Hey, baby... I'm on Song Fight... (Big Success reviews)

[thehipcola]

Wish I had more time to review fights just for fun...like this one:



Astrolamb - There is something compelling about this, maybe cuz it's mono. I like the lilt. I find the song needs some more vocal arrangement, but maybe thats part of the character I'm digging. Mix is plain jane, I can hear everything most of the time. Keeper.

BigMountainFudgeCake - Deep. Like the squelchy ending.

Paco Del Stinko - Nice sounding guitar! Great intro. Great mix. Love the guitar playing. This is a great performance. Not sold on the sound of the main vox....and I can't put my finger on why. This could be off 12 Country Greats. Keeper.

Dublin Duck Dispensary - Rolling off the bass from vox tracks = betterness. Timing, pitch, mix issues aside, this is a pretty solid medium crappy song.

Special Relatives - I hope there are different people singing in that snakepit...'cuz if it's just one of you, no excuses. I like the pulse and mood of the tune, but the vocals kind of suck it. Less beer, more emoting!

Melvin - Love the chorus. Not sold on the main keys line. Do like the bass part and sound. Alot. In fact, that might be the hook for me. There are some stylistic intersections that don't work in this tune. But the mix is great, and the performances are great. Keeper.

Yet Another One - I wish I heard more distorted bass on SF!. I wish yours was ballsier.

Jordan Seavers - I like the drum groove transition. This is a nice full sounding mix. Great synth bass sound. I wish your voice sounded less Grandaddy/DCFC-ish, but you can sing and harmonize well. With the backing tracks posessing so much character, I wonder if your voice is a bit too plain..maybe a bit of delay or some wacky but subtle effect..? Keeper.

Tex Beaumont - Totally not my thang, Tex. I rally dislike this. Some cool moments toward the end, but not enough for me.

Chin Music - Lovely guitar work. Great lyrics, great delivery. I rather like this tune alot. Keeper. Possible Vote.

Wreckdom - Freakin' awesome. Love the lyrics and delivery. Keeper. Possible vote.

Thornberry - Some nifty guitar work in there, but it seems to hiccup when your vox comes in first couple of verses... This tune is pretty good, but it doesn't hold me much. Too much regurg on the same theme. Needs another part or two, another guitar mehbe?, some stereoness.... GnG is such a challenge for me.

[astrolamb]

Less beer, more emoting!

WRONG!!!!!!

[JAK]

…ChinMusic, commenting on today’s hits and picks to click…

Wreckdom: …Am I a precedent, or just an accident? is a very good line, summing up the human condition as it does. Best use of dog, best Slim Pickins. Yeah, ‘cause I didn’t recognize Lovitz I didn’t get the reference, and would’ve been slightly happier if it’d been dropped. bfd
Jordan Seavers:. Beauty is nothing to sneer at, life is too short. Nice. Nice is nice, sue me.
Paco del Stinko: Very musically funny. It’s always been slightly odd to me how the polka and certain C&W strains cross so obviously. I’m less fond of the words, but I think only because the music has my attention & I don’t love being harangued, but a v. fine effort.
Tex B. & the DHs: This is quite sophisticated, I’m always so impressed by the musical ability in this group; also funny lyrically. Prolly a winner. Although it fades out at the end, and in the last round someone said how they HATED fadeouts, which made me go “huh!â€

[a bebop a rebop]

Astrolamb - That bass sounds super-muffled but then when the guitar comes in it covers up the bass nicely so no problem. Plus the guitar sounds awesome. I like the effects you're using on it and the line sounds a bit unconventional and gives the song this big nice lilt to it. I'm not feeling the drumming in the chorus, that snare on the fourth beat gives it a martial feel that I don't particularly dig. Your voice is distinctive too. Thematically it pretty much sits immobile, but other than that it's all solid.

BMFC - I get the feeling you're not obsessively checking the message board, praying for more reviews.

Chin Music - (everyone can play guitar better than I can waahhh). I love the voices that pop up in the background here and there, but I'm not sure I dig the storyteller thing. The word 'magically' feels a bit awkward in here. Musically it's gorgeous though. I wouldn't necessarily listen to this again, I think, because of the speaking, but it's very pretty and wistful.

Dublin Duck Dispensary - The guitar tone got pretty old for me pretty quickly, it's just pretty hard on the ears. The bass line is nice. The singing is nice too, mostly, but back off the mic.

Jordan Seavers - Very solid as always. Is that just a sine wave bass? Because I've been trying to get that pure bass sound that just lies under everything in the mix like that and I haven't yet achieved it. It's gorgeous anyway. The string thing is cool even though it doesn't sound like real strings. Man, your melodies and bass lines are always fun as hell.

Melvin - I like the bass entrance and the doubling of the synth line in the intro. This whole song is really groovy. The drum re-entrance at 2:05 just feels... right. I still feel like your lyrics never live up to your music and your singing voice, they just remind me of a whole lot of radio pop-rock I don't listen to. But I love the music on this one.

Paco del Stinko - After that guitar intro, I wasn't expecting this, that's for sure. It's fun anyway.

The Special Relatives - The music is a nice, hazy groove, but I can't really hear the vocals way back there. And the music isn't holding my interest without vocals.

Tex Beaumont & The Dirty Hearts - Musically this is pretty amazing, that's a great rhythm track, what with the huffing and the drums. I haven't listened to any of the Tex Beaumont songs, to be honest, and this is pretty striking and awesome. Nice wiggly synth line, nice fadeout. I don't particularly dig the lyrics, but great song.

Thornberry - Your guitar stuff doesn't hold up to your larger arrangements, speaking for myself anyway. Your voice just feels too "big" in this setting, it overpowers everything.

Wreckdom - This is pure Wreckdom, a hearty nasty groove. The talk-talk during the guitar solo is great. Unfortunately, most of the song is kind of boring me, I just can't get into this kind of relentless heavy repetitive slow thing. That's just me, maybe.

Yet Another One - I've listened to this four times now and I just can't get into it. Maybe it's the relentlessly boring guitar and bass work and the inaudible voice.

There are a few here I could vote for, I'll let them sink in this week.

[furrypedro]

check it out, I got a job! so now I can review fights from work instead, yarr

a few thoughts....
chin music: really nice guitar playing, I might have to steal you're talents for a track at some point. not too keen on the vocal delivery but what you said was cool.

Paco: big genre-bias here, but you've added some details and bits of flair which make it more enjoyable and it's really well played and recorded.

special relatives: this is okay. the bassline is really cool, but the lead guitar would've been way better if you'd just played it for a section rather than wanked over the whole song.

melvin: a clasic summer anthem. I like what you did with the verses (but strangely I miss the original takes now, ha!). that bass is great. vote, unless there's something genius i've not heard yet.

astrolamb: This might grow on me. the breakdown halfway through was quite good, I wish there was more stuff like this in the song, it seems to go exactly where I expect it to which is a shame. I think you should've whispered the words, would've been more atmospheric.

BMFC: not your best, like you care

jordan seavers: classic Seavers and it sounds like you're trying a bit harder here. I like that it's shorter and snappier, it makes me want to listen to it again, rather than skip to the end. strings are great, wibbliness is good too. still no massive departures from the initial vibe of the song though, not that that is a bad thing (in most peoples books) but I look forward to a track from you with a blippy breakdown or rockout, or just a massive change halfway through.

the artist occasionally known as: ha, this is weird. but in a cool way. heavy breathing tends to worry me, but I like the layered vocals and it's catchy and well done. great lyrics. bloody good tune actually, this might be the song to steal the vote from melvin.

Wreckdom: this is a bit accessible for wreckdom isn't it. not sure about the accent. I'm not really into this, s'alright though

Thornberry: there's some quite good guitar playing. you've got a cool voice but it feels like you hammed it up a bit in places.

yet another one: the first few seconds showed promsie in the way the track appeared to be developing. but after that it's just a dirge, not that I don't like dirgey music but this one doesn't hit the spot.

ddd: I'd say this reminded me of MBV, but i suspect that's not intentional and it's not done in a very good way. I get the feeling if you'd been able to do a really good quality recording of this it wouldn't be as intriguing sonically too, but that's just my interpretation.

good work from Ray and Melvin

[jseavers05]

hey bebop, if you want the bass sound try using a sort of distorted square wave, and cut the high end off. it takes a little bit of tweaking. but yeah, the strings also sound kinda funky. they are real string samples, but you just cant get that awesome sound unless you got yourself a real string section. glad you like the song!! thanks!

[Caravan Ray]

see reviews below

[melvin]

Astrolamb
Like: The tone of everything – bass, guitar and vocals.
Dislike: The songwriting – the lyrics are pretty cool, but the melody and structure are kinda dull.

BMF
Like: The rumour (confirmed or not?) that this was created by a former all-time champion Songfighter who was known for wussy GnG stuff.
Dislike: Everything about this track.

ChinMusic
Like: The lyrics, the background vox and the warm finger pickin’.
Dislike: The lack of a melodic chorus. If this broke into some earnest, catchy singing every minute or two, it could be great.

DDD
Like: What is being attempted.
Dislike: The weak execution. But with a few more years of practice, you could be one of my favourite musicians.

Jordan Seavers
Like: All of it – great voice and dense, catchy melodies as always. Your music always puts me in a seriously good mood, with no need to be analytical about it.
Dislike: Nothing.

Melvin
Like: This chorus is super-catchy, there’s no denying it.
Dislike: It reminds me of Smashmouth, which is distressing.

Paco Del Stinko
Like: Holy crap! This is really, really good. Great playing and singing, and ultra-catchy songwriting. Probably the best so far. Welcome to Songfight!
Dislike: Not a thing.

The Special Relatives
Like: Some cool guitar/bass stuff and the lyrics make me laugh. I guess the overall chord progression is pretty standard, but I like it.
Dislike: The layered and muddy vocals could be more focused.

Tex et al
Like: Some decent melodic stuff in the vocals and lead guitar.
Dislike: Not crazy about the sounds, and the panting in particular makes me feel uncomfortable.

Thornberry
Like: Your voice is seriously amazing. I checked out the tunes on your MySpace page yesterday and yeah, I’m a fan. You have talent, kid.
Dislike: This particular tune could use a little something more. Perhaps some added instrumentation, and I would love to have heard some harmonies. But I suppose those are mainly production issues.

Wreckdom
Like: Does Ratt Poizon know that you sampled their belch? But seriously, this is pretty cool. Funny, catchy, and nice production.
Dislike: Can’t find anything to fault. Good track.

Yet Another One
Like: This is probably the only song in the fight that I can find nothing to like about.
Dislike: Terrible sounds, bad lyrics, corny vocals, no melody… need I say more?

This was a really good fight. Nice work, people. Thanks for the music!

[WeaselSlayer]

Jordan Seavers: This isn’t my favorite of your entries, and I think it’s the lyrics. They’re just so mild. The sort of nintendo-pop is still working for now, though, but I’d love to see what else you can do.

Melvin: Boring. This is so boring. I could hardly tell when the song changed to its chorus. The guitar work interweaving here threatens to be interesting, but even that is just completely unengaging and “safe.â€

[jseavers05]

[quote="WeaselSlayer"]

Melvin: Boring. This is so boring. I could hardly tell when the song changed to its chorus. The guitar work interweaving here threatens to be interesting, but even that is just completely unengaging and “safe.â€

[WeaselSlayer]

I was using hyperbole. The chorus just blended in with the rest of the song, nothing jumped out in any way.

[Thornberry]

Big Mountain Fudge Cake- Distorted fuzziness. No good

Dublin Duck Dispensary - I like that you are using inversions with the bass line. Peaking mics, or fuzzy on purpose? Sounds just like overloading to me. Drums woulda really livened this up. Kinda boring.

WreckdoM - Weak Burp. Nice little groove, and as always more humorous than musical. I think my favorite part is the guitar line, cause the vocals are a little boring to me.

Paco Del Stinko- I do like that tremolo effect of guitars. I wish it stayed. So a little country, bluegrass. Ok. The guitaring is pretty groovy. I am not the biggest fan of the vocals to tell you the truth. But i like the music, best produced so far.

Yet Another One - So what videos game is this. O0o, a scary video game. super lo-fi.Interesting production ideas. Such as the adding a taken away the super reverb to make some words drift on. Its pretty creative, but overall not holding me at all.

Chin Music - Little folk music. I was hoping for a little more than this. Maybe more of a melody. But that is just me ya know, obviously if you wanted a melody, you woulda made one. Sooo, all in all, decent story but not grabbing me.

Melvin - Mr Rockin man. Cept this time i wanna dance! Got good harmonies. I would like a little more space in your eq job. Boost some higher frequencies somewhere. The drum beat gets a little repeitive, which is my only complaint, but solid every else, espcially with the vocals, and even more specially the harmonies are perfect.

The Special Relatives - I think all relatives are special, even if we hate the in-laws. Anyways lots of lo-fi in this fight. This one is no sucees. I think this one could be produced into something a lot greater than it is. With maybe a little more imagination and more resources. My suggestion would be have a little more fun. Play with things. Its up beat, the guitar is a good touch, but it needs more than just a lead.

Astrolamb- I like the groove. I think me and you had a simliar feeling in this title. Cept I think you are a little more bitter than me. I think the guitar might be a little to thick in tingy reverb, but overall i like this one. One of my favs.

Tex Beaumont and the Dirty Hearts - Like Michael jackson with the breathing and all that. Ya know I like the idea, and the performance is top notch, up there with Melvin as the best in the fight. But ya know, I dont know if i like this much. It doesnt seem that imaginitive besides the idea of "having a bunch of vocal lines with varying harmonies and varied spatial positioning" OK maybe it is creative, it just didnt grab me.

Jordan Seavers - I heard this before the fight came out on your myspace. As was then, you remind of postal service or some other indie band that all my high school friends loved, but i never could get into as much. NOt to say I dont appreicate it, and this i am groovin too. I bet if you wanted to, you could have a good indie career. Cause yes it sounds like some of those other bands, but it is in no way a rip off. Its good man. Also one of my favs.

Thornberry I Just wanted to try something different. Seems like when people think of me, they think of the huge productions I like to do, so i just wanted to strip it down.

Some standouts, but not my favorite fight

[ddd]

I actually don't remember putting a bassline to my song (at least, not enormously consciously... and I don't have a bass guitar!) so it's a delightful surprise to have people commending it. I'm extremely pleased with my reviews. I'd love to do some myself but I just lost my net connection so I'm in college. I am taking a quick listen though, and I really like Jordan's especially.

[Caravan Ray]

....Full reviews - continued from earlier post

Astrolamb:
This is pretty cool - reminds me a lttle of Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes - but without the smooth vocals. Great music and great song - the vox just a bit abrasive for me here - I'd like to hear lounge-style crooning. (...am I the only one who always confuses the names "Astrolamb" and "Calfborg"?)

Chin Music:
My finger was hovering over the "skip" button early here - till the lyrics really strted to grab me. This is very, very funny - the backing vocal responses are wonderful. Great stuff!

BMF:
No


DDD:
Vocals just way to messy here for me to get into. Cleaned up a bit it could be a decent song I think

Thornberry:
Interesting hearing such a raw sound from you - I'm used you being much more polished - but I like this, it works well. Sparse but compelling


Melvin:
Love the summery, sing-a-long chorus - but as a whole the song doesn't seem to quite fit together

Jordan Seavers:
A lot of good things in this - but somehow the whole seems strangely less than the sum of its parts. I like the musical changes, and the song has a nice feel about it - but the lyrics sound a bit trite.

Paco del Stinko:
Nice intro. When the drums start it brings back bad memories of some of Caravan Ray's first attempts at using a drum machine on country songs . Love the guitars - but not the vox or lyrics. Much preferred your entry last week

Special Relatives:
This not really doing much for me at all

WreckdoM:
Very bad intro. Pretty cool song once it gets going though. I've heard this a few times now and it grows on me more with each listen - insidiously catchy - this will get stuck in my head

Yet Another One:
Yeah! - this is a cracker! I love the groove of this one - throbby. And nice sinister sounding vocals - like an American Rammstein on valium.

and

Tex Beaumont:
This is me - but the huffing and puffing and wobbleboard are sampled from Big Dog by Rolf Harris. It's funny many people found those sounds a bit disturbing - they are sounds that most Australians and many English people over the age of about 30-ish would remember from the novelty songs of their youth

Wreckdom and Yet Another One were the 2 clear standouts in this fight for me. I will vote for YAO.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Congratulations to Jordan Seavers on a deserved win for an excellent song! Thanks to all for the listens and reviews, I enjoyed them all. I would also like to thank my voter, you are brave! Cheers! - Paco