Sometimes It's Hard to Keep Yourself Writing Reviews

[Authors Of]

I could only find time to do some critiques. Sorry I didn't get everybody.

James Owens

James, your song is well done. Musically I can find no fault. Lyrics, I can't find any fault
either but I get the feeling you might be at a place where I've also been. When the song is done
and you've done your best but you'll move on to the next challenge? Were you excited about
the song as you progressed towards the completion? Personally this is what I look for in
my personal musical projects and I'd imagine you do also. For me that is my current challenge.
I say this because I didn't want to just say something positive because that's not helpful
feedback, and I'll be honest I couldn't really find anything wrong with this solution.
I believe your personal challenges are somewhat higher. Sometimes they work and sometimes
they are just finished and it's on with the next. How can we have that excitement with
every musical solution? Good work.

Signboy y los amigos

I am glad you guys can hit that high note. The resonation of your voice is great but you
guys are Waaaaay off key! That's the number one reason why I don't use that pitch correction!
The music is great. Nice sound quality.

Sockpuppet

I really like the lyrics to this song. The pronounciation of the lyrics and the excess clarity
doesn't sit well with me. But that doesn't hold much weight because technically there's
nothing wrong with your solution. My comment is a matter of taste so it can be disregarded.
Your vocal solution is the same as mine would be and we're in the same boat. Actually I also
like the, "Why would I?" part.

Ujn Mullet

The vocals in this solution has a great youthful rock sound. The multi-layered vocals
give it a lively sound and I like that. Apart from the vocals I find the bass doesn't groove
with the rest of the instruments. If I imagine the players playing song I'd see the
bass player struggling with his instrument. The bass isn't feeling the music.

Yngvi

The musical arrangement of this piece is great for an introduction. 2 critiques about the
vocals in this one. 1. You need a pop filter because it definitely sounds like it's done
at home. The vocals are a little unclear. I need full, warm resonating vocals.
Also I prefer singing. Personally I feel that poetry rather than vocals is a copout. However
I will say that this is your choice for the solution so I won't hold that against you.

Some Guy Called Noel

Nice guitar playing there. Sound quality is clear and warm. I'm going to write my critique on THE most
complicated thing we all stuggle with: Vocals. Some Guy Called Noel has fantastic vocals
with the dual layers and the tone. I stuggle with getting good sounding vocals. Very simple
arrangement with just guitar and vocals. This gets my vote.

[fluffy]

You are using "solution" in a way that I do not quite comprehend. Are you using it as in the solved state of a puzzle or difficult situation, or as in a dissolved suspension of a chemical within a solvent, or some mysterious third way?

[Märk]

I could only find time to do some critiques. Sorry I didn't get everybody.

Ujn Mullet

The vocals in this solution has a great youthful rock sound. The multi-layered vocals
give it a lively sound and I like that. Apart from the vocals I find the bass doesn't groove
with the rest of the instruments. If I imagine the players playing song I'd see the
bass player struggling with his instrument. The bass isn't feeling the music.

I agree. This isn't real bass. I'm currently without bass guitar, and tried to make a VSTi bassline, forgetting that I set the drums to play ahead of the beat. Something seemed a bit off, but I just shrugged my shoulders and went ahead and mixed down due to time constraints anyway. I could fix it, now that I'm aware of the problem, but why bother, right? Thanks for the review.

[kemmrich]

Newbie here. I tried to do my best a remember who was who when it came time to vote.

The Howling Monkeys: Dang, this is a pro sounding band. Everything is mixed solid and the vocals are freaking clear as can be -- VOTE. Love the funk -- some Tower of Power horn blast or two would have been righteous. Good lead break.

Paco del Stinko: I like the vocal styling here and when the music all comes in, it is pretty cool.

Sockpuppet: A lot to like here, but didn't move me enough to get a vote.

Ujn Mullet: Cranking up the compression! Sounds good, but I'll pass this time around.

Balls To Monte: Sort of a early Burrito Brothers type sound. Pretty good.

umm: Dang this was close, but the groove seemed to be a hair off. Although I don't care too much for this style, I thought it was pretty cool -- but I couldn't last too long.

Ben Bradley: OK tune, the "hook" didn't hook me. Seems to me that production counts here.

Ross Durand: Clean, well produced and good vocals. I'm calling this a post-modern blues song. I like some of the other tunes better, but I giving this one a VOTE. "Hard to keep moving -- but I'm scared to slow down".

Signboy+Friends: I think this is a good tune. Didn't care for the vocal style -- hard to get past that. The ultra-distorted guitar didn't work out for me either.

James Owens: Interesting approach. I thought it was pretty good -- for awhile. Got too monotonous for me.

Berkeley Social Scene: Nice production. Good song, pretty inventive. Liked the guitars, too. VOTE

Heipa: Very cool start. Took a long time to get to the vocals for a 3:29 tune. Good vocals even if they are mixed a little low. Couldn't understand the lyrics well enough to get a vote on this one. Needed a change of pace musically somewhere. Piano riff was cool starting around 2:32 or so.

Crack My Jaw: Was this the acoustic blues tune? Not bad, pretty basic blues. Nice change of pace at 1:12 or so. This was much more interesting than the blues part.

Crank Radio: Had promise, but I just find rap uninteresting -- unless maybe I can read the lyrics. Sounds pretty good, just doesn't mean much to me.

The Unfamous Jim: Wrong song???

The Weakest Suit: Inventive and creative -- didn't resonate with me though. Pretty dang good effort, though.

Moanin' Mississippi Fudge: downhome, sloppy blues about a raper/killer? It was OK, but maybe too much of the sameness throughout.

Doscientos: Wow, a wall of punk noise in 2009 -- cool. Songwriting didn't too much for me, though.

Jan Krueger: Soulful, semi-celtic rendition. Sounds pretty good to me. How many votes can you give out? Took quite awhile to get to the chorus, I think. Pretty decent.

Yngvi: The talking thing left me cold right away. Sorry, but it's hard to overcome that first impression. I amde it through the 1st minute, at least.

SomeGuyCalledNoel: At first I thought, uh-oh another plain guitar/vocal, but there is something about your voice that makes it all work. Good guitar backing, too. No vote this time, but pretty dang good.

Gooey Caramel Centaur: A lot to like here, I am not sure if the repeated title achieved the impact you were looking for. Nonetheless, pretty inventive and cool.

King Arthur: Interesting concept. Points for creativity and for maintaining focus. You should have broken out into a salsa, though.

forkbomb: Great intro. Good singing, good melody -- good diction (I struggle with that). Nice changes (VOTE)

Wages: I shouldn't (ha, ha), but I really like this one. Vocals are great. The lead electric guitar part is just too loud during the singing part. It is a mixing issue, but that's the way it is. Close to being great.

Kevin

[howling monkey]

the weakest suit - you're def going for a bit of a pop thing. the parts are all there. i think with this kind of music (esp when it's recorded with a drum machine), your rhythm has to be really spot on. keep it up!

moanin mississppi fudge - i like the sound you're going for. next time, smoke a carton of cigs and drink a fifth of old crow and the mood will be perfect. also, lower the voltage on your house so the guitar amps sound all fucked up.

king arthur - i love it!

ben bradley - the only thing i would change is "dirty bore" to "dirty whore." i mean, why not? and maybe somehow change "elks and rotary" to "fetish club"--don't ask me how. otherwise, it's great! I like the melody on the chorus.

doscientos - it's so nasty. it reminds me of a bar in east berlin with huge holes in the floor. ah, those were the days. drinking on a completely empty stomach and foosball. i can't tell if that's the real singer or if it's been pitch-shifted up. any way, i think i really like it. nice riff.

paco del stinko - i like it up until it gets happy with the drum machine. but i'm not a very happy person, so that may have a bearing on it.

ujn mullet - are those real drums? instant points for that. the idea is strong. lead vocals would be sweet panned dead center and really screamed. i think so anyway. something very "Jane's" about it. i like Jane's.

jan krueger - it's kinda like The Espers. not my favorite in terms of genres, but it ain't too shabby.

berkely social scene - it's got some loose edges, like in the vocals and guitar sounds, but it's gettin there.

sockpuppet - yeah, if you're gonna use a drum machine then use that beat! reminds me of cody chestnut. dude, keep it up. the playing and singing are a bit slop, but otherwise, lotta good stuff.

wages - reminds me of two dudes busking on the train. lyrics are a bit cliche. but that's coming from a guy who wrote "reach up and touch the sky" in his own song, so, well, there goes my point. fuck.

signboy and friends - those guitars--so naked. i feel embarrassed hearing them like that. like their guitar balls are hanging out, and i'm like, "dude, your guitar balls need some reverb or a garageband amp simulator or something."

james owens - i am not sure if this is for real.

crack my jaw - aww play dem blues. oh wait, now there are stars and galaxies. huh?

balls to monte - something nice about that opening chord progression. it's got like a 70's almond brothers thing, esp in the chorus. i don't know. I don't listen to those guys much. i eat almonds, though.

gooey caramel centaur - in 5? for songfight?! it makes my thinker meander too much.

heipa - yeah, as elsewhere said, nice change of pace. i like the textures and the trippy backwards sounds. but yeah, vocals maybe take too long to appear and when they do, they're a bit slow and low.

yngvi - it's hard to get through.

fork bomb - are those fake drums? they sound good. super strong concept. like it.

some guy called noel - yeah, i think i agree with whomever said this sounds like actual songwriting. very nice indeed.

the unfamous jim - it's a little too much: daddy, jesus, fording the river, dysentery. hmm.

ross durand - got a lot of cool stuff. i like the sounds, arrangement and the vibe. good work!

crank radio - white dudes with recording software.

umm - i get the audio heroin idea. feel like it need's to pull up it's pants a little bit.

[AJOwens]

AuthorsOf wrote:
. . . I believe your personal challenges are somewhat higher. . .

Thank you for a kind and thoughtful review -- although sometimes it felt more like a horoscope. I assume you are using "solution" in the MIcrosoft Visual C# sense, meaning "project." The MS usage is marketspeak though. If you're asking whether I plan to go back and improve this this song or others I've done, the answer is, "Not yet." I have many songs that I think are pretty good, but the recordings are not so good. Once I figure out how to make better recordings, maybe I'll re-do them properly. I may yet put the iffy versions up on a MySpace page, but I haven't decided.

kemmrich wrote:
Interesting approach. I thought it was pretty good -- for awhile. Got too monotonous for me.

Well, that's a review I can use. Too monotonous. I know how to do something about that. Thanks.

(EDIT: howling monkey (not The Howling Monkeys) wrote:)
i am not sure if this is for real.

I'm not sure how to take that.

[kemmrich]

Just found out about the lyric forum here for challenges -- I should have checked that out while listening to the tunes!!

Kevin

[Paco Del Stinko]

I made the vote deadline, and just past the wire for these comments. Good fight all around, let me know if you'd like clarification.

Balls To Monte - This could be part of a post Easy Rider early 70's road trip movie. I mean that as a compliment. The strumming, verb, and harmonies set it up nicely and somehow imply a nostalgic feel. The short length just makes me want more which is a good/bad thing. Super tune, keep'em coming.

Ben Bradley - This works better than it should, despite its under-rehearsed and reading off the notebook feel. There's a certain charm to it and it feels earnest. Fun tune, although not immortal.

Berkeley Social Scene - Yeah, the tropical Fraggle Rock hook is unshakable Martyr's voice sits right on top of it all nicely and what I think is doubled vocal tracks give a phasey sound without sounding, uh, phasey. The delay lead is totally 80's, right in the sweet zone that I love where it's a soaring and bittersweet thing versus a tapping and overdistorted squelcher. This is a good combo between pop hooks and jammage. Great work, gents.

Crack My Jaw - While the easy going front porch feel is fine, for a while, and makes sense in context, it's the heady middle section that is wonderful. Nice playing all around, and I'm not sure I can actually identify the gender of the singer or not. The ending makes me want to hear a big vocal wall of harmony. Well, maybe a little wall, but it'd sound nice.

Crank Radio - I like the distorted riffs but find the bassline wandery at times. Still, well put together and the vocals are pretty well delivered and performed with some good lines. The bridge is nice, and welcome, although I was hoping it would be even lighter and airier somehow. Nice work.

Doscientos - I dig the raw bish bash of this. I have almost no idea what you're signing but I don't care, as it fits in properly here. The ghost oo-oo-oos that may or may not be voices are ticklishly tasty. Sonically, I can't tell what instruments are real or from the digital realm. Great rocker.

forkbomb - That open string riff is a great intro, should be goofy, but isn't. Strong melody lines and coolo backing voices are keys here as well as the fantastic arrangement. Production-wise, it's big and powerful, but not as pushy and in your face as some of your past work may have been: nice. The end section reminds me of a modern day "Can't Always Get What You Want". Great song, contender for the win.

Gooey Caramel Centaur - I dig the loopy rounding riff intro and the chanting voices, although it all gets a bit jumbly before Bowie-ing out. There are many good ideas here and this is a song that could clearly benefit from more time to polish. That said, it's a strong and interesting tune that goes in good directions. Keep this one and spiff it up, maybe some splashes of backing vocals here and there, it'd be worth it. I'd do it if I wouldn't end up wrecking it!

Heipa - Almost asks for finger snaps, but this is cooler than that. Rain slickened cobblestone streets poking out from broken patches in the tar. he yellow dart of a taxi shershing by, steaming grates along the curb. Beautiful soundscape, you coud be singing about a hamster for all I know and it wouldn't matter. Superb music, more impressive for the bits that you play for real, but nice assemblage regardless.

The Howling Monkeys - Nice funk. Sounds like Robert Palmer more than anything. No, not those songs with the models all in black. Digging the syncopated feel and wishing for a drum fill here and there to add a bit of looseness. This would be a great song to play live, and hopefully you'll be able to do so. Easy-going melody and great playing.

James Owens - Yeah, this is Zappa-esque as someone mentioned. Can't go wrong there, typically. I like the vocal lines that almost don't end and the stuttery delivery is too cool. The instrumentation is very good, just could afford to loosen up the drums a bit with a fill here and there or change in pattern. But the songs tructure is complicated yet accessible. Very good work, sir.

Jan Krueger - Darker than it first appears this almost has a Medieval Cowboy feel at times. I like your voice in its lower register here and of course your harmonies are great. The simple rhythm accompaniment is appropriate and better than either nothing or some schoopa-schicka modern beat. Impressive as always, and a better recording than some of your earlier ones. Am I right?

King Arthur - Whoa. What the hell happened here? That's great although I am somehow frightened a little bit. It takes a minute to recognize your voice in there and I'm glad that I do, as it brings the comfort. And the cowbell. Ballsy and excellent work, big bow of respect to pulling this off.

Moanin' Mississippi Fudge - Well, the idea is right, sorta, if done sleazy enough. I don't know that you capture the greasy menace that is required to pull this off despite creepy themes. Maybe live with booze in a dank basement would work better. Push it further next time and get primal.

Paco del Stinko - Cowboy disco is how I heard this when it was done. I used the drum machine to keep it tight, but came out too stiff. Oh well, got to break out the baritone!

Ross Durand - This could work electric as well, I'm sure. But the acoustic approach is a wise choice, using electrics as accents. The Dylan/Cohen delivery is perfect and the lyrics are very good as well. The patient gait and simple layering is well done and is a natural fit. You're tops, Ross. Good work, sir.

Signboy+Friends - I'm not sure where this wants to go at first, but catch up to it soon enough. Feels a bit too thought out at times and not free flowing, but not unpleasant. Maybe a bit undercooked. I like the singers voice but would like some more variation on the melody. Again, needs more time in the oven. Good team, just wrong play this week.

Sockpuppet - Half awake is fright, although it sounds like you awaken as the song goes. I like the melody here and the beat that had it's caffeine fix before the rest of the outfit. I like how it gets sunnier as it goes and although wobbly, is fun and smile inducing. If I can remember, I'd love to do a version of this someday, if that didn't make you cringe.Good tune, although ends abruptly.

SomeGuyCalledNoel - Like a river flowing and so smoothly delivered. You're voice has a pleasant sadness to it and fits in organically with the guitar. Nice song, bittersweet, with more sweet than bitters. I'd love to be able to play guitar like that as well. Nice song, good melody, should contend for the win. Your music is very nice, and very real, but if you ever consider doing a cover, I'd love to hear you take on a Thanks For The Frisbee tune.

Ujn Mullet - Nice. Skanky and metallic without being clangy. Love the riff/progression and the simple but effective vocals, especially the back and forth between drawn out and machine gun delivery. Add this to tunes I'd love to jam live with, if ever we meet for Songfight! LIVE, Kept Cold In Canadia. Face punchingly good!

umm - Moody intro, the darker side of puffing the hoob. I like this, but would love it if I took a couple of big rips off of a bong. I no longer partake in such activity however. Still, the powerful drumming keeps the Master Of reality vibe strong and the lead section is great. Just ad a massive flange swirl and it's complete. PS: Let me know if you want me to send you a best song after a bong rip tune.

The Unfamous Jim - Nice tune. A bit scruffy and in need of tightening up, but great feel and good lyrics. Tune it up, tighten the loose nuts, and keep this one around. Doesn't need a band, although that would work as well, just more time to get cozier with it.

Wages - Nice moody feel here, and the layers are good, if sloppy. There a some good lines here and the sentiment works a dn comes across well. Like many of your tunes, you need to re-work them and/or record with a band. Yeah, I know you knopw that already. (We'll do another song someday, I hope, just too busy here) Could whittle a bit out of here and gain more punch if anything. Nice spirit.

The Weakest Suit - I like this and its attitude. Could afford maybe a small increase in BPM, although the feel here doesn't lag. Just maybe a bit more restless feeling up higher. Love the big power chords, typical, but effective. Nice ending that could be turned into a double time jam if, uh, that was your bag.

Yngvi - Pete Townsend meets Pee-Wee Herman. Pee-Wee Townsend. Mmmm...I dunno. I want to chuckle at this, but am unable. I am buying your accent and think that it's real, so hope that I am losing something in the translation. Nice piano stuff, whether dug up or performed. Shrug.

[king_arthur]

So I just stumbled across denyer's cover art for this song, and wanted to send my compliments! Brilliant!

Charles (KA)

[Authors Of]

Sorry guys, when I say the word "Solution" I am referring to "your way of solving the challenge." So to explain this our fight this week was called "Sometimes it's hard to keep yourself moving." A person's solution to this is what they submitted. I use that term from the Graphic Design program in college. We were given a problem to work with and each student had to come up with a solution and put it on the wall for critique. I think we're doing exactly the same thing here.

[signboy]

...you
guys are Waaaaay off key! That's the number one reason why I don't use that pitch correction!

I don't get it. I didn't use any pitch correction. Are you saying you don't use it because WE sing off-key?

those guitars--so naked. i feel embarrassed hearing them like that. like their guitar balls are hanging out, and i'm like, "dude, your guitar balls need some reverb or a garageband amp simulator or something."

This has got to be one of my favourite reviews ever.

[ujnhunter]

::points at Signboy's guitar balls::

[Jim of Seattle]

Hi all.

I'm still alive. I do care. I think about "this week I'm writing another SF song" just about every week. Seriously.
I just now found a flash drive on my desk that I've never seen before. That's weird. How did that get there?

Anyway, I miss all you guys. I'm taking a course in writing film music. I dumped all my iPods and switched the whole family to Zunes. We're all much happier now. Because Zunes are so much better. And their advertising budget is almost zero. So no one knows how much better they are. Because they didn't spend 3 billion dollars (actual figure) on advertising last year like Apple did. I'm trying to get a job on the Zune team. I still work at Microsoft. But not on the Zune team. Yet.

I've re-recorded/re-mixed about 5 of my old Song Fight songs. Welcome to Windows, Everybody Now, Gin or Ginseng, The Starfinger Show (from a side fight, now called The Chet Kincaid Show). OK, so I guess that's only four.

(sniff) I wish I were doing Song Fight again. (sniff)

[JonPorobil]

Hi all.

I'm still alive. I do care. I think about "this week I'm writing another SF song" just about every week. Seriously. I DID write a song for "Ottoman" about a year ago. Didn't record it before the deadline. It woulda won. Maybe.

I just now found a flash drive on my desk that I've never seen before. That's weird. How did that get there?

Anyway, I miss all you guys. I'm taking a course in writing film music. I dumped all my iPods and switched the whole family to Zunes. We're all much happier now. Because Zunes are so much better. And their advertising budget is almost zero. So no one knows how much better they are. Because they didn't spend 3 billion dollars (actual figure) on advertising last year like Apple did. I'm trying to get a job on the Zune team. I still work at Microsoft. But not on the Zune team. Yet.

I've re-recorded/re-mixed about 5 of my old Song Fight songs. Welcome to Windows, Everybody Now, Gin or Ginseng, The Starfinger Show (from a side fight, now called The Chet Kincaid Show). OK, so I guess that's only four.

(sniff) I wish I were doing Song Fight again. (sniff)

Jim, it sounds like what you need is to stop thinking about Songfighting, and start Songfighting.

(collaborations are available upon request)

P.S. Did you get the e-mail I sent you a few months back? I wasn't sure if you still use that address...

[ujnhunter]

Ha! I keep trying to tell everyone that Zune is the best... but 3 billion dollar ad campaigns are tough! I own two 30 gb O.G. Zunes and the Zune Pass is the best creation ever.

[HeuristicsInc]

The Starfinger Show (from a side fight, now called The Chet Kincaid Show)

Welcome back... yes, you should do some songs. So should I, for that matter, but this is not the time.
Why'd you rename the song? Who wouldn't want a song about Starfinger? And that one was a lot of fun.
-bill

[Jim of Seattle]

and the Zune Pass is the best creation ever.

A: What are you listening to?

B: The <band name>

A: I've never heard of them.

B: They're great.

A: (click click click) Hey, you're right! Thanks!

....Can't do that with an iPod. At least not for free. All musicians should have a Zune Pass.

[Jim of Seattle]

[quote="Generic
P.S. Did you get the e-mail I sent you a few months back? I wasn't sure if you still use that address...[/quote]

Yes I got it, thanks. That's pretty much why I'm here. That plus James Owens wrote to say people are confusing me with him. Gosh, can't imagine why. His has an S on the end. Clear as day.

[JonPorobil]

Incidentally, Jim, maybe you can post links to the re-recorded versions of your old songs (here or on your site)? I'd love to hear them, and I doubt I'm alone in that.

[Jim of Seattle]

http://www.jimofseattle.com/music/Gin_Or_Ginseng.mp3
http://www.jimofseattle.com/music/Everybody_Now.mp3
http://www.jimofseattle.com/music/Welco ... indows.mp3
http://www.jimofseattle.com/music/The_C ... d_Show.mp3