Let's see who kicks all our......oh...ASHES? (reviews)

[inevitableguy]

If I missed you, let me know.

You missed me (Naked Philosophy), but since my song was MIA at the time of the live chat, it's completely understandable.

[nyjm]

Noah, how's it feel to be a Dagger Babe? 8) hee hee

Sounds like a great T-shirt. Lemme get right on that...

Um... no.

[Manhattan Glutton]

My song was going to be epic. Here's a sample. Maybe I'll finish this weekend...

[lalabrookie]

My song was going to be epic. Here's a sample. Maybe I'll finish this weekend...

God, that was depressing. j/k I think you're going to need to finish that so we can hear it. Loved the "let's make a list of all the things I can't get done". Know that feeling! I think this song illustrates how I would feel all the time if alcohol didn't exist. Is that bad?

[nyjm]

Berkeley Social Scene
+++ jazzy guitars +++
+++ little girl voice with nod to "ashes, ashes" song +++
+++ guitar solo +++
/// chorus is the best part, but not particularly catchy ///

EggNogAdam
+++ groove and nice electronica tones +++
/// the break is a non-sequitir; it's good to have a break there for dynamics, but why that instrumentation? ///
--- feels unfinished ---

Bubble Pipe Media and Viktor Walters
/// you need to lend some of these parts to EggNogAdam ///
/// lots of neat ideas, but... ///
--- too many ideas; this is like 6 or 8 disparate song ideas linked end to end without a clear reason ---

Juliet's Happy Dagger - vote
+++ I am soooooooo happy the way this turned out +++

Liner notes. lalabrookie wrote this one: lyrics, melody, chord progression (including that great drop-down in the chorus), it's all her. My bit was completely redoing the guitar part, because I couldn't play her rhythm, and then building the other instruments arrangements. The original goals were "pretty" and "minimalist" and I'm proud that we nailed the first. Not sure about the latter; when the chorus kicks in, there's a helluva lot going on.

Second-guessing. I suppose the drums could come up a bit. And I'd be very interested to hear a dance remix, all vocoded and sub-bass: Oomph. Oomph. Oomph. Oomph. I'd really like to have nailed a slightly different guitar bit; it's very me and you can hear the same rhythm in a lot of my songs.

Daring Front
+++ nice mellow groove that bends well to dynamics +++
/// mix seems a little quiet, and when I turn up the volume, feels hollow; might be my equipment, might be your mixing FX ///
--- that high-pitched "wee ooh" for the outro is annoying ---

larry
--- obvious lyric reference right on the nose right off the bat ---
/// see Berkeley Social Scene's take for a much better way to make that reference ///
+++ nice guitar noodling +++
--- drums are too quiet ---
--- several missed notes in the vox ---

styop quoons
+++ neat intro +++
--- that too quickly becomes pre-processed Casiocore ---
--- percussion tones ---
/// beyond that, there's not that's unpleasant to the ear, but like so much assembled music, there's nothing particularly interesting about this that rewards a close listening, especially 4:36 worth ///

The Midnight Society
+++ familiar but really nice guitar groove +++
+++ nice parallel harmonies +++
/// i'm on the fence about the absolute minimalist instrumentation. on the one hand, the lyrics are quite good and the parallel harmonies are really good. on the other, a bass and/or an organ with some bells or other atypical percussion would really fill this out and move it up from "wow, neat" to "Wow! Chillingly awesome." I could see a backing choir here, too, gospel style ///

Serge Trousers
+++ piano and guitar combo +++
--- and then you open your mouth ---
/// a neat idea with lots of possibilities ruined by 1) your vox are way to gorram hot; 2) the pitch your hitting is grating and feels one-note-like ///

SYNFONYC
/// this song is so full of terrible choices that I wonder if it wasn't deliberate; but, why would you waste our time like that? what did we ever do to you? ///
--- hard panning ---
--- vox recorded in $10 USB mic ---
--- mismatched rhythms ---
--- cliched lyrics ---

heine
--- consistently flubbed hook ---
/// lyric collages are an interesting creative exercise, but they very rarely yield anything interesting ///
/// i say this often about meta-songs: i wish you would extend this metaphor somehow. if you're going to have mise-en-abyme, make it mean something, not just be clever for its own cleverness ///

DuToVa
+++ groove +++
/// some really weird mixing choices: hard panning everything. It probably works better on speakers, but in headphones, it's rather distracting; look for a mix that works in both settings ///
/// this feels unfinished: you finally get to talk to her and then what? ///

MENBAH + Swampjaw
+++ chorus vocal harmonies +++
/// this is well structured and has some interesting lyrics with a good melody... ///
--- but instrumentally, it's pretty boring, especially with that jangling guitar so hot and so constant ---

East Coast Coin Company
--- popped plosives ---
+++ you have rhythm +++
--- you also have some issues with women, or you're playing a character who does. either way, i'm not interested in your dick problems ---

Paco del Stinko - vote
+++ RAWK !!! +++
/// you stretch your low-end ///
+++ arena rock opera structure and ambition +++
/// there's good money this one will win the fight ///

Missions to Proton - vote
+++ intro +++
+++ groove +++
+++ lyrics +++
/// this is so close to greatness, it really just needs some attention to the lyrics, maybe a better microphone to catch the fullness of the singer's voice, or just some proper FX to fit it properly with the rest of the instrumentation ///

Naked Philosophy
--- robo drums ---
/// this is a neat lyric idea, but reward smart listeners and omit any direct mention of "ashes" ///
/// the mix feels hollow and your vox are hot ///

Jacob Bernado
+++ oooh... an all-vocal tune.... +++
--- by someone who doesn't sing well ---
--- subby kick drum meddles with mix ---

Life in Decibels
+++ neat electronica tones +++
---- way, way, way too quiet, especially the lyrics; and why are they panned left like that? ---
--- samey, needs a breakdown ---

Ross Durand - vote
+++ soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pretty +++
+++ i love how this song as a whole conjures a setting sun seen from a porch in the deep country, folks gathered around in their rocking chairs, enjoying the quietude +++
+++ this is a simple song but has wonderful layers: vocal harmonies, that great backing guitar tone and the organ, too +++
/// and this would be contender right up with Paco's tune ///

SevidemiC
+++ pretty good groove and some very proficient rapping +++
/// bias alert: I don't personally like this genre, so you have to be really awesome to impress me ///
--- gratuitous cursing ---
--- the octave-dropped singing ---

Steve Durand - vote
+++ steve at his best, nailing the genre +++
+++ snapping +++
+++ fantastic story and imagery +++

[nyjm]

My song was going to be epic. Here's a sample. Maybe I'll finish this weekend...

You absolutely must finish that. Please. Pretty please, with sugar and chocolate on top.

That, or beer. I can bribe you with beer, right?

[Heine]

Wow, 22 cool entries! Votes for the entries that really touched me (in this order):

Juliet's Happy Dagger - A worship song, right? I really dig these lyrics! Soothing melody, gentle vocals. More of that please. (I did something like that entering the Rattlesnake Songfight!)

The Midnight Society - This creates a special feeling. Very atmospheric. Fine harmony vocals. It lacks nothing. It's perfect.

Serge Trousers - Simple but pleasant. Love the harmonies.

Paco del Stinko - This one really made me laugh! There are so many archetypical elements of the seventies. Just like a musical comic strip. The middle part sounds like a rock opera to me. Dramatic. Pure genius. But it's much too short - as a big prog fan I was expecting at least 6 or 7 minutes. (PS: Do I hear clipping in the louder parts?)

Missions to Proton - Farsifa organ sounds? No guitars this time? Lovely vocals. Nice song.

DuToVa - Short and crisp. (I need to listen to some old Buzzcocks again.) Cool.

Daring Front - Production could have more punch. Slight funky and bluesy feeling. Very laid back. That's something different. I like that.

Berkeley Social Scene - The earth quakes…? Rather visionary. Nice solo. Love the kids voice.

SevidemiC - Normally not my kinda genre. But this sounds great under my headphones. Clean and crisp. It's got a great hook. Good job.

Ross Durand - Good as ever. A bit sad. Touching.

No vote but nice anyway - in alphabetical order:

Jacob Bernado - A capella. Funny backings which sometimes sound like "daughter" or "doctor" to me- was that meant to be?

Bubble Pipe Media and Viktor Walters - I've heard it several times but every time the song starts I feel way back in time like listening to Chris Andrews' Yesterday Man. But overall I like the production.

Steve Durand - Old time swing. Cool brass - placed well inside this mix. Well done. (PS: What about another Durand Durand song?)

East Coast Coin Company - A Pop shield would make it sound more professional. Nice backing track.

EggNogAdam - A nice one. I really like the chord progression. (I still miss a bass - but I guess that was meant to be this way..?)

heine - I really enjoy the main riff (and the chorus). There are some nice chord changes as well, and interesting minor to major transitions also. The lyrics are a bit weird at times, maybe just too many references to other songs. I like your voice but feel you could benefit from a boost in confidence. Smooth out the delivery a bit. (PS: Paco, you hit the nail right on the head. - So when even half of my lyrics are stolen, why not 'borrow' such a true review? )

Larry - As a big fan of the old Moody Blues I like the music (which could be a bit louder in the mix). Nice Spanish guitar. Harmony vocals are sometimes a bit of.

Life in Decibels - I like the Kraftwerk sounds. More decibels for the vocals, please.

MENBAH + Swampjaw - I like this. Nice harmony vocals.

Naked Philosophy - Short and nice. I really like the melody.

styop quoons - Not a bad dance track. Quite hypnotic.

SYNFONYC (J. Hughes) - I like the lyrics. Work on getting vocals and music more 'together'.

[glennny]

Ashes Reviews

Bubble Pipe Media and Victor Walters- I love the ambition. There are great moments. The vocals are way too hot for my tastes. This devalues the backing music, which is rather interesting.

Daring Front- This is fantastic! Smells like the winner to me. I would have preferred a nice snare to the clap thing, but that is the smallest of nitpicks. The solo is brilliant! I love the spacey intro. I guess I wish there was more of an outro. Maybe coming back to the chorus after the solo, at least musically. Anyway, great singing! I like the low backing vocals, gives a nice Lovage feel. VOTE

Dutova- Nice riff! Nice melody. Nice verse, nice pre-chorus. Where’s the chorus? Where’s the bridge? Where’s the solo? Intro? Outro? Basically, you have a brilliant half of a song. You were on your way to a vote, but you need a chorus, bridge, solo, etc. Not that all songs need the same structure, but what you got is rather standard and begs for the standard structure. I like everything you got, it just sounds incomplete.

East Coast Coin Company- PPPlease BBBBuy a PPPoPPP Screen! Get the metal one, it works better and your band-mates will respect you more. I really like this groove. The flow is okay. The chorus works well. The lyrics don’t do anything for me, but they’re not offensive. The last 30 seconds drop this down about 8 notches. It was a vote contender, and then you shat all over a groovy track.

Egg Nog Adam- I like your voice. I don’t like the melodic bend down thing you’re harping on. I love the musical interlude! It almost gives you a vote. I like when you sing “ASH-“ but I don’t like when it turns to “-SHEZ”. I think the drums are way too low too. Vocals are too upfront for my tastes also. Lots of cool stuff about this song. Especially the left turn into the enchanted forest (Epping Forest before the Battle). Good stuff. Why do piano players tend to do and abuse this kind of vocal melodic phrase? Overall, I dig it, but not enough for a vote.

Heine- Okay, you’re a good songwriter. This is a terrible song. The lyrics are what really kill this song for me. It is wrought with clichés, lifted lyrics, meta-song violations. Your guitar playing is fine. The guitar hook is nice. The vocals are nice, it’s a good hook. The guitar by itself isn’t strong enough for this to elevate from demo status. So scrap the lyrics completely, add bass and drums, then write some lyrics about when Daniel Ash met Arthur Ash.

Jacob Bernado- Ambition! I like this composition a lot. The parts are awesome. I especially like the backing vocal part : “…Bum Bum”. The vowel and consonant choices are odd. You seem to give precedence to the lyrics over the sing-ability of the sounds they make. For instance I would never hold an “…………… Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” for a long note, much less 2 notes. It sounds like Tony the Tiger, or an angry “grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”. It’s also a big giveaway that you’re American. I think there’s too many “hold me closer”s. The way you say “fire” is as if it has 3 syllables, exaggerating the diphthong and resonant consonant is annoying too. This overall is super cool, I hope to hear more of this ilk in the future!

Juliet’s Happy Dagger- I realize that head voice is the way you sing. I’m still getting used to it. For some reason I imagine Joey Lauren Adams singing this way. The whole thing is rather somber. You and your “luhhhhhuvvvvvv” is the hook, but it seems over used. I wish this song did not follow Jacob and his “ ….closerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”. The music is pretty, rather standard, seems to want to feature the vocals. This song could seriously use a shredding guitar solo. The arc of the drama is rather flat. It’s okay, it just sounds like a filler track on an album.

Larry B Hakala- Pitchy vocals. Those harmonies induce stress. Also you’re A is not 440. Everything is detuned or sped up or something weird. I usually do reviews guitar in hand, and you’re making me sound like I’m out of tune. The drum machine is rather painful too. At least there’s enough cowbell. The backing music doesn’t really support the vocal melody. It seems incidental to the vocals not intrinsic.

Life in Decibels- I was about to say how much I like instrumentals. I think I hear some vocal mumbling in there. Is this an instrumental? Nope I heard matches/ashes rhyme. So the mix has got some serious problems. I think it’s all one groove. Not a bad groove, but could use some variation, and structure. It just sounds like an early stage of the writing process.

MENBAH & Swampjaw- The guitar playing is very cool, despite the sour notes. I need to listen to this on a better stereo, but I think the fatal flaw in this is the bass. It sounds like it is playing long notes instead of more staccato punchy notes. In a song so driving, the bass (in my opinion) should lead the charge. I like the vocals and the wicked vocal vibrato you get in places. I think the melody could use a stronger hook. Needs refinement, but a fun listen!

Midnight Society- SQUEAK! I’m not totally against wound string squeaks, but I think you should control them better; they’re cutting through like crazy. This is pretty, but unfortunately very quiet and sleepy too. Maybe because I used to fall asleep to Songs from Big Pink. This song heavily reminds me of the Long Black Veil. Great vocals! This sits well with the band Low, or Mojave 3.

Missions to Proton- Loving the organ! Nice groove. Ah yes, this song. The over annunciating is either stylistic or annoying. Truth be told it bugged the crap out of me the 1st few listens, but it has grown on me. I do not like separating words by their syllables like this. It makes for some awkward moments :” Hap Pee, Slip Pers, For Werd, Don Ning, Deci Dead , Viz Zet, Won Der”. I think perhaps you have the best chorus of the fight. This annunciating reminds me of Echobelly, I think you reminded me of Echobelly the last time I reviewed you. There’s also reminiscence of Zombie by the Cranberries. So thank you for reminding me of Echobelly, and curse you for reminding me of the Cranberries. Thinking about a vote.

Naked Philosophy- This sounds a lot like your “They Meet” to me. The vocal melody is rather similar. This melody is 4 notes dude. I mean, you’re nailing the shit out of them, but come on, ore notes please. Short and simple. I don’t get the lyrics.

Paco del Stinko- Mr Nur Einfake drums sound like strutting his genius. This is so awesome! Killer dynamics! This is the whimsy that I know and love from PdS. Your fake drums sound like what you’d play with your real drums. They sound good. The guitars are just fantastic! The wicked guitarmonies and huge hits are my favorite parts. This is dense and jam packed with goodness. VOTE

Ross Durand- Any other artist following Paco, I’d say something like “how can you be expected to follow Paco del Stinko?”. This is the answer. After that wild ride, to mellow out to a standard song is perfect. This is very well written. I love the melody, I love the backing vocals. The chord pattern is very songwritery and excellent. The tremolo electric and Hammond organ are quiet and subtle but brilliant choices! This gets a vote! Well done!!

Serge Trousers- Nice piano playing. Great chord pattern! You ought to do a duet with Happy Dagger. Your head voice sounds super cool. I wonder how limited your range is with this voice. I really dig this song. I’m not sure it’s strong enough without the rhythm section. It’s good, but begging for drums and bass. You should hear the bass line I’m playing to this. I think this is a bad ass demo. I want to hear vocal harmonies too. I like that you added the acoustic for percussion. Good song, just short of a vote.

Sevidemic- Well, I like the Satan vocals. I think Satan is underutilized these days. I like some of these rhymes a lot. I think that “Burn it all” hook is terrible. It really annoys me. The rest of it is pretty damn good. Excellent flow. With a catchy hook this would easily get a vote, as it is with the “burn it all” I can’t vote for it.

Steve Durand- Vote! You’re in your element, and you’re doing it well! You know, screw guitar, screw piano, horn section is where it’s at! They got the range they got the chords, and it just sounds awesome! You’re very smart with where your vocals sound best. No complaints, very well written!

Styop Quoons- I don’t get why this song is called “Ashes”. This sounds like good workout music. There’s not a lot of writing going on here. It’s a nice groove. Lyrics make no sense to me. The song goes nowhere. Probably very good for certain drugs.

Jimmy Hughes- What the Hell? Big mess. You’re better off without the drums, the out of time acoustic, the weird incidental lead guitar, the mumbling vocals. I like the stage direction and the color of the binder. Sorry man, I don’t get this at all.

Berkeley Social Scene- No Lunkhead, no Erin, no Martyr. Just Glen and Ken (and my daughter Annabella in the chorus). Ken wrote the lyrics. That’s what we started with. I think we both thought of the lyrics as heavy scream rock lyrics for Martyr to do his snarly stylization. Once we realized Martyr wasn’t coming. We decided to tackle one of our writing issues. We typically jam as a band and then try to write (sometimes shoe-horn) a melody into our super interesting chords. This time Ken sat behind the piano, I had my 12 string, and we did the chorus melody 1st. We were going for catchy, I think we somewhat succeeded. The guitar is super straight and super simple. I intended to have more instruments filling out the syncopation, but time didn’t allow. I ended up doing the vocals again, most because of everyone else’s schedules. I’m rather proud of Annabella, she’s getting much better at following instructions and catching on to melodies. Ken’s drums sound fantastic, my solo was pretty natural, I think the 2nd take. My favorite bit is the bass line because there’s that fun diminished chord to play the tri-tone under. I think the vocals are excellent for me, which translates to maybe acceptable for others.

Votes go to:


BSS
Steve Durand
Ross Durand
Paco del Stinko
Daring Front
Missions to Proton

[hillbilly]

stinko---- if you would hire those dagger babes to sing, you'd have it going on. your frigging guitar is all some. well put together. what you playing now?

[hillbilly]

Babes with a touch of Sinko

[Paco Del Stinko]

Your fake drums sound like what you’d play with your real drums.

Ha! That's because I'm playing them with two fingers on my keyborad. I do it whenever possible to avoid the machine. Still sounds fake, but looser. Do miss the kit, though.

what you playing now?

Do you mean for gear? I'm not bragging, believe me, but I have several guitars. On this tune, it was my Les Paul Standard and an Ibanez Artist semi hollow on rhythm and harmonies, and my Robin Fleetwood for leads. The Robin is the pride of the fleet and my 'rock star' guitar. Meaty neck built like a rock. Amps are a Bedrock 1600 and TopHat Emplexador. Ooo! Gear talk! And yeah, I'd love me some of those vocals. Thanks for the kind words.

[hillbilly]

i bought a left handed ibanez acoustic (pf) series and hard shell off a crack head in winston salem, plays like butter,bouble mike it, let you hear it next week, tell me what you think

[Paco Del Stinko]

Very nice! Looking forward to hearing it.

[Manhattan Glutton]

That, or beer. I can bribe you with beer, right?

Do you have any good microbrews?

When this project reaches 100 tracks, it's getting posted regardless of whether I'm done.

[Manhattan Glutton]

http://manhattanglutton.bandcamp.com/track/ashes

Happy Monday, everyone.

[glennny]

MG,

WOW! That kicks ass!!!!

[jast]

http://manhattanglutton.bandcamp.com/track/ashes

Happy Monday, everyone.

Your cover art is sublime.

[Missions to Proton]

Was anyone else bummed by the prompt? Props to everyone that wrote about something not sad.

Berkeley Social Scene: Crisp recording, nice guitar tone, and great performance. Overall instruments fit together really well/solidly. I get the use of a kid vocal sound, but I think it could be integrated a little better (a bit of a stretch, but couldn't think of anything else).

Bubble Pipe Media & Viktor Walters: I love the wobble dance the chorus--I think--is making me do. A bit of a confusing progression of the song. I kept being surprised. Almost feel like the vocals are a little late throughout the song. Overall, though, interesting/intriguing effort! I (girl) like how it ends.

Daring Front: Great vocal recordings. Overall level of the song needs to be turned up. Nice groove. The harmonies could be smoothed into the song a bit more. Really like the track, though!

DuToVa: Really like the guitar tone. Cool riff, fun feel. I would prefer the vocals to be a bit more intelligible. The production hangs well together as a whole! Nothing stands out as weird or out of time. Abrupt ending…

East Coast Coin Company: We like the groove; one of us is not a fan of the genre but that doesn't help you much. Vocal recording popped a bit at the beginning. Some more takes could get rid of that. The music is pretty good, and the non-fan of the genre really digs the chorus.

EggNogAdam: We really dig the chord progression. I do wish the vocals were a little more in key. Bad-effin'-ass breakdown. Weird combination, but it works (although we don't know how we feel about the chimey end).

Heine: Guitar recorded really well. Maybe try some more vocal takes to get the key right for each part of the song. You hit it sometimes, but not 100%.

Jacob Bernado: Interesting intro idea with a Capella. Nice lyricism. Probably need to do more takes for the lead vocals. Good mixing, though.

Juliet's Happy Dagger: Love the mixing. Guitar is really well recorded. Really nice harmonies. Majestic melancholy feel.

Larry B. Hakala: Totally thought of something similar, too. Turn up the whole track--especially the drums!

Life in Decibels: Love the electronic feel! TURN UP THE VOCALS. Pleeeease? We want to hear them more. Cool production!

MENBAH + Swampjaw: Love the original lyrical idea! We really dig the harmonies. Maybe even out the levels for the bass and some parts of the vocals? They kinda jump out at us. Like throwing a Pokeball.

Midnight Society: We really like the overall subdued tone and sound, but would like to hear the male vox on par with the volume of the girl's. Soothing and contemplative.

Naked Philosophy: Really like the guitar takes/recording. Maybe turn the drums up in the mix.

Paco del Stinko: Fantastic intro. Love the recording/mixing/progression/sound. I love how you drop down to the bass and drums. Some parts remind me (girl) of Tenacious D, but other parts don't at all. Solid to fantastic song-writing. Great variety between the parts.

Ross Durand: Cowboy lullaby! Pretty good, for the genre. We feel like we're out at night around a campfire, under the stars.

Serge Trousers: Great instrumental recordings. Rock solid. Appropriate and well done vocals. Maybe would like more intelligible lyrical enunciation.

Sevidemic: Dude, you made us laugh, in a good way. Really dig the groove and production. Nice spin on the topic. It's goofy, but that's intentional.

Steve Durand: LOVE the sound and feel. Impressive instrumentation. Would like some stronger vocal takes, but I (girl) would like to go to a 40's dance club and hear this. Maybe a bit of compression to punch up the whole mix.

Styop Quoons: Said this for someone else, too, but love the electronic/spacey/trance-y feel. Really well done, but one of the instruments sounds very slightly out of key. If that's not it, then it's just clashing a tiny bit. Overall, nice, but drones on a bit.

Jimmy Hughes: Vocals need to be mono, not in right speaker only; guitar needs to be in each speaker, not only in the left. Timing seems off. Good effort.

Thank you for all your reviews. We're getting a recording mic soonish, instead of built-in-to-the-laptop-lid mic. We are also going to try to get more EQing done on future tracks, especially the vocals (and hopefully some harmonies).

[lalabrookie]

Finally, reviews!! Lots of great entries this time.

BERKELY SOCIAL SCENE: I like the high voice in the harmonies – cool and different – kind of Time Warp like, although I think this was (or was supposed to be) a kid. Nice, solid song but didn’t grab me.

BUBBLE PIPE MEDIA: Vocals sound very nasally. I really enjoyed the percussion in this,– drums could come up a little. Choppy tempo and changes got to be distracting. Interesting sound overall. I wouldn’t say I loved this, but the sound certainly has potential.

DARING FRONT: Hello, you look resplendent this morning. Very pretty – your voice sounds great, and good harmonies. I also like the piano in there and how it plays a background role and also a nice fill.

DUTOVA: Good illustration of relationship issues – walking through the fire, etc. I kept expecting you to say, “You are driving me to drink” I like the ooh’s and the melody.

EAST COAST COIN COMPANY: Some of the lyrics were cute – your sound is kind of silly and fun. However, the looped track in the background gets a little monotonous. I like the chorus in this – the “ashes to ashes” part – that sounds pretty solid. I think the accent on the last part of the song may need some work, but that could just be me. I’m not too keen on the very last talking part.

HEINE: I believe I’ve already professed my great love for this song. Gorgeous guitar and some of the lyrics gave me the chills. I am a sucker for just guitar and vocals, and I know how difficult it is to get a gng song to stand on its own, but this one really does. Great job.

JACOB BERNADO: Your voice is very nice. I appreciate the use of the “bum bums” but they got a bit distracting, especially because it sounded like they were pulling the track down somehow – I’m probably not explaining it right but there were some volume issues, maybe. They were better towards the middle/end when some of them were held out longer. Maybe you just need to mix in more longer notes to smooth it out. However, the lyrics/melody are very, very pretty and I think if you can either modify the “bum bum”s to be valid backing, rather than distraction, you will have a great and unique sound.

JULIET’S HAPPY DAGGER: I was happy with the harmonies/vocals and song in general. I thought Noah did a wonderful job with the instrumentals and the mix. There were a couple of reviews that basically said this sounded a little canned, and that is probably somewhat true, although I still think it’s a solid song. However, we are continually trying to steer towards more of a unique sound.

LARRY HAKALA: Very pretty guitar. Pretty tune. Drums could come up. Watch your notes – you were off key a few times (and that happens to all of us) but wanted to just give you a heads up. I wish I could disagree with the “girls are cruel” line, but I can’t. We can be pretty nasty sometimes 8) I kind of felt like this song needed direction – it rambled. Still, a pretty song.

LIFE IN DECIBELS: vocals way too quiet. Backing track is monotonous. So I would suggest bringing up the vocals and adding some spice to the track.

MENBAH & SWAMPJAW: Tom Petty, anyone? I don’t know why, but this just reminds me of him. However: I love the lyrics, even though I don’t exactly understand the story you’re trying to tell. Vocals are good and I like the backing vox much, too. Nice driving song with clear verses and harmonies. Great job.

MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: This is so pretty and simple. Harmonies are great. I love it. I would have liked to hear a bridge or other variation, but still a really nice song. Please submit more.

MISSIONS TO PROTON: Organ, yay! Love the instrumentals and the mix. Your voice is so pretty. Really good lyrics, too. Do I detect a little Alanis Morisette influence here?

NAKED PHILOSOPHY: Nice guitar and vocals. I like your point on how life gets in the way of things we plan. Good song. The best friend lines got a little repetitive, but otherwise good.

ROSS DURAND: Very pretty song – nice progression. Good guitar and vocs. I think I would have liked to hear the harmony a little more up front, but that’s probably just a mixing preference. They are solid but they do sound like they need some confidence or more strength, though, even if you want them to stay quiet.

SERGTROUSERS: I love the sound of the piano in this. Really nice and unique melody. Sounds like your voice is straining or artificial or something – maybe it’s an effect you’re using – I can’t put my finger on it, but I think something there needs some work. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but maybe you will know what I mean even if I don’t…

SEVIDEMIC: I actually like most of this even though this isn’t my style preference. However, the chorus is catchy and this is a good mix with lots of fun little extras. I don’t like the lower talking voice – it sounds kind of like someone who’s not all there in the head. Also, the lyrics are good but a little confusing – not sure what the point is, besides “burn it all”.

STEVE DURAN: Oh, this style is so great. Makes me want to swing dance. Too bad I don’t know how. Awesome horns, especially the solos. Good ending. Cute lyrics.

STYOP QUOONS: This was somewhat enjoyable – kind of like the Hamster Dance all grown up. The “We all come back to ash” was way too repetitive, though. I think it would have been effective on the last part of the song only. Still, good song.

JIMMY HUGHES: I think maybe you’re having some tempo issues on this. And some key issues. Maybe tune everything, then take down the rhythym you’re trying to accomplish on the guitar (and spice it up some – it’s just droning), then bring the picking to the forefront and make that a bit more dynamic. Not sure if that will help, but worth a shot.

EGGNOG ADAM: Nice, mellow song. Good instrumentals. Needed a bit more dynamics, especially between verse/chorus, and maybe just a little more kick.

PACO DEL STINKO: I think you’ve outdone yourself on this one! Guitars are amazing. Love the apocalyptic sound of the guitars and harmonies. This song at once gives me my heavy guitar fix and cracks me up because it’s so serious it’s just funny, if that makes any sense. This was awesome.

Votes to the bolded names above.

[roymond]

Paco, uh...well, yeah.
Thanks.

[bubblepipemedia]

naked philosophy
The whole thing ends up sounding a little tinny at times. For a short bit, I felt the need for something new, and right then the guitar kicked in. Perhaps a measure or two sooner, right before I got that feeling would have rocked to anticipate my need. At 2 minutes, this song somehow feels long, perhaps more variety or a longer solo section would help. I would bring the drums up a tad, and I like the quality of the kick drum for some reason. Not as roomy as I would have expected for a song like this.

Juliet's Happy Dagger
Good structure. I tend to like female vocals, but at times they don't always seem to be on key with the music. I blame the music though hah. But, with this, the song manages almost a 'live' sound, which I tend to like. It might go on a little long for songfight, but I think it's good at this length. The drums could have been a bit more interesting maybe?

Link to an instrumental version of my song (which has a nicer mix due to lack of vocals):
http://snd.sc/nHg3FP

[glennny]

Check out the video for Ashes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkMkCtcxW58