A:I Couldn't If I Tried (History of My Broken Heart reviews)

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:02 pm

Awesome, two audio reviews in one week. Very cool, TWS. Encouraging review, thanks you.

Tig · Post by **Tig** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:26 pm

Thanks for the review The Weakest Suit:) I appreciate the honesty, and other would agree with you about the vocals. I actually didn't double any tracks but I think you are refering to the harmonies, right? Anyways glad to be on board, I am sitting out this next fight, Friendly Reminder, but I am in for the one following it. Peace to all!!

erik · Post by **erik** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:36 pm

Lord of Oats wrote:Basically, if I listened to that song without knowing the title, I wouldn't have guessed that it would be called "History of My Broken Heart."

What would you have guessed that the title was, and why?

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:53 pm

Give me a break, man, the guy's entitled to his opinion on this! It's between him and the Redmons.

erik · Post by **erik** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:55 pm

Ummmm.

1) This is a messageboard, with a quote function. I didn't tap anyone's phone lines or anything.
2) I'm respectfully trying to have an earnest discussion about how people evaluate songs.
3) Everyone is indeed entitled to their own opinions, I'd just like to understand his opinion a bit more.

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:03 am

I understand - it's just an interesting spot for you to jump in - I'm thinking this because you and I went back and forth about the same thing about two years ago - the title thing bugs you, yes?

erik · Post by **erik** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:20 am

rdurand wrote:I understand - it's just an interesting spot for you to jump in - I'm thinking this because you and I went back and forth about the same thing about two years ago - the title thing bugs you, yes?

The "title thing" (whatever that means) doesn't bug me. I can't remember this discussion we had two years ago. I really was just curious what that specific guy thought that particular song should be called after hearing it, so I asked him. That's all, I swear.

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:26 am

'Nuff said - no offense taken, I hope.

*extended hand*

erik · Post by **erik** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:47 am

Sure thing. 'Scool.

MC Eric B · Post by **MC Eric B** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:19 am

The Weakest Suit - Very helpful and insightful review. Thank you.

The Weakest Suit wrote:<a href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/29300767-5498 ... /MC-Eric-B" target="_blank" class="postlink">MC Eric B</a>

veGetar Ianra Ge · Post by **veGetar Ianra Ge** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:37 am

Wow, TWS. I've never had my music described as "transcending" its original context. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm really interested to see whether or not a bunch of "good song" reviews is indicative of a bunch of positive votes or no votes at all. For example, say everyone loves either Blues Train or DJ Big Dick (one of the two but not necessarily both) and all of them like Embers. Everyone in that group will vote for their favorite, Blues or Big Dick, and Embers will end up empty handed, despite having the largest number of people willing to listen to his music more than once. I'm not saying the system should change, I'm just wondering if that's what happens at the polls. I'll let you all know the results of my study in the next round.

veGetar Ianra Ge · Post by **veGetar Ianra Ge** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:47 am

Rossybeans! I'm famous and in a sig now, just like Octothorpe! This is fantastic.... just like Octothor.... well it's awesome.

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:51 am

Weakest Suit - Just finished listening to the audio reviews and like with Rabid and the first ones that I heard, by Fluffy a year ago, I really like the way that this approach humanizes the reviewer. Takes longer to go through than when you read them, but a strangely intimate experience that takes away some of the occasionally cold feel of the written reviews. Maybe you or Rabid might want to put a simple guideline to your approach up on a 'how to' page, it may be helpful to others considering this method.

I do want to mention that I'm by no means an old timer here, my first entry was in May '06, but had not submitted since being a bit tapped out after a crazy February and the many week long Nur Ein competition. I did some songs to the titles, but they were especially awful. Hopefully I'm warming back up to my tepid temperature. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

wages · Post by **wages** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:20 am

Paco Del Stinko wrote:Maybe you or Rabid might want to put a simple guideline to your approach up on a 'how to' page, it may be helpful to others considering this method.

Sounds good to me. Someone bring it?

wages · Post by **wages** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:50 am

The Weakest Suit wrote:<a href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/103de021-8995 ... eat.-Wages" target="_blank" class="postlink">Billy's Little Trip feat. Wages</a>

Thanks for the great audio reviews! Very cool and, yes, the audio reviews DO seem to be more helpful. I think a lot gets lost when people type rather than just speak (which could be why that are/seem to be more helpful). I'd like to do them, but I am known to be brutally honest...might step on some toes. We'll see how it does.

One thing.. can you e-mail me the MP3 of the review? I'd like to add it to my files, but I don't know how (or if it is possible) to save the file from esnips. PM if you can. Thanks!

EmbersOfAutumn · Post by **EmbersOfAutumn** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:59 am

I've already decided I'm not going to be doing this week's fight (Lotsa other projects I need to get finished), but I'm just about positive I'll do an audio review for the results when they come out.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:44 am

Paco Del Stinko wrote:Maybe you or Rabid might want to put a simple guideline to your approach up on a 'how to' page, it may be helpful to others considering this method.

http://www.songfight.net/forums/viewtop ... 4571#94571

Okey.

Pierre Menand · Post by **Pierre Menand** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:03 pm

Add
Reminds me of something… nice recording, chapter reference clever
Andre Was Here At Midnight
Odd placement for the vocals in the mix - need to check on speakers, but all of the mix is sort of off. I'd bring the guitars into tighter alignment, unless the idea was to make it should like two singer/songwriter having a contest with you sitting between them. The tambourine is in the right place. Swapping the channels didn't do much.
AUDIO VIDEO iNTERCOURSE
If the silence and drop outs are the song and not my internet connection, this is the greatest thing ever. But since it has been silent for almost a minute, I most likely have a problem on my end. That's a shame - it was my favorite part of the song. Processed vocals get a little tiring.
Note to self - next time we can't think of a way to start or end a song, use a gate to break it into a stuttering rhythm.
The Hell Yeahs
Reminds me of the Fastbacks. Great break, although the panning on the Harpsichord is a little off
The Weakest Suit
Again with the dueling guitars sound … the extreme separation just collapses the stereo image. The only person who hears things like this is the drummer when he isn't playing.
Senza Valore
Good sample. Nicely recorded.
Slit Tearduct
Hmm. Like the intro.
Tig
Sort of sleepy. Like the out of tune falsetto. Nice passage into the bridge. Not used to this sort of song going on for this long …
Sheail
The drums seems off for the song - more fills, louder, less high hat. Panning, however, is just right.
Embers of Autumn
Like the round. At least you admit there is a panning issue. Although the recording makes it sound like the band kicked the singer out. Which is more theatrical than the fighting singer/songwriter and accompanist songs …
Hans Gruber
Like the arrangement, recording. Etc. Might make the horns more aggressive. As in distorted.
Lonbobby
I would like this better without the vocoding …
Ross Durand
Best thing yet. Woody would have been more flat on the high parts, but otherwise a fine performance and recording.
Blues Train Blues in D
Like the guitar. Don't know what the vocalist is listening to.
Lord of Oats
Lots to like here - great intro, good energy, Trickster X vocal inserts. The breakdown is great. Not enough space for the drums and vocals in many spots, and it sounds muddier than I prefer at those points.
Bushido Stylus
This is exactly what it is. Clever lyrics and rhymes, but I'm not sure that the backing adds anything to the track.
Paco Del Stinko
Great chorus riff. A couple of demerits for the guitar solos, which are less clever than the riffs.
KB Bren
I am unfortunately unable to appreciate anything with that combination of sounds … it all blurs into a single stream of generic 80s ballad pop metal. Although it might be a great example of that genre. My ears just don't have any room for distinction there.
veGetar Ianra Ge
Like a lot of things about this - the processing on the confessional messages isn't to my taste. Reminds me of the Monochrome Set's lounge excursions, or one of the El records filler bands. Which is high praise.
MC Eric B
I like the combo sound, but I can't help but feeling it's an auto accompaniment on a home keyboard. I'm fine with that, but the vocal isn't up to it. Whatever it is.
Rabid Garfunkel
Small quibble here - you don't say the song title. If you said the song title, it would be obvious that this was a song about a broken heart. As it is, it could be a song about almost anything; perhaps an abcessed tooth. Or a stubbed toe. That aside, this makes me smile, and is definitely a keeper.
Billy's Little Trip feat. Wages
Not the best thing in the fight, but more than adequate - like the vocals, the restart. Don't like the guitar solo. The mix is also quite good …
Melvin
Great background vocals, like the overall sound, catchy chorus. A little longer than I prefer, but I can see wanting to run through the chorus and verse the extra time. Might be even better if the bass drum was louder.
Klownhole
Good things about this: The Nile chanting over the beginning. It's also good to hear a Klownhole song with an introduction. Good job topping and tailing it.
Bad things about this: Not enough of the electric piano. I like the other vocalist(s) much better - this is the weak one, and I, for one, am glad that he's hard to hear. I miss the extended ending, but I think that making it shorter is a good thing.

A few side notes - the guitar on this is a detuned baritone, so I believe that the B string is down to G# - Meatwad would know. The line that Rabid did not think was in English is 'Shattered broken party toy' according to the poorly written lyric sheet (and, yes, that is a terrible lyric). Klownhole does not practice. Practice is for people who think there is room for improvement. Klownhole records.

It's a toss up between Ross, Paco del Stinko, and Rabid Garfunkle. Need to listen through on speakers, as well.

Meatwad · Post by **Meatwad** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:49 pm

Pierre Menand wrote: Klownhole
A few side notes - the guitar on this is a detuned baritone, so I believe that the B string is down to G# - Meatwad would know.

7-string tuned down to G-flat.

Steve Durand · Post by **Steve Durand** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:18 pm

I guess I'll provide a contrarian viewpoint on the audio reviews.

While I do like hearing the commentary, I prefer written reviews and this is why;

I like to read the reviews of all of the songs and not just my own. Just to get through Rabid's reviews takes an hour and a half of listening. I can read the written reviews of all the songs in just a few minutes.

If very many people did audio reviews it could take a really long time to hear them all.

Steve

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:43 pm

I like the audio reviews, but I like the written reviews also. To be honest, I only listened to some of the audio reviews that I care about. But I have found myself going back checking out a few more here and there, so I guess I may slowly hear them all.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:37 pm

I agree, the audio reviews are... a lot of time to dedicate to listening to someone, or multiple someones, talk. Especially if you've burned the fight to the medium of your choice and have listened to it multiple times already.

Albatross proposed doing a written precis -- summary -- what have you -- in addition to the audio commentary/review, and I think that's a damned good idea. Not this time, but if I do it again, that'll be a component.

I'm very surprised that people are listening to my entire commentary!

Dunno if I'll continue this experiment, but it the novelty does seem to be getting more people... excited... about doing reviews again, if not for the first time.

Pierre Menand I remember that rule from Clause 5, Subparagraph d;, heh.

A:I Couldn't If I Tried (History of My Broken Heart reviews)

title stuff

audio review