Thank God for Reviews!

[blue]

review the songs you like best. the people who don't get reviewed can pm or post to ask for a review if they enjoy your reviewing style.

[starfinger]

I'm not sure what's going on

optional challenge: "live recording"

[puadxe]

Lord of Oats, about your comment on my comment about your lyrics
my comment was really only based off the first couple lines, and those first couple of lines can be really important in catching a person's attention and building an impression on them. The rest seem perfectly fine; i just read them on the lyrics board

thanks for the review aswell

[Hoblit]

Hoblit Was Here at Midnight – Rough. Definitely live, I guess. I like the chords and the feel...s. I think it needs a full band...and a studio. Lyrics seemed pretty cool, I think. The song drags after a while, but I like the ending.

There is some talk of getting our studio version into the fight, but until then I'll be replying to these reviews with this:

<a href="http://www.ghosttowngridlock.com/misc/H ... emphis.mp3" target="resource window">Studio Version...</a>
Won't quiz you on it later or nothin' and thank you for the original listen.

[Caravan Ray]

Alright! 2 hours of spotty, pre-pubescent white boys singin' the blues! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you Songfight!

Anyway - this is how I see 'em - in order of merit:

HIGH DISTINCTION (vote)
BC3 – This is very cool. I’m not a big one for long intros, but this is nice work. Sounds like Dave Graney & The Coral Snakes

DISTINCTION
ANCHORS – Starts off like Velvet Underground, then moves into early-80’s guitar pop from Dunedin, New Zealand. If you are American, you probably won’t understand the NZ reference – but try to check out The Chills, or Baitler Space or The Bats – they invented what you are playing. Anyway – the Velvets and the NZ Flying Nun stuff is my favourite stuff – so I like you. I want to be your boyfriend.

WRECKDOM I don’t want to be your boyfriend. Youse guys are weirdos. This is good. This reminds me of the first thing I heard by youse that I liked – back about 3 years ago where you repeated “Texas” over and over again. I think it was called “Texas” I liked that one.

BADCACTUS– Good vocals – and very cool guitar solo


CREDIT
STEVE DURAND - This is very silly. It sounds Jewish. Like something Al Jolsen or Eddie Cantor may have sung in blackface back in the 1920's. I like Al Jolsen. My friends and I used to have an annual Black & White Minstrel Pub Crawl and put on blackface and get drunk singing Al Jolsen songs. I guess you probably couldn't do that in US cities.
KSDBS – Good pop song – suffers from the live recording – but good melody and chorus
ADD – There is no excuse for quoting Toto in song. Ever. Catchy though
BLT – Good verses, but the chorus sounds a bit funny. I always seem to write that for you.
WAGES – Very dull song. Your performance pulls it off though. Nice work.
URINELUCK – There is no law that says a pop song has to be 3 minutes. Nice work.



PASS
FLVXXMFLVRM – This is pretty cool. Great strumming. Great vox. Hate the repeated vocal lines. If this was a story about murdering the man that took the woman that done you wrong – it would work.
XTRG – Nice change from the other stuff here. Nice well put together song
KA – I don’t like the honky-tonk sort of stuff – but you lyrics are excellent as always
CHRISCUSACK– This is a pretty cool song. Thin recording. Man vox are good. The lady has to get closer to the mic. I really like the song though. Good work. Ahhhhs – I like Ahhhhs.
BLUMPTOWNSINGERS – Some good lyrics – but not enough to carry the whole song
HANSGRUBER – Nice pop sound – vox too soft
HWHAM - Last time I saw you two together, we were in a car driving to a liquor store! This isn’t bad – but probably less than the sum of its parts.


MARGINAL PASS
RD – I don’t know if this sounds like something – or if it just sounds like it sounds like something. Maybe Abbey Road,…a touch of Procol Harem – something late 60’s anyway – you are definitely writing to a template here – and it is a template I don’t particularly like
MCEricB/LB – OK lyrics Eric – but your delivery is really awful here. You can do better than that. The Burglar has given your lyrics here a horribly clichéd 80’s power-ballad treatment, but it does show how musical your words can be
PdelS – No – you’ve done better
McWino – Not bad – but it sounds a bit too commercial FM radio for me. Vocals have that Nickelback/Matchbox 20/I Feel Constipated feel to them.
Melvin – Authentic sounding – but far too close to Big Boy Cruddup’s (as covered by Elvis Presley) That’s Alright Mama for me. Do you know what I refer to?
HEDONISTICCALCULUS – Bit dull – but OK

FAIL
These ones showed effort – but need improvement

PUADXE
WEAKESTSUIT
LORDOFOATS
STARFINGER
EMBERSOFAUTUMN


And the others…

Stop wasting my fucking time:

BTinD
G
4amC
DJBD
Bmhahrrr
Lsk
SKD
IMBG

[Paco Del Stinko]

After one listen, but I'll listen over the week again prior to voting.

4 AM Cigarette - Fine as a scratch-pad but it suffers from a poor recording and lack of development.

ADD Music - The first time through the M..E..M..etc. I kind of cringed, but it soon became hooky. That and the groove are the meat here, despite the fun shout-outs.

The Anchors - Less angular than some of your other stuff, this feels better as it gets going. It leaves you hanging a bit at the end, like an un-answered question. Regarding the vocals, I like where they sit and are full enough, but if anything, roll back the higher eq a tiny bit to make it feel less cutting.

Bad Cactus - Pleasant and well constructed, with a nice easy going melody, it doesn't jump out as remarkable. I like the well fitted layers and how they patiently enter at the right time, would have preferred the nice lead guitar work with a more sparkly sound.

Big Matt Hyatt and His Rusty Red Riders - I love a good rolling swampy cowboy rhythm, but it's slim chance of survival was squashed by the too deliberate silliness on top. A cheesy Lux Interior would have been fun here.

BLT - This might be my favorite song of yours yet. I love the trippy vocals and the progression sounds like it's always been in my blood. Ordinarily I might not like that guitar fuzz, but it works well here. Right arm!

Blues Train Blues Industry - I'd like this better if the rhythms were at least slightly related to...something, but maybe that's the point. Doesn't quite work here, though.

Blumptown Singers - Where's Travolta for his part? Well done, but it's not as strong as it could be melody-wise. Little stiff all around, this could benefit from more time to work with.

The BC3 - Where'd all those guitars come from? Moody and on the edge of sleaze, Flash In The Pan made it to California. Loosens up a bit, and nicely, about mid-way. The subtle changes in rhythms both percussively and with the guitar are well done. Like the up-beat ending too.

Chris Cusack - Good traditional sounding melodies and vocal work, I think the verse fit better with the male voice on the verse. Back vocals and shaker are all that are needed here and hold well, this one has a pretty good overall feel.

DJ Big Dick - I like many of the elements and samples here but would like'em better with some groove, besides the 80's cheese at the end. Or perhaps more 80's cheese. Too random.

Embers of Autumn - It's disjointed, but sincere feeling. I'm torn on the marching feeling coming from the guitar strum, as it starts getting a bit U-2y, but the piano is selling this best.

Flvxxm Florvm - The tuning and well played guitar make this work, and it's nice to hear a less distorted voice as it works well here. Drum is almost dragging a bit, but gets away with it.

Gurdonak - I was hoping this would burst forth with color at some point, but remained in a digital reptile at the dentist mode too long. Too stiff and incomplete feeling all around, I'd call this one a learning exercise and move on.

Hans Gruber: Ultimate Villain - The vocals could be more assertive, and the left guitar less so, though it sounds great. This is a good foundation for either developing further or leaping off of. Still, good instrumentation and playing, a little Moog synth hook might give it a bit more grab. Hope you stick around, Hans.

The Hedonistic Calculus - Mist rising from the valley opening is nice. I like the darkish tone set here and patient restraint. Ooo, spooky end fade leaving a whiff of mystery in the air. Decent all around, the vocal is probably its weakest part, but saved by its brevity.

Hoblit Was Here At Midnight - Nice and brooding, I like the rhythm shifts very much. Good melodies add the haunt and world weary sounding flavor. Sounds like Neil Diamonds' darkest hour.

'Iron' Man Bobby Graham - Good instrumentation way too off track of each other to work well. The vocal delivery could use some more conviction. It would be a pleasant little song if it sounded more like you cared about it. Give it some love, man!

Jeff 'Flapjack' Robertson - The spoken intro was interesting. You just need the full band electric version now. I can't say which version I prfer, they both have their merits. This one may get the it's live edge.

Ken's Super Duper Band n' Stuff - Nice progression and melody, if a bit standard for such a talented gentleman as you. Lots of room to work with if taken into the studio, it's a wonderful set-up for simple layers. I don't dislike it, by any means, just think it would sound better at stage two.

King Arthur - Excellent, this is a perfect fit for the title. Hooks, riffs, reverbed and delayed yet clear production. Memphis could use this in tourism campaigns. Upbeat and well paced, it doesn't get all sugery.

Lord of Oats - The verses sound a little bit too stat sheet at times, and the chorus almost too cute, but the general happy/sad tone helps keep this alive. Good arrangement as well despite bits of scruff in dynamics and vocals. Pleasant.

LSK - I kind of like the I'm out of my mind feel of this, but it's not sustainable all the way through. The rhythm cup or whatever that is a little funny too, but all of this should have been done with in like a minute six or something.

Lyricburglar - Hold your lighters aloft, everybody. Very effective ballady feel. I was just thinking that this needs a soliloquy when it came right in. Perfect. I think this is quite effective although it feels like it's missing a verse maybe, balance wise. Good one.

MC Eric B - Talk about night and day compared to the Burglers' version and this! This feels recited much of the time, but the Casio rhthym makes it cheesy fun for a while. You can do better.

MC Wino - Sung well overall, the acoustic guitar progressions are nice and airy. I think a variation in melody wouldn't hurt, for flavor, here and there. This song has a very dark and brooding feel which is its soul, or something I suppose, and a better drum track and production would give it lot of clobber. Good playing and a decent song worth working on some more.

Melvin - That's alright, Melvin! It's not time to start calling you the King yet, is it? I enjoyed this very much from you, it's nice to hear the stripped down approach, and good feel comes out all sunny.

PDS - Just in case you didn't know that I was a goober. I like the lead guitar tone, and can not say enough good about tube amps as far as tone and response go. This is my second fake live fight entry.

Puadxe - A bit meandering, it's a moody little dinosaur that starts to lose a bit of its fight. Good idea scratchpad.

Ross Durand - I like the gospely feel and it's arranged well if a little stiff feeling at times. Sounds like a Procul Harem type thing with the organ and tempo. A smoother feel and maybe a vocal leap would work this better, it's a good song.

Snape Killed Dumbledore - Who called my intro cheesy? This could get going sooner, but I like the synth sounds. Feels a little lost.

Starfinger/Brainpipe - It's murky and heady, but I like the falling slo-mo down the well feel. Or down the hat to Lidsville. Some good bits of melody in there.

Steve Durand - I like the wandering melody and the supporting music and instrumentation. The vocals get better after the solo when they feel a little looser. Something calling high up and far off might be nice in the mix.

Urine Luck - I hope that this was sung by people wearing amusment park mascot costumes. Maybe in front of the flume ride!

Wages - I think that for this version, I would rather hear a more restrained vocal delivery. The one there is plenty passionate, and I know that you love Memphis, but i'ts probably better suited for a swinging Doors (Ha! No pun intended) type tune with a scruffy blues band. I can see where you were mapping it out and like the arrangement, just not the demo version here.

The Weakest Suit - The sparse melodies work well and tell a lot with a little. Something more bridge-like would provide a good break to the sameness, but the almost "Can't kill rock and roll" line, perhaps surprisingly, kinda works here.

WreckdoM - That riff line between the vocal lines is frickin' the BEST! Good n'rubbery with delicious textures, this sure doesn't wear out its welcome. Just the right amount of snide in the recipe too.

x-tokyo-river-god - Might feel a little dense, but this is a wonderful fairy tale feeling world. I like the melodies with strains of old Europe in there at times mixed with tiny butterflys. Good playing, excellent vocals and a nice evloving sound pallet make this quite enjoyable. Pip pip!

[EmbersOfAutumn]

Thank you all so far for your honest and surprisingly positive reviews (except for you few who know who you are... stupid yuppies...) I actually wanted to do a better job, but threw this together at the last minute, literally wrote it all in about 30 minutes and recorded it in one take, looping in the guitar right after, mixing it and sent it on it's way in a little over an hour. I just got bored and saw that the date was extended, so I just quick-whipped it all together. Not that I'm making up excuses, but I just wanted to explain the problem with the recording quality--normally the quality is much better. (Of the recording, not the vocals, obviously). Reviews from me coming tomorrow.

If you want a good laugh, my purevolume page, for whatever bizarre reason, refuses to play my TGFM song at normal speed. It's absolutely hilarious hearing an already slow song at 50% speed. If you got a few minutes to kill, check it out. http://www.purevolume.com/embersofautumn/.

[Spud]

There is some talk of getting our studio version into the fight...

It is in.

[mc_wino]

McWino – Not bad – but it sounds a bit too commercial FM radio for me. Vocals have that Nickelback/Matchbox 20/I Feel Constipated feel to them.

man, the guy from nickelback has a beautiful voice. like an angel.

[Jawknee]

McWino – Not bad – but it sounds a bit too commercial FM radio for me. Vocals have that Nickelback/Matchbox 20/I Feel Constipated feel to them.

man, the guy from nickelback has a beautiful voice. like an angel.

haha.

no, but seriously, thanks for the otherwise positive reviews guys.

[Hoblit]

There is some talk of getting our studio version into the fight...

It is in.

Thank you sir. We do really appreciate that.

[Lord of Oats]

I'm not sure what's going on

optional challenge: "live recording"

Yeah, I mean, I could hear that. I just mean you can go ahead and take the prize for most creative/bizarre live recording.

[HeuristicsInc]

Excellent, we dig that prize. thanks
-bill

[Lord of Oats]

Thank you all so far for your honest and surprisingly positive reviews (except for you few who know who you are... stupid yuppies...) I actually wanted to do a better job, but threw this together at the last minute, literally wrote it all in about 30 minutes and recorded it in one take, looping in the guitar right after, mixing it and sent it on it's way in a little over an hour. I just got bored and saw that the date was extended, so I just quick-whipped it all together. Not that I'm making up excuses, but I just wanted to explain the problem with the recording quality--normally the quality is much better. (Of the recording, not the vocals, obviously). Reviews from me coming tomorrow.

If you want a good laugh, my purevolume page, for whatever bizarre reason, refuses to play my TGFM song at normal speed. It's absolutely hilarious hearing an already slow song at 50% speed. If you got a few minutes to kill, check it out. http://www.purevolume.com/embersofautumn/.

I'm not gonna lie. The half-speed mix isn't really doing anything for me. I mean, it's funny, because a little interlude sounds like a breakdown, etc. But I can't really deal with the mutated vocals. But you know, at half-speed, it creates that long instrumental section, and that reminds me of an epic Death Cab song, i.e., Transatlanticism or Stability. I think there is some potential here. So other than the rhythm section, maybe you need a group vocal.

[spinlock]

Thought I'd review the ones I liked the most

Steve Durand - VERY nice work. I love it when you do a novelty song, you totally rule at those. Intro vocals were weak, but great once you get into it. and the lyrics were as always clever. Awesome job.

Urine Luck - Holy Compression Batman! This is catchy and got stuck in my head .....and ...that's all there is of it !?
They say size isn't important... but my goodness I'd find this so satisfying if it had a little more length. Is the chorus effect the result of recording it in a 'bathroom' or did you add that? Normally it's something I hate but it works here. Please enter again soon with something full-bodied

Lots of other good entries (ie paco) but I have limited time and these really stood out. Hope to compete with you guys again next week.

[Lord of Oats]

review the songs you like best. the people who don't get reviewed can pm or post to ask for a review if they enjoy your reviewing style.

For the record, I'd like to be reviewed whenever possible, so let's skip the extra step, and everybody let me know what you thought of mine, if you've got the time to. As for the reviews I write, maybe I could save some time that way...

[Bad Cactus]

Just wanted to jump in and say thanks to those that have reviewed so far, whether you liked mine or not. My reviews are still in the works. I had no idea there would be so many. And I'd rather review everything rather than just the ones I liked. Seems like that's more in the spirit assuming that the awful ones want to be less awful on the next go around.

To those that liked my song: Awesome. Good to hear the positive feedback.

To those that found it boring: Awesome. But I'll try to make the next entry less so. I guess.

To those that completely dismissed it: Awesome. I like to know why and most of you said so.

To those that liked my band name better than my song: Well, I'm keeping the name so you'll find it easy to avoid future entries.

[blue]

assuming that the awful ones want to be less awful on the next go around.

not a valid assumption.

[puadxe]

if you're going to be a lazy ass and not review all of them, then maybe do the category thing at least so we can get some feel for what you think. (even if it's just "FAIL")

but really, please take the extra time dudes, the reviews are the best part of the fight to me

[jackfrost]

i don't think so. i tried to get through these songs, but this bloated fight has so much garbage, it just makes me mad and i end up being much more negative in my reviews than i should.
we need to get back to the shitty titles. they usually yield smaller, better quality fights.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I've just been nibbling away at my reviews. When I'm done, I'll copy and paste them here. It's not so bad when done in that way. Plus, it allows me to really take in all of the songs that guys really put heavy effort into.

[Lord of Oats]

I think the hardest part of Song Fight! for me is having patience.