Andy Sucks vs Darrell and Company
Douchebaggery.
Berkeley Social Scene
I'm going to chalk this up to an experimental period in the history of BSS that will eventually be appreciated only by superfans.
Billy & The Psychotics
Oooh a bass. And once again, nice song nice performance. I like the chorus a lot. By all meeeaans, let's take the time to haaaave a conversaaaatiooon. You guys need to keep doing this together, you're good at it. You've found something, seriously. And hey! A real bridge! Nice! Dunno about the extra ladies at 2:00, but it's brief so no matter. Vote!
Blue Movies
Half an ounce more production and this would be classic. I like it a lot, but it's just that haaaair underproduced that will keep people from seeing past the muffle to a good song. Really nice vocal performance. The rest of the band is too sloppy, and they're not good enough players to make up for the slop. I'll vote for this though.
Caravan Ray
Synth is too cheesy. I like the harmonies and the "choral" part, and I like the groove, but man I wish that groove was done with a distorted guitar and a bass rather than the synth. Good fake sax. I guess overall I feel like this could really be a lot harder hitting as a production. But as a song, it's at least interesting. I like the discordant part around 2:45. It's too long for my taste. Eventually the instrumental part seems too long, and the length detracts from the impact. You're saying some ballsy stuff, and going on and on is too prog-rock and not enough punk rock.
Dwald
If you're going to be so "experimental", you really need to have more interesting lyrics. Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvjw5xJF8WQ
The Elephant Choir
Bring the vocals closer front please, the guitar is burying them. Why doesn't the girl sing with you on the chorus? She sings nicely and I missed her. A little too monotonous in the guitar part. Man that chorus hurts. Shame.
FauX
I want to pronounce your band name like a casual "folks" like "hey folks, what's up?" I was encouraged by the music, and then you started singing, and I knew there was no hope for the song. It's like Jon Eric with a bit catchier music but lots crappier singing. Lyrics are ok, though they make me feel old.
hillbilly
I think this is what one of those old drunk country singers would sound like if they had no knack for lyrics.
Infinity Point Buck
The Euler infinity point is the intersection of the Euler line and line at infinity. Since it lies on the line at infinity, it is a point at infinity. It has triangle center function alpha_(30)=cosA-2cosBcosC, which is Kimberling center X_(30). The Euler infinity point is the pivot point for the Neuberg cubic. Your rap song does not merit such an intellectual reference. Get better.
Jan Krueger
Drums are pretty far back, seems odd but when you start singing it sounds more appropriate. Stuff needs more hooks. Backing stuff at 1:12 and 1:22 sound interesting, but they're not enough to make up for the humdrum nature of the rest of it. Just having one interesting bit, and a little harmony isn't enough. It ALL has to be inspired.
Jim of Seattle
I think this is brilliant, and I think in the comments for this fight you are actually EXPERIENCING the heartbreak of invention. Fuck those other guys, they're dicks, this is great. I'm envious of your orchestral patches, though violas always sound fake. It's very pretty and I like the blog post and I'm going to give this a vote.
Jon Eric
Jon, how long are you going to do this before you get a god damn decent fucking microphone? Jesus. I like your piano playing, though it does sometimes come across as a mix of Billy Joel and Amy Grant. I like that you kept it so short, it's refreshing.
Longfellow Street
Wow, a throwback. Oi. I like your discipline in the vocal parts! Another one that's half an ounce away from kickass production. It's like Pavement or something, but not.... quite.... there. I like this. Reminds me of Blue Movies, but not quite as good indie songwriting (more standard punk), but with much better playing.
Paco del Stinko
Can Paco twopeat? I was doubtful when the song started but when the vocals kicked in the organ like started to feel a lot more groovy. The backing vox are not good man. I like the gravelly lead vocal, but I wish the lyrics were more fluid, more adult, with better prosody. I like the bass solo. Could use another section to the song, break it up a little.
Ross Durand
Only 3:17 but it seems longer. Wish it had some nice beautiful chorus, unfortunately although I recognize the chorus when it happens it doesn't stick with me. I acknowledge the message of your song, but for some reason can't shake the feeling that it should be hitting me harder.
Scott Gesser
Ok, good start with that thwacky guitar. "I've blown up southern hostiles with a flicker of my tongue. If I had the chance I'd blow them up again." Dude, these lyrics are great! Not much going on musically and yet I'm compelled to listen, based on the confident presentation of your lyrics in your lead vocal performance. Fuck yeah. Ha, some na-nay-na action to boot. GOOD! And you throw in an electric guitar lick! Catchy! This is the one I'm playing over and over. My favorite by far!
Seismic Toss
Uh oh, samples. Ok, not too bad on the rhymes. Maybe too clever, maybe not facile enough with the enunciation, but I gotta give it to you for this one. It's a good attempt. I think you can think about some words that are easier to pronounce when in close together, might make a few of the lines flow better. Ha, the suki suki line made me laugh. I like the chorus. Wish some other sample would come in, or somehow that musically some other line or texture would come in somewhere in the middle.
Smashy Claw
Why oh why did you let the intro go on for almost a minute before the rest of the music kicks in? I kept waiting for it to, and was about to give up hope. Then it comes in and it's a relief. Wish the lead vocals were more in tune-- with harmonies they kind of drive me nuts. The lyrics are a little too much with the "interesting" words-- they don't seem to be put together with any meaningful message, but that may be because I don't feel compelled to listen again to really identify what you're trying to say. A hazard when someone doesn't really like your song.
Steve Durand
Oh, I do always appreciate your musicianship Steve. I find myself wishing you'd let Ross sing on this-- I think his gravelly thing on this music and words would be fucking great. That said, I really like the old-timey feel and sound, though it makes me picture you with one of those barbershop hats on, performing this in a gazebo on a summer day with families and old people gathered around. You bow, they applaud. We have some Italian ice.
Suckweasel
I'm picturing this played in the back room of a bar near my house. I walk in, hear a few bars, then realize it's only 7:30 and go back to the other room to wait for the headliner who's due up a few bands from now.
Tuners Union
I like this a lot. Nicely composed and played. Wish the vox were louder, 'cause it's hard to really understand them. The percussive guitar part especially overpowers the vocal. Lots of nice little hooks in here for me to listen to. My second favorite! This reminds me of Ranch on Suede just slightly, but with a much higher Bon Iver quotient. Oh yeah, shame about the vocal mix man, this reallly should be epic. SOMEBODY REMIX THIS FOR HIM PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE! I'd love to hear this if Ken or Lunkhead got ahold of it. Please do that. For my sake.