Neil Diamond must die! (Ellis Island reviews)

[Rabid Garfunkel]

I got your Coming to America right here, buddy.

[GlennCase]

Perhaps the funniest thread title and first post ever?

Anyone?

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

[nyjm]

Andre was here at midnight
- c.f. the F.A.Q. about multiple submissions
- much better than your "honeymoon in polynesia"...
- ... which means that you actually have a more or less consistent rhythm and the music or vocals aren't horribly out of tune
- total lack of lyrical prosody ruins this song
- the trumpet is an interesting idea, but damn, the whole song just falls apart there, doesn't it?
- way overstays its welcome

Astrolamb
- the vox seem swallowed on the edges; i would like to hear them more distinctly; this is especially true of the last verse: i can't make out a thing
- you have an odd timbre to your voice, but you make it work it for you
- good rock-out chorus

The Beresfordians
- for a moment, i thought you were going to beat me to the whole folky-song-about-immigrants-thing, but no. i really like the simile.
- you have a very nice voice
- this gets a little monotone; how about a violin or a piano part? or even some vocal harmonies: this might make a neat duo

Blind Mime Ensemble and the Tape Germ Collective
= oooh, i like a lot of Tape Germ stuff...
- that's a beginning that gets your attention
- the stop-and-start schtick gets old after the fourth time; just let it ride for the verse
- pretty cool solo(s)

Desolation Radio
- alone, your voice doesn't please the ear, but the vocal harmonies here serve it well, i think; i love the harmonies on "don't turn me away"
- i really like the bass groove at the end of the verse; fretless?
- ooh, an organ part snuck in there; nice touch
= could use a bridge or something to kind of mix things up

Father Bingo
- part 1 of the instrumental sub-side-fight; let's see...
- i like the underlying bass groove
- good initial melody; good dynamcis
- the applauding is an interesting bit
= i have to admit, one of the rare instrumentals that really works; the last sample of the boat horn is just the right touch to tie the music to the title

Hans Gruber
- "we're dying of malaria/so we're coming to america"? hmm.
- reminds me of TMBG; and, by and large, in that genre it succeeds
- some of the lyrics seem to be a bit forced
= the talking parts work the best

noah mclaughlin
- blanche is my great-grandmother
- inspite of the a few missed notes, i feel pretty good about how the vox turned out for this; a rarity for me
- i never get enough volume out of my mixes; any pointers?

Pegor
- instrumental sub-side-fight part 2...
- love the mandolin
- the individual melodies remind me, in a way, of "pictures at an exhibition"; nice little musical vignettes, but i would have liked to have seen some more of them
= also works quite well, but in a different way than bingo's submission; this, for me, is a series of inter-related stories (even an evolution), bingo's is more of a large single canvas

Senza
- i'm a big fan of thrumming bass lines to open songs
- the female vox is unexpected, but it sounds good
- unfortunately, it gets eclipsed in the chorus; i don't know if the mandolin was a good call here
- good ending

Stubby Phillips feat. Dr. Water
- love your voice; very smoky
- damn it: you did the same theme as me and musically you're kicking my ass; nice piano part
- right around 2:00, the piano and the guitar fall ever-so-slighty out of sync
- kind of drags towards the end; break it out or wrap it up sooner

Toothless Blonde (or is it Blone?)
- back of the mic just a smidgeon
- the chorus needs to fill out more; a choir thing would do it well (hell, if you're going to do the "flock of seagulls" thing, do it all the way)
- there's the occasional click; recording artifact? it's really annoying

x-tokyo-river-god
- look everyone! a real song from x-tokyo!
- this a first; i'm up against myself; that's my drum-programming
- and J$ did much better with this than my initial idea; but i do miss nataly
- yeah, this is cool, i like it: dynamic, lyrical and rocks out pretty well

[drë]

<b>Andre Was Here at Midnight</b>
( i ) Wrote part of this song while in vacation in key west, Florida. And I guess that’s what the song is about.

<b>Astrolamb</b>
++ had my attention with the intro and the distorted guitar
--- then you started singing with midi drums in the background
--- hasn’t been the same since
?? you vocals are actually not that bad at all, it just doesn’t fit with this music
++ liked the little outro part

<b>The Bersfordians</b>
++--- your vocals are good, and the guitar sounds good but the song has nothing going on to keep my attention for long,
++ the lyrics are good
-- but am not in the mood to listen to this type of music right now.

<b>Blind Mime and the Tape Germ Collective – possible vote</b>
glad to hear from you again,
++ Props for the experimentation with new sound and rhythms they sound good but at times is a bit distracting
++ This song for some reason reminds me of “summer in the city” by that spoon??? band
++ Your voice sound better than before, not as pitchy.

<b>Desolation Radio</b>
?? Are your trying to pull an R.E.M cover song, Michael ?
++ Like some of the instrumentation you got going on here
-- a bit slow for my pace right now

<b>Father Bingo – possible vote</b>
+++ man this sounds great
+++ love the bass tone
--- Too bad is an instrumental, with sound FX to tie in the Ellis Island title.
+++ This has a great vibe man.

<b>Hans Gruber: Ultimate Villain</b>
???? Is this a Dire straits / Weird Al collaboration ?
+++ man this sounds too close like Dire Straits
++ Neat song, good music, but not a contender

<b>Noah Mclaughlin – possible vote</b>
++ love the guitar work here, especially the soft panned guitar
-- your vocal tone overpowers the guitars, the vocals can be brought down in the mix, but I think is more of a tone mismatch problem, or me.
++ OK lyrics.

<b>Pegor</b>
?? Intro reminds me of a rod steward song (forever young ??)
++ Guitar work is good, but am expecting vocals anytime now….
++ danm it! Another good instrumental song in this fight.

<b>Senza – possible vote</b>
++ had me hooked ever since the bass intro
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman
+++ man really like the sound of this, sounds like it belongs in a broadway show, even if towers the end it starts sounding a bit like river dance.

<b>Stubby Phillips feat. Dr. Water – possible vote</b>
++ nice and honkey tonk jazzy, with great smooth vocals
-- it could use good hooked melody
-- lyrics a bit predictable
+++ Overall in the top 3% of all songfight songs

<b>Toothless Blone – possible vote</b>
++ enjoy the beat/rhythm you got going on here
++ The soft sappy vocals work great with the beat
+ lyrics are good
-- some reverb/chorus on the vocals could help smooth them out
-- the chorus should be a bit more dramatic to break away from the drone verses

<b>x-tokyo-river-god – possible vote</b>
??? hahahah, i got that same violin loop(from electricviolin.com or something like that) even did a song with it
+++ ohh shit J$ is singing and this shit is good, with moodiness
++ love the crazy beats and rhythm
++ this song fits the name “x-tokyo-river-god” very well
-- wished the ending would get all crazy and just fucking explode
++ I want more nivious + J$ collabs

my vote goes to SENZA with X-tokyo-river-god and Toothless Blone close behind

[Daj Werkenhorse 1]

Senza
- i'm a big fan of thrumming bass lines to open songs
- the female vox is unexpected, but it sounds good
- unfortunately, it gets eclipsed in the chorus; i don't know if the mandolin was a good call here
- good ending

Hey, thanks for the review
It's actually a banjo, and not a mandolin, but I hear what you are saying.
The levels seemed like they kept getting a bit mixed up.

Senza – possible vote
++ had me hooked ever since the bass intro
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman
+++ man really like the sound of this, sounds like it belongs in a broadway show, even if towers the end it starts sounding a bit like river dance.

I'm sort of sad that you referenced Riverdance, but oh well!
It was done with more of a influence from The Pogues, especially the song 'Jock Stewart (I'm a man you don't meet everyday)'.

Anyway . . .
Thanks!

[GlennCase]

<b>Senza – possible vote</b>
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman

Royalty Day?

Was that a subconscious slip-up?

It seems to fit them, honestly.

Heheh.

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

[Daj Werkenhorse 1]

<b>Senza – possible vote</b>
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman

Royalty Day?

Was that a subconscious slip-up?

It seems to fit them, honestly.

Heheh.

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

Is that a compliment or an insult?

[GlennCase]

Not aimed at you in any way shape or form. Haven't even listened to your song (or anything in this fight) yet.

I was referring to the "Royalty Day" part of things. The songfight band in question is actually known as <a href="http://www.songfight.org/artistpage.php?key=loyalty_day">LOYALTY day</a>

I was laughing at the possible sub-conscious slip of referring to the band by a more 'Regal' name, that they by all rights deserve.

I submit to you <a href="http://www.songfight.org/music/hey_ruth/loyaltyday_ruth.mp3">Hey Ruth</a> as an example of why they rock so much. Being compared to Loyalty Day (Or Royalty Day for that matter) would be a compliment INDEED in my book. I think they are amongst the finest that the songfight archives have to offer.

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

[drë]

<b>Senza – possible vote</b>
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman

Royalty Day?

oops, yeah loyalty day...

[GlennCase]

<b>Senza – possible vote</b>
++ Sounds like it could be a collab between the one girl that sings for royalty day and the sober Irishman

Royalty Day?

oops, yeah loyalty day...

Heh, I think I like it better the other way around!

Loyalty to Royalty Day!

LONG LIVE THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF SONGFIGHT!

...or something like that!

At any rate: BEST TYPO EVER!

ROCK!

Glenn (DR FUNK)

[blindmime]

Ellis Island

Stubby Phillips feat. Dr. Water
I like the looseness of the performances and love the vocal and melody which evokes the past. I think the piano sound works well with the guitar as well. Good song full of possibilities.

Father Bingo
I like the melody and the guitar arrangment is really cool. The accordion fits perfectly while the drums are not so perfect; brittle, perhaps intentional. This is mastered too hot, which is too bad 'cos it's a keeper. Maybe without the percussion. The crickets are a nice touch but the recording of them is unnatural somehow not right. If you've heard "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" by Klaatu (from their first album) that's a good use of this kind of thing. But for this song, I might think pier sounds would work best (the ship horn is perfect here). I think of a field or something inland when I hear crickets.

Pego
I generally like the feeling of this once it settles into itself halfway through. Although the mix is left-heavy. I wonder if the mandolin could return to the right side and you might fill out the percussion.

Andre Was Here at Midnights
I like the percussion and bass. Lots of clipping. I like the vocals as well. The horns are really cool too. Especially when coupled with the guitar. The loose performances work in the style of Tom Waits or Violent Femmes. I think a strong hook or anchor line would help draw me closer; like both those artists often do. But this works without that.

Noah Mclaughlin
I'm not a big fan of this kind of hard-panned guitar arrangement. I find it better if they capture more of the natural sound of the space between them while still being separate. I like the loose feel of the vocals.

Desolation Radio
Woah, I love the organ. Actually the instruments are all really good. Nice, flowing arrangement. I like your voice, but the vocals need more work; tighten up the dissonance a bit but it doesn't have the perfect. The sleepy energy in them I'm not sure about.

Astrolamb
I'd like to hear this fleshed out with more guitars and drums that sound more real, less mechanical. Not sure why you chose that affected vocal at the end. The last solo part during the long fadeout is really good, much better than the first little thing.


Toothless Blonde
Vocal is bassy. Lots of songfighters have this sleepy kinda slack vocal but it's not bad here. I wouldn't care for a whole album of it, however. There are some weird artifacts popping up now and then. I like the the minimal synth and its countermelody. I'm glad you didn't plow through this with digital TR707 percussion. It sounds like that kinda song. The analog bass bleeps are cool but the recording could stand a bit more anchor.

x-tokyo-river-god
The chorus could use a thick arrangment of distorted guitars to punch it up. The violin gets monotonous and the percussion is muddy/flangey not in a good way, really. Sounds like J$ on vocal and "persecuted lover" is a good hook. This is rough but it has possibilities.

Hans Gruber: Ultimate Villain
I like how you alter the vocal in different sections and the guitar sounds good with everything else. The recording could be more open, using more natural stereo or something; it's not breathing particularly well. Maybe a harmony on "immigration..." as well.

Senza
I like the arrangement and melody, and the breathy vocal captures the style well while keeping it modern. The recording/mastering needs some work. Could be just the mastering since everything seems kinda distant a little, except the banjo for some reason. What kind of setup do you have?

Blind Mime and the Tape Germ Collective
This is me. This has Chris Phinney of Mental Anguish fame on plastic toy whistles and plastic toy percussion, and Magical Cigarette on some kinda toy organ. With some loops of my own creation, I fashioned a basic track in Acid and brought it into my multitrack and added live stuff like drums, bass, piano, vocals, synth.

The Bersfordians
This is the best song of the fight. Being what sounds like a stripped down quasi-live arrangement I'll take it like that and it's good that way; but I always think of other things that could be here as well. Lots of possibilities. I like your vocals too -- very strong.

[pegor]

Hmmmm, Is it still considered an instrumental if it has a beautiful piece of poetry in the MP3 comments field, hmmmmmm .....

[Daj Werkenhorse 1]

Senza
What kind of setup do you have?

For this song, I used a BR-8 and a couple of 50 dollar mics . . .

[blindmime]

Senza
What kind of setup do you have?

For this song, I used a BR-8 and a couple of 50 dollar mics . . .

A little blue tube preamp and (possibly) a nice transparent compressor (RNC perhaps) would help quite a bit. Although the BR-8 could already have a preamp and compressor built in.

Anyway, these things will help anchor each of the instruments to a uniform level so you don't have those fluctuations you mentioned. Then use the mixer to alter the levels during mixdown.

'Course better mics might not hurt either, depending on the mic. Decent mics can be had for $50 though. A Shure sm57 is a good overall mic to cover everything early on.

Look into getting some mastering software. There are a few different ones, any one of which will help level and warm your sound significantly. Just as much or more than any of the things above practically.

This is the first time I've heard you so I might not really know what I'm saying in your regard, but it's good general advice for anyone.

[Father Bingo]

Father Bingo
I like the melody and the guitar arrangment is really cool. The accordion fits perfectly while the drums are not so perfect; brittle, perhaps intentional. This is mastered too hot, which is too bad 'cos it's a keeper. Maybe without the percussion. The crickets are a nice touch but the recording of them is unnatural somehow not right. If you've heard "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" by Klaatu (from their first album) that's a good use of this kind of thing. But for this song, I might think pier sounds would work best (the ship horn is perfect here). I think of a field or something inland when I hear crickets.

Wow. You hit everything I knew to be not right with my entry. Get the fuck out of my head! (Although the drums are intentionally brittle and I like 'em.)

When I cut my next album, can I pass it by you first?

[Father Bingo]

Hmmmm, Is it still considered an instrumental if it has a beautiful piece of poetry in the MP3 comments field, hmmmmmm .....

Gasp! You cheated!

hahahaaha.

I mean... uh... smackdown and such.

[desolation radio]

blue mime and the tape germ
nice full sound and production. an annoying alarm clock sound which i guess is the point. fun mix. feelin a bit synthetic but only at the end.

x-tokyo-river-god
can't stand the violin, but again i think that is the idea. there are some sadistic folk on some of these songs, but then i suppose you have to be a bit masochistic to be here anyway. so then thank you. you are driving me nuts - but the interesting rhythmic sounds are making me beg for more. oh, but what's this "asylum of persecuted lovers" i see.

noah mclaughlin
the 2nd guitar on the right isn't the most interesting but that's okay cuz were listening to the story. and then... she is at the dock and ... something mumbled ... we will never know.

senza
i like the instruments, sounds and vocals. they are fitting for the title.

father bingo
another one with fitting instruments and sounds. and instrumental that works with the title. nice.

astro
this is fairly rock'n, walks the line and moves along. i'd like to hear the vocals up front a bit. maybe you could sing closer to the mic or use a compressor or up it in the mix.

stubby phillips
good recording quality, decent musicianship. adult contemporary. come on take some chances.

ultimate villain
love the bass line. interesting mix of dire straits and she blinded me with science. a sense of urgency runs threw it.

andre was here at midnight
the lyrics are so stupid there genius. i appreciate the sloppiness but not the clipping. cuss words make you sound cool and tough and i recommend that you use them and often.

toothless blonde
real simple. a bit too so at times. give me more. i like the new wave thing going on. try double tracking you vocals on the chorus. it could help bring it out which is need especially when you sing in such a narrow range.

bersfordians
back in the old days there was nothing better to hate than country. now there's plenty of better things to hate so your off the hook. this is well written and performed.

[Smalltown Mike]

Long time listener, first time reviewer. I should have picked a smaller fight to review.

X-Tokyo River God

I dig it. The rhythm makes me feel like I’m on the boat—stroke, stroke, get this boat moving. It feels like a work song, which really suits the subject. I might drop the violin (?) out here and there to see how it sounds. There seem to be slight rhythm stumbles when the parts switch. I like the end. I admit this is the first time I’ve really loved J$ voice, which is a good thing: I usually know if I hate an album when I first buy it that I’m going to soon love it.

Toothless Blonde

Too close to the mic? It sounds like you should step back a bit, and sing with more commitment. Believe in your song more. The sparseness here works, though I might turn the drums up. I’m not crazy about the frequent rhyming in the chorus.

Stubby Phillips feat. Dr. Water

Great groove. I like the “I know that’s a powerful lie,” right after the “the streets are paved with gold,” that negates what you just said/sang. There are some stumbles in the playing here and there, which throw things off sometimes, and it seems to drag a little at the end.

Senza

I wasn’t sure until the transition at 0:44, and then I really started digging it. Nice voice, but it might have slightly too much reverb on it. Everything fits here, the drums, the instruments. I like the “yea,” at 2:00. Great ending, and glad the song was short (I mean that in a good way.) Possible vote.

Pegor

I had some trouble figuring out where this was going. It feels really adlibbed, almost like the band is warming up. I admit I’m not that crazy about instrumentals.

Noah McClaughlin

I would turn the subtle guitar in my right ear up, I think it’s interesting. Maybe electric guitar there. I like the guitar; I’m not as enthralled by the vocals/story.

Hans Gruber

Please stop saying hello. Although when you say “Immigration is an energy” I get the P.I.L. joke—I hope that’s what you’re doing. It’s a little hard to understand what you’re saying, I think maybe too much reverb, and vox not loud enough. I’m actually really starting to groove on this. I think with a heavier mix, this would really kick. Alright, you can keep saying “hello” but I still don’t like the echo on it. I love those high back-up vox (We got it good!). I like this a lot. Nice work. I think you’re getting my vote.

Father Bingo

Again, I’ll preface it by saying I’m not that crazy about instrumentals. Feels like there are some industrial noises in the back ground which work, but the fog horn at the end I’m not so crazy about.

Desolation Radio

I dig that bass. I think the chorus needs more work; it sounds like you didn’t really have anything, so just repeated the song title. I like the organ. This feels really slow, though. This sounds like a rough first take to make sure you knew the song, but you never got around to singing the version with emotion. I like the riff of the fourth line of each verse.

Blind Mime Ensemble

I like those weird staticky noises in the quick breaks, although they hurt. I wouldn’t do them every time, though, because it gets predictable. The vocals could be louder for sure. Yes, those siren noises are getting too much by the chorus; they start to really take away from the song as do the quick breaks in general. I like the lyrics. I like this whole song, in general. Nice voice. Great chorus.

Astrolamb

I like the gtr beginning, but then that the whole groove is gone, which disappoints me. Vocals need some punch, louder for sure. The heavy part at 0:44 isn’t as heavy as it should be, the drums aren’t hitting enough. Your voice needs to be more up front (the part starting at 2:13 is completely lost.) This is to say I care enough to hear a punchier mix. I like the ending.

Andre was lost at Midnight

I don’t know how I feel about the cough. I like the woah waoh parts. Sometimes the rhythm is lost, which I think maybe part of the song, but even if it’s intentional it’s not a great idea. The line “She was right about one thing, though/I just wish I had a pen back then” made me laugh out loud. Love the trumpet. I think you will still get the drunken sloppy feel if the rhythm of both the gtr and the vox is smoother. I like this, but only in theory. Too long. You lost me at “bring me the weed and slap a whore,” if that’s indeed what you’re saying.

Beresfordians

Full disclosure—this was recorded in my basement, although I didn’t play or sing on it, and the tracks were mixed (with additional gtr added) by my The Todd at his house. I just drank beer, and hit record when they told me to; they don’t let me get involved with their pretty songs because they know I’ll wreck them. I think The Todd did a good job of bringing it to life with the extra gtr he added at his house. I think it’s too long, but they know that. And I don’t generally dig their pretty songs, but they know that, too. I think it sounds good.

Hans Gruber gets my vote; I’ll deal with the consequences from The Todd et al later. Hans, I think the mix needs fixing (let me know when you do), but I just couldn’t resist those brilliant high funky back-up vox—and the hello-hello grew on me. For what it’s worth Senza was second in my books.

[HansGruber]

Thanks, Mike. I agree completely with your comments. I tend to record in a single blitz on Friday night, and then get completely annoyed listening to it on Saturday. This is a perfect example. John Lydon grabbed hold of the bollocks and made me do it.

I have some serious deficits in the equipment department. The vox are sung into a tiny condenser mic on the screen of my ibook and recorded in Garageband. The rest is done in Reason on my pc. Niether are great for mastering. I promise I'll upgrade in the coming months. A guitar and a mic are first in line. Any recommendations dealing with lo-fi setups in the meantime?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent, cheap multitrack software for the PC? I've been looking at N-tracks...

[Daj Werkenhorse 1]

REVIEWS
I'm still not very good at this reviewing business, so cut me some slack.


Andre Was Here: Yikes, that cough is terrible! I like the trumpet (?). This song is somehow hypnotizing. I don't know why, maybe it's the dragging, repeatitive pace of the song. I don't mean that in a bad way.

X-Tokyo: the background music is pretty interesting, especially with the violin (synth?).

Astrolamb: The heavier part around :45 would have been stronger with heavier drums. The vocals aren't something I'd listen to on purpose, but hey: Everyone is different!

Bersfordians: Some of the lyrics take away from the song ('flicking butts in the water' for example) and no, I can't explain why that bugs me. but, the guitar progressions and the way the song is sang sounds pretty pro!

Toothless Blonde: The vocals seem rather clear for the music, it would be interesting to hear the vocals with a little more harshness to them. I like the electro w/ the piano. It'd be neat to some piano runs in there, too. Cool idea, though.

Stubby Phillips: Really nice guitar/piano! 'free and bold', it just seem like stretching for rhymes. Idea, sing 'free' longer instead of putting 'bold' there. The heavy piano is pretty cool.

Pegor: The mandolin sounds either fake or like it has a wacky effect on it, but the overall feelings is pretty cool.

Blindmime/Tapegerm: Heck yeah, nice electronic introduction. Another song with piano, sounds good. I like the seagulls in there! Wow, that 'solo' reminds me of a weird obscure band from the late 70s called Blitzkreig Bop from the UK. It sounds kinda cheesy, along with the strings in the 2nd half of the song.

Desolation Radio: The organ is good, but the song kind of drags for me, and not in the way I dig. I kinda stopped listening

Father Bingo: The intro is pretty cool, although I could have done without the effects on the guitar. I like instros, but this one needed some vocals.

Hans Gruber: I like the the back-and-forth electronic sounds after the 1,2,3,4. This song is super 80s! And not in the 'Hey I'm trendy and I make music that sounds like it is from the 80s" way. More in the "Hey, I'm actually in the 80s, and I sent this song through time and space to get to you in 2005". That's not bad, but not my style.

Noah Mclaughlin: The vocals sound a little too dramatic, I like the second guitar in the R channel.

And, mine was Senza. I think I did indeed put too much reverb on the vocals of the singer, and it could have been mixed better.

I'm not trying to sound like a conceited jerk, but I think my song was the best one. But I'm voting for Andre Was Here, which I thought was a cool song, totally weird, and had my attention the whole time. I think it might have been the trumpet that got me.

[drë]

REVIEWS
I'm still not very good at this reviewing business, so cut me some slack.

???
How could anyone be proficient at giving an opinion??

[Daj Werkenhorse 1]

REVIEWS
I'm still not very good at this reviewing business, so cut me some slack.

???
How could anyone be proficient at giving an opinion??

Good point.
I just meant that if I hurt someone's feelings or something, I don't mean to, I'm still trying to figure out how to word things . . .