Nur Ein VI Round Three "Unholy Alliance"

[Billy's Little Trip]

After listing to my song just now, I realized that when my son and I are singing together on the first line, it sounds like Steve Miller. Can't think of which song. Now I wish I had him through the whole song (time restraint) instead of just that line and the chorus, he adds a nice texture to my lame voice.

[Manhattan Glutton]

That's your son? How old is he? I thought you shirked the challenge and just did more vocal layering than usual, but now that you mention it...

[frankie big face]

Frank, you crack me up. Seth MacFarlane would SO use this song in a Family Guy episode if you sent it to him. DO IT!

Thanks. It's kind of a Schadenfreude companion piece. The B-side, if you will.

[Billy's Little Trip]

@Man. That's my youngest son, Cody. He's 24 and has a great low voice like Paco, but doesn't like getting behind the mic. He's a great drummer, but I just can't get him to sing. It started as a call and respond type duet, but it completely sucked (because of me, not him) and I had to scrap it at the last minute. Then I had to wait for him to get back from Sea World with my wife and had about an hour before he and his gf had to pick up her mom for dinner reservations. So I got what I could and ran with it. After listening, I really want to get him back in to finish it. I really like how he adds flavor to it.

[Billy's Little Trip]

By the way, again, Jon's song link is broken. Jon, no spaces! Has Spud taught you nothing?

[Paco Del Stinko]

I listened to each song 3 to 4 times. Getting ready for work now, so don't start. Be glad to elaborate further if anyone would like me to. WIn goes to Frankie. I'll place low, but survive. NUR EIN!!!!!!

BLT- I too had a hard time finding the duetist. I read your posts, thankfully, as I thought you were skirting the challenge. KInd of skimpy in that department, though. However, this song rocks and is one of my more recent faves of yours. Great theme, creepy and well done. Might've been cool to have your son be the killer. Song sounds like a cousin to something off of Physical Graffitti.

Bram Tant - Your best song of the competition. I like the anti-authority themes and chord progressions. The duet challenge feels weak as your voices blend almost too much. Maybe some more playing off of each other would've helped. And don't be afraid to let go, performance-wise. Some of this could have been whittled down for a tighter package, like a verse or that lead-less bridge section.

DJ Ranger Den - Very, very nice. Great interplay between the vocalists, and your dreamy piano gently drives it along with a unthreatening energy. With a different instrument selection, this might sound like a song from a broadway play or similar. The lyrics are well done even if the dim bulb that is me doesn't get them all. Will finish strongly, I suspect.

FBF - Being gay has never been so fun. Not that I am or that there's anything wrong with that! Way clever lyrically and musically, the humor is just edgy and corny enough equally. When I saw JB's name I thought "Uh-oh"! Only because he is so fantastic, and he shows it here in the the great lead and supporting vocals. Great ending, great song, enjoy your immunity next week.

John Kloberdanz - Wonderfully dark. When I was a kid, there was a song called Emma, by Hot Chocolate. I used to get all sad listening to it. This clobbers it as far as depth goes. I thought the unholy alliance part was the suicide from a religious perspective or something, initially. Selfish, and I wonder what drove her to do it. I like the vocals from beyond the grave perspective.

Generic - I kept waiting for your voice, and then understood. I'm sure you'll get shit for this, despite how nice a song it is. I think the guitar and piano could've fought more, somehow dueling, as it makes it hard to call it unholy. More of an alliance. I thought it might've been the Big Crouton at first, but seems too raw to be him. Good playing, if sloppy at times. (Hey! I'm a slop MASTER!) Nice tune, but could get you in trouble, challeng-wise.

Luke Henley - Love the guitar. Seriously, that squelching razor is sweet. Glad you posted the vocals as I can't understand them, and they are, typically, strong. Mix could be better so as not to lose the band under the voice. I like how the song starts over here and ends up over there, not all verse-chorus-verse. You may not get a ton of votes, but I dig this, for what that's worth.

Manhattan Glutton - Wonderfully complex, yet easy to digest thanks to all of the catchy hooks. I'm glad I can't think of who the female voice sounds like so as not to make you roll your eyes with the comparison. Well balanced interplay between the vocalists, and the lyrics are well done. Should appeal to the nerdy amongst us. Saturday morning cartoon show catchy at times.

Paco - Not too fleshed out, lyiclly, but Jesus and Satan team up to fight Godzilla and Gidorah. Maybe WreckdoM could finish it off. Thanks to the always great Arturoni Spumoni for helping a fella out.

Ross Durand - Too cool. A great noir story missing only the sound of a wooden match lighting up and the exhalation of a long drag from a cigarette. Excellent vocal performance and Steve's trumpet is fantastic, this non double vocal duet surely qualifies as a duet. Sonically, I'd like to hear more wood tone from the bass, but it's great line so who cares. Should finish very strong.

WreckdoM - I hope you wore a cowboy hat while singing this. I can see you two on stage doing this, the band looking like convicts on parole. The lyrics are super, I enjoy the laundry john, parade float scenarios and the just take your pants off line is classic. Your best entry this competition, I'd say. Totally digging the live sound, even if the vocals get a little lost for brief moments.

WSA - Better after several listens. Not to say it isn't catchy or anything, just needs to settle. Almost sounds like the vocals are fighting more than anything, with Pete being stubborn. Good performances from both and the music is, as always, strong. Nice to hear a leaner arrangement, as it allows the vocals to breathe more and carry the tune. Should fare well and set you up for a tougher fight next week.

[Manhattan Glutton]

A lot of people dodged "alliance" by pretending it was "union"

BLT - I like the funk beat + rock. This reminds me of a few different songs at points: "Fuckin in the bushes" by oasis, "hypnotize" by audioslave, some primus in the vocals. Would like more of a chorus than a repeated verse - it gets kind of long without more riff change-ups.

Bran Tant - It sounds like two communists or anarchists sing. ing. on. eve. ry. beat. and. tell. ing. us. a. bout. the. u. s. s. r. The more relaxed vocal parts are better, but the instrumentation isn't nearly as inspired as your previous stuff.

DJ - It starts loose and gels at some points but overall stays pretty loose with no clear melody. Kinda sounds like you're just echoing him and throwing in "unholy union" toward the end.

FBF - I like this more than your previous songs. It's funny. The music isn't anything unique. What are you guys allying against? Straight Christians?

John Kloberdanz - This story is weird. I'm not usually a stickler for "emotional vocal performances" but it seems like neither of you feel the emotionally heavy lyrics you're singing, so they come off as kind of bizarre. I'm just sort of creeped out. I dig what you're aiming for though.

Jon Eric - It's a pleasant enough instrumental with a good piano hook. Relating to both the title and challenge, I don't quite see it standing up to scrutiny. You can go ahead and sing over it now and give it a good title.

Luke Henley - It might have been OK with the vocals buried in the music a little more.

Paco - Just a general comment on your recent songs: it sounds like you've been listening to a lot of Soundgarden lately. Some peaking in the vocals. Good song; I'm not a huge fan of the chorus but I like how you flip it back into the verse.

Ross - I'm a sucker for this. The trumpet is kick-ass. The drums and bass are pretty slick as well. Your vocals really capture the mood, aside from a couple sour notes here and there. Good work!

Wreckdom - Haters gonna hate, but I like your loose, crazy style. Music's nothing all that original, but the animals are.

WSA - Becci sounds pretty good, though some of her words are a little muffled. You're the complement, starting off on the wrong note. Wish the music popped a little more. Also, seems like you're saying alliance at random intervals to convince me that's the song title.

[dantes]

Guess I'll get started on my reviews early. Like last time, I'm just writing notes, whatever comes to me while listening. Haven't given all of them multiple listens yet, so my opinions may change.

Billy's Little Trip - Very simple musically, but it works well. An enjoyable listen. Good vocals, you shouldn't say yours aren't. Wish your son could've made a greater contribution though, but apparently things didn't turn out that way due to lack of time, which I'm very sympathetic to. Also, you don't sound as old as someone whose youngest son would be 24. Prefer the verses to the chorus. Also dig the pseudo-shreddy intro bit. Concerning the lyrics, I don't see the "unholy alliance" connection...

Bram Tant - (responding to Paco and giving own thoughts) I was somewhat disappointed with my collaborator's performance. He arrived two hours late on Saturday and since we first had to write lyrics we barely had any time left to practice and record the vocals. I could re-record the music and my vocals on Sunday, but since he wasn't available then I had to make do with what he delivered the night before. I'm sure that if he'd come back and tried again it would have been better. My performance wasn't excellent either, I was struggling with the mic levels and didn't want to disturb anyone else in the house by singing too loudly. I agree that it feels like it went on for a little too long, but if I'd taken a verse out the balance between both sides would've been uneven and if I'd removed the lead-less bridge there wouldn't be a breather moment for the listener.

DJ Ranger Den - Don't know what to say. Is this the version you intended to submit, or not? Can't make clear from what you said. All I can say is that I don't think this is up to the standard you and Joe have worked together at.

Frankie Big Face - What's up with the stock audio clips? They seem a bit unnecessary and annoying. Apart from that... This is genius. The last line was delivered a bit poorly though in my opinion, way too generic/cliché. But I guess that was on purpose.

John Kloberdanz - I like it, but... Not enough variation. And why is it necessary to record the woman in front of a waterfall?

Jon Eric - I sort of get the "unholy alliance" part, distorted guitar and piano, but it's not a very solid connection to the title imho... It's nice, but it sounds to me like it needs vocals, and I think the lack thereof will get you in trouble with the judges.

Luke Henley - I can get into it because I like metal, but it sounds like two kids trying to make death metal music as a joke and semi-failing. I suspect that is to be attributed to the lacking recording quality and that it's a deviation from your usual work (as far as I know). I don't think it's terrible, but it just doesn't seem like your thing.

Manhattan Glutton - Like it, put together well. I think the lyrics could use some more work, though. "This unlikely, uncharacteristic, uncomfortable, unholy alliance" ... Really? This is just like the "Numéro Uno!" thing from last time.

Paco del Stinko - Could use a bit more refining, maybe rerecording of vocals and guitar at some points, but I really like it. Nice job.

Ross Durand - Now this is smooth. You'd never know it was meant with the challenge of having a duet, the trumpet just blends in naturally. Love it.

WreckdoM - Your best effort so far, but it doesn't entirely convince me. Guess the lyrics are meant to be low-brow, but still could use some more tweaking in my opinion. The "Just take your pants off!" line doesn't seem to fit with the rest. Vocal delivery isn't excellent either, but once again it sounds like it isn't supposed to. Honestly, I don't really know what to think of this overall.

WSA - Kind of reminds me of Bloc Party. Pretty good, if you'd re-record the male vocals it'd be solid.

[dantes]

Bran Tant - It sounds like two communists or anarchists sing. ing. on. eve. ry. beat. and. tell. ing. us. a. bout. the. u. s. s. r. The more relaxed vocal parts are better, but the instrumentation isn't nearly as inspired as your previous stuff.

First off, I'm not a food product. Second, I wonder if you read the lyrics. It's supposed to be a fight between an anarchist and a capitalist/dictatorial person. Also, the USSR isn't referenced, nor any communist sentiments (actually, now that I think about it, I can sort of get that, but I was going for an Americanistic view... maybe you're not so different from the DDR as you thought you were?). And I can understand your feeling that the instrumentation isn't very inspired, but I'd say it's more inspired than my round zero and round one entries. Usually I start from a guitar part and try to put together a song from that, since it's usually not easy to couple to a drum track or put lyrics to it, since I usually go all out on my instruments. For Colourblind and this song, I started from a drum track, which of course led to a different process of songwriting and perhaps "simpler" music than I'd usually make.

[frankie big face]

FBF - I like this more than your previous songs. It's funny. The music isn't anything unique. What are you guys allying against? Straight Christians?

Honestly, I didn't think about the title as much as you did. I didn't look up either word in the dictionary. But I guess if I have to take the word "alliance" as literally as you, I'd say they are allying against religion in general, but especially antiquated religious beliefs that tend to surface primarily in Old Testament religions. So, to answer your last question, only some straight Christians, but mostly just their belief system.

I'm glad you thought this was better than my previous songs despite having music that isn't anything unique.

[Niveous]

Hey I need some cover art. Can anyone help?

[Billy's Little Trip]

Hey I need some cover art. Can anyone help?

I just sent something.

[Manhattan Glutton]

Sorry, I guess I came off a little negative in my reviews. You know, this internet thing, it's really easy to come off completely inappropriately. Everyone did a splendid job and I don't mean to take away from that.

First off, I'm not a food product.

Maybe. I duno. My mistake.

Second, I wonder if you read the lyrics.

No. I listen to songs. The USSR thing was more of a joke. I actually liked your instrumentation in First Blood.

[dantes]

No. I listen to songs.

I knew you'd respond like that. I don't think my collaborator and I were that incomprehensible.

I actually liked your instrumentation in First Blood.

Well, I didn't put any effort into that song at all, and I did into this one. I was trying to step up my game somewhat compared to the previous rounds.

[Manhattan Glutton]

Well, I didn't put any effort into that at all, and I did into this song. I was trying to step up my game somewhat compared to the previous rounds.

Sorry man, I know how that feels. Reviews suck.

[dantes]

Hah... I know you didn't mean it badly. Also, it was the first time I collaborated with someone on a song, and I didn't have a good idea how to go about it, so I tried to keep the instrumentation a bit minimal so it wouldn't get in the way of the vocals. If the song suffered because of that, it can't be helped, it's a learning experience.

[Manhattan Glutton]

It definitely seems like this round was a bit more challenging for us all.

[dantes]

I do have to give credit to the challenge in that it forced me (and probably others as well) to put more work into my/their/our entry/entries. The ones before had just been last-minute things, I actually spent about my whole weekend (saturday afternoon and evening, sunday afternoon and evening) working on this round's.

But couldn't the title have been a little easier to work with? Really, they keep giving both difficult titles AND challenges. In other songwriting competitions I've participated in, it's one or the other.

[roymond]

I do have to give credit to the challenge in that it forced me (and probably others as well) to put more work into my/their/our entry/entries. The ones before had just been last-minute things, I actually spent about my whole weekend (saturday afternoon and evening, sunday afternoon and evening) working on this round's.

But couldn't the title have been a little easier to work with? Really, they keep giving both difficult titles AND challenges. In other songwriting competitions I've participated in, it's one or the other.

What is this? Amateur night? Jeeeeez...

No, just foolin'. It's great that Nur Ein is pushing your efforts farther than you're comfortable with. That's where the magic happens!

[dantes]

It's not the comfort zone I need to be pulled out of, it's the procrastination zone.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I actually spent about my whole weekend (saturday afternoon and evening, sunday afternoon and evening) working on this round's

Wow, a whole 2 days.

I start Tuesday night after the title is given and work on it all week every chance I get. I need the music done before I can flesh out the vocals. Even though I've only had Sunday available to record vox.

And yeah, Nur Ein is tough. That's the point. This isn't Nur Zwei, son.

[roymond]

Nur Zwei ... ?

SECOND PLACE IS FIRST PLACE FOR LOSERS!