Failed English, so I couldn't read the Dark All Day reviews.

[jb]

many stupid argument posts have just been BALEETED by moi. including mine.

[erik]

dude, here, take this "Fucking Awesome" badge

[Future Boy]

If Josh Woodward isn't actually Deshead, which is what his review of the song would appear to indicate, then the two of them were separated at birth. I would like Deshead's song better if he wasn't using auto-tune. Or, if that's just the way his voice sounds, then I have to say that the super accurate pitch and fake sounding vibrato is really disturbing.

I'm not sure what 15-16 did to make Rockin' Oxen write such a song, but I'm still having trouble understanding why people seem to think that insinuating that someone is gay is really offensive. I mean, what if 15-16 really *is* gay and really *does* enjoy all of those things? I mean, if you are going to be insulting, at least try to be a little more original. Are you 15? 16? 12? Gimme a break.

Southwest Statistic, you write a solid pop song. It sounds like the last one you wrote and, I'm starting to think, every other song you've ever written or will write. Lay off the pitch correction. Also, I wanted to pretend that you were being sarcastic when you said 15-16 needed to write a song in response to Rockin' Oxen's, but from your later posts I've become convinced that you were totally serious. What's wrong with you? I certainly don't like the idea of using Songfight as a venue for dissing the other participants and I hope that you will come to feel that way as well.

Sober Irishman, you know I have had strong words for you in the past, but this time I say: Good Job! The music is really well played and arranged. I especially like the accordian. I still think your voice is your weakest link, though. It's, like, almost really cool but just off enough to be kinda unsettling. I think you will improve improve improve though.

Wreckdom, wonderful job. Just to spite all of these other yahoos, I'm going to vote for you. Thank you for providing a regular alternative to cotton candy pop songs with no soul. Bad cotton candy pop songs! You get no cookies!

[slowRodeo]

I'm not sure what 15-16 did to make Rockin' Oxen write such a song, but I'm still having trouble understanding why people seem to think that insinuating that someone is gay is really offensive. I mean, what if 15-16 really *is* gay and really *does* enjoy all of those things? I mean, if you are going to be insulting, at least try to be a little more original. Are you 15? 16? 12? Gimme a break.

i thought it was funny. but not appropriate for this venue. of course that brings up what is? there are alot of songs on here that dont have any value in my book. at least this one was funny. oh yeah and by the way i dont think anyone likes being fisted.

[deshead]

If Josh Woodward isn't actually Deshead

He's not. Though I think his songs are great. Maybe we had the same guitar teacher.

Or, if that's just the way his voice sounds, then I have to say that the super accurate pitch and fake sounding vibrato is really disturbing.

"disturbing" in a good way, right?


My favorites this fight:

Motor Monkeys - Ya, Bowie. The good Bowie.
Ken's ... - reminded me of Doves a bit. Nice and lush.
Sober Irishman - Your voice is awesome. And the song's stuck in my head.

[Southwest_Statistic]

Southwest Statistic, you write a solid pop song. It sounds like the last one you wrote and, I'm starting to think, every other song you've ever written or will write. Lay off the pitch correction. Also, I wanted to pretend that you were being sarcastic when you said 15-16 needed to write a song in response to Rockin' Oxen's, but from your later posts I've become convinced that you were totally serious. What's wrong with you? I certainly don't like the idea of using Songfight as a venue for dissing the other participants and I hope that you will come to feel that way as well.

Yep. In fact, during this week whenever I would talk about my song with my friends, I called it "Shameless Pop Rock". However, keep in mind that I listen to and enjoy a pretty diverse amount of music. I suppose I could write in a different style of music every single time I sit down to write a song, but this genre seems to be what I am strongest in and it's defiantly working for me from the majority of the comments I receive. I just feel like I've found my niche' on the songfight scene. However, I really like your songs and I totally respect all artists who have the mentality to be more diverse like you.

As far as the encouraging 15-16 to write a comeback song, that was in fact sarcasm. Though it is a funny thought, it was said only because I knew that he wouldn't. I would not dare to encourage some of the more childish songfighers to do something like that but I trust that 15-16 has his head screwed on tight enough to not listen to my attempt at being humorous.

[Southwest_Statistic]

Lay off the pitch correction.

Though I will admit to abusing it on my own voice, my singer Jeremy didn't really have any on his this week... What you are hearing pretty much came out of his mouth that way without any modification. He's just a fantastic singer.

As far as being Pop goes, it could be worse:

[Leaf]

[]b]Rockin oxen[/b] I cannot objectively review this.
Creep It's ok. I think you got a ways to go to start selling your songs to Nashville though. I certainly wouldn't call this country, it has a pleasant enough sound, But it really didn't hold my interest for very long. Good enough background music as I work...I'd call it OK.
McCullough/Carlier this is quaint...and way more countrified too, ironically! I like the overall sound quality, and those backing vocals are good, but you guys/guy have some pitch issues here and there withyour singing... but I'm enjoying the tune. This is prime campfire material. pretty GOOD.
Andre was here at Midnight man, alot of guitar/vocal tunes so far. Andre, I admire your efforts, and this is one of the catchier things you've done, but it's kinda disjointed, and the mix is not very good. I want to slap an ok on this, but my personal review ethic tells me this is kinda BAD. sounds like you had fun though.
Glen Case and the Half Racks Well, you already outed yourself on the production values, which aren't great as you know. I like the vibe, it helps that I can visualize you performing this.. it's nice and tight, which really stands out as it's live. I just wish I could hear this with good production, cause it's a good tune,and well played. GOOD.
The Likely Lads I like the vibe. It's cheese metal, but pretty entertaining. The mix is not very good. Man, this is SO Spinal Tap!! I enjoyed it, especially that chorus, pretty good, possible vote I think!! CONTENDER
Southwest Statistic I like your production right off the bat, you got that dialed in. Drums sound great... do you use a kit, or electronics? Vocals maybe buried a bit? I dig your stuff, I think your a good addtion to the songfight world... very tight sound. Good job.. you rock, CONTENDER
Ken's Super Duper Band and Stuff Prety good. Reminds me of Grapes of WRath (the band, not the movie). Very mellow. Production is good too. I like. GOOD.
fwcsounds timid. not that is a bad thing...Something about it is...charming is the only word I can think of.. it's not really getting me excited for it, although it does have a nice melencholic vibe.. kinda creepy too... I'm gonna go with OK on this one.
Anonumous Musings Pretty loos sounding... well your group title is apt! Other than the link to your "band" name, it's kinda drab, and not too interesting... I'm gonna go with BAD, but only cause there is no song here!Hope it was fun...
A different Monkey I like the opening groove... sounds good, tight. Yeah... this is cool. Nice guitar..very tasty. I really like this. CONTENDER
The Motor Monkeys Nice vibe here too.. I like the feel of it. Sounds like a band that plays together lots, and the singing is great, lot's of rock energy. Good song. I'm digging it. Nice leads, mellow and understated. Maybe you could improve your production, but the tune doesn't suffer because of any "short-comings" this is good. CONTENDER.
BJam It's well recorded, and sounds nice, but the style doesn't do much for me personally. I like your commitment to your vocals, you never sound weak, and your pop plays some good guitar. Just too folky for me, so I'll call it GOOD.
Poor June This is the best thing I've ever heard and liked from you yet. Pretty balanced, it's got your quirky sound, and I'll be damned, but the music sounds like your posts read!! Mellow thing going on, which is a June staple, and I'll give it a GOOD.
KApitano feat. TV's Kyle BRRRRAAAA!! Salsa baby... kidding.. cool. Nice chorus, and the "rap" part is pretty good, if not for my perspective that you used your voice, ralther than trying to sound like someone else... I like this. Quite a bit, actually...yeah, CONTENDER.
Jake Holmes ... fog horn? So far, I'm interested... your lyrics just don't really grab me...talking about the weather? ...see JB's pet Peeves list! I like the tone of the lyrics in the beginning though...I really like eccelectic music like this...with dramatic shifts in direction, very nice guitar breakdown... CONTENDER
Wrekdom Already know this'll be one of those Wreckdom pieces I like... you are a warped cookie. I'm gonna have to update my buddy Cal with another disc of your stuff, (he thinks you're the best thing about songfight for the record, although he goes off of what ever I give him, which is archives of sf tunes, so the compliment stands!!) You guys could do the most warped and painfully unpleasant musical... a texas chainsaw massacre/musical... pretty good, I like others more, so this get's a GOOD.
Deshead Nice picking right off the bat. I see the JW comparisons... nice voice. Great control of your voice man! Great Big Sea is what I think of, yet I'm no fan of them, I'm liking this. I like that drumming... is it you? Good song. CONTENDER.
The SoberIrishman You too have a warped style. I love how you reach into an old-school style... sometimes when I listen to your stuff, I feel like I'm hanging out in a pub in 1942, getting ready to jump in my spitfire, then I feel like I'm in a pub in 1989 waiting for the rest of the commitments to show up! You do a great job of tackling styles. Brushes!! This needs some brush work...I kinda wonder if I can hera something like that, or is that just the attack on the mandolin thing? I like tunes that get me rambling on as I listen ... that little turnaround section is great.... really pushy and fun. CONTENDER.
Heuristics Talking Heads meets Nine inch Nails...creepy. I'm on the 20th tune here, so forgive me.. I think I'm digging this, it's eccelectic and dark sounding, so thematic. I'm gonna give it a GOOD.
Bell Green I'm on this one. It was fun.

Wow. I got a lot of "contenders" out of this fight. More keepers than in the other fight... good job y'all. I'll have to think about the vote on this fight...

[slowRodeo]

diff monkey - this was really cool. nice mix in my opinion. this was really really cool. very inventive.

andre - i didnt really like this song. the whole thing was really off. things didnt always line up. it was pretty bad.

Anym Muse - i didnt finish this song. all you did was talk. pee pull pee pull.

bell green ft. all those guys you mentioned - this was cool. rock out.

bjam - very nice job. you sound young? nice guitar high five.

creep - whatever you did you the vocals stop it. would have been ok if not for that. since when has country had programed drums. except maybe in a shania twain. as referred to some deleted posts. not to bring that all up again.

deshead - this was a very very cool. i downloaded it. you have an amazing voice. very cool. would like to see it live.

FWC - i didnt really like this at all. the one noise hurt my hears.

glenn case + HR- thicker than batter? the vocals sounded like the guy was in another room off to the left. i sure wish he come in here and stand out front and dance like i picture him doing.

HR Inc - this song was hilarious. especially after i read the lyrics. this was so funny. thank you. thank you very much.

holmes - annoying intro. actually i mean annoying song.

CAPT. and KYLe - i wasnt impressed. showed potential but it didnt change. maybe a guitar or something to make it a little more diverse.

KEn and friends - whatever the effect on top was. fuzzy something or other. andd all the other stuff was annoying and made me not like this song. if it was just the guitar and the bass i would have liked it. and it would have been more powerful. minimalism is nice sometimes.

likely lads - wasnt super into this. unless it was ajoke then it was really funny.

McColloch / Carlier - would have been nice if after the chorus there was a lead line or something new happening. nice back up vocals. mellow and soft.

motar monkays - nice voice. very good delivery. this was cool. dont know who it reminded me of. but it was pretty cool. good job

poor june - your voice is nice. but everything else in this song i wasnt really into. i can really hear the noise filter your using. it takes alot from the music. would really like you hear you record somewhere at least half way decent cause your recording and mixing abilities severly hurt your music.

rockin oxen and coxin - buwahahahahahahahaha. ive never laughed so hard. was that all one take. thats reallly impressive. this had good a structure too. try not to diss people on your first song though. this was really funny. god almighty. i downloaded this one too.

sober irishman - this was really cool. your good. nothing grabbed me but i was sitting there thinking this is good and i should love it but why dont i? i still dont know. but you did a good job.

a New Found Southwest Plan - this was really cool. you have once again made a great pop song. the lyrics are so awesome. i know that jeremy is this good of singer cause i have heard his acoustic stuff. hes awesome i want this collab to continue. i would like to hear is with a proper chorus. do something new. really good song.

wreckdoM - why are so many people talking in there songs this week? i didnt really like this song. this is messed up and i have your martini right here. hahahahhmuwahahaha.



SwS gets my vote. and if there were half votes i would vote deshead. and i laughed the most at rockin oxen.

[Jim of Seattle]

Favorites in blue

<font color=blue>A Different Monkey
Well-executed, atmospheric. On "What is this new life" at the end, I think you were going for an intentional dissonance with the major third in the vocal, but it didn't work, because it comes across like a wrong note. Doubling that note in the band would make it come out more assured.</font>

Andre Was Here at Midnight
This is a lot better than you've been in the past. The recording is actually decent, and it's kind of an interesting song. I like the ragged improvised quality most of the time, but there are a few places where the band gets out of sync and in those places I'm not crazy about the ragged feel. Still, I like this.

Anonymous Musings
Sounds like a pretentious intro to a song, but it's really the whole song. I think this would sound great in some altered state of mind, late at night, but in midday at my desk it doesn't work at all.

Bell Green feat. Leaf and Andy Balham
This is a pretty good song. I think you've decided to play it too slowly. Try it kicked up a few notches. I like the doubled lead vocal. Is that two different guys or the same guy recorded two different ways? I don't like songs with movie quotes in them. But yeah, good, too slow.

Bjam!
This isn't bad at all. A few missteps keep it from working as well as it could. You need some variation between the verses and chorus (different arrangement, bg vocals, something). I'm charmed by the melodic bridge, but the verse and chorus don't have the melodic inventiveness I'd like.

Creep
A lot to like in this song. Ultimately doesn't get me really excited, but it's a fine song. A little dull I think. But your arrangement is pretty and the vocal doubling works well. I'd like to hear a whole bunch of songs by this pair of voices (is it the same person twice, maybe?)

deshead
This song is very well-behaved. It's performed nicely and all, and the lyrics are pretty and specific, but it fails to surprise me. Great opportunity in the bridge to get more adventurous harmonically, but it doesn't. By the end I'm pretty weary of the same strumming on the same 2-3 chords. But this is really fine. Just doesn't get me going. (I actually assumed[/b] this was Josh going under a different name for some reason. My complaints are even the same complaints he gets from me.)

fwc
I think you were going for some Portishead-like ambience, maybe? Why this doesn't work for me is the synth patch playing that main riff doesn't have enough character to it, it's every "electric" sounding, and you sustains those scales every time, so the song has this buzzy, crowded feel to it. But with some more genuine ambience I think it could work.

<font color-=blue>Glenn Case & Halfracks
This sounds like a rough practice take of an eventually great song. Another week would really make this song cool. Would give you time to explore other arrangement ideas, and to tighten up those bg vocals. A shame you didn't have more time, cuz this is nice and catchy and cool. I love the stop-on-a-dime ending.</font>

Heuristics Inc
I don't like this. There's nothing working for me. I can't understand the voice, and the instrumentals are sort of aggressively unpleasant.

<font color=blue>Jake Holmes
Started off thinking I didn't like this, but it grew on me right away. The folksy second half affected me the same way. I thought I wasn't liking the switch, but it ended up pretty affecting. This is really scary. I think the transition between the two songs could be more artful than a mere hard switch, but together they paint an eeier, effective picture. For some reason I'm reminded of Max the Cat's terrific "Here Comes My Dragon". Don't know quite why I made that connection.</font>

Kapitano & TV's Kyle
I like the drums a lot. I like the lyrics in the section about washing hands. I don't like the rap much, but the harmony parts are ok.

Ken's Super Duper Band n Stuff
Fuzz guitar is one of those things I can't understand why people like. It just sounds like static. Completely unnecessary. Without that annoying fuzz, the song's OK, but that really seems to be a miscalculation.

Likely Lads
I like this guy's voice, reminds me of Sober Irishman. When the band chimes in in harmony it works really well. The band seems too compressed or eq'ed wrong or something. They sounds like they're playing in another room. With a different producer this could be a great song.

McCulloch/Carlier
Yes, it's just fine. Fine recording, fine singing, fine playing. It kind of wallows in ordinariness.

Motor Monkeys
I appreciate your attempts at a fuller, more epic arrangement, what with the strings and the added percussion instruments and all. And I got off on your vocal performance, ragged though it is. You can sing quiet pretty well, and loud pretty well. Neither level really great, but both pretty good. And I like that the song requires both of you. But it's a bit too long, and never gets me really excited.

Poor June
The flute is playing along with a completely different song, sounds like. This lacks inspiration. Your tune is the same three notes over & over. But you really mean it, and that gets you part way there.

Rockin Oxen
Blecchh. Homophobia never works in a song. Made it through 30 seconds.

<font color=blue>Sober Irishman
This is cool. My favorites of your songs are where you successfully balance the pure emotive aspect with the more careful musical elements, both with your songwriting and performance. This one is halfway between screechy screamy guy and harmony choir guy. Not too hell bent on Rocking, but just enough to give it some life. I also think this song's unusual, ambitious structure is successfully pulled off. One of my favorites of yours. Keeper.</font>

Southwest Statistic
Fine job. Nothing really to say here. Deosn't win me over ever, but I can appreciate the talent in it.

WreckdoM
OK. Not sure what the point is, but it's kind of fun to listen to. At least it's not a string of poop jokes, and the background noises seem somewhat appropriate this time. You sound like Dr. Evil.

[gduncan]

likely lads - wasnt super into this. unless it was ajoke then it was really funny.

Likely Lads – Cool stuff as always. Is your music a joke or is it totally serious? Because I can't tell in this track.

This week, it was very much tongue in cheek. Last week it was serious. Next week, who knows?

Thanks for all the reviews, I tried to write all mine tonight, got half way through and the sheer number of them beat me. Maybe tomorrow I'll have better luck.

Gareth.

[erik]

Here's some opinions, because I feel bad about polluting the thread and making someone clean it all up:

A Different Monkey: Hmmmm, this is kind of cool, as like a background music thing. I would put this on a mix if I was cooking dinner to impress someone; it's got a laid-back kind of groove thing going on here. Good pacing, until the last 20 seconds, when your out of tuney vox present a weird coda to frame the song. I would end it early, like at 2:41. This song is okay.

Andre was here at midnight: Okay, what the? Timing issues abound: cramming the words into the lines for one, and then like at 0:38, every single instrument is offtime from each other. Which can be a useful technique if it all breaks down to a mess and then build up again, but here it just sounds like a mistake. Echchh, the same thing kind of happens later on to a lesser degree. I did not like this song.

Anonymous musings: oh, I don't like spoken wordy pieces, but sometimes they are tolerable when there's an interesting story or clever wordplay going on. These words don't really seem to be about anything all that memorable. The music in the background might have been cool if you added other stuff to it. I mean, it sounds like you can play a moodyguitar, but there's no song. I don't like this song.

Andy Balham: ooooookay, freaky weird voice. I don't care for your voice, and it sounds too loud and double tracky to where it sounds like karaoke. The song underneath, it's not bad for a barband kind of song. Except that "dark, dark" part. That is just terrible. The sample parts make the whole thing feel draggy. Around 2:00 I start looking to see how much more time is left. Okay, here's the thing, the notes of the melody are all very close to each other for the whole song, so that every part sounds like every other part and there doesn't seem to be any buildup or tension throughout the song. Like the prechorus feels like it should be higher, to push the song through to the chorus, but it doesn't. Five minutes is a bit too long for this song.

Bjam: hmmmmm, okay nice job starting on the chorus, and the title makes for a good hook. Your voice sounds like it has some character that you are holding in reserve. Fucking run around the block or do something to get your blood pumping next time you sing. Ooooh, there needs to be something during the break, like a guitar solo or something, to keep the memento flowing. Oh man, keep it going at the end, repeat the chorus some more, because, well, just because. This song is an okay little folky thing.

creep: yeah, mix the vox in better. Not bad, but not really great either. Kind of boring me with it's "play this part 4 times, play that part 4 times". The verses could be kind of nondescript like this if there was a really really great chorus. The thing that you have as the chorus now, it's too nondescript. Cut it in half (only play the progression twice) and use it as a pre-chorus, and then write a killer chorus. Then the song would be much better. I don't like this song much like this.

deshead: This is a cool song, I don't care for the nicey-nice arrangement and production though. I could hear this half-again as fast with big guitars and hardcore drums and me really getting into it. Nice job.

FWC: hmmmm turn up the synths or something and put something on your voice. This seems not enough in one direction or the other. Not really slow and empty enough to seem fragile and heartbroken, not really arranged enough to make me prick up my ears. Hmmmm, some kind of instrumental breakdown needs to happen, but I don't think the drum thing at the end is it. Something else. This isn't holding my attention as is.

GC and the Halfracks: Very GC. I'm putting "Make a GC parody" on my list of "Things I'll never get around to". The verse announces that, yes, this is a GC song, but the prechorus and chorus really do it for me. I like contrast in feels in the shift from one part to another. Was this a collaborative writing effort? Sounds cool.

Heuristics Inc: hmmmm, okay, when the vocals come in, that's pretty much it for me, and I don't want to listen to anymore. I do not like this song.

Jake Holmes: hmmmm, cool whalefart noises. Okay, words came in at the exact right point, I was about to say "fuck this wankery". Okay, I really hope this kicks into a more standard song structure, as it's building a lot of tension. Hmmmm, okay such a divergent shift was not what I was expecting. It sounds like two complete songs, one after the other. I was kinda getting into the first one a bit before it changed, and the second one I wasn't getting into at all, maybe because of the stark shift.

Kapitano and TVs Kyle: sounds like Beck's Loser with different words and no slide guitar, which is the hook. Neat words on the chorus. Then it segues into a Gangsta's Paradise type rap thing. Hmmmmm, I don't like this song.

KSDBnS: Hmmmm, kind of an unKen sounding song. More guitars, less synths. This is a nice song, but the synths are like farting right up in my ear. I like this song, but not them synths.

Likely Lads: hahahhahahahah, wtf THIS IS AWESOME dearlord, this is ridiculously awesome. hahahahh, he speaks to me in a Texas drawl. This is great and this would sound awesome in a club played 20% faster and if I had like 3 beers. Nice job.

McCulloch Slash Carrier: hmmmm, too niceynice sounding. Just kind of trucks along being all nice and whatnot. The chorus feels like a rip of that CSNY song... "Daaaaark all day... and know they love you". This song is not bad, but it's kind of boring.

Motor Monkeys: There's a cool laidback vibe going on here, and the pacing is good here. But I hate the singer for Coldplay, and anyone who sounds remotely like him. And I'm afraid you fall close enough to that tree for me to be annoyed by this voice. Sorry.

Poor June: eeeeeegads, those recorders are insanity. Destroy them. The song would be okay without them. But it would still feel long, I'm afraid. Push the vox at some point so we feel motivated to keep ignoring the recorders. AUUUHGHGHGHH THE INSANITY

Rockin the Oxen: ooooooookay, you are strange. As a song, it is repetitive and boring, and it feels like an unconnected series of musical parts. As a musical-troll, it's not all shocking like dub's "On My Block", or even annoying like whatever songs LEF wrote about The Sober Irishman. I don't get why being gay should be an insult, or why a song about homosexual sex should be funny. I can't think of one level on which this song succeeds.

Sober: okay, you can't put in a bridge in at the 30 second mark. That part feels like such a bridge, and it needs to be delayed. There's not enough here for how long it is. It's just like the same two little themes played at different speeds. There needs to be more of a song here, so it doesn't feel so repetitive.

Southwest Statistic: Nice big radio sound here. Needs a chorus, stat, or at least some emotive singing over the instrumental break part that leads back into the verse part. If I called up a radio station to request this song, there's no identifying feature by which I would let them know what song it was if I didn't remember the title, which after listening to it, I can't. Put something like that in the song.

Wreckdom: hahahahhaha wtf "Tales... of RIBALDRY!!!" It's like a fucked up version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" where Santa is a zombie from Hell. I don't like the part where the vocals stop for a measure or two, it kills the flow. And I don't like the part where the accordion thing starts to stick out towards the end. That kills the flow too. And then it kind of just dies at the end. Okay, this made me laugh, I'll say that much.



If I could ever remember to vote, I'd vote for the Likely Lads.

[jute gyte]

I'm not sure what 15-16 did to make Rockin' Oxen write such a song, but I'm still having trouble understanding why people seem to think that insinuating that someone is gay is really offensive. I mean, what if 15-16 really *is* gay and really *does* enjoy all of those things? I mean, if you are going to be insulting, at least try to be a little more original. Are you 15? 16? 12? Gimme a break.

it's pretty funny when anal cunt do it.

[Southwest_Statistic]

I'm not sure what 15-16 did to make Rockin' Oxen write such a song, but I'm still having trouble understanding why people seem to think that insinuating that someone is gay is really offensive. I mean, what if 15-16 really *is* gay and really *does* enjoy all of those things? I mean, if you are going to be insulting, at least try to be a little more original. Are you 15? 16? 12? Gimme a break.

it's pretty funny when anal cunt do it.

What the heck does that mean?

[Richard WreckdoM]

I’ve been drinking for hours. The reviewing is ripe with buzziness. For some of you, this will help. For others, it will hurt like a baseball bat. I hope you didn’t like those teeth, or at least the portions of them that protrude from your gums. Retrospectively, I’m almost not mean at all. I’m a happy Drunk. Also, to everyone’s advantage, due to the time, I’m wearing headphones. Reviews:

The Motor Monkeys: What’s with these people that do a good job? This mix seems like it took some concentration. I had to look to see how long it was at 1:34 though. I was wondering recently how bands make an entire album of music listenable start to finish. I turned to one of the very few albums that do this for me: The Violent Femmes self titled album. Check it out if you’re unfamiliar. Back to reviewing: This song has musical quality. The lyrics seem to have something to say. Where is the passion? Maybe you should sing with your penis in your hand. It certainly helps me.

Kapitano, MC feat, TV’s Kyle: My head’s moving…at least it was. I wish my blinds would keep it dark all day. Sleeping til’ 11:00 AM when you’re not in a cave isn’t the same. Your live journal…Alright. The more I listen to this; the background feels more like a loop. Not a bad loop, but a loop. The vocals are for the most part not bad. Is Dr. Worm in there somewhere? I like the OCD references. It really hits home. <shouting>THANKS A LOT!!!!!!</shouting>

The Likely Lads: This is sooo 70’s Heavy Heavy Metal. I like the chorusy effect put on the vocal to increase the pitch. I think this is almost a keeper for me. If you would email me the separate tracks, I promise I’d create a mix that I’d keep. I decide right now, drunk, that the Likely Lads are OK by me.

The Rockin' Oxen with Huge Egos: Go. “Warm Semen Mist”, genius. Man Penis, as if there’s a different kind. I have to say that this is amusing when I pretend it isn’t mean. I don’t know what this is all about, but songfight rivalries seem like a good thing to me. I might have liked this song if it wasn’t for that final “FAG” comment that sounded more aggressive than the rest. It sounds like you’re just insecure about your own homosexual tendencies. I’m sure you have to keep the phallic images out of your head when you hold that microphone close. At least when the guys are around.

Creep: This is not bad at all. I apologize to you. This is starting to become tedious but I’m committed to finish in one sitting regardless of how big the fight is. The mix needs some gentle work and you should have re-recorded some of those vocals because the background is just too much. Perhaps a nice filter. For the most part pleasant, but there wasn’t really a nice “hook” as some songfighters say.

The Sober Irishman: I think this relationship is having an effect on your musical style. This sounds like a timeless Italian classic, damn you! I appreciate the change. This carried itself very well. This is unusual, but I will keep this song for further examination/enjoyment.

Ken’s Super Shitty band: What’s that resonant buzzing in the background that overwhelms everything and makes me want to stop. Regardless. This is a nice way to add cheesy ass guitar to a song without making it as unlistenable as Woodward. The vocals are sung pretty well from the sound of it. That buzz is putting holes through my ears, but I’m trying to like this otherwise. Nice ending. Overall better than I anticipated.

The rest of the songs aren’t working and I can’t reach the songfight sight. This text file is being saved rather than being the first posted review.

Back On Track:

FWC: This is pretty terrible. The noises that you use sound like crap. The volume adjustments are pretty terrible too. Keep trying. Trying harder that is. At first, I thought that the vocals were the only positive here, then the vocals dropped out and the beat had some promise. A piece of advice. If you don’t like it, how is anyone else supposed to?

Jake Holmes: Man, the intro had promise, then some putz starts with the guy-tar. Lynch that ass hole. The last thing I want to hear is some intentionally over-sensitive prick whining. Crawl under a rock and die. Or get rid of that guy and make some music. If that guy is Jake Holmes, you may want to change the name of the band.

Deshead: Go Away. I might listen to what the lyrics had to say if it weren’t driven by that crap guitar and your listen to me I’m more important than you vocal style that makes me want to wretch. I don’t buy your fake emotion. It’s like when a movie starts hitting you hard with high pitch violin to try to make you cry Fuck That! It only works on the lowest common denominator. Idiots.

Heuristics Inc.: Opening reeks of style. I’m thinking Aphex Twin. That vocal effect is interesting; makes me think of Gub, which I’m a big fan of, but the music that it’s matched with doesn’t really do it any justice. If it was all crunchier, perhaps fed through a similar but low end effect as a complete track. The way it is now, It’s a little too hard to hear the lyrics.

Bjam!: This sounds low quality as far as the recording goes. This seems a little real in you. That matters. Vocals sound pretty legitimate. I hate the way you sing Tomorrow like a white trash eight year old.

A different Monkey: Attentive with the mix is nice to the ears. Donovan?

WreckdoM: Listening to this earlier on computer speakers it sounded like I mutilated the mix, but upon another listen with headphones, I think it sounds pretty damn good. Not to mention that this sounds like a WreckdoM cult classic to me.

Southwest Statistic: Like the Postal Service, but crappy. This is mixed pretty well, but it’s too muddy for what you’re going for in my opinion.

Glenn Case and the Half Racks: Perhaps it was the segue, but the opening seemed really shallow to me. If there was a bit of a build up before the vocals started, it’d carry it better. Pretty well mixed, a little fake sounding, but overall not too bad.

Anonymous Musings: It was over so fast I didn’t have anything to type. It sounded interesting, but I don’t quite get it. I think skeet shooting water balloons full of pee could be fun though; possible vote.

Poor June: Completely non offensive in my present state. Listening twice I can’t think of anything to say.

Andre was here at Midnight before he left like a sissy: This is a tribal dance. I can see your little cult chanting and dancing to bring about the end of the world. Nice imagery (may not be universal).

McCulloch slashes up Carlier: This is pretty generic sounding. Maybe if you got the guitar player to leave a few empty spaces in key locations.

Bell Green, MC feat, Leaf and Andy Balham: I like your use of the samples. This is pretty well done. The vocals are pretty whiny sounding, but I couldn’t imagine them sounding any different than they are. That ending is abrupt and incomplete sounding.


In the end; the end of this extremely long fight, I have said that I’d keep one, potentially vote for one, etc. My vote must go to WreckdoM though because I genuinely like it the best. Thank you all.

[Kapitano]

An unreasonably large fight, but I can't think of much to say about most of it. Oh well, here's my reviews anway:

<b>A Different Monkey</b>: Catchy and hummable, but the drums are mixed too high, especially the crash and hihat.

<b>Andre Was Here at Midnight</b>: Were you drunk?

<b>Anonymous Musings</b>: Worthless, even as a joke.

<b>Bell Green, Leaf and Andy Balham</b>: With better production, and a bit more tempo, this would be a great drivetime radio track. There's clipping on the vocals. It sounds like they're pseudo-doubletracked. Oh and the 'dark...dark' bit in the chorus sounds unconvincing.

BTW, why are the last 30 seconds silent? Apart from all that, pretty damn good.

<b>Bjam</b>: Very good. I bet you've got a Michelle Shocked album. This is the kind of thing I admire a lot and like a little.

BTW, it's pronounced 'b-yam' and not 'bee-jam', I presume?

<b>Creep</b>: "Oh we've got both kinds of music - Country <i>and</i> Western". Okay, it's slightly country, but Stan Ridgeway's 'Camouflage' was more country than this. What <i>is</i> that wierd metalic reverb effect on the vocals?

Once I've got past all that, it's a pretty good sound. Nice sound on the guitar, and lovely smooth vocals in the various registars. The drums are incongruous - they're somewhat dry, and sound like they belong in a disco track, which jarrs with the chilled sound of the rest of the track.

It would be good to hear more from you.

<b>Deshead</b>: Again, I admire the musicianship and the singing, and <i>quite</i> like the track. Genre bias on my part.

The drums don't fit. They're a hard sound mixed low, so come across as not much more than clicks. They should either be mixed higher to give a punchier feel, or replaced with softer drums.

<b>FWC</b>: You have the ideas and ability, what you need is the technology. The synths and drums are too dry and hard edged for the vocals - some filtering, chorusing and reverb is called for.

<b>Glenn Case and the Half Racks</b>: I enjoyed it, but can't think of anything to say.

Um. The backing vocals could be a touch louder.

<b>HeuristicsInc</b>: I never thought I'd say this but...it reminds of of Wreckdom. I can't understand a word, but I like the drums and sampled fuzz guitar.

<b>Jake Holmes</b>: Hardstep...followed by Simon and Garfunkel. The sentiment of both is corny. I'm all in favour of mixing genres, but in this case it seems pointless - except to say 'look at me, I'm juxtaposing'. Nice singing voice though.

<b>Kapitano feat. TVs Kyle</b>: I rather liked what Kyle did over my backing, though his vocals are mixed a bit high, obscuring the percussion. The music is not among my best.

<b>Ken's Super Duper Band 'n' Stuff</b>: That's wierd - very fuzzy electric guitar over a clean accoustic guitar. And a high squiggly synth from a 70's sci-fi movie. Makes an interesting bed for the vocals to sit on. Actually it's distinctive, and it's great.

<b>The Likely Lads</b>: Spoof black metal. But with less energy than Bad News - I think that's a matter of the strange mixing. Remix and it won't sound like an easy listening band trying to thrash out.

<b>McCulloch Slash Carlier</b>: This is <i>amazingly</i> insincere. Quite a nice voice, okay melody and playing, just...try singing about what what matters to you, not what you think the audiance will be impressed by.

<b>The Motor Monkeys</b>: David Bowie of the late 70s?

<b>Poor June</b>: This is what it sounds like with three radios in the room, all tuned to different channels. I can see what you were trying to do - create a wash of 'organic' sounds, including the vocals.

<b>Rockin Oxen feat. The Huge Coxin</b>: You are an idiot.

<b>The Sober Irishman</b>: I see you're in an OTT mood this week. In fact, it's almost camp. No, it <i>is</i> camp. William Shatner could do this song.

<b>Southwest Statistic</b>: Can I have your babies?

<b>Wreckdom</b>: It would have been interesting, and perhaps even funny, for 1 minute. Not 3:21.


After all that, for me it comes down to Ken or Southwest. I voted for Southwest last week, so I can't do it <i>again</i>. Why the hell not? Okay, it's Southwest Statistic again.

[Future Boy]

Yep. In fact, during this week whenever I would talk about my song with my friends, I called it "Shameless Pop Rock". However, keep in mind that I listen to and enjoy a pretty diverse amount of music. I suppose I could write in a different style of music every single time I sit down to write a song, but this genre seems to be what I am strongest in and it's defiantly working for me from the majority of the comments I receive. I just feel like I've found my niche' on the songfight scene.

Ok, finding a niche is all good and stuff. However, the kind of song you wrote this week has been done many many times before by commercially successful groups and others. So, why beat a dead horse? If you are good enough to accomplish creating such a good "shameless pop rock" song, then you are good enough to be innovative in some way that pushes it just far enough outside of the cookie-cutter genre to be interesting. I can appreciate that there are a lot of groups out there who aren't doing this and are making plenty of money, however, it saddens me to think that so many people will buy the same shit over and over and then actually be *upset* when a band does something even a little bit different. How many fans, for example, reluctantly followed Radiohead from The Bends to OK Computer or from OK Computer to Kid A. In my opinion, Radiohead has just kept getting better, but many see it as the band getting "too out there." But fuckin' a, if you had to tour for two years straight playing the same rock songs over and over again, I think you'd want to mix it up a bit too. This is all to simply say that I like to encourage people to push their boundaries as well as the listener's boundaries, rather than always settling for the thing that "works."

[ken]

Hey All,

Due to popular demand, here is a version of my song minus annoying guitar and synth.

http://kni.songhole.org/mp3s/KensSDBnS_ ... ticmix.mp3

Enjoy!

Be well,
Ken

[j$]

why beat a dead horse? If you are good enough to accomplish creating such a good "shameless pop rock" song, then you are good enough to be innovative in some way that pushes it just far enough outside of the cookie-cutter genre to be interesting"

Umm, because you like making 'shameless pop rock'?

I don't think a band owes anything to its audience in that way. Or that the muse need be a hard taskmaster to make your art 'more real'...

i can remember, just about, the massive impact that The Bends made over here when it came out. Far more exilherating than 'Kid A' or even 'OK Computer'. Sure they keep evolving, but they're doing it to keep themselves interested, and it just so happens they are very good at re-expressing what interests them in new variations.

TB is still my favourite Radiohead album, although i love them all (bar Pablo Honey), precisely because it subverts and progresses far more subtly and with a lot more precision than the later work. it doesn't break the formula, it redesigns it. And that to me is true artistic progress.

j$

[SaxManRunning!]

Good fight, some stuff was less than par but there always is. Lots of good stuff, here are my winners:

1st Place: deshead- Awesome, magic, I could go on and on...

2nd Place: KensSuperDuperBand...and stuff- Nice groove, it was close but I liked the 1st place just slightly more.

3rd Place- tie between: Leaf and company. and, A different monkey. Good stuff as well.

Fun fight, I enjoyed it.

[Bell Green]

I really enjoyed reading WreckdoM's reviews. Reviews - love reading them, hate writing them. Think I'm going to reach for the whisky bottle before I do mine.