TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Chere Modesto]

Okay, I absolutely love the dynamic changes and instruments right off the bat. The bright piano and strings are beautiful. Sounds like a commercial involving a dog...somehow.........
Anyway, I think it is a bit minimalistic at times, but it certainly is very emotional, which somewhat makes up for that. I liked when you started introducing electronic elements at around 1:15. Innovative combinations are always good. ;) Also, the breakdown at 1:53 was well done, and the drums really help keep it interesting throughout the entire middle section IMO. Interesting how the mood progresses so much as the track goes on. In fact, it might even need a little more cohesion in it. I like how you brought back the blissful part at 3:28, but I think the transition itself could've been much smoother. The mixing isn't bad, and I thought the ending was pretty appropriate and conclusive. Overall, this is a strong piece with stand-out structural content. The melodic and harmonic content was good, and I personally think you've progressed a lot even over the course of the competition. Keep up the great work, LunacyEcho! ;D

8.75/10

LunacyEcho responds:

=> beautiful instruments =>

You've got a real-life violin to thank for that. :D

=> commercial involving a dog =>

You have an awesome imagination.

=> minimalistic =>

It sounds like minimalism is a bad thing! Of course, it can (coughcoughJohnCagecoughcough), but even non-emotional minimalism can be made into really awesome pieces.

=> innovative combinations =>

That basically sums up my music style right there.

=> interesting breakdown cause drums =>

During design, I was criticized for making the breakdown really repetitive, so I decided to add echo-y, reverb-y drums. And it worked out pretty well! I was also listening to a lot of Kor-Rune, so I introduced a modification of a drum buildup he inspired.

=> 3:28 transition =>

I didn't actually like that transition a lot. :D Still, I had to keep it for the sake of fitting those last few letters in at the end. The Morse giveth and the Morse taketh away.

=> mixing isn't bad =>

YES

(still not even entirely sure what mixing involves)

=> appropriate and conclusive ending =>

Whew!

=> stand-out structural content =>

I don't know about others, but the thing I like about the way I structure songs is that it isn't as repetitive. I think overuse of repetition is the downfall of instrumental music, as you don't have a voice keeping the listener company.

Thanks a lot for the review and the score!

[90s racers]

I love the old-fashioned VGM-style you got going on here. It's catchy and cool, if a little gritty-sounding in the beginning. Couldn't hurt to EQ that pad that's really present in the mix a little more IMO. I love the structure and the sense of direction. The melodies are simple and a little distorted, yet warm and satisfying. Love the traditional techno sound you got going on here. Reminds me of the days of Zircon and Darude and the gang. :') You completely nailed the feel-good vibe. One tiny complaint I have is about the ending. You change the piece really suddenly going into 2:27, and then it just ends. Especially since it's such a short piece, I think you could flesh out the ending quite a bit more. Cool instruments and moods, though. One of the main problems with it, though, is the balance, I think. I think you should've brought out those light, brisk arpeggios much more than the bass at :23. For a while, I was even convinced that this track was missing a lot of high tones, but then I realized that they were just WAY back in the mix! Overall, though, excellent job: I love the instruments and emotional qualities, structure and transitions. Solid work all around, Jernemies. Keep it up, my friend. ;D

8.75/10

Jernemies responds:

Thank you. Points noted.
I'll get to working on a v2, see if I can expand on this. It does have the potential, which is why I was so disappointed to submit this in this state.

[Deteriorate {Dj-Abbic}]

I love the combination of instruments at the beginning, and the mix is very clean and clear throughout. It's catchy and unique. I like the melodies and bass. It's punchy and staccato at times, yet also rather refreshing at others. 1:22 was a highlight. Excellent job with the LFO automations (at least I think that's what's making the effects at 1:33 and other places). It's slower than a lot of mainstream EDM pieces, yet it's also very danceable and energetic as it is. The melody at 2:00 also added a lot. You have an excellent sense of structuring, transitions, and harmony. A lot of the pieces I've been reviewing for the competition this round could easily be front-paged, and I think this is definitely one of them. Also, I really liked the cute and quirky way you ended it with that rather light synth, although the fact that it faded out was a bit disappointing. I often find fade-out endings a bit lazy and boring. Overall, though, fantastic work! If you're "not particularly happy with this yet," you're being way too hard on yourself! This is an amazing piece, Djabbic! Keep up the great work. ;D

9.5/10

DjAbbic responds:

I'm also disappointed at the fact that this faded out, which is one of the main reasons that I'm not really happy with this as it is.

The reason it's slower is because I think the many layers and automation details are brought out better at this tempo. I sped it up at one point, but it just didn't sound right (or perhaps the original tempo had grew on me).

In any case, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it. Thanks a lot!

[Out Of Twilight]

I like the blissful, quirky mood at the beginning and the 80s dance vibe you have going on here. The portamentos around :45 were a nice touch. I love all the synths, and that one that comes in at 1:02 was especially cool. The mix is clean and clear. I'm personally a huge fan of sub-basses, as I think they really help go that extra mile as far as adding fill. It's also very hard to get the volume levels on them right, and I think you did a great job of that here. I think you could've found a more effective transition at 1:32 than the sort of echo-and-start-again thing you did. The variations in the second half were appreciated, and I love the relaxed vibe throughout. The ending was a bit lazy, though, and I think you could've done a bit more with it, despite the full mix (aided a lot by the reverb) and relaxed vibe. All things considered, it's an appropriate length, and I think you've done an excellent job of establishing moods/emotions in your tracks, Birdinator99. Good work! Perhaps I was expecting something a bit riskier for the final round, but the unique vibe of your tracks does help you in the long run, as evidenced by the fact that you're in the final round! Anyway, keep up the good work! ;D

8.5/10

Birdinator99 responds:

I'm glad you liked the pitch bends. They're a favourite of mine!

The synth at 1:02 was one I knew I was going to use if there were wubs involved at some point. I ended up putting a bitcrusher on it and turned out lovely!

Also glad you agree with me on the mix -- sub-basses are rad!

Transition at 1:32 is rough for sure. I think next time I make something, I'm going to draw a little diagram so I can visualize the structure of the song beforehand, and maybe get some ideas from there.

Honestly, the whole second half is lazy, so I guess I got off easy when you only mentioned the ending, heh.

A lot of the reverb you thought you were hearing is actually a delay! Especially on that square synth -- atleast it was working for me this time. The ride cymbal has a lot of reverb though.

There's that word again! Unique! Yay!

Thanks again TheDoor6 -- I'm surprised you liked this more than my knockout round submission, but I can't say no to an 8.5 haha

[Serenity]

I love the atmosphere right off the bat, and the flutes and guitars were excellently integrated. It creates a sense of adventure, and the reverb really helps make it very full-sounding, bright, and cinematic. Excellent job creating space for contrast in the beginning, which really made the transition into 1:03 effective. The percussion also added to it considerably, and I absolutely adore the Celtic theme. It's amazingly smooth-flowing, and I love the progression. I just felt euphoria right up until that last chord. CHILLS, my friend...CHILLS! It has been extremely hard to come up with anything even remotely wrong with ANY of your pieces, but this...this is simply the icing on the cake of an overall breathtakingly impressive trio of pieces you've submitted for this competition. What I really love is that you tell a story with this music, Mr. Jones. I can see the girl waltzing through the forest, then racing her dog through a field of clovers and tall grass. She stops to pick one up, and next thing you know she and the dog are lying on the dock by the sea, watching the sunset. :') The quality of your instruments is amazingly high, and I'm exceedingly impressed that you played at least a couple of them live. The "different feel" you went for with this one most certainly paid off, my friend. If I ever direct a film, I know who I want to write the soundtrack: YOU! I'm running out of compliments, to be honest...Not only am I giving this a flawless 10/10, I'm also fav'ing and DL'ing this instantly. I would give you a personal standing ovation from my room right now, but my parents are asleep across the hall. I'm blown away...soul-altering work, Bassfiddlejones! ^_^

10/10

bassfiddlejones responds:

Wow... where to begin? Thank you for this awesome review. I absolutely love it when something I write can elicit emotions in the listener. I love it even more when it communicates a story! I was actually having a really crappy day when I got this review and it lifted my spirits greatly. I certainly hope you direct a film someday, I'd be more than happy to score it! (and I hope you didn't wake your parents!)

It's comments like this that inspire me to write music, and are a big part of what makes it worth it to me. Thank you.

[The Cosmic Prelude]

I like the somewhat apprehensive and dark mood at the beginning, and how that slowly brightens until I get the vibe that there's a camera view opening up to display a beautiful scene, perhaps of stars (I see where I got that from now...). I enjoyed the chord progression and the instruments, and it has a beautiful structure so that the various ups and downs channel my emotions very well. It's very cinematic - reminds me of the title sequence to the beginning of a movie. That said, I also thought it was a rather safe piece and that you could've done a LOT more with it. For a pretty (though rather long) intro, it's good, but I felt like you were just getting started, and this could've been something epic with a little more...pop to it. It's the kind of music that'd really add to a film, but I'm not sure I'd listen to it on its own. I think you really missed out on an opportunity to do something riskier and more engaging, which is really too bad because you set up the mood and atmosphere perfectly. I thought the mixing was good, but its simplicity wouldn't have made the mixing too challenging. Overall, it's very pretty, but I think you could've capitalized on that prettiness more in order to produce a grander effect. I admire the progression and emotional qualities, though. Keep it up! :D

7.75/10

Bardash responds:

Thank you for your review. You are absolutely right when you mentioned that it felt as if I was just getting started. I took a risk with this piece and chose to submit it as I had intended it to be, a prelude. Eventually, I will be submitting more movements to complete the Cosmic Symphony. I was wrestling with the idea of changing the direction of the piece, but then thought to myself that would be cliche to turn it into a heart pounding, white knuckling, take a hold of your seats type of composition. I am saving that for a later movement in the Cosmic Symphony. I thought let me take a risk and give meditative music a little bit of love and attention.

[Inside an Eye]

Okay, I love the atmosphere and instruments and chord progression. It has an interesting sense of mystery and wonder to it, yet also a mechanical feel with the percussion. It's as if a child was able to take a one-way trip to Santa's workshop. 0_O Loops well, too! Great job LSD! ^^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks TD6!
I can see what you mean about the kid in Santa's workshop :D
I didn't have time to respond to your message yesterday (friends came over, we partied, got drunk, went to a pub, got even more drunk XD).
However, I'm doing it now, live, so expect it within the hour ;)

[~SW and CS~ Cranial]

Okay, guys, this is just such a freaking awesome track. I love the atmosphere and the beat and the synths. That melody instrument at :24 was awesome - soothing, yet also strangely sci-fi-esque. I love how you use that string of arpeggios at :54 as a transition. I love the structure as well, and the mood is at various times hypnotic, relaxing, apprehensive, and intense. You know I love that drop at 1:55 (how could one not?), and the panning at 2:13 was a nice touch. At times I think you could've done a little more with it, and the ending might've been a bit lazy, but all things considered I just adore the interesting combination of moods and all. Keep up the great work! I favorited you both; just forgot to leave a review. ;D

SkyeWint responds:

Good evening, sir!

The instrument at 0:24 is a theremin! It's a cool instrument which is arguably the first "synth" ever made. Kinda.

The arps are cool, camo really did a nice job coming up with them! :D

The drop was basically me trying to come up with a drop-like sound which isn't entirely cliched and overused. ...also, a generic drop just plain wouldn't fit the track.

Absolutely could have done a bit more with the dubby things and the ending. Couldn't come up with a better ending over the course of several days though, sadly. :<

Thanks for remembering the review! :D

[Icicle Rain]

Another short 'n' sweet one. I love the vibe the contemplative and high-pitched piano gives - very spacey with the reverb and beautiful. It's light, yet very sad in a way. It describes the quiet and mysterious beauty of icicles perfectly, and I also sense the theme of passing time. I suppose icicles take a while to form, though...Beautiful piece. Keep up the great work, LSD! ;D

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Whoah, I'm so surprised for all the positive critique I've gotten for this song so far o.O
I like the vibraphone myself, at least in music where it fits well :D
I think I tried to write something mysterious when I wrote this. I imagined something ice-cavey with icicles that fell from the roof and created cold sounds (somehow, I still remember this...)
As much of my music, the style of this composition/improv is hugely inspired by all the FF games :p
Thanks for the review.

I'll leave a review for your latest upload, whenever I get time XD!!! (I like it!)

[Orchestration]

How did I miss this one? This is beautiful! I love the bright, upbeat piano and progression. Maybe it could've used some more dynamic contrast, but I love the sense of direction it has nonetheless. It's very flow-y and light. It would be great for a videogame if you looped it. I can hear the sense of adventure, yet it's also cutesy in a way. Animated knights headed off to save the damsel in distress. XD Anyway, keep it up LSD! Did you see my PM btw?

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I've been missing a lot of stuff lately too, as I can mostly be active on weekends :p
I'm glad that so many people seem to like this piece, even if the quality is not the best :D
You're not the only one who thinks I should loop it. Maybe I'll remake it as a loop with better stuff one day?
I like your visualisation, as usually XD

I did read your PM! I didn't have time to respond this weekend though :(
I'll try to do my best, and respond this weekend, as I should have enough time :)