Royal Reviews (King Me)

[jackfrost]

Here are some reviews. I did not vote in this fight because I didn’t come across the website until after voting was closed. But since there aren’t that many reviews, I thought I’d put my oh-two in. Reviewed in the order that they streamed.

Before Picture – I liked everything but the background vocals. The melody and production were nice and quirky. The background vocals just didn’t fit in that well. I’d listen to this one again though. Of all the songs, though, your chorus is the one I have in my head a week later.

c hack – Well thought out and clever well-written lyrics. I don’t particularly like the vocal delivery of “king me” the first time it’s said. It jarred me out of the song for a second. I like the familiar melody mixed with the original one. I’d also listen to this one again.

Dublin Duck Dispensary – Really like the way this one starts. Personally, I dig the lo-fi sound. The melody is catchy, especially the pre-chorus. Love the ending. I would definitely listen to this one again. I feel like there is more to appreciate here on repeated listenings.

Finding Nemoy – Best melody for the title so far. This song is catchy and cute. Good length. Leaves me wanting more.

Henrietta – The vocal delivery of the first line is great, almost timid before the vibrato. This whole song is catchy and light. I like the bass hidden down in the mix.

Hostess Mostess – Something about this reminds me of the Huey Lewis and the News “Back In Time” which I haven’t heard since the mid-80’s. Overall, I really like this song. The production is great, the vocals are great, the mix is engaging, and the background vocals fit in with the song. I’d download this one, definitely. One of the more original sounding pieces.

Jim Tyrrell – I like the way this one kicks in. The arrangement is nice and professional if not overly original, but it seems way too serious for what I assume is a song about a game of checkers.

Melvin – I’m so glad to be past the MCs. I like this song. The vocals weave in and out of each other very well. Catchy hook melody on the guitar riff. Abrasive lyrics don’t seem to go with the instrumentation, and seem to be there for shock value, but I can’t fault that. It’s got me listening. One of the only songs so far with a catchy chorus. Mixing is also nice. During the solo at the end, I started thinking about the movie “The Neverending Story”. Maybe it was the keyboard in it. I’d download this one to listen to more.

Pepe’s Confusion – This one grabs you from the first 2 seconds. Instantly catchy and likeable. One of my favorites before I’m a minute into hearing it the first time. Verse melody sound A LOT like a Butthole Surfer song that used to play on the radio. It was called “Pepper”, I think.

Project-D – This song is a song. It has everything a song essentially needs. But there is nothing original or catchy, or even risky in this number. Ultimately this is a boring song. It sounds pretty though.

Signboy – I like the groove here. This song has more originality than the previous 4. One of my favorites. I’ll remember this one.

Wally Harbinger – I like this one. The chorus stands out here. I like the lyrics too. The production is nice.

Wes Davis – This is another nice song. I like the vocals and the melody. The chorus is catchy. Yes, it’s nice. I like the guitar that comes in with the chorus.

I’ve just discovered this website, and this is the first experience I’ve had with everyone’s music. Here’s the summary (within categories, it’s alphabetical, not by preference):

Love It (6)
-Dublin Duck Dispensary
-Finding Nemoy
-Hostess Mostess
-Melvin
-Pepe’s Confusion
-Signboy

Like It (7)
-Before Picture
-c hack
-Henrietta
-Jim Tyrrell
-Project-D
-Wally Harbinger
-Wes Davis

[WeaselSlayer]

Fuck common people!

[Henrietta]

Reviews part II:

Next Bedtime- The single strum doesn't really have a good enough tone/sustain for the song to rely on it so heavily. I like the feel more towards the end, although it does take a while to get there.

Steakhaus- If this song was playing in the background at a party I'd love it, but sitting at my desk listening through headphones I'm not getting into it that much. I mean, it sounds great & professionally done, but there's so much effect & delivery style given to the vocals that I can't understand the lyrics very well. Or else I just need s'more coffee this morning....

CHack- I really like what you did here. I couldn't vote for it on principle of 'borrowing' the verse tune and all, but what you added was fantastic.

Finding Nemoy- I like this! Good tune, vocals & guitar work. I love the descending guitar line over the chorus.

Bootsy-I keep wanting the vocal line to take a different direction... but it still hasn't come when we reach the third section and I'm totally let down. Otherwise, professional.

Gotta get some work done.... I'll add more later...

[Billy's Little Trip]

OK, I finally finished my reviews. About half way through them, the winner was announced, so if I said you could be the winner, but you didn't win, you're a winner in my book. I think everyone did a great job this week, and I've been listening to them quite a bit.

Before Picture - I like the acoustic guitar and harmonizing. I always review on headphones, so those clicks after the back up "King me, King me" were a bit annoying. But good lyrics and song.

Booty Chesterfield Trio - I really like this song. It offers originality (which is rare these days), great vocal delivery, cool instrument playing and arrangement. Great job, this could be the winner.

c hack - I couldn't get past the thought that I've heard this on some Jib Jab type vid with animated Bush dancing around. But as the song goes on, it comes into itself and gets better. Good work and nice guitar.

dB Collective - Funky, groove'n. So this is about a dog named King? The guitar is fun. Pretty cool.

d.o.o.R.i.t.e. - I like that slide whistle. It TOTALLY sounds like an ICP rip, but what the heck, it's entertaining and comical. I'm not into rap, but that doesn't mean shit, so good job.

Dublin Duck Dispensary - All acoustic, or is that kazoo sound a synth? Interesting lyrics and production. I think songs like this get over looked too often, good job.

Eggsickle - This really sounds like a Del Stinko production. Maybe that's why I seem to keep listening to this. I love the funky guitar, I love the lyrics, the production is awesome, musicianship top notch. The deep voice makes me think of Crash Test Dummies. Great job, this also could be a winner.

Finding Nemoy - Nice song. Through the eyes of a greedy Prince, interesting. Good guitar work.

Henrietta - Very beautiful voice, nice guitar, alluring melody. Very full song for only an acoustic, bass and single voice. Good job.

Hostess Mostess - This sounds great. It really reminds me of Toy Matinee with the melody changes. Well arranged and great production. I will admit, you are one of the members here pushing me to offer more vocally to my songs, in my own style of course. Good work.

Jim Tyrrell - Nice. I've been listening to this on my ipod all week. Very cool guitar, nice lyrics, sweet melody. Good job all the way around on this one.

Luke Henley - I always look forward to your songs. Music and production is very simple but perfectly accompanied. But that's what allows you to sink into a deeper song and put your energy into more meaningful lyrics and delivery. It's all about the lyrics, passion and delivery. I feel that if you had 100k in instruments and studio equipment, you would want to use them, and your songs would suffer greatly because your creative energy would be diverted. If you ever want to go big, you need to keep doing what you do and let someone else, that you trust, merge your music into a bigger production, so that you can stay focused on what you do best. Also could be a winner in this fight.

MC Eric B - Well, you're starting to get more into your own production. You can only learn by doing it, so good job on that. Just remember, the guys that you used to get your beats from started out lame, and learned by just doing it. Nothing is impossible if you really want it.

MCRT - That intro synth bass is cool, and the background sounds in general. I actually got the humor here pretty quick, with the lisp (because I heard you lose the lisp in parts by accident), the lyrics, etc, so I got past the fact that I don't like rap almost immediately. You're pretty funny and if I'm not mistaken, you're actually mocking rap, which makes me like this for it's entertainment value.

Melvin - Melvin Melvin Melvin, what am I going to do with you? Every week you tirelessly put out great music that I truly enjoy, yet you get beat out by sarcastic rap songs. Anyway, lets focus on your song for now. Great production, great delivery, great hook, I love that double 3 note riff, the keys worked great here. This is tied for first place with 4 other winners in my personal voting. Great work.

Next Bedtime - I've heard this with and without headphones. But I can say, this is a headphone song, or you might miss all the awesome background sounds. But I must say, I like the intension here, so I listen to the whole song when ever it comes on unless I'm amped up on caffeine and I can't deal with the pace. But late in the evening when I'm spent, this song is cool.

Outta Noway - I thought my ipod was f**king up when I first heard the rap, realized it's that FX plug in someone turned me onto a couple weeks ago. I can't get it to work right. Cool beat.

Pepe's Confusion - Oh yeah, I like this song. You're naming off rock stars and stuff. Are you talking about pot growers? Great playing all the way around. I love it when it takes off, awesome strings in this song. Good home grown vibe. Good job.

Project-D - This is a really good song. It sounds like Paul Simon'ish. You are obviously a good writer and musician. I hope to see you around more in the future. I want to hear more of your work. Good song.

Ross Durand - Great song. I love the piano sound. It has that reverb sound I like, like on Benny and the Jets. You really put your voice on the line with this one, and I must say, you sir can sing. Great job.

sativa indica - Was the skipping CD sound intensional, or was that just on my end. Good movie music.

Sheail - Nice groove. This would work well in Rocky XII. I know some people say, "not my cup of tea" if it's not in their genre, but my genre is music, so everything done creatively and well is my cup of tea. Pretty cool song and good work

signboy - I like the tremolo guitar. Gives it a Quentin Tarantino movie vibe. I like the guitar sounds.Pretty cool.

Sorry - HaHa, I laugh every time I hear the whisper part, "that's what checkers about". Kind of strip poker, but with checkers. Nice guy and guitar with humor.

Steakhaus - Cool club mix. One could definitely dance to this if one was so inclined. Nice groove, cool production, cool FX, cool background, cool guitar. I really like this one, good job.

Steve Durand - Once again, you made a song that makes me want work on my dance moves. This one makes me think of one of those old movies where the girls are wearing white go go boots, lol. Of course, great work as usual.

Those Meddling Kids - The bass hits pretty low and sounds cool on my surround sound system. You seemed to have lined up the symphony with the beat really well. Kind of cool in an instrumental kind of way.

Wages - Nice story. My Grandma made us floats too. Verners ginger ale and vanilla ice cream. You always have great little stories to sing about.

Wally Harbinger - I really liked this one. I grew up on southern rock and the music has a 38 Special kind of vibe to it. The production and lyrics are good, the guitar work is good, an all around good song. I kind of wish the vocals gelled with the music a bit better, but that's probably because I had southern rock in my head from the way the song starts out. Good job.

Wes Davis - Very nice melody, very smooth flow. I love the chorus, it has a very radio friendly feel to it. You are another member here that sets the vocal bar higher, which pushes me to give my vox a bit more attention instead of putting all my effort into the music production and instruments. When I'm listening to this on my ipod and you say "everybody", I actually start singing, "nah nah nah...nah nah nah" Good job.

WreckdoM - The intro voice kind of sounds like Adam Corolla. Spooky music, freaky voices, what's not to like?

[WesDavis]

Wes Davis - Very nice melody, very smooth flow. I love the chorus, it has a very radio friendly feel to it. You are another member here that sets the vocal bar higher, which pushes me to give my vox a bit more attention instead of putting all my effort into the music production and instruments. When I'm listening to this on my ipod and you say "everybody", I actually start singing, "nah nah nah...nah nah nah" Good job.

Heh, awesome dude, I'm glad you dug it. I was going for something more radio-friendly, so It pleases me to hear you say that. Also, and this offer is on the table for anyone else who wants to take advantage of it, I can upload a slightly better version for you where the bridge isn't so muddy and awful. I know it came out really badly when I submitted it, and of course, I didn't realize this until after I'd done so.

But yeah man, thanks for the compliments on the vocs; I'm working on guitar these days, hopefully one of these days I'll be good enough at that to get compliments there too =D.

[obscurity]

sativa indica - Holy shit. Something interesting! I can't tell if these drums are live or programmed, ok now I know. This is really well-put-together in a way that I unfortunately rarely expect from a songfight entry. The vocals are so strange, I love it.

Thank you, that's made my day! If I can make just one person say 'holy shit', I can ask for nothing more :)

Sativa Indica - Huh.

Y'know, that works almost as well :)

[obscurity]

sativa indica - Was the skipping CD sound intensional, or was that just on my end. Good movie music.

It was intentional - no need to worry about whether your mp3 codec is out of date or anything :)

[Nigel (spOOn) Clements]

Eggsickle - This really sounds like a Del Stinko production. Maybe that's why I seem to keep listening to this. I love the funky guitar, I love the lyrics, the production is awesome, musicianship top notch. The deep voice makes me think of Crash Test Dummies. Great job, this also could be a winner.

Thanks for the great review Billy (Chris), yes this was a Paco del Stinko-spOOn undercover collaboration, (I don´t think Charlie´s owned up to this yet!).
I knew I´d get ripped regarding the King Me - not in chess - references, but the song wasn´t really about playing checkers it was basically life´s like a game and if you take it too seriously then you´re gonna go down, it was meant as a jolly, happy pick you up 80´s kinda thing, anyway, apologies to everyone for this fight as I didn´t have a chance to review (or even listen) as I´m just sitting in an internet cabina here in Iquitos waiting for my flight back to Lima then tomorrow we´re off to Huaraz, returning to England sometime the week after.... but even though I´ll be a couple of weeks behind I will listen to these and will post (late) reviews.

Thanks to everyone who listened and to those who commented, cheers guys!

[Billy's Little Trip]

Eggsickle - This really sounds like a Del Stinko production. Maybe that's why I seem to keep listening to this. I love the funky guitar, I love the lyrics, the production is awesome, musicianship top notch. The deep voice makes me think of Crash Test Dummies. Great job, this also could be a winner.

Thanks for the great review Billy (Chris), yes this was a Paco del Stinko-spOOn undercover collaboration, (I don´t think Charlie´s owned up to this yet!).
I knew I´d get ripped regarding the King Me - not in chess - references, but the song wasn´t really about playing checkers it was basically life´s like a game and if you take it too seriously then you´re gonna go down, it was meant as a jolly, happy pick you up 80´s kinda thing, anyway, apologies to everyone for this fight as I didn´t have a chance to review (or even listen) as I´m just sitting in an internet cabina here in Iquitos waiting for my flight back to Lima then tomorrow we´re off to Huaraz, returning to England sometime the week after.... but even though I´ll be a couple of weeks behind I will listen to these and will post (late) reviews.

Thanks to everyone who listened and to those who commented, cheers guys!

You dogs, you guys kept this one quiet. It's great how well you and Charlie brought both of your skills into this song and really emulsified them into this new sound.

[super dragon x]

MC Eric B said.

My Ten Lies beat came out much better. It is still not up to par with the premade beats I used to use, but hopefully my beats will get better with each new one I make.

Well that's part of the point isn't it? I'm in the midst of writing reviews but I'm digressing.

MC Eric, you were taking a lot of grief about your beats and what not, and if I have to listen to rap I prefer it not to suck, so I'm going to say this:

1. Get a copy of all the George Clinton, James Brown, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson stuff you can find and listen to it night and day. All the heavy hitter rappers sampled them so you might as well go to the source.

2. Find a rap you like, add your own lyrics. Rap along with it. Sample a couple measures, loop it and rap with that. Take the same lyrics, find a different song and rap along with that to see if you can make them fit. Take some of your loops, rap with them at different speeds with the same rhythm.

3. Get yourself some loop editing/beat matching/drum pattern software with a piano roll type editor if you don't have it already. Sample a couple of measures of a beat you like (see number 1) Line up your bass drum with the sample, then the snare then whatever else. Look at the pattern you created and you'll see what the beat looks like. Notice what beat the bass is on or the snare or whatever. Do this with a bunch of beats and you'll start to see common patterns you can replicate. Add your own flava'

4. Beat box some beats, do what you did with (number 3). Rap over your own beatbox. This is for practice. Don't put it in a SONGFIGHT! entry. Nobody will want to hear it and they'll just blame me.

4. Find a site that provides source material for you to remix. Try MC Chris's site. Put some of your beats (see number 3) to his lyrical flow.

5. Try not to sound like Denny Blaze. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq6vufmTJ9Q

Shitty advice. In rock you can copy someone's riff and you might be able to get away with it, but in hip hop copying is called biting, and biting is the easiest way to earn ridicule.

I notice two themes here: People who think hip hop takes no work or effort, and dismiss the entire genre, and people who think hip hop takes no work or effort, so they makes us all suffer by listening to their garbage rhymes.

[Steve Durand]

Shitty advice. In rock you can copy someone's riff and you might be able to get away with it, but in hip hop copying is called biting, and biting is the easiest way to earn ridicule.

I find this hilarious. Rap got it's start by stealing Pop and Rock riffs and rapping over them. And now copying someone else's material is cause for ridicule? Oh, the irony.


Steve

[ddd]

Dublin Duck Dispensary - All acoustic, or is that kazoo sound a synth? Interesting lyrics and production. I think songs like this get over looked too often, good job.

Thanks mister.. The kazoo/synth sound is actually a fuzzed-up guitar! And there's more electric guitar in some of it too, but I'm glad that it sounds acoustic!

It was very nice getting good reviews, especially considering they weren't as positive the first few times I entered.. I'll have to keep more up-to-date with song titles and get reviewing some stuff.

SongFight is good!

[WesDavis]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I like hip hop. Some of it I even love.

However, some of what's presented on Songfight is abhorrent. But of course, that's why these guys are here: to get better. The more we do not like their shit, the more they will try to improve. Of course, constructive criticism would help, but it's hard to give constructive criticism when you don't think there is anything redeeming about the song.

Maybe I'm just a jaded fuck.

[Wally Harbinger]

This sound is not complimentary to a political protest song. It gives your message a very silly tone.

you misspelled "sardonic" there

[Project-D]

Shitty advice. In rock you can copy someone's riff and you might be able to get away with it, but in hip hop copying is called biting, and biting is the easiest way to earn ridicule.

No, the best way to earn riducule around here is to rap period. But I can't believe you actually typed that out. Did you really just say that rappers don't copy? I barely listen to rap in passing and I can tell you that isn't true. Of course, I can also tell you what a ii7 is and how to resolve a V7 chord, and I can play about 5 instruments competently, but I don't listen to people who talk over plagiarised beats, so you're the expert here.

Never once did I imply that he record any of this stuff and submit it. If you want to learn to rap, then you need to rap. If you want to learn what beats to put on the 1 and 3 and which to put on 2 and 4, then you need to analyze how other people did it. People around here who actually play instruments, will tell you it's true. Ask the guitar players. The guy wants to get better at rapping, but he got a lot of people busting his balls. Fine, It's called song fight, not blow sunshine up each others ass. However, I figured I'd give the guy a concrete plan of sequential steps he could take in the comfort of his own home to practice analyzing and manipulating beats, rhythms, and words. If you break other peoples stuff down to see how they did it, you will enlighten yourself. That's what I suggested he do.

I notice two themes here: People who think hip hop takes no work or effort, and dismiss the entire genre, and people who think hip hop takes no work or effort, so they makes us all suffer by listening to their garbage rhymes.

Learn how to play a two octave C major scale in eighth notes, at 120 beats a minute, and sing a melody over a I IV V progression in the key of A, then come back and school the 30 + people around here who can (and then some). Every week.

[obscurity]

Learn how to play a two octave C major scale in eighth notes, at 120 beats a minute

Of course, us keyboard players could do that with both hands tied behind our backs, blindfolded :)

[Billy's Little Trip]

It's called song fight, not blow sunshine up each others ass

So.................you're saying the sunshine thing is out of the question?

Well said P-D.
I think that's the hardest thing for loopers to understand. Not that there is anything wrong with being creative and creating new arrangements and even calling it art. But loop arrangers should never put themselves on the same level with an experienced musician....or even a training musician for that matter. Hip hop and rap are on the same level as karaoke. Again, not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just a different art form.

[Steve Durand]

Hip hop and rap are on the same level as karaoke.

I gotta disagree with that. At least rappers write their own words.


Steve

[MC Eric B]

Billy - I understand what you are trying to say, but I don't think lumping hip-hop/rap in with karaoke is fair. Karaoke does not really take any creative talent, you just have to be a good singer. It does not involve writing lyrics, creating the structure of a song (verses, chorus, etc.), creating the music for it (even if it is a just loops), and giving it a vocal style. I do that for all my songs, even if it is not done at a high level. So I may not be a real musician, but I am at a totally different level than a karaoke singer.

=========================
Billy Little Trip wrote:
Hip-hop and rap are on the same level as karaoke
=========================

[Billy's Little Trip]

OK Eric, when you put it that way, you're right. And by the way, I haven't done my reviews yet, but quite an improvement on your "ten lies".

OK, what I was getting at would be more like "original" karaoke for lack of a better word. I understand it's original lyrics, which makes you a writer. And an original sound, which make you a composer I guess, right? That's why I said it is an art form. Yeah, karaoke was a bad example.

[Ross]

I get what everyone here is saying and I think I agree with the basic premeses being put forward. But I do feel that to lump a whole genre together is careless. What about bands like The Roots, that do hip-hop with live players and write their own grooves. I know some people who can play scales and sing over I-IV-V that write crap songs, too.

Just saying - generalizing can be dangerous.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Another good point Ross. So I guess those that dislike rap and hip hop have to do so on a, "just because" basis.