No gag. Just do it. (Save New Orleans Reviews)

[Leaf]

Wally Harbringer: Really like that arrpegiated riff... and the voice over..and then this funky groove builds in. Nice. Real parliment groove going on there. REminds me a bit of Superstion too... that percussive tone on the keys.. funky, groovy goodness. Also dig the soundclips.

Myvirtualband.com: vocal reminds me of soberirishman... I feel like I'm sitting in a smokey bar... with my fedora sitting on the chair beside me... a wilted rose in a vase on the table, a cigar steaming away (except I don't smoke tobacco...oh well). Nice. Nice mood. Very relaxing. Also reminds me of school to be honest. singing is great.

Comfort: Another mellow offering. Also very relaxing. Singing is ok. Guitar... has this warble to it, like a chorus...but almost sounds out of tune with it's self... not in a disturbing way, so you could claim it's this cool effect for ambience or some such thing I suppose. This is not bad, but for some reason it lacks the sincerity (not that you are or are not sincere...just the feeling that I'm getting....)

Roymond: nice playing. Another nice song. Reminds me of something like "greensleeves"...I'm not even sure why. This singing style doesn't remind me of other stuff you've done in the past... why that is, I dunno. ah...it's the 6/8 (which sometimes feels like 3/4) thingy that got me the greensleeves vibe...and the progression. I like that, it has this neat middle english folk song vibe going on. I'm not getting into the lyrics really, but I like the performance and the playing and the musical accompaniment.

Bjam: first thing I noticed is how much more "mature" your voice sounds on this. Not an age thing actually, more like an experiential thing... it's stronger, but more sensitive as well. the dynamic control is real good. The song itself... isn't really standing out, but the vocals are. You ever hear Holly Cole? Your voice kinda reminds me of her on this one. Really like your singing on it. The guitar part has a nice desperation to it...if that makes any sense.

Luke Henely: I think I just spelt your name wrong.

Luke Henley: That's better. weird panning going on, sounds like the lead vocal is off to the right...oh..it's all over. Maybe there is no lead. You have a creepy style to your music. It's very unique. This one is more interesting to me than previous ones. It seems more coherent, although that isn't really a hallmark of your style either. the outro was fun...not bad.

Dylan Nau: Ah, my favourite gush target. I can hear your style already on those keys... that funky, laid back comping... dude... is that a drum machine? What happened to your drum kit? maybe it's a really stellarly miked kit with super tight playing...yeah. Very acid jazzy vibe here. Tight. nice backing vox. this is like Classic Dylan, but better, cause it's new. love the ethereal pads. Yeah, basically, love it.

A Small Majority: some noise! ...you got me all horny for some heavy slamming tunage...but then you went all flaky on me... I'm feeling "Tool" on this. Love that drum line in there... cool sound scaping going on. ah Ha! At first, I'm like, "hey cool clashy thing in there...right on"...then I realized that's Johnny!! cool... now I think you ARE the clash! this is cool.

Hoblit: Ah...here is the rock. I needed some rock... ok, it's johnny rotten, who cares. you know, hoblit, you rock, no matter what you do. the drum machine bits... honestly... ugh. The parts are ok, but the dynamics are so static, it sounds ...unfit for this tune. I love the singing, I love the vibe. Rockin. hey, that solo is great. you know what this almost reminds me of? A really hyper joy division with JR singing'/bitchin over top... right on.

8LO: 8LO brings the weird everytime. this has quite the atari 5200 vibe going on. wacky. this one seems a bit...two dimensional or something. I really wanna bitch about teh drum machine bits. I know we don't all have drummers, but there are those that can program like a mutha... this has a bit of a violent femme's kinda feel on the drums... without the brushes. I like the part, it's disjointed, occasionally that gets a bit distracting, but it's also effective at times. This sounds like an experiment or something. it's good, but you are so much better.

Phunt: you know, I just don't enjoy this stuff. knock yourself out though. Just bores me.

Max the Cat: you really never disappoint. you also don't seem to do much reviewing..unless I'm missing something..but still, I dig your stuff. It's steeped in stylistic perspectives that are so not what I grew up with. Your like a demented Randy Newman who did too much LSD. This one is a little more straight forward. Great playing and singing.


good tunes. Most likely, I'm voting Dylan.

[boltoph]

Dylan Nau: Ah, my favourite gush target.

Your voices sound hauntingly similar, I'd like to hear a Dylan Nau/Leaf 62 collab with harmony vocs.

[Leaf]

I'd just like to hear a new leaf 62 sometime... f**ing goof keeps doing collabs and then completely disrupts everyone's schedule with realtime concerns...


that's weird man... I don't hear the similarity at all...although one day, if I'm lucky, I'll get to do a collab with The Nau.

You know, I find that 8Lo and Nau have similar voices... I actually thought 8LO WAS Dylan at first when he came along...

[Smalltown Mike]

I'd just like to hear a new leaf 62 sometime.

I agree—your stuff rocks. I've burned an audio CD of nothing but Leaf and rocked it at the cottage a couple weeks ago.

[boltoph]

I don't hear the similarity at all...

I admit it, your voice does sound a bit more tenor than Dylan Nau's.
Get in there. Where is that Leaf 62 group anyway. Where did they go?

[Leaf]

they're moving to another city in three weeks and have thusly packed up the drummer.

[Ronnie]

I'm a newbie here so you can take my reviews with a grain of salt.
My mom tells me if I can't say anything nice... So there willl be some songs missing from my reviews. Nothing personal it's just my personal taste.

Small majority and Wally, I think I can revew you two together. I like this use of the media. I would have liked these better if the media was used more as support for a lyric

Comfort Yea they did! and they continue to do so.

Dylan Great production

MVB I heard marty's sax and just knew I had to sing this song.

Max the cat Yea baby!

[Smalltown Mike]

they're moving to another city in three weeks and have thusly packed up the drummer.

That makes me absolutely furious, and then I look at your avatar baby pic, and I just think, aw, he's just as cute as a button and all my anger melts away.

[turtlehead]

My mom tells me...it's just my personal taste.

The only thing missing from your avatar is a turtlehead in your mouth.

[tonetripper]

hahaha...... best username ever..... hahahaha..... turtlehead...... they suck or stick out when you got to dump......... hahahhaa

[boltoph]

A Small Majority
I really like how the intro seems to signify the disaster, the horror of the storm. Dark and treacherous, but interupted by a child-like verse melody and vocal. I'll take that verse part to be like a grotesque twist on the situation like "children playing 10 feet from a rotting corpse" which is something I recently read in an article. Interesting changes. I'd like to think it's never too late.

Bjam
The sadness in this tune and the stories each verse tells, may be gut wrenching if I hear it the right way. Alright it is. Reminds me of how sad this situation really is. At one point it almost reminds me of a song from Dirty Dancing, but I try not to think of that. Very sensitive

Comfort
They fucked up in New Orleans, eh? Yeah right. Waited too long, BLAH. There are hurricanes EVERY YEAR. The vocals seem like they were just thought up on the fly without any real thought. I appreciate the emotional quality of the music but the lyrics don't live up to the vibe that the guitar lays.

Dylan Nau
Now this starts off with a mystery vibe that really grabs me. The build to the drums, and then to the vocals is nicely, conservatively laid. I appreciate that. There's a good vibe going on. The line "what was about to unfold" really digs into me, longing to hear a more intricate story. The tune could have more of a story, I kinda expected it to go somewhere more interesting but just lingers on that one vibe the whole time.

8LO
I really like the edgy vocal melody but the one thing that bothers me is the choppiness of the drums. Would've preferred a straight beat to move the song along, with an occasional break into the choppy drums like on "Grandma...". The chord changes and vocal melody that follows for the chorus, really grab me, very hooky.

Here, Let Us Phunt You and Your Friends:
Step back and envision a collage of sound. An arrangement of noise. Egg is a talented artist of sound. I'm pretty psyched to be part of this Phunt entry, and hopefully another in the near future. You have to imagine the chaos of the storm, my guitar plays the background sadness, and everything else represents the chaos of the storm and destruction. I even like the way the voices converge and sway during the chorus, really reminds me of a water filled with sickness.

Hoblit
I like the punk rock, and the line about a "black water tomb". I wanted to hear a bigger change to half time around 1:18. Because of the title and the distress of the situation, I like how the guitars really feel kinda chaotic and desperate, with the jerky stops and starts.

Luke Henley
I am happy that you are getting your levels up higher than in the past. This song really hits me as I think about the flood situation, the loss of Mardi Gras, I like the groove you're getting into around 1:40. The ending is just haunting. Heartbreaking.

Max the Cat
I heard that people were still drinking in bars in New Orleans, people that refused to leave. I picture them playing a tune like this, just trying to forget the smell and horror. Or maybe these folks all had a party barge sailing away on a lake of shit, piss, and gas. I can't feel the title at all with this song, and it really lacks originality, it's like Jimmy Buffet in a dark sewer. I guess that's original, in its own way.

MyVirtualBand.com
Right when it picks up and I think I might start to enjoy it more, lines like "somebody strike up the band", "heard a grown man cry" and "since the music died" sorta ruin it for me. The beginning and ending with the sax head are nice, but are just such common staples for jazz standards, to the point of cliche. I can't help thinking this guy's enjoying his own voice far too much; doesn't feel as emotionally sincere as I think it could be.

Roymond
What a wonderful opening guitar line. I like the line about sins / floating, but didn't like the "moat" rhyme (although so convenient). I would think it more of a swamp, a dire strait...the tones of the guitar and vocal are very sweet, and I like how the guitar intro comes back after "within you".

Wally Harbinger
Another stellar intro. I don't know what kind of instrument it is, but it's really pulling me right in. This tune has the seriousness I was looking for, with a title like this. Some great play of rhythm on the soundclips. I like how this is a work of journalism, objective, stating the facts.

[Nau,D]

Dylan Nau
The tune could have more of a story, I kinda expected it to go somewhere more interesting but just lingers on that one vibe the whole time.

Thanks for the review Boltoph. I agree with you 100%, I had a great story about when I was in New Orleans and our Sax player passed out in the bathroom and knocked his teeth out when he fell and hit the toilet. I got lazy though and just threw together a couple verses. Should have worked harder on telling the whole story instead of focusing on a short song. Maybe Ill finish it someday, but probably not. Thanks again.

[h]

bingo.... i was wondering if people would notice that i just improvised that song and you did!

+10 points

8 legged octopus kicks ass, wins vote... i want more octo

[Spud]

i want more octo

Sorry, we only enter one song per week

Seriously though, what, are you crazy?

[Wally Harbinger]

I don't know what kind of instrument it is

Logic EVD6 clav simulator.

[boltoph]

...was in New Orleans and our Sax player passed out in the bathroom and knocked his teeth out when he fell and hit the toilet.

Thanks for the bit o' story. No real gripes about the short song vs. the story, was just sayin. It is a one week deadline and all

...improvised...

Sorry for the caps and such, didn't really mean to be so harsh...was overly sensitive about the situation after reading a bunch of newspapers the day before...

Logic EVD6 clav simulator

Word, I thought it was a guitar with some kind of effects or synth modeling on it!

[roymond]

Roymond
What a wonderful opening guitar line. I like the line about sins / floating, but didn't like the "moat" rhyme (although so convenient). I would think it more of a swamp, a dire strait...the tones of the guitar and vocal are very sweet, and I like how the guitar intro comes back after "within you".

I appreciate that it's perhaps a convenient rhyme. But here's where I'm coming from. Rebuilding New Orleans means 1) "floating" the city out of the - yes - swamps, whatever, and 2) putting into place defense mechanisms that protect the city. I like the concept of a moat here, as there already was a sort of moat there, what with the river and the lake and all. But the moat is a defense of water dug into the ground and the levees are defenses from water build out of the ground. It inverted the concept and plays on what's threatening and what's defending.

OK, that's where I was last week and I'm stickin with it...

Thanks for the feedback. It helps a lot when wondering if my vision means anything to anybody.

[Hoblit]

Hoblit
I like the punk rock, and the line about a "black water tomb". I wanted to hear a bigger change to half time around 1:18. Because of the title and the distress of the situation, I like how the guitars really feel kinda chaotic and desperate, with the jerky stops and starts.

This man knows his art. I wanted to stay away from the 'sensitive Hoblit' and do something that 'cooked'. I didn't want to diminish the New Orleans situatin though. I used the Choruses to break that and send the fluent message. God save New Orleans. There is another song this week that did something similar by having a New Orleans sounding band in dissaray bleeding through their track that accomplishes the same thing. I can't remember which entry that is off hand but I get the same vibe from it.

Thanks!

[boltoph]

...the moat is a defense of water dug into the ground and the levees are defenses from water build out of the ground. It inverted the concept and plays on what's threatening and what's defending.

I like that, and like it more, the more I think about "moat" and listen, it really does sound stagnant and toxic, there used to be evil creatures in moats too.

here is another song this week that did something similar...band in dissaray bleeding through their track...

I think it was Luke Henley's track that had that band at the end of his tune...so haunting, like the Titanic going down with the band still playing. I just pictured those bars with people that refused to leave, and a band that plays on...

[Hoblit]

My reviews:

<b>A Small Majority:</b> I really like the band name. Outside of the harsh beginning (and yes, I do get it) I generally like this song. The drums are sweet. The distorted bass? is pretty nice and I think covers the harshness while the vocals in the back soften the song and make it quite listenable. The rhythm of 'too doggone late' is a nice touch but I don't like the phrase itself. Not your fault I know

<b>Bjam:</b> Sad, I'm going to get into the suicide line before it gets too long. I have two cats and I can't imagine leaving those guys behind in any sort of situation. I've invested way too much into them. So this song gets me right there. Technically it's flawless...awesome vocals and great guitar playing. It's a very pretty song that is well written and very well executed. The lyrics are nice...even excusable is the cliche 'a little, a lot' because of how good this song is overall. <a href="http://www.sitnews.us/0905news/091205/0 ... _pets.html" target="resource window">This</a> article might make you smile a little bit if yo hadn't already known about it.

<b>comfort:</b> I like the tenderness of this song. I like the guitar however simple but sweet. I'm not crazy about the lyric that involves the word 'shit' although I do like 'they effed up in New Orleans'. Not shocked..and I even agree with you, I just don't happen to like the way that particular line sounds against the music. The melody is nice and I dig it overall. Good work.

<b>Dylan:</b> Pink Floyd. Strait off of 'Wish You Were Here' and that certainly ain't a BAD thing. Not even close. I liked this from the first Bass note to the last keyboard stroke. The lyrics aren't bad but they are what takes it out of Pink Floyd's vein. This is probably the catchiest song of the week by far. I have to admit I wasn't expecting to hear the word 'titties' durring this fight... Well written piece with a nice dark groove. The harmonies in the chorus are excellent. One of the best songs this week.

<b>8legs:</b> ANOTHER freakin' good song. I really like the music here and I'm not a bleepy guy. Perhaps that new Beck song is changing my mind about beeps and bleeps. I really really like your vocals on this song. I'm a sucker for your delivery. Especially the word 'hurricane' and it's rhyme. I like your reference to gasoline and 'the big easy ..swallowed'...good stuff.

<b>Phunt:</b> Not digging this. I like some of the guitar playing. I can hear talent there and it sounds to be a decent recording of that particular guitar. I'm not crazy about the vocals and I can't hear the lyrics all that well. I get the chaotic type stuff but I just can't say that I'm really digging on it. I can see this band working through the vocal problems and adding a bit more structure to their songs and they would have some really good stuff there.

<b>Hoblit:</b>Wish I had more time on the vocals. I always say that. Also, suprised nobody compared the vocals to The Dead Kennedys. Which is what I was really trying to go for..and would have gotten ...you know..if I had more time on the vocals. (I did get one Johnny Rotten, and to that I say 'piss off' ((in my best/worst english accent)) )

<b>Luke Henly:</b> Looking past the production value... The harmonies at the beginning are a bit shakey but I think if they were spot on this song would be up one more notch. The guitar work could use a little more practice before the red light is switched on. I hear the idea of this song and I do like that. Unfortunately the execution lacks the little bit of tightness that it needs. HOWEVER, I REALLY LIKE the jazz band thing at the end...sampled I know..but it's a nice touch to your ghost like sound thorughout the song.

MaxCat: <b> This is the best song this week. Hands down. It's a great song all the way around. The lyrics are exceptional and the music is simply great. The piano is sweet and I like the little walk it does at the end of the verses. This song also harnesses the feel of the title better than any of the other songs this week. It's not depressing but it definitely touches on the subject...but the way that New Orleans would if it were a band. It's an uplifting song characterized by New Orleans influence. I am voting for this song. Great work.</b>

<b>VirtualGuy:</b> This song is almost as good as Max's. In fact this comes in a close second for me. I love the electric piano and the whole jazzy blues feel. Like Max's..it captures a sound that I would almost expect New Orelans to have if it were a band singing about it's recent catastrophe. And though 'grown man cry' line is cliche..it's appropriate. I love the sax and the backing vocals in the middle. The reverb and treble are just perfect for this particular 'sound'. Excellent song this week.

<b>Roy:</b>This is a good song. I dig your guitar playing (despite the choked chord in there) and I really like the walk up between one of those chords. I think I would have liked this song better if it was on an electric with chorus and reverb. To my ears it needs a darker sustain to the guitar playing. I think your erie vocals on top of that would be more effective. I like the lyrics but I'm not sure I understand them..if I do...then we have something in common about the thoughts on rebuilding the city.

<b>Wally:</b> This too sounds a bit Pink Floydish from 'wish you were here'. This is a good way to address the title. The music is fantastic and the message is delivered by key players in this disaster. Funky and well executed. I hear some awesome talent in there. It's a bit jammy but I believe thats what you were going for. Which again, is flawless. Beuracracy (sp) commited murder. I know more than a few people who would agree.

<b>excellent fight!</b>

[SaxManRunning!]

Dylan Nau
The tune could have more of a story, I kinda expected it to go somewhere more interesting but just lingers on that one vibe the whole time.

Thanks for the review Boltoph. I agree with you 100%, I had a great story about when I was in New Orleans and our Sax player passed out in the bathroom and knocked his teeth out when he fell and hit the toilet. I got lazy though and just threw together a couple verses. Should have worked harder on telling the whole story instead of focusing on a short song. Maybe Ill finish it someday, but probably not. Thanks again.

That's my brother! er... the guy who knocked his teeth out. Welcome Back Dylan I have been waiting for your return. And I have a sticker of Gold Standerd on my notebook. FYI

[thehipcola]

<b>A Small Majority</b>
That is a mess of noise...wow. I like it. Nice vocal sample...I like how this builds. I'm not as fond of the childish chanting behind the vocal sample second time through. The mix is great.

<b>Bjam</b>
Fantastic emotive chord progression. I so hope to hear you backing yourself up vocally in this piece...such a nice voice. This has a nice, effective intimate quality to it. NICE! Doubling and harmonies as requested, though rather sparse and low in the mix, I'll take it. Very pretty song, well done Bjam. I love the subtle movement vocally into the 7th chords here and there. Great job overall. Keeper.

<b>comfort</b>
Stylistic choice it may be, but I hear too many repeats of "They fucked up in New Orleans". That said..this is sparse and effective. Nice space in this mix. The guitar seems a bit boomy on the low end..could be my pc speakers sub woofer. Keepr.

<b>Dylan Nau</b>
glad to see you back here Dylan! phat grrroove. Did someone say Pink Floyd? I'm not feeling that at all. Nice lead off the top. Super mix as usual. Great vocals! This is top shelf dude. Bass line is infectious. Mmm...fade out...too soon imo. Great work. Keeper.

<b>Eight Legged Oedipus</b>
Awesome groove, I like the jilted feel. Vox are a tad quiet in the mix. This is a super cool tune, and I don't have much else to say about it. Keeper. Kind of tune that get's a guy diggin' through the archive... Great mix, great production.

<b>Here, Let Us Phunt You and Your Friends</b>
I think Boltoph summed this one up perfectly. Props to his guitar work and to Egg's collage-erizing.


<b>Hoblit</b>
Nice drum programming. This rocks hard. Wow..great guitar solo. Like that alot. Nice punky mix. Keeper.


<b>Luke Henley</b>
Hiss both gets me down and adds character..hmm. I'd like to hear the guitar more prominent in the mix to root the song better. It's pretty solemn. I like how you used some NO jazz..would like that to be a bit more ethereal, maybe in the back of some reverb...? Nice job. Like the ending.


<b>Max the Cat</b>
This is great! Might be the best lyrics of the fight. Great work Max! Mix is great. All the performances are tight. Nice french! Good length, would have liked another part to this song. Definite Keeper. Great job.


<b>MyVirtualBand.Com</b>
That sax is awesome! This is really well done. Can't get over how great the sax is. Keys playing is fantastic too. Now those are pipes! Wow. Another great song. Keeper.

<b>Roymond</b>
Great sounding acoustic guitar right away gets my attention. Well played. Nice progression. Vocals sound really nice. It's nice when a progression can stand on its own without accompaniment. Great work Roymond! Keeper. Nice ending..like the fading into air vocal.

<b>Wally Harbinger</b>
This is cool. Wish that arpeggiated keyboard part was a guitar. Same samples as the first tune...was there a sample pack released? Oh...I like the tightened up second bit. Nice. This sounds fantastic, and the song is great. I'm not a huge fan of sample edit-type songs, but this is quite well done. Stripping audio from video is time consuming, so hats off for the work you've put in. Keeper.

8L0 gets my vote this week, close second shared by Dylan Nau and Max the Cat. But all of the songs were great, no duds. Thanks everyone!