But Then I Forgot (I Meant to Remember Reviews)

[ken]

The octobarn is octogone.



Ken

[deshead]

Reminds me of Great Big Sea

reminds me a little of XTC

Matthew Sweet!

Wild, thanks guys! All are flattering, and better than my brother's "sounds like Kim Mitchell" comment. I'm not that Canadian.

Here's a more car-friendly mix: http://www.deshead.com/Music/item.php/IMeantToRemember (And thanks to Boltoph for a second set of ears. Good call on the bongos, yo.)

Oh, and:

This could be like Adult top 20.

the heavy drums take any 'too nice' accusations

Just sayin'. 8)


Baron Von Smith:
Best part: the chorus harmony.
This is a great song. Well-arranged and performed. I'm pretty sure it has my vote. Some thoughts on the mix: There's one extra voice in the 2nd chorus that kinda jumps out. And the song is a little cluttered at the end (but that could be part of its charm too. It doesn't actually sound bad.) And does your drum machine have a humanize feature? Either way, great job overall.

Hope, Oath, and Suspicion:
Best part: The chorus, especially the way the last one comes in.
Great integration of the title. I like all the parts of this, but I think I'd like them more in a different mix. Things could be panned out more (the mix is weighted to the left.) The strummed guitar in the chorus drowns everything else out, especially the drums. They kick up for the chorus, but I can't hear them at all. I think there might be a bit too much reverb (or maybe it's just room sound) on the acoustic guitar. Meh, I'm probably being nitpicky. It's a good song.

The IRC All-Stars:
Best part: The chorus, natch.
Heh, such # lyrics. I like everything about this (other than the over-my-head references.) I'd like to hear the drums a bit louder, especially the kick drum. But it's entirely possible that it sounds exactly the way you all wanted it to, so .. yeah.

Kamakura:
Best part: "I meant to remember but I'll try to forget"
I'm impressed with the restraint you showed on the guitar. It would have been easy to over-strum this for added emphasis (but it wouldn't have worked.) The "couch potato" line jumped out at me the first time through, but it settled down on subsequent listens, so I think it's ok. And yes, the melody is definitely Pink Floyd-ey.

No Direction:
Best part: the unexpected transition from uke to band at 0:45
This sounds good, but I'm afraid I agree with j$: meta-lyrics turn me off. Lyrics notwithstanding, your singing is great as always. Here's what I'd do to the mix: trim a little high-end off the drums, add some more beef to the snare (a little boost around 200Hz or so.) And I'll bet you could push the overall level 10dB higher with a limiter.

Phunt Your Friends:
Best part: the morose trail-off at the end.
This is surprisingly coherent for a sonic experiment. But man, I didn't need the French class memories. <shudder>

The Sober Irishman:
Best part: the scream at 3:06, into the doubled guitar solo. Sweet.
I like the lyrics a lot. And the screaming. I'm kind-of ambivalent about the singing though. Not sure it works. I find the kick drum sounds whumpy, like it's all low frequency sound, and no attack. Also, is there bass guitar? It's hard to tell, so maybe it needs a boost somewhere from 200Hz-300Hz.

Steve Durand:
Best part: the trumpet & organ solo
I think this is the catchiest use of the title. It's definitely the only chorus that stuck in my head after the first time through the fight. Good song. I found the dissonant harmony a little distracting, though. And I think a shaker, or even a tambourine or 8th notes on the high hat, would have filled this out nicely.

Tragedy Rekindled:
Best part: the extro, I guess.
Gotta be Poor June, right? This could use stereo separation, and you need to back off a little on the guitar around 300Hz 'cause it muddies up the vocals.

[AngryKowala]

Baron Von Smith - I'm digging the guitar jamm down at the end, have you considered opening for Bruce Springstein?

Deshead - I hear you songs out among the trees, you're still calling to me?
baby baby baby that's so powerful. I guess smiling is really the best way to remeber someone who is a ghost with a spookey skowl!

Hopeoath+suspicion - Django Guitar slides, wump! How does one give all of one's flesh?

Ircallstars + - Harmonica! Rubble! Plums! I can't stop being amazed! The problem is plain to see too much techonology! WAHMO! and the so much layering of voices at the end!

Kamakura- Did you play that guitar and sing inside of a giant hall? Like a big cathedral? there is sure an awful lot of echos. but the echos are so nice on your voice which is wispy and powerful.

Nodirection - the Ukalale tickels are so wonderful in my throat and brain, and then the synth pop break down is terrible good! What do they call it when a medium is aware of itself? Cause that is clever!

Phuntyourfriends +- How do you do such amazing body sounds get togethers! The french means not things about launage! but then the one part near the middle sounds like someone is peacefully drowning in the bath tub and their life is flashing before their eyes.

Soberirishman - Oh Jesus i don't think i've ever rocked out so hard in my life, except at that one Moody Blues concert back in April, DAmn.

Stevedurand - Who plays those Horns? I hope it is someone who gets paid alot because they are so nice. And your words are like a carrot theif who is giving his tearful confession. VIOLIN WIGGLES! I think we retain waht we want and disregard the rest.

Tragedyrekindled - Prior to his departure from Tatooine, Luke Skywalker got a first look at just what a life among the stars could promise. The fresh-faced farmboy had never seen so many aliens in one place, and the rough-and-tumble crowd could sense an easy target. Two thugs tried to pick a fight with the youth, but Obi-Wan Kenobi intervened, dispatching the brutes with a quick swing of his lightsaber.

[blue]

you are easily the least angry kowala we've had in a long time.

[GlennCase]

The octobarn is octogone.



Ken

Seeing the picture made it all so final. It made me sad.

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

[jack]

It might be gone but it will never be forgotten.

[Steve Durand]

Stevedurand - Who plays those Horns?

I play 'em myself. Thanks.

Steve

[Märk]

More blah reviews.

Baron von Smith: Aw man, for some reason this made me think of that song that comes on the radio on 'Baseketball'- maybe a bit melodramatic, but that's probably just cynical ol' me. Still, good job.

Deshead: Awesome production. Like it, like it. The vocals are great. Nice harmonies/melodies. Maybe a but radio-friendly for my tastes. This sounds Canadian. Possible vote, but it's only song 2 so far.

H, O&S: Pretty good song. Not grabbing me for some reason. Lots of fake endings.

IRCAS: This sounds like a goddamned kid's show theme! I get this mental image of Lunette and Molly dancing around or something.

Kamakura: The lunatic. Is in the hall.... Ooh, I like that change. Sorry @ the PF reference. You gotta admit, the first part is pretty similar. I could see myself listening to this again. Possible vote.

No Direction: heh. This is pretty funny. It's bad karma to actually mention Songfight and voting, etc. though. Nice falsetto.

Phunt Your Friends: What the hell is this crap? No sir, I don't like it. This makes me feel like hitting someone. It's like a mime, but in music form.

The Dry Mick: Sounded promising at the start, then you started singing. What the fuck is wrong with you? Just kidding, this is pretty good.

Steve Durand: There's nothing wrong with anything about this song, ie, it's produced, performed well, but I really can't stand it. Sorry.

Tragedy Rekindled: NuMetal Godsmack shlock. Now I want to kill myself. Thanks.

Wow, got through another one! Votes (yes, I said voteS) go to Deshead and Kamakura.

[Suzy 3]

From my recollection*, it's kind of one of those "had to be there" things. When the titles came out, I was in the IRC room, and posted some pictures of the octo barn being torn down. Comments of "I remember that barn" turned to jokes on one of the new title - "I meant to remember that barn", mixed with various jokes about how the suzies had stayed there and feasted on rats. Blue asked if we had taken down the plum trees, etc. Somehow, a bunch of this got turned into song lyrics.

* which is hazy but only partially manufactured

the barn! is gone!

this is truly a sad day for all three members of the suzies. we loved that barn almost as much as we loved drinking tea in said barn.

[blue]

dude you're dead. shut up. (did you guys listen to the IRC All Stars song yet?)

[Rachael Layne]

So, I have not reviewed in forever and so I decided, since I had the opportunity to take part in a small portion of this song fight, that I would review the efforts of fellow songfighters. Mind you, I write my reviews as I am listening to the song which might make a differance in how these reviews read at times... so... anyway... on with it...

No Direction: A very simple track. Very clean sound and decent production on the recording. Not too sure about the lyrical content. Cute enough concept.

Kamakura: I like the guitar tone right away. The sound of the recording and the vocal reminds me somewhat of a track David Bowie could be doing. (Even resembles an English accent at times.) The Lyrics are very intriguing as well. I find myself wanting to really listen to them. Very enjoyable.

Deshead : Very pretty beginning. LOVE the kick in!!! Wow, this is a very fun track! (Sounds like songs I have heard on soundtracks for movies like Reality Bites and Singles.) The vocals are very tight. The harmonica adds a lot at the 01:55 mark. I really love everything about this track. Very very well done.

The IRC All-Stars: Granted I was one of the harmony vocals during the chorus of this track but I will review it anyway. I fell in love with this track as I recorded my portion. It is just so much fun. The different parts by everyone really meshed well together. Even when so much is going on at the end it is still so much fun to listen too. (Excellent job all who participated.) This was truly a joy to be a part of.

Phunt Your Friends: Cute intro… lots of pops and snaps… techno talking… hmmm… interesting…quite bizarre indeed. But still entertaining.

Baron Von Smith: Nice beginning. I like the acoustic guitar. The vocal is a bit too quiet for my taste. Ahhh, but I like when the vocal comes up a bit. Makes me want to listen a bit more intently. I like the clarity of the bass guitar also. This track puts me in mind of a lot of the music that was popular back in the late ‘60’s early ‘70’s. Very good effort.

The Sober Irishman: Rockin’ out…. Kinda like this so far… I am always up for some screaming guitars. At first your vocal reminds me of Jim Morrison, but not so much as the song goes on. Whoa… the screams were kinda surprising. A bit off key here and there but that sounds somewhat intentional and also seems to fit the emotion of the song. There seems to be almost too much of an echo effect on the vocal. I like it but would like to hear a bit more of a clean vocal on some of these parts. Very dramatic sound the 03:27 section. Almost leans towards a Savatage or Dream Theatre sound. Good effort.

Hope, Oath, and Suspicion: So I am grooving right away. I like the beat and the bass a lot… The vocal is a little bit buried, not really bad but just enough to make me have to really concentrate to hear what is being said. I really like where things quiet down a bit and the vocal becomes more clean and then it kicks in again. The distortion on the vocal is a cool change. Yeah... this is alright… good job.

Tragedy Rekindled : The guitar at the beginning sounds slightly out of time… The lead vocal sounds like a muddy drunken Layne Staley… (no offense.) Everything seems really muddled together and busy. The musicianship shows potential but there is just way too much going on at the same time and the lyrics are pretty much incoherent to the listener. Sorry, just not feeling this song at all…

Steve Durand : Hmmm…. This is different… I am enjoying the keyboards… not really enjoying the vocals and lyrics as much. The general concept of the song is decent, it just does not seem to come together as well as it could. The horns are very fun and charming. Overall this track hits me as very cheesy. But it sounds like you were having fun recording and that is what the most important this is when you are creating music so keep up the good work.

And there you have it folks... my personal reviews, for better or worse... Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry... keep up the great and creative entertainment!

[Suzy 3]

dude you're dead. shut up. (did you guys listen to the IRC All Stars song yet?)

I shoah did!

We have no need for the rituals of life and death. We are eternal. And great. And I suppose powerful.

[Kamakura]

‘I Meant To Remember’

Baron Von Smith
‘Do you know how 20 years have come and gone?’ I ponder this all the time.
Your voice good, solid and very emotive, and your lyrics too. I really liked this.
Keeper

Deshead
Another good track from Deshead. What more can I say? Good production, solid construction, Damn.
Keeper

Hope, Oath, and Suspicion
Erm… Perhaps it’s ‘cause it came after Deshead, but this didn’t float my boat until the third listen. It grew on me.
Keeper

IRC All Stars
I’m glad I waited… I was going to ask what a Susie was. Did they eat Rats in the Octobarn? Probably not. Catchy. IMVHO you could have done more with the ending. It was so close to being most excellently excellent.
Keeper

Kamakura
Thanks for all the reviews. The production value is down to Kapitano, who took a rather bland 2 track voice and guitar and ‘sorted it out’. Cheers Kap.

Even resembles an English accent at times

I should hope so.

No Direction
This had me roaring with laughter. I’m so glad it happens to other people as well. I thought I was the only one! In an ideal world a real band with screaming electric guitar and Queen type harmonies at the end would have helped, but hey, I loved it none the less.
Keeper

Tragedy Rekindled
The name says it all. Sorry, this did nowt for me.

Phunt Your Friends
Intriguing. Like you’ve taken a voice over from one doc, an M&E from another and blended them to create this weird ‘Thing’. If I had the time I’d like to put a movie or a flash animation together for it. Someone should. Weird.

Steve Durand
Brass. Mmmm. Lotsa fun. A real drummer would help. This conjures summer days.
Keeper

The Sober Irishman.
I love it. You are definitely creating your own unique sound. Don’t stop.
Keeper

For sheer pleasure, laughs and the knowledge that I’m not alone, my vote is flung at No Direction.

[SaxManRunning!]

Baron Von Smith: The (synth?) snare is really obtrusivly loud in the beginning. The singing is ok at first, gets better and then the out of tune harmonies sort of kill the buzz. The solo is par but it doesn't hurt to listen to it. All together... not so hot, but not bad, probably wouldn't listen to it again.

Deshead: This is, as always, hot. I took a look at what the song is about and that just makes things sweeter. This is excelently written preformed and dare I say.. sexied? Too far, maybe.

Hope Oath and Suspician: kindagroovy, vocals are not very pleasing here but not aweful. uh, the slow part is... well the guitar is too loud and the voices are too quiet. the transitions are funky. I liked the ending though.

IRC Allstars: The doubled vocals are good until about :20 gets a little off but get on at :27. What is this about? it feels a little like a mental ward at the end, but generally not too displeasing. werid. uh, rock on?

Kamakura: mellow, but nice. just a nice simple track. Cheers.

No Direction: voice is kinda flat. but, not pitch wise, just bland. Beginning is dull. This is like tenatious d's greatest song in the world in lyrics, you know, same idea. The falcetto is annoying. mghphg...

Phunt Your Friends: Oh cool. This is weird. oh... now you decide to talk over it. I liked it until you started talking about the english language. now it's just stupid. I hate you, but only because I loved you so much to start with.

The Sober Irishman: ((hopeing that this is really irishy...)) oh, did you ever get those private messages on here from me? ah well, about your song then... ok, kinda rocking, and then not so much. Then it gets angry! but quiet anger, my personal favorite. sounds echoy, were you doing this live? Solo was nice with the yelling and all of that. The singing got ofensive after a while. Wild ending.

Steve Durrand: I hoped for more out of those horns.

Tradgedy rekindled: The singing again wasn't impressive but the guitar stuff was a little catchy. nothing fancy.

Deshead gets my vote, as usual.

[ken]

Quick Reviews from the Laptop of Ken...

baron von smith: You must tune your guitar. It also sounds like you need new strings. Are these real drums or fake? I can't quite tell. I like the tone of you voice. It is hard to hear the bass. You need a better mix. Nice song though, I am enjoying the chorus. Work on your mixes and I suspect you'll win quite a few songfights.

deshead: Wow, this is the pop fight for sure. Those vocals are great. Snare is overpowering. This song is very good. Reminds me of a mix of Elvis Costello and Counting Crows. Who is playing that harmonica solo, it's great.

Hope, Oath, and Suspicion: Interesting. I'm not liking this song. Something about it doesn't sit right with me. I'm not sure what it is though. Odd change at 1:40.

IRC Allstars: I love all the vocals on this song. I think the keyboards are catchy as hell.

Kamakura: Nice breathy vocals. Guitar sounds a little cheap. Can you EQ it better? This sounds like a Pink Floyd demo.

No Direction: Is that a ukelele? You have a very peppy vocal style. This is cute, and then breaks into a rock song, now it is kind of a musical number. Musical theater eh?

Phunty Your Friends: I'll tell you, I'm not really into the song collage, but of the people on songfight who do this, you are my favorite. You pick interesting material, and often have some cool parts. Not so annoying as uninteresting for me.

Sober Irishman: Bring on the rock brother! Intro is too long, get to the song already. I'm really liking the gothy vocals. Yikes, did your neighbors worry about you when you did these vocals? There's some nice guitar playing in there. Overall, I don't like it.

Steve Durand: Interesting intro. I like the intro better than the song itself. Just kind of an odd shift. Then the song is too stiff when it is trying to be funky. Loosen up. This could be a Frank Zappa song.

Tragedy Rekindled: Very dark. Is there some kind of detuner effect on the vocals? Guitar sounds pretty good. Not sure what to make of this.

[HeuristicsInc]

yah, no reviews or vote, but you can see what i liked.

1: sober, deshead, steve d, ircas, kamakura
2: hope et al, the baron, tragedy, nodir
-bill