winter contest - GOSSIP

[astanine]

@VitaminD

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I chose the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

I think that was Robert Frost?

Doesn't it already say so in his signature?

[duncanparsons]

Another number one from Duncaparsons! Thanks so much man!
:D :D :D :D :D

not a problem! reminded me soooo much of Bill Bruford's Earthworks LPs from the late 80s and early 90s. I loved that stuff. BB has always been such an inspiration for me, the only drum lesson I ever had was from him! I thought you nailed that style so well, in the same way that you have caught that Weather Report thing too.

I still listen to you Carnaval track and love it! Reminds me of Black Market, etc..

DSP

[Patrick9]

Thank you to all who reviewed and voted for my song. I am very happy and apologise for not replying individually to comments but I've been poorly.

These notes were written to help me sort out my voting. Totally subjective as usual and probably meaningless in the grand scheme of things but WTF.


Softegg -Leave - A nice arrangement with a dark edge. I like the song and a little more attention to vocal tuning in places would have lifted the whole track.

Koorby – Winter - Creates a very definite mood though it seems that the drums overpower at times. I like the guitar when it comes in.

Sleek Month – breaks - Impecable production and performance as usual, but the song itself didn’t grab me.

Freeztar – Kieth’s magical musical tour – Nice feel – and collection of sounds. I was thinking for some reason that some crowd atmosphere way back in the mix would emphasise the live feel.

Col.G – Song for America – A chilling sound picture this. I feel that maybe another level of sound coming in would add to this.

Katanaman – Neurosurgery – Well constructed beats and sounds, but I would have liked a little more development.

HansM – Tomorrow no more - Nicely laid back tune. Difficult to get the expression right on the sax although I liked the bass solo.

MarcJX8P - Swirling – this works for me. Excellent

grotman - apperception - A good original track, well performed and produced

Farluker – Prairiedog - Well put together but I would have liked a bit more cohesion.

Niko – Hellish – Good production and performance.

Markleford – islandcd – The most original entry this month - and it works.

Knockman – The Commercial House – This is an epic in mood and form. Very visual.

Cold C - impro. – could have been developed much more – but good soond.

Astinine – rocket to uranus - you managed to capture that sound very well on this track. Again – too short.

Nikp2000 – wave – lovingly played

Arglebargle- sonic warfare – You got the sound you were going for, I think it would be better in context.

Garret – Calling you – Cool song – excellent production and performance (as usual).

Mephit_Blue – come - Works well – good arrangement and production.

Wopelka - Syphon – this needs to be played loud – crazy party music

Poly – splatter pattern – great percussion. Overall feel is uplifting

Mystahr – featherbrush – I like the slow development of this – almost an inevitability about it. One of my faves.

Kovacs –ode to maverick. – love the guitar (its got me thinking of Mike Oldfield). Good track.

UTM – Dusterer Strom - perfectly realised and complete piece

Sepheritoh – die – I can see what you were going for here but sorry to say it doesn’t quite work for me.

Bluedays – pulse of creation - Good production this grows on me.


Auralscape – fluidity – A good track – you’ve used the ‘freebies’ to good effect (no pun intended)

Beardedone – Report – skilfully done. This is another that I like more after a couple of listens.

Sttjelle – bit travel – a minor masterpiece. I love the build of atmosphere and the vocals.

Donkey Tugger - Free of it all - Top production as usual. I don’t think the song is one of your best though.

Cheers, Pat

[astanine]

Patrick9 - Thanks for the review, hope you are feeling better.

[M'Snah]

A few words about each song, I hope I forgot no-one . In general it's a wonderful collection of songs, very diverse, it's good to have trance in this list as well . I had fun listening to all of it, and it's very inspiring as well. (btw, I don't mind feedback on my feedback skills). So far I haven't seen much comments on the lyrics, in my case I don't really listen to the words, just to the sounds...

grotman "apperception"
Good song, I liked the guitar solo, IMO the vocals are a bit too sweet for the song, could be a bit rougher (If it was a guitar, it would need more distortion ). The break at 2.20 was a bit late for me.

Katanaman "Neurosurgery for dummies"
Not exactly my type of song, I'd like more change (or less subtle development)

knockman "The Commercial House"
I like the Stairway to Heaven alike intro, it's a nice melodic song, the vocals could have a bit more power (less constrained). I liked the breat at 2.20, but after that a repeat of the verse would have been better, the last part sounded a bit like filling the time...

koorby "Winter"
I liked the harmonious piano chord progression, and the drums give a great accent. The change at 1.00 in the drums is accented, the change in piano very (for me: too) subtle. I liked the guitars at 1.45 and the lead at 2.30, but it could have been more contrasting (dialogue with the piano) instead of just adding notes to the piano.

Mystahr "Featherbrush"
It's not my style of music, but I liked it, the development of the themes is nice and 'entertaining'.

nikp2000 "Wave"
I liked this song, it's nice and easy listening type of music, although automatically a bit cliche and stereotypical. If my ears didn't deceive me, I missed the congas though.

Wopelka "Syphon"
SMILE. This song is fun, great to listen to, and innovative too.

cold c "improviz3tion"
Too short. I like it, but it's to short to actually develop themes. If I remember well, the last part is also a bit too Schoenberg for me...

herodotus "poly"
I liked the concept of the bells, but it couldn't hold my attention until the end of the song.

_niko_ "hellish"
I'm not sure if I liked it or not . IMO the vocals were a bit too soft and nice for this type of song.

Markleford "Desert Island CD Malfunction"
Another 'different' song, I admire the skill that is needed for a song like this, but it couldn't keep my attention until the end of the song.

Sepheritoh "Die"
Songs like this are a nice contrast to the pure electronic songs, but the very characteristic vocals are a bit distracting to me.

Col G "Song for America"
I liked the guitar and the groove, but the ending is a bit too transcendental for me.

Marc JX8P "Swirling"
Dunno. After a first listen I thought it was too 'flat'. when I listened again, there's a lot of variety, but still not something that could keep my attention until the end.

Mephit Blue "Come"
A nice song, but the chords (especially intro but also the repeat of it) sounds a bit static, and the vocals are very soft, could use a bit more power. (I liked the bed-room femme saying 'come' though

sttjelle "Bit Travel"
This is a wonderful lively song, I liked the break at 1.52. If anything, it's a bit too quiet at about 3.00.

Sleek Month "Breaks"
I liked this song, and HM for the guitar 'solos' that fit in perfectly.

softegg "Leave"
Another good song, I like the 'real' instruments and the vocals. At some parts it felt like it's a bit too slow, or maybe just the guitar just a tiny bit after the beat, making it seem slow.

Patrick9 "I Love The Music"
Nice rythm and theme, and a good sounding characteristic voice. I liked the rythm guitar, but the lead guitar at (approx) 2.20 and also 2.30-2.40 doesn't sound completely harmonical to me. at 3.00 I wondered if the song isn't stretched too long.

VitaminD "fluidity"
Almost the shortest song. This is the type of music I enjoy at the gym, although I prefer a bit of melodic theme as well in addition to the rythmic / gating theme. Please continue submitting these songs.

astanine "rocket to uranus"
The intro (until .49) is a bit long for me, I liked the arp after that, but it's too much repitition and too little variation for me.

Arglebargle "Sonic Warfare"
Good song, at parts the 'solo' synths is a bit soft.

Beardedone "Report"
Most modern jazz is too hard for me, but this one is quite accessible, maybe because the drum sounds are quite dominant.

freeztar "Keith's Magical Musical Tour"
I liked parts of this song, but somehow the different parts are too diverse, and the unity of the song is a bit lost.

farlukar "Prairiedog"
My first action when I listened to this song, was to redownload it, because I assumed the mp3 was corrupt. I'm still entirely sure... I'd like to say something useful, but just don't know what to think of it.

garret "Calling You"
A nice theme and guitar rythm, but the vocals are a bit too sweet, and that made the song a bit too long for me.

kovacs "Ode to Maverick"
Nice theme, and in general a good song. The switch from guitar to keys at 1.24 seemed a bit abrupt, and the part at 2.00 to 2.40 lost me because of lack of structure.

Utm "Düsterer Strom"
This song shows skill and talent, but it's not something I listen to usually.

Blue Days - Pulse of Creation
Another 'gym'-type song. I lost interest after about 2 min. When I concentrate I hear the subtle variations, but maybe some of the sounds could be a bit more dominant.

sweetboy "maelstrom hydro-mix"
I like the mix with the lead/arp synths being more dominant. There's variation as well, although the part at 1.56 is a bit stereotypical...

donkey tugger "free of it all"
At the start the vocals seem a bit contained and maybe out of tune (or is it just me?). Then comes a natural transition to a louder part / chorus. Due to this variation 3.30 wasn't too long to listen.


I hope I didn't forget anyone, I doublechecked .

My own goal for this contest was to enter, so I won a bit too... My goal for the next contest is to get at least 1 vote

--HansM

[M'Snah]

HansM – Tomorrow no more - Nicely laid back tune. Difficult to get the expression right on the sax although I liked the bass solo.

Thank you. This and other reviews make me wonder if I should still be happy that I bought SaxLab.

Sounds very jazzy. I like the bass a lot. I'm not too fond of the rimshot, though. It's a bit too loud, I guess. The sax sounds a bit too loud too. I like the overall feel of the track a lot, though. Maybe it could have used some more drastic changes. Not that it's repetitive. It's not repetitive at all. It's just that the whole thing just seems to be built around one melody.

Thanks, I tried to make it sound jazzy . I need to do more work on the mix (a bit of learning too), and I'll think about adding another theme or subtheme when I rework the song.

Tommorow No More - HansM
- A good attempt at this kind of thing. I like the writing, the production mix, and the clarity of the instruments. Is this all live played? The timing is generally good, but it does fall down in parts, and that's a bit distracting, of course.

Part of the clarity is thanks to Voxengo and Kjaerhus . It's all synthesized, played on keyboard, but a bit too much quantised

hans m - lovely composition, especially like the kind of call and response relationship between the piano and sax, and top bass solo in the middle! this is another genre i'm ill qualified to talk about but the drums seem alittle dominant volume-wise in places, maybe just me, anyway impressive playing.

Thank you. <blush>

--HansM

[Markleford]

I think you're right.. but I'm also thinking its because of the prejudice to the genre..

Well, I know I'm prejudiced against trance, but you should also consider how trance *fans* are prejudiced against trance! Even you are saying phrases like "real trance, not hybrids".

It seems every new trance tune must reference or refine a previous popular effort or its own fans will discount it. And the musicians seem to be after the same sound. They need THAT kick from THAT song. They use the same synths, and label things as "trance synths", as if *any* synth isn't capable of making trance because it will sound "different" or "wrong".

What other genre penalizes stepping outside the lines so harshly... by its own proponents, no less?

So, all said, if a genre is based upon a formula by concensus ("you gotta have a drop here", "build here", "reprise theme here", "32 bars exactly", "at this BPM") it's not going to take too long for others to say (like Sleek): "Heard it."

seems like anything equated to being commercialized instantly gets dismissed and joked about at kvr..

Now that's entirely untrue. plunge has won a lot of contests with his polished pop sound (and previously Captain Mark: wherefore art thou, Curryman?). Again, I can respect that, but his music hasn't stuck in my brain. (Though Capt.Mark's has: go figure!)

If anything, it's our singer-songwriters that typically dominate. Jazz and experimental and indieguitarnoisewhatever almost never see their way into the top ranks, but at least get some good representation in the middle-range.

I dont understand your comments there.. would a polished, refined, or dynamic sounding jazz tune also be disposable to you too???

Yes. If it were written per formula and devoid of an original melody or rhythm that caught and held my attention.

And unfortunately, this is the only jazz that's typically played on the radio these days. Dear ghod but I *HATE* smooth jazz!

But I've said time and again in my reviews here: your mix does not matter to me. If you get something stuck in my head, something beautiful or compellingly original, you'll get my vote. Record a great tune on a wax cylinder and it's still a great tune!

On the other hand, it seems that many trance artists are all about getting the mixing and mastering just right because that is the primary grounds on which they compete. And they really are gurus at manipulating effects: if you want to know about EQ and compression, they're the guys to ask. They have those slick nearfield monitors, and the 24/96 systems for pristine sound quality...

But I honestly can't hum you a melody from any trance tune I've heard in my life.

That, to me, is "disposable".

and either way it is fine and all is well with me... however, my quote thoughts were just something I've suspected from a little observation over the past few years with predominence of specific styles and ideals at kvr.

I think you're missing the central premise here: if anything, kvr is *for* a mix of styles and *against* a pure/rigid style. It's the breadth that keeps people here.

Again(and not applying any problem with this-its just how it is), I think it has something to do with the age group.. I see a lot of 60s and 70s artists and synths mentioned here and much less 90s to now. more shrugs hehe

If that were the case, I imagine we'd all be about British invasion bands, prog wankery, and geetar-rock!

I pretty sure I already knew most of what I initially wrote about before this contest (trance + kvr = waste of time)..

If you're writing trance *only* to win votes in a kvr contest, then perhaps you're wasting your time.

But I encourage you to write the music you like simply because *you* like it.

One of the points of this particular contest was to express who you are. You've done that by sticking to what you love and *not* pandering for votes by changing your style. Isn't that important in some regard?

I think I'll just go hunting for other sites that respect/enjoy trance a little more.. instead of posting my songs here. I should have known better...

Well, if trance is the beginning and ending of your musical world, then it's probably best that you look for public adulation elsewhere.

But if some foreign, impure genre ever contaminates your style and they kick you out, we'd love to hear it.

- m

[Col.G]

Col G. - I got to say that as this tune progressed I was more and more taken by the very talkative guitarplay. Talk about putting passion in a song. Love how this changed with the weird and unexpected sounds going on. There were a few minor digital(?) clicks happening in the first part which felt to not be part of it though. Other then that you created a surprisingly great song for this months contest

Thanks for listening Mystahr. The guitars were supposed to be the angry voice of the people and the machine sounds were the military industrial complex replacing them with military drums and bombs.I don't know what I was thinking. Too much thinking I guess. I don't know how the glitches got in there. I will have to figure out why that happened. Thanks again,
G.

[Col.G]

Song For America, Col.G:
--------------------------------------
Love the guitar playing and the sound effects. Don't like the rhythm which, to be blunt, sound like you started a drum computer at the start of the song. Nevertheless - I defenitely would like to hear more of that guitar playing.

Thanks for the review Marc. Glad you liked the guitar. Yeah, the drums were kinda repetitive and boring, I need to work on that. I promise more guitar playing in future songs. Thanks again,
G.

[Beardedone]

Another number one vote from ColG! Thanks so much sir! I can't believe how well my crazy little track is doing. My cheeks are beginning to get sore from smiling so much.

Best,
Gordon

[Arglebargle]

Hey Vitamin D, man, I wouldn't worry too much that your song isn't doing too well in this contest. I personally think it's great, and very professional-sounding. Gotta love those Middle Eastern melodies.

When I submitted my track, I knew it wouldn't do well, because it's not the kind of thing I see on this site. But that didn't stop me from submitting it.

I don't think it'd be a good idea to write in a particular style just to get votes. Write the music that you enjoy writing, and there will be people out there that'll like it.

[Wopelka]

thanks a lot for all the votes and comments (a lot of reviewers this month, always a pleasure)!!!

i'm glad my entry has been well received by many of you. it's encouraging. cheers

[mystahr]

Indeed quite a lot of reviews this month, especially compared to the what I think poor amount of entries.

Before I forget though; thanks ever so much to quite the few people that have voted for featherbrush

[kovacs]

I don't think it'd be a good idea to write in a particular style just to get votes. Write the music that you enjoy writing, and there will be people out there that'll like it.

I second that!

Thanks to all who voted. It seems a lot of you forgot to put my entry on your Top 10 list but it's understandable - you were probably so blown away by the sheer genius of my song that you thought everyone else would vote for it.

No seriously, I'm in this for the fun. The Feb contest will be great.

[farlukar]

Thanks to all who voted. It seems a lot of you forgot to put my entry on your Top 10 list

sorry bout that won't happen again...

Anyway, an applause for everyone who took the effort of reviewing the lot!

And thx to voters... I got far more than my aim (i.e. at least one vote)