A long absence from the songfight scene. No more dilly dally, back to reviewing. Top 3 survivors get my vote. I see Tuners Union is in this week, maybe I should just vote for them and find out who the runners up are. No even playing field. FIRST UP:
Berkeley Social Scene Not a big BSS fan sound wise, but they are constant. Gotta admire that work ethic. DIg the rinkydink keyboard sound. It works. Guitar sound is okay, but a little weak in the mix. Not big on the vocal placement, but I do like the when the background vocals kick in, really fills things up. I'm a bit of a sucker for that. Lyrically I find it forced in places, but I shouldnt talk, lyrics kick me in the balls over and over again. Never happy with them. Nice submission
Cigar Charlie I would like to hear your accompaniment track a bit more. Its super quiet. This style doesnt really speak to me, but I dont mind your lyrics. I think it could have been mixed a bit better, as The music is very low compared to your vocals.
EggNogAdam Nice intro, although some of the noodling is a bit much. You're great at it, but it just seemed a bit to busy in parts. Nice voice, really dig it. Your harmony track sounds swette to. Cant wait to hear the....oh its done.
Foobar Alright Foobar, lets see if you can remove any of the first three songs froma vote spot. Really nicely mixed. SOunds superb on my headphones. Your lead guitar sound is a bit thin for me, but the full piano makes up for that. Nice swing. Lyrics work well with this tune. A quality submission. This is good enough to bump Cigar Charlie from a spot.
Glacial Equinox This is gonna be metal isnt it...oh, nope, house music I guess. Okay.....funny guy. moving on
grock Alright G-Rock whatcha got. I tend to like your sense of melody. Oh super quiet vocals, to quiet. You have a good voice man, work it why dontcha. I like this tune, but the mix isnt working for me. A quiet accoustic in my left ear, drums in my right, or at least the hats. ANyway this does not work in my headphones, but I like this tune. I know you have a better mix in ya. This is good enough however to remove BSS froma vote spot.
James Owens Nice mix between the Organ and the Bass. WOuld like to hear the vocals a bit more in the mix. Maybe a bit more volume on the guitar stabs. Nice smoke filled, black and white submission. Quality man. The solo is spot on, a real nice clean and warm tone.
King Arthur Another swinger. The organ sound on this one is a bit to thin for this swing. At least it is after hearing Mr. Owens keyboard sound. This has got some great guitar work though. Would like to hear it a bit more up in the mix. Lyrically I really like this and it keeps me interested, Not enough to break into a voting spot however.
Merle Fyshwick lyrics grabbed me right away. DIg your voice!dont know why, but I getan elvis costello vibe from this tune. Really dig this, and quite a different approach on the title. Real simple, but it all works. This will snag a voting spot from G-rock
so moving forward we have the top 3 spots held by Merle, Foobar, and Egg Nog Adam
New Image Holy Auto tune batman. I fine with auto tune, but maybe tone it down just a bit, as it makes your song sound glitchy. Same with your snare. Its just a click in this mix. I want to like this, but the mix doesnt work for me. To much reverb and to much auto tune
Paco del Stinko Onto the best Band name in SOngfight. Paco is always good for some edge. This does not disappoint. That bass sits real nice in this overall quality mix. Vocals are sitting nicely on this. Upbeat and interesting. A blistering solo that is nice and full. A quality submission man. This will remove Egg Nog Adam from the running. That chugginess at the two minute mark, is a but to chugging for me though, sorta gets sloppy. Still good for a vote though
Richard Brooks Stretch, Yaaaaawn. Real nice, real relaxing. I want to hear you branch out a bit more recording wise. I would like to hear another guitar in this mix, maybe a fattened up vocal. This is just a bit to tame for me. I picture John Belushi smashing your guitar on the wall. Nice song, but lets see you stretch sonically a bit. Quality Lyrics
Rio Mondo Get rid of the intro. I havnt heard the song yet, and I have already lumped it into the "We're so zany" Barenaked Ladies era. Mix is good, although the vocals sit kinda heavy. Rap being done by non rappers doesnt sit well either. Its the "tough guy" voice thats the kicker. This is fun and stuff, but thats where it ends for me.
Rossby Wave Like that guitar swell, or whatever type of swell that started it off. Your vocals are dull, and flat. It adds a boringness to the tune that the tune doesnt deserve. As I like the tune, and beat. It sounds good, but you dont sound into singing it. I look forward to your future submissions, but want to hear you stretch yourself vocally a bit.
Ross Durand Great sounding acoustic. Nice warm vocals. This mix sounds good on my headphones, real nice indeed. great lyrics and a well constructed tune. I like the solo, a bit sloppy, but in all the right ways. This will remove Foobar from the voting spot.
Ryan Dawson Very nice SOng. You have a solid voice for this tune. My only complaint (and its not even really a complaint) is that I would like to hear you branch out a bit more with your recording. DOuble track you acoustic maybe to spread it out in the stereo field. Fatten up those vocals to bring out some warmer tones. Really nice song.
Schlimminy Cricket Vocals are overpowering in this mix, would like to hear the bg music come up a bit. Not enough accordian in songs these days. Something strangely endeering about this tune though.Like your glitchy break too.
Tuners Union I have never not voted for Tuners Union. They are by far and away my favorite songfighters. SO far this tune is yet one more to add to my Tuners Union Hording problem. Such a full sound. Imaculately crafted lyrics,melody, and mix. Vote. On a personal note, do you guy(s) have a website? Do you perform live. Big fan!
Worn Cords Decent tune boys. WOuld like to hear that acoustic EQ'd a bit more. Its quite washed out. a bit short. tough to follow Tuners Union in my mix though.
So there ya have it, this weeks votes go to Tuners Union (as per usual), Ross Durand and Paco del Stinko.
See you guys for "Bully"