TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Emphatic Trilogy - 01 Emphatic Outcry]

Wow. Lot of emphasis from you these days. :) I like the upbeat mood and grouchy bass. The riff at :55 is really catchy, and the production quality is strong, as usual with you. The sound design is also a highlight - a lot of quirky synths and some cool risers to boot. The middle section has this great nostalgic vibe about it somehow, and it flows nicely into the re-intro at 2:40 or so. There's a decent amount of variety later on, and the syncopations by around 4:15 really help break up the texture and hit the piece home. Featuring the bass really prominently in the outro was another good choice - it's probably my favorite instrument in here. Keep at it, MegaSphere! Happy 2022! ^^

[JUMPTAEFVCK]

I can't believe I missed this! I like the pulsing synth bass and the squeaky textures in the background. Some of the risers are a bit cheesy, but nonetheless I'm enjoying the sense of build into 1:02. The drop is pretty minimal, but very catchy. I like the vocal samples you include intermittently, including the "jump"s at 1:38 or so. Harmonically, the piece could use a tad more variety, but it certainly pushes all the right buttons in terms of danceability, rhythmic content, flow, and - as always with you - production quality. I'm enjoying the renewed prominence of the squeaky riff towards the end too. Keep at it, Midi! ^_^

[Escape From the Grave]

Intriguing title. I love the dark organ chords at the beginning and the frantic riffs at :19. The percussion here is really nice and dynamic, and the heavy use of the ride cymbal gives it a somewhat jazzy feel. At times, I felt like the balance in the texture was a bit off - there's a big emphasis on the frantic harmonic elements, whereas for example, I think elements like the brass solo at :57 should probably take precedence, even though it's short-lived. The organ chords toward the middle make for a cool bridge, although perhaps that section could've been integrated a bit more cleanly with the final orchestral section at 2:04. That said, I really like the additional mallets and string harmonies during the final minute. The piece never quite relieves the sense of tension it creates throughout, but otherwise it's a great example of how you're so good at creating these cinematic masterpieces. Cheers, Ale! ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hey! Nice to hear from you. I hope you're doing well :)

This is not my favourite of my own compositions, since indeed there are quite a few things that could be improved in it. I still like the general idea, but I just didn't have enough time to spend on it to really make it shine. I'm glad that you still found some enjoyment in it, and thank you for taking the time to leave such a solid review!

[The Newgrounds Composer]

I like the furtive beginning and the gradually more energetic and upbeat feel by around the 1-minute mark. The string at 1:30 or so are a nice touch, and the brass at 1:50 really helps thicken up the texture. Something about the timing of the harmonies/syncopations at 2:22 doesn't quite line up. Maybe it's that the string samples aren't quite reaching their peak volume on the down beat? The piano line at 3:11 was a welcome return to a more mellow vibe, but the transition there was also a tad abrupt. You really tripped me out with the couple short encores at the end, haha. Feels like they're the seeds of two entirely different pieces, but I especially liked the dreamy guitar at the very end. :) Keep at it, LSD! ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks for leaving another review!

You're right about 2:22. It's always difficult to balance orchestral instruments around the piano, even if I would've recorded with a metronome, as the playing is quite dynamic. I feel like the mix could also use some improvement in a few areas. Other than that, I'm quite happy with the arrangement. The ending is indeed a bit unorthodox, but it makes sense in the context of the inspiration for the music! I recommend watching the animation, as the piece is partially based on that ^ ^

[Hopea]

I like the dreamy intro and the evocative sound design. The harsh elements of the texture at :38 are a nice touch, and I like how the progression starts to take on a darker tone until the piano comes in at :51. While the piece is a bit slow-paced at times, the sound design remains interesting, especially with the vocals at 1:30. The brass solo at 1:40 is great, but I think it would've been more impactful if there were some more substantive harmonies built around it. The percussion in this piece is great, though, especially later on when complementing the brass and woodwind melodies. I also like the cliffhanger ending. I think it fits a piece this whimsical and mysterious rather well. Great job, Ale, and happy 2022! ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Happy 2022!

I agree that the piece is a bit slow-paced, but I think that's in the nature of a composition like this, also combined with the artwork. I still wanted to find a way to let it progress, which is why I completely change the genre/instruments at the halfway point. I was trying not to let it move too far away in energy, however. I'm thinking that maybe this song should've actually been made into a loop, but I also like the ending as it is :/

Thanks for listening to some of my later stuff! I've been composing lots for projects, but I haven't yet been able to release any of it online. At some point, though, it should appear :)

[Chippin' Dancin' Desert! (Pixel Day 2021)]

Always down for some bouncy chiptune action. The static in the beat sounds a little overdone to my ears, but the cute melodies and prominent bass line have me sold. Super catchy and refreshing track, and once again I can tell the loop is flawless (even though NG's player usually makes it sound rough). Cheers, TV! ^^

[Aurora Beam]

Ooo, I like this. The dynamic piano melodies and crisp beats really hit the spot, and the airy pads and ghostly leads (like at 1:05) smooth over the texture nicely. The glissando at 2:15 makes for a neat transition, and the production quality here is super tight despite the busy texture. Mood is a great mix of relaxing and energetic. I kinda felt like the ending cam on a bit abruptly, but I'm sure it's meant to loop in-game. I've got to get more in touch with the gaming scene on NG. Good for you for landing all these tracks in games. Happy 2022, TV! ^^

TeraVex responds:

Ayyyy TL! Long time no see! It's great to hear from you, I'm glad you like the track! I still revisit this from time to time, I look back on it fondly.

[Piconjo's Day Off]

Dude! Your page has blown up recently. It's awesome. This track is really mellow and catchy, too. The mix is clean and the sound is a perfect combination of jazz and 90s rap. The composition could've been a tad more dynamic, but I understand it's meant to be in a videogame. It loops nicely, and has a great, relaxing atmosphere. Keep it up! ^_^

[-CastleBreak- (2012)]

Catchy! I like the synth brass stabs and ominous flair. The build-up into 1:12 was nice, and the glitchy rhythmic elements at 1:45 or so are probably my favorite element of the piece. I'm pretty sure you recycled some of the orchestral hits in the middle section from "Killstealer" or "Rupture" or maybe one of your other tracks, but they fit in well here too. :D The piece gets a tad repetitive towards the end, but it's fascinating to hear how much your style has evolved over the years. Really neat and catchy piece with an engrossing and foreboding mood! ^_^

[Koto Breaker]

I'm really enjoying your collabs, guys. The stringed instrument at the beginning has a great, crisp texture, and the drums and bass at :23 help smooth it over for some pleasant contrast. The transition at :38 was a bit abrupt, but I like the more ominous tone the piece is taking by around the 1-minute mark. The frantic strings contrast nicely with the mellow woodwinds. I might've like the drums to be a bit more prominent in this one, and I also feel like the melodic elements could've been developed a bit further. That said, both of you guys have been nailing the sound design in your recent work, and it's great to see. The climactic part towards the end was a great narrative touch, too. Keep up the good work! ^_^