Thank God for Reviews!

Discuss upcoming, current, and previous song fights.
Bad Cactus
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Post by Bad Cactus »

trevbot2 wrote:like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
Short answer: No, you absolutely should not stop.

Long answer: Your voice doesn't live in a vacuum. It's subject to all kinds of variables and it's hard to say after one performance if it's "good". It was in tune (which is a good start) but with a timid performance and a not-so-great recording you shouldn't expect a shining vocal track as a result.

Your voice is just as much an instrument as your guitar. Push it. Sing with authority. Someone in one of the other threads said it best: "Mean it!"

The only way you're going to get better is keep doing it. Try different styles. Play with the way you record yourself. Sing in the car. Find your voice.

Stop now and there's no chance you'll get better.
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wages
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Post by wages »

Bad Cactus wrote:
trevbot2 wrote:like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
Short answer: No, you absolutely should not stop.

Long answer: Your voice doesn't live in a vacuum. It's subject to all kinds of variables and it's hard to say after one performance if it's "good". It was in tune (which is a good start) but with a timid performance and a not-so-great recording you shouldn't expect a shining vocal track as a result.

Your voice is just as much an instrument as your guitar. Push it. Sing with authority. Someone in one of the other threads said it best: "Mean it!"

The only way you're going to get better is keep doing it. Try different styles. Play with the way you record yourself. Sing in the car. Find your voice.

Stop now and there's no chance you'll get better.
It all sounds very fluffy, but it is true. Want to hear "finding your voice" as it happens? Go listen to my first SF entry (from 2003) and compare it to tracks from 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. I've made a lot of progress, and you can too! With new and improved: confidence. Now with added practice!
Wages - Hoglen & Wages - The Affirmative Mention - Gawking Urethras - The EAF - and more
jackfrost
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Post by jackfrost »

trevbot2 wrote: like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
if you are going to want everyone to hold your hand and tell you how good you are no matter how bad you suck, then just stop now.
Jawknee
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Post by Jawknee »

jackfrost wrote:
trevbot2 wrote: like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
if you are going to want everyone to hold your hand and tell you how good you are no matter how bad you suck, then just stop now.
i agree with jack.
"He had alot to say. He had alot of nothing to say, we'll miss him."
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Post by Hoblit »

Jawknee wrote:
jackfrost wrote:
trevbot2 wrote: like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
if you are going to want everyone to hold your hand and tell you how good you are no matter how bad you suck, then just stop now.
i agree with jack.
I was going to give a huge AMEN to the original statement but I see a simple "i agree with jack" will do.

While I understand you need the criticism to make you a better musician you will need to learn to take the good with the bad and ultimately you have to decide whether or not YOU can sing. Not being able to sing well hasn't stopped a lot of successful artists so why should it stop you. (Think Lou Reed)

Be ready to hear some truth because not all songfighters are as nice as others.

Learn to sing to the best of your ability, THEN experiment with what you can do with it tenderly or weirdly or screaming or any of the other things.

one word: Fundamentals.
trevbot2
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Post by trevbot2 »

yaaaa um just wanted sum help u dont need to b a dick u know lol
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erik
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Post by erik »

Trev:

Your vocals sound decent enough. They seemed to fit the song. There are some spots where you have an affectation where you can't really pull it off, but you could just stop doing that. Making a better recording would allow people to focus on the actual performance.

I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who hasn't written/recorded alot of songs to ask people what they think of their stuff. Welcome to songfight.
The Weakest Suit
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Post by The Weakest Suit »

trevbot2
you originally asked if:
a. your voice was good, or
b. should you just stop now.

i say the answer should be:
c. take some singing lessons and improve your voice if you don't like it.

if you've never taken any lessons, they can help you out so much. i think hoblit hit it right on the head, though. improve as much as you can, and then work within that framework.
mc_wino
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Post by mc_wino »

jackfrost wrote:
trevbot2 wrote: like is my voice actually good or should i just stop now
if you are going to want everyone to hold your hand and tell you how good you are no matter how bad you suck, then just stop now.
it's called taking criticism from people, not having your hand held. here's some criticism for you, you're a prick.
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MC Eric B
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Post by MC Eric B »

Maybe trevbot2 would not have to ask for advice if more people actually posted reviews. Out of 38 entries this week, I think only a few people posted full reviews of all the songs so far. If trevbot2 had feedback from the 37 other singers, than he might not need to ask questions.

- Eric
mc_wino
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Re: reviews

Post by mc_wino »

MC Eric B wrote:Maybe trevbot2 would not have to ask for advice if more people actually posted reviews. Out of 38 entries this week, I think only a few people posted full reviews of all the songs so far. If trevbot2 had feedback from the 37 other singers, than he might not need to ask questions.

- Eric
this is true. Also i think i may have slacked on my reviews. I'm not that good at reviewing. I just looked at my list and saw my reviews got smaller and smaller, and then for some reason i started talking about Southern Comfort. Man, i need some Southern Comfort right... wait, I'm sorry again. Point is, my reviews will be more elaborate next time. Promise!
Oh so sweet yet oh so miserable..
It felt so good to finally clear the air - as I spilled my guts.
The guilt fades away - as I spill your guts.
MC Eric B
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Post by MC Eric B »

mc_wino - No, by "full reviews" I did not mean you should not do reviews that are short. I meant people should review all the songs, not just a few. But, even reviewing a few songs is better than none at all which is what most of the 38 entrants did.

The reviews you posted were very good. No need to make them longer.

- Eric
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mc_wino

Post by MC Eric B »

mc_wino - I just read a review of your song that mentioned a "wall of sound". That is the exact phrase I though of when I was writing my review of your song, but I did not say it because I was not sure if it was intentional, or just the way you happened to mix the song. Either way it gave it a unique sound, which was good.
Jawknee
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Re: mc_wino

Post by Jawknee »

MC Eric B wrote:mc_wino - I just read a review of your song that mentioned a "wall of sound". That is the exact phrase I though of when I was writing my review of your song, but I did not say it because I was not sure if it was intentional, or just the way you happened to mix the song. Either way it gave it a unique sound, which was good.
he was going for more of a gate of sound, but beggars cant be choosers.
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mc_wino
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Post by mc_wino »

gotcha. I still want to make mine a little longer. My original problem definitely was I crammed them all in one sitting. Totally got burnt out by the time i was done... in more ways then one. which actually makes the reviewing go a little better. just food for thought.
Oh so sweet yet oh so miserable..
It felt so good to finally clear the air - as I spilled my guts.
The guilt fades away - as I spill your guts.
anti-m
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Re: reviews

Post by anti-m »

MC Eric B wrote:But, even reviewing a few songs is better than none at all which is what most of the 38 entrants did.
For Pete's sake, cut us some slack, man! Detailed reviews (especially for fights this big) take some time. Keep your pants on! I'll be eviscerating you all very soon.
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Billy's Little Trip
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Re: reviews

Post by Billy's Little Trip »

MC Eric B wrote:Maybe trevbot2 would not have to ask for advice if more people actually posted reviews. Out of 38 entries this week, I think only a few people posted full reviews of all the songs so far. If trevbot2 had feedback from the 37 other singers, than he might not need to ask questions.

- Eric
Taker cheesy, they're a come'n. I just have so many irons in the fire right now, I can only chip away at the reviews when I have a spare minute.
MC Eric B
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Post by MC Eric B »

I know, I was not trying to rush people, I just meant when all is said and done only around 1/2 the people who entered will write reviews, maybe even less.
Jawknee
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Post by Jawknee »

i just, sincerely, dont have a way i could write the reviews. i cant stream it from work and im just not home long enough to sit down at a computer i could stream and write the reviews from. ill try tonight.
"He had alot to say. He had alot of nothing to say, we'll miss him."
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Paco Del Stinko
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Post by Paco Del Stinko »

It's nice if you can do them but if you can't do them, you can't do them. 8)
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jackfrost
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Post by jackfrost »

Here are the rest of my reviews. I went backwards this time.

x-tokyo-river – great song. Very sultry and sexy. I especially like the part that goes into falsetto for a bit. This reminds me just a bit of old Liz Phair, but not much. One of the best in this fight.

WreckdoM – ok. I like this. Further than that, I’m speechless.

Urine Luck – coolest entry this fight. I really wish it was 20 seconds long instead of 17.

Snape spoiled the ending – this is songfight! Did you really think an instrumental had any chance of winning? Or even being reviewed?

Puadxe – nice enough, I guess, but absolutely nothing struck me as original or even stood out at all.

MC Wino – this song sounds like what I imagine would be played on Everwood, or One Tree Hill, or some other shitty teen prime-time soap.

MB Eric B – the more I listen to this one, the more I like it. I’m glad you stuck with singing the whole way through. Your “Clause 5” song was like this, but it had that rap part that didn’t seem to fit with the singing part. Here, the song is more cohesive. Good job and welcome back.

Lyricburgler – great job of re-interpreting the lyrics of MC Eric B. I’m not crazy about the double vocals though.

LSK – this is just awful.

Lord of Oats – I like this one. This song is nicely constructed and executed. Welcome to Song Fight!
Jawknee
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Post by Jawknee »

jackfrost wrote: MC Wino – this song sounds like what I imagine would be played on Everwood, or One Tree Hill, or some other shitty teen prime-time soap.
hmmm, never seen any of those shows.
"He had alot to say. He had alot of nothing to say, we'll miss him."
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