Pigfarmer Jr: I prefer to focus my bile on very specific fucking assholes.
I think you're point is valid. We just had an election of city council, mayor and some propositions. Additionally, it was reported that there might be a prohibition of parking meters in municipalities by the state legislator. I believe in more power at the lower levels and less at the higher levels sot his goes against my natural instinct. But my city extended parking meter enforcement to 7:00 p.m. in order to "help with the downtown parking situation" but there is plenty of parking downtown by 5:30 when I usually arrive for my errands. It was simply a money grab for those of us who have business in the area. Also, the streets are shit this year, especially if you're on a motorcycle. The number of potholes has increased tremendously. Like big ones.
So it wasn't aimed at a particular person, but it was definitely aimed at the city council who is deciding to take more of my money and do less with it.
Afraidy Cougar—This reminds me of something I can’t quite place. Belle & Sebasian, maybe? It’s a too little mellow for me, but the execution is pretty good. I like the bouncy guitar line; it’s simple, but it works well in the song. The end seems more like a stoppage than a conclusion.
Balls To Monte—It’s cool how this builds—and goes up and down—as it goes. I like the interplay among the different instruments. Could be longer without any problems.
Berkeley Social Scene—This is good. I like the transition from verse to chorus. Good melodies. The vocal is good, too. This is among my favorites of yours. There’s a feeling of unease that is effectively conveyed and enhanced by both the lyrics and music.
Gil Sans—I’m antsy for this to speed up, but it never does. I like the understated delivery of the confrontational lyrics. I think there’s a good song here, but I want it to be faster. Drums sound good, which I can now say is as usual.
The Gross Tones—I think dissonance works better in fast songs. The pounding drumbeat got on my nerves after a while. This just didn’t work well for me. Sorry.
Johnny Cashpoint—This is clever, but I found the lyrical content off-putting. The short duration makes me think it’s not intended to be too serious, which makes it work a little better.
Lichen Throat (me)—This is my elegy to the letters column of Dragon magazine. I was a little disappointed by the chorus when I recorded this, and it’s only gotten worse as I’ve listened to it more. There are some parts of this I like, but it feels too chaotic and lacking in cohesion. Not my best, not my worst. The various comments about the drums are well-taken; I think the drums are better on my "Space Bar" entry.
The Magnetic Letters—The instrumentation is very interesting. I like the jerky (not meant as pejorative) rhythm. In particular, I like the ascending melody at 1:20 and where it is repeated elsewhere. I’m guessing this refers to a real guy, but I couldn’t figure out who it is.
Night Sky—This is appealing right from the beginning. I like the guitar strumming and the way your voice meshes with it. I’m less keen on the lyrics, even though I agree with most of your sentiments. It seems too overt for my sensibilities. The last line is cool, though. Nice whistling. And I’m still enjoying that guitar.
Paco del Stinko—Kind of a Cars (the band, not the movie) thing going on here. I like this one; it simply sounds good. Lots of good melodies throughout. It’s very aesthetically cohesive, too.
Pigfarmer Jr—I like the punk. I like the melodies. I don’t like the lyrics as much. As with some of the other songs, I’d like more subtlety. I do like the new style from you, and I think you executed the style well.
Possum Sauce—Wow, this is sorrowful. The vocal fits it perfectly. This is very, very effective. Don’t change a thing. I think you accomplished exactly what you had in mind.
Somewhere Off the Left Coast—This sounds so pure and sad (in a good way). It would not have occurred to me to mix the vocal as you did, but I think it works very well in the song. I really like the arrangement on this.
Sumner Sloane—This sounds like a song my buddy would break out on vinyl from the 70s and then I would wonder why I had never heard of the band before. The bass and kick drum are on the edge of being too [something I don’t have vocabulary for, sort of like too much pressure on my eardrum]. I like the song, though. Nice work.
toby roktot—I liked the lyrics. There’s some clipping/distortion at the louder moments. I’d like to hear this with a full band, though I very much enjoy your guitar playing. Overall, I like the song, but the distortion is too much of a distraction.
WreckdoM—I like the comparatively conventional instrumentation. The drums, in particular, are good. I’m not as keen on the lyrics, which I’m sure is predictable, given my sensibilities. I’m still grooving on the drums, though.
Just a little before I start. I'm new to this and am just a dad making music when my kid is asleep, so please take these reviews
with a grain of salt.
Night Sky: Nice folky start and the vocals compliment that. I feel I could hear this by a songwriter here at an open mic (or at least when we still had them). Being from west virginia, I am pretty familiar with the acoustic singer songwriter especially being one myself. I like the whistling it breaks up the song nicely.
Pigfarmer Jr: I enjoy the garage rock sound and the intro is pretty good for capturing that. Dig the the vocals they have attitude. I can relate with the lyrics because I'm from a crooked town that really doesn't give a fuck about us either.
I like the riff in the chorus, good change up. And in true punk fashion is was over before I knew it.
Lichen Throat: I dig the panning. The vocals kinda throw me off but something I could get used to if I were listening to an album of these songs. I like the vocal panning in the talk part of the song. The instrumental guitar break down is really pretty.
WreckdoM: Solid rock intro, I like the panned vox. The "I don't like you at all" I feel like the vox might do well panned a little differently. seems a little crowded on the right side. This is a solid punky rock song. I like the bass and drums part. I always mean to do that a little more in my own songs.
Somewhere off the west coast: Very magical intro. I'm not sure, but I think the vox might be a little too hot in the mix and could stand to be turned down a smidge. Kinda has a modest mouse vibe to me. Stacked vox sound nice. Dig the instrumental guitar part. I like unconvetional distortion.
tobyroktot: Kinda reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot. Solid acoustic singer-songwriter style of song. I like the lyrics some witty lines. Sounds like there might be some clipping a little in parts of it. I like the slow tempo change up.
Johnny Cashpoint: I like this its a little quirky like old pink floyd. The instrument choice all works well. Dig the panning. Really short, But I've never been one to knock brevity.
Paco del stinko: Solid alt rock start. Dig the bass line. Vocals fit nicely. I love the chorus the progression is dissonant in a good way. Need to take notes for my own songs with that. I really dig this. I like the subtle synth sounds in there as well.
Gil Sans: This feels like a change up in the order that I'm listening in and I like that. Like a piece of ginger between pieces of sushi. I like the lax feel and tempo, but I might be biased because I enjoy slo core. I like the keys. Honestly all of this works for me, good job.
Summer Sloane: Nice energetic intro. Like the doubled vox. Melody works decently enough. This has a classic feel to it and I dig that. Like the placement of the splashes, I'm taking notes lol. This is another one I dig, its solid. I like the instrumental drop off. This is something I've been messing with myself for sometime.
Balls to Monte: I like that keyboard intro. Is it trem panning? I like it. I've been trying to learn the keys here lately so I admire any use of them. This track ended kinda adruptly, but if you take away anything from this review: Keys!
Berkeley Social Scene: Intro is good. I dig the space between the instruments. Gives them room to breath. Vocals suit the song nicely. I dig the pacing. I know it seems like the word of the day for me is panning, but I dig the panning! I'm probably just really paying attention to the things I'm currently instrested in implementing in my own works. There are alot of strong entries and this is one of them. Halfway through and I'm getting a C86 feel from it. All very nice. That solo tone is pretty sick. Very tasty riffs.
Possum Sauce: First off, dig the name. I like the analog percussion sounds. Charming, and the mellotron sounds are nice. Everything really works well together, could hear this on an indie film. "Tom felt more than the rest of us, was that a gift? was that a curse?' I really like that line. I dig this.
The Gross Tones: I like all the sounds indepently but I'm not sure how well they fit together. Very brave use of flanger. I like when the keys come in. I like the doubled vocals. I like that descending change up at the 2 minute mark. Had a cool vibe about it.
Afraidy Cougar: I was going for yacht rock. Eh I missed the mark, but I was messing with the elements of the style. Guitar tone is just a roland jazz chorus. Really been trying to learn reaper lately. Always been one to use tascam recorders. The lyrics are mainly headlines from those weekly world news tabloids. I was playing with the idea of not saying the title in the lyrics.
The Magnetic Letters: I like the xylophone. The dig the vocal melody, harmony, phrasing and lyrics. That bass line is pretty slick. You have chorus on that bass? I need to do that more. I really like this one. Everything about this works.
Sorry for the late, partial reviews....
I'll try to do better next fight.
PigfarmerJr - Sweet, short song wonderfully delivered. The sad part : the lyrics are soooo true !!!
JohnnyCashpoint - This song has a story begging to be told and you did a very good job. I just wish the song were longer.
(Also, I agree with the Leonard Cohan vibe from another reviewer).
PacodelStinko - Wow, the bass line just grabs you and holds on. Very nice.
TheMagneticLetters - Another very nice song from you guys. I enjoy listening to it. Thanks !!
NightSky - Even though I'm not a fan of the whistle thingy, I like your song.
BallstoMonte - Very nice song. The outro is a nice touch.
PossumSauce - This could be a classic Leonard Cohan song. Love the soft background with great vocals out front.
The only thing is I think the ending is a bit abrupt....Sayin'
BSS - Great vocals and, as always, great band !! Kinda reminds me of some of the softer rock of The Cars.
GilSans - Very nice song. Really like the simplistic arrangement.
