TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Just some doodles]

This certainly is a deviation from some of your other stuff, Matt. It's a little distorted for my tastes, and it gets very repetitive after a while, but it does feel very climactic and energetic. I like the transition at 2:05 a lot, but I think it could've led more of somewhere. The track does loop well, however. I think you need to use some other synths besides Z3TA+ and Sylenth because your music almost has TOO MUCH integrity across tracks. Also, the balance seems a little off at times: the bass completely overpowers the pads and melodies. Furthermore, I think the kick should be a bit louder - dubstep really relies on the contrast between the kick and the snare for the intense mood it communicates. Sorry if this review seems a bit nit-picky and negative, but I feel like I've learned a lot in the four months since I've reviewed one of your tracks and I'm trying to use that info to help you! ;) Talk to you soon, Matt! ;D

Dylnmatrix responds:

Thanks man. Appreciate all the reviews!

Honestly, I have a hard time seperating myself from Z3TA. I've become so emotionally glued to the damn thing and it's amazing library of synths and such that it's hard for me to put down. Also, Dr. Fresh and Sandstorm...I can't let them go. Espec. Sandstorm. I loooooove that gritty son of a bitch. But I've always been into distorted, gritty leads.

Anyways, I'll be sure to send you the improvements to the track when we finish it. I'll even write myself a note to remember.

[undersea and lost.]

Wow, this IS different than many of your other tracks! You really emphasized the harmonies more in this one. I love the structure, btw. The transition from energetic to pensive is done very well. However, I think when you transition back to a more energetic vibe at 3:29, it could be smoother. It got a little repetitive after a while, especially with the riff that pops in at 3:29 and other places. Also, for a piece that's so atmospherically driven, it ends a little suddenly. However, I must say I never got tired of the riff at :44 that just seems to encase the entire atmosphere of the piece. I think you did a good job with the dynamic contrast, too. Overall, of course, it's an excellent piece. Before I started listening to you, Johnfn, I didn't like chipstep that much (or maybe I didn't know exactly what it was), but either way all I know is that I'm a big fan of this style of music. Keep at it, Johnfn! ;D

johnfn responds:

It's funny you call the transition at 3:27. I agree with you but the one thing I do like a lot about this piece is how that 2:57 arp thing sort of fades out the middle section into the final section. The main problem with the transition is probably just that 3:29 repetitive melody. It's interesting how you say it's repetitive. While composing I figured it would just be one of those melodies that can't be repetitive because it's too simple and you'd hear it as just background noise (like the quick arps that kick off the piece). But after re-listening I agree with you. Learning things all the time. :D

Anywho thanks for the review. One final comment is about the genre of pieces like these. I normally put my pieces in the chipstep genre when they'd more traditionally fit into something like "chiptune", because the "chiptune" genre doesn't fit on here. But recently I dunno if this is even chiptune because it's using a lot of non chiptune elements too. It'd probably be closer to 9-bit, which is like chiptune that's been enhanced with sounds that aren't found in traditional chiptune.

Or maybe it's something totally different!

[Dark Reflections]

Strange how creative minds function best late at night, isn't it? I love the emotion and the contemplative mood. It's very relaxing but also thought-provoking. I love the structure, too. I'm exceedingly impressed that you improvised all of this. Even in its relative simplicity it manages to tell a story well. It's simply beautiful music, light on the ears and heavy on the mind. I imagine a cold winter somewhere in Europe during WWII, and a husband must leave his wife and children to join the war effort. The majority of the piece captures the train ride to the front, the man's mixed emotions of longing to see his family and excitement to crush the depraved opposition. At 2:34 he is leaving the train and walking into the morass of the soldiers' camp, and at 2:36 we see the wife and children, in tattered clothing, waiting at the train again in 1945 for the man's return. At 3:02, the man steps out, and we see that he is gravely wounded and has a visible limp. At 3:20, the husband and wife and kids find each other, and they are locked in a deep embrace, sharing in their sorrows at seeing their loved ones in such a state, but also sharing their happiness at seeing each other again, just like any strong family would. So, anyway, excellent work, BlazingDragon, and sorry if I got carried away with the story! ;D

BlazingDragon responds:

I'm definitely a night owl! All my most imaginative and productive work seems to get done after 10 PM. Everyone else is starting to go to sleep in the house, all is quiet, and I can totally pour myself into the music without distraction. It's really wonderful.

Excellent story that you've composed! I like the dichotomy of emotion. The man feels both excitement for battle and longing for family in the beginning, and in the end, the family feels both sorrow for their wounded loved one and happiness to in being reunited. That's the kind of depth I like to put into my music.

Thanks! :D

[Holography]

Very catchy and engaging. I love the "woops." It progresses a little slowly at times, but I do like the structure and transitions. You keep the energy up throughout, and it certainly gains points for uniqueness as well. "Ablixa" was probably my favorite NG track of 2013, btw, and I'm thrilled to see you're back! :D Happy new year, Garlagan, and keep it up, my friend! ;)

garlagan responds:

really glad you like it Andrew! happy new year you too

[Angel's Grove]

I love the mood and the surreal melodies and creepy percussion/FX. It was climactic enough, and had a pretty interesting structure, but I think it lacked some fill at times. I liked those breaks around 1:42. It's smooth-flowing and catchy and cool. It loops pretty well, but I don't think the sweep at 2:45 leads back into the ominous beginning very well. It's definitely good for some sort of mystery/suspense-themed game. It's very contemplative and intellectual in a way, too - maybe some puzzle-themed flash? XD Anyway, I'm glad I saw this. I haven't heard from you guys in a while. Keep it up, Bluebooblue! ;D

bluebooblue responds:

Thank you so much for your review TD6! you always make the best constructive critics!
we're glad you like it, we made it for a staff roll/credits sequence, that's why it wouldn't loop!
we wish we could make heavier explosions tho );

Anyway, thanks again!!

[Deep Mystery]

I like the atmosphere and synths a lot. I could see this being a really awesome ambient track, but I like how it's climactic and danceable all the same. The title is very fitting, and the mood is very contemplative at times, which I liked. I love the melody at 2:00. At times, the rhythms seem a little flat, like at 1:31. I think there could be some more interesting syncopations you could experiment with at some points, BO. I like how you brought that open hat in at around 2:45. The ending seemed a bit sudden - that synth that cuts off at 3:43 should've been subject to a little more reverb-based fade-out or something, y'know? Overall, though, it's a good track. Keep at it, BO! ;D

[Lockout]

yes...Yes...YES!!! :D This is evidently an amazing track. I love all the instruments and the mood and the melodies. It's very climactic and catchy and engaging. The progression and texture reminds me a lot of "Gradient," with the rhythmic chords and the flyin' melodic trance-ish synths. I love the structure and the dynamic contrast. The melody is a little hard to follow at times, but in a way that adds a lot to the mood and atmosphere of the piece. I'd love to see you work on making the drums a little more interesting in the future...not just kick-hat-clap-hat-kick-hat-clap-hat, y'know? I really liked the way you ended this one, though. It seemed so lounge-esque and relaxing all of a sudden, like I just walked from an NYC club to the Ritz hotel! XD Anyway, amazing work, and I'm super pumped for the other tracks Kyle. This one's going to win you some fans, man! ;D

Lockyn responds:

HALLO MY FRIEND! You are awesome for reviewing this. Thanks so much man for your feedback, I always value it. I completely understand about the percussion... you nailed one of my many weakpoints LOL. I suck at it. And I understand about the melody... I was having trouble with it, so I kinda just said after like 543542353 edits "I'M DONE!". Yeah. Great metaphor LOL. Thanks man! You da best :D

[Raploop]

I'm not really into hip-hop that much, but this is really good. It's really relatable and down-to-earth (unlike a lot of rap music in my experience). It's very catchy and it loops very well. One thing to work on might be the balance. When that synth comes in at :24 the vocals start hiding under it a bit. Maybe you could use it as a bridge or something if you want to keep working on this. Also, at :32, the synth ends a little suddenly. Some more reverb might help there. Overall, though, it's a very good track. Helps expand my definition of good music as well! ;D Keep at it, man! ^^