TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[I Dream of the Future]

I dream of the future, too. This is a beautiful piece, Ale. It has a great innocence about it, and a fantastic sense of progression and flow as always. The transition at 1:10 was a bit sudden. Maybe it would've worked if the bass line kept playing, but otherwise it's too abrupt for my tastes. It's usually hard to pick out structural elements in your piano solos, and this is no exception, but at least this piece was held together by the ever-ascending bass lines. It feels victorious and cute at the same time by the end, although I think you could've used a ritardando on that last counterpoint so that it didn't feel as rushed. Still, always a pleasure hearing your music, LSD. I should have more time to Skype next week since my semester just ended. ^^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

The transition at 1:10 is indeed a bit sudden! I happen to have an affinity for sudden transitions though. Wouldn't it be boering if all music was 100% predictable all the time? I mean, psychologically speaking, we seem to enjoy when we recognize music and can guess what's coming next, so I guess it makes sense. But since I don't tend to write party music, I like being swept away and just floating with the music, wherever it takes me!

I find it quite easy to pick out structural elements here, since there are more than usual in this song. But, then again I know all the chords and the melodies by heart, whereas other listeners would have to listen quite a few times before they get the hang of it.
There is actually a lot of repetition in this song, though the keys change now and then. But the arrangement changes a bit too, from here to there.

1:58 takes you back to the beginning of the theme, and builds up to the more expressive ending.
And there is a refrains played more than once in the middle (with a few variations), with a couple of diffrent bridges (only one of which repeats slightly), and then there's the middle section which had the abrupt transition. Allow me to lay out the entire structure, the way I see it:

0:00 - 0:37 = Intro (which is a segment which repeats more or less the same melody twice)

0:38 - 0:54 = A bridge to the main refrain, although it is also a type of variation of the refrain melody

0:55 - 1:09 = The main refrain, where the second half builds into that abrupt transition

1:10 - 1:25 = A random middle section which is kinda just there, in order to get some rhythmic and arrangement variation (note the left hand which plays something entirely different here). Note that the end of this segment builds into a bridge with the same style as the ending of the last bridge, simply in a different key.

1:26 - 1:33 = Here we welcome back the main refrain, but only for a sec until there is a new buildup for an even bigger refrain.

1:34 - 1:41 = A unique bridge

1:42 - 1:57 = A slight variation of the main refrain, in order to sound a bit more heavy (not metal). The end of the segment transitions back to the intro melody...

1:58 - 2:38 = This is a repeat of the intro, in all its glory, but with a more upbeat arrangement, since the beginning was taking it kind of slowly. The chords and melodies are the same though (the melody gets more varied close to the build up to the grand outro), as is the key.

2:39 - The grand outro

So there ya go :)
I don't think it's the fact that the piece would lack any structure which makes it difficult to analyze. I think it's the fact that there is more structure, which changes quicker than say a piece with a "intro, verse, verse, refrain, verse, verse, bridge, refrain, refrain, outro" formula. Because it's not quite as simple, it takes more mental energy and devotion to pick out all the parts, based on the actual chords and melodies. Especially since there's no song to go along. I just want to to know that I am very aware of precisely how my songs are built up, or I'd have quite a difficult time playing them. Other than that, I tend to use more key changes than most tracks, because I personally just like key changes.

I do agree with your comment about the ritardando at the end. I too realized it sounds rushed, but tbh, I was just lazy and let it be xD
See, I put more energy into the last five notes, which I think sound funny, since they're entirely unconventional (one of them is intentionally out of key, too!).

I have one exam left this coming monday, and then I have to prepare for Xmas! I have a huge extended family, so there's a lot to do. But after Christmas, and before my studies start again, I too should have more time, so I really look forward to talking to you!

Be well, until then ^ ^

[Abeyance [PV]]

Good to see you're still active around these parts! I had an intuition to check your page, and lo and behold, a new preview. Sounds new-wavey if you're still looking for a genre. :) Loving the atmospheric vibes and the chill beats. The instruments here blend really well together. It has a great sense of continuity about it, as a lot of your tracks do. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the final product!

SynchroSpectre responds:

Oh hey dude, its been awhile. It's a little rusty but i'm just getting back into the swing of things. The final product is on soundcloud and utoob lol. Nice to see you again m8!

[eating ice cream with a cute girl]

Sounds good to me (the eating ice cream with a cute girl part, not the song). But seriously, the song sounds really good too. I like the pizzicato-y approach you've taken to the melody this time, as you usually have more legato melodies, especially later in the piece. The staccato, echo-y harmonies also gave this piece a really frantic, fleeting character, like all my relationships with cute girls have been so far. :) ...eh, who am I kidding? What relationships. But enough about my depressing love life. This song is very upbeat and catchy. You used the panning effects really well around 2:00, and it has a good sense of climax into 2:45. The mixing and mastering are solid as usual. I love the melodic development here. The descending lines at 3:15 made me want to have a girlfriend so bad. I really am a sad little man. UGH...ANYWAY: the ending was a little rushed, but otherwise not entirely pitiful. ;) Keep up the good work, Johnfn! Maybe I'll review the rest of your new stuff around Thanksgiving. XD

johnfn responds:

best review ever TL will u b my girlf pls

[microcosm]

Microcosm is a very good name for a song. It's almost like some soon-to-be-famous Newgrounder did it back in 2013. Catchy melodies as usual. The bass was a little too loud IMO, but the mastering is good. I think you overdid the reverb on the crash at 1:49. Well-structured, smooth-flowing, the usual suspects. Your endings are becoming increasingly less cringe-worthy. Also, good to see you branching out from that one genre you always make (sorry; I'm in a snarky mood today). Still, I like how it's upbeat, and it has a great sense of structural ebb and flow. Keep it up, Johnfn. ;)

johnfn responds:

Thanks TL! Actually, I write tons of non chipstep songs all the time, but I just never release them.

lol jk

Also I completely agree, Microcosm is the best name for a song!

[Volt]

Yeah. I remember listening to this one for the first time several months ago. It got my foot tapping immediately, and it still does. You usually master your tracks very loudly, but I think this one is especially crisp and clear. Well-structured, catchy and melodic. I thought you began to overuse the crashes at 1:15, but the drop at 1:45 was well worth the wait. I think my favorite part of the piece is actually 2:45, when the dichotomous characters (edgy and bass-heavy; blissful and melodic) both come through simultaneously. This piece has one of my favorite endings of any of your tracks, btw. It almost sounds sneaky, yet in a conclusive sort of way, as if the police finally show up and everyone at the party disperses and heads back to campus. XD Really admirable work. Keep it up, Kyle! :D

Lockyn responds:

Really glad you like the 2:45 section, 3:00 and onwards was definitely really really cool to construct. Ending was nice in my eyes too, loved using those light bell arp sounds! Thank you for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[EEK! + Lockyn - Glacier Galaxy]

Cool! You guys are the kings of quirky instruments. I especially like the vocal-sounding sample at :02. The frantic synth lines and build-ups are really enjoyable, and the drops were cool if a little overly intricate times (especially, for example, some of the little riff-breaks at 1:48 and other places). The mood changes very rapidly in this piece, and some of the transitions, such as 2:33 and 3:56, were somewhat jarring. That said, all of the instruments come through the mix very clearly. I suppose I would've liked to see you vary the build-up the 2nd time around. My main problem with the piece is that it's a little over-stimulating, given the several different prominent melodies in the track. Otherwise, I can tell a huge amount of effort went into this thing, and I think the title fits really well. Keep up the good work, both of you! ^^

Lockyn responds:

Thanks TL! Appreciate the comments and love. Agree on the second track, could be too much.

[Vapor]

When the bass at :15 comes through even my sh**ty laptop speakers, you know it packs some punch! I love the quirky instruments and atmosphere. The drop at 1:03 reminds me a lot of "Hiatus." I suppose I would've liked to hear the hi-hats more up-front in the mix, especially around 1:40. Still, I love how you implemented the piano bridge section at 2:20 or so. Well-structured, flowing, melodic, upbeat, and extremely catchy. You've definitely indulged the desires of the bass addicts, too! Production quality is superb. The ending was a little bizarre. It sounds to me like it ended on the iv chord, which is pretty unconventional (though I may be wrong). Regardless of my knowledge of music theory, nice track! ;)

Lockyn responds:

I'm glad you liked the piano, I was really happy with how most of it turned out this time around! It ended on vi, so I can see why it would sound a bit unfulfilled, yes definitely unconventional in terms of traditional music theory. I liked the open-sounding finish, so I went with it. Cheers :)

[Cs - 'Smash the Night']

The loop is smooth and the mood here is very bright and fun. I can tell it's mastered very loudly, and I can hear all of the instruments clearly. However, I think the snare is a little weak throughout the piece. I would've liked to hear a stronger off-beat (generally, the snare and/or clap should be the loudest sound in the mix). The melody is also a little all-over-the-place tonally. You display a good sense of harmony for the first half of the piece, and while there aren't any clashing notes or dissonances later on, the melody is a bit too frantic and involved for the casual listener to grasp onto it. It's just a little over-stimulating. I'd suggest repeating a couple of pitch patterns within the melodic section from :29 to the end, and simplifying the rhythm. That way, your melodies will be more memorable and catchy. Overall good work! Keep at it, Csucskos! ^^

Csucskos responds:

Yes. I've realised long time ago that I can't make catchy music. The reason is: I don't want to make too simple music. So I change the melody here and there, put some bonus instruments in, add a different melody to the bass than the main melody, twist the rhytm a bit and so on. After this I find that the whole song is a mess and there's no real melody. But for me everything is clear (or nearly ;D) because I've heard it many times during the making. This is the problem I guess... Simple but still valuable music making. It is hard. (I don't want to be cocky. I know that sometimes only the piano plays and the notes are all eighths. Hey, I'm lazy! I really don't feel the balance.)

Simplifying the rhythm... Last time you complained about the monotone rhythm, and now... ;) I'll look for the good balance anyways.

All in all I'm really grateful for your comments and I'm sure they will help me. Thank you.

[Cs - 'Bittersweet Dance']

Cute piece. I like how you alternate between major and minor chords. It has an interesting progression, but I'd caution you about having so many jarring changes in mood. Still, it has a clean sound and a nice sense of direction about it. The melody could use some more rhythmic variety, but overall the melody itself is enjoyable. Obviously, it needs to be more fleshed-out structurally, but you're well on your way to constructing a solid piece, my friend. ;) Keep it up!

Csucskos responds:

Thanks a lot!
I'm happy to hear that I'm getting better.
Still don't know what do you mean with 'fleshed-out structurally' but OK, next time will be some interesting rhytms. ;)
(Maybe not next time but the time after that.)

[3MBER - Strawberry Sky]

I like the pensive atmosphere at the beginning. It has a good sense of climax starting at :31. I wasn’t a huge fan of the vocal samples at :56, although some of the subtle filtering (1:12) was enjoyable. I like the drop at 1:22, and I think the mixing and mastering are generally strong. Those loud, crisp hats at 1:37 really added a lot to the texture as well. I think the drop is a little drawn-out, lasting for very nearly a full minute, and then you transition into this re-intro section at 2:17 rather abruptly. I appreciated the variations you had on the melody at 3:12, but that instrument is not my favorite and also gets a little distorted by the drums. I think you needed some side-chaining there. The piece also lacked conclusiveness IMO and needed more of a substantive outro to tie it together at the end. Still, I enjoyed the piece a lot overall. It has a lot of really cool percussive sounds and, perhaps with the exception of some minor structural and transitional details, the composition is really strong. The quirky mood is a big plus, and you did a good job of maintaining a full texture throughout. Keep it up, x3MbeRx. ;)

8.5/10

x3MbeRx responds:

I focused very heavily on sound design and mixing for this piece, and the arrangement suffered slightly because of it. Making a completely original track in just two weeks time is hard work for sure. Thank you for listening :)