REVIEWS!
15-16 Puzzle - I realized that now that we're related now, it's hard to take my complements as anything other than familial praise (
), but damn, these lyrics are perfect. "Underage begins with U/I guess, I should get dressed"--brilliant. It's all awesome. The song is great. I did have to look up "gorno" however.
Adam Adamant - What is that language you are singing? J/K, but man, that is one thick accent. I think this is a decent song, but it seems like you're having trouble keeping up your singing with the music. Like it's a bit fast for you.
ADD - I have a smile on my face as soon as you open your mouth. The verse and pre-chorus of this song rule--the chorus not as much. But it's still great to hear a new ADD song and knowing there are several more to come in a few short weeks makes me giddy. Cute ending.
Andrew Reist - If you were to speed this song up a bit, it would take on an 80s English punk sound (a là The Vapors), be shorter (which would be good) and the repetition would work for it instead of against it. I think it would have a bit more attitude too. It's okay as it is, but those are my gut feelings after one listen.
BLT - You're such a party animal, dude. I don't know what else to say. The performance suggests you didn't drink enough beer before pressing "record"--way too clean and proficient. I didn't get the sense for one minute that any beer was spilled on an amp or that even one person fell over.
Also, you never said "kick start"---horrors!
Bryan Kandel - Pretty guitar playing and nicely recorded. I think you have to be careful that "story songs" like this don't go on too long without adding more to the story. This song could have used one more verse in place of the last chorus--that would have justified the length, imo. Nice performance.
Cock - Hey, I used bass drum in my song too!
Is Bella Darvi a household name? I had to look her up to find out what was so tragic about her. I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. Although I can appreciate vague-by-design lyrics (despite not being able to actually write them), I think letting the listener in on the song a bit more would help a lot.
Embers of Autumn - This is a hard song to listen to. It's a harsh mix. Song-wise, I think the verse and chorus are too similar melody-wise. If you're going to keep the same chord progression and beat for both sections, you ought to try to sing a different melody over the chorus or enhance it with some backing vocals or a synth line or something else to set it apart from the verse. Or, instead of adding, you can take away the drums for one chorus or take away the guitar during the verses and just leave the bass and drums--there are lots of possibilities.
Glenn and Rachael - Cute song. Chords over a pedal tone always remind me of the 80s. I like the sound of Rachael's voice on this recording a lot. And Glenn's, in the verse especially. I have some minor quibbles with the lyrics--some are just too silly ("my shorts turn purple") and others awkward to sing ("you're a true Taurus") but those criticisms have more to do with me than you or the song. A fun first effort. Can't wait for more.
Hoblit - I love the intro and verse. Especially the way your voice sounds. Great riff, too. The chorus is not as appealing to me. I appreciate the lyrics--their pretty cool. Good song, dude.
Jim Tyrell - At first, I thought this was a cute goof to just get you in the game because you didn't have an idea for the title. Turns out this is so much more. I don't know if lack of inspiration is actually what led you here or if this was your plan all along, but damn man, you made it happen. It's not a song I'm going to listen to often (ever?), but it's pretty clever.
JBB - WHY IS YOUR SYNTH SO LOUD AT THE BEGINNING? I agree with others about the jarring difference between those opening notes and what follows. This seems like an Abjure! song, subject matter-wise. Not to my taste exactly, but I do like the last little bit. I wish you had made the other parts shorter and taken that last bit and built it up like a madman with all your vocal tricks and talents.
King Arthur - Musically, not my cup of tea, but those are some excellent lyrics. Your recording sounds good too. And the performance. I guess what I'm saying is tt's all good!
MC Eric B - So you're not a rapper? I'm confused.
Octothorpe - I like the spoken part in the middle--it's cute and funny. The bass sounds out of tune with the organ to me--is it my imagination? Is that Spud singing or Mad Dog? (I'm assuming Spud.) I have so many questions.
Paco del Stinko - Lots of praise already heaped on your lyrics. I think the idea is good, but the lyrics could actually be better. A song like this needs an even more over-the-top performance/arrangement (a là Frank Zappa). I think you were leaning in that direction, but didn't take the full plunge. (Maybe with more time?) All the elements are there--just looking for an even more outrageous presentation. Still, a very clever idea.
Ross Durand - Go for the wine. That's a good price. This is just great. I don't have more to say than that. Smart lyrics, man.
Sausage Boy - I like the music - weird, like The Residents or something. However, the vocal delivery is a problem and let's the music down. At this tempo, there aren't really enough words to deliver them over the course of one verse. Line - music - line - music - line - music, etc. seems to take too long. Maybe it would have been better to deliver two lines in the space of one. I don't know--I'm just brainstorming a bit.
Starfinger - I'm always fascinated by your songs and this is no exception. I don't always like them (although I do like this one), but the arrangements and sonic palettes are always so interesting. They're a feast for the ears, really! I think this is an outstanding vocal performance. The whole song is weird in all the right places and ways. Fun and intriguing.
Tex Beaumont - As I said earlier, the lyrics to this song are very clever and you found a great angle for the title/challenge. The song itself is a letdown compared to the lyrics in my opinion. Not bad, just not as inspired.
Worldly Self Assurance - The banjo is really nice. In fact, the whole arrangement is a beautiful and complex arrangement of timbres. Just beautiful. Reminds me of the talented Carol Cleveland Sings. Great chorus. The harmony on "the likes of Wesley Snipes" is sweet. This reminds me of something Fountains of Wayne would write. Very nice.
Late entries:
Sven Mullet - Made me laugh the first time I heard it. So that's something.
Lord of Oats - That's one long intro. Not a very singable synth line during the verse and trying to sing along with it kind of accentuates the difficulty you're having. I'm not really digging this song too much. It's like when the urban public school history teacher wants to "connect" with his 5th graders and turns the lesson into a song. Everyone loses. Glad you're out of the hospital, though.
Ken - Nice-sounding recording, but I'm not enjoying the song too much. You know Neil Patrick Harris is gay, right? (I don't really have a point.)
FAVORITES: 15-16 Puzzle, Worldly Self-Assurance, Starfinger, Ross Durand.