june contest ... GOSSIP

[damstraversaz]

"hora" damstraversaz
Very moody and beautiful. That's an accomplishment for such a short song. It won't be burning up the charts, but it's got class. The mix could be a bit louder. Superb.

thanks a lot to you!

[slartibartfast]

"Thanks for the Memories" slartibartfast
Yeah those drums are a bit ham-fisted. Did you time-compress the song? It sounds like it was recorded slower and sped up. I like the lyrics and the the concept, but the music isn't as appealing to me. It's too plain for the great lyrics and the performance isn't that tight. Should be a country song.

Sorta guessed that my track wouldn't live up to your high standards. Meeting those standards really gives me something to strive for. I have to say that I really value your honesty, and insight.

FWIW, the track wasn't time compressed - although I am aware that this is a production technique that was used a few decades ago to give tracks a little more energy. I am surprised you liked the lyrics - it is one area that I agonise over, and I wasn't really happy with them this month. Seems like I should have simplified the drums, and complexified (?) the music. Thanks again for your constructive comments.

[pheeleep]

slartibartfast,

Everytime I see your name I read "Slartifartblast".

[Wopelka]

thanks for the numerous reviews.
here are some replies to the last ones.

Wopelka - MC Wopelka

So this is what rapping sounds like in French

yo, i guess. but i'm not a rapper, so i couldn't say for sure. oh! and i forgot a lot of the usual stereotypes, unfortunately.

Wopelka - MC Wopelka (The New Man)
Love that lofi drum groove and this has a nice feel to it. Unfortunately, for we English speakers, lyrics are just about everything in this style of music, and so it is hard to critique. Great effort to meet this month's theme.

lyrics and english translation are in the RULES & SUBMISSIONS Thread. i say it again for those who only rely on the Markleford's Radio and might have missed that important information.

"MC Wopelka (The New Man)" Wopelka
Really good work on this. I love that beat and all the funky voices. Now for the choruses you need a proper choir. My suggestion would be to really punch up the choruses with something edgy, loud and in your face. The flute and celesta sounds you have wither away (but I assume that might part of the charm). It wouldn't hurt to throw in a choir, horns and electric guitar - especially if you rip it off from some other song. Maybe Bachman-Turner Overdrive...

good idea. i should make a remix with some samples ripped off from other entries of this month!

Wopelka -- MC Wopelka (The New Man): Oh, yeah, no I'm talking! f**ked Up French Funk. Boom, boom. Down with it! Senior VP hate this one for sure! They Republicans, hate French. Hi hi! High marks, Wopelka, on short list. Save for me Emdot, play next.

i'm honoured Mr.Schlameel.

[You™]

BTW, all the kids here ingest it through straws from paper boxes:

[emdot_ambient]

Okay, I must apologize. It's been more than a day since I said "See you all tomorrow." If you saw my last review you'll know what's up. If not, I'll be brief: I've got a so-called friend helping with the reviews: Sven Schlameel from Bottom Line Records. He's offered to come up with my top 10 list and give a record contract to the winner . . . though frankly, I think he's likely to be fired before that happens. I've fielded 35 phone calls from his office letting me know the Senior Vice President from Bottom Line is after him. Apparently Sven was supposed to be in Madrid yesterday signing a hip-hop flamenco act. Instead he was . . . well, I'll let him tell you.

Sven What, you want I should go through all this again?

Emdot You owe it to these generous people.

Sven OK, so maybe Sven gets a little party crazy Saturday night. I go to your, what do you say? Down town here in, uh, whatever town this is. So what happens? Sven meets very nice ladies who are getting bored and so we go to big disco party in Washington, DC. Is in southeast. Bad neighborhood, but big party. Lots of swinging. So, Sven meets lots of swingers and one thing leads to next. And next thing I am like, "Where is this place?" And they tell me Teeton.

Emdot Trenton

Sven Yes! You've been there maybe? Trenton. Is in New Jersey.

Emdot Sven, that's over three hours away.

Sven Three, four, whatever you say. Was a lot out of my skull. Haven't slept since last we talk. Met very nice peoples, though. Very nice lady. Ladies.

Emdot Whatever, Sven, at least you're back now. Ready for some music? Too bad, listen to this:

Page Three

mchlwlsn -- jongleur: Sure, sure, listen to more music. All time listen to more music. What is this? What kind of name is mchlwlsn? Never you mind. OK, so is nice. Yes, is nice played, nice sound, nice compose . . . oh, ending get to be tripping me out. Or is maybe hangover still hanging over . . . Yes, is OK loungy musics. Not so bad. But maybe not for me. Next, please.

Respirator -- Biggest Hit Oh, okay . . . this is big laughs for me. Who wants dollar bills? HA! Everybody, baby. Sing it to me. Nice accident. Crappy sounds. So bad it's good. Yes, deserves record contract. Put on list.

Emdot Good, I've always liked respirator's stuff and this is really different for him.

Lady J -- MrRightNow Emdot . . . stop f**king with me, OK? For sure you are not? This is Beyoncé or something you slip in as ringer . . . Oh, please take off. AR man hear this all the time. Senior VP would sign her in minute if she's cute. You have pics? Oh, she is cute. Hey WAIT! I meet her in Treetown, yeah, Trenton! Hey, Lady J you were last night in Trenton? For sure you were! We have big time. How come you have so much clothes on in pics? Cute girl like you should show skin, for sure. I give you number and you call Senior VP, okay? Don't tell him Sven send you, might have to work there more years. But not on list. Sorry.

Emdot LadyJ, I let a coworker hear this and he was shocked. He really thought you were one of the bands his daughter listens to all the time. So, you've got Mr. Joe America on your side.

Sven Sven is from Petrozavodsk. Why you look me so funny? Is true. Is real place. Next song please?

Bernadine -- Love Strikes: Hmm. Banjo might make SVP so mad . . . odd kind of psychedelic, David Byrne and some old Mommas and Pappas or some things. Growing on me . . . Okay, put on list. Could almost really make contract. Stupid song. I like.

Kovacs -- Rocktronica : This is sound of my headache this morning when stumble into hotel lobby. Emdot come get me off floor when manager call him. Sorry about throw up in your car, Emdot. Not to worry, Sven pay for detail and clean up. Oh, serious f**k up my head. Put on list, probably genius. Never get contract on own, Sven probably last chance . . . bring lots of pills for me, yes? Head . . . hurt

eman8ions -- Waves Break Below Me: Head feel better already. This make head feel like marshmallow. Chill out after headache music. Very nice. Very, very nice but not for big time record contract. SVP just think Sven drink too much. Hey, tell you what! I hate my SVP. Senior Ass President he is . . . sorry stick to review. Next please.

Emdot Too bad, eman8ions, I really do like this one.

Glooper -- Hometown: I smoke some of that last night . . . Oh, sorry thought you said Homegrown. Oh, stop, why must rap? No one must rap. No more. Ukraine raps. Madrid flamenco raps. Next please.

Shane Sanders -- Tower of Babel: He he. I see this as telling SVP I found him killer Bollywood band. Make millions in India. Then give him Shane Sanders. Hmm, okay, what now? This music from The Omen or something? Strange song, interesting but not for contract.

Gregjazz -- Four Flavors of Guitar: Okay, I tell you joke now: Some day maybe guitars go away, then what do AR man do? Same shit as always! HA! Funny, no? NO? Oh, f**k you, Emdot. You have no laughs. OK you remember Eloy? '70's Krautrock and stuff. Here we go again. Nostalgic but not for contract.

Rockstar_not -- Loser: In desperate need of some help. Sven too. Back in Nashville. Sven never understand Nashville. Sing sad ballad, wear skinny white cowboy hat, do video on horse riding through traffic jam . . . Nashville. Notice nowadays they always have black people in Nashville music video? Do black people listen to white suburban boys sing sad country songs? Yes? Okay, why not. White suburban boys listen to black urban music all the time think they bad driving papa's BMW or their little white boy rice burner Civic with big tail pipe and side skirt and stickers all over car. Sven want to die.

Emdot I take it that's a no. M'kay, lets' move on . . .

Oliver Davy -- I Can Hear Her: This is AR man daily listen. Blah, blah, blah chorus . . . etc. Sell out for sure but not here. Next please.

Emdot Yikes, he's getting brutal. What is this, American Idol? f**k you too, Sven

astanine -- baby: Ha! Emdot some big clown. So is astanine. Baby Devo and Kraftwerk in one. Yeah, must be on list.

sttjelle -- Sunday: What, tell me this guy doesn't sound like guy from Men At Work. Are you man from down under? This is happy song. Sven not like happy. Happy makes me want to move to Tree . . . Trenton with Lady J. Makes Sven very sad 'cause now she hates me

Patrick9 -- Sunshine: Two happy song in row? Oh, those vox are some kind strangeness on them. Hard to hear what he singing . . . bouncy, bouncy. Not grabbing for me though. Next please.

Diek -- Undercover: I hear that first sound in some Goa song someplace. I think it is in India.

Emdot Goa is in India.

Sven There, see? Sven knew that was the place!

Emdot Um . . . okay, just get on with it.

Diek -- Undercover (continued): For sure whatever you are saying. Um . . . Same eight notes again and again. All on quarter note. Someone was partying in Trenton and do this next day, yes? Next please.

Emdot Well that's the end of page three and I've got to pour you into bed as soon as I can. You can sleep it off tomorrow while I'm at work and we'll pick back up then, OK?

Sven For sure. Am not going anywhere . . . Emdot hates me now, too, yes?

Emdot . . . No. Emdot's still your friend.

Sven So-called friend you say.

Emdot That was mean of me. I apologize . . . Sven? Sven? No I don't want to hug you! Get off . . . Okay, there, one hug, you feel better? M'kay? See you all tomorrow, folks!

[pheeleep]

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone that reviewed/commented on my entry. Thank you very much for taking the time to do that. I know and you know who you are

[xander]

WOw!!

Thanks aieda_cin for the number two vote! Wow!

And slartibartfast, diek and wopelka -- an honor to be listed in your top ten! Many thanks - I'm over the moon here!

Thanks also folks for the many HMs.

I lament my poor mixing in trying to emulate that 60s lo-fi 'Big Hurt' sound and wish I could re-submit a new mix - but we live and learn

Instead of upgrading my HD, I think I'm going to spring for the Voxengo bundle which I really believe is going to give me a better overall mix as opposed to using just the native Audition tools.

Thanks again for such nice comments and your understanding of what I was trying to achieve there mates!!

Cheers,
Alex

[slartibartfast]

slartibartfast,

Everytime I see your name I read "Slartifartblast".

You haven't been talking to my wife, have you?

[respirator]

"Biggest Hit" Respirator
It would be nice if this did make you rich. Hey it worked for Right Said Fred didn't it? You do have it all and if the vocals were more earnestly sincere, it would be hard to spot the sarcasm. The drums (mostly the snare) while perfectly played, are a bit harsh sounding for pop fare and the screechy dissonance before the solo at 1:30 is deliciously cacophonous. It puts me in mind of classic Talking Heads though I doubt anyone would confuse you with David Byrne.

Thank you for your thourough review(s). I never thought my music would be mentioned in the same sentence as Right Said Fred. But they were great in there own way, so cool. The Talking Heads reference is very sweet, though totally undeserved. This really is a ironic and sarcastic piece thrown quickly together (hence the harsh sounds) before I realised that this months contest would be swarmed with ironic and/or sarcastics pieces. (Should have guessed, though). I've been doing this kind of "straight" music for a long time in the past and it's not interesting to me anymore. Fun doing though - go figure?!

[respirator]

respirator - Biggest Hit
This is a good track, that is well put together, with just the right amount of overcompressed pumping . The "hook" is a little weak, but the verses, lyrically and vocally are excellent

Thanks! I was trying to do the pumping thing.

[kovacs]

Kovacs -- Rocktronica : This is sound of my headache this morning when stumble into hotel lobby. Emdot come get me off floor when manager call him. Sorry about throw up in your car, Emdot. Not to worry, Sven pay for detail and clean up. Oh, serious f**k up my head. Put on list, probably genius. Never get contract on own, Sven probably last chance . . . bring lots of pills for me, yes? Head . . . hurt

At LAST somebody recognizes my genius! (Makes up for all those Zeroth place votes - they never show up because everyone starts counting at 1).

[Jongleur]

What kind of name is mchlwlsn?

It's nslwlhcm spelled backwards.

[kovacs]

Here's the first batch of my reviews, working on the second right away.

Scenario: I am an overweight, underpaid, and generally sad (not to mention impeccably suited because my rich dad owns a clothes chain), aquisition exec with a bad hangover and am pissed because my date walked out on me last night. I get to my desk and there is the box of all those goddamn demos from last month with a sticker saying "get this done today". So I get a killer coffee and decide that not one of them will make the cut. So let's see who can survive.

Freeztar - Keep it Bumpin'
Nice production, nothing much happening. Puts me to sleep.

Whyterabbyt - alabaster
Boring. Sorry. Fails to catch my attention at all. Feels like I'm not hearing the main track...

Slartibartfast - memories
Cheerful but sounds like it is running too fast. I get a Depeche Mode/Talking head vibe but it doesn't really reach the big heights.

Vurt - like I care
Muffled sound and not really going anywhere. But what do you care. (See what I did there?)

Audion dream - time to advance
Beautiful intro. Just what I need on this slow sunny morning. Takes a bit long to do anything, though - like a Wyndham hill recording which forgets its purpose. I think the quiet guitar patch could get a more prominent position.

Markleford - broken (raw demo mix)
Raw indeed. I love this kind of guitar sound. Industrial sounding. Excellent use of effects on the voices. My only gripe would be that the tempo is slightly slow for me. The singing is deliciously off pitch here and there...maybe even I can do a vocal piece now.

_niko_ - sign me
Neat guitar intro, but I've heard it before...the singing is more unique. I think this songs lacks some energy. Turned way up I like it more... Funny lyrics, too. Cool chorus. Good effort. Hope your, uhm, subliminal message reaches out.

nikp2000 - star
Ouch...nice intro but the sweep right befoire the lyrics is out of pitch...like half of this song. The Idol judges would kick your butt for that. Tune all your instruments and this would be a cool piece. I think you have a clever use of voice FX. Seems to me this song doesn't want to be taken too seriously.

knoob - The Kube
Cheerful intro. Cool juicy bass sounds! But - it is more of a TV series piece of music than a complete works (well, 2 minutes tends to do that to a song). I like this. Might make it to the cut.

griels - crazy every time
f**k...almost blew my speakers. My EMI colleagues come running to my desk and ask that I please turn down the volume so I crank it up a bit more. Hm. They don't like it...then it's a top 10 for sure. Although it's not that interesting...a bit crazy, in fact. But it is an excellent production.

liqih - here comes dee bass
Yeah...it comes late but well. I was expecting the bass to take more of a center stage but the wacky synth on top of it takes away too much. But it gets better about halfway - solo bass. The melody is quite catchy and I might like this, even if my hangover says this is too much for my brain.

spOrk - the arrival
Movie soundtrack or record opener? Hm...lots of drama here. Nice use of panning and filters. I am waiting for some lyrics but then it all ends. It may have arrived but it also left quite soon.

damstraversaz - hora
Halfway through I am still waiting for this to do something. If it was a Chick Corea band song I wouldn't mind becaus eI know the good bits come after two minutes. Nice, quite bass solo - is this a real bass or a patch? Jazzy but sad. Not exciting enough right now - sounds a bit unfinished.

PawPawPatch - the Making of Ricky Krews
Oh my. What a sad singer. But the soundscape is really neat. Tonally this song is slightly confusing but I loke the voices that roam around my head (I hope they are from your song and not my hangover subconscious). The sad singer takes this below the cut, though. And perhaps the cheesy TV spy series synth hooks.

1-2-Many - deal with it
Now this is a good production. Nice songwriting, too. Jumps straight into it. Not the most exiting song but it has commercial potential. Radio music. Good singing. Catchy.

Aieda Cin - tiholasciato
Nice guitar intro. Easy listening vocals. Perhaps a bit too slow in the opening. The chorus brings it up a notch and freshens it up - good hook. I think this is a song that could benefit from opening with the chorus...or parts of it. But all in all this is a very good entry.

diek - undercover
I'd give the drums much more room in the intro. Song starts a minute too late - ou could have gone straight in at 1:15 and take it from there. Then it ends. Undercover, indeed - the whole song just wants to hide (and the sharp cutoff at 2:00 ruins the end, too).

Patrick9 - sunshine
Wacky song but cool vocals, although it sounds like the singer gets bored too quickly. I think this is a neat production but I was expecting a more cheerful tune... I am unable to make out the lyrics but the obvious ripoff from "Where have all the flowers gone" in the middle of the lyrics is cool (if I'm wrong then I can probably sue you because our company owns the rights to some of those notes, I'm sure).

sttjelle - sunday
Stian, remember the Monroes' Sunday People? That was the first thought I had when I heard this. Clear production with a nice backing. Radio friendly stuff. Sunny and cheerful.

astanine - baby
Yeah, this is cool. Nice and clear sounds. Catchy tune. Simple synth melodies, not dragged down in effects. Eases my hangover. It doesn't really go anywhere but neither do I so this one might just cut it.

Oliver Davy - I Can Hear Her (Sellout Mix)
Nice, calm intro. I like the way it apparently speeds up - creates a driving impulse and brings the melody forward. Easy listening, nice basic guitar solo. Well produced and catchy song. Good work!

rockstar_not - loser
Wow. In-your-face-honest-to-god vocals and guitar song. I get a Springsteen vibe. Beautiful stuff. Above the cut.

Gregjazz - Four Flavors of Guitar
Cool song. Well played. Incredible what you can do with guitar loops these days (kidding). Well produced. However, this is more a sampler than a full song to my ears.

Shane Sanders - Tower of Babel
Uhm. Nice choral samples? Or something. Anyway, good use of sound - I like the introduction. The violin patch is too GM-sounding for my ears. It moves along nice and slowly but doesn't really go anywhere - there is a sense of buildup around 1:20 or so but I miss the grand finale. Plus for being exotic and different.

Glooper - Hometown
Amazing what guitar loops can do for you. Now with Rap! This is really cool. Makes me want to swap that coffee for a beer. Great lyrics, good rhymes. Catchy! Above the cut. Well done, Gloopinem.

eman8ions - wave breaks below me
My hangover makes it hard to read and remember the title but who cares about titles if it sells. This song has a nice intro but needs to get going. And this one doesn't, at least not for me...puts me to sleep. It has a lot of nice sounds and it all hangs together but this is another TV background music piece.

[Ixox]

Thanks a lot rockstar_not, slartibartfast, You™ and emdot_ambient for the reviews....

Rockstar, i love your song. My favorite of the first third i listened to !

YouTM, i was supposed to sing on this one..

Thanks Philippe for the vote... Haven't you noticed it is totally out of theme ??
And thanks for using my plugin in your song, i have the feeling that i played with you...