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Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 9:36 pm
by Niveous
25 Nur Ein Competitors, how will you handle this challenge?

Submit an original song by May 6th at 12:01 AM (EDT) that fits the following criteria

Title: Shock Value
Challenge: Dynamics.

(Make a song with quiet and loud parts -- like every Pixies song you love. This can mean crescendos or decrescendos, sudden loud noises, whatever, just make good use of dynamics.)

Send your MP3 to nurein.sidefight@gmail.com

Good luck!

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:24 am
by BoffoYux
Round 1 Listening Party will be here




Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:38 pm
by Caravan Ray
So....is the bit in parentheses part of the challenge? Or is it just a suggestion based around around one very narrow interpretation of the word “dynamics”?

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:03 pm
by Chumpy
Caravan Ray wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:38 pm
So....is the bit in parentheses part of the challenge? Or is it just a suggestion based around around one very narrow interpretation of the word “dynamics”?
It's a suggestion for people who haven't read the Wikipedia article on Dynamics.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:20 pm
by Caravan Ray
Chumpy wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:03 pm
Caravan Ray wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:38 pm
So....is the bit in parentheses part of the challenge? Or is it just a suggestion based around around one very narrow interpretation of the word “dynamics”?
It's a suggestion for people who haven't read the Wikipedia article on Dynamics.

This is the Wikipedia article that more fits my understanding of “dynamics”:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamics_(mechanics)

It seems like an invitation to write another song about Isaac Newton.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:49 pm
by glennny
all you need is a fade out for the challenge.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 2:50 am
by glennny
It's a suggestion for people who haven't read the Wikipedia article on Dynamics.
Sounds like you're bringing the overly prescriptive Spin Tunes mentality to Nur Ein. ;)

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 4:20 am
by Caravan Ray
glennny wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:49 pm
all you need is a fade out for the challenge.
Of course there will be a fade out. All proper songs have a fade out.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 10:46 am
by grumpymike
I would like to thank the diverse array of 90s bands that I have pastiched into a pastiche.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 3:20 pm
by ariskofrain
from the lyrics already posted in the archive thread, i'm happy to see that i'm not the only one gettin a bit political. i'm very much looking forward to hearing these entries, y'all.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 6:58 pm
by BoffoYux
BYD kinda went to a dark place this time around. They all can't be happy dittys.

While we are on the edge, I'll say most of this one doesn't come from real life. Yeah - most of it.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 7:25 pm
by Mike Lamb
BoffoYux wrote:
Sun May 05, 2019 6:58 pm
BYD kinda went to a dark place this time around. They all can't be happy dittys.

While we are on the edge, I'll say most of this one doesn't come from real life. Yeah - most of it.
Mine does. Still not sure how I feel about it. The words say what the words say.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:18 pm
by Phil. Redmon.
My song is based on, like, antiques roadshow and the great BBC show Four Rooms.

People think their stuff is worth more than it is and the real...
...Value...
may come as a...
...Shock... to them.

idk.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:26 pm
by Caravan Ray
There is an election in Australia soon. I have already voted pre-poll.

I am currently writing and recording in France*.

If the people mentioned in my song get re-elected - I’m not going back.


(*I’d like to say I had a cool Rolling Stones reason for that - ie. I am recording an album in a mansion in the south of France for tax reasons....but I am just on holidays. The vocal for this song were recorded in the carpeted stairwell of my Montparnasse hotel and most of the backing done at 50,000 feet on a flight from Brisbane to Dubai).

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:32 pm
by BoffoYux
Caravan Ray wrote:
Sun May 05, 2019 8:26 pm
(*I’d like to say I had a cool Rolling Stones reason for that - ie. I am recording an album in a mansion in the south of France for tax reasons....but I am just on holidays. The vocal for this song were recorded in the carpeted stairwell of my Montparnasse hotel and most of the backing done at 50,000 feet on a flight from Brisbane to Dubai).
Sounds like a cool reason to me. You do what you can where you can. I remember one band once sent their vocals in from a bathroom in the club they were on the road with a gig, because that was the best echo chamber available.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:46 pm
by lichenthroat
Lots of original lyrics this week! I just wrote about Bleak House again.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 9:51 pm
by Niveous

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 2:40 am
by vowlvom
Holy shit, Mandibles!

:D

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 4:18 am
by Cybronica
vowlvom wrote:
Mon May 06, 2019 2:40 am
Holy shit, Mandibles!

:D
<3




Our song is about the infamous Dr. Milgram Experiments of the ~1950’s. I’d post a link to the Wikipedia article, but you guys should hear the song first. Knowing the whole story might spoil the.... Shock Value. :)

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 4:22 am
by glennny
Wish I was working on a song. Instead I did a mostly first pass of reviews.

Abominominous- Killer riffs! I’m in after the first few seconds. I like this a lot! Great performances! If anything I wish the drums were louder. Great solo. Dynamics are done very well. This is top tier in the fight!

Agony Sauce- This is a fantastic song. Love the Mo soloing! Moloing? I think the challenge hurt the song. I’d much rather hear this mixed normally. The quiet parts are too quiet, I’m riding the volume knob. Ending solo and hits are worth the price of admission. Great song! Great playing. I hate the challenge on this one.

BSS- Geech on drums. Martin on bass. Glen (me) on Mike Campbell guitar. Lunkhead on vocals and rhythm guitar. Lunkhead takes the end soloing too. We were talking about Television during this session. I love the way it turned out. It’s all live with overdubbed vocals.

BYD- This is very cool. I really enjoy the chorus. This is another one where I think the challenge hurt the song. I have to turn up the volume to hear the verses right. Is this the heaviest thing you guys have ever done?

Faster Jackalope- The Cavedweller contingent took over this one. I’m doing production and vocals and rhythm guitars and bass. Truth is playing flute, he takes the lead guitar too. We collaborated on the lyrics. This was really fun to record.

FBF- Welcome to Sprockets! This is cool. Awesome Reeves Gabrels lead guitar! Is that you Frank on lead guitar? It’s great! This is a really left field song for you. I dig it.

Grumpy Mike- I don’t care much for the spoken word. That’s juxtaposed with adoring the rest of the song. So catchy! Production is awesome. Again, would the spoken word be there were it not for the challenge? Power pop fun!

Inflatable Veg- Mix is strange. Guitar is so quiet. Had to turn up the volume for the quiet bits. I wish the drums were more interesting. I like the lyrics and vocal delivery.

Lichen Throat- Nice dynamics! The song is a bit too repetitive. Lots of cool sounds and good riffs though. It sounds to be like you’re singing quietly.

Lucky Spoon- vocals are way too hot. Quiet bits are too quiet. Nicely written song! I enjoy the structure, the performances are great. My only issues are with the mix. You remind me of Train in the louder bits.

Mandibles- This is awesome! Cybronica is a loud singer, and I think she’s too loud in the mix during her parts. I love the performances! I happen to know the story because you (Truth) told me. I had to look it up. I think you should write a song bio. Make sure the judges see it soon.

Max Bombast- Radio ready. Cool riffs! Superb singing! Love the mix. I wish there was some lead guitar in a solo section (and I was playing it). Super strong! Awesome!

Merisan- I love it so much when Merisan rocks! This rocks! I want this album. I’m blown away! This is the song to beat. Certainly my favorite so far. Bravo!

Mike Lamb- God damn this challenge! What’s going on? I can’t fucking hear it. If I turn it up, how long until I’m blasted. Turned up. Sweet little jam going on! Songs like this make me wish I was listening on Sound Cloud so I could see the wave form of the whole song and anticipate the blast. Hmmm, the whole thing was quiet.

Mousehole- I recognize the garage band strings. Nice ambience. This song really needs a hook.

Nick Soma- I’m enjoying the quiet bits more than the loud bits. This evokes Pink Floyd. I like this a lot! Good stuff!

Paco- Excellent dynamics! Incredible playing! Nice to hear live drums playing quiet and loud. The guitar solo is amazing! Great Job!

Rachel Layne- Amazing performances. Especially the vocals. That said, I’m not really into the groove nor the melody. Much respect for this song, but isn’t grabbing me. This is my first listen, so maybe I’ll “get it” on subsequent listens. Killer vocals though!

Rain Watt- Indie Rock Gold! This would come up on my Spotify Discover playlist. I have a deep genre bias towards this. I had to go re-listen to Message Received. I liked it, but I love this one. Dynamics get an A+. It gets quiet and it serves the composition. This is a contender for the top spot.

Sunday Colors- Excellent vocals. Guitar is adequate, but not really interesting enough to be the entire accompaniment. No access to bass and drums? Or drum loops? This feels like a demo. As a G and G , the dynamics are done well. Dynamics serve the song.

Third Cat- Lots of delightful sounds in this one. Very good dynamics! This is on the mellow side. The breakdown lead by the bass is my favorite part.

Ujn & Friends- WOW! Dynamic! I was surprised on first listen, then spent the 2nd listen in joyful anticipation of the fast part. How did you get the Ozzy sounding vocals? That’s so cool!

Vowl Sounds- this goes at the end of your album. I really have to be in the right mood for this. It’s really slow and draggy. Great playing and beautiful singing, nice dynamics.

In general i think this challenge hurt a lot of good songs.

My non objective favorites are FJ and BSS .
My objective favorites are: Merisan (FTW), Rain Watt, Ujn & Friends, Paco, Abominominous

No bad songs, all a good listen, even if I had to ride the volume knob.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 4:36 am
by grumpymike
glennny wrote:
Mon May 06, 2019 4:22 am
Grumpy Mike- I don’t care much for the spoken word. That’s juxtaposed with adoring the rest of the song. So catchy! Production is awesome. Again, would the spoken word be there were it not for the challenge? Power pop fun!
If not for the challenge, the power pop wouldn't be there! The spoken part is because of the story written for the title! Otherwise, you're far too kind and also dedicated to have reviews complete already. I could have used another day with this one.

Re: Nur Ein XIV Round One "Shock Value"

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 5:50 am
by glennny
Rain Watt-

Your song is certainly original enough. Please don't take this the wrong way. Your song I found would come up between:

Fang Island - Sisterly


and

Boat- Classically Trained