Jim of Seattle wrote: Second verse isn't about sexism, it's about homophobia, just sayin.
Heh! Absolutely correct. I actually didn't even notice this!
The song revolved around the first line - the standard opening for many a talkback radio caller - " I'm not a racist, BUT.....". So I then I automatically repeated that for the second verse but inserting "sexist". Then, after a bit of research reading news stories and transcripts, wandered off on a tangent about gay marriage (another talkback radio favourite) - and forgot it didn't really fit the first line.
But you have helped me enormously here. I wanted the song to be about "popular" radio presenter Alan Jones - and the 1st and 3rd verses contain many of his famous quotes and quotes from his show. But when I started writing about gay marriage - I got lost - because Jonesy is quite silent on that particular matter (his famous arrest many years ago in a public toilet in London may have somtehing to do with that). So, instead of re-thinking, I ended up making the second verse about a prominent outspoken Liberal Senator instead, which unbalanced things a bit.
However - if I had been paying attention and concentrated on sexism - well, Joney does that pretty well too and is a goldmine of material. Just last year he stated that women should not be involved in politics because the Prime Minister, Lord Mayor of Sydney and Victorian Police Commissioner (all female) were "destroying the joint". Charming fellow. So - that 2nd verse needs a complete re-write.
Jim, both BSS entries have the same vocalist, the guy you said reminded you of The Clash in your out-of-band reviews. We've also been attempting to try to take your feedback into account to whatever degree our time constraints and inspiration can accomodate. With the guitars, I think Ken didn't mix them 100% panned, and there was a slight effort to try to coordinate their parts a little better.
Never done reviews, and since I'm on here hasslin' folks, here's a few:
Alcoholik Spok - Like a slightly more upbeat 'ballad' by Alice In Chains 'r somethin...like that organ that comes in towards 3/4. Playing is solid and you got a good 90's voice, 'specially with those FXXXXX. That riff when you say 'starting a witch hunt' is like some Sabbath shit, I can dig it.
Bax - This'd sound more 'authentic' garage type shit with some real drumzzzz 'stead of those too-bright stock samples. One mic in a dirty basement bro, problem solved. Echo sounds cool on yer voice. Gibby Haynes fan? Kinda stock riffs too, but you got enough personality to keep it interesting.
Berkeley Social Scene 1 - Too indie pop for my taste, but yall do it well. More interesting production and some VOX FX on the chorus woulda kept my attention more. 2nd really 90's influenced thing I've heard in this fight, so that's cool. Also 2nd organ part that comes in at 3/4 that I like. Did you and Alcoholik CALL EACH OTHER?
Berkeley Social Scene 2 - Hmm? Dunno why you did 2 entries...this one's pretty similar to the other one in structure/style/everything. Sounds more like Jawbreaker than the other track did, tho. Vox 'n all. Don't much care for Jawbreaker. That's okay tho.
Billy and the Psychotics - Damn, expected some dude sounding like Dave Matthews to come on after the first few bars. Ya got me. Vocals are the best thing about this song. That and the ride cymbal.
Bombernaughts - This is an odd change of pace. Oh woah, yeah, the title, now it makes sense. I was about to say 'feels like I'm in medieval England or some shit' then realized THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT. Good job. If I saw a grainy VHS-ripped music video for this tune on a public access TV station, I would not complain.
Caravan Ray - Ian Stuart? Is that you? I don't get it...this is just a LITTLE more winking than my stuff, and somehow nobody gets my jokes. Kinda funny, this is. TOO obvious, though, for me.
The Chocolate Chips with Frankie Big Face - Yer name is too long. Music like this needs a one-word name. You sound kinda like Davey Havok, and I ain't rippin' really...just noticing. Drums are way too busy for this kinda music, too. Keep dat shit sloooowwwwwww. Back 'n forth makes me feel like I'm straight gettin' beat by my dad. Or, you know, anybody. Backing vocals are pretty cool. Sounds like a lot of cool parts that need to be mixed together better.
Cord Smith - Pirate-ish 60's stuff? Cool I guess.
Dejected Motives - FRUITY LOOPS DEMO VERSION WOOH. Sounds like ya had some fun. More fun than I'm havin'.
Denise Hudson - Dunno if that's actually the artist name, cuz it's not listed on the main page, but that's what it's comin' up as in this m3u playlist. Sounds like ya half-assed the vocals. I mean, you sing well, but you're not singing full enough....if you wanna do emotional stuff like this, ya gotta sing it when you're in the mood. Well written, just not extremely well executed.
Economy Biscuits - Same problem as Bax...either stock drum samples, or over-Pro-Tooled studio drums. Yall need some GRIT. If yer gonna do the solo thing w/o a drummer or without learning to play, invest in a sampler or drum machine or something, just to give your shit it's own sound. This is way too rockin' to have those silly sounding drums.
Foobar - Damn, this is like some sad-ass alone-on-Christmas shit. Halfway through this, some quiet brush-drums, standup bass and a few wind instruments shoulda come in...like some Harry Connick shit. Instead, it got louder and started to sound like the score from that Space Camp movie.
glennny - Are you like a studio musician or something? Reminds me of 10cc in the way that those dudes can play EVERYTHING and this sounds like mostly one or two people. Not crazy about the vocals, tho. Guitar solo + keyboard riff behind it is best part.
Handloaders - More countrified less Conor Obherst on the vox dood. This could be some wicked country-noir shit...and I mean, it is...besides the vocals. Sounds like yer bummin' about yer girl instead of fixin' to shoot a motherfucker.
JSKM - Thought them vox was a joke at first. Not the case apparently. Dunno, if this had Robert Smith singing over it, I'd prolly listen to it, but that's true of almost anything...
Jake DeLorey - Most fully-realized song I've heard yet in this fight...vocals are a bit weak. Kinda boring, but the whole vibe is pretty kickin'.
Jim of Seattle - That lil intro thing was wack. Not necessary. 2nd most fully-realized song yet. Not my style, but I dig that you used the old-timey vibe like Bombernaughts did. Oh, I get it. It's instrumental. That's why you did the intro thing. Soooooo that would make this a song you prolly wrote BEFORE the fight, then? Honestly, I still woulda left it out...who gives a fuck if people think yer cheatin'? If you wanna do instrumental, do it.
Mavaddat - yew like ween tew homie? This is silly and a waste of time, but that's probably the point. It's a non-painful waste of time.
Montana Fudge - God damnit. If you wanna make silly shit like Dead Milkmen either a) learn to play really well so it doesn't matter how ass the lyrics are, or b) be funny
Ross Durand - More old school shit. Tom Waits kinda vibe. Except this needs junkyard percussion.
Scott Gesser - Again with the middle ages vibezz. Except with 90's-ish vocals. It's okay.
Sober Irishman - Clutch. I'm not gonna fault anybody for production, but this would definitely be more rockin' if the chorus got like GIANT. As it is, I'm imagining it that way, and it's pretty cool. Problem with Clutch is there's already one. More multitracked vox like that chorus tho, and you got yerself a SOUND buddy.
sonofsupercar - got bored
TR Jones - lots of this 6/8 ballad shit goin' down this week. That library-music synth that just happened is badass. Vocals sound like vocals. Coulda been any faceless indie rock dude on the mic. Who are YOU? Who's the dude who put that weirdo synth in there for no reason? THAT'S who I want singing.
Tuners Union - How do people sing like that? Seems like all this folky indie rock stuff gotz vocals like this. I can't describe it other than someone tryin' to pull a Kermit voice, but like finding out that his parents just got killed at the same time, so he's super bummed out. I really don't like it. If you didn't sing like errrrrbody else, this song would be pretty cool. Even with the banjo. And I HATE banjo.
Tyler Zahnke - Promising so far. Okay, nothing's happening, gonna skip ahead. Still nothing. Almost over, and nothing happened. No words, nothing. You probably didn't even make this with the fight in mind. Cool by me. I'd sleep to it.
Ux Mpuzm - See above
I don't vote. For anything. Ever. No exceptions here.
The HATE Noise wrote:Oh, I get it. It's instrumental. That's why you did the intro thing. Soooooo that would make this a song you prolly wrote BEFORE the fight, then? Honestly, I still woulda left it out...who gives a fuck if people think yer cheatin'? If you wanna do instrumental, do it.
.
Oh for crying out loud, this again. Listen to the opening; the violin plays the same figure that is spoken. So yeah, it's totally necessary. So that people won't accuse me of cheating. Also the spoken bit at the end is the same tune that is being played just prior. My themes grew out of the spoken phrases. Doesn't that prove I didn't cheat? I have never used previously written material for song fight, though I've been accused multiple times. Yes, I'm feeling like writing instrtrumentals these days. But I endeavor to at least attempt to make it clear I used the title for inspiration.
Jim of Seattle wrote:I have never used previously written material for song fight, though I've been accused multiple times.
Sounds like a compliment!
I love the idea of creating a whole instrumental composition based on a spoken phrase like that. And your realization of it makes the idea seem even better. It is a bit hard for me to believe that you just "threw this together" (as I think you said earlier in the thread) but again; that's a compliment.
Also; I definitely don't mind listening to instrumentals in Song Fight if they're as interesting/entertaining as this.
JakeDeLorey wrote:
Billy and the PsychoticsWhat a riff. Absolutely love it. Great groove. Not sold on the vocal treatment except coming into the break. Ooooooh Goosebumps. This is the way she should always sing, and the male vocal was a nice surprise. Great break all around. Ya this is a vote. I'm sorry these are a bit short, but a ton of submissions. Very enjoyable tune though I might add it to the collection.
We try to be just angular enough with the arrangements to sound like we're jumping into a new song when we hit the bridge quite often. The funny thing is, our bridges often become the strong point of the song, lol. We love it though, when something just comes together so easy. Thanks, Jake.
Caravan Ray wrote:
Billy and the Psychotics: You can do so much better than this. Doubled vocals are messy. And I don't want to hear your guitar wankery. I demand more from B&thePs. This is not good enough. I like when you play to your strengths: Den's vocals and BLT's punchy backing - I thought neither was evident here.
I better bunch these up. I'm looking like a post whore....again.
chocolatechips wrote:Billy and the Psychotics - I'm enjoying this one quite a bit. Nice riffs throughout. Great rhythms. Fantastic vocals. I really like the chorus, very catchy and a lot of personality in the vocal there. Probably my favorite Billy song I've heard. VOTE.
Thanks, Chips! Maybe you can tell that guy with the south African accent that was on your last song, he isn't really my dad.
Economy Biscuits wrote:Billy and the Psychotics: great energy and enthusiastic vocals. Love the vocals leading into the jam. Cool use of male/female vox too. That bass is getting down
You're too kind. Thanks, Biscuit. Nice to see a new name in the playlist, by the way. And you brought it, so hell yeah!
Jim of Seattle wrote:
Billy and the Psychotics
Denise's voice occupies the same range as not one but two guitars, so it tires my ear quickly and she sounds like she's drowning in sound a bit. In the second verse the guitars drop out and so she has more breathing room, (yet it feels empty, hmmm), and when there is no vocal, it sounds better too. Listen to how much better the bridge works. The guitars are there but lay back and Denise can occupy her territory without getting crowded. I don't know which precise solution is needed, but I think the lead vocal needs to be the only really active thing in that octave. The song is fun, and everything is fine here. The vocal duet is a cool idea that works. The subject matter of the lyrics has a lot more potential feeling than the dinky cupcake of a tune. I wish the song has a little more of the appropriate witchy atmosphere.
It's funny that you mention atmosphere. I originally made this song with a bunch of video game style background sound fx to give the witch hunt image. Hunting dogs, the crackling of fire, shot guns, wind, etc. It was neat-o, but SOOOooo cheesy. I mean, we were going for cupcake and cheese factor because this was just a fun song, but I went WAY overboard as I often do. So I cut all the backing tracks and simplified the whole mix.
I'm sure you have to take time to listen side by side, but did you happen to notice the difference in my mix down chain? As far as rounder warmer bottom and less vocal spread? jb already mentioned dullness on Dee's sweet highs, which I'm aware of. I'm still dialing it in. I should have it down by our next submission. Thanks, J of S.
The HATE Noise wrote:
Billy and the Psychotics - Damn, expected some dude sounding like Dave Matthews to come on after the first few bars. Ya got me. Vocals are the best thing about this song. That and the ride cymbal.
We had fun. And during recording, Dee kept yelling, MORE RIDE CYMBAL! She's got an ear for what the public wants in the brass department.
Thanks, Noise?
Last edited by Billy's Little Trip on Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
chocolatechips wrote:Billy and the Psychotics - I'm enjoying this one quite a bit. Nice riffs throughout. Great rhythms. Fantastic vocals. I really like the chorus, very catchy and a lot of personality in the vocal there. Probably my favorite Billy song I've heard. VOTE.
Thanks, Chips! Maybe you can tell that guy with the south African accent that was on your last song, he isn't really my dad.
ha - I am a bit surprised at some of the other reviews of your track this week - I thought it was great. different strokes, eh? Listening again now on my laptop speakers - still sounds great to me. It's a good sign when everything still comes through even on crap speakers - nice mix.
yeah, just to quickly chime in concerning BLT: That's one of my favorites from you guys! I think it's the front runner in the fight! Great riffs!
Phillipso, Older Brothers, Semolina Pilchards, Zipline , Thank Glennny for the Frisbee, The Odoriferous Valley, The Worldly Self Assurance, Berkeley Social Scene, Very Gentle Knives, Daddy Bop Swing Set, GUNS, The Kraken Lives, Cavedwellers
Wow, thanks Glennny! Honestly, I think Dee will be as surprise as me to read that. We really just wanted to have fun with this one and just let it fall into place.
Also, I have a theory I've been testing to gauge my music. If C-Ray hates it, it's good. If he likes it, it's a death sentence.
1. I'm doing reviews. There's lots of songs. I'll try not to yammer on. Sorry I didn't do them for Canadian. I was working on them. I have zillions of partially reviewed fights and I do not know what to do about this. I have a few ideas but they might be dodgy.
2. Thank you for your comments and thoughts on both the RangerDen and the Psychotics stuff.
3. I'm always totally confused after talking all the reviews into account. But I have been in a bit of an identity crisis as of late. That's not an excuse, just a fact.
4. I'm not sure what happened with the BatP track. It made me feel really silly and that cool girl who goes to Vampire Bars ended up revealing that she went to the Debbie Gibson concert in 10th grade and was Like WAY into it. Especially the hat changes. Thanks for the save, Chris.
Consequently, CRay, I played the song for MrRanger and he gave me this LOOK and I just kind of looked down and I said "COME ON!!! WHAT else could I write?! It's a bouncy ghostie song!!!" I got the eyeroll. He liked the bridge.
5. With my track, I could have benefitted from more time. I had lyrics a bit earlier in the week, then tweaked lyrics while composing the song. I'm happy with my performance, about in the 80-s percentile range. it would go up if Id have been able to add some backing texture. My vocal doesn't lend itself well to hanging in the air naked and exposed. It doesn't have the depth and it's different from what is called for when you think "I'd like to hear a woman singing." i know this. I've also lived in Texas all my life, although I live in Austin so I try to have a blendier voice to the rest of Society. Nonetheless, you can take the girl out of the country, but there a trace of her accent remains...and here the rain doesn't fall mainly on the plain, or much anywhere else either
I infuriate LOTS of people, Jim ) Part of me wants to start an entry with "Dear diary....." But I am a pain. I appreciate your critique very much and take it into account in my weird way. It's harder to do than it may seem. I don't think in the ways you say.
6. I put a limiter on main bus. I wasn't subtle with it. I'm lazy with mastering. Yeah, I know. I'll get over that. Just reading up on it on the FAQ has told me that I need to stop being internally whiney.
All my DJ songs have been experiments and demos. Y'all are guinea pigs. So thank you.
back to your Stuff, folks
"Really interesting how the point you’re making slowly emerges like Martin Sheen from the mud in Apocalypse Now..." ~j$
Billy's Little Trip wrote:I'm sure you have to take time to listen side by side, but did you happen to notice the difference in my mix down chain? As far as rounder warmer bottom and less vocal spread? jb already mentioned dullness on Dee's sweet highs, which I'm aware of. I'm still dialing it in. I should have it down by our next submission
I started to write up a response to this, then I thought I should go back and listen again. Which is making me rethink my whole review. (I'm sticking with my opinon about it not having enough witchy style.) I do notice the panning is saner, and the two lead guitars are either doing the same thing or are very complimentary. So yeah, this is a lot better than the other BSS stuff in my offline reviews. I still think the guitars are playing too exactly in the same register as the lead vocal though. Imagine if they were, say, backup girls singing and you'd instantly hear the problem, but it's not as noticeable with different colors. The melody sits on F# a lot, and the guitars play a lot of F# too. So it still feels busier than I like. But I like it a lot more listening more closely again. You've got a terrific lead vocalist there, as I'm sure you know, but her sound is unique and sonically sort of fragile, so you need to tread lightly around that tone or it sounds crowded.
Jim of Seattle wrote:her sound is unique and sonically sort of fragile, so you need to tread lightly around that tone or it sounds crowded.
Thanks for the follow up, Jim.
That's why I first asked Dee to sing for the new project. I needed that "not like every other female singer" sound to go with my "not like every other guitar players/composer" style. For never playing live together, she brings it every time and makes it work, even with my often pain in the ass direction, lol. I wouldn't say she's fragile, unless her character for a particular song is, but she certainly has a custom fx chain for her vocal tracks that would never work for anyone except her, I've tried, lol. And the coolest thing is, she doesn't need altering at all, just fx to gel her into the same space as the backing music because all we do is studio work. When she sends me vocal tracks, they're right on the money! But as you know, that doesn't mean they'll gel in a quiet listing environment until you make them gel. Sometime I fall short. I'm sure Albini has had to go back to the mixing board a few times after a "listening party".
Berkeley Social Scene 1:
Nice mellow vibe. I like it all. Reminds me a bit of Built to Spill. My first time hearing this song gave me this cool nostalgic feeling.
Berkeley Social Scene 2:
Again, that cool 90s indie college rock vibe. Great songwriting. Like that synth bridge.
Glennny:
Dig the feel good vibes, definitely want to do a hippy dance to this one. Would prefer not doubling the vocals so much. Gimmie some of those sweet sweet pipes solo once in a while.
Ross Durand:
I am a Ross Durand fan. This stuff just sounds genuine. Great dynamics.
Tuner's Union:
Great musical variety. Great mix--there's a lot going on but it's mixed to sound clean and simple. A musical feast.
Alcoholik Spok:
Nice ominous tone. Would have maybe put the guitar solo in some deep bathtub reverb--would fit the overall groovy ominous tone of the song. Still, great work.
Billy and the Psychotics:
Right off, great recording chops. I'm a huge fan of how the guitar is played-not just strumming chords, but knife blading in what needs to be done here and there… and then playing chords when it's needed! Good overall feel.
sonofsupercar:
My head is bobbing along right at second 1. I am a fan. Great groove. Cool mix of that old timey blues groove with some light synths in the bg. Dig the vocals. Heavy chorus, head won't stop bobbing. Loving this. Could be the Yuengling I'm chuggin.
The Economy Biscuits:
I know this guy. He is a fan of the band Helmet and it shows. I told him about Songfight. The only regret I have for telling him is that this song is lacking a sweet bass track and the mix is dry like Jiffy Bread.
Mavaddat:
I like the minimalist drums. The crazy soundscape isn't much my thing, but I guess it's all playing second fiddle to the sweet organ solo. Give this to a film student to make an interpretive music video and you'll have a hit on your hands, baby.
UxMpuzm:
A great foundation for something more. Needs an extra step. Portishead-type beat in the bg? Some singin-in-the-shower vocals? I dunno, but it's not done. Don't take it out of the oven. Keep adding. Or don't. Do what makes you happy, but as it stands, not my thing. So many songwriters are capable of just writing and recording a song, and lack that ability to add all these layers and textures that you excel at here.
DJ Ranger Den:
Like the lo-fi record player sfx. I'm a sucker for any pianos. Like the passion in your voice.
Bombernaughts:
I love reverb, and the amount of reverb on these vocals is too damn high! Still, great voice. Great sea chanty vibe, like Decemberists meets Gregorian monks. Sfx actually started creepin' me out man.
Caravan Ray:
Aussies are my favorite people. From my experience, they love drinkin', fightin' and fuckin'. Great folk satire here. Clever lyrics--catchy melody, harmonies and chorus. Love it.
trjones:
I despise the plugged-in sound of an acoustic electric. Even using a cheap mic will give it a more real and less sterile sound. Cool overall soundscape.
The Handloaders:
Diggin the sound right off. Needs to be longer. Consider adding more verses.
Jake DeLorey:
Great production quality. Love the vocals and the singing accompanying guitar. This is great.
Jim of Seattle:
At first I thought this was going to be some slam poetry. Then, pleasantly surprised. Nice strings n' pianer.
Tyler Zahnke:
Sounds like cool old timey sci-fi soundtrack music.
The HATE Noise:
Quality. Great lyrics. Great production. Anybody who rhymes Madonna and Marijuana is cool in my book.
j$km:
I want to hear this on a Soundtrack for a Guy Ritchie movie. Your songwriting abilities are in need of better production abilities. Good stuff, present it on the right kind of canvas and people will really dig it. I dig it. Clash meets Gorillaz.
The Chocolate Chips with Frankie Big Face:
I love harmonies. The solo is nice n' melodic. I think the vocals might be a little hot in the mix. Cool texturing of guitars and sounds.
The Sober Irishman:
This kind of music needs to be played sloppier. Seems like the guitars are too perfectly recorded direct-in, the drums sound good for being electric.. i'd still dirty 'em up somehow. Would love to hear you in a bar with a band. Cool song though, like the chorus. This song has balls.
Dejected Motives:
This is the second entry this week that I'd like to see in a Guy Ritchie movie.
Bax:
I want to put this song on and dress up as Hunter S. Thompson and dance the twist with women who have big hair. Cool bass. Dig it, nice harmonies.
Foobar:
You're probably sick of comparisons to Ben Folds. Good times. It's nice to hear pianos. Do some harmonies!
Montana Fudge:
This song has me a'smilin'. So often people forget that music is supposed to be fun, and not always SRIOUS BIZNSS. Love that pennywhistle soundin' thing.
Scott Gesser:
Good times, definitely a sound that is hot now with all the Mumford hoopla going on. Hoopla aside, I enjoyed it.
Appreciate all the comparisons to Ben Folds - I've never heard his music before (that I know of), but I'll take this as a compliment anyway. Would love suggestions of tracks to listen to get familiar with his style.
foobar93 wrote:Appreciate all the comparisons to Ben Folds - I've never heard his music before (that I know of), but I'll take this as a compliment anyway. Would love suggestions of tracks to listen to get familiar with his style.
@Jim of Seattle - FBFTremolo™ was one of the things I found I couldn't do when singing to a guide synth melody. So there's very little vibrato on my voice as a result. CC and I have discussed new methods for guest vocalling in the future so perhaps you will get your wish soon.
I have glanced at some of the other reviews, so consider these reviews completely biased by everyone else's opinions.
Alcoholik Spok - Not bad. Organ's a nice touch. So is the happy chord that comes after the chorus, before the next verse. The song grows on me, to a point. Good solo.
Bax - Decent rock song ya got here. But I would like it to rock harder. You need another guitar or something. Or one that wails more. Imagine Wolfmother doing this, then do that. This is a good start.
Berkeley Social Scene 1 - This one sticks in my head the second most of the fight, after Choco Chips. So apparently it has some staying power (like "Creep"). I'd add some major backing vocals if at all possible--vocals are the weakest point (as with a great many SF songs).
Berkeley Social Scene 2 - Turn up the drums! Like, at least as loud as Bax's. This one's catchy too--all your stuff is. I like your other one better though.
Billy and the Psychotics - It's all groovy and happy-go-lucky, then you tear it down. Coolest part: "Fallen angel, rise above me." And now we're happy again. Great drums.
Bombernaughts - I feel like I'm playing the ghost house level in Mario 64 while listening to Fairport Convention. A pleasant enough experience. An interesting choice, rhyming "floaty" and "boaty boaty".
Caravan Ray - Catchy, funny, enjoyable. Has character. Best line: "What a pack of clowns!" The background vocals take it to the next level. One of my favorites.
The Chocolate Chips with Frankie Big Face - This song has the most soul in the fight. Drenched in guitar. And good bass. Singing too. It took a while to sink in for me, but by the second time you're "startiiiiing" the chorus, I'm hooked and humming. And now later, this is the one that sticks in my head, and the one I replay the most. Clear winner if you ask me. Maybe turn up the drums a little, except the cymbals, those are fine.
Cord Smith - This has echoes of SF's "Do It For Captain" by Cap'n Swank and the Jesus Monkeys. And yeah Tom Waits. Work dat ride cymbal! Pretty good.
Dejected Motives - Amateur exploration of your audio software. That's a first step down the long road to professional hip-hop beat producer. I was wondering if anyone would use that Monty Python skit.
DJ Ranger Den - The southern Regina Spektor. You got attitude. Well performed. Just a singer and piano--it works here.
The Economy Biscuits - Yeah man get some real drums. I do like that little hi-hat pickup though. Like Bax's entry, this could rock a good deal more. I'm hearing Pantera do it in my head--can you pull that off? This has a decent amount of rockage though.
Foobar - It's the way you go "And if you find yourself…" that's so Ben Foldsy. I agree you should throw in some background vocals. Not bad for a total mopefest.
glennny - Best drums in the fight. That 3/4-esque verse is pretty cool, and it flows well into the more straightforward chorus. Okay I don't love the witch hunt part (cookie jar part). It's silly and fun but not as cool as the rest of the song. Ha, you said Django. The solo is good times, with that bouncy little keyboard or whatever that is.
The Handloaders - I am now sitting in a smoky, dimly lit bar, thanks. The guitars sound good.
The HATE Noise - Killer beat, clever lyrics. I laughed at "bite a dick." Regarding your use of the f- and b- words: In this context you're just insulting other rappers with dirty words, and not necessarily at the expense of all homoesexuals and women. I too am bored of the talking yourself up, but I've learned to just tolerate it--only because so much good hip-hop is full of that (same goes for misogyny and homophobia, for that matter). Besides, you made it work with the topic. The voice could be stronger, somehow--but not growlingly so.
J$KM - You hit the spot with this one. Love the organ. Background vocals make the song. Heh, jealous muggles.
Jake DeLorey - Cool vibes--are those seagulls or is that a guitar? I like the bass, the understated percussion, that one groaning note on guitar. Pretty good.
Jim of Seattle - Neat concept. And you went well beyond the gimmick by making a solid song. This is super smooth and classy. Right around the 2-minute mark I am soaring on these waves. While wearing a tux.
Mavaddat - This is a hymn to Cthulhu. I guess you're the witch we're supposed to start hunting. You're much better at drums than at the other three instruments including vocals, but you use that raw lack of talent to your advantage here. I reversed this in Audacity to hear what the backward lyrics are saying, but it turns out it's gibberish both ways. I honestly enjoy this. It will become one of Song Fight!'s hidden treasures. Best line: "Salmon! is dryyy" at 0:59.
Montana Fudge - This is a cruder, more aggravating version of Caravan Ray's entry, musically and lyrically. Your Norm Macdonald voice and the grating too-catchy repetition and the recorder… But I laughed a little during the rant.
Ross Durand - Short and simple with a lot of style. Those buildups with the bop-BOWWs are the best part.
Scott Gesser - I can't listen to this without internally playing the chorus of "Out of Tune" by Gus at the same time. Glad you added background vocals. I'd lop a good minute or more off the song (says the guy who submitted a 5-minute "song"), or maybe add another part like a bridge instead, so we don't come back to the same thing so often.
Sober Irishman - Solid riff happening here. I'd throw in something else over the guitar and bass since they're playing pretty much the same thing. Like a higher, lead guitar, or maybe a keyboard. And this might be too much to ask but if you could harmonize like Alice in Chains during the choruses? I'm thinking "Man in the Box".
sonofsupercar - It always sounds like y'all have one string out of tune or something. In a good way, though, don't change it. Bring the sluuuudge. Nice take on the title.
trjones - Judicious use of egg-shaker and fishy-scratchy thing. Synth tops it all off nicely.
Tuners Union - Hot diggity. This is professional. And enjoyable too. Good music to get things done by.
Tyler Zahnke - Could be worse, maybe you sing like Montana Fudge. For a two-chord instrumental with cheesy instruments and not much happening, this does have a decent amount of atmosphere. Haha, it pounds three times… and just keeps on going. Trick ending.
Ux Mpuzm - Too quiet. Needs more pitch variation in the drums. Needs more chatter. Could use an additional instrument of some kind. I ran out of time to fix these issues. But I do think the water came out nicely.
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If I were only voting for one, it'd be Chocolate Chips.
If I were only voting for five, I'd add J$KM, sonofsupercar, Caravan Ray, and, yes, Mavaddat to the list.
But I'll vote for ten, including: Jake DeLorey, Billy and the Psychotics, the HATE Noise, Tuners Union, and BSS #1.
) Part of me wants to start an entry with "Dear diary....." But I am a pain. I appreciate your critique very much and take it into account in my weird way. It's harder to do than it may seem. I don't think in the ways you say.