The Song Fight Bulletin Board

What is classic lo-fi?
Velvet underground? Bob Dylan basement tapes? Mathlete? Wolfie?

We share our songs in the form of recordings.
It'd be a different story if we just shared sheet music.
Or if we all sat around in a room taking turns performing.

What is the best song Fight lo-fi submission of all time?
What is the best produced Song Fight Song of all time?

Is a polished turd better than a filthy sandwich?

Hey, c'mon, people. It should be fun.

glennny wrote:What is the best song Fight lo-fi submission of all time?
What is the best produced Song Fight Song of all time?

These are questions that need answers.

Sober wrote:The SONGfight vs RECORDINGfight argument has been slogged through since Songfight began. For every new player that brings this line up, I ask this: Would Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody be as beloved as it is if it were recorded and mixed like the Misfits? It's brilliant pop songwriting, but without brilliant production, it would have been a mess. Production is part of the delivery of a song, just like singing is. Production is the first thing immediately apparent about a song, before hearing any lyrics, or even the first chord change.

I guess the main point is that in 2012, it is absurdly cheap to equip oneself with the gear to make passable recordings, so why not? I'm not saying everyone needs a crazy mbox rig, but you're probably spending a lot of time on these songs. With a tiny investment of money and mix-time, you could have a recording that does your labors justice.

It wouldn't be as beloved, but cheap, bare-bones production would certainly reveal it for the overblown piece of glam silliness it is. Actually, I might LIKE Queen if they recorded something like 'Legacy of Brutality' quality...

Basically, I just like to set the record straight when someone assumes that because I choose to do shitty recordings, I don't know what I'm doing. I have done everything from studio sessions with major label artists to field recordings with a handheld tape deck, and have worked in spaces from terrific studios with expensive gear to shitty basements with two mics. I am in full agreement that there are relatively cheap and easy ways to get a 'good' sound nowadays, but I also think the idea of brilliant production goes both ways. Some things would not be the same without a master engineer and a great sound space, i.e. 'Pet Sounds' (though that's not the best example because most of those songs have only four tracks) but often, quality recording tricks people into liking subpar songs. I think the average listener hears something with beautiful production and assumes the music is quality because somebody took the time to record it well, which isn't always (or often) the case. That's why there are so many shitty bands out there that sound so great, and that's why they continue to release chart-topping music. More or less, whereas you said I was hiding behind the 'shitty sounding cuz it's posed to' ideology, a lot of musicians hide behind good production.

I use Songfight as inspiration whenever I'm working on a project. When I first started doing it, I think two? three? years ago? I was doing some really elaborate productions. This current thing is more focused on songwriting, and based off a quote of Gene Wene's (That lo-fi doesn't so much limit you as force you to write better, simpler songs) I took a lo-fi approach.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, while I may come across as angry, I assure you I am not. Every comment I make (ever) can be read with a bemused, mildly sarcastic tone. I really appreciate all the feedback I get here, despite my joke about your song. I thoroughly enjoyed/am enjoying our dialog.

roymond wrote:So when I listened to your song this week, I thought it was awesome in many ways, but really sucky in other ways. Furthermore, the sucky stuff really holds back the awesome stuff. Low fi really works sometimes, but not as an aesthetic in and of itself. If I were to have written a review I would have said as much, figuring either you cared and might want some feedback or you don't give a shit and resent being forced to consider how other people listen and respond to your music and to music in general. That's cool. I wrote you off long ago as someone who doesn't give a shit so I'm not sure why I'm bothering with this but it seemed the thing to do. I hope this isn't too condescending because it's just free stuff put out there as much as your song was free stuff put out there. And in the end it's all about the sound that's made. In my opinion.

YES. I agree with all of this. I was listening to 'The Downward Spiral' and tried to emulate the idea of high tech vs. lo fi in one song, and failed by creating something a little too chaotic even for Mr. Reznor's damaged ears.

In regards to the above and the other discussions about recording and mixing methods. Whether you want lo-fi or pristine end results, those are the things that make the music scene here so colorful. If we were all given 4 chords that we had to play in the order given to us, those different delivery methods are the reasons that each song would sound unique.

There will always be a more in demand sound that changes as we age, the earth ages, new genres are created, genres cross fade, etc. But there will never be one way to do it. A right or wrong way changes from person to person, even though there really isn't a wrong way, nor right way.

In Sober's case, anything not done his way is the wrong way.
In my case, anything not done my way is a different way.
In Hate Noise's case, everything not done his way is sugar coating bad writing.
In fluffy's case, anything not done his way, doesn't sound like Thom York enough.
In Paco's case, anything not done his way, doesn't have a hook.
In Ranger Denni's case, anything not done her way isn't creeping enough and done by earthlings.
In Spud's case, anything not done his way means you didn't drink enough beer.
In Rone's case, anything not done by Melvin doesn't give him an erection.

note: opinions may vary and Song Fight does not accept responsibility for shit BLT says after he drinks coffee.

Can I trade cases with Spud?

Apologies to all, I don't have time for proper reviews. I just had to give a shout-out to The HATE Noise. Awesome, and I don't use that word as just an expression. Vote. Also voted for Sober -- great harmonies.

EDIT: Believe it or not, I hadn't read the review thread when I wrote that.

Billy's Little Trip wrote:In regards to the above and the other discussions about recording and mixing methods. Whether you want lo-fi or pristine end results, those are the things that make the music scene here so colorful. If we were all given 4 chords that we had to play in the order given to us, those different delivery methods are the reasons that each song would sound unique.

There will always be a more in demand sound that changes as we age, the earth ages, new genres are created, genres cross fade, etc. But there will never be one way to do it. A right or wrong way changes from person to person, even though there really isn't a wrong way, nor right way.

In Sober's case, anything not done his way is the wrong way.
In my case, anything not done my way is a different way.
In Hate Noise's case, everything not done his way is sugar coating bad writing.
In fluffy's case, anything not done his way, doesn't sound like Thom York enough.
In Paco's case, anything not done his way, doesn't have a hook.
In Ranger Denni's case, anything not done her way isn't creeping enough and done by earthlings.
In Spud's case, anything not done his way means you didn't drink enough beer.
In Rone's case, anything not done by Melvin doesn't give him an erection.

note: opinions may vary and Song Fight does not accept responsibility for shit BLT says after he drinks coffee.

In my case I have a toothbrush, an AK-47, a fake Peruvian passport, 27 severed penises and a fresh change of underwear. It is my winning smile that gets me through customs.

Late, but I made it with comments. And voted. Thanks to all who reviewed.

Berkeley Social Scene Walking down the beach with your hands in your pockets, looking longingly to the sea. I like the keyboard solo and its blend of sci-fi and surf tones. The lead guitar is wonderful, if maybe too much for this song. Understated might've been better. While this doesn't zip along, it doesn't feel as long as it says it is. Maybe backing vocals to add warmth and color.


the British IBM I appreciate this crushed bit stuff but think it should stay short, like a theme song. Get the melody and mood across and disappear. Melody here isn't hook worthy, more noodley. Give us a theme, Mario.


CD the Remix Digging the fat synth pads and overall synthetic sounds that fill this track. The mobile bass lines are appreciated. This could fit in a cheap science fiction TV show. More development would be nice as well as a melody.


The Chocolate Chips One day, I'd like to hear your 'regular' voice. The acoustic guitars here are very nice. It makes me wonder how this would sound all acousticy, with capo'd guitars or madolins, maybe a tambourine, and a soft, warm vocal delivery. The song is pleasant and has whiffs of Beatle melodies in spots, why not keep it more organic? Some nice ahh backing vocals. Hey, we all do what we do, I get it. I do vocals out of necessity, noy desire. Just sayin'. One of my faves from you.


Devil Devil El mysterioso disappearo.


The HATE Noise I dig your experiments, good or bad. This is one of my lesser faves of yours, I was liking thse Moody Blues styles you had going for a while. Note: I could care less about the Moody Blues. Dark, and full of dissonant weirdness, it's mostly the higher frequnecy voice that bugs me. The chanting chorus is cool though. Clarity might be nice here, maybe not.


Hip Hop Anonymous Well delivered although I'm having a hard time understanding all of the words. Sounds like Halloween music, somehow. I'd like to hear some sounds, as color, come and go. Maybe a one time crunchy guitar, or a clang, or whoop to accent a phrase or word. That could border on comical, as written, but ya know what I mean?

Klownhole Similar riff to one I wrote many years ago. Not saying I'm ahead of the times, or that you're behind them, but rather that great minds think alike. Or don't think at all. The Sabbathy double time feels good and just makes the main riff pummel more. Can't suggest anything except to say keep at it. Always a fan.


Mime Cavity Nice creepy intro riff, ominous rumbling storm underneath. It's like part II of the K-Hole song, and I'm fine with that. Messy, but great sludgey groove.


Paco del Stinko Not autobiographical. Still practicing just mic'ing the acoustic vs. mic and using the pickup together.


Sober This is well done regardless of the setting and circumstances. But nice that you can write about what you know, I'm sure that your recent experiences wll never leave and be an oft drawn upon source of inspiration. Nice genuine vocal delivery and fine melodies in all sections. Lovely bridge as well. I'm not clever enough to suggest any improvements, I thnk this is fine as is and should win the fight, if all is right.


The Wankers This should be more fun than it sounds like it wants to be. Silly and self conscious. Lame.

Hey, neat. Thanks for the reviews and discussion everyone. I can say with confidence I will not be winning the next fight. But hey, I'm about to get on a US-bound plane, so all is well. Cheers.