Balance Lost Probably the tightest bagpipe playing that I've ever heard, but I'm sure it's keyboard work. Or guitars. Or both. Wait: there's no bagpipe? Well, maybe there should be. Yeah, you're on a roll here. Melody, energy, unintelligable lyrics. I've (now) long been a fan of your guitar playing, I could not begin to imitate your style. Dig this tune very much, I have nothing to suggest for improvement.
Berkeley Social Scene I dunno. This sounds great, is well played but it's very moody, even mopey. I like the chorus enough but am not dragged into the song. It improves after several listens but wasn't posted on day one when I heard the fight no less than five times. Anyway, I think this is an album cut, not a single. If I were to do anything to it, I'd repeat the end chorus one or two more times and layer in counterpuntal guitars to try and send it off high, wanting you to come back and visit again.
Billy and the Psychotics I understand the criticisms of no hook. It's plenty melodic throughout, it just doesn't stick to your coconut too long afterwards. But the song is wonderfully arranged and peformed (except the guitar solo
) Great dynamics and the clean guitars are tasty sweet and D's harmonies are tasty good. My only suggestion would be to stretch out the quiet bridge a tad. Of course, we can do that live...right?
Bombernaughts Is this a McChicken production? Noticeably absent from this week's fight after recent comments about extended dance tunes. Hmm. Pefect for club scene stuff, where I don't go. The chorus is ctchy, almost annoyingly enough to be professional. Well produced and pulled off, this is good work. I would add a scary Joey attack in there: screaming guitar solo or synth torture. But that's me and I don't always understand.
Chocolate Chips This is good for the quick toss-together that you did. I'd have a HUGE bass (synth,stringed,whatever) come sliding in right after the frst time you mention Joey. Maybe the beat could wait to start at that time, too. Catchy, this might be worth your time to re-examine later.
Cody Walker Jr. Well, if you wanted to, you could work this into a fine tune as the skeleton is good. The lyrics wimp out as they go, and I understand that you winged them, but the concept is there. But the downhome feel could sell this if re-worked. I like how you repeat please at the end, this could be secret hook attack in your re-do.
Finding Nemoy I could only suggest working on some phrasing during lines (from the guy who has terrible phrasing) and adding some kind of descending bassline. I don't know where it'd go to, but I think it'd work. The bassline, that is. Sounds nice otherwise, that great bittersweet feel that you pull off so nicely.
glennny Gee, jazzy guy lately, eh? What great playing throughout. Are the keys done live? That's impressive, Glenno. I have been thinking for weeks that I'd like to do a guitar/voice solo but keep forgetting, but now can't after you did. Bastard! I'd only suggest working vocal delivery, as you probably know, but good work here. Maybe perfect a chorus, line by line, and cut and paste it.
Gregg Boethin I can't hep but want to hear this a BPM faster, I think it'd tighten it up a bit. But then, again, it'd lose that wobbly feel. But perhaps there's too much wobble. Or muddy bottom. Some simple backing vocals might fit in here, staggered in between the main lines. I dig your Stonesy southern-ish rock and Monks Of Doom vocals, this would punch harder with a real band.
G.U.N.S. Niv from outer space? Kind of a soft production, it would tear your face off with a more aggressive attack, with that synthy rhythm line and fuzz guitars. The guitar solo is wonderfully Glenn and shows his Alex Lifeson side at times, but the backing track loses some momentum during that section. Maybe even jast a faster hi-hat during the lead to keep things propelled and soaring.
The Hiss Brothers I like the no bullshit progression and especially how it gets flipped around, intentionally or not. Needs some backing vocals, not necessarily harmonized, but a mob of goons on the line about Joey not just at the end. Stagger them at the end. I like the guitar sound until after the lead. Then I don't care for it. Weird. Kudos for real drums.
Klownhole I love the progressions here and the underwater backwards whale sound guitar is great. And, thankfully, the distorted bass is not absent. Sweet, sweet neck-punching. I'd like to hear a quiet breakdown, gentle dynamics, and maybe a creepy narrative about Joey, rebuilding into an explosive return of the main progressions. And screaming.
Paco del Stinko Yes, I wrote the title down wrong and wrote lines incorrectly as a result. Strat through Portly Cadet as main guitar and real MOOG lines. I miss my real drums.
Everybody know where the Ocean State is? No peeking!
Psychic Soup This sounds nice, and all, but seems like a song made for one person to listen to while walking and wearing an ipod. Know what I mean? Is it dance music? I dunno. Re-submit next week with whatever the title is and you'll be all set!
Public Porking I see you labeled this demo amd that's good, cuase this is just a very rough draft, obviously. There're nice hooks here and bits of tasty melody. I love the progression and that weird clangy sound that comes and goes. The instrumentaton is a nice combo, clean guitar and distorted bass. Man, this song'll be fun if you work on it. Dynamics, odd lyrics. I can only suggest you do just that. Practice all the parts, tighten them up. re-record. Let us know, ok?
What Tribe Moody, Pink Folyd/Radiohead-ish at times. I'd like to hear this pushed further out into space during the verses and maybe a select chorus that leads into a bridge or something: echoes, layeers, maybe flanged...something. Maybe a quiet breakdown. If not, whittle a minute off of it and work on the backing vocals.
WreckdoM I wasn't sure this was you guys at first, until the vocals came in. I agree with whoever said they'd vote for this if it were still single vote days. Great story, funny, and that heady supporting track is sweet. There's a lot going on with guitar lines and sax sounds. I'd only suggest tightening up the vocal phrasing and maybe the guest vocal delivery. Could have a bit more ham involved, but not to the point of a deli platter. Great work.