TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Five Finger Discount]

Nice job with the quirky instruments at the beginning. The texture sounds a tad muddy, and I think the kick could be a bit stronger. That said, the ominous mood here is really nice. Progression is a bit slow, but it's definitely the kind of piece that just washes over you anyway. I'd love to see the harmonies fleshed out a little more, maybe with some more mid-range frequencies to give it a little more fill. Rhythmic content here is pretty pleasing - I like the riff that comes in at 1:36. There could definitely be some more melodic content, though. Overall fun track! Keep at it, YHTFLKC. ^^

P.S.: Where did you get those synths? They sound like half Moog, half acid or something.

YHTFLKC responds:

I think i did this track at the end of last year lol idk if im gonna work on it anymore i usually don't come back to them but as far as the synths go i just opened the old file back up and two of them (the bass i think) are modular synths i set up with caustic's simple modular thing. it works ok but yea they usually sound kinda muddy but i think thats cause im still learning how to set up modular to sound halfway decent. also cause im not sure which synths youre asking about the rest of them in there are subsynth and theres something i did with a bongo drumkit and a wah wah pedal i think. And as always thanks for the review yooooo! also stay tuned for more tracks cause i have another 2 or 3 i havent been able to post because my computer has been gone but its back now so i can post whenever

[Beluga Whale Tale]

I like the energy at the beginning. Sweeps were a bit bland, though. Could use more effects to spice them up. I like the cutesy synths and progression. There's a tad bit of atonality in the texture around :40, and the reverb at :57 is a bit excessive. The mix, while loud and clear, is also severely punctured by the drums imo. My favorite element of the piece is probably the mood. It's dark, foreboding, and also implies a narrative form. Sounds like the boss battle at the final level of a nautical-themed video game. At around the 3-minute mark, some of the elements of the drum pattern are panned strongly to one side or another, which makes them sound a bit harsh in my ears. Another thing I really like about this piece is the arrangement - structure, transitions, dynamic contrast, and phrasing are all done really well here. The ending was a bit bizarre given the pause at 4:40 and the subsequent riser that's filtered to nothing, but I'd imagine this looping in an in-game scenario regardless. Cool piece, Spadezer! Keep up the good work. ^_^

Spadezer responds:

Thanks TL

Interesting observations. I could see how some of the panning might not be the best decisions. It was one of the later additions to the mix so I didn't get as much "ear time" with that and some of the louder percussion changes. Most of the mixing was done with headphones initially and then worked between that and my speakers right at the end. I could be more creative with sweeps but that requires work, lol. But still is a good point.

Not originally intended to be video game music since there was literally now guidance to what I wanted the song to be about, so I find it funny that you think that. I've been told my music generally sounds like video game music anyway so it's not the first time I've heard that either lol. Glad you enjoyed it

[Darkness and Light]

I like the pensive mood at the beginning. Jordi's vocals at :21 are great, although I feel as though there could've been a stronger transition there than the stop-start effort at :20. The lyrics themselves are also pretty powerful. The rhyme scheme seemed a bit forced at first, though, so I like when you started to take liberties with it at the "one day" stanza. Nice melodic content through the 2-minute mark or so, and then the theme at 2:20 is really fun. The production quality is really strong here. I liked the arpeggiated transition into 3:27, drawn out though it was. I love how the vocals have a really low register towards the end. Makes them seem foreboding, even while the content of the lyrics seem encouraging/motivational. Cool piece, guys! Good luck in the ADM. ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks for reviewing!

I personally like the transition at 0:20. I think one shouldn't be afraid to have a short break in the music, or even silence, when going into a new section. Similar transitions are also used throughout the piece (such as at 1:00), as it's part of the composition's continuity.

I also tend to like when songs have something that binds the rhythm, such as through rhymes (or "near" rhymes). Especially in this piece, the melody is pretty straightforward in the verses, so another element that adds to the rhythm makes the verses a bit more interesting. I spent a long time contemplating where I should use the rhymes, and how I could convey the message of the piece through the lyrics.

Since the rhythm is simple in the first half of the piece, I felt like 2:20 was necessary in order to give the piece some variety and power. I'm glad you liked that part, along with the "one day" segment.

The production was surprisingly difficult for this piece. I'm happy with the result, but I'm not as good at cleaning up and mixing Jordi's voice as he himself is :D
It's nice to hear that you think I did a decent job with it!

I actually can't sing this piece myself, since my voice doesn't go low enough to be able to sing the part at the end. I'm really impressed with Jordi's performance, and I wanted to show off his singing in a lower register, since it still retains its emotional tone. He's such a versatile singer o.O

Thank you for the review, and for the good wishes! Good luck with judging and running the NGUAC! It's exciting to follow the progression!

[SOL]

Really different from some of your other stuff! I like the dramatic swells at the beginning and the passionate guitar riffs at :14. Nice job with the vocals, too. I also like the lyrics themselves. Nice job with the glitchy ornaments too. Production quality is super high. My only complaint with the mix is that the drums are way too quiet. I just wanted that snare to have so much more bite than it did. The riffs at 3:05 (the guitar and then the dark synths) are really cool. I think you wrap up the piece well with that final refrain. It would've been nice if you had a refrain that was a little more distinct from the verses, though. Right now, the short vocal phrases and instrumentation are both very similar between the verses and chorus. I think it would help to have some more powerful vocals that are held out longer. Overall, though, I'm quite impressed with this piece. Dark electronica and synth guitars are a good combo. :) Keep up the good work, ConnorGrail!

ConnorGrail responds:

Thanks so much as usual for the great detailed review. I am experimenting a LOT with this aggressive style so I will be taking your feedback with me going forward ☺

[endK - Arena 51]

Woah...this is really different from some of your other stuff. I think the tranquil pads at the very beginning were a bit misleading given the raw, ominous vibe of the rest of this piece. I like the dark mood and the instrumentation, though. The lead is the most recognizable element of your style here. Also, there was a lot of minimalism in this piece. Perhaps the harmonies could be a bit fuller and more fleshed-out. The riff at 2:00 was one of my favorites of the piece. Really catchy piece overall. Lots of twists and turns, too - I didn't see the breakdown at 2:27 coming at all! Nice work, EndK. Keep it up. ;)

endKmusic responds:

Yeah, I can't stand in one area too long, I guess...
You mean the effect at the beggining?
I saw it as a 'turn on the console' kinda effect, just so people know it's video game themed straight at the start.
Thanks for the lead compliments!
About harmony - yeah, you're right, I wanted to keep it simple overall, did some harmony thingies mainly at 0:40-0:53, but nothing much after that.
Sounded good in the first place and I chose not to overcomplicate and go with it (eventhough I'm sure if there were some well-written harmonies in each part, it would clearly sound better).
Thanks for the comments and the review TL!
Means a lot.
Cheers!

[Magnificent]

I like the atmosphere at the beginning and the gradual fade-in. The instrument you used for the arpeggios at :18 wasn't my favorite, but the piece has a great sense of climax into :33. The vocal samples add to the texture considerably, and the drop at 1:16 was really fun. I like the subtle glass clink FX at 1:40, too. After a while, it gets pretty repetitive, though, and I think the drop and post-chorus drag on for a bit too long. The breakdown at 2:17 was a good idea. I like the filtering work there. The underlying harmony changes pretty suddenly at 2:33, but I like the melody at 2:47 and the build-up to the second drop. Ending came on a tad suddenly; it could use more of a proper outro. Overall, really strong work here, Sylux. The production and sound design are great, and the mood of the track is really fun and upbeat throughout. Keep it up, and gl in the ADM! ^_^

Sylux03 responds:

Thank you so much!

[-Pink Spring- (2014)]

I like the cute synths at the beginning. Melodic content is nice here, too, and I especially like your use of percussion in this track. I also really like the more legato melody instrument in the post-chorus at :53. Mastering quality is really strong here. I guess my main complaints are that it's a tad repetitive, and maybe a bit generic arrangement-wise. I also think there are a lot of parts of the piece that don't quite have the same full texture that's characterized your pieces of late. Otherwise, the blissful mood, sound design, and cohesiveness of this piece sells it really well. Keep up the good work, WF! ^_^

Waterflame responds:

Thank you! :)

[Until Then]

Ambiance at the beginning was cool, but I don't see how it logically leads into the jazzy bit at :06 very well. That said, the smooth texture of the organ, E-piano, and bass are really nice. I think I'd prefer it if the drums were a tad stronger, but you did a nice job with foregrounding that trumpet. Melodic content in this piece is great, and the entire mood is so lackadaisical and carefree. Production is loud, clear, and well-balanced. The piece could also use some more structuring, especially since it's so short. The coda felt more like a bridge/breakdown than an outro. Still, strong work here. Moody and fun piece. Good luck in the ADM!

acxle responds:

thank you so much!

[Palace of Tales and Memories]

I like the atmospheric vibe at the beginning. Sounds really pensive at the beginning. The melodies at :27 are beautiful. Very clear and full mix, too. I really like what you've done with the progression in the drums. The pacing here is really slow, but I do enjoy the sense of directionality this has. It also sounds a tad repetitive, though, even for a relatively short piece. The section at 2:14 wasn't a change I was quite prepared for, but maybe that's just me. There's a clear lead-in there with a strong transition; perhaps it was more of the change in texture that caught me off guard. All the same, I have no real complaints, perhaps with the exception that you could've done a tad more with the composition. Really high quality of sound, but nothing particularly bold in the progression or harmonic content. Still, nice work with the production, sound design, and atmosphere! Keep up the good work, 350teric. ^_^

350teric responds:

Thank you for the in depth review, I love the concrete points and the articulate suggestions. To be frank most of my compositions are way more complex and lavish than "Palace of Tales and Memories", rhythmically and harmonically I am coming from a progressive metal background (check out "Numen" for instance), I do compose electronic music as well. But, for this song I decided for a bit more simplistic approach, just for a change and fresh perspective. So for the final round I will shake things up definitely with something "bombastic" and "over top". :D

[A Summer's Dream]

I like the majestic piano at the beginning. Extended pause at :32 was a bit of a bold choice, but it sets up the pacing of the rest of the piece pretty well. Lyrics get better as the piece goes on. Very raw, simplistic, and descriptive at first, but the broader meaning behind your natural surroundings becomes more conspicuous the more you describe. Sometimes your voice sounds a bit strained, like at 1:07. Minimal though the instrumentation is, the I love the Low Whistle solos and the unfettered emotive quality of the vocals. The harmonies are great - both the vocals and the spacing of the chords. The instruments blend really well together, yet still feel like distinct melody lines. Admittedly, the piece does drag on for quite some time, though. It's beautiful music throughout, but it also doesn't have a strong sense of dynamism or directionality all the time. The slightly more energetic vibe in the texture starting at around the 5-minute mark actually helps this piece out a lot in that regard, though. Overall fantastic piece. Very majestic and heartfelt work, Jordi!

etherealwinds responds:

Hey TL! Thank you so much for the review and apologies for leaving my response so late. Often-times when I get a longer review, I read them whilst I'm not quite in the place to respond to them and then I forget :D

Another person mentioned the straining at 1:07 but I still don't hear it myself! I guess I'm so used to hearing my own voice haha! Yeah, I think I mentioned previously but the piano was actually just a 7 and a half minute improvisation so I cut out a few parts but it's still quite long. I noticed generally that longer songs seem to be in the process of becoming less popular - I think any song past 5 minutes has the tendency to bore people so I try to inject at least a lot of emotion and something different in the structure to not lose a listener. That's something I can of course improve on and I'll keep practising that too!

Once again, thanks for taking the time out of your day to review the track! <3