"Remembering" Marc JX8P (Marc Weerts)
Beautiful classic synth stuff. I used to hear a lot of this kind of electronic music a long time ago and I was always in awe of it because I couldn’t afford the tools to make it. Then came powerful PCs and software emulation and I’m still in awe because I can’t concentrate long enough to subtract all the grungy stuff out of my mix to where the synths stand out. There’s a bit of bass overload in beginning (around 0:09) and though not bad, I think the drums are weakest, but this is a nice little sketch.
may contest - GOSSIP
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
"Solaz" Beardedone
I can’t believe you’d rather go fishing in the cold than drinking on a tropic beach. OK, you didn’t actually say that, but I’m thinking that living up in the cold expansive North has affected you. Either that or living down in the hot humid South has affected me… At least we agree about the value of quality doughnuts. Mmmm doughnuts.
So your song is supposed to be jazz? I know jazz and that is not jazz my friend. You’ve got way to many radiating notes for jazz. And jazz guys wouldn’t use the pianoroll or anything called Fruityloops. But the music is not fusion either. More like fission. It’s jazz fission music! You get started where Zappa left off. The accuracy or quality of the sounds seems like it should be irrelevant in your compositions. You aren’t trying to fool anyone into believing it’s a combo are you? …Are you? I wonder what a song like this would sound like if you radically changed the palette of sounds – I mean not even the usual synthy sounds but sonically distinct noises that only superficially share characteristics of their standard instrument counterparts - just an afterthought. You keep doing what you’re doing and turn the piano down a little.
I can’t believe you’d rather go fishing in the cold than drinking on a tropic beach. OK, you didn’t actually say that, but I’m thinking that living up in the cold expansive North has affected you. Either that or living down in the hot humid South has affected me… At least we agree about the value of quality doughnuts. Mmmm doughnuts.
So your song is supposed to be jazz? I know jazz and that is not jazz my friend. You’ve got way to many radiating notes for jazz. And jazz guys wouldn’t use the pianoroll or anything called Fruityloops. But the music is not fusion either. More like fission. It’s jazz fission music! You get started where Zappa left off. The accuracy or quality of the sounds seems like it should be irrelevant in your compositions. You aren’t trying to fool anyone into believing it’s a combo are you? …Are you? I wonder what a song like this would sound like if you radically changed the palette of sounds – I mean not even the usual synthy sounds but sonically distinct noises that only superficially share characteristics of their standard instrument counterparts - just an afterthought. You keep doing what you’re doing and turn the piano down a little.
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
"Pyramid K" Khepira
I really like this piece. It’s a diamond in the rough. All the sounds are cool and the fractured arrangement is interesting. The first time around, I almost thought it was two songs. What are the vocal samples? Since this is so abstract it’s hard to know what to suggest or say but I do think the bottom could be fattened a little and having some kind of brighter melodic or sequenced sound that worked with the rhythm and tied together the first and second parts. You know, like in Art of Noise’s “Moments in Love.” I look forward to hearing more of your stuff.
I really like this piece. It’s a diamond in the rough. All the sounds are cool and the fractured arrangement is interesting. The first time around, I almost thought it was two songs. What are the vocal samples? Since this is so abstract it’s hard to know what to suggest or say but I do think the bottom could be fattened a little and having some kind of brighter melodic or sequenced sound that worked with the rhythm and tied together the first and second parts. You know, like in Art of Noise’s “Moments in Love.” I look forward to hearing more of your stuff.
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
"Chamber" Andreas Ehrhardt
I don’t know enough about the craft of writing music to properly evaluate certain aspects of a composition or its performance but I have broad tastes so bear with me. Besides sounding a bit artificial in a GM kind of way, I found the song a bit mannered – like an arranging exercise. It has the requisite arpeggios and sustained chords but their not built around a central motif or figure. It’s pretty, but not memorable because it’s too noodley. Take the first few measures and repeat them a few times – each slightly different with a little noodling, then change the rate of progression and layer it against a minimal version of the melody, then change key and find a way back to the original for a resounding finale. Or just ignore me because sometimes I am full of bologna don’t know what I’m talking about.
I don’t know enough about the craft of writing music to properly evaluate certain aspects of a composition or its performance but I have broad tastes so bear with me. Besides sounding a bit artificial in a GM kind of way, I found the song a bit mannered – like an arranging exercise. It has the requisite arpeggios and sustained chords but their not built around a central motif or figure. It’s pretty, but not memorable because it’s too noodley. Take the first few measures and repeat them a few times – each slightly different with a little noodling, then change the rate of progression and layer it against a minimal version of the melody, then change key and find a way back to the original for a resounding finale. Or just ignore me because sometimes I am full of bologna don’t know what I’m talking about.
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
"Far Away" t-willy
So this isn’t your usual style, eh? An early entry in the NMCOT Competition
I can tell it’s not your bag or else you would probably slay with this. Guitars and instrumentation are fine (if a little dry) but the emo vocals seem just dead wrong in this context. I think you could make a perfectly entertaining song with basically a three-word lyric – there’s plenty of dance songs like that but in order to be that minimal you really need to keep things interesting with a unique palette of sounds, arrangement or a kick-ass hook – all of which are absent here. Break it down, concentrate on the riff and run it through the blender again. A good driving dance arrangement is a metaphor for sex. You start with a bit of teasing foreplay and then make it build, build, build, hold and explode. And if you’re really good, you won’t just roll over and start snoring after that.
So this isn’t your usual style, eh? An early entry in the NMCOT Competition
I can tell it’s not your bag or else you would probably slay with this. Guitars and instrumentation are fine (if a little dry) but the emo vocals seem just dead wrong in this context. I think you could make a perfectly entertaining song with basically a three-word lyric – there’s plenty of dance songs like that but in order to be that minimal you really need to keep things interesting with a unique palette of sounds, arrangement or a kick-ass hook – all of which are absent here. Break it down, concentrate on the riff and run it through the blender again. A good driving dance arrangement is a metaphor for sex. You start with a bit of teasing foreplay and then make it build, build, build, hold and explode. And if you’re really good, you won’t just roll over and start snoring after that.-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
"Shove Me Into" Kyle Altenderfer
I know you know the vocals are too low – and personally I think the acoustic guitars have too much mid range resonance that muddies the mix a little bit. I’d EQ that down. But here’s the deal: There is no good reason this song (or any of the others I’ve heard from you) shouldn’t be in heavy rotation on Clear Channel stations or MTV. You have today’s-rock-superstar-thing going on big time. You’ve got the right mix of talent, craftsmanship and good old teen angst to break the girls hearts and make the boys earnestly air-guitar along. If that’s what you want, I hope you get your music out beyond this website where some lucky break will come your way. I respect your work and even though this kind of song isn’t always the most appealing formula to me, there’s no denying the appeal to many others - and there are times when it even works for me too!
I know you know the vocals are too low – and personally I think the acoustic guitars have too much mid range resonance that muddies the mix a little bit. I’d EQ that down. But here’s the deal: There is no good reason this song (or any of the others I’ve heard from you) shouldn’t be in heavy rotation on Clear Channel stations or MTV. You have today’s-rock-superstar-thing going on big time. You’ve got the right mix of talent, craftsmanship and good old teen angst to break the girls hearts and make the boys earnestly air-guitar along. If that’s what you want, I hope you get your music out beyond this website where some lucky break will come your way. I respect your work and even though this kind of song isn’t always the most appealing formula to me, there’s no denying the appeal to many others - and there are times when it even works for me too!
-
- KVRAF
- 7672 posts since 9 Nov, 2003 from Netherlands
I was sorta anticipating your comment somehowYou™ wrote:"Mud Dancing" Mystahr
Probably my favorite piece that I’ve heard from you so far. It’s noisy, sloppy, dense and original. There are some really great things in there. I wonder if the would lose their appeal if showcased more by paring down the din in a few spots. Kind of a refreshing anti-formula piece that works well and could be a blueprint for a subgenre of music. Junos rock, don’t they? I stepped in to the fray in some thread a long time ago here on KvR about whether someone should get a Groovebox or Juno 60 and boy did I get it for suggesting that the Groovebox might be a better choice since it was multi-timbral and all. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoy yours and you are finding good things to do with it.
but you overwhelmed me only more with your words, more then just meaningfull as you compliment me highly here and make me truly blush.Yeah that Juno and me are in love, this weekend there will be a baby-girl now too: the Jupiter4
Now I need to totally rearrange my little corner though. But I can't wait to hear the two of them together
Thanks George, only more boost to move on
btw: paring down the din, what do you mean there? I can't quite relay that back to the song
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
Sure, that’s a good point – I wasn’t too specific. I meant to subtract some of the sounds in order to bring out others throughout the sequence. For example, you’ve got a groovy little intro up to 0:16 when the a bunch of higher frequency sounds come-in. As those new sounds come in, drop out some of the rumbly bassy sounds until around 0:42 when you can reintroduce them and add emphasis. At that point, bring down some of the higher pitch sounds to favor the more distorted sequence. Then bring ‘em back at 0:50 when the high freq sequence changes. Kill the open high hats to let that deep sweepy bass sound really grab you there. Just take something away for each thing you add.Mystahr wrote:btw: paring down the din, what do you mean there? I can't quite relay that back to the song
-
- KVRAF
- 7672 posts since 9 Nov, 2003 from Netherlands
Gotcha
Thanks; I might pick it up at a later stage and build maybe a bit more with your suggestions in mind too. Good tips
Thanks; I might pick it up at a later stage and build maybe a bit more with your suggestions in mind too. Good tips
-
- KVRAF
- 4878 posts since 13 Jun, 2002 from Montreal
"Solaz" Beardedone
I can’t believe you’d rather go fishing in the cold than drinking on a tropic beach. OK, you didn’t actually say that, but I’m thinking that living up in the cold expansive North has affected you. Either that or living down in the hot humid South has affected me… At least we agree about the value of quality doughnuts. Mmmm doughnuts.
So your song is supposed to be jazz? I know jazz and that is not jazz my friend. You’ve got way to many radiating notes for jazz. And jazz guys wouldn’t use the pianoroll or anything called Fruityloops. But the music is not fusion either. More like fission. It’s jazz fission music! You get started where Zappa left off. The accuracy or quality of the sounds seems like it should be irrelevant in your compositions. You aren’t trying to fool anyone into believing it’s a combo are you? …Are you? I wonder what a song like this would sound like if you radically changed the palette of sounds – I mean not even the usual synthy sounds but sonically distinct noises that only superficially share characteristics of their standard instrument counterparts - just an afterthought. You keep doing what you’re doing and turn the piano down a little.
Thanks George. That was wonderful read and I was just chucking over passage of Patrick O'Brian's before reading yours.
I am definitely not trying to fool anyone with my choice of instruments, esp with such a loud piano (:-o damn monitors) After this I'm definitely planning on going fishing the next overcast day I can get away on.
Thanks again!
Gordon
-
- KVRAF
- 4878 posts since 13 Jun, 2002 from Montreal
Oh yes I would> I ain't that old yet.I can’t believe you’d rather go fishing in the cold than drinking on a tropic beach.
-
- Boss Lovin' DR
- 14312 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from the grimness of yorkshire
Not your cup of tea eh?You™ wrote:I respect your work and even though this kind of song isn’t always the most appealing formula to me, there’s no denying the appeal to many others -
(see above...)I've got to agree with you about GC's music though. This kind of stuff is biiiigggg right now (coldplay, snow patrol, idlewild etc etc), and he certainly has the tunes to compete (if he concentrates on the pop a bit more, streamlines the arrangements etc).
Go for it sir, lest you end up like some sub-Bowie cynical fat old git in Leeds.....
-
- KVRist
- 110 posts since 10 Jul, 2001 from france
y'a pas de probleme!pheeleep wrote:Ben oui, y a rien de honteux a etre "que Francais"
J'ai juste dit ca pour que tu saches que j'etais Francais aussi
Vu que ca fait 10 ans que j'habite aux USA, ca faisait tres longtemps que
j'avais entendu du rock Francais..
"quand on m'en fait trop, j'correctionne plus; j'dynamite, j'disperse, j'ventile."
-
- KVRAF
- 2093 posts since 19 Jun, 2003 from UTM 18 317254E 4295335N (WGS84/NAD83)
Ah you got me there. I was wondering who would catch me… But like I said, it’s the formula that I don’t find so appealing and I don’t mind saying it. I love pop music, but these kids today with their piercings and tattoos and their bipolar singing – all proximity effect one second then screaming in rage the next. GC, you need to infiltrate their ranks and slip ‘em some Riddlin. Then more bossa nova pop songs!donkey tugger wrote:Not your cup of tea eh?You™ wrote:I respect your work and even though this kind of song isn’t always the most appealing formula to me, there’s no denying the appeal to many others -
I've got to agree with you about GC's music though. This kind of stuff is biiiigggg right now (coldplay, snow patrol, idlewild etc etc), and he certainly has the tunes to compete (if he concentrates on the pop a bit more, streamlines the arrangements etc).
Go for it sir, lest you end up like some sub-Bowie cynical fat old git in Leeds.....
-
- KVRAF
- 1740 posts since 6 Jan, 2004 from USA
amen to that. so tired of "not my cup of tea". its music!!! don't judge on genre, judge on music, arrangement, sound, production.................You™ wrote:I'll say it again: Some month we might as well have a "not-my-cup-of-tea party" theme! Every month when the reviews come up I see that wonderfully descriptive cliché repeated over and over. Everyone here would be a winner at the not-my-cup-of-tea party. Hell it would be interesting to deliberately make opposite aesthetic judgments at each step of the creative process just to see how awful the result would be. Not deliberately poor or bad sounding - just not your normal approach. Then when the reviews of "Hey this really IS my cup of tea" came in, you wouldn't know whether to cringe or gush.
More reviews later...
or drink beer, not fuckin' tea, although i like tea..
lates
t-willy