Spintunes Contest: ST20.1 Reviews

Rankings from Ian Moore:

1	Bubba & TGOTK
2	Loren Kiyoshi Dempster
3	Stacking Theory
4	Siebass
5	Single Pint of Failure
6	Daniel Sitler
7	The Popped Hearts
8	The Dutch Widows
9	chewmeupspitmeout
10	Weiner
11	Cavedwellers
12	Jealous Brother
13	Balance Lost
14	Hot Pink Halo
15	Temnere
16	TEGFKA Timmy
17	Governing Dynamics
18	Yeslessness
19	James Young
20	The Alleviators
21	Tunes by LJ
22	Also In Blue
23	Berni Armstrong
24	Jeff Walker
25	Phantom Woes
26	Jerkatorium
27	The Practitioners
28	Simon Purchase James
29	Mandibles
30	The Pannacotta Army
31	Sober
32	thanks, brain
33	Brother Baker
34	Profestriga
35	Mandrake
36	Roddy
37	JW Hanberry
38	Ironbark
39	Phlub
40	Susan Veit Heslin
41	"BucketHat" Bobby Matheson
42	Menage a Tune
43	Good Niche Gracious
44	Jocko Homomorphism
45	Ominous Ride
46	Huge Shark
47	Night Sky

Read on for Ian's full reviews!

Berni Armstrong - It Will Come in Handy One Day

I like the characterization and cleverness of the lyrics; you get a great “old-timey” sound out of your fingerstyle!

Bubba & The Ghost of the Kraken - Knock Knock Knock

I like the danceability and lyrics best - seems like you have a knack for the clever turn of phrase, but that bridge! Just a killer song, keep it up!

Daniel Sitler - Sunshine

This is my jam, the cello torch song! Your vision and approach remind me of Bright Eyes. Your production sounds magically airy and trippy and you wear your heart on your sleeve and have a great turn of phrase in that hook!

The Pannacotta Army - Never Look Back

This has such a mesmerizing feel and space, the lyrics are cool and evocative. I really loved the interplay between the ukulele and the keys.

Balance Lost - A Temporary Window

I could hear this song on the radio, it’s got it all, retro vibe sorta Love and Rockets or Jesus and Mary Chain, but still has a cool, contemporary vibe - that synth is perfect!

Single Pint of Failure - Don’t Believe in Hope

What a message and way to convey it! I hear a little Social D, maybe some Chumbawumba…;-)

Weiner - Play Your Hand

This is original and dark, I have always been drawn to the imagist, the recondite; the easily grasped is the easily dismissed.

Sober - Things You Can’t Unsay

Dang, that’s some pickin’ there, and like a Bodeans kinda vibe, Folkgrass is hot, you gotta take this show on the road, that mando player is hired!

Tunes by LJ - Draw the Line

I love the astro-jazz feel, it really matches the mood of the song

Stacking Theory - Make it Great

Your message is so amazing, what a disciplined, incisive track - the beats are spacey and timeless, it gets the body moving and has a great narrative arc, bravo!

Hot Pink Halo - Op shop

OMG, ear worm alert! I love the story and all things Aussie, keep op op shopping!

Jeff Walker - Try Again

That is some lush accordion and blends nicely into a fine patin;, your voice is big and clear, it gets the message across!

The Evil Genius formerly known as Timmy - Monkey Videos

Oh lord, what the hey!? That is cool and weird and like an OMD song with a modernly millennial pouty vibe; keep it up, ya Evil Genius!

Huge Shark - Edge of a Knife

I love the overlaying vocals and trippy synthesizer licks; I hear some Allison Moyet from Yazoo, what pipes!

Profestriga - Useless Sapphic

I love the way your voices go back and forth in character, it’s visual and visceral at once - the cinematic beats give it an atmosphere that breathes.

Mandrake - Supernova

Love the techno feel, it’s right on for a song about an exploding star! Whoa, that ending is spiritual!!!

The Practitioners - Heaven

What a groove! I loved the hook and bounce; that intro synth loop that rolls throughout is trippy AF, it gives the impression the song can go anywhere….

The Popped Hearts - Never Miss A Chance To Miss A Chance

You guys make me so happy, you’re like a Alejandro Escovedo/Mekons level of angsty pop rawk, don’t buy into the consumerist crap, skip the 9To5 and start a punk band! There’s something muted in the production, the instruments sound a little far away.

Phlub - 2023 Valley Motors Tesla Cybertruck Promo

Oh hell yeah! The world needs this, and the power of y’alls delivery is mighty!

Susan Veit Heslin - Go My Own Way

I get a little Nanci Griffith, so much good color in that voice; I liked how the progression of self is revealed.

Siebass - Just Go Away

Oh yeah, shout choruses and Gibsons thru tube amps, keep that angst a-flowin’!

The Dutch Widows - Just The White Wine?

Has a 80’s feel to my ear, the pads and his baritone, one of my favorites overall, just a great pop song without being overdone - it’s simple and confident.

Loren Kiyoshi Dempster - Land Of Opportunity

Searing, as so much of your work is - it has this frenetic feel with like a Sondheim kind of cityscape; it’s very effective and energized by the lyric.

Roddy - Piano opportunity

Heck yeah, I’m headed to this lounge!

Governing Dynamics - To The Moon!

I love the attitude! I hear some Foo, I hope that’s okay,

Yeslessness - My Secret

I’m jealous of your creative originality and trippy harmonies and production. It’s a danceable, yet creepy approach and gets it done!

James Young - What Can I Do?

Nice delivery, slow simmer and some great lines in there, lied because I need you to is pretty hard to accept when you’re in that state of denial. Some gorgeous shreddin’ in there too, got to call out that great acoustic sound too!

thanks, brain - Looking Down

This is a lo-fi groover for sure - confident and messy, kind of Pavement-ey, lots of good stuff here, the doubled vocals reminded me of some parts of Broken Social Scene, gives the song more dimensions, loved the wall of guitar at the end, and the dah dah dahs!

JW Hanberry - Opportunity Knockin’

Oh man, this is psychedelic, like Depeche Mode with Bowie!

Cavedwellers - The Last Gasp Of An Empire (The Amateur Draft)

Could be a B Side off Standing On A Beach, I love the chorus, did not see that slide coming!

chewmeupspitmeout - Never Die

I heard a little Screamin’ Jay and Hozier; so deep and the delivery is natural and that singer is going places.

Brother Baker feat. Father - The Sloth

OH man, your bass player is hired! Shout out loud to this one Is It Worth The Energy!!! I hear some Henry, a little Sabbath in those riffs, it’s a great take on pop punk slingin’ a cool message.

The Alleviators

Simple poetic lyrics and poignant, yearning singing, not too mushy and lots of good rock guitar and rhythm. The subtle interplay and shadings of the vocals are just great, it gives a dynamic across the performance that builds and stays fresh.

Simon Purchase James - Voices Fill the Air

What the heck, a basement tapes from the airport basement, thank you for the great message, what a fine song and voice!

"BucketHat" Bobby Matheson - Knockin’ on wood

I love those doubled vocals, it gives a cool vibe and undercurrent of creepiness to contrast the chorus and a unique sound.

Jealous Brother - Missed Calls

We need more rootsy guitars and jammin’ choruses in 2023, I hear some Trey, a little Mother Hips, like a California sunset.

Also In Blue - Miss Opportunity

I hear some Ben Folds, a little JT, wow, tho, that chorus!

Phantom Woes - New Woman, New Cry

Wow, I hear some Bowie and love the trippy contrapuntal lines and orchestral gloss.

Ominous Ride - The Deal

Oh yeeeeesss, I love the crossroads, the selling of the soul for rock and roll! 🤘

Jocko Homomorphism - The Captive Sphinx

Interstellar rock opera meets synth pop juiciness - I want to know how it ends!

Night Sky - Janus Lies

Wow, but those horns! 🔥 I hear some Dr. John, a little Van Morrison in there, cool stuff!

Ironbark - Privilege

‘Mr. Opportunity I missed my chance’ that is so fine! I love the understated groovieness of this track!

Temnere - Sands of Time

OMG, you are a gift to the solar system! I hear some The Darkness and a huge 🤘 to Tenacious D, this was a standout as the only interstellar rock opera in the whole batch of songs.

Menage a Tune - Push It

What a voice! This is a great take and I hope you get your collaborator on as your hoping!

Jerkatorium - Opportunity

All right! Love those single coils, so much soul in your jangley tone! I’m bopping my head thru the whole thing!

Good Niche Gracious - Cold War Master

I love the lines interplaying on the verses and then layin’ it down on the chorus, wild band you got there, when you let the bass player off their leash, it’s funky AF! Nothing like a ding dang snowball fight!

Mandibles - Time Machine

Wild story, speculative fiction in that beautiful, lush harmony; I love the song!

Weiner - Seven Card Stud [SHADOW]

You’re a funky soulful weirdo for sure! Some analogue beepity boopity makes me happy!

Time left

Sunday, March 26, 2023

ST20.1 Reviews - Ian Moore

Berni Armstrong - It Will Come in Handy One Day

I like the characterization and cleverness of the lyrics; you get a great “old-timey” sound out of your fingerstyle!

Bubba & The Ghost of the Kraken - Knock Knock Knock

I like the danceability and lyrics best - seems like you have a knack for the clever turn of phrase, but that bridge! Just a killer song, keep it up!

Daniel Sitler - Sunshine

This is my jam, the cello torch song! Your vision and approach remind me of Bright Eyes. Your production sounds magically airy and trippy and you wear your heart on your sleeve and have a great turn of phrase in that hook!

The Pannacotta Army - Never Look Back

This has such a mesmerizing feel and space, the lyrics are cool and evocative. I really loved the interplay between the ukulele and the keys.

Balance Lost - A Temporary Window

I could hear this song on the radio, it’s got it all, retro vibe sorta Love and Rockets or Jesus and Mary Chain, but still has a cool, contemporary vibe - that synth is perfect!

Single Pint of Failure - Don’t Believe in Hope

What a message and way to convey it! I hear a little Social D, maybe some Chumbawumba…;-)

Weiner - Play Your Hand

This is original and dark, I have always been drawn to the imagist, the recondite; the easily grasped is the easily dismissed.

Sober - Things You Can’t Unsay

Dang, that’s some pickin’ there, and like a Bodeans kinda vibe, Folkgrass is hot, you gotta take this show on the road, that mando player is hired!

Tunes by LJ - Draw the Line

I love the astro-jazz feel, it really matches the mood of the song

Stacking Theory - Make it Great

Your message is so amazing, what a disciplined, incisive track - the beats are spacey and timeless, it gets the body moving and has a great narrative arc, bravo!

Hot Pink Halo - Op shop

OMG, ear worm alert! I love the story and all things Aussie, keep op op shopping!

Jeff Walker - Try Again

That is some lush accordion and blends nicely into a fine patin;, your voice is big and clear, it gets the message across!

The Evil Genius formerly known as Timmy - Monkey Videos

Oh lord, what the hey!? That is cool and weird and like an OMD song with a modernly millennial pouty vibe; keep it up, ya Evil Genius!

Huge Shark - Edge of a Knife

I love the overlaying vocals and trippy synthesizer licks; I hear some Allison Moyet from Yazoo, what pipes!

Profestriga - Useless Sapphic

I love the way your voices go back and forth in character, it’s visual and visceral at once - the cinematic beats give it an atmosphere that breathes.

Mandrake - Supernova

Love the techno feel, it’s right on for a song about an exploding star! Whoa, that ending is spiritual!!!

The Practitioners - Heaven

What a groove! I loved the hook and bounce; that intro synth loop that rolls throughout is trippy AF, it gives the impression the song can go anywhere….

The Popped Hearts - Never Miss A Chance To Miss A Chance

You guys make me so happy, you’re like a Alejandro Escovedo/Mekons level of angsty pop rawk, don’t buy into the consumerist crap, skip the 9To5 and start a punk band! There’s something muted in the production, the instruments sound a little far away.

Phlub - 2023 Valley Motors Tesla Cybertruck Promo

Oh hell yeah! The world needs this, and the power of y’alls delivery is mighty!

Susan Veit Heslin - Go My Own Way

I get a little Nanci Griffith, so much good color in that voice; I liked how the progression of self is revealed.

Siebass - Just Go Away

Oh yeah, shout choruses and Gibsons thru tube amps, keep that angst a-flowin’!

The Dutch Widows - Just The White Wine?

Has a 80’s feel to my ear, the pads and his baritone, one of my favorites overall, just a great pop song without being overdone - it’s simple and confident.

Loren Kiyoshi Dempster - Land Of Opportunity

Searing, as so much of your work is - it has this frenetic feel with like a Sondheim kind of cityscape; it’s very effective and energized by the lyric.

Roddy - Piano opportunity

Heck yeah, I’m headed to this lounge!

Governing Dynamics - To The Moon!

I love the attitude! I hear some Foo, I hope that’s okay,

Yeslessness - My Secret

I’m jealous of your creative originality and trippy harmonies and production. It’s a danceable, yet creepy approach and gets it done!

James Young - What Can I Do?

Nice delivery, slow simmer and some great lines in there, lied because I need you to is pretty hard to accept when you’re in that state of denial. Some gorgeous shreddin’ in there too, got to call out that great acoustic sound too!

thanks, brain - Looking Down

This is a lo-fi groover for sure - confident and messy, kind of Pavement-ey, lots of good stuff here, the doubled vocals reminded me of some parts of Broken Social Scene, gives the song more dimensions, loved the wall of guitar at the end, and the dah dah dahs!

JW Hanberry - Opportunity Knockin’

Oh man, this is psychedelic, like Depeche Mode with Bowie!

Cavedwellers - The Last Gasp Of An Empire (The Amateur Draft)

Could be a B Side off Standing On A Beach, I love the chorus, did not see that slide coming!

chewmeupspitmeout - Never Die

I heard a little Screamin’ Jay and Hozier; so deep and the delivery is natural and that singer is going places.

Brother Baker feat. Father - The Sloth

OH man, your bass player is hired! Shout out loud to this one Is It Worth The Energy!!! I hear some Henry, a little Sabbath in those riffs, it’s a great take on pop punk slingin’ a cool message.

The Alleviators

Simple poetic lyrics and poignant, yearning singing, not too mushy and lots of good rock guitar and rhythm. The subtle interplay and shadings of the vocals are just great, it gives a dynamic across the performance that builds and stays fresh.

Simon Purchase James - Voices Fill the Air

What the heck, a basement tapes from the airport basement, thank you for the great message, what a fine song and voice!

"BucketHat" Bobby Matheson - Knockin’ on wood

I love those doubled vocals, it gives a cool vibe and undercurrent of creepiness to contrast the chorus and a unique sound.

Jealous Brother - Missed Calls

We need more rootsy guitars and jammin’ choruses in 2023, I hear some Trey, a little Mother Hips, like a California sunset.

Also In Blue - Miss Opportunity

I hear some Ben Folds, a little JT, wow, tho, that chorus!

Phantom Woes - New Woman, New Cry

Wow, I hear some Bowie and love the trippy contrapuntal lines and orchestral gloss.

Ominous Ride - The Deal