wait)

Paco del Stinko - This is about a girl that gets her revenge on a diddler priest. Both an Ooh-wah and wah pedal were used in here, the pedal underneath the lead, on the right. Yeah, the synth voices are cheesey, but thought they worked well in the chorus.

The Pathetic Wannabees - I dig the concepts behind and think the lyrics are good. The riffs are all appropriate but way sloppy and end up somewhat distracting. The bass tone is nasty delicious. The slinky tempo change is a great idea but again, the sloppy organiztion detracts. I totally dig the Wannabees, and this will not sway me from that pleasure. However, a bit tighter all around wouldn't hurt.

Plain Songs for Doves & Tigers - I love the primary melody and chord structure here, and the slide up a step riff is tasty and serious. The instrumentation is well balanced and suits each part well. However, as has been pointed out, the mix has some issues that could be better addressed: the hard panned drums and distorted levels primarily. Still, as a song, I think that this is very strong and far from typical. I can't help but picture a minstral with a lute going from village to village singing this.

Prose/AIC Industries - Leonard Cohen auto-harping and like the LoO song, more of a middle eastern call to prayer would've been powerful when the heavy dynamics kick in. I kind of like the approach, if sloppy and somewhat undeveloped. The whistling made me think of a spaghetti western, which is fine, but didn't fit here. I do like the auto-harp harmonics the more I hear them, though.

Rone Rivendale - I read your concept behind this and understand it. Yet the Halloween comparisons seem more apt here. If I heard this in October, and it was dark out, I might get a bit scared. The short length makes it feel like a toss-off, and I prefer the occasional heavy riff you come up with instead.

Ross Durand - Another song of yours that begs to be jammed live on. The classic rock riffs are just that, classic. I like the lyrical theme but might've preferred if you could've worked up, or down and baclk up again, pitch-wise. It just kind of rides a plateau. The acoustic breakdown is swell, and just makes the rock all that harder. Production-wise, the cymbals appear to be hissy both on my computer and stereo. Good tune, though, makes me want to rock.

Spinlock - I appreciate the effort here as I think it's ballsy to try something like this. The melody and chords are kind of predictable, but well done, as are the harmony vocals. Man, that high note must be right at the peak of your range, but you mostly manage to get it. I think the piano is played well, and has nice tone, but could use a bit more dynamic punch. Appropriate string and horn arrangement, well done.

Steve Durand - I dig the rhythm here, and love the organ, which I would've liked to hear a little more prominantly. The horns are, of course, delicious. The lyrics are good and bring up some good points. They almost feel like you're unsure after the strong opening position, but the points brought up are good and hopefully may cause someone to think in a new direction. The vocal delivery borders on rushed feeling, but works well. I thought you sounded like KA on a couple of lines, which is not a bad thing in any way!

The Weakest Suit - I like the simple, but strong, lyric. The chords during the verse section I like better then the chorus part, but they work well together to make a nice airy feel. The song could use some developement, or actually, be even shorter. I like the ideas and don't mind the vocal pitch wobble, but a couple too many gravitys at the end, maybe. Very personal feel to the song, thanks for letting us be voyeurs.

[Reist]

A few short reviews. I have to go trade in some pants now. Sorry to anyone who didn't get a review.

Spinlock: Brilliant song. Really inspiring.

MC Eric B: Surprisingly enjoyable.

Lord of Oats: Really cool. I'd like to hear a song from you without a lengthy guitar solo in the middle though.

Melvin: I don't see how anything else could win. This is just so good.

Paco: Good story. The shotgun line was cool.

Rone: Atmospheric. Not what I was expecting at all. Good effort at trying something non-rap.

[EmbersOfAutumn]

I do get a bit tired hearing the word hitchkiker, though.

Try practicing the song a dozen or eightenn times.

By the time I was done with the song, I couldn't get anything straight anymore. I kept singing the last line of the chorus "Oh Mr. God's thumb, your hitchhiker is everything you need."

[Billy's Little Trip]

Billy's Little Trip featuring Paco Del Stinko - I like the lyrics, but think maybe a few edits might've made for a better flow.

*takes a deep breath, sighs* Gee, you know that information... really would've been more useful to me last WEEK!

.....if you guessed the wedding singer, you would be co rekt

[Jerry]

chonny - Pulling a comparison on you, I hear Richard Butler singing this. I like the easy-going strum of this and think the harmonica fits well. The chorus is an interesting shift that took me a moment to grasp, but when I got it, I got it. Very nice. The slide parts are sweet and I dig those Tele sounding riffs as well. Good tune.

I'm convinced Richard Nixon could sing this better than me. An he's daid! Thanks for the thoughtful reviews.

[Paco Del Stinko]

*takes a deep breath, sighs* Gee, you know that information... really would've been more useful to me last WEEK!

Please don't make me box your ears!

I'm convinced Richard Nixon could sing this better than me.

Oh, I liked your voice here.

[Ross]

Congrats Melvin, Chris and Paco.


Hey, at least I got decent reviews

liil/

(That's supposed to look like my little hand doing the "rock" symbol)

[Billy's Little Trip]

Congrats Melvin, Chris and Paco.


Hey, at least I got decent reviews

liil/

(That's supposed to look like my little hand doing the "rock" symbol)

Hey, it does look like rock fingers, Ross.

Cangrats Mel, your song does in fact kick ass!

[Me$$iah]

Rock fingers... rock fingers???


Sign of the devil dude... thats the sign of the devil




3 6s

[melvin]

Thanks BLT and thanks for the votes everyone!

The Paco/BLT track was extremely worthy competition - that was close!

[The Weakest Suit]

congratulations melvin!!!