The pain, the pain! (on a scale of 1 to 10 reviews)

[Kip Lightning]

"""I haven't heard a scream that good since The Beatles covered "Twist and Shout." """

Wow!!! I cant tell you what a huge compliment that is to me. Ive always loved the Beatles and a good rock scream---and I try to explain to my daughter how incredibly intense and punk-rocky "twist and shout" is but I don't think she gets it yet.

I intend to jump genres next week so well see how that goes.

Thanks again, that made my day!!!!!

[Smalltown Mike]

Sorry — only have comments on a couple songs that struck me.

Berkeley Social Scene

This is a really great song. Everything sounds great. Nice laid back drum sound, nice thick bass, great solo near the end. I know you've taken flack for the "Is it a 3, is it a 10" line, but I actually like it. The chorus is tremendously catchy, great bridge. I think your vocals work better in the later verses when there's a little bit more force behind it, but I like this one a lot. I could really see digging an album of songs like this in certain situations, rainy days, certain situations.

Lightning Shark
This is a great song. Liked it right away. I do think the bridge could have kicked into something more, but I guess I like that you went the other way with it. Love the shortened last verse with no chorus. Great tune.

Paco del Stinko
Excellent. Agreed — the solo rocks. Groove is great. The lyrics are great and brings it right home at the end.

Paul Hubert
This song is nice and all, but the "On a scale of 1 to 10" line seems to come out of nowhere every time. I mean it's in the same place, and follows the structure, but what does it mean? The whole song is this uplifting fight-the-power type song, but the call to action is … rating something on a scale of one to 10? Or choosing something on a scale of 1 to 10? I don't really get it. In other words, I liked the song enough to get bothered by the line each and every time, so that's good, right?

[Paco Del Stinko]

Thanks for the reviews, people. I will definitely get on the stick and write some. I am flattered at all the guitar solo talk, I thought it was just another toss one in there thing.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Berkeley Social Scene - This is a great team. I like the Berkely gang as backup band. Very good vocals and acoustic on top of the tasty keys. Who called in David Gilmour for the lead? The melodies are easy to take and jusy heady enough.Top notch.

Darrick Lucas - Good idea for vocals if not completely successful. The instrumentation is pleasant and arranged nicely. The song wants to wander a bit but keeps its focus, mostly. Gotta cringe a bit when the you are an eleven comes by. Also must comment on the title, but you know that now. This is a good scratch pad to buff up later. Or not.

For Rachael - I could neither stream this nor have it play after downloading.

Grill Shotz - I dig the guitar loop/hook at the start. Excellent vocal delivery and the UH! is classic. Party gang is sloppy fun. Hi-hat might be a little too crispy. Excellent riffage and great cruising with sunglasses at night vibe. Not that I would do that or condone such a thing but, you know. Mike's distinctive voice I know, the others, not.

James Owens - I love the dark, traditional feel here. A banjo or mandolin way back in the mix might be sweet, but this needs little if anything. The flute is a pleasant surprise and I remember you saying you played one, prior to your mentioning it again. I must say that your vocal is especially convincing here, lots of feel and that's what really pushes this song up higher. Most excellent.

Ledford - Kinda Kermity at the start. I like the 80s guitar and synthy throb. Drums could use a little more snap. This song is a bit goofy, but not to the point of absurdity. Perhaps a little more gusto on the vocal just to nudge it closer tho the top. Points for using a zero in your scale...like me! Somewhat tossed off feeling, but I like the happy vibe it has. You could shave a little time off of this for more snap.

Lightning Shark - Yeah, this song is great fun. You can almost smell burning ozone. I'd say the chorus is more Sonic Youth than Pixies, but either way is a win. LOVE the brief change at the end, makes me want more. This is one of those songs that you must repeat as soon as it's over. Keep'em coming, Kipster.

Paco del Stinko - Big premise: Count down from 10. Ooo, daring! The bridge is based on a childhood experience when I first saw naked older girls, and one was named Rachel. The rest is made up. Lead is on my Telecaster, neck and then bridge pickup, through my old (70s) Fender Champ.

Paul Hubert - What happened to Ross Durand? Sounds recorded in a room, but that's not important. I really like the Dylan-esque movement and how the chorus evloves into the scale of... lines. Sweet. You could go another round here and not wear out your welcome. This is way worth kicking around some more, a keeper.

toby roktot - There is a pretty good song buried in this sratchpad. It's a messy recording, but is a good start to develop further. Grateful Deadish. I'd like to hear this after it's fixed up, but I get where you're going here.

[AJOwens]

Thanks for the reviews, Paco! And I don't own a mandolin or a banjo, but you know what, I just might someday. . .

[AJOwens]

Wow! The most votes I ever had before was 20, and that was for a fight with 22 entries, and I was in the top four. The two-vote-minimum rule seems to be having a positive effect.

Congrats, Darrick. And BSS -- nice job!