You gotta do the cooking by the book (Cakes Reviews)

[jeff robertson]

Review thread has been baked.

[Billy's Little Trip]

First thing I thought of when I read this thread title.

[king_arthur]

LOL... I likes me some Stephanie from Lazy Town, but this was even better!

Charles (KA)

[fluffy]

That is one of the better mashups out there. The astute observer will notice that it still has the Nick Jr. logo during the Li'l Jon segments.

Also, wow, I hadn't seen this version with uncensored lyrics before.

I suppose that I should probably listen to this week's if only to see who needs to be stabbed in the face.

[AndySucks]

After reading all these comments I think my only goal for this fight is to not get stabbed in the face.

[wetknitting]

i stupidly assumed the songs were due by midnight, and so i missed the deadline by 20 minutes. damn. if anyone's interested i've posted my entry here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_L90156ZDc

i had to throw it together a bit to meet the deadline, but there are some parts that i think turned out all right.

[Billy's Little Trip]

i stupidly assumed the songs were due by midnight, and so i missed the deadline by 20 minutes. damn. if anyone's interested i've posted my entry here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_L90156ZDc

i had to throw it together a bit to meet the deadline, but there are some parts that i think turned out all right.

Brilliant!

[fluffy]

You can still submit an mp3 to fightmaster and it'll get posted to the "late entries" section.

[Dinnertime Boys]

the only one i liked was by paco. i gave it a vote

[Paco Del Stinko]

Whoa! Haven't listened yet, but I'll be shocked if I like only mine. Thanks for the vote, though, and glad you enjoyed the tune. Reviews to come!

[duffey]

My votes this time around went to:
BGM (this is my favorite of the whole bunch...would buy a whole album from hearing just this song. Well done!)
Derictello
Rapehorn
John Kloberdanz

Great batch of songs, everyone!

[BBABM]

didnt fight this week, but figured id give my 2 cents about a few that struck me

bgm: really cool. it sounds vaguely familiar, but i cant put my finger one it. i really like the soothing high voice singing, it really fits/contrasts well with the distortion on the guitar. I couldnt really follow the lyrics, but that is of no concern as i dont know what im singing half the time, but it was sang well. it sounded like you put a lot of work into the recording and mixing, and it paid off. the only thing i could nit pick about (with no solution to give you) is that the main rhythm distorted guitar stands out a little too much. i dont kow if its too loud, not panned right, something is making it so that is the dominant sound in the song, and though i like it, i like the other parts just as much.

the hate noise: the beat sounds like trent reznor doing jungle, i like it. a lot of the words are a little weak, but the hook about cakes with nail files is sick.

paco del stinko: this sounds like an aquabats song, at half speed, with out the horn section... i like it, but i miss the horn section. so go out and spend thousands and thousands of dollars on horns, and horn lessons, etc., on the whim of some dude from the internet, and make this happen.

rapehorn: wow, i actually got exactly what i expected from a band with the name rapehorn. your drummer is ridiculous. the laughing at the end, and "come all ye faithful" dont really make sense but i like the rest enough to not worry about it. the little whiteboy rap "say my name" thing could probably be done without, and the low growly vocals could be turned up, but all in all a well done song.

and i think those are my votes as well... good job folks. im gonna try for next weeks

[AndySucks]

I've listened to each song a couple of times now and quite honestly I like them all. I was originally planning on voting for my top 3, but since I couldn't decide I figured the most fair thing to do would be to narrow it down to one.

BGM- Has a very nice dreamy quality to it. It kind of reminds me of "Go With the Flow" by Queens of the Stone Age in a good way.

History Man- The lyrics are really funny. I like the stripped down spoken word, but it sort of feels like a filler track on some indie rock album. I'd like to see what you can do in a slightly more traditional format. I love "Cake is like a dimension where every other dimension exists, but it doesn't just exist on its own."

]Duke Vector- This song builds in a really cool way. I like the synth vocals but I would have appreciated a little more variety in the lyrics.

Berkley Social Scene- Awesome song. The chorus is really catchy, the verses are great. I'm not huge on guitar solos, but this one fits really well and is really chill. My favorite of the fight. Voted.

The Dinnertime Boys- It's good, but it doesn't feel like a full song. I feel like you could have built it up a little more but I really like what's there.

Noah McLaughlin- This song is kind of haunting, really nice guitar work.

Rapehorn- The first time I listened to this was on my laptop speakers and I didn't really like it. Listening to it again on decent speakers completely changed my mind. I love the Ministy-esque vibe in the beginning, I love the little groove in the middle, I love this song.

John Kloberdanz- One word review: Charming. I can imagine Nathan Lane singing it in the remake of the Producers, but he probably wouldn't pull it off as well.

Schlimminy Cricket- I like it a lot, but I feel like doing a Popeye parody is just a little cheap for a competition.

Derectillo- Song has a nice groove to it. The vocals are really good. I'm looking forward to hearing more from this band/guy.

Jeff Robertson and the Neo-CandyLanders- I really like the guitar work here, nice and bluesy. I have no complaints.

John Wilson- Very soothing. Vocals are great.

The Hate Noise- The rhymes are excellent, but the beats are a little hallow.

Johnny Cashpoint- I like the funk riffs that drives the song. It's clear a lot of thought went into putting this together and it paid off.

Paco Del Stinko- I love everything I've ever heard from Paco. This song is no exception, easily my second favorite.

Teddy Ruxband- Our song! I still like it, but I definitely feel like we've been entirely out classed. The production is really weak, but I think the song is written fairly well.

Great Job Everyone!

[historyman68]

Songfight reviews: cakes

Most of the stuff was quite good! My pet peeve with this kind of title is really obvious lyrics, like, for example, listing cakes in a title called "cake"- be a little more creative, people! Still, most people put their own spins on them, and were pretty good. Just my first impression, might do another more in depth review that could change my votes. Now that voting is as many as you want, it's hard to narrow them down. I want to vote for them all (and did, last time)!

Johnny Cashpoint
Blur vibe 
Character study kind of
Couldn't make out all the words but good
I remember you from back when I used to do songfight years ago- good to see you're still at it! Still got a distinctive style.

The hate noise
Got the concept halfway through- cakes w files- cool
Nice dirty beat
Self-loather/penny loafers line is nice

Bgm
Whoa nice guitar, drums, and vocals
Fuck, this is good music- chorus reminiscent of radiohead 90s b sides 
Can't quite understand chorus
Great music, production, etc- but doesn't quite soar or really rock out- feels like holding something back. Of course that kind of fits thematically... I think
Vote

Derictello
Lyrics a little contrived but kind of endearing
Music okay in a kind of ramshackle way
Pretty much the most obvious interpretation, exactly what would be expected from this title but pulls it off pretty well
Chorus is catchy

John Kloberdanz 
Now this is clever- musical theater style 
A little too much boings but I like it
The silly accent works well 
I'm expecting a twist at the end
Key change at the end... Of course
Corny, but you do corny right.
Vote

Schlimminy cricket
Popeye melody?
Short, sweet, murderous
I like the ukelele(?)
Vote 

Paco del stinko
Voice is a little irritating
Ska thing works pretty well
Trial line is a little hackneyed
Lots of energy and good music, but lyrics just bore me
"whoa-oa-oa" at the end a bit reminiscent of smiths- I like that, but the rest is a bit lackluster, sorry.

Duke vector
I want to play the videogame this is a soundtrack to
I enjoyed that thoroughly
Vote

Berkeley social scene
Lemonheads reminiscent chorus
I'd try to avoid listing kinds of cakes, kind of obvious- but it works better here than other places
I like the music
Double entendres work better here than other songs 
Nice solo
Vote

The dinnertime boys
I appreciate brevity, but it's missing a little substance
Melody doesn't quite fit chords
I like the concept, but duke vector did it better, sorry

Jeff Robertson et al
Voice, guitar has skill
Drums are a little distracting
Bowie-ish feel, I dig it
It doesn't quite work, but still quite good
Vote

Noah McLaughlin 
Nice guitar
Rocks pretty well
I like it
Innuendo works well here because it's not just subtext
Vote

Teddy ruxband
Velvet underground delivery - word
I like it
That last hit is a bit silly but hey whatever
Vote

Rapehorn
Yeah.... No
Okay, no, you're good at what you do. 
At 3:10 and on, I like the groove there
Okay, I'm having visions of Dethklok baking a cake, and when that happens, it can't be all bad

Jon Wilson
I don't know if I can listen to 6 minutes of a song about child rape
It's well constructed, though, I'll give you that
Jesus Christ, how fuckin tragic can this get? It's fuckin tearjerkin, man. Overwrought... You've got skill, just... Come on! The title is cake! Not rape! Cake! Downer.
Vote (maybe, what can I say? It's well done)

Historyman (me!)
All improvised (optional challenge what what)
I like it, personally
Open tuning
Yes, I ripped off talking heads but not too badly, I hope
I think it really picks up steam halfway through 
Definitely zero production value, but that's okay- I can kind of hear the instrumentation I'd like to have put on it- I think it rocks pretty well as is though

[historyman68]

Wet knickers
Ah, We were missing an experimental entry. Gertrude stein would approve.

[Spintown]

http://spintown79.blogspot.com/2011/01/ ... cakes.html

Jon Wilson - (pause) Dude! I've only finished the 2nd chorus, and already I'm depressed & want to shoot someone. (play) ..... And done, this is the saddest song I've heard on Song Fight thus far. At first I wasn't going to vote for this (fuckin' depressed me), but I figured you achieved your goal better than anyone else in this fight...so you're my top pick this time. (voted)

Schlimminy Cricket - What the hell is wrong with you people? Fathers raping little girls, and now your killing people & serving them up to eat? Fuck you all if you think I'm ever coming to a Song Fight Live event. (Laughed my ass off...well done.) (voted)

John Kloberdanz - Musical comedy? In Song Fight? Cool! I know it's not the first of it's kind to be entered into Song Fight, but I really do wish there were more entries in this genre. The refrain was pretty catchy, and I didn't dislike any of it. However I do wish the rest of the song was a little more peppy...it just slows down too much between refrains. Excellent entry though. (voted)

Derictello - BAM! I really enjoyed this. The end was cool with the Julia Childs audio, but come on...where's the Swedish Chef? (voted)

Berkeley Social Scene - You made me hungry...and I'm on a diet you asshole. Since you made me cheat on my diet, I shouldn't vote for this...but you earned it. (voted)

Paco del Stinko - Cute. There was a lot of variety this round, and this almost gets lost in the fight. I happen to like cute & silly songs, but this barely gets a vote. (voted)

bgm - This took a couple listens before I could make up my mind about it. It's a bit depressing (as I'm sure it supposed to be), but I'm more into upbeat stuff typically. I do like the song though, and I'd probably quit my job after listening...but I'm already unemployed.

Duke Vector - I hate it when this techno/8-bit/synth stuff is entered, and there aren't any lyrics or anything that suggests that the title of the challenge was even considered. This ISN'T my cup of tea...but at least you didn't just say "Fuck the title, I'm doing my own thing." Props for that.

The HATE Noise (featuring Fatty Matt Triangle Boy) - Wow...I think this is the first entry from you I didn't hate. I'm not a huge fan of the lyrics in this. I usually don't like rap that refers to women as bitches, glorifies violence & stuff like that. I can let a little go, but this is just too much for me.

Rapehorn - Stupid name. After the first 10 seconds I didn't think this could get any worse, but you proved me wrong...congrats.

This fight was a blast to review/pick my favorites. Just a ton of variety & a lot of neat stuff. Well done to everyone...except Rapehorn.

[Splync]

bgm - One of my favorites from this fight. The higher pitched singing was really soothing and really fit well with the awesome distorted guitar riffs! (Voted)

Berkeley Social Scene - The entire song flowed pretty well. Even the guitar solo was worked in flawlessly. The chorus was really catchy too! If I had one complaint, it would be listing the cakes.

Johnny Cashpoint - I loved the funky feel behind the music. The singing style in the verses reminded me of the Bromheads, but in a good way.

Rapehorn - I... I have no idea what I just heard. It had a ton of variety, and it helped. I liked the beginning beat, where it did remind me of Ministry. The middle segment with the talking gave the song a Rage Against the Machine feel, and the final segments brought a Dethklok vibe. They all fit together pretty well, although I think it was a bit too random for my own personal tastes.

Jeff Robertson and the Neo-CandyLanders - I loved the guitar throughout the whole song! It was catchy and awesome! However, like historyman said, the drums do feel a bit distracting at times. The vocals also didn't seem to fit the guitar work. They weren't bad, they just didn't suit the upbeat riff and the bluesy solos.

Historyman - I liked it. The vocal style reminded me of "Once in a Lifetime" by the Talking Heads, but the funny lyrics made it work. However, as much as I loved the lyrics, the track sounded too much like filler to get my vote.

Schlimminy Cricket - What. The. Fuck?! That was insane, but in a hilariously good way. The tune was unoriginal, but the lyrics were amazing. The ukulele made it even more awesome! (Voted)

The Dinnertime Boys - I'm not really a fan of the concept. It was original, but it felt too generic. I mean, you could have simply slapped any other intro or closing word/title on it, and it still would've been the same song.

Derictello - Great singing and a good melody made the song very enjoyable.

The Hate Noise - Creative way to handle the song's title. The music and beat didn't really fit the song, but the vocals made up for it.

Noah McLaughlin - The song has some creepy lyrical innuendos sprinkled over the amazing guitar hooks and riffs. Overall, it came together to become one of my favorite tracks from this fight. (Voted)

Teddy Ruxband - The beat and verses reminded me of Pavement. Awesome drums really drive the beat. My only complaint would be that the guitar and vocals are far too quiet in the mix. The drums seemed to drown out the vocals at times.

Pace del Stinko - Probably my favorite song musically, but the vocals/lyrics hurt the final product. The vocals sounded a little dry at times. However, the final song was still one of my favorites! (Voted)

Jon Wilson - Wow, that was really depressing. The lyrics were definitely not what I was expecting after hearing that awesome intro guitar. It seemed to drag on a bit, but it was still a great (yet depressing) song. (Voted)

John Kloberdanz - The musical style was awesome, even though I felt the slower bits kept killing the vibe. I'd love to see this song choreographed for a Youtube video of this "musical"!

Duke Vector - It had the same problem that The Dinnertime Boys track had, it didn't feel that original to the context. It could just as easily be used for another song if you simply replace "cakes" with another word, and it detracts from the value. The music was catchy (completely ignoring the fact that the main riff bears a strong resemblance to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"), but the lyrics needed more variety in my opinion.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Berkeley Social Scene - I like how the bass line makes more sense when the other instruments come in. The "I got it and I want to eat it too" lines are best, if maybe repeated a couple too many times at the end. The bridge with lead threatens to get airy and fly away but remains grounded, which probably makes sense unless singing about,uh,angel cake. Ahem. Good tune, sounds great as well.

bgm - I dig this muchly. The falsetto vocals are cool after the moody alt-guy verses. Nice guitar work and tone, the progressions are very good and appropriate. Brief "Sci-fi" bridge is very nicely done and leaves a lasting feel. Favorite bit is the minor to major chord change: simple, and to me, backwards. I think I've always done it reverse. Simple yeah, but there it is. If drums could pound/bash at end that would be nuts. Good, strong tune.

Derictello - Wouldn't that be batter, not dough? Don't upset Julia. Really! Anyway, laid back groove that fortunately desn't turn into a typical semi-rappy tune ala those guys I can't think of with the guy that ended up on Entertainment Tonight or whatever. Music is well played but the tune feels a bit abandoned when Julia takes over. I think she might've worked better in the middle somewhere with the lead vocal returning to better balance it off. Good work, though.

The Dinnertime Boys - Pleasant enough throw-away tune that could've been "about" anything .

Duke Vector - This reminds me of some soundtrack I heard somewhere a long time ago, but my mush headed memory can't recall the specific locale. Light on the lyrics, obviously, this could serve as father to the Dinnertime Boys entry. Better crafted though. I'm not sure that I enjoy the pitch changing voices for some reason. Well constructed.

The HATE Noise (featuring Fatty Matt Triangle Boy) - The opioid bass tones and synth lines are dark and effective. The snare grates a bit to me, but it does cut through well. Much of the vocal work is well done, especially the first half of the song. I'd love to hear a cutting synth or guitar slice through near the end. Druggy tune that is well done, if a bit incomplete feeling at the end.

Historyman - Hmm. Cake as a state of mind. Can honestly say I've never thought of that before. The guitar progression and chords are a pretty good and fit approach although the cake part takes away from the seriousness of it. I understand that production need not trump writing, but an amplified guitar with some flange on it would've been nice. Or even straight up acoustic. I like where this wants to go, but again, the cake theory robs it of some magic.

Jeff Robertson and the Neo-Candylanders - I get a couple whiffs of 70's AM radio off of this. I like the beat although it gets clunky at times. Great lead, of course, I only wish it had done a bit more of a freak out, but again, best to keep it short in this context. Post lead, the song could use a little extra pepper, like a couple of woo-oohs or something in between lines. This could set up nicely for live playing though.

John Kloberdanz - This is a neat idea that mostly works. The melodys are a bit thin at times but work. I can't help but picture Bob Dylan performing this! Zoinks! Top it (thud) ha! Well done all in all, the verses could change each time somehow: a second voice one time, call and response another, or whatever. A little, um, spice cake.

Johnny Cashpoint - Rrrrolling r's and rrrrrubber bass lines. The backing vocals really sell this and there are Beatle-esque moments throughout the could-as-easily-sound-good-on-just-uke tune. Clever as always and well peformed. The soft synth accents cooing under and between lines is nice and somehow soothing. A very nice song and an easy favorite of the fight. A more creative person than I might add video imagery to this.

Jon Wilson - Oh my. What a terrible tale. It's well told, and well done, but I can see why some folks might get upset. I see that you're not endorsing rape and sexual abuse, and compared to say, my stupid song about a guy that likes cake (Boo!) you certainly gain points for a bold and non-typical direction. The approach to the story and the way you constructed it is very well done and I hope you continue this approach in other directions as well.

noah mclaughlin - I like the chorus and think a little more lush vocal accompaniment would really sell it. Good open arrangment, though, setting up nicely for the little 60's type licks. Always nice to hear dynamics in use. Could've extended the quiter section into a little breakdown with more tension building prior to returning to full volume. Decent tune that could use a little nuts and bolts tightening.

Paco del Stinko - I wrote the lyics sitting in a parking lot waiting for my girlfriend, the music was all done in a couple of hours one day, vocals in an hour the next. Cheap, I know. Hey, that's my middle name, ya know?

Rapehorn - I like this, but not nearly as much as I would as if it were only 30 seconds long. I mean, I'd rather be just punched than pummeled, ya know? Well performed if unintelligable. Some good rock and a silly approach. Again, whittle it way down and it works better.

Schlimminy Cricket - Cute little tune even if the melody belongs almost completely to Popeye. Good lyrics and the tidy little length is nice. Simple and airy. There is no need for any more production than this. The end feels rushed.

Teddy Ruxband - This is one of my faves from this fight. I can hardly hear or understand the vocals but I love the casual groove and easy-going feel. Nice little looping guitar lick too. College rock as it was once called. I'm an old fart now, but would love to jam with this gang. Could use a little more fleshing out, perhaps, but although incomplete in some ways, structurally, this leaves me wanting more.

[glennny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7WmOUZTqhI

New video for current song!

Hoping to review this weekend. Really enjoying this fight, good job everyone!
Welcome back PDS!

[bgm]

This is my first round and I'm not entirely sure of the proper protocol.
I've been sort of torn about reviewing or not...on the one hand nobody knows who the hell I am so it seems kind of arrogant or presumptuous of me to come in and start commenting on people's stuff; on the other hand I don't want to be perceived as not contributing. Ya, I tend to overthink things.

[historyman68]

Definitely review! No such thing as a wrong opinion- we want to know how our song came off. My goal, at least, is good, enjoyable songwriting, and you don't need any qualification to say whether you enjoy something.

Write anything from simple "I liked it" to general impressions while listening, to multiple-paragraph extravaganzas! Whatever you're comfortable with. But these are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, not just people who have been contributing for x weeks.

Your entry was great- with the kind of skill you've already shown, I'd love to hear your opinions!

Sorry if I went on a little long, but I'm very pro-reviews. IMO the real value of songfight, more than the voting, is the boards. Though you can vote for as many people as you want now, which is even better than back when I was doing it years ago and you could only vote for one.

[Paco Del Stinko]

I agree with historyman68's comments (and also enjoyed his reviews). Review away. For what it's worth, I reviewed many times before I even submitted. Just be honest and don't worry about what others may think. Or, as others have done, try a ratings system or "this song is an apple. This one a kiwi" or whatever. Let'em rip!