ST20.1 Reviews - See-Man-Ski
Page 2
21. Jeff Walker - Try Again
A really solid love song about mistakes made in love and begging for the opportunity to try again.
Performance
Very well played array of instruments, I was particularily taken aback with the inclusion of the accordion.
Your voice is lovely cut through the music so beautifully.
Love the emotion that comes through in spades with your voice.
Music
Really nice percussive pattern.
Can we try is such a lovely hook and very catchy.
(1:15) The accordion coming into the mix is lovely.
(2:48) The dropping out of both the slide guitar and accordion drops out a bit too much for my taste.
Idea
Nothing particularly special about the theme. Please don't leave me, the opportunity being to start again.
However, it perfectly fits with the music.
Lyrics
Although the theme of the song felt a bit clichéd to me, I did like some of the imaginary that you pay. The lines "futures and our feathers are so fine" and "a weathered hat in his hand", that feels like a little lost puppy.
Production
Felt the slide guitar needed a bit more clarity, it gets a bit lost in the mix. I wanted it to stick out some more, a bit more high end EQ could have helped.
Each instrument compliments one another, it does feel like a single instrument rather than a collection of them, you've mixed really well, and they feel like they all belong.
LUFS
-14.93
LRA
5.4
Peak
0.25
Performance
7/10
Music
7/10
Idea
4/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
6/10
Total
29/50
22. Temnere - Sands of Time
A fast pace rocking tune about moving the sands of time to save the day and get the girl/boy.
Performance
There is no doubt about, you can shred. The guitars sound amazing! It got me toe tapping which is always a good thing.
Your vocals where good, there fit the style and no stumblings that I noticed.
Music
I enjoyed how you played the genre, it feels good to my ears and the lyrics fitted the style you are playing. I wasn't so keen on the middle 8, I felt the violin was lacking the quality that the guitars gave.
Idea
I struggled with this, it didn't feel like a song about an opportunity. You are moving the sands of time to save the day/guy/girl. Isn't that just doing something, maybe it's the opportunity to save the day but it felt like the opportunity had been and gone and you were busy saving the day. There were a few hints about opportunity in the verses but as cohesive piece I didn't feel it sold it.
Lyrics
Not something I would write, but it read pretty well to me and definitely suited your style of playing and the message you wanted to convey.
Production
I thought it was generally good in terms of levels and balance. Something feels off about the master though, it feels like it needs more low and less mid frequencies. It didn't really pop, I think it needed some EQ tweaks to bring the guitars more as they felt a bit like they were competing with each other.
LUFS
-16.84
LRA
3.8
Peak
-3.56
Performance
7/10
Music
6/10
Idea
4/10
Lyrics
6/10
Production
5/10
Total
28/50
23. Good Niche Gracious - Cold War Master
A fun little song with a questionable fake guitar sound centred around fighting to the death in the snowball arena.
Performance
I was not keen on that keyboard part, sounded a bit tacky to my ears.
The vocals although performed very well were a bit out of sync. I also felt they need something else to go better with the style of music. Dare I say it, but I think they needed to be less on point. There needed to be a bit of grit about them.
Music
The chorus is definitely catchy, but I wasn't keen on the style. The fake guitar keyboard part just didn't work for me. I thought it had a great moment when you shifted the rhythm, I really liked that.
Idea
It is a fun idea, snow falling so let's have a snowball fight. Trouble is you get so carried away with the actual snowball fight being the centre of the song the opportunity to have the snowball fight gets lost. You start off with the idea of the opportunity in the first verse, but the central hook is definitely about having a snowball fight.
Lyrics
There fun lyrics, there is no denying that. Unique and pleasant to listen and read. I really love this description of a snowball "Spheres of frozen crystal ammo".
Production
I felt the vocals were too clean for the style of music, I wanted some distortion in you vocals. The vocals did sound good, maybe you could have aligned them more (but that's nitpicking).
It felt like you were going for a Strokes 12:51 type feel. I do wonder if you had used that as a reference track maybe it would have been more appealeding to me.
LUFS
-14.54
LRA
4.3
Peak
0.05
Performance
5/10
Music
4/10
Idea
5/10
Lyrics
7/10
Production
6/10
Total
27/50
24. "BucketHat" Bobby Matheson - Knockin' on wood
A rough and ready song that is uplifting and sends the message of you deserve this opportunity, so go for it.
Performance
The singing and the playing sounded fine to me, however the levels being so off could be hiding a few things.
Music
I liked the hopeful feel of the music, I felt happy when listening to it. The chorus was especially uplifting and pretty damn catchy at that.
Idea
I thought this was a nice take, you are optimistic about an opportunity that is coming your way, but you can't quite believe it.
Lyrics
The lyrics tell a story about hardship and suddenly something new and exciting comes your way. It then shifts after the chorus to be reassuring i.e. yes it has come your way, but you deserve it, so go for it.
Production
This is where you let yourself down, the mix is all over the place.
Drums are absolutely buried, any energy they would give are unfortunately lost.
Vocals are way too hot, they drown out everything else that is in the mix. I've only just noticed there are some keys in the background.
Acoustic guitars in parts come in way too hot, not as bad as the vocals but noticeable.
To quiet, the next tune nearly blasted my ears off because of it.
LUFS
-20.12
LRA
5.6
Peak
-0.3
Performance
6/10
Music
7/10
Idea
6/10
Lyrics
6/10
Production
2/10
Total
27/50
25. Huge Shark - Edge of a Knife
A well written tale of trusting (or not) the wrong person which doesn't quiet deliver a sinister sound scape. It is a bit messy and bit OTT but there is promise.
Performance
The music is played well, but I have to wonder how much of that is due to the effects being applied rather than the way it is played. It sounds like it is very reliant on delays.
It is sung very well and the emotion and clarity of the words come through.
Music
There were some nice interludes, I enjoyed how you blended the verse into the chorus (0:38) and the harmonies really help lift it.
The introduction of harmonies (1:00) on the 2nd verse helped to vary it.
Like I illuded in the performance, the music seems to be very similar across the whole song with a reliance of effects to help it. It does work on the first few listens, but it becomes a bit samey after a while and sounds a bit messy.
The music really doesn't help deliver the sinister nature of the song, I only got how dark it actually is when I read the lyrics. It's a bit happy for me to blended with those kinds of words.
Idea
I like the idea, it's pretty sinister and creepy. It's a nice twist on the challenge, it's an opportunity, but you really shouldn't take it.
Lyrics
As someone who struggles with lyrics, I did appreciate the craft. I liked how you were living in her presence, almost a fly on the wall. It's written like a story and I really liked the little name-drops e.g. Jimmy Choos and Dior and tickets to Berlin.
Production
Although it sounded good and ticks all the boxes in terms of loudness, it was a bit overbearing. I think you needed to reign the delays and panning and try and focus on the feel of it. I get the feeling you are venturing into new territory and chucking everything you can at it. Which is the first step, the next step is to chuck everything you can at it and then take away, mute channels whilst listening back and play around with what you can do without.
LUFS
-14.3
LRA
4.6
Peak
-0.85
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
5/10
Lyrics
7/10
Production
5/10
Total
27/50
26. Hot Pink Halo - Op shop
A quirky lovely little tune about spending your well earned cash on whatever you like, especially if you're in line for an operation. I felt the music fitted the words and subject matter very nicely.
Performance
(0:08) I think the bass is little out, timing wise
(1:27) The violin sounds a little out of tune to my ear, not much mind you (it could be my imagination). Actually I think might just be an EQ tweak, maybe.
Music
(0:24) switch up to electric guitars is nice
I love the Op Shop hook, it does get a bit tiresome towards the end mind you
(1:27) Nice breakdown and introduction of strings.
Idea
I live quite near the land of shoppertunity, or Meadowhell as I like to call it. Your version of shopping sounds more appealing to me. It reminds of my days working at Matlock with the wonderful Vom Vorton, we used to go charity shopping on our lunch. It's always a good thing if you can invoke a memory.
Reading the lyrics I like this even more, I got the idea that you are opportunity shopping. I didn't pick up on shopping for an operation in the 3rd verse. I did wonder why you dropped x-ray machine in, but that makes sense now.
Lyrics
I enjoyed the change up between the verses, each verse had a story to tell. It flowed very nicely.
I initially liked the chorus. It was a bit grating after a while, catchy as hell through.
Good use of clever words that a thicky like me has no understanding of. "Cyclorama" <- totally lost on me!
Production
Overall it did sound good, there was a nice blend of instruments, and they all came in at the right times. I do feel that some tweaks could have been made. I thought the bass was a little jarring, maybe tidy up the timing a little and try and make it so it doesn't take up so much of the mix (that said, it was just the intro). The violin sounded like it needed some EQing.
LUFS
-12.14
LRA
6
Peak
-0.46
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
7/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
5/10
Total
27/50
27. James Young - What Can I Do?
A well produced hard hitting performance that just missed the mark on delivering some interesting ideas and lyrics.
Performance
Everything is played very well and it is sung with conviction.
That guitar solo absolutely shreds, very nice indeed
Music
I like how it builds, each new section introduces new elements and a get larger and bolder as you go on through the song.
The chorus does come through nicely, you can really tell that it is an important part of the song.
The acoustic guitar playing didn't really grasp me, it felt like a bit of a 3 chord hack, the electric guitar made up for that in spades though.
Idea
The opportunity is life, I'm not buying that. Feels like a bit of a cop out to me. I want something more concrete, a specific thing.
Lyrics
They feel a bit hippy and I wasn't captivated. They were a bit clichéd for more, blinded by the truth because you lie as a hook is just a bit, OK fair enough. I want something unexpected that conveys the same thing.
Production
I liked the sound, it was full, it built and was very pleasant to listen. One thing did niggle me a little. I didn't like the unpleasant spitting sound that I heard every time you sang truth and youth. You could have done a retake on that or you might have been able to fix that in production.
LUFS
-13.97
LRA
9.6
Peak
-0.92
Performance
6/10
Music
6/10
Idea
4/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
7/10
Total
26/50
28. The Evil Genius formerly known as Timmy - Monkey Videos
An catchy synth pop piece that belongs in the late 90s that is going to be stuck in my head whether I like it or not.
Performance
Introduction is a lack luster.
(0:37) \"Faulty wiring\" sounds like \"For to Irene\", not sure which I prefer, both make sense to messy.
Ending is messy.
Music
(1:10) Oo oo oo oo, is a great hook.
Music is ridiculously and chorus is ridiculously catchy.
Sounds a lot like Dandy Warhols.
Idea
Interesting take, a touch of imposter syndrome in the workplace or just easily distracted means you are missing out something important.
The chorus is catchy, that's for sure. I felt like it needed more context, I felt a bit all over the place. It would have been better if there was a bit more narrative why you were distracted by the monkey videos rather than just, I'm in office or I'm in the yard.
I don't think it is very nice to call security guards ugly and meaningless, feels a bit mean to me.
Lyrics
I thought the lyrics were OK, but I think they felt a bit thrown together and could have been embellished.
Production
Everything sounds like, the panning separates everything nicely
Like how the chorus builds.
The big tubular synth gets a bit much, it's really in your face and I could have done with less.
LUFS
-12.75
LRA
10.8
Peak
0.18
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
6/10
Lyrics
4/10
Production
6/10
Total
26/50
29. Berni Armstrong - It Will Come in Handy One Day
This is a unique take on the challenge, it was fun to read and listen to but lacked any real imagination in the instruments used and the production.
Performance
It doesn't start well, your timing is off, and it is immediately obvious that you are a little (not much mind you) out of tune.
Vocals come across loud and clear and understand every single word you are singing. Particularly like the way you conveyed "Diogenes Syndrome"
Solid vocal performance throughout, the banjo (I think that's what it is, I'm terrible at placing instruments) is a bit ropey in parts but generally pretty solid, just a shame it starts a bit messy.
Music
I wanted far much more out of the music, it is very bare and doesn't really shift musically.
At the very least it felt like it could have used some percussive elements to drive it along and if you introduced it midway it could have given it a much needed shift.
It drove very well, there was a groove, and it felt a bit like a sea shanty, which I think works with the theme.
I enjoyed the chorus, the way you sang "rubbish" has a nice harshness to it.
Idea
The take on the challenge about all the missed opportunities of what you have hoarded is very clever.
The idea is very obvious when you listen to the track, you don't have to read into it to try and figure it out.
Lyrics
This was the star of the show for me.
I loved that it was a person you can on a journey with.
I loved all the situations that Jim got into.
The words flow very nicely and the shift in rhyming schemes on the first and last verses vary it up a little.
Production
I thought with what you had it sounded nice, but you didn't really push yourself with this, which was disappointing.
Looking at my loudness statistics, it's a little quiet.
LUFS
-20.35
LRA
6.8
Peak
0.04
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
7/10
Lyrics
7/10
Production
2/10
Total
26/50
30. Mandrake - Supernova
An interesting but awkward track which explores the feeling of watching a supernova.
Performance
The vocals were incredibly hard to follow, I couldn't understand most of what was being sang.
The other elements although interesting were more programmed than they were performed. I still think that counts in my book, I enjoyed the sounds.
Music
This is a mix of interesting and awkward for me, you have a lot of clever little tricks under you sleave, but it feels a bit disjointed.
I thought the break at start was nice. Really stops you in your tracks.
Did I catch the sound of eating crisps as a percussive element?
This definitely morphs, it's very hard to keep up with what is going on, but it starts quite slow and awkward then gets all chip tuney and has quite a nice beat behind it.
Idea
I guess the opportunity is to be able to see a supernova. However, I have issue with this because it because a song about a supernova, not the opportunity to see it. Your liner notes even allude to that.
Lyrics
They're a bit generic, I'm sure there are things you could have written about that a specific to a supernova. You kind just go, wouldn't it be cool to see a supernova. I want to know why it would be cool, what is it that I would get to see. Are there any clever supernova terms you could have googled that you can drop in the lyrics?
Production
You spent a lot of time put this together and it shows. I did feel some parts needed tweaking here and there, but there were some production decisions I really liked. The big break at the start and the reverb you put on supernova to drag it out were interesting.
LUFS
-13.73
LRA
10.4
Peak
0.58
Performance
6/10
Music
6/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
7/10
Total
25/50
31. Roddy - Piano opportunity
A guy and piano that is singing about all of us gullible musicians that got dupped by the opportunity to get better at it.
Performance
The piano was played very well and you would hope so considering the subject matter and the singing was good to. I would have like to hear more instruments to really bring it out though.
Music
I just thought this sounds exactly like Randy Newman. I enjoyed it but it didn't stick out as unique because of that.
Idea
As someone who is always looking for courses to try and improve online and fell well within the "gullible musician" bracket I hated the idea. It really annoyed me as it felt like you were having a dig at me. I would have prefered if it was directed more towards the crappy site but it felt more like us poor stupid musicians that decided to purchase it. I don't like feeling stupid when I listen to something, and this did that.
Reading through the lyrics it would have almost worked if you hadn't had used lines like "Persuade the gullable to subscribe" and "If you get those suckers to pay". As soon as I realised you were calling me a gullable sucker I was put off.
That all said, it was a unique take on the challenge you just didn't think of your target audience.
Lyrics
They were different lyrics, I liked how you changed it up between the verses. You already know why I'm not massively keen, but it does read well and goes with the music.
Production
Sounds good, but I'm not sure how much effort was made into making this. For all I know it could have been a huge miccing operation of a grand piano, but with so few elements it just feels bare.
LUFS
-21.27
LRA
3.9
Peak
-4.2
Performance
6/10
Music
6/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
5/10
Total
25/50
32. The Alleviators - Hit The Ground Stumbling
A track that doesn't quite feel realised about an opportunity that came up that you regret not taking.
Performance
This doesn't feel very polished, the bass guitar at the intro is sloppy, and your vocals together do go off on tangents in places. It feels a bit rushed and could have used some more practice to get the parts nailed.
Music
When you get it right your vocals together sound really nice. I did think they helped lift the chorus.
I was intrigued when the church organ came in at the start but unfortunately in the song once the guitars kicked in kind of stole the show. I wanted more of that.
I really want to like it more than I do, there is lovely quality about it but it just never really grabbed me I'm afraid.
Idea
I think this song is about an opportunity that went wrong. I'm struggling because the chorus feels like you are running away from something. Maybe, it's about an opportunity that came up i.e. "I think I missed an incoming call" that you are regretting not taking. Yeah, that's my interpretation.
Lyrics
I think the chorus is nice, I don't think it has that killer hook where I'm never get it out of my head (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I find the message a bit confusing and struggled to understand the meaning. I think I liked it more than disliked it, but I struggled, it was a bit too hard for me to get my head around (although I'm probably just a bit thick).
Production
Much like the performance I thought this didn't have the care and attention it probably deserved. In particular, I wasn't keen on the levels of the different vocals, the female vocal felt overpowering at places.
LUFS
-16.41
LRA
6.3
Peak
-0.1
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
5/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
3/10
Total
23/50
33. Ominous Ride - The Deal
A unique take on the challenge where you have an opportunity of a lifetime at the cost of your soul, but the repetitive nature of the music made this a hard listen.
Performance
I wasn't grabbed at all, it was extremely repetitive and those elements of the track really got on my nerves. The bended guitar that was played constantly and that guitar after your vocals in the verses got very tiresome because they were so constant and exactly the same.
I thought the solo was weak, it felt programmed and very downplayed. I want it to shred, but it was there but didn't really have any presence.
I thought the chorus had an interesting vocal arrangement.
Music
Not a fan I'm afraid, the repetition put me off straight away. It just didn't have anything that made it stick out. The chorus nearly rescued it, but then the verses started again, and it lost interest. Also, all I could hear was that bended guitar which I found annoying.
Idea
I did like the idea, you have the opportunity to make a deal with the devil. I though that was a neat take on the challenge.
Lyrics
I liked the idea and your lyrics did portray this, but there was really any clever word play or interesting metaphors. It was spelt out (which I like incidently) but there wasn't anything that made me think, that's a nice way of describing that.
Production
I felt the balance was OK, the solo was completely lost and probably wise considering it didn't really give anything. Like I said in the performance it all sounded a bit programmed, which is fine if you don't have the ability or instruments to play. However, you can do a lot in the production to spice it up i.e. use a humanizer on the repetitive parts so you DAW changes it up for you. Add some delays and effects to the solo so that it makes it sound bigger than it actually is.
LUFS
-12.1
LRA
5
Peak
0.05
Performance
4/10
Music
3/10
Idea
7/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
4/10
Total
23/50
34. The Popped Hearts - Never Miss A Chance To Miss A Chance
A punktastic tale of unrequited love from the girl next door.
Performance
It's not as tight as it could be, I thought the vocals needed to be bit sharper and the rhythm guitar could have used a few more takes to get it on the beat. However, it was rawkus and it was well paced and fun to listen to.
Vocals felt like they needed to have more of a shout style.
Music
I really liked the build up into the song, you introduced us into it well and when the lead guitar kicked in at 0:40 it really picked up the pace.
Toe tapped all the way through.
The chorus does have the potential to be catchy "miss chance to miss a chance" is a hook, but it just is delivered, I think maybe some more harmonies or something to really pick it out.
I did like the little key shift at the end of the track.
Idea
Another love song about a chance missed in love. Felt there was probably something more you could have done with the challenge.
Lyrics
There were a few lyrical lines that caught my attention. I liked the reference to "praxis" and "Fabian tactics". I also liked the mention of "my suburban cul-de-sac" which made this feel like more down to earth.
Production
Nothing really stuck out as out of place, the drums did sound a little weak compared to the guitars, I would have been tempted to slap a bit of distortion on them to try and make them sound more rawkus.
LUFS
-11.38
LRA
5.1
Peak
-0.15
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
5/10
Total
23/50
35. Jocko Homomorphism - The Captive Sphinx
A trip into the games arena for the opportunity to win and laugh at your opponent ... a lot!
Performance
I want to like the performance, but it's just a bit too weird for me. I found all the laughing really got on my wick and the disjaunted vocals just too much. I will say this, I did like it at the start because it felt like an episode of stranger things.
Music
It is certainly different, I will give you that. I thought the feel was right for what you wanted. It feels like it belongs with a board game i.e. Dungeons and Dragons or Magic The Gathering, please don't take offense if I get them wrong and miss the context, I know what they are but not how to play.
Like I said in the performance for someone who isn't into that kind of thing it just came across as annoying and it did raise my eyebrows and make me think "what the hell is going on"
Idea
At a guess I would say the opportunity is to win the game your playing. I must admit that was at a push and I didn't get any kind of association to opportunity just by listening. There is probably something clever I am missing, but I don't get it.
Lyrics
I think the lyrics work very well for the genre you are peddling. They are mysterious and foreboding and you kind of feel like you are gathered in basement playing role playing games. I think it works for what you wanted to achieve.
Production
I did like your use of panning, it was cool how you vocals shifted left to right and the synths were constantly panning. However, that only became apparent when I listened using my cans, on speakers I didn't pick up on that happening.
LUFS
-15.21
LRA
18.4
Peak
0.86
Performance
3/10
Music
4/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
6/10
Production
6/10
Total
22/50
36. The Practitioners - Heaven
A confusing take on the challenge which flows well and has a great beat.
Performance
The rapping sounding pretty damn good to me. Not being into the style and how you do it I don't feel in place to pass comments, it works for me though.
Music
The beat drives it along quite nicely and complements your rapping and I liked the little reverse sample you have going on.
The chorus is catchy enough, the overlaid rapping is very cool.
Idea
I didn't feel the idea of an opportunity played any part in the lyrics whatsoever, I felt you had a line that mentioned opportunity knocking and that was about it.
Lyrics
Not being a fan of the genre, it's hard to pass judgement. I can only go on what I heard and whether I liked it. I thought they flowed very well, but I would have liked it the play around with an opportunity, that didn't come across in the lyrics.
Production
Sounded good to me, I would have liked the female vocals to have taken a more prominent part in the chorus. I felt they were second fiddle to your rapping, and they could have really lifted the track.
LUFS
-14.39
LRA
6.9
Peak
-0.34
Performance
6/10
Music
5/10
Idea
2/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
6/10
Total
22/50
37. Night Sky - Janus Lies
A rather questionable performance about a guy or girl named Janus who is a bit of a fibber.
Performance
Sorry, but your vocals are way off point. There were quite a number of occasions where I winced because you wavered or couldn't quite reach a note. That could have used a few more takes.
The brass section nearly saved you, if you had done that throughout I would have liked it more.
Music
It was a slow paced piece that needed you to deliver on the vocals as they were the centre piece. I enjoyed the brass section and I liked the introduction of the Hammond organ but everything else kind of washed over me.
Idea
I'm really struggling to pick out the opportunity. I get the impression there is a person called Janus, and they lie but what's that got to do with opportunities. There are sprinkles of it in the verses i.e. "chance stood naked before me" but it seemed more like a song about someone being dishonest rather than centred around an opportunity.
Lyrics
You do have a nice way with words in the verses that were interesting and engrossing. I didn't like the repetition of "Janus Lies" in the chorus. I do get the impression that Janus means more than an actual name. I have a feeling it refers to something as well as someone, which I like. Just read your bios, and I was right, he is a Roman God.
Production
I thought the drums were a little too aggressive for the track and could have been fixed in production. I thought brass sounded spot on, but you might have been able to do something to rescue your voice, but I think it probably needed re-recording (which is a production decision).
LUFS
-15.34
LRA
5.6
Peak
-0.73
Performance
4/10
Music
4/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
6/10
Production
4/10
Total
21/50
38. Yeslessness - My Secret
A little tune about the urge to be a nosey so and so who sees an open door and can't resist.
Performance
The vocals are a bit cringey and are obviously out of key.
I liked the stabbing organ I thought that work quite well.
You are trying to cram in too many words in chorus "would try to control" is a bit of a mouth full. I would have been tempted to drop "try to" so it rolls off the tongue better.
It's a very repetitive rhythm that doesn't really change throughout the verses, it feels like it has been programmed rather than played.
Music
It was ok, it had a nice pace was just bit plonkey plonkey and nothing really grabbed my attention throughout.
Idea
I liked the idea of an open door and the opportunity to be a little bit naughty. I thought you could have expanded it further, could he have been thief, was there a twist you could have thrown in. We knew from verse 1 that you were snooping, maybe verse 2 could have expanded on that.
Lyrics
Pretty much the same as the idea, neat concept would have like the lyrics to have gone off in different direction as when they started. The chorus doesn't work for me at all, it's obviously rushed and could have been made better so that it doesn't sound so awkward.
Production
Didn't have any real issue with how it sounded, maybe it was a bit regimented, and you could have humanized it a bit, so it doesn't sound programmed. Other than that nothing really caught my ear.
LUFS
-16.59
LRA
5
Peak
-0.12
Performance
4/10
Music
4/10
Idea
4/10
Lyrics
4/10
Production
5/10
Total
21/50
39. Bubba & The Ghost of the Kraken - Knock Knock Knock
Fun song that twisted the challenge into a very catchy hook. The production choices felt a bit out of place to my ears at times but the chorus sticks out a mile.
Performance
I find that "Vvvvv" at the start very annoying and I rather it was there.
Lots going on musically it is a fun listen.
The lyrics come through clearly, I can understand every single word you're singing.
Music
I like the play on the tile of the challenge it is super catchy
Knock Knock Knocking is a really nice hook that really sticks into your head
I thought the chorus does have a really nice lift to it that sets it aside from the music.
Idea
Struggling to see what the opportunity is, if anything, I want to have that "ah, that's what they realised, missed, ignored etc".
Felt like you had the idea of "Knock knock knock" early on and then everything else was an afterthought.
Lyrics
Other than the hook there is nothing in the lyrics that cries unique, it's a bit clichéd for me.
Rhyming is lacking any real imagine, You rhymed "like it" with "like it".
Production
The distorted vocals don't work for me against the cleaner instruments. IMO, if you are going to use distorted vocals the track needs to match it in some form. Maybe some saturation on the instruments, so they don't sound as clean.
Drums are a bit over powering and I would hazard a guess they are just taken out of ez drummer or something like that out of the box. I think you could have tweaked the levels and eqs to match it blend a bit more.
I do like that this does have some production value to it and I think that deserves commending, just feel it could have used some love to really get the elements to gel together well.
LUFS
-17.85
LRA
1.8
Peak
-0.14
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
4/10
Total
20/50
40. Phantom Woes - New Woman, New Cry
A rather confusing extremely panned track that explores the feelings of not taking a chance in love.
Performance
The vocals don't work for me, you rush your lines, and they aren't as polished as I would like.
The saxophone solo needs more practice, it's a nice addition, but I just felt it was played particularly well.
I did like the piano that worked really well for me.
Music
It felt a bit confusing to me, so many instruments were crammed in bouncing off both of my ears and the vocals were difficult to place inside all of that madness. I felt it needed more structure to try and improve the clarity. I didn't get a sense of any hook or something that would remain in my head.
Idea
It's about not taking the opportunity for a new love. However, the centrepiece i.e the chorus is more about your feelings about not taking the chance rather than the opportunity. I would have liked this to explore what the opportunity was.
Lyrics
I felt it needed more, it deals with how you felt but in a very generic and clichéd way, is a there a more artful way of saying how you felt that doesn't feel like it has been said many times before.
Production
I felt a lot could have been done to improve this, the panning is really confusing and just leaves your head in a spin. The vocal effects sounded weird and they just didn't fit in with the mix. I came out of the listen not really knowing what happened because I was just lost in stuff that was bantering around my ears. It did sound a lot worse in my headphones.
LUFS
-15.21
LRA
9.7
Peak
-0.1
Performance
4/10
Music
3/10
Idea
4/10
Lyrics
4/10
Production
4/10
Total
19/50
41. chewmeupspitmeout - Never Die
A depressing song that looks like it is dealing with the opportunity not to die and the fear that surrounds it.
Performance
Vocals are a bit all over the place. I'm not sure that how you are singing in the chorus suits you vocal range. It feels pretty forced and strained to my ears. Possibly could have used a few more takes to nail it.
Music
I wasn't a fan of all the breaks, it just never got going to me and that drum beat just doesn't fill the void.
You do get the feeling of doom listening to it, but it just felt awkward to me.
Idea
I thought the idea wasn't great. The opportunity not to die and writing about death is just so morbid and depressing, it makes me down in the dumps (even more so than usual).
Lyrics
The lyrics themselves are actually pretty good, they are expressive and interesting to read.
Production
Some sound choices where questionable, I did not like the bass drum sound, it was short and sharp and had a tone to it that just didn't sit right with me.
Deep bass line could do with being cleaner, it felt liked it belong on a synthwave track. I wanted something a nice and deep but without the added features, maybe a simple sine wave could have worked. I think you used an FM synthesiser, the modulation just didn't work for me.
Maybe could have done something with you vocals to try and make sound a little better than they did.
LUFS
-16.39
LRA
14
Peak
-0.52
Performance
4/10
Music
4/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
3/10
Total
19/50
42. Profestriga - Useless Sapphic
An overly aggressive track about getting with someone you are not sure is into you.
Performance
I liked the backing track, you have a nice double bass going on and that piano which comes is very nice. I do have issues with the vocals. The starting vocal is a bit cringe worthy, it comes across as very desperate. You then go into some very aggressive rap style which feels mean, and I found it hard to get past that feeling.
Music
I thought the music worked, the rapping was intensive and delivers a punch. I just wish it wasn't so creepy, it comes across as stalkerish. Long story short, the music felt right if the subject matter was different.
Idea
This feels like a missed opportunity to dominate a girl that you like. I found it quite offensive and derogatory, and I couldn't get behind it at all.
Lyrics
Didn't like them, I find it hard to read and to listen to because of the derogatory nature.
Production
Not anything I can hear that stuck out, levels feel right to me and everything sounds good.
LUFS
-14.19
LRA
7.7
Peak
0.12
Performance
5/10
Music
6/10
Idea
1/10
Lyrics
2/10
Production
5/10
Total
19/50
43. The Single Pint of Failure - Don't Believe in Hope
A blisteringly loud heavy rock song that does deliver on intensity but at the cost of deafening the listener and loss of any dynamics that the track could have had. I do think this had potential, but the shear loudness was a real off putter for me.
Performance
This track is a bit one dimension, it's kind all or nothing really. I felt like I was repeated hit with aggressive guitars and vocals. At around the 2:17 mark I found it very tiring to listen to.
Not sure how I feel about the pronunciation of "Wait". I think that's a dialect thing though and it does add character.
There isn't any timing issues or tuning that immediately struck me. Just wasn't a fan of how much is thrown at you without a reprieve or some dynamics to give you a bit of a break.
Music
It's a shame about the production because as it is so loud it gets distorted and distracts you from what is going, the panning guitars after the hook are nice (1:20) and the solo does help to break it up a little (1:30).
Idea
I don't see the opportunity in this, feels more like you are stuck in a rut and don't know how to get out, maybe it's the opportunity to get home, but that's at a push. Maybe you are retrospectively looking at the aftermath of an opportunity that's happened. On second glance, I think the context is there, but I had to really struggle to find it.
Lyrics
The repetition of I believe was a bit much for me. There is a structure in the verse to the chorus, I just wasn't sold on the story. I didn't feel like I could relate to it and wasn't personally invested in the message,
Production
WAY TOO LOUD! All the dynamics have been lost! You have a whopping -3.84 LUFS and 2.29 peak which is crazy loud.
At some points the vocals sound like they are clashing (1:14) which is unpleasant. That could be to do with the amount of limiting you are putting on it that is just pushing over the limit.
Vocals got quite tinny in places, 1:08 is where I spotted it.
LUFS
-3.84
LRA
3.9
Peak
2.29
Performance
5/10
Music
5/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
2/10
Total
18/50
44. Loren Kiyoshi Dempster - Land Of Opportunity
A rushed long song about a sea of different opportunities that have knocking, some interesting percussive elements and comic moments but hard to listen to in one sitting.
Performance
Vocals are really rushed, you have crammed so many words that you struggle to keep up and the vocal performance suffers because of it.
The trumpets were a nice touch, but I would have wanted more than those one note stabs that I got.
Music
This was so long and varied very little that it is a chore to listen to the whole way through. I think it could have been shortened to hold my attention. There were a few instrument changes that did help, but it wasn't enough.
The that's knocking at the door line is repeated so often it becomes very tiresome.
Idea
I guess the opportunity is that all these people are knocking at the door and all the people that are there are the opportunity. Problem is it turns into jus ta list of people and things rather than a cohesive idea of a particular opportunity. It's hard to get behind because it feels like everything has just been thrown into a pot and mixed together.
Lyrics
Too many verses and an irritating chorus, there is a good rhyming scheme going on, but I just felt you needed to really go through it and define the verses a bit more, I honestly think if this was a shorter song and you had sacrificed some verses the chorus wouldn't have got so annoying and it wouldn't have lost my attention. Less is more!
There were a few moments that made me chuckle, so you get a point for that.
Production
I think the production was OK, I couldn't pin anything down that was obvious when listening. Maybe the vocals where a little hot in the mix, but there wasn't anything that raised an eyebrow.
LUFS
-18.27
LRA
7.9
Peak
-2.8
Performance
4/10
Music
3/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
4/10
Production
4/10
Total
18/50
45. Weiner - Play Your Hand
A bit of ploddy track which has some questionable instruments that really take over the track, but unfortunately not in a good. The lyrics have some nice word play, I do like the idea of a deck of cards, but it isn't enough for me, I'm afraid.
Performance
Your vocals sound tired and lack luster, there is no real presence about them.
The acoustic guitar is played nicely and does feel like its in its place.
Everything just doesn't fit, it's all a bit messy. There are a few timing issues that could have been ironed and doesn't captivate me.
Music
It plods along, no real flourishes in the track that really lift it.
Violin is way way way too much and just doesn't work at all.
Idea
I do think the playing cards idea is interesting, but it's second fiddle to the opportunity in my eyes. Your first to lines say, oh you had an opportunity time to play it, then it goes off into how you should play it rather than describing what the opportunity is.
Lyrics
It's a stretch on the challenge. It is different but it's nothing special.
Production
Some horrible mid range tones that could do with cutting out using EQ.
Acoustic guitar fits, a bit too hidden. Shame it's the best sounding thing in the mix
Violin takes over and isn't very pleasant. Sounds like you need a better VST to me, or mess around with what you have got. Add some saturation, shove a bit crusher on, adds some chorus flange. At the very least slab some reverb or delay on it because it just sounds dry and horrid. It definitely needs some eqing to reign in some of those harsh tones it has.
Percussion and bass need bringing up, they're a bit buried in the mix.
Reverb on the vocals is a bit too short for my taste.
LUFS
-13.39
LRA
4.4
Peak
0.13
Performance
3/10
Music
3/10
Idea
5/10
Lyrics
3/10
Production
3/10
Total
17/50
46. Menage a Tune - Push It!
A very minimum effort acapella track about the opportunity to take out some money.
Performance
Sorry, I found it extremely to listen to. It is brave to do acapella, but it was a very difficult listen for me.
Music
There is no music! Tell you what, I'll give you half a point because there was a tiny bit of music right at the start.
Idea
The idea is neat, I like the thought of someone coming to cash machine and not knowing how much they have in there and the opportunities they have depending on how much is in their account.
Lyrics
The lyrics are interesting, but they don't feel musical. When I read them and when you sing them they just don't feel like they would fit behind any musical structure. Maybe I'm being unfair because there is no music behind it, but looking at them if I was to attempt to put music on them myself I think I would need to alter them to fit.
Production
Again, not really much production if any.
LUFS
-15.25
LRA
9.3
Peak
-2.31
Performance
1/10
Music
0.5/10
Idea
7/10
Lyrics
5/10
Production
1/10
Total
14.5/50
47. Susan Veit Heslin - Go My Own Way
A fairly middle of the road girl and guitar track about some opportunity (I'm not sure what), had some lovely harmonies here and there but didn't really capture my attention.
Performance
Vocals were pretty weak, you either need to fix it in production or get better at moving to and from the mic as your vocals got louder and quieter throughout the track.
Guitars are pretty simple with no real stand out playing that caught my attention.
The harmonies where nice and lifted it up and I noticed some vibrato in your voice that caught my attention.
Music
I would have liked a lot more, the guitar was there but that was it. I'm afraid it just wasn't enough to really wow me.
Idea
I get the impression this is a song about an opportunity missed and regretting it. For me I would want a specific opportunity and this was a bit too woolley for me.
Lyrics
There were some nice lines but it just felt a bit clichéd and nothing special really grabbed me.
Production
Considering there is little going on I was still able to pick holes. You could have levelled out the vocals using a vocal leveller or some compression. Your guitar tone could have used some eqing to bring make it brighter, possibly reduce the mid frequencies and cut out some of those dissonant tones that crept into the mix. Just feels like you recorded this one take, added some harmonies and were done with it.
LUFS
-17.86
LRA
6.5
Peak
-0.98
Performance
3/10
Music
3/10
Idea
3/10
Lyrics
4/10
Production
1/10
Total
14/50