TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[blame]

The synth at the beginning sounds a bit square and dry, but when the beat comes in it blends into the texture nicely. Again, these are some really evocative lyrics, and I think the vocals sit better in the mix here. The vocal layering in the final chorus really hits the spot, although it's a bit harder for me to come up with an excuse for that abrupt ending here than it was in "Designated Drivers." The composition could've been a tad more dynamic, too. I feel like the vocals are doing most of the work of keeping the piece engaging over time. That said, you did a good job giving a sugary pop-rock flair to unrequited love, and between the strong production quality and vocals, you've earned yourself a new follower my friend. Cheers! ^^

[designated drivers]

I like the refreshing guitar riffs at the beginning and the crisp drums. Your voice is really nice, but I think the vocals could use a little more boost in the mix, and towards the beginning they also sound a tad dry production-wise. Later on, the layering of the different lines help resolve this issue, though, and I especially like the harmonies at 2:16 - sounds like a barber shop quartet. :D The lyrics themselves are pretty heavy, but the vocals have a great flow to them that really forces you to follow the action, and the rhythmic component of the vocal lines adds some extra tension, almost like the narrator is sobbing in between saying the words. The instrumental track isn't quite as dynamic as I might've liked to see. A guitar solo before the final refrain would've really hit the spot. I also think the ending comes on pretty suddenly, but then again so does a car crash. Overall, you really told a story with this one, man! Major props for the passionate vocals, sound design, and flow here. ^_^

[Mystery (Original Mix)]

I like the airy and slightly eerie vibe at the beginning. The echo-y operatic vocals and crisp beats help give the piece a sense of interest despite the pretty minimal harmonic content in the piece. The mixing and mastering are really strong, though, and the sound design is really evocative and neat. The breakdown in the middle with the brighter tone was a nice touch, and I like the dreamy guitar at 2:43 too. The rest of the piece felt a tad repetitive, but you certainly have me sold on the atmosphere here. I could envision this being used in a video game or movie soundtrack with a post-apocalyptic theme as our protagonist gradually descends into a hallucinatory daze. Keep at it, man! ^_^

GalaxyTones responds:

Awesome! thanks for the review and kind words :)

[wakey wakey lil flowers]

I like the bright, cutesy tone at the beginning and the quirky lead synth at :15. The beat is really refreshing too with the heavy hi-hats. The clap sample is a bit generic, but the piece flows so nicely and the rest of the sound design is rather enjoyable. The melodies are upbeat and smooth, and I like the climax at 1:25 too - it comes on both gradually and suddenly, in a way. The final refrain at 2:36 helps hit the piece home too and makes the entire track feel conclusive. The outro with the distinctive pitter-pattery synth is nice as well. Strong work overall, guys! Sounds like spring indeed. ^_^

GrizzlyCogs responds:

wow thank you!

[IDNKWIGO]

I like the eerie vibe at the beginning and the smooth E-piano that comes in shortly thereafter. The trippy drums and altered vocals at :45. The lyrics fit the quirky sound design of the rest of the track perfectly. The piece is a little slow to progress at times, but you've clearly got a knack for crafting an engrossing atmosphere. The mixing and mastering are solid, too. I like the dreamy outro with the baby babbling and the gritty outbursts at 3:35 and elsewhere. It felt a little dragged-out by the end, but the stereo clicks and chord changes add enough interest to keep me engaged. Solid work, KingBastard! ^_^

[Contract Rush DX OST - MALWARE]

I love the energy and the cutesy synths at the beginning. The organic-sounding drums are also nicely done - clean, crisp, and punchy in the mix. The piece has a bit of a cinematic feel to it after a time, and the on-and-off frantic drum riffs help pace/structure it nicely. The melodies, while not super complex or anything, help keep me engaged, and I can tell it loops really smoothly in-game. Strong work, dude! ^^

[AIM - Lowlands Scrapyard]

I love the cutesy vibe at the beginning and the instrumentation. The clarinet and violin solos toward the middle of the piece fit nicely, and this piece has a number of really well-crafted transitions, like at 1:43. The more subdued tone at 2:25 is also beautiful - that's the part that sounded most like the art to me. :) The bright tone at the beginning was a nice way to close out the piece too. Feels like, while earlier in the piece the protagonist was wandering around amidst a number of eerie, shadowy figures, at the end the sun has risen on this new world and it turns out the figures were just large dandelions. ^_^ Strong work, Everratic!

Everratic responds:

Thanks so much for the detailed review! I’m glad you like the transitions and story :) my favorite transition is at :28 because it uses f# as a connecting tone to return to c major, and while that note isn’t in c major, it’s still played in the background by the wrenchenspiel (it’s a unique 8dio instrument that sounds like a mallet).

[The End Is Neigh (S.T.D OST)]

I'm really impressed with the versatility of your style these days. I love the distorted ambiance, gritty guitars, and tense energy of this one. The melody at :58 threw me off a tad, but I'm sure it fits well within the context of the game. The production quality is great, and the cinematic flair of the breakdown at 1:30 was a nice touch. Really high-emotion and evocative piece, man! My one complaint is the choppy arrangement, but otherwise you nailed it. ^_^

[~SW~ The Yearning]

I like the atmospheric effects at the beginning and the warm pads at :10. The bright piano and click-heavy beat have really cutesy vibes. Naturally with you, the production is top-notch, and the piece has a good balance of energy from the rhythm section and warmth/languidness from the atmosphere. The middle section felt well-balanced between the prominent bass and melodic synth on top. I've always admired how you shape your transitions - they're conspicuous, but smooth and forgiving, like an overripe avocado thrown at a wall of sound. Great stuff, Skye! This piece is dreamy, upbeat, and warm, but also really catchy and engaging. Cheers! ^_^

SkyeWint responds:

Suuuuuuper proud of this track. I really want to make more DnB like it, especially if I can start messing around more with bass modulation. Especially feel proud because I synthesized everything from scratch (aside from the drums and *one* instrument, but eh) and feel like I'm finally getting a handle on making solid melodies, haha. It's only been, what. 11 years?