Reviews initially written with pencil in a notebook on a 7km walk yesterday, before the results came in (and edited slightly in retrospect for a couple). I've tried to include things here that I hope will be helpful to people, but obviously take what you think is useful and leave what you think is nonsense. I am merely one non-professional person reviewing ...37 songs.
Yo Mammy and the Fuzznuts,
Yo Mammy and the Fuzznuts
I really like the drums and the fuzzy instrumentation on this one. The melody sounds a bit too overly familiar for my liking, and the vox have a non-committal vibe, which is disappointing. The lyrics sound a bit like you made them up as you went along. If you commit more to improving the lyrics and vocal delivery and this would be a pretty fun song.
Pleased to meet you (introvert in disguise),
EmKayDeeBee
This is a nice song. Love the harp. The percussion is fine, and the little break where it drops out was an excellent choice, but then it starts up again the same as it was before; as a whole, the song could really benefit from some more dynamic changes instrumentally. To my ear, the way the vocals are mixed makes them sound a little nasal and strident. Lyrically, there are some things that come across as very "first draft". One land's flower is another land's weed; so your “I’m a flower not a weed” is a bit of an ill thought out line. The lyric about the lies doesn't feel connected to the rest of the song. Maybe you have context for it in your head, but it's not coming across to me, and directly contradicts with the "introvert in disguise" line, as what's a disguise if not a lie? If you were going for an unreliable narrator scenario deliberately, that's not entirely clear. (See Vom's song with his line about "lies" as a more solid example of an unreliable narrator.)
I Dream,
HandHammered
Your vocals have a nice tone but the whole production is messy AF. When I checked your liner notes so that I could actually figure out what the lyrics were, I saw your rule about only using first takes, and while that's nice in theory, it usually doesn't work in practice and mostly just feels like an excuse for laziness. Your double track is all over the shop and it muddies everything up and obscures the lyrics. This song would definitely benefit from some drums coming in part way through to give it a lift. Challenge wise, this is not remotely an introduction song, and if you want a non-American, immigrant-living-17445km-from-country-of-birth perspective, the AMERICAAAAA PATRIOTISM YEAH YEAH YEAH vibe is a touch ...bleugh.
My name is Melody,
Melody Klein
First impression of this song was that it was six minutes long in a big list of songs, but it's in keeping with your chosen genre and the whole thing is pretty enjoyable to listen to. The synth layering is lush. I can't always make out what the lyrics are, but for a song like this I don't care so much. I noticed early on in the song that however you've recorded or processed your vocals seems to be emphasising a bunch of mouth sounds in a not great way, so that might be something to look out for.
Dave is OK,
David G Harrington
This sounds like a super cheesy TV movie montage, which would be fine, except I get the impression that you don't realise and the musical decisions you made are entirely earnest. It's way too long and very self-indulgent, and personally I find the melody and chord progressions pretty clichéd. From a technical standpoint, the recording sounds like you're either not using a pop shield on your mic, or you've processed the vocals in a way that's really emphasising your hard consonants and mouth sounds, which is a bit off-putting. The lyrics sounded a bit inconsistent when I was out listening to this. Most of the song is in the third person, but there's one line where you you seem to flip out of that and mention "me". Looking back over the lyrics it seems that this is a "quote", but in just listening to the song without reading the lyrics that wasn't clear. Editing things like that, and just editing in general, would make this song so much better. Did I mention that it's way too long? One more note: in your liner notes, you say "Too many people are raised to believe they are victims these days and that is not a good thing." Don't talk down to your audience. Don't insult your audience. You weren't that direct in your lyrics, but even saying that in the liner notes is really squicky and unprofessional. Life is way more complex than that.
Don't count me out,
Governing Dynamics
Really great guitar sounds and nice mixing on this. The "count on me/count me out" line is clever and well delivered. I see in the lyrics that this is a line that changed during the production (but not in the posted lyrics). Count on me/count me out is a much better line than bet on me/count me out. It was nice to hear in the bridge you didn't go for the obvious rhyme after "colours you've never even"; I was fully expecting you to sing "seen" here, and going for "dreamed of" instead was a really good choice. The solo/instrumental goes on a bit but the ending of the song holds up. I would have liked to hear a bigger build up of instruments throughout the song.
Let me introduce myself,
See-Man-Ski
This is immediately a Seemanski song. It's a really good length and I enjoyed it, but I would like to hear you write something soon that's not so obviously about imposter syndrome. This is no doubt more about me than you, so take it with a grain of salt; I'm super glad more men are talking about their feelings because it's important and helpful, but I'm also getting sick of hearing men complain about imposter syndrome (most people I've ever known have some level of imposter syndrome, and I'm not entirely sure I'd trust someone who didn't). You make good songs, you're good at this, you don't need to be afraid that you're not.
I'm the one,
Little Bobby Tables
The "well-preserved" line followed by the F-bomb drop is super great and I love it. This is a sweet song with some nice harmonies. I'd like to hear a more polished version without all the people sounds in the background. I'm not sure if all those sounds were deliberate, but it's not really coming across that way.
Hello,
Lucky Witch and the Righteous Ghost
This is an excellent, really clever take on the theme. I've written down in my notes that the vox could use some doubles or harmonies in the bridge to beef it up a bit. I think the actual scream/name part is fine. I get what other people are saying about wanting it to be really crazy sounding, but I agree with you that it could actually be off-putting if you went full tilt. What I made a note of in regard to that is I'd like to hear some more eerie high end (or even really low end) sounds in the mix; I think that might be a better way to achieve that implied scariness than just doing a more off-kilter scream. I've also written down in my notes that there are some crackles/distortion throughout the song that seem a bit accidental. I don't know if something was clipping maybe, but you might want to have a look at that. Note: your refrain line/melody reminded me a lot of
Hello I'm Right Here by Tegan and Sara.
Spark Joy,
Dented Bento
Love the style of this, although in this instance I think it needs MORE cheese. The delivery on "electric guitars" is super sweet and I'd like to hear you lean into that kind of performance a bit more. Apparently I've written down in my notebook that I'd cut the last chorus.
Theme for The Dutch Windows,
The Dutch Windows
This was really enjoyable. The melody sounds familiar. I like the inflections where the melody goes up at the end of certain words. There's an acoustic(?) guitar in the mix (it almost sounds like you're strumming a tennis racquet) that I found a bit grating, but overall I thought this song was fun and I like it.
The thing about me is, who I am,
The Wizards of Vomit
This is weird because your instruments and mix sound so good, but your vocals sound like they were recorded through a cardboard tube with a mouth full of marbles behind five duvets. It must be a deliberate choice, and I wish you'd gone in a different direction with them. The song itself is pretty cute but even though it's not a long song, it feels really long. You could consider changing up some instruments or rhythms, or even cutting the last couple of chorus repeats and just going for a fade out instead. Fade outs aren't just for 80s radio anymore, I promise!
Pleased to meet you (I am your husband),
Boy on the Wall (ft Parle G Baby)
This is pretty cute. Interestingly, I enjoyed this much more when I was out walking and listening than I did when I listened sitting down at home. It's got a good groove to it. It sounds like you had fun making it and the mix is really nice.
Even if it's dirt,
Sober
I was a bit worried that this would get marked down because it really doesn't feel like an introduction song to me. Turns out that wasn't a concern, so congrats! I didn't write down much for this one, but I did note that the delivery on the "don't make that face" line is great.
We are Rackwagon,
Rackwagon
I'm very cross you're cut. Very cross. Yes, I'm biased, but even if I hadn't known you both for 20+ years and, you know, married one of you, I'd still be cross because I love this song. One of the judges mentioned something about you saying "imagine" with an odd inflection, which I've tried to figure out and cannot. Sounds exactly how we say "imagine". Accents hey. Sometimes words are pronounced differently in different countries and this is why arguments about scansion often grind my gears, because a lot of the time they come from a very US-accent-centric mindset. That aside, I have two technical notes and they are... Giz, that chair sound at the end of the intro section is frustrating! Don't reach for the stop button so quickly when you stop singing, just give it a second! Toshiro, you've got some harsh sibilance in a few spots; you've gotta go in manually and edit that in the automation even if you hate doing it. Manual automation for harsh S sounds is way superior to a de-esser plugin.
About Me,
Buka Chauney
I really enjoyed this. I made a note that the length is spot on. It does sound like you've got a bit too much reverb or something on the vocals, and my suspicion is that maybe you're a bit uncomfortable with your own voice so you're burying it in effects (been there, done that, wrote the book, etc.).
Forget all you knew,
Vom Vorton
This is my favourite song from the fight. I love it. Ticks all my boxes. The "honest man/liar" line turnaround is top notch. I also love the "learned a new chord" line. The last chorus could do with a more full-throttle delivery, but I still love it. This song made me happy.
King of the Gnomes,
Lichen Throat
Like many of the songs I hit at about this point during my walk, I wrote down that this one could do with being a minute shorter. I enjoyed it well enough, but it felt a bit like a run-on sentence. I wonder if leaving a few little instrumental spaces between the sections would help that, or even just changing up the instrumentation a bit here and there.
I am a robot,
Declan IOM
I really wanted to like this because
Humans is such an excellent show, but I was really disappointed by your focus on just the sex robot thing. It feels like a cheap take on the subject matter. The mix is super quiet and the tone in general is very one dimensional. I love me some experimental "art music" (just ask anyone here) but this song does not work for me.
The other Regis,
Regis Michelena
I love accordion. The accordion solo was definitely my favourite part of this song. The gang vocals from your family at the end are super cute and endearing. On the whole, this felt about a minute too long, and sounds to me a bit like a first draft that would benefit greatly from some editing.
Hey Sôjàbé!,
Good Guy Sôjàbé
The "eight beers later" and "conjugating verbs" lines in here made me smile. This is a fun song and it sounds like you had fun making it. You're still part of the One Minute Too Long club, but damn, those harmonies near the end are super sweet.
Disjointed but with porpoise,
Cavedwellers
I didn't like this much at all the first time I listened to it, but it's definitely one that became really enjoyable the more I listened. Good job! Still 1:30 too long.
We are Jealous Brother,
Jealous Brother
This was fun the first time I listened to it and continued to be fun all the other times too! The harmonies are lovely and the rhythmic change at the bridge is a winner. The "my mum was a banjo" and "avoid easy rhymes" lines still make me laugh.
P.O.S.,
Keen Observer
Oh god this is so fun and funky and I love it. It's so clever. Good job.
Screed of the Toothpick Man,
Giraffes For Wings
This is *very* John Darnielle, but luckily for you I love John Darnielle. Good job. I really feel for that toothpick guy. My only technical note is that some of the gang vox at the end sound a bit harsh in the mix.
I am beer,
The Brewhouse Sessions
I like sound effects in songs generally, but there's something about the sounds at the start of this that really made me uncomfortable. My notes summed this up as "ASMR yuck", for the record. I think that probably set the tone for how I felt about the rest of the song. The chord progression and melody feel generic and heavy handed to me, like it's a first draft that didn't get any editing. It's way too long. Not my favourite, sorry. You sound like you had fun making it though.
Half step away,
The Boffo Yux Dudes
Not a lot to say about this one. The lyrics come across as a bit passive, like you'd get that annoying paperclip telling you off for them in Microsoft Word. I found the autotune heavy-handed and distracting.
Celestial navigation,
Night Sky
I think I was getting close to home by this point as the amount of notes I wrote down for each song got drastically shorter. I don't love the melody in this one; it feels a bit generic. Your vox are mixed a bit too far back. I love the sax solo, but the other sax parts (I think it's sax?) with the short notes sound a bit farty (I'm sorry!) and I didn't really enjoy listening to it.
Awakenings,
Mystery Science Creator 3000
First note I wrote down says "HELLO". I liked this song. I have no idea what the lyrics were, so therefore no idea if it's actually an introduction song or not, but I just don't care because I loved the whole vibe. The high notes at the end are very swish. 5/5 Manos Hands of Fate.
Mostly I'm just me,
Menage a Tune
This sounds very much like a first draft. The lyrics don't all scan super well and it would definitely benefit from doing a few more takes.
My name is Jon,
Jon Porobil
The synth at the start is a bit loud for my liking, but it tones down and settles in pretty quickly. Love the harmony/delivery choices on "Hi Jon". This builds really well throughout, and your mixing has improved
dramatically since Nur Ein. Good job!
Middle age rock star,
Pigfarmer Jr
This is my favourite of yours for a while. The higher register is working for this, and I love the fake out solo at the end. It caught me off guard and made me happy every time I heard it.
Pleasure to meet you,
Also in Blue
This sounds so familiar, and I don't know if that's just because it's really good, or if it's reminding me of something else. I love the drone tone at the start and end. The general vibe feels like
Foy Vance meets the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.
The guy behind the guy,
Ominous Ride
Not my favourite genre personally, but this is well done.
Mountain home blues,
Hutch (shadow)
I'm a bit of a sucker for blues. It's a bit long, could do with a little more emotion in the delivery, and the vocals are a bit loud in the mix, but this is overall really enjoyable. Needs a harmonica.
All the robots,
All the robots (shadow)
100% here for this collaboration. I love Robot Micah voice. I feel like this is pushing you both out of your comfort zones a bit and it's super fun. Some of the high end sounds a little harsh, but I did just listen to a lot of songs, so who knows how accurate I am there.
***
Hot Pink Halo,
Hot Pink Halo
It me.
Last year in round 1 Nur Ein I wanted to make a fun pop song in round one and it just didn't coalesce properly. Thought I'd take another pass at it here and I'm super happy with how this turned out. I changed the drums and the bass part way through, which I think has thrown off some of the vocal timing, but there's only so much time in a day so I didn't redo them. I did the guitars last and was very unsure of the whole thing up until they were in place, but thankfully they tied everything together. I'm pretty proud of these lyrics. I've wanted to use "hero in a half pan" somewhere ever since I started writing songs, and now was its time to shine. I did not want to write an introduction song — this challenge made me very uncomfortable initially — but decided to write it as if I was a superhero character in a comic book, and I think this was a good way to go.
Have loved listening on repeat and seeing the live chat unfold. Sorry not to be able to be there live for the banter, looked like some great craic! (1am start time for me and I’m useless on no sleep 
)
