Dr. Songfight (Art Bomb Reviews)

[HeuristicsInc]

this reminds me of that time hoblit said he was retiring then april fools...
-bill

[Caravan Ray]

J U S T K I D D I N G !

Real reviews below!

I was reading the reviews and thought, cool, Negative Reinforcement! Sammy Kablam would be so proud of you, lol.

I was thinking of Sammy as well!

Me too. And how Hoblit was about 1000 times better with his criticism than that other tosser.

[g_rock]

Thanks to everyone who reviews!
Listened several times reviewed on one straight listen. I did these reviews at the expense of the next fight so if im not in on the next one, that’s why…

ADD-cool stereo snare ; harmonies to accent vocals could be cool. nice stereo guitar trade off. good song could have more vocal layers to add depth. good song

Balance Lost- like the intro. like the falsetto. Drums could add more umph. drums could flash a little more. they do fine keeping time but don’t add anything. Guitar is nice. another good tune.

BSS-intro has a different emotion to it than the verse and chorus. tamoborine( in the right ear) is nice touch. vocals don’t quite sell it for me. better in chorus.

Big Matt-don’t mean to snub you but I don’t get it.

Boffo-im no engineer but I like your caboose. funny stuff. Drums sound buried and programmed. doubled parts are really loose with the pitch. not sure if that is intentional but I would like it tighter.

CLayne-very band of horses of you or my morning jacket. both a compliment in my book. this is one of my favorites. I think I like this as much as you do. nothing to improve as you hit the mark of this type of sound. I would watch a show from you…is this a band or solo project? if you wanna collaborate hit me up

Caravan Ray-nice doubled vocals. The vox rush the beat occasionally on the chorus. hmm bridge…crazy how you brought that back around, I had no idea how to bring it back from where it went. Good tune

Chiron- vocals are pitchy at times. chorus is better. too pretty for me stylistically but not bad. energy is better here. 3 min it is growing on me a bit but still a long song. don’t have any idea what the song is about but it has emotion in the vocal delivery from the dude vocalist especially.

Codpeace-hi vocals cool sound all around. nice solo. heavy sound like the sound especially the lead. that is nice tone. I like a song that rocks not enough of that here.

DJ Ranger Den-uneasy feeling but it dances. Hard to define but I like it. lots of little synth bits here and there.

Flvxxvm-I like the dissonance. drums are fine but do nothing more than keep time. Guitar talks quite a bit.

Foobar- horns in the back. guitar sounds good. I would turn the vocals down just a touch. they sit a bit too high and rush the beat at times. my favorite parts are with the guitar. Naah naah naah sticks in my head. I like double vox.

Frontalittle-nice chorus. chorus sounds weezer-ish. like the synth bring it back around.

Glad Baggage- guitar lick sounds very stones. that bass drum gives it away every time…sounds like Paco trying not to sound like himself. Solo sounded reserved if it was you.

Glenny- very chill mood. I get the emotion you were going for but vocals are a bit pitchy. love the sax and guitar trade offs. drums are nice and sound real. are they? songs making me feel a little sad maybe like I just listened to Ben Folds. Well done SPOT SPOT.

Grammy- I like it right away. I bet you like dandy warhols. like the vocal delivery. free drugs are great but too many guitar changes for the mood between versus.

Hand Formula-I don’t get what you were going for. It sounds either sarcastic or intentionally downplayed.

HIJ$KM- nice bass line. vocals feel really loose. Nintendo sounding drums. Sorry I don’t have any advice to make it better.

Hoblit- like the guitar sound. Vocals feel right on with mood. like the build. and the bring back. nice octave vocal for increased energy. could double the vocal on the verse. nice back to the quiet verse. I like it.

James Owens- I like the vocal melody. needs some back up vocals on the chorus. Oohs or something. Guitar sounds good. I think some back up vocals could help but a good one.

Jim Tyrrell- didn’t expect guitars but sounds good. very similar vocal delivery to James Owens. Good groove. could stand another change.

Ken-catchy, happy sound. nice octave harmonies. synth is well placed. very poppy. good change. good one.

Level Nivelo- vocals sound very in a can. vocals could be more lively, I don’t know if its eq or just too dry or both. pitchy at times. is that a mandolin or Uke? like the vibe but the performance could be better. Drums sound out of nowhere.

Magnetic letters-uh oh vocoder…is that a shit bomb? is that Stephen hawking on the vocals? There is your voice.

Micah- nice melody and a pretty good piece.

New Image- not bad but drums are just keeping time and nothing more. I like that you went for that high note. Vocals are growing on me as the song goes on. I could listen to that again.

Niveous- Long intro. I like the synth. sounds like you are reaching too low in your range. sounds better higher in your range. maybe its my crappy computer speakers but it is missing some low end to drive the song forward. don’t mean to sound so negative cause I like the tune. its simple and good.

Paco- nice key change. I have to say you are consistently my favorite artist here. I cant suggest much to improve cause it is put together very well. If I gotta come up with something; try the edge of the ride with the shoulder of the stick for a crashier sound or for a little variation on the ride. that’s all I got. good song man.

Political Suicide- like the fall in the vocal. vocals get suddenly louder at about 30 seconds in. get quieter again at :40. sounds like you are a talking heads fan. like the guitar solo sound. is that effect or doubling of some kind?

Rio Mondo- interesting sounds…don’t know whats coming. :50 is something coming? You guys are normally the jokers. and there it is. nice…kung fu. Had the makings for a straight song. you will try a straight song some day I can feel it.

Ross Durand- like the guitar rhythm and melody. harmonies right away on the vocals. tambo nice. I expected the drums to kick in there. missing a bit of kick. nice melody nice approach and production. could have used some drums. I might not throw harmonies in right away on the vocals. sprinkle em in for effect until chorus or so but that is me… good song

Ryan Dawson- like the vocal rhythm. drums are not what I expected but not bad. nice melody change up. I like the stop. nice harmonies. I can see this in a somber part of a movie… I like it.

Schlimminy- don’t like that dance music snare/clap sound. like the synth flares. simple format. I like the melody. don’t like the horn sound. I have a really cheap keyboard and it sounds like that. I like the harmonies. they help build the energy of the song

Scott gesser- vocals could use a few more takes. Liking it more at 1:20ish. wheres the low end? I like the xylophone. I like the effect on the vocals at 2:40. maybe the vocals are a bit loud during the verse. Chimes Hmm didn’t expect that. lots of different sounds in this one.

Tentillum- uh oh get your dancing shoes on… is this NIN or a dance party? mixed well like the midi synced delays. I like a lot of the sounds on this one. I want some vocals to make it feel human. maybe someone angry. nice stereo effect phasing…nice change, no vocals but keeping me interested. Man I thought of about 6 vocal melodies you could have put on this. Don’t be scared…DO IT. I like the production. Id love to hear any one of these ideas with vocals even humming.

Tokyo – sounds like a real sax. Nice. I can appreciate real people playing real instruments. I don’t think there are going to be any vocals on this one @ 1:30. guitar rushes the beat a bit at times. I like the vibe.

Tyler Zahnke- Oh god cheap keyboards… Uh oh. for those sounds you better really bring it. tempo problems. nice enough melody though. what was that at 2:40?

Wages- I like the melody and the vocal delivery after the intro better. tighten up the doubles a little. I think you got a good song but needs some more rehearsal.

WreckdoM-live sound. Like the vocals. love the slow delivery. Beck is as close as it comes. Nice groove. the song wants a change. maybe a pretty chorus, maybe one that hits, but needs a change. But like the vibe

[Hoblit]

Bearing in mind that these are MP3s I'm hearing, and that I'm listening on headphones so as not to disturb my roommates, here's a start on the reviews.

Hoblit — Ah, there's the drums. Production-wise I kind of wish the chorus felt louder than the verse, because it's very striking. Wish the verse melody had more shape to it to go with the lyrics, which are the best I've heard thus far.

Yes, the 80s sounding drums are on purpose. Over the years I've become somewhat good at programming different styles of drums. I even break out the real set every once and a while, but I'm extremely limited there. However, this week I specifically programmed the drums just about as simple as I could with the most lame 80s sounding samples I could find.

The mix (including the dynamics you mention) suffers from too little time left over to get it right. I agree, those choruses could have been more powerful if I had the time to really make it punch.

Thank you for your review.

These reviews were written in fits and starts over several days, and reflect changing moods, and possibly mood-altering substances. YMMV. Hope I don't piss anybody off, but remember, don't take it personally. I'm just some jerk on the Internet.

----

Hoblit - I like the thick, heavy sound. The chorus comes at just the right time, modulates interestingly, accelerates the chord changes, builds well, develops an exciting sound (great air raid siren guitar). Second verse emerges quietly, with the vocal an octave higher (and some minor changes in the guitar, if I'm not mistaken). Gentle outro sums up. In other words, a very well-crafted song. Tune is likeable too. Clean, well-balanced recording. A solid entry.

I'm not sure if you read my previous comments in this thread or not, but you are spot on about the air raid siren guitar. That is exactly what I was going for. I originally had it in the whole chorus but later decided that it was more effective in rejuvenating the chorus, half way through.

You are also correct about the changing verse guitar. The chords are the same but verse 1 is palm muted while the second verse is open and flowing.

Thank you for noticing and for the very constructive and illustrative review. I really do appreciate that.

Thanks again.

Hoblit- like the guitar sound. Vocals feel right on with mood. like the build. and the bring back. nice octave vocal for increased energy. could double the vocal on the verse. nice back to the quiet verse. I like it.

Are you subtly trying to tell me you don't like my singing? (doubling comment) Ha, that's okay. But for the record, the entire thing has doubled vocals mixed to one degree or another. I only mixed them a little higher during the choruses. Thank you for taking the time to review our songs this week

[Hoblit]

I want to thank everyone for their sense of humor. I sweated that a little thinking people might not 'get it'.

But it appears to have gone over okay. So thanks for not flaming me!

Also, again...a big thanks to everyone who submitted a song and participated in this fight.

Extra thanks to those of you who took the time to review 40+ songs!

[Paco Del Stinko]

I appreciate all reviews, but it was especially nice to see some snarky ones. Thanks, Hoblit! Also, I really dig Mr. Owens review style although they help make me feel dumb(er).

[Paco Del Stinko]

have to say you are consistently my favorite artist here. I cant suggest much to improve cause it is put together very well. If I gotta come up with something; try the edge of the ride with the shoulder of the stick for a crashier sound or for a little variation on the ride. that’s all I got.

You are very kind. Ya know, that cymbal advice is so simple yet so huge. I am obviously not a drummer, but I will be incorporating that technique soon as I never thought to do it! During NUR EIN! this summer I was admiring Carlo Bruno's washy ride and saying "how does he do that?" Duh! Thanks for the advice!

[frankie big face]

I must admit I had a lot of fun writing and rapping a verse for the Frontalittle track. I'm glad it was well-received. A little out of my comfort zone.

[g_rock]

grock
Its well done but not my cup of tea. Nirvana didnt float my boat.

Yeah I dont like tea either.

You're dangerous with digital tools. This is great all around. I really love the repeating motif and the bass groove. Vocal parts are great, could be a tad louder, as they get a bit washed out as the track gets louder. Love the contrasting sections. Very menacing vibe. Good separation between the guitar parts, too. Love it, worth a second listen. Hope you'll post lyrics.

Thanks for the kind review. Learning something new everyday in Protools. Glad I traded the looper for Protools.

grock: Verse music sounds a lot like a slowed down version of "Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago" by Soul Coughing.

What are you talking about? It sounds NOTHING like them. No just kidding, sounds like I taped them off the radio but never heard of them till now. They seem AWESOME

I like this a lot, it's one of my faves of the fight. Not perfect, but on target.

Thanks bro.

But after cranking it, this is an excellent tune.

Thanks for reviewing everyone that was a shit ton of songs.

[AJOwens]

Also, I really dig Mr. Owens review style although they help make me feel dumb(er).

Hey, thanks! I try to keep it interesting, and useful if I can think of anything.
P.S. Caravan Ray is still chipping away at his Page 1 reviews. I tried an estimated projection based on current rate, but my pencil ran off the end of the graph paper.

[Caravan Ray]

Also, I really dig Mr. Owens review style although they help make me feel dumb(er).

Hey, thanks! I try to keep it interesting, and useful if I can think of anything.
P.S. Caravan Ray is still chipping away at his Page 1 reviews. I tried an estimated projection based on current rate, but my pencil ran off the end of the graph paper.

I always start off slowly, but speed up as I approach the finish (.....hello ladies)

[HeuristicsInc]

add - i like the cadence. i’d like to hear more changes in the instrumentation, like in the instrumental breaks.

balance lost - enjoying the two different vocal styles and the jangly guitar. oh that solo sound is pretty darn cool. i think i’ll give you a vote just for that.

bss - not sure about all of the vocal cadences. i totally love the solo though. that makes me think of brian eno. sometimes i do vote for solos. i am silly. also the end is fun.

big matt - not doing it for me. too much reverb on the voice for what it is. sounds way out of place.

boffo - vox seem like they’re trying too hard. i do appreciate all of the puns in the lyric.

caravan ray - i’d like to see the chorus doing more than just repeating the same line. the tick part is pretty cool. the change to the chorus rejuvenates the song nicely.

chiron - this song makes me move. bring up them vox as before i found the lyrics i had no idea what was being said, lost in the music. sad. but good. tighten up those vox when you’re singing together. more takes should help. feels a bit long by the end. yeah, for this venue i think it should be shorter.

clayne - polished and smooth and interesting. this song reminds me of why i am a c.layne fan.

codpeace - good bandname. vocals are sort of between weird al goofy and serious, maybe try going all the way.

djrd - interesting sound there. this seems to be one of the easier titles to write an instrumental to. but i’d like to hear more going on here.

flvx - in the end it’s kind of fun but it doesn’t stick with me.

foobar - this one sounds good. the repeated “she said” is working well. nanana is catchy.

frontalittle - these tracks are always fun. should have posted the lyrics.

glad - it’s pretty good but i don’t have anything intelligent to say.

glennny - i think this song is well suited to your vocal. my 2 year old is dancing. i like it. the little spoken bits are good.

grammys - the falsetto bits aren’t doing it for me. it’s ok.

grock - nice bassline. and that’s a good sounding vocal. i’m not sure you’re getting the idea of the site, if you are calling your song “dead and gone”. it’s supposed to be a song called “art bomb.” i would vote for this if it was art bomb, but as it is i can’t condone this sort of behavior.

handformula - that main sound is quite piercing on headphones. it’s so distracting i’m having trouble hearing much else.

hij$km - this is us, a new collaboration. i like working with these two. it’s too bad we couldn’t have been four. i would have liked to hear this with some guitar in it too.

hoblit - ooh, this sounds lovely on my headphones. i love that intro sound. really enjoying how all the sounds work together, and the change in the chorus. there’s a lot of nice detail here. love it.

james owens - weapons of mass deconstruction is awesome. i was going to say it needed more sonic variety, but then the solo satisfied that urge. i’ll give it a vote.

jim tyrrell - enjoying that choral patch. the guitar line reminds me of something. love the vocals. did you clip the audience track from one of your shows?

ken - poppy and good. really enjoying the lyrics. and i’ve been very much appreciating when people post their chords… very nice for when people cover you. good solo sound.

level nivelo - welcome back! i was thinking of you the other day, because of your name, red dwarf right? anyway. did you say your dick was going to tingle? sheesh. cymbals sound pretty artificial.

magnetic - interesting. true story? the music needs to be more than just a loop. this sort of thing needs more musical support. bass is good. sort of a strange conglomeration of things.

micah - i wasn’t sure if i was going to like this at first, but you convinced me. the drums propelled the music nicely. good use of that. um, it ended too quickly. that was abrupt, like you ran out of time to write any more lyrics. still, nice effort.

new image - the vocals are making me feel uncomfortable. the ending was good.

niveous - i really like these lyrics. it reminds me a bit of fight club. the repeated guitar motif is hypnotic in a good way. i feel like something else should be happening before it ends, but i do like a lot what is here.

paco - this is making me think of a rock epic, like bohemian rhapsody. fun.

political - cool. nice vibe. kind of jazz butcher.

rio mondo - i like the drum/bass thing. the clips turn it kind of silly later on tho. sort of ruins the mood.

ross - the only bomb we wished would fall again, that’s good.

ryan - heart bomb seems a little trite. i think the story you’ve set up is good, but i’m not sure about its resolution.

schl - not sure what you’re getting at. those squiggly noises are cool. and the solo. it ends rather abruptly. something else needs to happen.

scott - i’m not keen on it until 1:15. then i like it. then it’s a little 70’s. i do like the plinky thing.

tent - my non-songfight brain is enjoying the sounds, but my songfight brain is wondering if it has title significance. don’t think i can vote for it, but it does have cool sounds. i’ll repeat this from before: this seems to be one of the easier titles to write an instrumental to. ending’s a bit disappointing.

tokyo - i think i heard some dude saying some stuff but i couldn’t make it out. not liking the sax. not sure what this song is doing.

tyler - the end of the alphabet is full of instrumentals. this is certainly overwrought. a bit aimless, though.

wages - i feel like you got too involved in the wordplay to tell a story. i like wordplay, but here it seems to be getting in the way.

wreckdom - strange lyrics. i like what the music’s doing.

favorites: balance lost, bss, caravan, chiron, clayne, foobar, frontalittle, glennny, hij$km, hoblit, james owens, tyrrell, ken, micah, niv, paco, political

[Caravan Ray]

hij$km - this is us, a new collaboration. i like working with these two.

Oh, ok. That explains the "hi", and I know the "J$". Is "km" Ken?

[g_rock]

grock - nice bassline. and that’s a good sounding vocal. i’m not sure you’re getting the idea of the site, if you are calling your song “dead and gone”. it’s supposed to be a song called “art bomb.” i would vote for this if it was art bomb, but as it is i can’t condone this sort of behavior.

"the competitors write a brand new song inspired by one of these titles".
My song is about a conflicted artist. Thanks for the review.

[rick.mealey]

Continuing the cook's tour of three dozen entries...

Berkeley Social Scene — Energetic. Liked the chorus better than the verse, which kind of lay flat on the page, and liked the guitar solo better than either for its Frippery. Possible vote.

Big Matt Hyatt — Music was sufficiently ominous for the narrative, but I couldn't decide whether the focus of the mix ought to have been the narrative or the music. More of one and less of the other might have made for a better marriage.

Boffo Yux — If Strawberry Alarm Clock had a Hammond instead of a Farfisa. Complete with cowbell, sounds like. Vocal melody held my interest quite nicely, wished there was more dynamic contrast between sections. Definite maybe.

Caravan Ray — Your tackle box must have very few hooks left in it—you used quite a few here and all of them worked. Build section made me sit up straight. The Dukes Of Stratosphear would be proud. Vote.

CLayne — Trying to put my finger on why this melody is so haunting. Very Graham Nash-era Hollies feel to it—I was about to type "absent the harmonies" when that bridge came up and gave me a rush up the spine. Wish the drums were louder but not enough not to Vote for it.

Codpeace — vocals feel a little buried under the weight of the rest of the arrangement, but I like the Tin Machine feel to the guitar leads. Dig the "two-bit" ending. Maybe.

Flvxxvmflorvm — You forgot to have some crazy Dutchman yodeling in there somewhere. No faulting that guitar work though.. I paid attention to every note choice in there. Clearly I don't listen to enough psychobilly. Maybe.

Frontalittle — a bit of contrast to the drum sound for the chorus would have been a nice kick inside. Verses tell a neat story and everyone's skilled at the mic. Vote.

Glennny — Loved the ironic bossa nova and that little lick going into the chorus, but the chorus itself feels like a different song and it feels like the vocalist isn't all that committed to the notes. Maybe.

Grock — Chorus finally got me the last time through, verses never really did.

More tomorrow.. maybe I can even wrap this thing up.

[HeuristicsInc]

hij$km - this is us, a new collaboration. i like working with these two.

Oh, ok. That explains the "hi", and I know the "J$". Is "km" Ken?

yup, that's right.

"the competitors write a brand new song inspired by one of these titles".
My song is about a conflicted artist. Thanks for the review.

I figured you'd say that. But I am free to hold you to a higher standard than you would hold yourself. In the end, I get to choose who I vote for and why. But most artists here call their songs what the title is.
-bill

[Caravan Ray]

Congratulations JT!

And I came equal second with BSS! Cool! In such a big field I'll take that as a win!

Very glad that I forgot to vote. Because I would have voted for BSS - dropping me back to third. (Though I probably would have voted for myself too - thus keeping things equal)

BTW: I will finish my reviews over the next day or two
The consistent high quality in this big fight is such a change from fights of old

[Billy's Little Trip]

Very glad that I forgot to vote. Because I would have voted for BSS - dropping me back to third. (Though I probably would have voted for myself too - thus keeping things equal)

Actually that would have moved you up one. You are immune to your own venom.

[MicahSommer]

3. MICHAH SOMMERSMITH: Great lyrics. Good song, good arrangement, good performance. Well done.

Micah Sommersmith

I like the intro. Melancholy and direct. Well mixed, performed, and composed. I have nothing to add except I enjoyed it immensely.

Micah- nice melody and a pretty good piece.

Thanks very much for the kind reviews!

michah
A clever dirge. Were the vocals processed? Sounds like some buzzing going on there. Song is structurally sound.

Thanks! I added some reverb and EQ to the vocals, but I'm also still getting used to new recording equipment and software - so I wasn't intentionally going for a processed sound, but it may have happened by accident.

Micah Sommersmith: The story in the lyrics is oddly intriguing. I'm not wild about the arrangement, but I like the composition. A rare instance where I think the song could be just a big longer, as it feels like it ends too abruptly.

Micah Sommersmith This is the theme I expected to hear a lot of. I like the musical mood of it, overall, if not all of the lyrics. The ending is kind of abrupt, but the song doesn't overstay its welcome, either.

micah - i wasn’t sure if i was going to like this at first, but you convinced me. the drums propelled the music nicely. good use of that. um, it ended too quickly. that was abrupt, like you ran out of time to write any more lyrics. still, nice effort.

I expected to get some comments about the abrupt ending and/or the shortness of my song - it's a tendency of mine to go short rather than long - especially if I feel like the song is trying to "make a point" like this one is - I'd rather tell the story briefly and then get out of the way to let the listener think about it than stretch it out or beat them over the head with it. But I can understand that it can be jarring if it's not what you're expecting.

Micah Sommersmith - A very dark take on the title. Well-written lyrics and tune, with a quite musical arrangement. Good performance and recording. Short and wry. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the various instruments seem to be in separate rooms, so to speak; somehow they don't mesh into a unified sound.

I can see where you're coming from about the mix. As I said above, I am still getting used to some new recording software, so hopefully I'll be getting better at this.

Micah Sommersmith
THE LYRICAL CONTENT OF THIS SONG IS EXCELLENT. In fact, I honestly think this is the best take on the title. I really dig this and of course the simplicity of the whole thing is great. I can appreciate mixing the fake drums low but them still being there in order to carry the song from the intro to completion. I'm not crazy about the bass being in the intro with the piano. But that is some weird problem I have with bass guitar & piano only. Thats more on me. But your song is one of the best this week. I have to say that I'm impressed with the simple execution of some of the best lyrics I've heard this week. Excellent work and you are definitley getting my vote.

Thanks, this is very nice to hear. As for the intro, it's actually two different electric piano patches - the one was really thin in the bass, and the other had an annoying break in the range, right in the middle of the right hand melody. I would have liked to have used one instrument but it didn't work out.

I was certainly not expecting to rank very highly with this song, but I do appreciate all the positive feedback. As others have said, thanks for listening to my one among many many songs!