may contest - GOSSIP

[garret]

34. garret - accomplishing, believing - death to all organs!!! okay, sorry, hate organs (if you couldn't tell) now, vocals and guitars were great. good lyrics there too. nice uplifting song.

Glad you like the tune. C'mon... you know you really like organs, you just don't want to admit it. I do overuse them, but they sit so well in mix, they're addictive...

Garret: Accomplishing Believing.

Not my cup of tea. However, I find it very listenable. I wouldn’t buy this, but I definitely respect the skills involved. Job well done. You should try to get it played on the radio.

My cup of tea is Alwazah. Tasty and cheap as heck at the middle eastern foods store...


This tune is probably me at my most James Taylor. It's a few steps too far over the line between indie rock and middle-of-the-road pop... I tried to keep it fresh and ironic, but I think it still sounds a bit derivative and straight.

Garret Gengler - Accomplishing, Believing

Great acoustic atmos. I like listening to you sing, too Garrett . This had me nodding along with a big grin. A great 2-minute pop song.

Another top-drawer entry - excellent m8

Thanks, Scuzz. I love the slow burn the groove gets into at times... the vocals were a big stretch for me (should have transposed it) but I think I mostly pulled 'em off.

Garret – Accomplishing. There’s a little indie pop gem waiting to be released here. Full version please and definitely a fresh take on the intro vocals. I like your voice, it’s perfectly suited to what your doing but the pitch is really shaky there and the problems compounded because you’re setting the songs key. The organs just absolutely right

Glad you like it, codacoda. I agree the vocal take is shaky. When I work on this further, I'll try transposing it down a couple steps so the vocals are easier to sing. The organ is a free farsifa soundfont played through SFZ. We have to stick together and defend the use of organs...

-Garret

[You™]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised at t-willy’s organ bashing. I can’t imagine a world without organs. The Doors would be unbearable, “Take me to the River” would be all dry, the MGs would have no Booker T., surf music would lose it panache and psychedelia would be just a little bit more sober. Not to mention Squeeze again, but “Tempted” would be less tempting and that Crowded House song would be far less dreamy. Organs are the natural alternative to syntherthithers.

[Glooper]

... and there would be no "The Organist Entertains" of radio2...

[You™]

... and there would be no "The Organist Entertains" of radio2...

Is that as wonderful as it sounds?

[Glooper]

Can't say it's MCOT... ...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/organist/

[You™]

Oh yeah, I found that BBC page while KvR was being modified earlier. It sounds like a great show! I don't know any of the artists he features, but they sound like such nice people! I gonna have to listen later.

[t-willy]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised at t-willy’s organ bashing. I can’t imagine a world without organs. The Doors would be unbearable, “Take me to the River” would be all dry, the MGs would have no Booker T., surf music would lose it panache and psychedelia would be just a little bit more sober. Not to mention Squeeze again, but “Tempted” would be less tempting and that Crowded House song would be far less dreamy. Organs are the natural alternative to syntherthithers.

lates

t-willy

[AndreasE]

AndreasEhrhardt: Chamber

I love classical instruments, and incorporate them a lot in my music as well. This was very nice ear candy. Great job.

Andreas Erhardt - Chamber

Now here's something you don't hear every day (unless you listen to a lot of chamber music ).
Nicely done. Really nice composition and refreshing to hear something so different. Doesn't seem to lose much from being VSTI based (ass opposed to musicians in a room - based) although the mix could do with some re-working to dampen those bits where the strings overpower.
I liked this

Thank you very much for your nice comments, pheeleep and scuzzphut.

"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.

Thank you very much for your detailed review and tips, You.

[duncanparsons]

This tune is average to me. There are things I like about it: Some of the sounds appealed to me. But overall, I didn’t find anything “special” about it. Sorry. Well produced though.

Fairy nuff! thx for listening..!

I think this would benefit greatly from a real sax. The chord progressions and lead line work well, but the lead sound - the fake saz - grates on me. Interesting use of the jazzy chords and sax, mixed with the electronic percussion, which almost descends into Disco cheesiness, but manages to contain itself.

Sorry about the sax. I was tempted to call the piece 'Meaningless Sax' actually.. If you can recommend me a good saxophonist who will play for nothing, then I'll record them.. 'til then TLS will do me! I love Cheesy disco, but my prog roots always keep me restrained for pursuing any genre too fully; after all, prog is just music for people with short attention spans!

I'll say it again: Some month we might as well have a "not-my-cup-of-tea party" theme!

Good call! Actually to counter the way we all try to turn out something to our best ability, I wondered if you should give ourselves a break and have a 'B-Sides' theme.. I realise that the younger ones here may not know what a BSide is, only every having had CDs, but the chance to take yourself a little less seriously and write something with a chord progression that doesn't quite work, or a guitar solo that never quite reaches it's destination, or a chorus that's up there with last years brie would do us all the world of good!

That way, the song may not be the reviewer's COT, but there's a chance it won't be ours either, and won't take the criticism so hard!!

Just a thought...

DSP

[mystahr]

Page two of the submissions-thread.... (yeah I was in the right frame of mind this morning)

Tancos – A rather different piece from you with all but wind-instruments and sounds. Quite lifelike with the exception of maybe a few notes. The feeling that emerges from this is a rather melancholic one which in a way reminds me of a siren song; where the whaley sounds in the back only add to the illusive character of the song. Admirable to choose such an approach.

Sepheritoh – A good thing you had two clones helping you out on this rather dark and brooding piece. Though somehow I was not fully convinced of the combination of sounds. Mostly the acoustic somehow felt out of place here, or better saying there is huge potential in an accoustic guitar contrasting with the drones but in the production these two just were to closely mixed, where on the other hand the electric guitar fell into the piece far better. Drums are mixed in greatly bringing some great pwog moments.

Armadillo – This a rather infectuous groove happening here, which had huge potential but somehow failed to be made strong enough to pass on for some dancefloor material. The lead felt too thin somehow and for me personally it all came down together the best in the final part from 1.30 on. Some good low end or more acidy crazy ass stuff would have lifted this tune much further. Drum programming was excellent though and choice of sounds is okay, but like said before it missed that much needed bite for this kind of music.

Liqih – You always bring these pieces that come with complimented smiles from the Nusofting family. Peti sits in here rather comfertable, it’s just the sound you used for the bassline or maybe the sequence itself that felt rather odd. A bit of a repetitiveness in here that to my ears took away the sparkle; as if you quickly finished this track of. I’ve heard better from you in the contests. And again I hear that russian/folky angle that makes many of your tunes quite interesting.

Ixox – That part “got to get got to get” is a superb hook that will last for quite a while. Great arrangement yet again that somehow makes me long for a CD full of Ixox material. You have a unique sound that is very recognizable. Do you have some gypsy blood running in your vains? The only thing that felt a bit off here was the transition at 0.48 as if the sliders to the louder part were set a bit too high. There’s something about your voice that keeps me coming back to your tunes.

Mystahr – bloody muddy

MarcJX8P – Some rather unconventional percussion going on which especially in the first half sounded quite good although the snare sounded a bit too loud/too present. The opening sounds were just delicious and layed down a most beautiful atmosphere. The arrangement feels in a way a bit chaotic that when it comes to the end it feels as if the track is only just about to begin there. Welcome aboard the monthly challenges Marc, and a challenge this is for sure (after a few months you’ll find these quite helpful in other projects) cramming an entirely arranged song in just two minutes.

Beardedone – They just get better and better don’t they . Always love hearing your entries (dang and each month I am reminded to put them into one folder). I can hear you are taking on new excursions here, slowly getting more brass in. Still tempered though, but definately something I’d love to see more explored. Brass is still I think one of the hardest parts in digitalized music. The percussion is also way improved and here it feels so natural that I only need to close my eyes and I can just see a drummer enjoying the moment and the rhythm. A very very complete song. I’m loving this.

Kephira – Welcome aboard the monthly challenges. This is another rather unusual piece of music where the break halfway made me feel as if there were two tunes going on. Very dynamic piece though with the drums in and out, I just didn’t quite understand the volume slides in the beginning. Listening to it I get the notion you have worked more sample based then key-playing. Don’t get me wrong in thinking I’m not liking it for that as its an art in itself to succesfully implement sample-based music. Production wise you do have things under control my ears can tell. Would love to hear more through the coming months.

Andreas Erhardt – I think this is one of your better offerings to the monthly challenges. The various sounds going on feel very natural and convincing. My only nit would be how you placed them within the stereo field, the harp being too much on the right only and the leading violins too much on the left. But like said your this is the best I have heard from you

T-Willy – And slowly I see a movement in your tracks, going away from the conventional Metal moving into the more dance-oriented music. I felt the hats too be a bit misguiding in here as they seemed too much on top rather then part of the drive. The accoustic looses a little of its presence too as it muddifies with the groove, it could have gotten a bit more emphasis. The best part of this tune happens between 1.08 and 1.29. Everything works there, the vox, the lead and the bass. Keep exploring new grounds Travis

Guitarcomputer – A very complete song, to which I take my hat off. It felt a bit off in the mixing though in the beginning where there was a tad too much compression happening on the snare, and too little on the vox. Still a great track, where especially the part: “So here I am” will stay with me for quite a bit. You have quite a good voice with a lot of potential.

UTM – heh, the fact that a bunch of cicades inspired this tune is cool, and you even implemented there noise there in the beginning (or did you?). This is such a rather strange and different song that didn’t grab me the first time, but playing it now a couple of times in a row it is catching on to me. A top production and a perfect balance on top of a complete song. I just loved the doubled vox mixed in which lifted the vocals more. Superior track George

Mr. Tunes – ‘Once upon a time in the Carribean’. That’s the feel I got from this, as if Ennio skipped the mainland and found a new homeland under the island sun. Beautiful soft sounds in a greatly produced piece. You would have scored high in the island theme with this song, but then again it stands out way more now in a free for all. It’s that vibes sound that you swelled and FX’ed that I loved most. What did you use for FX there to warm that sound so much?

Miro – hehehe, I love how those glasses of sake sound here; four instances of it only warmed the inner side of this tune greatly . Is that Kaotica in the beginning? The only shame about this track is the bassline that is too repetitive, a bit more freestyle play on that would have greatly enhanced. Top production though, and that percussive groove that remains in the end is just so darn good.

And since I'm in the right frame of mind I'll just continue with page three in a bit

[mystahr]

And the remaining tracks to date:

DuncanParsons – Although the arrangement is pretty darn good I cannot escape the gm-ish feel of this one. Most likely caused by the lifeless brass; sorry about that, but I felt there was more to be gotten from the sounds. The epiano riff was good indeed and sounded quite allright. The bass needed a lift though in this piece as it sat too much in the background. Did I say I very much liked the arrangement

Willkoryte – It’s a treat listening to your oft surprising tunes and I love the fact that you made the move to French lyrics, you can really hear how your expressiveness only gets more emphasis because of that. Great guitaring as usual and like every month a complete song crammed in only two minutes. Inspirational music. What I’d like to see some day is what a clash between your sound and Ixox would brew. I think it would give birth to a rather surprising new style

Pao - It starts off really strange with some absolutely cool sounds and I just wonder how this would settle me where I in your dental chair. There’s something shiney and happy going on there (like in most of your tunes); it must be the mediteranean sun. But what happens then after 0.50 is so enormously cool; experimentalism at its high peak, weird/chaotic and it makes a lot of sense on this end. Top production you have entered this month pao

Windchillfactor – Such an unusual and catchy voice you have, but it needs a lot of work in the lyrical department. Let me try and explain: I usually don’t pay too much attention to significance of content yet moreso to tonal sounds. The English language lends itself perfectly to play with vocal-wise and somehow in this tune this just doesn’t seem to match with the music. The music then is just near perfect. Great percussion happening all around and I just loved the asian influenced sounds.

Garret – I am just a sucker for your voice for I love it so much. Only where you doubled it it feels to my ears that the the second voice was in the wrong key. The lazy hammock feel of this tune is so catchy and you did a great job on the percussion. Music wise it fits like a glove with great dynamics. That organ is just delicious as is the bass and accoustic 

7zark7 – Really weird how that hollowed and synthesized kick gives this tune a strange but alluring drive. I would have hoped for more experimental percussion in this one as it sounds a bit standard DnB. To prove my ears though something I heard in here I uploaded this tune into xtal (in Cubase), just to be able to play it at half speed without affecting the pitch. And yes my ears were right; it sounds way better as breakbeats, rather then the DnB tempo. In the tempo its in now it looses its flair a bit.

Scuzzphut – Great melancholic wailing from the electric here. And how the accoustics all fell together in the last half minute is absolutely admirable. Very well produced piece that even though the single sequences felt a bit repetitive when they slowly collide they bring about new sequences. Watch the pops on the vox though. Great natural feel to this tune 

Markleford – Mad opening sequence that only continues in the bass and brass. Did I read correctly somewhere that the brass was played live? It sounds pretty darn good although maybe slightly too much on top. Top percussion programming providing for a tidal wave of madness. Huge potential in this track, but I can imagine quite hard to work on (as you said in the thread; you were sick of it, we could have it). More brass please; this sounded tops.

Col G – This is fun and yet at the same time sooooo weird. Great musical experimentalistic sound exploration (pfew, try saying that 5 times in a row without getting tongue-tangled). The only thing I kinda regret in this tune is that dull kick (or more like a dead tom) it’s almost like a metronome without any life in it. Leaving that out or replacing it with a deep full kick would have given this such a great lift.

Freeztar – Welcome to the monthly contests Freeztar. Good soundexploration, but a bit too static. There is not really that much happening through time, and it is rather very repetitive. The title (fun techno?) does however describe the music well. Would love to see where in future contests your music will take the listener. I have a feeling it will be a quite the interesting ride.

Visa Tapani – Link is not working? I think I read in the gossip thread that pHz is hosting it now, but you need to edit your posting in the submissions thread with the new link please?

Codacoda – Another welcome onboard the inspirational and fun contests. I must say quite the interesting listen. A great collage of sounds making for a very relaxed and enjoyable groove. Subtle arrangement without any real climaxes and that break with the dubbish-wah guitar halfway sounded top. It does tend to stay on one level though, and I’d loved to had seen a different or more exciting second half, but still a pretty good first 

Barnadine – That bog roll tube; I am trying to visualize that one which isn’t that easy, but it sounds pretty darn original And what the heck is happening vox-wise in the background is just great, it seems like a random recording with people talking as if in a restaurant or wherever. At first the jodeling put me off big time, but now that I heard it a couple of times it so befits the tune. Great banjo playing in the back, and that final part where you probably used the dfx had the potency to be lenthened and experimetalized (is that a word?). Quite the original standout from the other entries 

Jens – A very basic tune at first, but another one that is growing on me the more I listen to it. A rather cool arrangement and I can hear how the girl’s vox is growing into the tunes more. This rather punkish track with the tempered and great sounding guitars and those synth FX works great. I think the timing and production of the vox could be improved, but with that said I have so little experience in vox treatment that I can’t say how to improve it. It feels a bit sloppy and lacking a bit passion in places. Perhaps its the choice of more punky music, I think she has a great voice for more triphop kind of music.

I am allready fearing the voting. How on earth can one even pick only five without leaving out so many great tunes

[scuzzphut]

thanks for the review, Mystahr
I'm glad you liked the feel. popping vox duly noted.

[duncanparsons]

DuncanParsons – Although the arrangement is pretty darn good I cannot escape the gm-ish feel of this one. Most likely caused by the lifeless brass; sorry about that, but I felt there was more to be gotten from the sounds. The epiano riff was good indeed and sounded quite allright. The bass needed a lift though in this piece as it sat too much in the background. Did I say I very much liked the arrangement

well, sounds like this month I got the right notes, but wrong sound... Well, live and learn!

thx for listening folks!

DSP

[visa tapani]

Visa Tapani – Link is not working? I think I read in the gossip thread that pHz is hosting it now, but you need to edit your posting in the submissions thread with the new link please?

No, it's edited all right - but you're right, for some reason the new link is not working right now. Perhaps it's due to the www2 or something, any idea pHz?

Ironically, the old link seems to be somewhat working right now, so perhaps you can get it from there...

[guitarcomputer]

Wow... I haven't been on here for a little while... alot of entries to catch up with and reviews of my song...

Many thanx to all who reviewed my song and yeah, I know the vocal is a lil quite, I pretty much did that song all in one setting so I kinda went a little deaf to the mix after awhile

And yes... hopefully I'm gonna get a lil demo together sometime this next week and send it off to a few labels, heh, if I can figure that out completely...

lil question tho... You guys are more liking the pop type music I've been making or the heavier stuff or a lil mix of both in a song?...

thanx again to everyone for the great feedback this month