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Post by Felix Frost on Jul 5, 2012 9:44:38 GMT -5
I LOVE They Might Be Giants. Lol I'm so easily influenced XD Thanks
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Post by alyssaday on Jul 5, 2012 17:49:54 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the reviews. Denise is a pro, but I'm new to the game. Therefore, I really appreciate the criticism. I am so glad you all liked my vox. I wouldn't have sounded nearly as good without Den's master mixing skills and amazing instrumentals. I am all to blame for the lyrics. I will be better for next round if I get the chance.
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Post by redwatcher on Jul 6, 2012 1:50:20 GMT -5
I finally get to listen to everyone's songs! And this was a good round.
(For those who don't know, I'm part of Menage a Tune with JoAnn.)
I know my partner would prefer to hear songs with clearly-sung lyrics, but listeners should know that I have a very different taste. I guess I love avant-garde kind of stuff, which makes it very interesting to work with Menage a Tune. For example: my top five pick, the most interesting to me, are--
Francis Wms. - Redundant Redunit Felix Frost - Leaving Lyman's Liquor Store Army Defense - You're Not Paid "BucketHat" Bobby - On The Pogey Jeremy Lambright - Empty Spaces
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I have short reviews for every song, but they aren't more than a sentence worth...
But yeah, I think everyone did a really good job.
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Post by caravanray on Jul 6, 2012 7:54:30 GMT -5
Vote: Ross Durand – I’m Lyin: Nice story. Great platform for a song. Best approach to the theme here. I love the lines: “They said they had to let me go But I don’t know where So I came back here and I just know I won’t be goin’ back there”
I would have like to have seen that passage been made the main lyric hook. I think it is better than what you used. It gives such a great “I’m confused – things are happening to me and I am not the cause” pathos to the singers voice. Still – great story, told well. It seems we both played to our strengths this round Ross. I just wish I had a better strength than dumb sing-a-long choruses and verses about my penis.
Godz Poodlz - Great day at BigMart: This is good. Nice production. Good delivery. Echo-y “Hello” – awesome! Possibly the percussion backing is slightly too high. Cool song. I am very impressed.
heather miller - Not gonna miss your face: I like this song very much. Great lyrics. The lyrics sound so personal. Dosen’t matter if it is all true or not – it certainly sounds authentic, and that is all that matters. I just wish you had waited till you got off the toilet before pushing the record button. That bathroom echo is not good.
Mariah Mercedes – Ending: Hmmm…it is the ubiquitous breathy sounding sheila with a guitar. Really getting pretty bored with the whole Angus and Julia Stone type thing which seems to be everywhere nowdays – but I must admit, upon resisting the urge to click straight past this, I actually did enjoy it quite a bit. It is a very good song very well performed. Need work on the mix – your guitar is fighting for the same space as your voice. Don’t look to my song for hints on this – I am guilty of exactly the same error.
David Ritter – Graveyard: Awesome. Great job. Simple song – done well.
The Rest:
Wait What - Middle Management: Like the “middle finger” line. Like the backing vocals. And while there is nothing big or clever about being potty-mouthed and I do not want to encourage that type of behaviour – I would vote for this - if I could vote for 6
Emperor Gum - Pygmalion: I like this. It is not perfect. It is a bit rambling and unfocused. Probably too long for the sparse sound. Your voice is sometimes a little off. But I enjoyed it. It reminds me very much of one of my favourite Sonfight collegues, the wonderful Furry Pedro. Are you aware of his work? I recommend it to you. He records as Carpetburn or Balance Lost/Balance Regained or part of the Worldly Self-Assurance
Milton - today’s the day: Nice work. This is pretty cool. Great sparse arrangement…..up to 2 minutes. Get in and out quick. This is a good sharp 2 and a half minute song. 4 mins is too much. But…cool chorus – editing is your friend.
RC - Goodbye Everybody: Excellent production and performance. Not really my thing – but very well done
Army Defense - You’re Not Paid: This is not at all unpleasant. Pretty good really. Good job.
EvilBist - The Beginning of the end: Great song. There is a lot good about this. Vocals is not one of them
Trader Jack - Last Day: Cool synth. Pointless song. But at least it sounds good. So that is OK by me.
Menage a tune - Crowning Glory: I dunno. It sounds great – no denying that. But I am wondering why ancient Egyptians are singing a rousing celtic jig. OK – I am a petty bastard – I do not deny that. And I was accused of exactly the same thing a year ago when I wrote an Icelandic saga to the tune of a jaunty Irish jig and some prick who I wont mention but his name rhymed with “Dross Rurand” said the music didn’t sound Norwegian or some crap. So – my final assessment is - no I don’t really like it, but thank you for showing me what is also wrong with my own songs.
Glen Raphael – Naked: This is a bizarre. Excellent production and performance – and a nice song…until the preoccupation with nudity kicks in. Hey – don’t get me wrong, I’m with you bro. I am typing this naked now. But – there is a time and a place for everything dude.
boffo yux with frickin chris cogott - The ballad of JJR: I like the sound of this – but have no idea what the subject matter is about, so it is not really very entertaining for me. I am obviously not your target audience here – so, carry on.
Governing Dynamics - Swing Shift: This starts off wonderfully – and then sadly degenerates into some bland Matchbox 20-style American nothing-rock. Shame.
Jeremy LAmbright - Empty SPaces: Good job. Not my cup of tea – but I know quality when I hear it.
Hudson and Day - It worked out: Hudson already knows I am a big fan of her voice. Am I right in guessing that the lead here is Day? If so - Day also has an excellent voice. I really dislike the song though. I hope you don’t get knocked out. I would love to hear something good by you girls.
Chocolate Chips - My own boss: After listening to some 25 or so mouthy bastards rabbiting on about crap , it was refreshing to hear a song more lyrically restrained. This is not bad. It almost works really well. Almost. Love the reverse guitar beat thing before “Im my own boss now”. This is a grower. In 10 years – I will vote for you. It needs some build up with strings pads towards the end.
Eliminate:
The Orion Sound - Praying: This all a bit messy and untidy vocalwise. I quite like the sound of the song – but I don’t really understand what you are singing about, and have an uncomfortable feeling it all sounds a bit racist. If I am wrong there – I apologise. As I said – I really don’t understand what it is about.
Jailhouse Payback - Escalator: Not bad. But not particularly good. Pretty dull really.
BucketHat Bobby - On the Pogey: Appalling backing music. If you want to do a song like this – for F-s sake – give it some feel. I really hope there is some sort of irony here that I don’t understand – because it sounds a bit pissweak. Why is an American singing Scottish slang with a fake Irish accent? I understand you are singing about America – but the song just doesn’t seem to make sense. I was hauled over the coals recently by a French Professor (g’day Noah) for singing in French in a recent Nur Ein – trust me – don’t do it if you can’t be convincing.
Gorbzilla - The Last Day: Sounds a bit like Tuesday down at the local open mic night. About the time I go outside for a fag.
Felix Frost - Leaving Lyman’s Liquor Store: Nice attempt at diversity. But you have really only succeeded in being annoying.
Alex Boyd - That Bastard had it Coming: When I hear a ukulele all I feel is an overwhelming urge to jam it up the players arse. Buy a proper guitar and stop trying to perpetuate the myth that whiny people playing toy instuments are interesting.
Rats of the Sky - Two weeks Notice: Generic backing music, dull lyrics and uninteresting delivery. Your production is very good – but that is not enough.
Edric - Death of a Meme: Wow. Camp as a boy scout jamboree. Needs more maracas.
Francis Williams - Redundant Redunit: No
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Post by davidritter on Jul 6, 2012 8:51:01 GMT -5
Maybe it's just the Asperger's in me but reading negative reviews of my work is really difficult.
Flipping off the screen helps me a little. Any other suggestions?
Great songs this round people. Great songs.
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Post by joanninva on Jul 6, 2012 10:14:28 GMT -5
CaravanRay- the beat to Crowning Glory was based in part on a traditional Egyptian drum pattern, 1/1-2-3/1-2-3/1-2. Not too sure why you thought it was Irish- I have around 20 albums of Irish, Scots and English folk songs, but didn't hear them in this song. My apologies for saying you sing like a pommy bastard *grin*. Feel free to go hug a wattle, or have some pea soup with a meat pie floater to cheer yourself up.
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alvis
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by alvis on Jul 6, 2012 10:57:41 GMT -5
boffo yux with frickin chris cogott - The ballad of JJR: I like the sound of this – but have no idea what the subject matter is about, so it is not really very entertaining for me. I am obviously not your target audience here – so, carry on. [/font] [/quote] Sometimes I get pulled up short when I realize how USA-centric we 'Mericans can be. Being 1/2 a world away, I can see why you wouldn't know much about this... Basically, perhaps the most discussed new item here as of last Thursday is our Supreme Court's ruling on President Obama's hard-fought and controversial health care initiative. In extremely broad strokes, the Court has 5 judges who people expect to vote conservatively, and 4 who skew liberal. As "Obamacare" is considered a more liberal initiative, it was expected to be struck down by the mostly-conservative court as unconstitutional. But Chief Justice John Roberts surprisingly sided with the more liberal 4 and the law was upheld, for the most part. The left is delighted and the right is furious, and JJR is somewhat of punching bag currently for disgruntled conservatives. We tried to go for "political but not partisan" here, but yeah, it certainly helps to know what the frick we're talking about...
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alvis
New Member
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Post by alvis on Jul 6, 2012 11:10:54 GMT -5
Maybe it's just the Asperger's in me but reading negative reviews of my work is really difficult. Flipping off the screen helps me a little. Any other suggestions? Great songs this round people. Great songs. I hate it, too, but don't let it stop you or get you down too much. It helps to get to know the personalities here a bit more and play "consider the source"; some judges are tougher than others or just might not be on your wavelength. Others will "get it" and some will offer truly constructive help. If you stick in long enough you'll get enough nice comments to keep you going (JoAnn!)...and the folks here at Spin Tunes are pretty nice on the whole (Denise!). It helps to be a wiseass sometimes as well, so cultivate that. If it gets to be too much, turn off your screen, mutter "ah, these people are all ass clowns" and go do something else for a while. Then come back and bring it!
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rc
New Member
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Post by rc on Jul 6, 2012 11:22:19 GMT -5
Finally had some time to jot down a few thoughts. Or is this not considered jotting anymore?
Caravan Ray - Catchy as hell, total earworm. Couldn't love it more if it made me dinner.
Governing Dynamics - Great guitar sounds, although they buried the drums a bit at times, maybe? Whatever, another catchy rock tune, which the world ALWAYS needs more of. Verrry nice!
Francis Wms. - While I am not the audience for this sort of thing, it has a hypnotic quality that I kinda liked. Plus, it didn't go on for half an hour, like others of this ilk seem to do.
RC - What the hell is this?
Mariah Mercedes - While it's pretty harsh lyrically, the performance... "charming" is probably not the right word, but it does soften the blow a bit. Dynamic in all the right places. This is still growing on me. Liking it a lot.
Jailhouse Payback - Love the loping groove of this, nice background vocals, and the chorus lifts the proceedings in a cool way. Simple but effective.
Edric Haleen - In the alternate universe where Evita got fired instead of dyin', this could have been the big number. It kind of defies my criticism. So I will salute and back away slowly.
Felix Frost - I always enjoy this sort of thing. The degree of casual invention here, idea after idea shooting by, is impressive. I'd quibble with the mix at times, but why bother? More, please.
Army Defense - Kind of John Lennon meets Big Star without Jeff Lynne there to mess it up. Like the sound and the feel, and yet something doesn't quite connect with me... it's not you, it's me.
Alex Boyd - Everyone knows that the only way ukeleles and workplace violence mix is if you actually hit somebody with the ukelele. Anyway, it seemed like chord progression- and melody-wise, this could have gone somewhere more interesting after the title line, rather that stopping dead and going back to the repeated I-IV thing. It needed something more.
Glen Raphael - While I think I understand the whole "naked" thing vis a vis the last day of work thing, but I'm not sure the lyric made that connection - the verses and the chorus could've come from two different songs lyrically. Musically, nicely melodic in a Cat Stevens sort of way.
Milton - Someone else compared (I think) Felix Frost's song to TMBG, which, some parts yes, others not so much. But this puts me much more in mind of early TMBG, and I like it much more than I probably should. Well played, sir.
Menage a Tune - Early Split Enz do music for a spaghetti western? Have to be honest, while I enjoyed listening to this, I have no idea what to make of it...
Rats Of The Sky - Again, not the target audience for this, but this sounds like an awfully nice slice of early 90s style. Enjoyed it.
Wait What - This song doesn't care what I think of it. It doesn't care what anyone thinks. Any song that says "rectum, yum yum" is only out for itself. It did make me chuckle, though.
Ross Durand - Love this approach to the topic, love the song itself, love the harmonica... well, c'mon. I love it!
"BucketHat" Bobby - While my first impression was that this was the Irish Drinking Song round of Whose Line, but it wormed its way into my heart. The "giving money to the govermint" line is prime.
Hudson and Day - Another one that sounds nice, but that I'm just not connecting with. The vocals are swell, but their constant bluesy infections just seem to clash with the major seventhy electric piano backing, and structurally it kind of just meanders. Pleasant but ephemeral.
The Orion Sound - A spirited performance (see what I did there?) if sloppy at times. Thematically kind of at a tangent to the last day of work thing... but that's not for me to judge.
Emperor Gum - A nice 80s-ish sound here, in search of a good drum machine. Songwise, some interesting moves, but in search of a hook. Hey, I'm a pop guy, what can I say?
Jeremy Lambright - Nice sounds, but the vocal's too buried to get a feel for the song itself. Love to hear a remix.
David Ritter - Cool and driving musically, and the phone section is pretty durn funny. Enjoyed it.
EvelBist - This is so *almost* cool - there are things I liked a lot about this. Some of the vocal lines are excellent, but others are strained in a distracting way. Musically nice feel, except it gets sloppy at times, and the guitar solo sounded like it was flown in from a different song. Kind of a 70s vibe that I liked... I'd like to hear more, I think.
Gorbzilla - There's a Chad Kroeger vibe to this that put me off my feed at first, but after a bit, I felt like that was unfair. It's actually a pretty strong song, and a passionate performance. Lyrically, parts I liked, but the directly political stuff felt a little preachy. All in all, well done.
The Boffo Yux Dudes - Torn from today's headlines (or last week's). And nicely done. The mix could perhaps be better, and that "folky" affect on the vocals bugged me a bit (I mean you're not *really* the Kingston Trio, are you?). But on the whole, it's a pretty remarkable thing.
Trader Jack - What's weird is, there are things I liked about this track. But on the whole, there are more that I didn't.
Godz Poodlz - Really nice! Bouncy, happy, maybe a bit repetitive, but in the end, stuff gets blowed up. Everyone loves a happy ending. Well done!
Heather Miller - Good song, simple but it works. I'm not sure it'll stick with me, though.
The Chocolate Chips - I like the way this builds as it goes. Would love to hear some bass come in at some point. My only complaint is that uncomfortably long pause before "how" in the chorus. I feel like I'm gonna fall into that hole. But nice work!
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Post by drlindyke on Jul 6, 2012 11:25:49 GMT -5
I wanted to post before Dave Leigh. Sorry I'm late... I wanted to post after Glen
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