TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[oof]

I like the beat, and the tempo automations were a creative idea. I think the mix sounds a little dry, and some reverb and other effects could help smooth over the dissonance and keep things interesting amid the minimalism. The sound design is really unique, although the vocal samples sound a little distorted and murky. The track is mastered really loud, but is in danger of clipping at a couple of points. The rhythmic content is pretty cool, especially during the last 45 seconds or so. I think the piece could've used a stronger sense of direction at times - it had a start/stop vibe in the structure, but little sense of overarching narrative or development. Either way, it's a cool beat with some clean production. I just think you could rein in the volume levels a tad and fill out the atmosphere a little more. Keep at it, Aoraz! ^^

Aoraz responds:

Thank you! I will keep this in mind for future projects. Even after 10 years I am still struggling with mastering my songs correctly haha

[Short plucky WIP]

Woah! Really different from some of your older stuff. I like the sound design and rhythmic elements. It's a bit slow to develop at times, but I'm really feeling the frantic harmonies that come in at around 1:05. The staccato-y texture really contributes to the danceability, even though there's also a ton of reverb in the texture. Looking forward to hearing the final product, Lockyn! ^^

[Icebloom (Teaser)]

I like the spacey beginning. The static-y beat at :11 feels a little out-of-place, but the subtle build-up into :32 was well done. I love the rich mid-range bass and airy melodies thereafter. The build-up at the very end also has a nice stop-start energy. Looking forward to hearing the final product, Detious! ^^

DetiousMusic responds:

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[Aether]

I like the energy and the synths. The chord progression is a little cliche, and the filtering on the airy pad at :12 is a little wonky. I might suggest smoothing out that pad with some more reverb. The melodies at :50 are cute, and the glissando at 1:05 makes for an effective transition into the chill outro. Overall, it's a neat piece. A bit short and rough around the edges in places. It might've flowed a bit smoother with some more crashes/mixing effects to channel the energy. The composition could also be fleshed out more. Still, you won me over with the cute sound design and danceability. Keep it up, BrwGD! ^^

V1ZION responds:

Thanks a lot for your feedback, TL! You’re very helpful. :)

For some reason, I don’t know why GarageBand doesn’t smooth the pad out on its own. I noticed that too when I was making the song. I feel like I could’ve fixed the drum loop because of the inconsistency, specifically the end of it. There are three “eighth-notes” at the end of the drum loop, one for the third section, and two for the rest of it. For me, that seems inconsistent when looking back at this.

But again, thank you for your feedback!

[What God Believes]

I really like the angelic vocals at the beginning and the narrative form of the lyrics. The guitars sounds really pensive, and the vocal harmonies help fill out the texture well. Again, the vocals are really soulful and rich. The addition of the heavier guitar and stronger snare on the second chorus is a great choice. The use of phrasing and transitions in this piece is great. The solo at 3:15 really ties the piece together, offering a real point of arrival and release for a piece whose lyrics are kind of inherently inconclusive and filled with tension. I think this is your strongest work yet, Sloan! Kudos on an awesome track. ^_^

[We Just Hurt]

I like the more minimal vibe this one has. The ghostly synth that's outlining the chord progression is a nice choice, and the strings that come in later work well too. The combination of your twang-y vocals and the fusion sound design is really refreshing. The mastering in this one is especially loud and clear, and I appreciate how you scaled back some of the mixing effects for this one - gives the soundscape a really organic feel. Keep it up, Sloan! ^^

[Milfalicous - Feat: PikeyPaige]

I like the raw, gritty sound this one has compared to the last one I listened to. The reverb and other mixing effects might be a bit overdone, but the soulful vocals and groovy instrumentation are awesome. The ending is a bit sudden, but you really nailed the high-pitched vocals at the last post-chorus. Strong work again, Sloan! ^^

[This Rain Comin' Down]

I like the relaxed guitars at the beginning and the percussion fills. The vocals are really smooth, and the lyrics are pretty evocative and poetic. The production quality is strong, with a well-balanced mix and full texture. The instrumental tracks could've potentially used more variety, but you nailed the vocals, sound design, mastering, and composition. Keep up the good work, Sloan! ^^

[Another Life...]

I like the jangly guitars, and the vocal concept is really creative. The reverb is a little overdone, but I'm really enjoying the powerful vocals at 1:20 or so. The mix is cleaner this time for sure, but some aspects of the balance don't quite click for me. The bass and the hi-hats both seem a little loud, especially the hats. The piece has a pretty nice flow, but the lyrics feel a little stream-of-consciousness at times and there could be more variety in the instrumental tracks. The heavy distortion at 4:20 or so kinda comes out of nowhere, but at the same time helps keep things interesting later in the piece. The ambiance at the very end (almost sounds like a half-second loop of someone mumbling) is a bit experimental, but also help add some variety. Overall, really evocative piece, PPS. The mixing is strong overall, and the experimental atmosphere and sound design make for a pretty engrossing track. Keep at it! ^^

PikeyPaige responds:

It’s about a homeless man in a wheel chair who is begging on the streets. He believes in reincarnation and that in other life’s he was important people in history. He also believes that he is ready to die and be reincarnated again. The stream of consciousness lyrics came from an actual encounter with a homeless vet who was being racist to a Mexican security guard outside a 7-11. I was reporting an incident and embellished what actually happened. I super appreciate you taking the time to assess it and give thoughtful feedback.

[AIM - Fox Dreams]

I like the combination of the chill guitars and groovy percussion. The melodic content is really cute, and the piece has a smooth flow too. At around :25, I think the organ could've been a bit more legato - the short breaks between notes disrupt the flow a bit. By :53, though, that problem solves itself. I really like the bells/chimes at 1:30, and the rest of the sound design too for that matter. I think my biggest complaint here is probably that the piece could've felt a little more dynamic. I know it's supposed to be chill, but the riffs got a little repetitive by the end. The modulation at 2:55 was certainly a step in the right direction, but they're still the same riffs, just transposed. Overall, really strong work with the melodies, rhythmic content, production, and structuring. Also fits the art perfectly. Keep at it, Petrol4brains! ^^