Musical-Pants's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[-Rucklo Rave- |[Glou]|]

cRaZ!!!

You know how you feel after inhaling a really big gasp of helium? Well that's what this song sounds like to me. Way over-the-top happy, and so incessant that it feels as though it will never stop, but it's all good because at the end all you want to do is DANCE!
Seriously, this is one of the only dance songs on the site that actually makes me want to dance. All the instruments are just so happy, how could anyone be unmoved by this?
This is awesome!
P.S. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on it, but I just moved houses, and complications with the internet and school took up a lot of my time.

-Pants

Gloudas responds:

Awesome, glad to hear you liked it! You're definately right about the over top happiness, but that's just how this song rolls, and theres no stopping rucklo rave. Thanks muchly for the review! :D

[Mac8 - Writhing Fixation]

AHA!

I love it!
The organ gives it a very Gothic feel, and piano backs it up well.
The strings a kind of wavering on the edge of sanity, the sound being really beautiful and clear, but somehow a little off. In a good way mind you.
If I could sum this up in a sentence it would be "Gothic Cathedral Zombies!"
Anyway, I'm sorry I don't have the time to write a longer and more involved review, just stopping in to wish you luck with the contest.
Good luck!

-Pants

SinJim responds:

Thanks for the review here Pants, I appreciate the comments. Gothic cathedral zombies eh..? Interesting. Listening through again, it really does fit pretty well. That would be an interesting movie haha. Anyhow, looking forward to some new stuff from you when you get the time. Shoot me a PM if you upload anything!

~SinJim

[Duality (WIP)]

Woah...

I like it a lot!
Very very professional in the mixing of sounds, though the drums before the lyrics are my favorite.
The vocals need some work however. The echo is fine for the intro verses, but it probably should be dropped once you hit the chorus.
Also, the singing seems a little weak. I'm not saying it's bad, it just lacks a certain punch.
The lyrics are fine, but there is too much of a gap between the veses and chorus.
If you were ok with the idea, i'd like to collaborate on the completion of the vocals. I could sing them, write some verses, or do nothing at all, your choice.
I know it's only a demo, but you did a very good job, I look forward to the completion!

-Pants

Kaburorne responds:

Thanks for the VERY helpful comment! I'll take all of your suggestions into consideration. Most likely, I'll shuffle the structure around a bit too. Now you mention it, the gap does seem too big ;)
And thanks for the offer on the vocals! I'm not too keen on my voice anyway lol
If you could send me a recording of your version, maybe? And I'll see how it fits into the mix. Again, thanks for offering.

[Kaiz- Rift In The Mind]

Your review sir...

I like it.
The sound fx at the beginning were very inventive, though I was a bit suprised when they came back later in the song.
The drums are a little spastic (if you'll excuse the term), but the do have certain rythem which I commend you for.
I like how the synths are a little surreal, they do a good job of getting accross the "mind games" feel.
Could be a little less repetitive, and the transitions a little smoother, but it's still a good effort nontheless.
Nice!

-Pants

nightsurfermusic responds:

yeah, i'll probably take the sounds out later in the song. That sounds like a good idea :P

[Harbinger (club mix)]

Good stuff!

Cookie cutter would be the last thing I would call this.
Very funky, with the electronic twist that house should have.
It's a club mix, so it's allowed to be repetitive, but the drums rarely change at all, and even detract at times.
I could really imagine this one blaring out in some street club somewhere, the bass gives the rhythm a certain kick that lends itself to big loud parties.
It became a tad repetitive for me at my computer screen, but it has a great groovey feel that carries it through some rough patches.
Nice job!
P.S. could I ask you to review my latest house song here? Or do I have to pm you?

-Pants

[(::Green Mist::)]

heh!

4.93 / 5.00 (+ 0.024)
(wow, that's kind of a ridiculous score isn't it?)
Anyway I love the surrealism of it all, It's like someone was whispering into my ear saying: "it's all a dream, you'll wake up and forget all about it."
Which actually I hope I won't, 'cause this is pretty relaxing, good job!

P.S. will you please review my latest song?

-Pants

FatKidWitAJetPak responds:

Oh hey musical-pants. Thanks for voting 5 on my song disregarding the Mac 08 contest and everything lol. Well sure I'll review your latest song. :)

PSSHHH. Lol in one day it went down to 3.50. LOL queer 0 bombers i tell ya.

[[ Infiltration ]]

Woah...

You know, I was actually thinking of using this in some capacity before you asked me to review!
This is VERY professional, it would be great for some highly styalized breakin sequence.
It get's just a tad repetitive as the song goes on, I would have liked it to take a few more twists and turns, but it's repeating an AWESOME beat, so you still get ten.
If I had to sum it up as far as word pictures go, this would be a futuristic cyberpunk bank robbery. The intro is arriving on the scene, infiltrating the premisis, and scouting security. Then comes a middle part full of sneaky dodging of cameras and security robots, and lastly an upbeat getaway with the authorites snapping at the heels.
Keep it up!

-Pants

[Mac8 - Emerging From Solitude]

He's back!

I love it when you come out with a piano piece, this one is perhaps the best so far.
Being recorded live makes a big difference in my opinion, it's just better for conveying the proper mood. And the mood is quite despairing, but not without the proper amount of hope; because without hope, there's no reason to go on.

See? Now you've made me think. And i'm thinking the best way to describe it would be the hour before first light, when the night is darkest, but dawns presence is on the threshhold.
I'm sorry I can't give you any suggestions, you didn't use my instrument of choice, and I don't really play anything besides drums; but I can certainly appreciate a well planned and executed song along with everyone else.

This ranks as my second favorite out of all the MAC songs i've heard so far.
Please do more piano stuff!

-Pants

SinJim responds:

Wow, thanks for the heartfelt review, pants. This one definitely took me a little longer to write and I practiced it a ton of times. There's nothing like hitting the record button and feeling the pressure of getting it right. In the end, it's all worth it because the emotion pours out in a piece that's done by hand rather than by quanitzing. Sure you can make it sound believable but I just think that the pieces recorded in one take come off as being more meaningful.

I'm glad you liked this, and I'll be sure to come out with more piano stuff. Granted I think half the submissions at least were piano of some sort in the MAC. Most of them were really great too. When I get the time, I'm going to be putting together a few more pieces. I have them in my mind, I just have to lay them out on the keyboard and arrange them. I'll be checking your profile out when I get time (still in the process of moving apartments) and hopefully you've got some new stuff. Thanks again!

~SinJim

[-Voluble- [MAC 2008]]

Nice, very nice indeed.

As one of the other reviews mentioned, I don't think this is trance. Perhaps classical rock would be a better fit.
And now for my scathing review:

Piano-
The song starts off with a nice piano melody, but nothing new or ground-breaking. Pretty standard "lonely hero" stuff. But the choice to use a minimal selection of instruments makes the piano work, It means that it HAS to be the one carrying the rythm.
For example, the song is often down to only drums and piano, a combination that usually brings about utter boredom with a less skilled artist. But it is never boring, on the contrary, I find these moments to be the most singularly sorrowful and moving of the song. The piano not only keeps the rythm, it BECOMES the rythm.
The lead and anchor all at once, a very tight rope to walk, but carried off here in style.

Bass/Synth-
Very solid.
It is more intricate than a lot of three-note basslines I often hear, but it really has to be more noticeable because of the lack of instruments.
It lends good support to the piano for most of the song, but I believe it it is most effective when it is NOT there, it makes you focus much more on the piano and the pure bliss that are the drums.
Nicely EQ-ed also, but I'll come to that later.
All-in-all, I think this is a worthy additon to the song, helping to further convey the proper mood.

Drums-
So how do you critique perfection again? I've just woken my brother with my enthusiastic finger-druming on the keyboard, and even his angry-bear-out-of-hibernation look can't wipe the silly grin off my face.
Again, because of the lack of instruments, the drums are allowed more freedom to become part of the FLOW of the song, instead of simply serving as the basic building blocks as is the norm.
Never too complicated, or too basic, they delightfully trip their way through a most wonderful piece.

FX-
They do their job, rising, falling, perhaps a wind echo sound here and there. Worked very tastefully, and once again in keeping with the mood of the song.

EQ-ing
Hopefully it shows?
It is the whole reason the whole song works!
While most apparent on the drums (echoing one moment, muted the next), it is the one factor that brings everything together.
The softening of the bass in particular was a key factor, always right with the piano, but complimenting, never competing.
Without it, the effect of the song would be lessened greatly. It gives out the song a sense of sorrow and desperation that just wouldn't be there with all the hard edges left intact.
A "masterful" job.
(sorry, I couldn't resist ;)

Summery-
All things considered, a very professional piece made unique by a sparse, but well mixed use of instruments, and some truely excellent drumming.
Should do well in the contest, I'll be rooting for it!

-Pants

Gloudas responds:

awesome to hear you liked it so much, especially that compliment about the EQ'ing. Thanks for the incredible review :D

also, nice pun

[Morning - The Rise of the Sun]

Wow...

Lovely use of strings.
The picture I got at first was this vigilant watchdog wearily patrolling against the backdrop of the rising sun.
1:18 onwards reminded me of mischievous mice scurrying about the barnyard.
For some streange reason I can't get farms out of my head when I listen to this.
Anyway, great piece, maybe needs piano or some percussion.
On the whole it was a pleasant listen!

-Pants