CITY BLOCK CITY (uh, block city reviews for you retards)

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:28 pm

Tell me ...er...us...US how great I am...I mean ...we are....

Miss Emerald · Post by **Miss Emerald** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:58 pm

Hoblit wrote:Tell me ...er...us...US how great I am...I mean ...we are....

Okay...I will.

Emmm...I have no idea how to even use a message board, and I've never reviewed before, but here are my thoughts on the subject.

Carol Cleveland Sings: This feels like a really long intro to a song. Not so much a song. Put in your drone tin drum cd and listen to the first song. when those synths come in DNNNN! DNNN!! DNNNNNNNN! I was thinking something like that was going to happen next, then it was over. It would probably make Sammy T happy to know I was trying to figure out what Bowie song that was until I remembered it was him. Also, you might want to work on your embouchure a little bit, because the clarinet was neither right enough nor wrong enough if you catch my drift. And make sure that reed's good and wet too! Lots of neat little sounds, which you know I love.

Level Nivelo: I think this song would achieve new degrees of success if you sang with a little more gusto, a little more flair/theatricality, a little more like a drunken cabaret performer. And maybe in a deeper register, with just a hint of despair if that's possible. That would make it just fantastic. Especially if there were fewer Block Cities cited lyrically.

Likely Lads: Mellencamp/Springsteen vox meet mid90's Empire Records Soundtrack slo-jam feel (sort of Gin Blossoms/Innocence Mission type pop). I wish there was a little keyboard part. A simple one. This song seems like the type to rely on its lyrics so I feel they could be a little fresher. We're all lost in this maze? hmmmm.....

Ice Weasels: Longing for a little more variation/development, maybe some vocal harmonies too. If somebody uses Reason (or something like it, which it sounds like you did), I feel they are obligated to make something kind of lush or complex, since they don't have to spend as much time recording, even though I can tell this was meant to be simple. Maybe this is my horrible bias. I know it takes a lot of time, but when you're a klutz like me a whole lot of time is wasted in the songmaking process knocking over microphones and tripping over cables and re-recording take after take, so that's where it comes from.

Luke Henley: The vocal performance in the first verse has a very delicate feel to it, which I felt should have been continued completely throughout the song, just because of the general vibe of the recording. The 1st chorus was not so good, the second time it was not so bad. I really enjoyed the harmonies on the second verse when they got some tonal distance. That sounds wanky, but I can't think of how to explain: I like the high notes? At the end of the second verse when there are so many Block Citys repeated, I would try messing with the panning a little bit, really spreading them out. Might sound poopy, might sound great, I'm no rocket scientist. Maybe some percussion on the first chorus, like a big suitcase and a shuttlecock in a cup or something minimal like that.

Historyman: That sound sounds like the little badgers or whatever they were who give advice to Banjo in Banjo-Kazooie. Maybe listen to Fingerprince by the Residents if you haven't already. I wish the big spooky choir-type thing at the end was a little bigger/mightier sounding.

Leablit: This style of music is not especially my thing, but everything seems pretty well-recorded. I guess, I mean I don't have a real hi-fi system or anything, but on my little computer speakers it sounds alright. What's that familiar melody in the verses sound like? It's going to drive me nuts 'til I figure it out. I really wish there was a big, gratuitous guitar solo a la Yngwie Malmsteen, I thought I was going to get it, but it went away after only 4 measures.

David 'Over: If I could get my hands on this song, I would take it and slow the tempo waaaaaaay down. Once all upbeat-ness was removed, I think it has potential as one of those grand weepers Tom Waits has been known to write (Jersey Girl, Hold On, etc.). Big ups for the whistling. What about doubling the whistle track and not putting so much reverb on one of them? I just wish this was a sad song instead of a happy one.

Poor June: It sounds so much like you start the song by saying "we've been farting" that I actually restarted the song 4 times. I think you maybe are getting a little too close to the Scott Stapp/Cher Syndrome. Just sing a little more naturally, and maybe the vocals would sound cool with a big (but not too echoey [is that a word]) reverb. There's a song by The Clientele called "Emptily Through the Holloway" of which I'm thinking. I don't really like that violin sound, it could use a little spiffing up, or have you considered the fake trumpet sound? If you don't mind something sounding fake, you may as well use a blatantly fake trumpet, because that usually gets way more awesome points than a fake violin. We hear those fake violins all the time. Also, that weird MIDI sound at the end sounds like it came straight out of the preset sound banks in Finale or Encore or something, and it is most displeasing to mine ear.

I don't really know who I'm voting for at this point. Possibilities include:
The Carol Cleveland Sings.
The Luke Henley.
The Somebody Who Will Catch My Ear At Some Point This Week, And Force Me To Vote For Them.

j$ · Post by j$ » Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:34 pm

Reviews. IMO. Written as I listen.

poor june - This sounds like a piano bar karoake session. Or a very drunk REM. Too many flourishes on the piano. Basically a nice tune. The vocals better recorded but more out of tune than usual. The casio violin is whack. Bad whack. Bare bones of a good tune but needs much work.

Level Nivelo - At the start, you don't sound like you're sure of the phrasing. I like the descending chords a lot. Needs more bass-end. Fun but comes across as inconsequential, even though the passive-aggressive nature of the lyric is set nicely against that.

Leablit - apart from the name sounding like something I really wouldn't want to catch, this is a killer groove. 'Ticky-ticky-ticky-tock'? heh, this is cool. I can imagine Beavis & Butthead doing the 'metal' sign and headbanging in the bottom of my Player screen. Which is a very good thing, as is this song!

Ice Weasels - Nice pulsing keyboard tone, although a little more variation to it in the verse would compliment the nice melody. This is straight off one of the early Human League albums. I like 'everything I touch turns to plastic' but not 'inconsequential shell'. Wanting a bit of a rock-out to kick in, but that might just be following on from Leablit. At very least a turn for the nastier would be welcome, as it is it is too long for what it is. Nice, though.

David 'Over - a split or a side-project? Pleasant studio knock-out jam feel to it, I guess. other than that, I don't like the drawl on words like 'Boy' and 'city'. Not bad, I guess.

History Man - Hmm, I love the tone on the kettle drum. Some interesting noises, but some which aren't. Also everything is a bit loud and hard panned. Lots of interesting ideas that feel undeveloped. Between 1:20 - 1:30 there is a really good Fun Boy Three / Captain Scarlet & the Mysterions Theme Tune song itching to get out. The rest is just padding to me.

Carol Cleveland Sung - and it was pretty. I love the trippy psychedelia meets 20s flapper jazz meets Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band feel, but this is the hidden track on the vinyl is it not?

Likely Lads - This needs some serious production on the individual tracks. Country rock needs to be practically over-produced to make it really work, in my opinion. Very Badfinger I guess. A bit plodding. A bit of variety to the drums might cure that. The vocals wander off the melody at times. No, sorry, I have to stop it now. There's nothing wrong with it I guess, but there's nothing that great about it either.

Luke Henley - Sloppy but in a charming way. I like this, a lot. Quirky, which I normally hate, but this time it sounds like a matter of neccessity rather than choice, which makes it OK. Needed to end at 3.00 or so. One verse & chorus too many.

Leablit wins this hands down. Luke Henley is chasing after them in second.

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:42 pm

Miss Emerald wrote:
Hoblit wrote:Tell me ...er...us...US how great I am...I mean ...we are....
1. Okay...I will.

2 .Emmm...I have no idea how to even use a message board, and I've never reviewed before, but here are my thoughts on the subject.

3. Leablit: This style of music is not especially my thing, but everything seems pretty well-recorded. I guess, I mean I don't have a real hi-fi system or anything, but on my little computer speakers it sounds alright. What's that familiar melody in the verses sound like? It's going to drive me nuts 'til I figure it out. I really wish there was a big, gratuitous guitar solo a la Yngwie Malmsteen, I thought I was going to get it, but it went away after only 4 measures.

1. Hey thanks...cool
2. You're doin' great
3. Thanks for your time. I knew that this song was a little heavier than the target demographic here at songfight! so I totally understand. The sound is meant to be 'big' but it works on little speakers too, so again thank you. I have no idea what the melody sounds like... but the rest of it is pretty much a rip off of Soul Fly. There originally wasn't going to be a guitar solo, but I ran out of voice for the half verse that was supposed to go there. So I just threw in some noisy guitar. Cop out? maybe. Functional? definitely.

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:47 pm

j$ wrote:
Leablit - I can imagine Beavis & Butthead doing the 'metal' sign and headbanging in the bottom of my Player screen.

Best. Compliment. Ever.

Leaf (on drums) + Hoblit (other stuff) = Leablit

jack · Post by **jack** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:04 pm

was Leaflit just too obvious

hey, good tune brahs...jack pumps his tiny fist

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:33 pm

jack shite wrote:was Leaflit just too obvious

hey, good tune brahs...jack pumps his tiny fist
.

I like your little easter egg text(s) and the lil' gifts you leave under your tree

oh, and thanks

Gazelles · Post by **Gazelles** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:34 pm

Reviews:
* indicates a keeper

Carol Cleveland Sings*: Wow this is really great. Wow this really strikes a nerve with me. I am absolutely loving this. My favorite Carol Cleveland Sings song? I love the ending where it gets all crazy with the windy whistling noisy. Fantastic job. 4 and 1/2 stars.

David 'Over: Well it's pretty standard boy and guitar (and tambourine.) It's pretty nice and I like the feeling you put into it with your voice. The lyrics are lacking a little. Charming little whistling section! 3 and 1/10 stars.

Historyman*: You're too quirky for your own good. This really awesome. Nice gong action! I could see you singing this in a hooded robe looking over your peons as they build you a monument or something. Nice job. 3 and 2/3 stars.

Ice Weasels*: I like your cute synth pop. You and Level Nivelo should collaborate. This song makes me pretty happy. Very nice job. 3 and 1/2 stars.

Leablit*: meTALLLLLLL. It almost feels cliche at the chorus but then the verses come in and all is well. This is really awesome. 3 and 4/5 stars.

Level Nivelo*: Level Nivelo is awesome. This is awesome. 3 and 2/3 stars.

The Likely Lads*: This is pretty charming. You've got a great vibe going in your music. It always hooks me right in. Some of those harmonies sound off (intentional clashes) but if it isn't intentional, it's still pretty good.
Maybe even better. Gets a little boring. You should add a guitar solo or a bridge. 3 and 1/2 stars.

Luke Henley: You show even more promise this week then last. Turn the mix up! Great lyrics. My favorite of the fight. The togetherness of it all is what really keeps this from being a keeper. The transitions are a little rough too. Great potential man. 3 and 1/4 stars.

Poor June: You're best piano song. Still sounds a little unoriginal at times however. Like you ripped the idea off someone not that good. But you really add some nice minutes like when you add the harmony piano near the end. Oooo, nice synth strings! I didn't notice that the first time I listened to this, bring them out a bit more. It gets better near the end. Very nice job. 3 and 1/3 stars

This fight was super fantastich. My favorite in a while.

1. Carol Cleveland Sings*
2. Leablit*
3. Historyman*
3. Level Nivelo*

BIOT · Post by **BIOT** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:24 pm

I don’t know how it’s done, but I was impressed by the lyrics coming up in my media player for the CCS song. The little things that impress!

mkilly · Post by **mkilly** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 12:46 am

I accidentally thought the title was Brick City, so that's what me and my friends made a song for, then FightMaster corrected me and didn't post it. So... Brick City, by Theophilus Monk (C. Emerson, S. Jordan, M. Kellis, T. Villalobos)

erik · Post by **erik** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:27 am

BIOT wrote:I don’t know how it’s done, but I was impressed by the lyrics coming up in my media player for the CCS song. The little things that impress!

What media player do you use?

Also, how is this done?

john m · Post by **john m** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:37 am

MusicMatch has the lyric feature; the artist would have had to open their mp3 in MM and enter them there. Other players probably do it too, but that's a common one.

WeaselSlayer · Post by **WeaselSlayer** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:05 am

Poor June: I have kind of a personal bias against most MIDI sounds, and for that I am sorry. Anyway, this song is really solid, but the vocals don't seem to match the vibe of the song. The vocals sound fragile, but with a sort of Vedderesque intonation that I can't quite put my finger on. It sounds a bit put on. Anyway, nice work all the same.

Carol Clevland Sings: This is really really really good. The arrangement of the instruments and the vocals is so playful but beautiful too. This is like the kind of song I wish I had the attention span to do, there are so many delicious layers to it and it just keeps building. The only problem is OH MY GOD WHY DID IT STOP!? It's such a great song, and it makes me very sad when it ends so suddenly. Also, I listened to this multiple times meaning to listen to the lyrics and just got distracted by the music every time. The lyrics are a bit hidden maybe, or I just can't focus on anything.

Historyman: The intro to this is very interesting, but when the vocals kick in I get very distracted by everything going on. It's kind of a fun trip, though.

Leablit: Hell yeah. This reminds me of when I used to listen to nothing but Gwar's We Kill Everything, and those were great times.

Ice Weasels: Well my foot's a-tappin' to this opening, that's good I think. It's good to hear a song where the lyrics are really in the forefront, but unfortunately these words didn't grab me that much. Still, this is a really nice contrast to a lot of these more complex entries. Do you listen to Brian Eno much? This reminds me of some of his poppier stuff, which I like very much. Actually, right where you sing "nothing could take me away from you," I really start to feel this mood you're setting. I like this much more as it progresses. Nice ending.

David 'Over: This doesn't sound like you're singing the way you really sing. I like the tambourine, but it doesn't really add enough spice to this piece. These lyrics aren't terribly stirring. And I'm glad someone else is whistling around these here parts.

The Likely Lads: I really like these kind of intros, the sort of indie rock roadtrip riff. I'm enjoying this a lot. The harmonies in the chorus have a great simplicity to them, very stable and rich. This seems very marketable.

Level Nivelo: Your work makes me smile, and I'm a scowling kind of bastard most of the time. The sort of tinny production of this compliments the song brilliantly. I'm a little upset that it ended so soon.

Poor June · Post by **Poor June** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:42 am

Miss Emerald wrote:
Hoblit wrote:Tell me ...er...us...US how great I am...I mean ...we are....
Poor June: It sounds so much like you start the song by saying "we've been farting" that I actually restarted the song 4 times. I think you maybe are getting a little too close to the Scott Stapp/Cher Syndrome. Just sing a little more naturally, and maybe the vocals would sound cool with a big (but not too echoey [is that a word]) reverb. There's a song by The Clientele called "Emptily Through the Holloway" of which I'm thinking. I don't really like that violin sound, it could use a little spiffing up, or have you considered the fake trumpet sound? If you don't mind something sounding fake, you may as well use a blatantly fake trumpet, because that usually gets way more awesome points than a fake violin. We hear those fake violins all the time. Also, that weird MIDI sound at the end sounds like it came straight out of the preset sound banks in Finale or Encore or something, and it is most displeasing to mine ear.

sorry bout the vocal thing... i was only able to get one take... before someone came in... so not the best take... the odd thing is when i sing naturally the eddie veddar,layne stanley, and scott stapp comments come a lot more... i sing at a higher tone usually to try to avoid that... not that it helps at all...
and uhm... sorry just used my keyboard for all the sounds... didn't really think nothin' of it... all it is... keyboard sounds... and a reverse track under the last chorus... and some extra stuff mixed into the ending... from my keyboard...
find it odd with all the samples everyone else uses... that my keyboard is that big a deal... i'll be sure to make piano only songs from now on...

(and i hate trumpets fake or not...) and the sound at the end was a reverse sound... mixed into the final chord...

Poor June · Post by **Poor June** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:47 am

WeaselSlayer wrote:Poor June: I have kind of a personal bias against most MIDI sounds, and for that I am sorry. Anyway, this song is really solid, but the vocals don't seem to match the vibe of the song. The vocals sound fragile, but with a sort of Vedderesque intonation that I can't quite put my finger on. It sounds a bit put on. Anyway, nice work all the same.

yea one vocal take i wasn't completely happy with it... but i wasn't able to get another one... i had been waitin' for my connection to start workin' again and when it did... i just sent it as it was... cause didn't know if it was goin' go back out...

(don't know much about midi... but i guess that's what they use for keyboard sounds... ?)

BIOT · Post by **BIOT** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:13 am

15-16 puzzle wrote:
BIOT wrote:I don’t know how it’s done, but I was impressed by the lyrics coming up in my media player for the CCS song. The little things that impress!
What media player do you use?

Also, how is this done?

I use Windows media 9. Common? Haven't seen it done before.

roymond · Post by **roymond** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:35 am

Leablit - I will gladly tell you how awesome you are: AWESOME!!!!!
And also really good. Especially the opening vocals, which made an incredible impression on me ... yes, I think back now and it sends shivers down my spine. I was all like "now this is heavy, woooo, not my thing? woooo heavy awesome heavy. Man this guy can SING! Who is this, some newbie from Cananda?"

HAHAHAHA little did I know. OMG!

This rocks, guys!

j$ · Post by j$ » Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:02 am

mkilly wrote:I accidentally thought the title was Brick City, so that's what me and my friends made a song for, then FightMaster corrected me and didn't post it. So... Brick City, by Theophilus Monk (C. Emerson, S. Jordan, M. Kellis, T. Villalobos)

That'll teach you for not reading the post directly after yours in the prefight thread, Marcus ... I warned you!

Theophilus Monk This is great. Who is playing your sister? Very interesting, and a pleasant little groove that builds up over the song. I think you could have entered it by just changing the name (you mention blocks at least once, and Lego is perfectly valid. Had I entered, my song would have been about living in 'Lego Star Wars' Cloud City). I like this a lot. It could end comofrtably at 1.50 - the extended instrumental doesn't add much apart from length. But this would have come second only to Leablit in my personal 'Block City' top ten.

j$

vanilla ike · Post by **vanilla ike** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:47 am

mkilly wrote:I accidentally thought the title was Brick City, so that's what me and my friends made a song for, then FightMaster corrected me and didn't post it. So... Brick City, by Theophilus Monk (C. Emerson, S. Jordan, M. Kellis, T. Villalobos)

on more than one occasion i have heard/read this "accidentally though the title was......"
......really.....i mean, come on man........how the hell does that happen?

Poor June · Post by **Poor June** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:01 am

vanilla ike wrote:
mkilly wrote:I accidentally thought the title was Brick City, so that's what me and my friends made a song for, then FightMaster corrected me and didn't post it. So... Brick City, by Theophilus Monk (C. Emerson, S. Jordan, M. Kellis, T. Villalobos)
on more than one occasion i have heard/read this "accidentally though the title was......"
......really.....i mean, come on man........how the hell does that happen?

i think it's called quick glances

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:10 am

roymond wrote:Leablit - I will gladly tell you how awesome you are: AWESOME!!!!!

This rocks, guys!

a big THANKS! for all of those kind words mah do0d!

Fried · Post by **Fried** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:23 pm

This is my opinion. If you disagree, fine. If you agree, fine. If you don't care, even better.

Carol Cleveland Sings: This whacked, in a good way. It could be more dynamic. Over all pretty creative. Grade B.
David 'Over: Dude, you are trying too hard to sound grungy. It almost sounds like a parody. What I want, what I want is your vocals to be less forced. Nice use of the tambourine in lieu of no drum. I think It should be throughout to have a consistent rhythm section. Grade C+.
Historyman: I am not sure what to make of this. It is interesting. I like the gong. The rest of it is like a fly buzzing my ear. Now it turned tribal. Hmmmm. Back to the bugs. Grade C+.
Ice Weasels: Interesting intro. I hope the whole song is not like this. You need to add a sitar. This could work. I hear the idea. Very boring as it is. Grade C.
Leablit: Drums are excellent.. Vocals are good until the screamy/yelly vocals. They need more verb in that part for me. Nice change up. So far this song rocks. Yep, this song rocks. Grade A.
Level Nivelo: I ...ummm... I know I've like things you have done. This is not a favorite. Not a bad song, just not real good too me. Grade C
The Likely Lads: The instruments are pretty good. Love the feel. I can't say I am a fan of the vocals. They are pitchy at spots. The lyrics don't make much sense too me. Grade B+
Luke Henley: This feels like a half effort. Grade C-.
Poor June: Nice piano as usual. The vocals needed scrutiny. I love your lyrics and feel but the vocals are distracting. They are not all bad, just needs tightening. Grade B

Leablit gets my vote. Best all around.

CITY BLOCK CITY (uh, block city reviews for you retards)

CITY BLOCK CITY (uh, block city reviews for you retards)

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Re: CITY BLOCK CITY (uh, block city reviews for you retards)

Re: CITY BLOCK CITY (uh, block city reviews for you retards)