TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[moonlighting]

First of all, I’m so sorry to hear all that you’ve been through in the last couple of weeks, Trois. Can’t even begin to express how glad I am that those two people were there that day. You have some incredible grit to be able to channel all these experiences into such a beautiful work of art. Wow.

—

I like the relaxed mood at the beginning, the smooth lead guitar, and the heartfelt vocals. The way the “more than I” line fades out at 1:34 strikes me as a bit awkward, and there are other times where your voice sounds a bit strained towards the ends of phrases. I understand that’s part of the emotional quality you intended to put behind the song, but for me it doesn’t quite land.

I love the vocal layering and added instrumental tracks during the refrain, though. The guitar solo at 2:58 is really nice, although the vocals could’ve used a bit of a boost in the mix there. I like the soulful bridge at 3:22 too, though I felt the vocals could’ve blended better between each of your parts. The dramatic breakdown at 3:55 was absolutely chill-inducing, and that section in turn leads well into the outro with the heavy guitars at 4:10. From 4:34 on is another example of the vocals getting a bit overwhelmed in the mix, but was also a really resolute and fitting way of concluding the piece.

Overall, downright inspiring work here, you two. I also want to say that it’s rather refreshing to hear a song that has such a consistent rhyme scheme throughout, although that’s a pretty small detail in the grand scheme of things. Rock on, Troisnyx and DisOmikron! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.5/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
9.25/10

Troisnyx responds:

Thank you for the review.

Unfortunately there's been enough going on on Newgrounds and elsewhere to show that that grit doesn't matter, my intentions and emotions and musicality don't matter, and this song was needlessly prescient with a certain very popular Newgrounder's gaslighting of his victim and the entire Newgrounds community.

So yeah, frankly, I'm done. I stayed on because of my modship, because people needed to process recent happenings, but I feel like I could disappear tomorrow and the sordid things behind this song would go on with absolute impunity because nobody gives a shit.

[cloud reverie]

I like the tranquil guitar and nature sound effects at the beginning. The tempo feels very loose towards the beginning, and the panning is a little too heavy for my tastes. The sound design is really good, including the glitchy electronic elements that really bleed into the texture by 1:04. Sounds like an edgier version of “Every Photon, 100 Times a Second” by @SleepFacingWest. The melodic content in this piece is also good, but a bit understated at times, like the smooth synth melody at 1:50. I also think the arrangement is a tad choppy, with some sudden transitions and a compositional approach that’s taking you in a few different directions at once. The atmosphere, instrumentation, and production are probably my favorite elements of the piece, although the experimental texture and rhythmic content are not far behind. Really evocative work, LordAndiso! Keep it up. ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.75/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9/10

LordAndiso responds:

Thank you so much for the review! I will learn a lot from this! This is amazing that there are competitions like this, really brings the artists self-improvement :D

[We Are Free [NGADM 2023]]

I like the atmospheric intro. The vocals sound nice and confident, but are also a tad over-processed at times, and the lyrics themselves are a bit cheesy. The mix is loud and punchy, but during the drop at 1:05 the drums get a bit lost. I like the sound design, especially at the breakdown at 1:43. The crisp strings, choir pads, and later the return of the prominent bass at 2:08 all really hit the spot. The rhythmic content and filtering work at 2:34 are especially nice, although the heavy breaks there also bury the vocals once they come back in at 2:47, and the vocals also get a tad repetitive towards the end of the piece. Overall, I enjoy the upbeat and triumphant mood, synth melodies, and progression of this piece a lot. I think the production could use some tightening up, and the composition could use a tad more variety later on. Still, you struck a great balance between atmospheric and danceable here. Keep at it, Benji!

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.25/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8/10

Benji-G responds:

Thank you so much for the review TaintedLogic!

[Be That As It May]

I like the prominent hats and rich guitar chords at the beginning. The snare at :19 sounds a bit distorted and heavy for an otherwise tranquil piece like this. The vocals are great, and seem much more up-front in the mix than the last time, which I appreciate. I also really like the variations in the instrumental tracks at around 2:00. The high-pitched vocals at the bridge at 2:51 are also a highlight, as is the doodling at 3:29. The outro is a bit dragged-out, but otherwise I really like the languid pacing of this piece. Overall, I think you nailed this, Spoonman! Such a peaceful and heartfelt track. Keep it up! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9.25/10

SpoonMix responds:

Thank you, TaintedLogic for the review! I did want to do something about the snare, the gated reverb is very noticeable in the beginning... Thank goodness my vocals are a bit better for you. I am aware, also, and wanted, the fade out to be shorter, but I enjoyed that I was able to produce the instrumental and wanted to preserve it... mainly for myself. I'd definitely shorten it if ever this song becomes part of an album...

[Go the limit (NGADM)]

I like the glitchy intro and the upbeat synth brass towards the beginning. The drums could be a bit more prominent in the mix, but I like the rhythmic content otherwise. The melodies at :44 are cute, but the counter-melody at :52 also needs a boost in the mix. Part of the problem might be an excess of reverb at times (especially with the percussion at around 1:20), but I suspect you just need stricter equalization across the board. The progression here is nice, especially when it culminates in the higher-pitched melody at 2:38 (and other places). The melodies at 3:18 serve as a nice dose of variety, and I also appreciate the variations on the main melody at 3:37. The arrangement sounds a bit formulaic here at times, and to be honest I’m torn on whether the sound design is whimsical and charming or overly cheesy. Still, I like the melodic content, atmosphere, and upbeat mood of this one a lot. Tighten up the mix a tad and make the progression feel a bit looser, and this would be a top-notch track. Keep at it, Riskster! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.5/10

[Praia Apaixonada]

I love the smooth guitars and strings at the beginning. The cute melodies, relaxed atmosphere, and sound design really make this piece what it is. Aspects of the composition could’ve been a bit more dynamic and ambitious, as the solos all seem like echoes of each other after a while. The harmonies also trip over each other sometimes, especially at 1:14. Still, you get full credit for mixing, instrumentation, and atmosphere here. This piece makes me regret not getting to the beach this summer! Keep at it, FJOB. ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.75/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
9/10

[meet me outside]

I like the pensive mood at the beginning and the eerie atmospheric elements at :12. The prominent bass and lo-fi beat are nice, although the piece remains pretty minimal throughout, with a rather bland composition and repetitive harmonic content. I think it’s a great start, but I’d like to see you flesh out the structure a bit more. Hope you get a chance to finish this sometime. Keep at it, NashQP! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.75/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.25/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
7.5/10

NASHqp responds:

Thanks! I was extremely busy at college and was wishing an extension for the deadline so I could complete this song, but I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I might consider finishing the song.

[Exaltation (NGADM r. 2)]

I like the riser at the beginning and the 8-bit sound design. The chord progression is a bit cliche, and the drums at :25 could use more lower-mid range tones. The rest of the sound design is enjoyable, including the chopped vocals at :39 and the mid-range basses at the drop at 1:04. The rhythmic content is certainly a highlight throughout the piece, and despite the plethora of stop-start transitions, the progression is pretty smooth. I like the energetic bridge at 2:22 and the emotional quality of 2:48, too. The goofy snare at 3:25 kinda takes the edge off the otherwise punchy mix, but overall I would’ve liked to see more variety during the last minute or two of the piece, especially given the generic harmonic framework here. Still, the sound design, atmosphere, crisp mix, and catchy beats really make this a strong piece. Keep it up, DenPelm! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.75/10

[Guest of Honour]

I like the smooth guitar riffs at the beginning and the rich, echo-y harmonies at :13. The vocals at :25 are a bit soft in the mix, but the furtive tone and thick layering are both really nice. I love the defiant attitude at 1:08, although the drums get seriously lost in the mix there. The rhythmic content and variety in the instrumental tracks throughout is totally a highlight, here. At 2:38, a more ambitious solo or something would’ve been welcome - otherwise, I felt like the last 30 seconds was the most bland part of the composition here. Still, you nailed this, Mischa. Love the edgy vocals, sound design, progression, and atmosphere. Make the drums sound punchier, and this piece is damn near a 10/10. Rock on! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9.25/10

Mischa-head responds:

Thank you very much!

[Lagrange Point (NGADM '23 R2)]

I like the adventuresome mood at the beginning. The transition at :28 is a little abrupt, with a much more romantic mood all of a sudden. There’s a great sense of build-up into 1:20, and the melodic content throughout is rather graceful. The mix at 2:07 sounds a bit strained, with the percussion and piano harmonies both getting a bit lost amidst the dense melodies. That said, I enjoyed the piano outro for its simplicity and emotional quality. Overall, the sound design and melodies are top-notch as usual, Papkee. All things considered, the first 30 seconds of the piece sound a bit out-of-place, and later in the piece an excess of reverb may be compromising the mix a bit. Still, you’ve mastered your craft at composing cinematic beauties. Keep it up! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.25/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
9/10