It's a Shakedown!(Sugar Shaker Reviews)

[fluffy]

Huh, browsing the music directory directly used to cause a 403 error. I wonder when that changed.

Fence-poker.

[jeff robertson]

just because you don't see the songs doesn't mean they are not there.
the second part of the challenge is finding the songs in order to listen to/review them.
i found them last night and downloaded them, just haven't had a chance to listen yet.

Sweet. Just when I was about to suggest that everybody put their songs up elsewhere so we start the reviews.

I wonder if this will work every time there is a delay.

[HamNoBurger]

Nope, I'm pretty sure I posted those reviews in the right spot. I just happened to do some simple detective work to find the Sugar Shaker tunes, that's all.

[jeff robertson]

I haven't listened to nearly all the songs yet because it just ain't the same without "stream all"... but DAMN King Arthur that's a good song.

[Spud]

Songs are now <b>officially</b> posted.

SPUD

[mickyfinn]

adamadamant:
Not a fan of this one, appreciate the experimentation, is that real english accent?

bigdumbjerks:
tribal...nice. Im picturing twirling torches, fire dancing, lots of smoke, and someone banging on their office desk.

bondicigar:
good production here, even for drum machine. once bass and guitar kicks in starts to really gel. Does sound a little like loop samples. I think you could have done a little more with the lyrics because the song is repetitive as hell. So I like the first 45 seconds or so and then its pretty much the same from there out. pretty good overall though.

calc0s:
Im not a huge trance fan but i do dig this. In fact it fires me up, i cant resist it, so i wont even try. I find alot of trance songs to be quite repetitive with never enough layers to keep my interest, that pretty much applies here.

caravanray:

diamondgeezer:
I like this song alot, in fact it could be the best song on here. Everything has been recorded real clean...like almost studio clean. wheres the sugar shaker though? I dont hear the relevance to the song title so i can't justify a vote here. Like i said, great song though, ive ran it several times.

eddielance:
E for Effort

electromartyr:
E for Effort

flvxxvmflorvm:
I'm afraid to even ask what your saying in your lyrics. Decent production though.

giantsnail:
cool effects and clean production...a well put together song. not drawn out. I really like the effects on the vocals and i wish there was more. Reminds me of Rokysopp. (the geico commercial band) could of been a track on their album. great job.

hamnoburger:
a well layed out song, fits with the theme, not too long, however would of liked to of gotten to the solo sooner, im afraid people will miss it unless they listen to the entire thing. i think your solos deserve more of a spotlight than at the kaboose of the song.

hostessmostess:
the artist formerly known as prince is in here somewhere. the harmony on your vocals are really cool. only you and will smith are brave enough to incorporate a 3 year old into your mix. fortunately for you it kinda works here. borders cheesy. but then again, so is the title. nice job.

ip:
im not sure how i feel about this song. the whole heavy breathing thing gets to me a little. I hear where your going with it, but its a little over done for me and my tastes. lyrics fit with the song. good crunchy guitar solo, clean drums, cool harmonies in background. i like it?

kabuto:
sounds like gonzo from the muppets rapping. not feeling this one.

king arthur:
good song. somthing with the production doesnt have that crispness that im hearing with other entries. its a little muddied. the delay on your voice is a little strong. with some production work it could have alot more potential. would be interested to hear what this would sound like live.

levelnivelo:
no thanks

mcericb:
i mean, it works. just not for me. it took quite some time to get to the lyrics maybe trim the inro by a couple measures? it looks like you've dont quite a few entries and you certainly have your style. whatever floats your boat, bro.

mcpauldenyer:
effects too loud, cant hear vocals. decent song though.

melvin:
sounds pretty marketable, could hear this on the radio. this would definitely sound good live and with a better studio solution could potentially have alot more going for it. kinda long though, and maybe you dont need vocals on the majority of vocals.

paulrey:
sounds like there could be some cool stuff going on there. i think. are those phone ringtones?

projectd:
its a good song. im not a fan, yet i dont hate it. nothing really reaches out to me, but you met the challenge and submitted a decent entry, good job.

satintails:
clean, real clean...sounds like it could be background music to movie...like a comical scene in oceans13 or somthing cheesy like that...theres a market for this kind of song. yeah, so, nice work.

seamuscollective:
is this a male or female singer...both? remember the band wheatus? i had the same problem with them and that song teenage dirtbag. cool song though. could use bit more of a melody over the lyrics. it like one note...ok. kinda makes it boring for me.

sheail:
that intro is killer. with a cleaner production this could be alot better. alot of harmony's going on here...not sure how i feel about that. maybe too much? its a good song, nice job. id be curious to hear what more stuff sounds like.

statesidmenace:
yeah, finally a rocker. some guitar with hair on its chest. its got a foofighters kind of quality. again, another song id like to hear live i think people could really get into it with bigger drums and bass. this is pretty cool.

stevedurand:
totally dig the whole mexican theme and i really liked the song until the vocals kicked in....its a good song though, just need a little help with lyrics and vocals. good shot.

weakestsuit:
dude, for real? no one wants to hear about your sugar on some girls belly or fucking the night away. keep your sugar in your sock.

wesdavis+giitmscsloppy:
i like this song. strong vocals, clean guitars and even levels. good job.

whitehat:
nice guitar work. super clean. you got some talent on the 6 string.

zipline:
interesting take on song. it sounds cool, but not really to my likes. production is loose but somehow makes the song work. thats all.

[The Weakest Suit]

weakestsuit:
dude, for real? no one wants to hear about your sugar on some girls belly or fucking the night away. keep your sugar in your sock.

chill out, dude. it's not a serious song. definitely, not as serious as dancing in the rain without a sugar shaker. are you sure you didn't rip shakespeare off there?

[halen99]

Eddie Lance - Axel Foley wants his theme song back. Bad Eddie. No donut.

FYI everyone before you bash I'm not trying to hide the fact that there are some samples. The core of it is original with some Axcel and Alex thrown in.

Eddie

[mickyfinn]

weakestsuit:
dude, for real? no one wants to hear about your sugar on some girls belly or fucking the night away. keep your sugar in your sock.

chill out, dude. it's not a serious song. definitely, not as serious as dancing in the rain without a sugar shaker. are you sure you didn't rip shakespeare off there?

its songfight! not songmakeafriend!

[Leaf]

adamant: Meandering. Out of time. disjointed. I want to stop listening as it not only bores me, it's not that good.

Who would dance to this? I am afraid to answer my own question.

Big Dumb Jerks: Good pulse. Native American-esque. I miss bottom end in this. I want to add a creeping, groovy bass line in about a minute or so along.. just to weave through the tune. I like that it's all groovy drum stuff.

I'd dance to this, but I'd have more fun doing it if I was taking LSD.

The Bondi Cigar: Little arrpeggiated sequences.. moody groove, sounds like a dance club tune. I like how the guitar comes in...reminds me of a rock tune that's been given a "dance" re-mix. So far I like it. Hmmm. The chorus vocals... not catchy enough. not enough hook parts to suck me in.. or at least they don't occur often enough or some such thing. Then it just ends. It's a good start, good ideas, doesn't seem complete.

I'd dance to this, but I'd wander off to get a drink half way through... forget what I was listening to, then wonder what happned to that song I was digging?

calcOs: It's ok, but It's kinda like stuff you'd hear at a rave, only you're NOT taking x so you wonder what the fuck is everyone thinking? Dull. Slow. Sounds are good, ideas are ok, but really... no.

I'd have to be so freaking out of my mind to dance to this it wouldn't be worth it cause I have to work in the morning.

Caravan Ray: Oh, it's Robbie Robertson. the sound of the drums and music is excellent. You're lead vox seems out of tune at times. Reminds me of Clash... although not the clash that I listen to repeatedly. The production is really good... I think it's been a long time since I've heard your stuff cause this seems light years ahead of older stuff. Chorus is good, good use of the title without boring me. Despite the way that first verse vocals hit me (cause second is working for me) I like this one the best so far.

I'd dance to this, but I'd rather be doing it while watching some massive band perfrom this live.

Cynthia Size and the 2eclectic spOOns: good production on this one too. Reminds me of 80's stuff. Good groove, lots of "dance" cliche sounds though... like you pulled every trick in the book. I'm sure you didn't, that's just what I thought. no lyrical content of any importance. Lots' of cool ideas though.

you dance to this one alone, in the corner. With a strobe light. and a long trench coat. Maybe a scarf.

Diamond Geezer: Nice guitar. I'm so glad a band came in behind ya there, cause I was close to "yeah yeah, next". Groovy. Nice emotive quality in the vocals. Random lyrics interest me... orten lyrics don't interest me at all, so that's cool to me. "grab you by the feet"... got my attention. Something happens at 1:46 with the drums...that's annoying. You have to fix that. Totally ruins the mood. Nice guitar tone, and it creeps out of the groove to solo in a meaningful way. You know, the rythm section wandering around occasionally really kills it for me though. During the solo something makes it sound... scrunched up. It's like drum phrases are fighting with the lead. don't know if you hear what I'm talking about, but I do. I like this. Good sound, good voice, groovy vibe.

I'd dance to this, but I'd glare at the drummer occasionally for fucking my groove over. I see at the end that this is associated with FreddieLove? no wonder it's so fine.

eddielance: umm... you're practicing? and rippin off really famous riffs? this totally licks. and not smooth skin, it licks sweaty, hairy, leathery skin dripping with ...stuff.

I wouldn't dance to this, I'd be too busy unplugging the keyboards.

Electro Martyr: Name fits. This sucks. MMMMM.....ooo....aaa....nn....
dull.

I would not dance to this. I would, however, possibly chuckle at it if I was drunk enough to not care if I was hurting your feelings.

Flvxxm Florvm: Nope. Guitar sounds too thin. Vocals are not meaningful. The verse groove is ...ok. Seems disjointed. Lead is ok, but it isn't supported by anything. The last thing I think of listening to this is "sugar shaker".

I'd dance to this if the chick I was dancing with was really into it. And hot. And naked. And holding a tray of tequila shooters.

Giant Snail: I like the vibe. Kinda "gay 80's" though... like Erasure or something. I say "or something" because that kinda music, while soft, and ... something, doesn't do it for me. Where's that woman with the tequila?

Oh... man. Then you go and ruin it... yeah. Goes NOwhere...rather slowly.


Hamnoburger: the groove is alright. vocals too quiet. Whoa...need some cheese to go with those cheetos? That's what the chorus got me thinking. This is half cool, half not so cool. I like your verses vibe and sound other than the quiet vocals, but the chorus is ... way too "not that great" ABBA sounding. the lead at the end is real good, I liked that.

You know, I'm really losing interest in dancing. A lot of similar sounding, similar tempo tunes. I guess I'd dance to this, but I'm running out of tequila shooters.

Hostess Mostess: I was hoping you wouldn't do the whole "dance quarter note kick drum thing"... but you did. Sounds like Peter Gabriel. I gotta stop listening to these tunes... I am melting. Good sound, I love your voice, but you're talent is wasted on trying to do a dance tune, sorry. I say sorry to u cause usually your stuff rules. This is good, fun, and I dig the "little to the left" stuff... but ... dance ...music...gets... progressively... dull...no ...matter who is doing it.

I'd dance to it, and hope your next tune is better.

I.P. : reminds me of pompeii for some reason. Vocals sound fun. groove is not supporting the vocals though. Lead is well done. Good tone. Smooth. Stays in one zone which is cool for the tune, but I want to hear what else comes out of you now cause of that. I like this. the grunting is making me uncomfortable... tingly...

I have no idea anymore what i'd dance to.

Kabuto: You have no idea how much I am appreciating this on a zillion levels right now. goofy, cool funky groove, Oh, I like this a lot. Very different in tone to the other stuff I've just listened to, got the goofy nerdcore thing going on, and i feel like having a half pound bag of wine gums now, feeling the A.D.H.D. getting right out of control.

I'd dance to this twice. So far my favourite.

King Arthur: ummm. All I get out of this is that ...uh...man. It sounds like the theme song for some pedophilia organization. Well...winger did 17, I guess... you ... no. no you can't. I really don't know what to say man. I don't know if I got out of that what you were intending, but ... uh.

Don't play this at a middle school sock hop.

Level nivelo: I recognize your voice right away. This is ok... but it sounds like it's written for sunday school. Ok song.

Mc Eric B: nope. no. no. And... nothing. I got nothing to offer other than ... chorus is way better than verse, but still a ... no.
I am no fan of this sound.

Paul Denyer: vocals too quiet. nothing here interests me.

Melvin: Pretty good... I like the vibe, sounds like you're going for a track off of Stadium Arcadium. You have a feel for a sound that is pretty popular now. I like it. Something feels... circular. Like the tune is almost gonna take off, but it never really does. Production is working for me. You have a great sounding voice.

I'd dance if there was a huge keg cracked. Cause frankly, I'm getting tired of dancing right now.



Ok. I'm done for now. the other 12 will have to wait...possibly a long long time.

[jackfrost]

i have listened to the sugar shaker songs a lot more and my opinion has changed considerably on a lot of the songs. i'll post more rational reviews soon.

[Niveous]

Caravan Ray: I can't believe you put the same song into "Sugar Shaker" as you did "No One Else" (Nur Ein Round 4). It fits both titles and it landed fairly between both time frames. I don't know if I should call you lazy, ballsy or genius?

[Niveous]

Level nivelo:[/b] I recognize your voice right away. This is ok... but it sounds like it's written for sunday school. Ok song.

What kind of Sunday School did you go to?????
Ummm, I think you missed some potential naughty connotations

[Caravan Ray]

Caravan Ray: I can't believe you put the same song into "Sugar Shaker" as you did "No One Else" (Nur Ein Round 4). It fits both titles and it landed fairly between both time frames. I don't know if I should call you lazy, ballsy or genius?

"No One Else" by Tex Beaumont and the Dirty Hearts and "Sugar Shaker" by Caravan Ray are completely different songs by completely different artists that just happen to to have been written simultaneously and sound somewhat similar.
...Ok, I'll take lazy, ballsy genius if you like

[bean...]

I don't know if I have the credibility to make any legitimate comments, but since people have been so awesome and have taken the time to listen to everything, I'll put in my .02...

<b>Flvxxvm Florvm</b>
This song makes me feel like I'm a 7 year-old girl with strawberry-blonde pigtails - and it feels good. Like, I'm at the apex of innocence and vulnerability and you are yelling at me in a partially sexual and partially angry manner, and you know what? I like it! I feel a little bit dangerous but a little bit safe. Thank you.

<b>The Bondi Cigar</b>
Trippy. I dig it. The rim shot at the beginning sounds partially a-rhythmic, but I prefer to call it polyrhythmic. I like the build up to the 1:00 mark, where this kick drum pattern is really cool. The panned flanging voices are cool and nauseating, in a beautiful, aurally-pleasing way. I feel like the vocal line to go up and build really big to another beat drop. I feel like I should be in some European city with 30,000 other people clustered around me sweating and on ecstasy.

<b>mickyfinn</b>
I see sunset, beach, bonfire, and oh, look down at my feet: they are covered in sand and I feel uncomfortable. I want to go home.

<b>Electro Martyr</b>
Two words: Warehouse and Mescaline.

At 1:08, the synth sounds like it's whining, in a hilarious and pitiful way. But I like it.

<b>Satin Tails</b>
The beginning is awesome! Awesome! The tritone-sub, altered dominant sounding turn around in the sax line is interesting. The sound at :41 makes the song.

<b>Level Nivelo</b>
"Sugar shaking all over your face:" Brilliant.

I like the God wanting to ride the Sugar Shaker line.

<b>Adam Adamant</b>
First melody and accent instill immediately The Streets into my head.

I think the best 10 or 15 seconds of this whole competition is the part where you go through the sounds (on the left side panned). Absolutely beautiful.

<b>The White Hat</b>
What mics did you use? It sounds like chinese condensers or something - either that or they are just hyped to hell with eq?

It starts to sound REALLY good later in the song, but in the beginning it is just like a lot of high end and no low?

Awesome song! I like the "Na-ked truth" rhythm reinforcement with the guitar. I like the guitar playing. I really like the lyrics in the last part.

<b>Project-D</b>
The clinically clean guitar (almost sounds D.I.'d) with the flanging or phasing sounds like a hospital lobby to me. Uncomfortable. Smells bad. Sterile. Makes my teeth hurt. The vocals sound the same. It sounds like you boosted HELLA on the sub-bass of the kick drum. Maybe not, but it's like really a lot of it. Abrasive.

<b>The Stateside Menace</b>
REALLY impressive beginning. JET. The chorus-y part sounds like the TV Funhouse or Teenage Ninja Turtles theme songs...

Great dynamics! Great beat drop at 2:53. Awesome!

<b>Caravan Ray</b>
The beginning sounds like drunken karaoke rhythmically. The panning of all the percussive stuff is perfect. Stimulating. The more I listen to everything after the first verse the more I like it. Kinda trippy. Phil Collins?

<b>Melvin</b>
It sounds like what's hot at the moment (I think?). So awesome, actually. Sounds like a legitimate song. The vocal harmonies are awesome, the "sugar gonna make you shake all night" part is breathtaking. I love vocal effect (guitar amp-y).

"Make you wonder how long I can go"

So...so funny.

<b>The Big Dumb Jerks</b>
This is dance music in Eugene, Oregon.

Firedancing?

<b>Sheail</b>
The first three chords are awesome! Harpsichord?!

I like the one half-step descending chord change and the guitar riff at :40.

Math.

<b>Diamond Geezer</b>
Really interesting reverby electric guitar tone. Eerie. Am-mu-ni-tion! This is SO CATCHY! Thank you.

That's some of 'em. Thanks for commenting on the i.p. stuff. I think everything that I strived to achieve in that song was achieved: the heavy breathing made people very uncomfortable, and that people took the farcical guitar solo seriously. WANK CITY!

[jeff robertson]

<b>Flvxxvm Florvm</b>
This song makes me feel like I'm a 7 year-old girl with strawberry-blonde pigtails - and it feels good. Like, I'm at the apex of innocence and vulnerability and you are yelling at me in a partially sexual and partially angry manner, and you know what? I like it! I feel a little bit dangerous but a little bit safe. Thank you.

No, thank you. A positive review. A.... very ...creepy... positive review.

[Leaf]

I Thanks for commenting on the i.p. stuff. I think everything that I strived to achieve in that song was achieved: the heavy breathing made people very uncomfortable, and that people took the farcical guitar solo seriously. WANK CITY!

I was being sarcastic about the breathing. It didn't make me actually feel uncomfortable. It made me tingle in the nether regions though. freak. You have failed in your intent.


I LIKE "wanky" guitar solos...but I don't really appreciate the guitarist-guilt, especially if you're gonna play like that, then jump on the rag-on-solo band wagon. WEEEEEAAAAAKKKKK.


Hey...anyone say welcome to songfight yet?

[bean...]

<b>Flvxxvm Florvm</b>
This song makes me feel like I'm a 7 year-old girl with strawberry-blonde pigtails - and it feels good. Like, I'm at the apex of innocence and vulnerability and you are yelling at me in a partially sexual and partially angry manner, and you know what? I like it! I feel a little bit dangerous but a little bit safe. Thank you.

No, thank you. A positive review. A.... very ...creepy... positive review.

It only seemed fitting!

[bean...]

I was being sarcastic about the breathing. It didn't make me actually feel uncomfortable. It made me tingle in the nether regions though. freak. You have failed in your intent.

Well, that sounds even better, no?!

That's like, the best place to feel the tingles, right?

Right?

[Caravan Ray]

<b>Caravan Ray</b>
...Phil Collins?

From another thread, regarding the same song:

The last thing you want from me is a Peter Gabriel comparison, so I'll just say great job. :

Peter Gabriel I will happily accept. But if Tex ever starts to sound like Phil Collins - please shoot him.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

[adamadamant]

Hi all,

Thanks for the kind reviews, my song this week was pretty awful, I was completely drunk throughout almost the whole writing and recording which took only a few hours. Though I feel it does counter some of the people who said my song sounded 'canned' last week. I wanted to enter the song anyway because, well, why not?

In response to various questions and comments: Yes it is a real English accent (as in I'm from England, though I live in Scotland now). I'm not really sure how to feel about the Streets comparison as I'm not really a fan and I definitely wasn't going for that, but maybe they're drunk when they write the songs too? The glitchy sounds are from a bent Casio SA-5 so I'm not sure how much credit I can take for that, but yes they are beautiful.

I am going to try and review everyone else's songs myself, as it is polite. I'm very excited about Late for a Funeral at the mo though.

AA

[Denyer]

In response to various questions and comments: Yes it is a real English accent (as in I'm from England, though I live in Scotland now). I'm not really sure how to feel about the Streets comparison as I'm not really a fan and I definitely wasn't going for that, but maybe they're drunk when they write the songs too?

if you're not American you sound like the streets to songfight.