Nur Ein VIII Round Six "Weekend in the City"

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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Manhattan Glutton »

If Merisan are cut for being late, I offer up my song under their name.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Paco Del Stinko »

Man Glut wrote:Not all of us are blessed with a perfect voice, paco.
And I do? Great googley moogley, man!
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Manhattan Glutton »

I'm convinced Carlo is KOMPRESSOR.
If I had a dollar for every one of my songs j$ has called a 90s pastiche, I'd have $1 for every song I've written.

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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Lunkhead »

Maybe his name is a play on Carla Bruni?! :P
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

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Lunkhead wrote:We suffered some last minute technical difficulties but our song is on its way, a touch late. :( We throw ourselves on the mercy of the judges.
Ha, rollin' like that dumbass BLT.


.....wait :?
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Billy's Little Trip »

Good songs all. After first listen and a second listen while reviewing, my order of likienessism. I'll offer up one complaint per song, because it's not polite to not give constructive criticism. One man's opinion, of course. ;)

Mary's Son - This takes top spot mainly because the vocals are so good. But the music is awesome too. The organ bridge is a nice change for interest. It's fun to toss in something new on the bridge. I try to do that often.
My only complaint: The chorus energy dies in the music. The vocals come through, but the band is squelched. That can be fixed in the mix though. :)

Pack Oh Le' Grande- The guitar is supreme. Love what you did with the rhythm through the whole song. The difference between strumming chords and actual playing of le chords. I think the thing I like best about this song is your use of the challenge. The story draws me in with full imagery. Your music changes as the saucer eyed boys go on their adventure. It's really a song that looks like a stage performance in my head. A great head movie, if you will. So you take the cake for the challenge in my opinion. Love ohh ohhh ohhz and all the back up vox as well. All very good. The only complaint: You have to get that drum sound dialed in. I know it's a different ball game recording an acoustic kit, but I don't want excuses soldier, I want results. Do your homework. :D

Man Havin' Glue Gun - I like everything you did here, but I wish you'd process the vocals a bit more. I know you're all about clean sparse mixes for great separation, but it would give the vox a bit more edge. Even if you just double track the vox. I know you want to save the harmonizing for the build later, but the first verse is where you are judged.
The music is fuckin' great. I hate to say it, but I really like it a lot.
Only Complaint: wtf is up with the blown out kick? Artistic vision? I get the soft clip, but not on one track with all the other tracks pristine. But who am I to make those judgement calls, right? :ugeek:

Car low Bruno Mars Jr. - You really take the trophy for the most organic music this year for sure. You are the Cinderella story out of nowhere. The music in this is big and dramatic! Instrumentation is wonderfully arranged and emotional. The complaint: The vocals are not bringing the same atmosphere as the music. I want to get into the whole picture, but I'm having a real hard time. Other than that, you are a true musician. Image

Nick Cave and the Dwellers - I like the intro. It sounds a tad like it tried too hard and barely hung on, but I like what you were shooting for and it's a nice change. I like the arrangement a lot!!! The changes are very cool. Very Zappa'esque, if not a little Kansas;esque at times. Everything is almost perfectly tight and close enough to work.
The complaint: Some of the vocals are off putting. It pulls the awesome arrangement down unfortunately. And I don't just mean pitchy, I mean lack luster almost as if they are being read at a eulogy with no real feeling. Not all, mind you, just some. But with an arrangement as grand as this with the time restraints of Nur Ein, it's a lot to do and get put together. A song like this really should not be ready for public listening for weeks with a lot of re-mixes and re-recording. So kudos for getting it to the point you did. BUT....here comes the but, it's not an excuse that can be used when down to the last 5 contestants, I'm afraid. Image
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by carlo bruno jr »

Manhattan Glutton wrote:I'm convinced Carlo is KOMPRESSOR.
Lunkhead wrote:Maybe his name is a play on Carla Bruni?! :P
Manhattan Glutton - 0
Lunkhead - 1
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

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Billy's Little Trip wrote:wtf is up with the blown out kick? Artistic vision? I get the soft clip, but not on one track with all the other tracks pristine. But who am I to make those judgement calls, right? :ugeek:
Thanks Chris. I wanted a lot more distortion originally but my demo audience said no. When I backed off, I kept a little bit. Perhaps I could have found a better happy medium with some of the tweaking - lots I would have done differently had I spent more than 20 hours. I've attached my very early sample, for shits and gigs. You'll notice I cut a pretty awesome upper bass part that didn't fit and increased the tempo.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Billy's Little Trip »

Manhattan Glutton wrote:
Billy's Little Trip wrote:wtf is up with the blown out kick? Artistic vision? I get the soft clip, but not on one track with all the other tracks pristine. But who am I to make those judgement calls, right? :ugeek:
Thanks Chris. I wanted a lot more distortion originally but my demo audience said no. When I backed off, I kept a little bit. Perhaps I could have found a better happy medium with some of the tweaking - lots I would have done differently had I spent more than 20 hours. I've attached my very early sample, for shits and gigs. You'll notice I cut a pretty awesome upper bass part that didn't fit and increased the tempo.
I like what you submitted better. But I do like the right panned reverb'd drum part before the beat kicks in, I'm glad you kept that. I think if there was one more track soft clipping or distorted, it would work better for my ears' common sense needs. Like if you had a doubled main vocal track with dirty bullhorn fx that you mildly push up right under your main clean vocal track just enough to make you a filthy little feller. Plus it would add some urgency and liveliness. Sometimes things like that are just enough to tie it all up in a nice bow.
Last edited by Billy's Little Trip on Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by BoffoYux »

Tonight I'll be hosting the Nur Ein 8 Round 6 Listening Party on UStream
Show starts at 8 pm EDT. Preshow is starting around 7:30ish.

Drop on in if you have some time. 6 new songs created just for this contest, and we'll whittle them down to 'Only One'.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nur-ein

The chat room is on Chatzy here
http://www.chatzy.com/85010334701393

or irc here at SongFight
http://jan-krueger.net/sf-irc
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by glennny »

Cavedwellers- I think we unquestionably own the challenge. We all know nailing the challenge doesn’t mean one should advance. I think we have the best composition, the best riffs, the best solos, the best melodies. As I should, I was a writer right. This is a song-cycle in the tradition of 2112 and Hemispheres and Ben Kriegers- Cable Beach. We started work once the challenge was announced, we both spent several hours every day, and we got it in on time with 2 minutes to spare! I really don’t think 1 or 2 listens is enough to appreciate it properly, and I knew we were running that risk with such a composition. I’m hoping the 6 movements are thought of as tight little efficient songs for the pop ears, and the story thread and musical developments throughout touch the epic nerve. I really thought there would be more epic songs like ours. I have no problem being a fool. I love our song, I’m quite proud of it. If we go down, we went down swinging. I do believe songs should stand on their own without explanation, but here’s a little bit in case you’re interested. I understand if you don’t want to read further. Thelonius Monks- There is a church of St. Coltrane in San Francisco, this is a play on that and the name Monk. Got to Get Out to Get Out is a carpet crawler reference (Genesis). Critical Mass is when bicyclists take over the streets and make it impossible to get across town. This started in San Francisco. I guess that wasn’t that bad. You probably knew all that anyway. I wish I had more time to perfect the mix, but I did my best to mix all week as the song developed. Anyway, great challenge! Great competition!

Carlo Bruno Jr- Why is this epic? Is it the dinosaur feet beat? The synth lead? The lyrics are wild. This is a very fun listen. Funny at moments. Drums are excellent and what I look forward to in your songs. Very cool song!

Manhattan Glutton- Is this epic? It does have a long length. I suppose its epic in scope. It’s much more “when the Levy Breaks” than “Stairway to Heaven”. I like this much better on headphones than in my truck. Though the kick sticks out in the headphones. I like your voice a lot. I think this could be improved with more dynamics. I feel like the intensity level is the same for the entirety of the song, well except the very end. I think the solos could use some help. I admire you went for it knowing you’re up against the likes of Lunkhead and Paco. Cool song! Definitely a keeper! Well done!

Merisan- I really love the rock edge of Merisan. Drums sound fantastic! I asked Ken if he contributed they sound so good. (Ken did not contribute). I wish the guitars were louder in the chorus. Erin’s vocals are superb. I don’t know why this is any more epic than most of your songs. Maybe all of your songs are epic. The melody is like a tidal wave spinning over my head. Drowning me in your promises left unsaid. This is just a great song. Excellent singing, great production. I like the keys solo, but I wish there was a blistering howling Lunkhead guitar solo! Awesome!

Paco del Stinko- This is a great song! Why is this epic? Might be another case where many of your songs are epic. I mean isn’t the OV songs Last Few Days and Who Needs Sleep as epic if not more than this? Certainly epic enough to check the box. I love the dynamics in the music and vocals. Sweet lead guitar! Thanks for not disappointing. The fretless bass is really tasty throughout. The “Fanta” and “Panther “ rhyme is among my favorites. Always a delightful listen!

NUR EIN!!!!!!
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Manhattan Glutton »

glennny wrote:I think we unquestionably own the challenge.
Carlo Bruno Jr- Why is this epic?
Manhattan Glutton- Is this epic?
Merisan- I don’t know why this is any more epic than most of your songs.
Paco del Stinko- This is a great song! Why is this epic?
niveous wrote:Non Optional Challenge: Epic story song
I think you are gearing up to be cut, because you're in Nur Ein Challenge Denial mode. Don't worry - it happens to all of us.
If I had a dollar for every one of my songs j$ has called a 90s pastiche, I'd have $1 for every song I've written.

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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by glennny »

If I were a judge, I would say everyone met the challenge. I just want to stir up a discussion as to why everyone's songs were epic. Everyone can easily argue that they wrote an epic story song. What am I in denial about? I just think we embraced the challenge the most. We'll see how that played for the judges.

I read it as EPIC STORY SONG !!!!!!

I'm not saying anyone didn't meet the challenge.
I really like all the entries!
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Manhattan Glutton »

I'm not sure your song qualifies as a song. It's more like a really short LP.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by glennny »

Well that's a valid argument. However I disagree with it. Ours is in the tradition of A quick One While He's Away, 2112, Fountain of Lamneth, And You and I, Starship Trooper, Close to the Edge, etc.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

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There are no transitions. Reminds me of listening to one of those "best of" compilation CD commercials from the 90s.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

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it doesn't sound like you've ever listened to 2112, other than overture to temples of syrinx those transitions are similar to ours.
You're just being mean and obtuse.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

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Mean? Those compilation CDs are the "best of"! That's a compliment.

Much like how you don't view the other entries as being epic - I do not view your entry as epic. ;)
If I had a dollar for every one of my songs j$ has called a 90s pastiche, I'd have $1 for every song I've written.

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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by glennny »

That's true , and thanks for that.
I do view the others as epic for reasons I stated, but I was hoping for some elaborations from the artists to make me feel they were more epic. I think yours has the length and it's a healthy sized story, easily categorized as epic.

I respect your opinion, though I didn't see that coming, probably should have.

Good Luck!
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Manhattan Glutton »

I think I was gunning for epic in terms of The Seeker. You know, more of the vibe of the music and the tale it tells. I will certainly admit I probably failed, though.

I think...
* Paco's music was pretty epic. I have no idea what it's about.
* Carlo's music was epic enough, and his story was... well... somewhat epic.
* Merisan's build-up is epic. I don't know if the words are epic. The chorus is big and epic.

I can hear how you were trying to be epic, but some recurring motifs, interesting transitions, and compelling vocals would have sold it better to me. It's kind of like every time I'm getting into one of your mini-songs, someone changes to a completely different station.
If I had a dollar for every one of my songs j$ has called a 90s pastiche, I'd have $1 for every song I've written.

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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by glennny »

well the idea was to have Exposition in one scene, Rising action in another, Building Tension, Climax, Falling action, resolution. The songs need to go in that order to further the story and to take the listener on the intended emotional ride.

I'm bummed you and Billy aren't sold on the vocals.
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Re: Nur Ein VIII- Round Six

Post by Paco Del Stinko »

Glennny wrote:I read it as EPIC STORY SONG
Yes, I read it as that as well. But I also read it as epic STORY song. While perhaps I failed on both interpretations, it is the latter that I attempted. Based on truth, it recounts a very decadent weekend I had in Frankfurt, Germany, while in the army. Nemo, Al, and Smitty were the actual guys sharing in the depravity. I'd have loved to either do a 2112 thang or fleshed the one I did out more, but time and the idea of someone suffering through my voice for longer than is there already was the capper!

I do think my story is on the epic side, and the music changes enough to make it feel like a lot happens. Not saying any of it is good, but certainly smells of epic-ness. I'm not so sure that some of the others do the same and in that regard, I think I did pretty well, comparatively. And you guys should know I never talk like that! Good songs all around, it'll be interesting to see who gets the axe.
Last edited by Paco Del Stinko on Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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