Neil Thrun and the Doom Fairies:
This is very endearing, but it gets old quick. Two minutes is just enough time for an enjoyable song.
Ross Durand:
Good song. I think you took the paradox theme a little too far- the song became predictable. I like the backing vocals, they add a lot of momentum. The midi parts are good but the sound is really out of place. The low drum pulse is very effective, too.
Son of Supercar:
Awesome guitar tone. Just like last fight, the verse has a considerably better melody than the chorus. I really like the nasty bass tone and the falsetto around 2:00. This is only the second fight of yours I've heard but I'm liking the dirty, sloppy sound. Keep it up.
Forgotten on the Map:
This would have been a lot better without the drum programming. I think I hear a good song here but the drums and the shaky delivery are distracting.
Dead Rutherford:
There is some ingenuity here, and the D&D lyrics kept me excited. The vocal delivery is just ridiculous, the vibrato cracks me up, I love it. This is like if Dream Theater had acoustic guitars and no chops (and a sense of humor).
Easy L:
For the first half minute the groove kept me with you, but when the vocals came in... Yeah, it's Zappa, and its cool, but it's just too sloppy to do anything for me. The guitar playing is good, but its just a little too "jammy" for me and nothing strikes me melodically in the solo. Try playing more with your ears and less with your fingers.
Johnny Cashpoint:
The synth bass sound makes me cringe a bit, it's tough to find the right sound between "real" and self-consciously synthetic. The layered production: the acoustic string instrument, the vocal samples, the synths, are all great. I really like the chorus. Once again, this is only my second week, but so far I've been very impressed by your entries.
Lonbobby:
Wow, this is great. You have a great ear for mixing and texture. The melody is very classical, very soothing, very Ancient. I admire the choice of tempo: nothing is in a rush, the melody gets the time it needs to unfurl. The cello is a really good choice. A very, very beautiful song. Congratulations. You've got my vote.
Luke Henley:
Hmmm... boring, sloppy. I know from last week that you can do a lot better.
The Red Lights:
The guitar makes this track so far, otherwise I don't find much to grasp onto. The little string (violin) pluck sound is getting to me... Ooo, this break down without the beat is nice. Interesting juxtaposition with the harmonica.
1) Lonbobby
2) Johnny Cashpoint
3) The Red Lights
Great Fight.
Yer mama's so old, she babysat Jesus (Ancient Reviews)
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Ross
- Churchill
- Posts: 2745
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 3:27 pm
- Instruments: Guitar, Vox, Bass, Tuned glasses, etc...
- Recording Method: Logic on a Macbook.
- Submitting as: Ross Durand
- Location: Orange CA
- Contact:
more reviews
So here are my reviews for “Ancient.” These are typed as I give my first listen.
Son of Supercar - There are so many things I like about this song that it is hard for me to put my finger on the part that’s missing. I like the “someday we’ll be sung about” idea and the context it’s in, but the execution of the actual lyrical work doesn’t quite come off for me - a little trite, maybe. Or it might have to do with the way the words are put with the upbeat music that pushes them forward a little too fast. I don’t know, I basically like it, but I don’t love it.
Network Cowboy - Ok, the sort of hammer dulcimer patch sets an “ancient” feel right away. I see, so this is an instrumental. A pretty one, and I think I get how the instrument choice conjures an “ancient” feel that suits the tune. Other than that, it’s basically just pretty.
Easy L - I like the groove and the call-and-response stereo guitars right off. The fractured vocals and sort of novelty song vocal delivery don’t work for me, partly because your instrumental performance is so convincing. Given the words, I’m not sure if there’s a vocal delivery that would work for me, though. I think the lyrics don’t stand up to the accompaniment you’ve created. I also don’t really go for so much parallel instrumentation/vocal work, unless it really punches some words and I think the ones getting punched here don’t really feel like the punching type to me. Too bad this isn’t Guitarfight! I like what you do with the thing (guitar) both for rhythm and lead.
Lonbobby - Pretty convincing texture from the outset. And then at the end of the first verse it is growing quite appropriately. Good words, well set. “Ancient soul,” a good new-age concept to work with for this title. Very strong. Seems very careful. Current leader.
Dead Rutherford – You lost me right away on the Midevil thing. I guess it’s a bias, there’s just so much bad Viking-metal (I know this isn’t metal, but I hope you know what I mean). Perhaps worthy of a good Jethro Tull treatment, and your vocal affectations remind me of Ian a little. I actually can’t make out the words on your chorus, is it a name? I like the structure of the song, I think, how the chorus changes a little as it goes. But I have to admit that I am not immediately interested in the song and there is nothing pulling me in to it. Ancient?
Ross Durand (me) – Nothing this week really inspired me, this is what I made. I think the previous reviews have been pretty accurate to my own feelings about the piece. I think it has a pretty good sound, I used it to work with a couple of new recording tools I have. I am a fan of this type of word work when it works, so it is nice to practice a little. I often need to work on being willing to have ambiguity in my lyrics. It was fun to play my French Horn a little. I agree with Minty that this is not my best work, but it was my best for these four titles. It is basically inspired by the Loch Ness Monster.
Johnny Cashpoint – Immediately brought to mind “Rock Me Amadeus.” I like your internal rhyme – something I work on a lot. This is a pretty convincing imitation of some 80s song on this theme. What does that tell me about it as a song? Not a lot. The fact that it conjures such a distinct image may be marring my objectivity in this case. I think that much of the music of this ilk I enjoy, I enjoy for its sentimental value – Oh! it reminds me a bit of “Strip” by Adam Ant, as well. Very well executed and crafted. Perhaps it’s like a well crafted chair that seems like an imitation of other chairs? I’m having a hard time articulating how I feel about it – the beauty of art J
Luke Henley Pretty bold acoustic opening. Then some sort of gate effect??? I find myself waiting for the song to kick in. About half way through this appears to be two chords with no melody. I promise I’ll listen to the end, but this is not happening for me. Have you been listening to “Umma Gumma?”
Redlights – I think the lyric work fits the musical treatment pretty well (or vice-versa depending on your process). Nice dream segment. Second entrant in Guitarfight!? (a compliment, you clearly know what you’re doing). I’m going to listen to this twice, I think you may be doing some art I’m missing the first time through. {second listen} I think this is one of the best “whole packages” I’ve heard here. Song, orchestration, etc.. Sometimes I wished I could hear the words better. I think I will be struggling before I vote because of the idea of the songs being for the title. I trust that you had it firmly in mind, but does it bring it firmly in mind to me? That’s what I’ll be asking.
Neil Thrun and the Doom Fairies Ok, one thought I had right away is that this is not the song the guy you’re talking about would sing, as far as musical style (is this a “that’s not how I would do it” review? Perhaps but what reference besides myself do I have while I am reviewing, anyway?). Hmm. Yeah, this seems like it could have used more work to me to do what you seem to be trying to do. Not a very strong song, in my book.
Noah Mclaughlin Not about the song – but seeing your location I have wondered if you are French or not (I sense you’re not). Nice to hear some French from someone in France. Even so, I thought this song was only ok. The words do make me wonder, but I still came to no conclusions.
I think this fight is going to come down to Redlights v. Lonbobby for me. Good fight, many enjoyable listens.
Son of Supercar - There are so many things I like about this song that it is hard for me to put my finger on the part that’s missing. I like the “someday we’ll be sung about” idea and the context it’s in, but the execution of the actual lyrical work doesn’t quite come off for me - a little trite, maybe. Or it might have to do with the way the words are put with the upbeat music that pushes them forward a little too fast. I don’t know, I basically like it, but I don’t love it.
Network Cowboy - Ok, the sort of hammer dulcimer patch sets an “ancient” feel right away. I see, so this is an instrumental. A pretty one, and I think I get how the instrument choice conjures an “ancient” feel that suits the tune. Other than that, it’s basically just pretty.
Easy L - I like the groove and the call-and-response stereo guitars right off. The fractured vocals and sort of novelty song vocal delivery don’t work for me, partly because your instrumental performance is so convincing. Given the words, I’m not sure if there’s a vocal delivery that would work for me, though. I think the lyrics don’t stand up to the accompaniment you’ve created. I also don’t really go for so much parallel instrumentation/vocal work, unless it really punches some words and I think the ones getting punched here don’t really feel like the punching type to me. Too bad this isn’t Guitarfight! I like what you do with the thing (guitar) both for rhythm and lead.
Lonbobby - Pretty convincing texture from the outset. And then at the end of the first verse it is growing quite appropriately. Good words, well set. “Ancient soul,” a good new-age concept to work with for this title. Very strong. Seems very careful. Current leader.
Dead Rutherford – You lost me right away on the Midevil thing. I guess it’s a bias, there’s just so much bad Viking-metal (I know this isn’t metal, but I hope you know what I mean). Perhaps worthy of a good Jethro Tull treatment, and your vocal affectations remind me of Ian a little. I actually can’t make out the words on your chorus, is it a name? I like the structure of the song, I think, how the chorus changes a little as it goes. But I have to admit that I am not immediately interested in the song and there is nothing pulling me in to it. Ancient?
Ross Durand (me) – Nothing this week really inspired me, this is what I made. I think the previous reviews have been pretty accurate to my own feelings about the piece. I think it has a pretty good sound, I used it to work with a couple of new recording tools I have. I am a fan of this type of word work when it works, so it is nice to practice a little. I often need to work on being willing to have ambiguity in my lyrics. It was fun to play my French Horn a little. I agree with Minty that this is not my best work, but it was my best for these four titles. It is basically inspired by the Loch Ness Monster.
Johnny Cashpoint – Immediately brought to mind “Rock Me Amadeus.” I like your internal rhyme – something I work on a lot. This is a pretty convincing imitation of some 80s song on this theme. What does that tell me about it as a song? Not a lot. The fact that it conjures such a distinct image may be marring my objectivity in this case. I think that much of the music of this ilk I enjoy, I enjoy for its sentimental value – Oh! it reminds me a bit of “Strip” by Adam Ant, as well. Very well executed and crafted. Perhaps it’s like a well crafted chair that seems like an imitation of other chairs? I’m having a hard time articulating how I feel about it – the beauty of art J
Luke Henley Pretty bold acoustic opening. Then some sort of gate effect??? I find myself waiting for the song to kick in. About half way through this appears to be two chords with no melody. I promise I’ll listen to the end, but this is not happening for me. Have you been listening to “Umma Gumma?”
Redlights – I think the lyric work fits the musical treatment pretty well (or vice-versa depending on your process). Nice dream segment. Second entrant in Guitarfight!? (a compliment, you clearly know what you’re doing). I’m going to listen to this twice, I think you may be doing some art I’m missing the first time through. {second listen} I think this is one of the best “whole packages” I’ve heard here. Song, orchestration, etc.. Sometimes I wished I could hear the words better. I think I will be struggling before I vote because of the idea of the songs being for the title. I trust that you had it firmly in mind, but does it bring it firmly in mind to me? That’s what I’ll be asking.
Neil Thrun and the Doom Fairies Ok, one thought I had right away is that this is not the song the guy you’re talking about would sing, as far as musical style (is this a “that’s not how I would do it” review? Perhaps but what reference besides myself do I have while I am reviewing, anyway?). Hmm. Yeah, this seems like it could have used more work to me to do what you seem to be trying to do. Not a very strong song, in my book.
Noah Mclaughlin Not about the song – but seeing your location I have wondered if you are French or not (I sense you’re not). Nice to hear some French from someone in France. Even so, I thought this song was only ok. The words do make me wonder, but I still came to no conclusions.
I think this fight is going to come down to Redlights v. Lonbobby for me. Good fight, many enjoyable listens.
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nyjm
- Niemöller
- Posts: 1066
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:14 am
- Instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, various MIDI instruments
- Recording Method: Reaper, Line 6 POD, GLS Audio 57 and 58
- Submitting as: noah mclaughlin, Ford's Theater Disaster, Juliet's Happy Dagger
- Location: atlanta, ga
- Contact:
Re: more reviews
no, not french, just living here for a year while doing research and teaching at university. it's nice that a foreign language in a song is appreciated.rdurand wrote:Noah Mclaughlin Not about the song – but seeing your location I have wondered if you are French or not (I sense you’re not). Nice to hear some French from someone in France. Even so, I thought this song was only ok. The words do make me wonder, but I still came to no conclusions.
as for the words, check out baudelaire's "spleen" II & IV, which i unabashedly riffed on and quoted. i just love the image of a great sphinx forgotten and left in the deep desert.
"You sound like the ghost of David Bowie." - SchlimminyCricket | it was a pleasure to burn | my website | Juliet's Happy Dagger
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Lonbobby
- Karski
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 7:25 pm
- Instruments: Guitar, Keyboard
- Recording Method: Logic Express 9
- Submitting as: Lonbobby
- Location: NYC
Easy L: I really like the opening. Excellent percussion and feel. The vocal performance is a little loud but cool and interesting. I like the double vocals and the solo guitar is great. Only complaint is the song is a little disorganized.
Neil Thrun and the Doom Fairies: Haha, I just came from a geriatric medicine meeting so this is pretty relevant. Not much going on in this song besides the lyrics though.
Red Lights: Also really cool opening. Wow, love the percusion here. Great subtle electronic feel. The acoustic ending is well done. Great job!
Ross Durand: Another great opening. Great mood and vibe off the bat. Instrumentation, especially the harmonical, is awesome. I like your voice too. Song is a little short, I wanted more.
Dead: Voice feels off pitch, but once the percussion comes in it seems to get better. This could benefit from better production.
Noah: Voice is all over the place. The lack of variation in this song makes it drag.
SOS: The mix is a little full, it seems too noisy, but I know that that's what you're going for. I really like the vocal performance and the song overall is quite enjoyable.
Network Cowboy: I like this a lot. Really blissful and beautiful. Purposefully static and calm. Excellent composition. My vote.
J$: Love the opening but the odd dissonances are a little jarring. Whoa, I love the rapping and the background "la, la, la". Making an interesting backing track to a rap is hard but you pull it off amazingly. Excellent job, a really fun song.
Luke: Very disorganized and off tempo. I don't get what you are trying to accomplish.
Lonbobby: Thanks for everyone's comments and reviews.
Neil Thrun and the Doom Fairies: Haha, I just came from a geriatric medicine meeting so this is pretty relevant. Not much going on in this song besides the lyrics though.
Red Lights: Also really cool opening. Wow, love the percusion here. Great subtle electronic feel. The acoustic ending is well done. Great job!
Ross Durand: Another great opening. Great mood and vibe off the bat. Instrumentation, especially the harmonical, is awesome. I like your voice too. Song is a little short, I wanted more.
Dead: Voice feels off pitch, but once the percussion comes in it seems to get better. This could benefit from better production.
Noah: Voice is all over the place. The lack of variation in this song makes it drag.
SOS: The mix is a little full, it seems too noisy, but I know that that's what you're going for. I really like the vocal performance and the song overall is quite enjoyable.
Network Cowboy: I like this a lot. Really blissful and beautiful. Purposefully static and calm. Excellent composition. My vote.
J$: Love the opening but the odd dissonances are a little jarring. Whoa, I love the rapping and the background "la, la, la". Making an interesting backing track to a rap is hard but you pull it off amazingly. Excellent job, a really fun song.
Luke: Very disorganized and off tempo. I don't get what you are trying to accomplish.
Lonbobby: Thanks for everyone's comments and reviews.
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Bolio
- Attlee
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 9:54 am
- Instruments: Piano, Keyboards, Guitar, Saxophone, Triangle
- Recording Method: "The Golden Age of Cakewalk"
- Submitting as: Bolio
- Pronouns: he/him
- Location: Twin Cities, MN
- Contact:
Redid some parts based on comments. Ended up more frustrated than I was before. Last edit that I'm gonna do. Gotta learn to write in my range.
I may not know karate, but I know KA-RAZY! -James Brown |Bolio on SoundCloud
sounds better - very clean mix there.Bolio wrote:Redid some parts based on comments. Ended up more frustrated than I was before. Last edit that I'm gonna do. Gotta learn to write in my range.
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EightLeggedOedipus
- Attlee
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:11 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
i must enetr a message
<a href="http://www.mbeanis.com/0.html">Understand</a> my reviews. Voted best auto-wrecking record of 2005! "<a href="http://www.thedrinks.net/"><b>The Drinks</a></b>' - Grr!" available now.
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EightLeggedOedipus
- Attlee
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:11 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
OK. Pinky-swear. teeheeblue wrote:i want you to promise that you'll get drunk before every review.EightLeggedOedipus wrote:i must enetr a message
<a href="http://www.mbeanis.com/0.html">Understand</a> my reviews. Voted best auto-wrecking record of 2005! "<a href="http://www.thedrinks.net/"><b>The Drinks</a></b>' - Grr!" available now.