TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[<MWA> Skittles on Crack]

Glad I found this again! It's a classic. Super catchy, with a lot of great rhythmic content, and that violin solo is iconic. Love the spacey build-up at 5:10 too. Killer sound design across the board. Been in my iTunes library for damn near a decade now. First heard it through Xmillsa on YouTube, I believe. Mjattie, if you're still around, you rock! Hope you're doing well, even if you don't post on NG anymore. Cheers. ^_^

[-Clad-]

Oh man, I love all the effects, vocal samples, and rhythmic syncopations. It is indeed more vocal-heavy than I'm used to hearing from you, but the samples fit in so well with the beat and progression of the track. The production quality is really solid, too, and I love how the vocals don't take over the entire mix like they do in a lot of hip-hop tracks on the radio. The more melodic vocals at 3:05, as well as the brass solos at 2:30 or so, really help take this piece to the next level. I love the electronic bass too. You should do more tracks like this! Probably my favorite of yours of the year. ^_^

[-Going Now-]

I like the pulsating energy at the beginning and the guitar solos shortly thereafter. I can tell it's not a "real" guitar - very uniform articulation from note to note - but the more downtempo guitar work at 1:00 has a great sense of atmosphere about it. The solos at 1:25 feel like hallmark Waterflame melodies - from the rhythm to the contour to the way they sit in the mix. :D I think my favorite aspect of the piece is the rhythmic content at the bridge and coda, though - reminds me of some of your older tracks like "Viscid." Rock on, WF! ^_^

[Summer Grass]

I like the pensive vibe and rich atmosphere at the beginning. The transition at :49 is a bit sudden, but the sound design is superb. The rhythmic content is a bit too dense by 1:20 or so - feels like the different elements of the texture are tripping over each other a bit. Still, great job with the mood, instrumentation, and mixing, guys. ^_^

[-Advancer-]

Really groovy stuff! I love the punchy synth bass and dynamic melodies. The drums aren't quite as up-front in the mix as I would've liked, but the bass line and other rhythmic elements really keep the energy up here. The brass during the breakdown at 1:40 is great, and I also like synths that vaguely sound like woodwind instruments at 2:25. The vocals add a real X-factor to the texture, and by 3:30 or so I'm really enjoying the victorious feel of the piece. The modulation at 3:40 works well, and the light, floaty melodies at 4:00 drive the piece home nicely, even if the ending comes on a little suddenly. Awesome work again, WF! ^_^

[Wicked in Winter]

Wow, you've been prolific so far this year! I need to catch up. I love the relaxed mood at the beginning. The atmosphere is nice and rich, and the melodic contour of the guitar patterns sounds like a wave. The piece starts going in a very different direction by around the 1-minute mark. The ominous choir vocals and strings give the piece a dramatic flair, and I love the injection of energy and the crisp drums. The vocals at the bridge have a great comedic appeal, and also fit the piece rather well. The frantic strings and pitter-patter of the piano at the end wraps up the piece nicely. Great cinematic piece for a wintry night! RIP Santa and LONG LIVE WATERFLAME AND PFTQ! :D

[Kings & Queens]

I love the edgy guitars at the beginning and the powerful vocals. The lyrics themselves are also really good. "Bleeding on the inside where it grabs you" is probably my favorite line. The production quality is rock-solid, and the flow is so smooth throughout. I love the solos at 2:40, too, and the breathy whispered line at the end was a good way of winding the piece down. If I had to complain about one thing, it might be that the refrain feels a little open-ended. What's binding the kings and queens? Musically, that phrase also feels rather unresolved. Maybe that's intentional, though it still bothers me. Anyway, top-notch track here, y'all! Love the sound design and crisp production. ^_^

[Geoplex - Breathless (feat. Lyra Ivy)]

Oh man, how did I miss this? I like the bouncy vocals and punchy beats. The lyrics are a little hard to discern, and the vocals theoretically could take up a bit more space in the mix, but otherwise the production quality here is superb. The melodies at 1:10 are killer, and there are also some great atmospheric details, like the orchestral instruments at 1:40. The melodies at 2:30 or so are also really engaging and energetic, and the chopped vocals later on in that phrase also get high marks from me. The melodies at 3:30 hit the piece home nicely. Overall, I'm really impressed with the amount of variety here, and the mixing, atmosphere, and sound design are all fantastic as always with you. Keep it up, Geoplex! ^_^

Geoplex responds:

Hey TaintedLogic! Thanks for the feedback <3! I have to say I completely agree with you on the vocal presence. In earlier iterations the vocals were much louder, I have some regret for how they ended up. Tbh this song was really over-produced. Gotta remember to always follow my gut :)