TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Too Far]

Cool pensive-sounding synths at the beginning. Has a 80s space documentary vibe. Autotune is really heavy, yet fits the overall vibe of the piece pretty well. The guitar riff at 1:07 sounded a bit too busy rhythmically, and therefore distracted from the vocals. It makes a great riff for a post-chorus, but kinda dominates the texture a bit when it's playing along with the vocals. The lyrics are good, if a tad cliche. I also would've liked a stronger transition into the bit at 2:20 where the instruments re-enter the texture. Still, excellent job with the instrumentation, mixing, and atmosphere. Keep up the good work!

McGorilla42 responds:

Hey, Tainted! :)

Thanks for the review and feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time to listen and give some solid criticism. Yeah -- lyrics were definitely hastily written and a bit trite in parts. I'll look at re-working that guitar riff, or thinking of being less rhythmically dominating in future songs, because I overlooked its busyness completely!

[The Cross]

I like the groovy guitar riffs and bass line. Mix is loud and clean, although I think the effects on the vocals were a bit excessive. It sounds like you they were electronically harmonized with a chord, and I thought that was a bit much. The mix is also a bit overly compressed to the point that there's not a lot of room for shape and musicality. Lyrics are probably my favorite part of the piece. Relatable, yet insightful and poetic. Fun track overall. I remember listening to some of your earlier tracks a few years ago. The mixing has totally stepped up since then. Keep it up, man! ^^

[Gaia's River]

Oh my God. This has been in my iTunes library for 5 years. Really beautiful piece. I love the bass line that alternates between ascending and descending patterns. Has a very pensive and human feel to it. Nice job with the reverb and progression too. This piece is timeless, man. ^_^

[garlagan - There (Valent Remix)]

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the original. I like the bright piano and other instrumental elements. One element of the original I wish you had done more with (or at least highlighted more) is the solo that's at 1:01. It didn't quite come through the mix as much as I'd like. I like the structural decisions with the breakdown. The drums at 1:54 are also rather refreshing. Also, the production quality in general is really strong, even if the mix is a tad quiet. Solid work overall. It's hard to top Garlagan, that's for sure, but you've made some good decisions with regards to what to change. Keep at it, man! ;)

UmValent responds:

I very much appreciate your input my good sir. I totally agree with you in terms of the mixing being a little bit too quiet since I later realised the export bitrate was very low and the compression overall is almost absent in the mix, though that is entirely optional in this case. Thanks again for the review, cheers! ;)

[Näcken]

Ale! It's been too long. I like the water samples and instruments. The piano is very soothing, and the violin certainly adds some emotional appeal. I found that, unlike much of your other work, the structure is a lot easier to digest with this one. Main problem is that it's too short, in fact. I'd love to see you take this in something of a new direction. Either way, the vivid imagery comes through. The poem seems to be about a child playing in a mystical land (based on Google Translate), and I think you've communicated the tone of the poem here well. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon! ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Haha, the poem isn't about that at all xD
It's about a human-like creature that's playing an instrument similar to the violin on top of the water, trying to lure children into drowning. However, the creature is unloved by God and because of its own self doubts, it submerges, never again to play the instrument again. That's more or less the short version :p

I won't make it longer; it's timed to fit a reading of the poem. I'm glad you liked it though! Thanks for checking it out, as it's been a while indeed. I hope you're doing well!

[-Hidden Path-]

Ah...I see I'm late to the party. I like the bright tone at the beginning and the spacious atmosphere. Sounds far eastern in a way. The progression is a little slow during the first couple of minutes, and despite the fun percussion in the background and the soothing mood, the harmonic texture is quite thin. The bass that fades in at 1:20 adds a fun new dimension to the piece, as if all of a sudden there are monkeys chasing after you on the hidden path. The rhythmic elements are really fun by around 2:30, and remind me of "Sinking Feeling" in a way. Your mixing and mastering has clearly improved a lot in the past couple of years. I suppose I would've liked to hear some more melodic content during the middle of the piece. After the rhythmic elements take over, there isn't much of a sense of direction to the harmony. The bass riff at 4:10 is a lot of fun, and does its part to add some structural variety. At 4:45, there's finally a solid sense of a melodic riff, even though the chord progression is a tad cliche. I like how you brought the piece full-circle by the end, too. The fun, ambient textures during the last 1.5 minutes or so really make this piece feel complete. Overall, this is a great track. You don't always blend elements of coherence and your bouncy, rhythmic textures so effectively, but here I think you nailed it. Keep up the good work, Waterflame! :D

[~SW~ The Broken Cycle]

I like the ominous beginning and pensive synths. Beautiful ambient textures throughout the piece. The swirling chime-like instrument at 1:15 or so is excellent. The bass that starts becoming prominent in the mix at 1:25 or so is a nice touch, too. The melodic content at 2:05 fits well - has a soothing vibe that contrasts heavily with the staggering beat and punchy, driving bass. Excellent production quality, too. Your mix always brings out so many amazing, luscious details. Hauntingly beautiful content overall. Congrats on the entire album, but really this piece takes the cake! Hope to hear more from you soon. :)

[re:カレント]

I like the energetic pulse it has despite the atmospheric flair. Really cool sound design and progression. I agree that it's a little repetitive, but I also wish you brought out the melodic content a little more. The (vocals?) at 1:34 seemed a little out-of-place, but overall the rhythmic elements of the piece are really strong. Well-structured, smooth-flowing track with strong production quality and killer instrumentation. Keep up the great work, Miyolophone! :)

Miyolophone responds:

Thank you for the feedback, TL! Much appreciated :D

[Kanons]

Piece is awesome. Gorgeous atmosphere and instrumentation. I didn't realize the meter was so complicated the first time I listened to it. Melodic content is beautiful. The frantic bit at 1:23 comes on a little suddenly, but still fits the overarching direction of the piece. Nice job adding some structural contrast at 2:07. The rhythmic details really come out well in that section, too. 3:23 was a particularly haunting moment for me. It felt like taking a breath after all of the dense underlying harmonies of twittering synths you have going for most of the track. The frantic part at 4:20 came on less suddenly somehow, perhaps because the second half of the piece fits a similar structural mold as the first half. The coda added some emotional appeal, too. Excellent work all around. I know I spoil you with my praise, man, but I'm really, really impressed with how far you've come in a couple short years. Keep up the great work! ^_^

Onefin responds:

Thanks a ton TL! Yeah the time sig annotations probably look more complicated than they actually are :P

I tried to make 1:23 as smooth as possible, 4:20 was probably better cuz the build created some anticipation of it

Yeah I was sort of surprised the meter f-storm worked at all, especially at 2:24, there I just like slapped sixteenth notes to the end of certain bars for the heck of it and then was like "great let's somehow make these sound natural"

I like codas, Miyo complained about how I always make outros that creatively re-imagine the thematic elements of the track rather than just ending the track

[Calycycle]

I know I've reviewed this before on CHIPS, but I couldn't help myself. Excellent engrossing atmosphere and tranquil mood. I agree that it fits best as a loop. The cutesy synths that are arpeggiating throughout the section from :30-1:00 or so are great. Has a candid, jazzy feel throughout. Simply very intelligent composition, and a strong production to match. Keep it up, 1f1n1ty (or Evan, or what have you). ;)

Onefin responds:

Thanks TL! Yeah sorta glad you came back and gave thoughts on the intended loop rather than y'know talking about the reversed bit :P