TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[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!!

[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

[Windows]

Very contemplative and reflective. I love it! :D You really created a lot of space in the atmosphere, something you usually don't do (at least in my experience). I love the emotion and simplicity. I wish it progressed a little faster at times, but you certainly get points for dynamic/emotional contrast and structuring. Excellent work as always, Step! ;D

Step responds:

Thank you! I actually think that at times it progresses too fast haha. I have a habit of not fleshing out melodies properly and making them leave too quickly. That being said, the track does lack forward motion at times, especially in the former half, so I definitely see where you're coming from.

Thanks for the honest and insightful review, as always! Glad you enjoyed it :3.

[My Night]

I love the dreamy atmosphere and the synths. It is a bit minimalistic, although the reverb and delays do help create some fill. It progresses pretty slowly at times, and gets very repetitive towards the end, but I like the structure and dynamic contrast. I like the transition at 4:00, too. That contemplative synth that comes in at 4:45 and some other times really adds a lot to the piece. The mixing is very good. Overall, it's a solid piece. Hope you'll start uploading more often in 2014, RoVeRDude58. ;D

SynchroSpectre responds:

Hey man, thanks, you've been reviewing a bunch of everyone's tracks lately XD, I appreciate it, and yes I'll be uploading a lot next year

[theme for robots in space]

I love the moods and instruments, and the little effects you stick in there like at :30 and :46. It's very climactic, but also dreamy and cute. I couldn't quite wrap my head around the syncopations, especially at the beginning, but it certainly has an interesting atmosphere to it. The structure is good, although it progresses a little slowly. I love the transition into 2:08. Those melodies are excellent, btw. Overall, it's an excellent piece, and I'm sure Headphoamz will like it a lot. Keep up the great work, Johnfn! ;D

johnfn responds:

Dem syncopations. Maybe I had an advantage since I could hear the metronome tick :) I was trying to add some variation to that main melodic theme but I could never seem to match the initial melody, so that may have made the song a little slower. Anywho thanks!

[W00ki3-Booble Town]

This is a fun change from your usual classical/jazz content. Like a lot of your tracks, though, it's a bit repetitive. The instruments and moods were cool, but some transitions, like :51, were pretty sudden. The structure might need some work, too, just to add some dynamic contrast: a bridge/breakdown would add a lot to the piece. The whole song felt very mechanical. I would've liked to see some rhythmic variation. The guitar/synth at 1:28 helped, but I wish you showed it off a bit more and made it more melodic. It sounds a lot like background music instead of something I would listen to because I wanted to listen to the song. You might also want to make your drums a little more interesting. However, I liked the way you ended the piece with the tempo automations. It does have a lot of potential. Try to aim for more variation and melodic content, though. Hope this was helpful! ;D

W00ki3 responds:

I wanted to did this song mechanical because it's about a booble town XD you need to creat in your mind a this world with this mechanical rythm. And you are right it's a background music for a animation movie ;) Thx for opinion a lot ;)