Rankings from SpinTunes 19 Champion See-Man-Ski:
Read on for See-Man-Ski's full reviews!
Introduction
Ranking
For each entry I rate the performance, music, idea, lyrics and production. In the event of a tie in a precarious spot i.e. the top spot or at the point of elimination, you will see ⬆️ next to the total. This indicates I have decided this was my preferred track.
The overall score is used to order the tracks. The reviews are in ranked order, except shadows if I got around to review will appear at the bottom. The ⬆️ and ⬇️ arrows next to the rank indicate whether you have crossed the elimination threshold.
Loudness
I have also over geeked and researched how to find out the loudness details and waveforms of a track.
After listening to 47 tracks and constantly turning up and down I've decided to penalise any track in production by 1 point that falls outside the 12 - 16 LUFS bracket.
What do all these figures mean?
This is how I understand it, happy to be corrected and to learn more
LUFS
The perceived loudness over the entire track, this varies on the streaming service (it's usually -14 for most, apple like to use -16). What will happen is if you have something like -9, the site will turn down your track to -14 so that the levels match.
LRA
The amount of dynamics, the higher the figure the more dynamic it is. A low figure is not necessarily bad, some genres will suit this.
Peak
How close does it get to the peak. I find this interesting because it shows setting -0.2db peak on your output could still throw it above.
Averages
I thought it would be interesting see what a track based on the averages would look like, below are the figures
LUFS
-13.86
LRA
6.05
Peak
-0.38
Reviews
I have tried to give constructive criticism but am very conscience I could be talking firmly out of my bottom. I apologise if you take offensive, these are my views alone, and you don't have to agree or do anything with them. If you find them useful, that's great. FWIW, a lot of the comments I make I probably do the same thing myself.
I'm also super conscience that I started to get into my stride at the end of the listening, this reviewing thing is still pretty new to me and I don't think I will ever get over the fear of giving judgement.
That said, I have checked that the acts are in the right categories i.e. the track I thought deserved the top spot is the one I liked the best. The acts that appear under the elimination line are the ones I felt didn't quite cut it.
⬆️ 1. Also In Blue - Miss Opportunity
A catchy powerfully performed guitar based track exploring what Miss Opportunity is and how she reals you in.
Performance
- Dude, this actually gave my goosebumps, it's so good!
- Your vocal performance is outstanding it just ooses charisma, you really feel for your plight.
- There was a missed beat (just the once) but it caught my ear around the 1:59 mark.
Music
- The guitar licks are catchy as hell, the will stuck in my head all day now. I really enjoyed this though, it's one of those things that I would love to go into every detail about why it's amazing, but I just don't know what to say. I really liked it.
- I did feel the beat was lacking, you had drums, but I mainly heard the cymbals, I felt it could have driven it more.
Idea
- By far the best interpretation of the challenge. I love how you have made opportunity an actual person, it's brilliant, you are using her to describe what an opportunity is. It's brillient and reminds me a bit of what Elliot Smith did with Miss Misery. I do wonder if naming her Edwina was a bit of a Miss Ed Opportunity, sorry I couldn't resist ;).
Lyrics
- Oh man, I wish I had your way with words, It does help that you are so good at expressing them in your vocals but even as a stand alone they read so well. I loved the line "She'll take the door clean off the hinges"
Production
- Top notch, all the instruments come through loud and clear. The only criticism I had is the bass and snare in the drums were completely lost in the mix. It really could have used that solid beat to take it the next level, which is astronomically good!
- Was a bit loud though, it will get deducted for that I'm afraid.
LUFS
-9.06
LRA
4.8
Peak
1.28
Total
42/50
⬆️ 2. Tunes by LJ - Draw the Line
An insane amount of talent that has been produced to a very high standard. So different and very very very good. I loved this!
Performance
- Your vocals are super smooth and the amount of genres you have crammed into this short little number is inspiring.
Music
- Right from the off I'm hooked and it's all because of that double bass
- (0:15) I then get a little piano creeping through and my interest peeks some more.
- (0:44) Jazz piano, just when I thought this couldn't get any better. Right, that's it I quit music.
- (1:11) What? No more! Noooooooo, guess I'll just have to wait to see what you do next.
Idea
- Although fairly simple, the idea seems pretty clear to me. You have reservations about the opportunity faced in front of you, but you jump in any way.
Lyrics
- Lyrics obviously aren't the centrepiece for this track and neither should they be. I thought they were short and ambigous enough to compliment the incredible backing this track has.
Production
- (0:29) Oooo, what have you done to your vocals, I like that a lot.
- (0:35) Holey cow, that sub, that is a beast.
LUFS
-13.3
LRA
12
Peak
0.12
Total ⬆️
37/50
⬆️ 3. The Pannacotta Army - Never Look Back
A track that makes me feel hopeful. This one moved me, I enjoyed listening to as it made me feel like I can do it (what it is, I have no idea!). Extremely well produced with little surprises that jump out at you. Oh, and a lot of reverb!
Performance
- Your vocal delivery is lovely. There is a delicacy about them that is really lovely to listen.
- Each instrument is played really well I can't find a duff note or dodgy tuning.
Music
- Yes, I like reverb, I want more and more and more please. You deliver that in spades.
- Wonderful intro, it opens you and welcomes you into what feels like you are floating on a cloud.
- (0:28) The harp brings then bring it up a notch and I feel like I'm at the gates to my next life.
- The constant build up of instruments keeps this interesting. I love how well the uke and piano blend together.
Idea
- I love how I feel optimistic when listening, it feels like there is an opportunity waiting for me, but I don't know what it is
Lyrics
- There is not too much lyrical to this and I like that. For me the music and performance made me feel optimistic.
- I really like the repeated sections that really drive how the positivity that emanates.
- It's very neat in that the lyrics don't give anything away. I usually like the lyrics to really spell it out and I'm going against my songwriting philosophy, but I do like how it makes me feel like I have opportunity, and it is up to me to decide what that is.
Production
- Cannot fault the production value. I'm actually extremely jealous of it. Everything has its place and even though there is a tonne of reverb it doesn't sound drowned out.
- I love when those little elements i.e. the piano peeking in the mix and then that driving uke. The piano was my favourite addition.
- There was one little niggle I had, I wasn't sure of that crunch in the snare hit. I felt it was a little to harsh for the sound.
LUFS
-11.23
LRA
5.5
Peak
0.45
Total ⬆️
37/50
⬆️ 4. Cavedwellers - The Last Gasp Of An Empire (The Amateur Draft)
A well executed dreamy guitar piece about moving on and telling your former employer where to stuff it.
Performance
- This is very much, I am not worthy territory, the guitars are played really well and your vocals and the harmonies are crystal clear with a unique quality to them.
Music
- I enjoyed it thoroughly, its such a nice listen and I looked forward to hearing it every time it came on.
Idea
- Took a few reads of your lyrics but I think I get it. I think this is that you have new job, a contract or something where you are giving your former employer the finger. I struggled at first because the chorus feels more like you are hanging to something you have already got, rather than looking for something new. The title line which features quite prominently is basically what got me thinking along those lines.
Lyrics
- Loved loved loved the words, I really enjoy it where you get a phrase that sounds so right, but you can't quite figure out what how it describing it. What the hell is soupy air? It fits, but I can't image air that I dunk my bread in, but it still makes sense every time you sing it. Lots to like about the lyrics, I like how the verses describe your situation i.e. verse 1 is basically explaining something new has come along, the chorus is about the failing situation you are in. Verse 2 goes into the view of the people that surround. It's really well structured and obviously thought out very well.
Production
- I so desperately want to use some flange/phaser (I think its flange) on a guitar track I do now. They sounded incredible. I also really liked the sound of the drums. You can tell they are not via a drum machine (which is my tactic), there are really raw but there somehow fit within all those dreamy guitars. Balance of the mix sounds spot on to me, very jealous.
- Unfortunately, it is a bit on the loud side.
LUFS
-9.46
LRA
1.8
Peak
0.1
Total ⬆️
37/50
⬆️ 5. Jealous Brother - Missed Calls
A southern rock banger that did quite deliver on the chorus but painted a very vivid image of missed opportunities.
Performance
- Everything is performed very well. I could have used a bit more pace, felt it was lacking in energy slightly, but I'm nitpicking.
Music
- I loved the southern rock verse feel, it was a bit disappointed with the chorus. I wanted it to explode into some massive catchy tune, but it just felt like it dipped in energy rather than lift in it.
- I felt like I was left hanging waiting for the chorus because the verses went on longer than I expected and the interludes between the verses kept me waiting.
- That said, I did enjoy listening and would listen to this again because I enjoyed it.
Idea
- I can get behind this, I loved the imagery of someone walking home after meeting the boy/girl of their dreams and then hitting the delete button. All those opportunities they might have missed. Pick up on this whilst listening and loved how I could picture the scene in my head.
Lyrics
- Like I said in the idea you painted a picture, you wouldn't have been able to do that without well written lyrics. I loved how each verse tells a different tale of missed opportunities, may favourite by far was the "Walked home alone ..." when you sang that I got a very vivid image in my head.
Production
- Production was spot on, I couldn't fault it all, sounded sweet in my ears.
LUFS
-9.38
LRA
2.1
Peak
1.61
Total
37/50
⬆️ 6. Jerkatorium - Opportunity
A really fun toe tapping track about not taking the opportunity to play the victim when you get into a fight with your loved on.
Performance
- Toe tapping! The performance was banging, you have a Mark Oliver Everett quality to your voice which I really liked, as I am Eels fan. The guitars where great, they are performed with some vigour. The solo could have been better.
Music
- Top notch, it was so much fun to listen to, the guitars a bit much though, I felt in the verses in particular they kind over played the vocals and I was more interested it what was being sung rather than a bit of fret \#\!\&\$ing.
Idea
- Took me a while, but I think this is a song about not making something an opportunity, you've got into a fight with you better half and you can't use this as opportunity to play the victim. I think that works for me.
Lyrics
- I liked them, they fitted the music and the read really well. It is a love story, but it has a nice twist whereas a lot of others sang about missed opportunities in love, you are singing about not taking the opportunity, which was a refreshingly different take on a cliché topic.
Production
- Sounded pretty good to my ears, maybe you could have the production to remove some fret \#\!\&\$ing ;)
LUFS
-13.47
LRA
1.8
Peak
-0.24
Total
35/50
⬆️ 7. Brother Baker feat. Father - The Sloth
Kick ass rock tune that delves into living with the thought that there is something, and you should take the opportunity to go for it.
Performance
- I really enjoyed this, it was fast, the guitars were absolutely on the money and the different vocal styles complement each other amazing well.
- I definitely got the sense of frustration that you want the opportunity to feel better in both the vocal and musical performance.
Music
- This just kick ass, it's so rockin it's great. The middle 8 section caught my ear, I really enjoyed that section.
Idea
- I liked the idea, it's simple. You want the opportunity to do more with your life, that's the impression I got. It was a bit cryptic but the message came across.
Lyrics
- I enjoyed them a lot, you manage to convey the feeling of a lack of energy in fulling opportunities in life without actually spelling it out. They kept me enthralled throughout the listen and fitted well and stood out just by reading them.
Production
- Sounded pretty damn good to me, cannot fault it. Maybe a little loud.
LUFS
-10.25
LRA
2.3
Peak
-2.58
Total
34/50
⬆️ 8. Siebass - Just Go Away
Fast in your face rocker which perfectly illustrates why cold callers do not present a good opportunity.
Performance
- Great performance throughout, your vocals drive the track and the annoyance that you feel is clear. There are a few words here and there where you aren't quite on the beat, but it's not enough to distract from the quality of your performance.
- Guitars rocked throughout and was head bopping throughout.
Music
- Loved the key shift from the verse to the chorus. The track doesn't lose interest throughout and the chorus is super catchy and very sing alongable.
- It ended extremely well on such a funny set of call and responses.
Idea
- Spot on, when opportunity knocks then tell them to swivel. Love how each verse describes a different way that an opportunity comes along that you are not interested in.
Lyrics
- Really witty and keeps you into it, the different scenarios you have portrayed are incredibly funny and very relatable.
Production
- Hits all the right notes for me, maybe a little tidying up of those stray vocals (but they were so minor I am proper nitpicking).
LUFS
-9.58
LRA
3.5
Peak
0.68
Total
34/50
⬆️ 9. Phlub - 2023 Valley Motors Tesla Cybertruck Promo
A absolutely hilarious take on the challenge that answered the question I've always wondered. What would it be like if Mater from Cars ever formed a band?
Performance
- I thought the vocals were a bit off in places, I noticed a couple of times you were late "go five hundred miles" and "Storage in the front big cap" were the few times I noted down.
- Loved the all American twang you have got going throughout, it really sells the comedic value this track has.
- Instruments played really well, I particularly enjoyed your mandolin.
Music
- Definitely felt it could have used more, it was a bit samey throughout. You do have that full band section at the end with those "Cybertruck, WOOHOO" bits, which cracked me up BTW, but I felt it was missing something.
- The sound totally fitted with what you were portraying. Kudos for that.
Idea
- Absolutely adored what you have done. It made my day, there were quite a few places where I giggled out loud. Such a fun idea. The opportunity is obvious, I'm sold. Where can I get me a Cybertruck and what are the shipping costs to the UK?
Lyrics
- The lyrics are great, so much fun, a joy to listen and to read in their own right.
Production
- The instruments where clear throughout and the vocals worked, I think you probably could have fixed those vocal mishaps in production, a little nudge hear and there in the DAW might have done it.
- The sound of drums is a little out of place, I'm not sure what it is. I think it is because all the other instruments are very dry and clear, then the drums have that natural reverb on them that makes them sound a bit out of place.
LUFS
-15.45
LRA
5.4
Peak
0.04
Total
34/50
⬆️ 10. Sober - Things You Can't Unsay
A fast past attack of conscience that leaves you questioning maybe I should just not say anything.
Performance
- Vocals and instruments are performed exceptionally well.
- Harmonies are on point.
Music
- There is no questioning your talent musically, I enjoyed listening a lot.
- The intensity in which you sing "Take the opportunity to shut your mouth" hit a nerve. Do you want me to shut up?
Idea
- Is this a little jab to say at us? Do you want me to shut up! Personally I don't think it is, it is more of a reflection on your own behaviour rather than a subtle hint for us just to leave you alone. However, the thought did cross my mind when listening. Either way, it fits the brief.
Lyrics
- Reading the lyrics I am in no doubt this song is more of a reflection rather than a dig.
- I found the lyrics to be well written and fit so well with your performance.
Production
- The track sounds amazing, you mandolin, guitars and drums are tight as anything and all work beautifully together.
- I do feel that the bass feels a little quiet, it feels like it is lacking in low end frequencies because of it.
- (0:44) Harmonies are a bit lost, felt they could be brought more up front.
LUFS
-14.43
LRA
4.8
Peak
0.07
Total
33/50
⬆️ 11. Mandibles - Time Machine
A solid retrospective track about re-visiting missed opportunities.
Performance
- I thought everything was played really well, it was a good listen and I couldn't fault the performance.
Music
- The chorus didn't hit its mark for me. It didn't grab and have that killer hook. It nearly did, but there wasn't a line in it that sprang out.
- The middle 8 feels bare to me and when the guitar solo hit it was a bit overpowering.
- I wasn't massively upset with it though, I could easily listen to it multiple times and not get bored.
- The piano riff at the end of each verse line got a bit much as it was repetitive.
- Faded out ... boo!
Idea
- This was a problem for me, the reason being is to me this song as about hindsight and looking back on what has happened. OK fair enough hindsight is essentially a missed opportunity. I guess you do mentioned missed romance, which is a bit clichéd. Actually, in retrospect I'm being harsh (see what I did there ;)). I do like the idea of using a time machine to re-visit missed opportunities.
Lyrics
- I liked the lyrics a lot, you have put a lot of thought into them. I really like the line "Every moment stands alone like dominoes in twisted rows" and there is something that works. They fit well with the music and they were nice to read.
Production
- Solid production, there a few things that niggled me. I was frustrated that the piano got overpowered by the guitars. I love me some piano, don't hide it. The guitar solo was a bit much and could have been toned down.
LUFS
-11.24
LRA
4.9
Peak
0.17
Total
33/50
⬆️ 12. Governing Dynamics - To The Moon!
Kick ass rock tune that delves into the ups and downs of investing in the wrong or right things.
Performance
- Your singing is on point, you deliver the angst in your vocals that accompany that kick ass fuzz sound you have going on.
- I really liked the guitar licks that followed your vocals in the chorus, that was really nice.
- Most imporantly, I head banged all the way through.
Music
- This is right up my street, I am a fan the grunge era and it ticks the boxes for me. I did feel that the middle 8 lacked a bit of luster. It dropped a bit too much for me, it helped bring it up again afterwards but it just the energy I was so used to hearing.
Idea
- I do wonder if I hadn't looked at your liner notes would I have got the idea that it was about speculative markets. I did get the impressive it was about investments and their volatile nature. I had to really look for it though, it wasn't blindly obvious. That might be a good thing, but when I listen to something I like to be able to clue it together and I wouldn't have worked it out just by listening.
Lyrics
- I did appreciate your lyrics, there are some wonderful little lines in there that caught my ear "keep those silver plates spinning" and "we're made for legacy and lore" to name a few. I also felt this had a really strong opening line that grabs your attention.
Production
- It sounded kick ass to me, as I alluded to before I felt the middle 8 was a little lacking and could have done with something to bring it out a bit more. That's all I've got though.
LUFS
-15.38
LRA
8
Peak
-0.88
Total
33/50
⬆️ 13. Stacking Theory - Make it Great
A thumping track that hits you from the get which delivers an in inspiring message to everyone, you have the opportunity to make it great.
Performance
- Love the tired out grit style of your vocals in the verse, they help life the inspiration "Make it Great" sentiment.
- All the instruments are in time and played very well
- (2:00) Sounds like you may have borrowed another contestant for the dahs.
Music
- (0:15) The bass and the drums are a killer. When I saw the waveform I did wonder what those spikes where, I think it is the bass drum.
- (0:26) Nice break down away from those huge drums and bass
- (1:30) That change up into a guitar based driven track was unexpected and a nice twist.
- Break down of verse and chorus is great, it really lifts it because the verse is so cut down.
- Panning Hammond organ is a really nice touch.
Idea
- Simple message, everything sucks, make it better.
Lyrics
- Reading the lyrics, I think this is more than just go on, make it great. Now I'm thinking it's more about the opportunity to change the crappy stuff in the world and make it great. It's like you are fed up with the world and want to turn it on its head and start again.
Production
- (0:50) bit crusher was a nicely used addition. Maybe a little overbearing.
- The telephone effect applied to your vocals works well
- Everything sounds good to my ear, nothing really caught me out.
LUFS
-13.52
LRA
5
Peak
0.11
Total
33/50
⬆️ 14. thanks, brain - Looking Down
An emotive song all about waiting for that all important Amazon delivery and neglecting all the opportunities that could have happened.
Performance
- I'm a massive fan of the held notes on the verses, I might pinch that.
- Your delivery of the vocals are so heartfelt, the guitars are exquisite and played very well.
- The real thing that I loved was the vocals and how they bounced from one another.
Music
- The effects applied to the rhythm is subtle but really brings it out.
- Sometimes the vocals clash and it is hard to distinguish the different parts.
- The drumming was something I noticed in this, I really liked how it switched between the verse and chorus, it just makes it pop.
- However, you chose to fade out, felt like you just didn't know how to end it.
Idea
- In the UK the delivery company that used to deliver Amazon packages is hermes (I think might have changed now). When I listened I got a vision of not able to being to do my work or missing out on something because I was too busy watching the Amazon app to see when my delivery will be made. Whether that is what you intended (probably not) that is what I took from it.
Lyrics
- I thought the lyrics worked very well with the music, upon reading there is not much too them, but I did really like this reference to Hermes cart and the imagery that gave.
Production
- This sounded fantastic, I loved the guitars and the hanging vocals.
- Only niggle like I said before, sometimes the vocals clashed and I couldn't distinguish them both. They felt like they were competing.
LUFS
-12.26
LRA
2.4
Peak
-0.94
Total
31/50
⬆️ 15. The Dutch Widows - Just The White Wine?
A guitar synthy treat which a coming together story over some white wine.
Performance
- Everything was very tight and to the beat, I did note that at the end where you are singing "was it destiny calling to us, or just the white wine" that "white wine" sounded like "wine wine", which actually still works, but unfortunately you title specifically mentions white wine, so I picked up on it.
Music
- I liked the feel, it felt like it belonged in a coming of age 80s film, breakfast club or something along those lines.
- I thought the blend of synths and guitars was really nice and I really liked the held chorus i.e. you went into the pre-chorus but then went back into another verse which caught me off guard but in a good way.
Idea
- I thought it was a fairly weak take on the challenge, there has been a lot of songs about first loves, opportunity to get together kind of thing and this was no different.
Lyrics
- I did enjoy the lyrics, although the subject matter was a bit clichéd I did think you wrote it particularly well. It is really well thought out and the is way with words in it that I really liked.
Production
- Nothing stuck as bad to me, it was full and sounded great in my ears.
LUFS
-10.78
LRA
2.5
Peak
1.09
Total
31/50
⬆️ 16. Balance Lost - A Temporary Window
A fun jangly guitars number which tells the tale of opportunities best not realised. The music is very varied and extremely well produced
Performance
- The guitars are the standout performance for me, I really love how you can vary the rhythm and change it up from verse to verse. They are a joy to listen to, that synth solo is a great touch
- I do have issues with the vocals, they are generally understandable, but there are a few choice words where I couldn't grasp it. At (1:34) window sounds like way and at 1:20 temporary sounds different every time, at first I thought you sang strawberry, then contorberry (not sure what fruit that is but is sound poisonness)
- No problems whatsoever with tuning, or timing, everything hit the mark for me in that regard.
Music
- As I alluded to in the performance I am a fan of your guitar work, it is very distinctive and chops and changes depending on where you are. I particularly liked the choppy guitars that found there way in around the 1:08 mark.
- Your vocals fit around the guitars and you have some subtle synths that back them (at around 1:50).
- How can I not mention that end synth solo? I love how distinctive it sounds, I want to say it's a bit cheesy, but I mean that in the best possible way. It made me smile and ended the song on a great note.
Idea
- I get what you are doing by reading the liner notes. However, I wouldn't have picked up on that by listening. I found I couldn't listen to the track and say, "Yes, it's about lost opportunities". That may be because I was distracted with all the other things going on that the message got lost a little.
- I do like the idea of it being an opportunity that you missed but upon reflection are glad you missed (that's relatable, and interesting).
Lyrics
- Not much in the way of lyrics, lots of repetition but that does suit your style. I liked the ambiguity of the verses, I was hoping for a bit more clarity in the chorus without having to read the liner notes.
- I loved the line "the jazz and the liquor", I interpret jazz as a double meaning. Either listening to jazz and drinking or maybe its slang for the bull s\#!\?t and the liquor, or maybe I'm off my rocker.
Production
- The panning of instruments is great, gives your vocals centre stage
- It's pretty loud, but not overly loud (as my LUFS for the track shows). It did catch me off guard, that could have been because the previous track was quiet. It wasn't aggressively loud.
- All the guitars poke through in the right places, I wouldn't have praised them as much as I did if I didn't feel it was mixed well.
- You change it up quite nicely by adding background instruments and they blended well in the mix.
LUFS
-9.06
LRA
2.3
Peak
1.13
Total
30/50
⬆️ 17. Simon Purchase James - Voices Fill the Air
A thought provoking guy and guitar tune which tells the world, by singing to people travelling between countries, the importance of having the opportunity to be who you want to be.
Performance
- I must admit at first listen I just gave a massive sigh, with 47 other songs to go through having a song which is just guitar and vocals for 6+ min is a lot to process. However, having the tracks on loop and I'm glad I persisted. Your charm in the performance sells the tune and I did enjoy your dealing with that impatient person.
- I think it takes balls to do this in a public setting, I am giving you extra points for that.
Music
- I wasn't inspired by the style, if it was more that just an acoustic busk and had more to it, but I did feel it had that live playing charm about it which wouldn't have worked with a full band thing.
Idea
- I really liked the idea, it is topical and a worthy thing to express. I liked that fact you chose to do this in a public setting to get the message out. I can get behind this 100%. It's the opportunity to be who you want to be.
Lyrics
- They worked very well with your music and had a lot of meaning to them, I liked them a lot.
Production
- I know this is a live recording, but I cannot mark production high for 2 reasons, there is no production value to it i.e. it is just a one take presumably on your phone. Also, with what you submitted you could have done some mastering. There are some dissonant tones in the guitar that are rather unpleasant that you could have cut out using an EQ, and you could have added some polish to the recording.
LUFS
-17.16
LRA
7.2
Peak
0.07
Total
30/50
⬆️ 18. Ironbark - Privilege
A really charming spelled out slow paced song about missing the opportunity to connect with the lovely Karen Wong.
Performance
- The beat needs some variation, it's get rather tedious after a while.
- The vocals could use a bit of character in them, you tell a very funny tale, but I just felt you didn't really sell it in the way it was, it was a bit deadpan for me.
- The organs don't really carry it at all for me, there was nothing about them that screamed wow and there were a bit sloppy in places.
Music
- It was a bit ploddy for me, it's a shame really because the lyrics are fantastic, it is such a charming and lovely song but I just the music let it down, it could have been so much more than I was. Instead it felt a little hollow.
- One thing I did notice is your timing on "book voucher" to "relax". It sounds like relax is the book voucher which was confusing. You needed a gap between the phrases.
Idea
- I really liked the concept of a missed opportunity at the spelling bee. It has bags of charm and I can really get behind it.
Lyrics
- They tell a story of first love loss and the missed opportunity, so many funny moments in the lyrics. "I even put a D in it" and "karen wong don't hang with no bad fella ..." are a few I enjoyed. It had a touch of flight of the conchords about it.
Production
- Much like the music I felt this was lacking. It just didn't sparkle. The organs just felt muddy and needed clarity and the drums where pretty tedious. I think this needed some more love.
LUFS
-11.36
LRA
7.4
Peak
0.06
Total
29/50
⬆️ 19. Daniel Sitler - Sunshine
Initial listen doesn't do this track justice. It took a few listens for me to get with the awkward feel of it. The emotions are on display for all to hear and I felt that the odd timings here and there and the choice of instrumentation help set this aside. It is, however, miserable as sin and hard to listen to because of that.
Performance
- Vocals feel a bit forced, you do feel the pain (sounds better on headphones than speakers).
- (0:47) Something is a little out of time, however, I think this adds to the awkwardness of the subject matter.
- (1:08) Lovely harmonies in the choruses. The vocal performance because of it benefits.
Music
- Intro builds very nicely, I was glad to hear the elements being added bit by bit.
- Very interesting use of instruments and how they are played
- Improves in the chorus
- (3:44) Realised no percussion, but it doesn't need it! That's impressive
- The awkwardness of the music felt off at first but listening again it fits with the theme of the track.
Idea
- The missed opportunity is crystal clear, unrequited love is always a good theme to go for.
- It's a bit of a Debby downer, you can't get behind the protagonist. I got to the end and felt, well I'd dump you.
- The emotion is there, you can feel the pain.
Lyrics
- Although the lyrics were well thought out there was nothing that may me think, oh that's different. I dig like the idea of being stuck in a cave with no light as a metaphor for rejection. I think the problem is that there are so many love songs where the protagonist doesn't get the girl that it just doesn't have the same impact.
- There are few lovely lines that stand out. I liked "illuminate those caves and rocky shores" as and when you sang it.
- I thought you imagery of caves and catacombs is interesting, maybe could have developed that more.
Production
- Lots going on, everything feels in its right place, just niggles from me really.
- (0:25) Weird stabby synth that doesn't feel right, maybe some EQ to remove harshness.
- (2:57) Cello peaking through is nice (I want more though, bring it out the mix).
- (1:05) There are audio glitches, most prominent here (I get these too when I record too which I find it really annoying).
LUFS
-12.35
LRA
9
Peak
0.04
Total
29/50
⬆️ 20. JW Hanberry - Opportunity Knockin'
A wacky fun banging tune about how opportunities will come your way and should grab them when you can.
Performance
- I really love the sense of character in your vocals. The delivery you give has something about it that is convicting but feels quite tongue in cheeky. I just feels fun.
- The craziness of the instrumentation is spell binding, the bass and the beat are out of this world and I really enjoyed or random stuff that was through in between the singing.
- I did feel the guitars were a bit lacking in the chorus, they could have done more to help really life it.
Music
- I'm not sure how to comment, it was certainly unique. I really enjoyed it, you never knew what you were going to get, and your introduction really didn't make you think it was going to go anywhere near what it did.
Idea
- I think this is simply just explaining what an opportunity is. I think that is fair enough, it feels to me like you a saying opportunities come, and they can be frustrating, but you should take them when you can.
Lyrics
- They were fairly straight forward, they didn't make my head spin trying to work out what you were saying. There wasn't anything that stood out as different about them but there definitely fit the style of music you have and the character of your voice.
Production
- There were a few unpleasantries that I wasn't keen on. There was a lot of lip smacking going on that put me off, and I really didn't like the delay on your vocals. It was more prominent in the introduction, but it did make me feel a bit sea sick (especially with cans on my ears).
LUFS
-14.17
LRA
2.9
Peak
-6.4
Total
29/50
⬆️ 21. Jeff Walker - Try Again
A really solid love song about mistakes made in love and begging for the opportunity to try again.
Performance
- Very well played array of instruments, I was particularily taken aback with the inclusion of the accordion.
- Your voice is lovely cut through the music so beautifully.
- Love the emotion that comes through in spades with your voice.
Music
- Really nice percussive pattern.
- Can we try is such a lovely hook and very catchy.
- (1:15) The accordion coming into the mix is lovely.
- (2:48) The dropping out of both the slide guitar and accordion drops out a bit too much for my taste.
Idea
- Nothing particularly special about the theme. Please don't leave me, the opportunity being to start again.
- However, it perfectly fits with the music.
Lyrics
- Although the theme of the song felt a bit clichéd to me, I did like some of the imaginary that you pay. The lines "futures and our feathers are so fine" and "a weathered hat in his hand", that feels like a little lost puppy.
Production
- Felt the slide guitar needed a bit more clarity, it gets a bit lost in the mix. I wanted it to stick out some more, a bit more high end EQ could have helped.
- Each instrument compliments one another, it does feel like a single instrument rather than a collection of them, you've mixed really well, and they feel like they all belong.
LUFS
-14.93
LRA
5.4
Peak
0.25
Total
29/50
⬆️ 22. Temnere - Sands of Time
A fast pace rocking tune about moving the sands of time to save the day and get the girl/boy.
Performance
- There is no doubt about, you can shred. The guitars sound amazing! It got me toe tapping which is always a good thing.
- Your vocals where good, there fit the style and no stumblings that I noticed.
Music
- I enjoyed how you played the genre, it feels good to my ears and the lyrics fitted the style you are playing. I wasn't so keen on the middle 8, I felt the violin was lacking the quality that the guitars gave.
Idea
- I struggled with this, it didn't feel like a song about an opportunity. You are moving the sands of time to save the day/guy/girl. Isn't that just doing something, maybe it's the opportunity to save the day but it felt like the opportunity had been and gone and you were busy saving the day. There were a few hints about opportunity in the verses but as cohesive piece I didn't feel it sold it.
Lyrics
- Not something I would write, but it read pretty well to me and definitely suited your style of playing and the message you wanted to convey.
Production
- I thought it was generally good in terms of levels and balance. Something feels off about the master though, it feels like it needs more low and less mid frequencies. It didn't really pop, I think it needed some EQ tweaks to bring the guitars more as they felt a bit like they were competing with each other.
LUFS
-16.84
LRA
3.8
Peak
-3.56
Total
28/50
⬆️ 23. Good Niche Gracious - Cold War Master
A fun little song with a questionable fake guitar sound centred around fighting to the death in the snowball arena.
Performance
- I was not keen on that keyboard part, sounded a bit tacky to my ears.
- The vocals although performed very well were a bit out of sync. I also felt they need something else to go better with the style of music. Dare I say it, but I think they needed to be less on point. There needed to be a bit of grit about them.
Music
- The chorus is definitely catchy, but I wasn't keen on the style. The fake guitar keyboard part just didn't work for me. I thought it had a great moment when you shifted the rhythm, I really liked that.
Idea
- It is a fun idea, snow falling so let's have a snowball fight. Trouble is you get so carried away with the actual snowball fight being the centre of the song the opportunity to have the snowball fight gets lost. You start off with the idea of the opportunity in the first verse, but the central hook is definitely about having a snowball fight.
Lyrics
- There fun lyrics, there is no denying that. Unique and pleasant to listen and read. I really love this description of a snowball "Spheres of frozen crystal ammo".
Production
- I felt the vocals were too clean for the style of music, I wanted some distortion in you vocals. The vocals did sound good, maybe you could have aligned them more (but that's nitpicking).
- It felt like you were going for a Strokes 12:51 type feel. I do wonder if you had used that as a reference track maybe it would have been more appealeding to me.
LUFS
-14.54
LRA
4.3
Peak
0.05
Total
27/50
⬆️ 24. "BucketHat" Bobby Matheson - Knockin' on wood
A rough and ready song that is uplifting and sends the message of you deserve this opportunity, so go for it.
Performance
- The singing and the playing sounded fine to me, however the levels being so off could be hiding a few things.
Music
- I liked the hopeful feel of the music, I felt happy when listening to it. The chorus was especially uplifting and pretty damn catchy at that.
Idea
- I thought this was a nice take, you are optimistic about an opportunity that is coming your way, but you can't quite believe it.
Lyrics
- The lyrics tell a story about hardship and suddenly something new and exciting comes your way. It then shifts after the chorus to be reassuring i.e. yes it has come your way, but you deserve it, so go for it.
Production
- This is where you let yourself down, the mix is all over the place.
- Drums are absolutely buried, any energy they would give are unfortunately lost.
- Vocals are way too hot, they drown out everything else that is in the mix. I've only just noticed there are some keys in the background.
- Acoustic guitars in parts come in way too hot, not as bad as the vocals but noticeable.
- To quiet, the next tune nearly blasted my ears off because of it.
LUFS
-20.12
LRA
5.6
Peak
-0.3
Total
27/50
⬆️ 25. Huge Shark - Edge of a Knife
A well written tale of trusting (or not) the wrong person which doesn't quiet deliver a sinister sound scape. It is a bit messy and bit OTT but there is promise.
Performance
- The music is played well, but I have to wonder how much of that is due to the effects being applied rather than the way it is played. It sounds like it is very reliant on delays.
- It is sung very well and the emotion and clarity of the words come through.
Music
- There were some nice interludes, I enjoyed how you blended the verse into the chorus (0:38) and the harmonies really help lift it.
- The introduction of harmonies (1:00) on the 2nd verse helped to vary it.
- Like I illuded in the performance, the music seems to be very similar across the whole song with a reliance of effects to help it. It does work on the first few listens, but it becomes a bit samey after a while and sounds a bit messy.
- The music really doesn't help deliver the sinister nature of the song, I only got how dark it actually is when I read the lyrics. It's a bit happy for me to blended with those kinds of words.
Idea
- I like the idea, it's pretty sinister and creepy. It's a nice twist on the challenge, it's an opportunity, but you really shouldn't take it.
Lyrics
- As someone who struggles with lyrics, I did appreciate the craft. I liked how you were living in her presence, almost a fly on the wall. It's written like a story and I really liked the little name-drops e.g. Jimmy Choos and Dior and tickets to Berlin.
Production
- Although it sounded good and ticks all the boxes in terms of loudness, it was a bit overbearing. I think you needed to reign the delays and panning and try and focus on the feel of it. I get the feeling you are venturing into new territory and chucking everything you can at it. Which is the first step, the next step is to chuck everything you can at it and then take away, mute channels whilst listening back and play around with what you can do without.
LUFS
-14.3
LRA
4.6
Peak
-0.85
Total
27/50
⬆️ 26. Hot Pink Halo - Op shop
A quirky lovely little tune about spending your well earned cash on whatever you like, especially if you're in line for an operation. I felt the music fitted the words and subject matter very nicely.
Performance
- (0:08) I think the bass is little out, timing wise
- (1:27) The violin sounds a little out of tune to my ear, not much mind you (it could be my imagination). Actually I think might just be an EQ tweak, maybe.
Music
- (0:24) switch up to electric guitars is nice
- I love the Op Shop hook, it does get a bit tiresome towards the end mind you
- (1:27) Nice breakdown and introduction of strings.
Idea
- I live quite near the land of shoppertunity, or Meadowhell as I like to call it. Your version of shopping sounds more appealing to me. It reminds of my days working at Matlock with the wonderful Vom Vorton, we used to go charity shopping on our lunch. It's always a good thing if you can invoke a memory.
- Reading the lyrics I like this even more, I got the idea that you are opportunity shopping. I didn't pick up on shopping for an operation in the 3rd verse. I did wonder why you dropped x-ray machine in, but that makes sense now.
Lyrics
- I enjoyed the change up between the verses, each verse had a story to tell. It flowed very nicely.
- I initially liked the chorus. It was a bit grating after a while, catchy as hell through.
- Good use of clever words that a thicky like me has no understanding of. "Cyclorama" <- totally lost on me!
Production
- Overall it did sound good, there was a nice blend of instruments, and they all came in at the right times. I do feel that some tweaks could have been made. I thought the bass was a little jarring, maybe tidy up the timing a little and try and make it so it doesn't take up so much of the mix (that said, it was just the intro). The violin sounded like it needed some EQing.
LUFS
-12.14
LRA
6
Peak
-0.46
Total
27/50
⬆️ 27. James Young - What Can I Do?
A well produced hard hitting performance that just missed the mark on delivering some interesting ideas and lyrics.
Performance
- Everything is played very well and it is sung with conviction.
- That guitar solo absolutely shreds, very nice indeed
Music
- I like how it builds, each new section introduces new elements and a get larger and bolder as you go on through the song.
- The chorus does come through nicely, you can really tell that it is an important part of the song.
- The acoustic guitar playing didn't really grasp me, it felt like a bit of a 3 chord hack, the electric guitar made up for that in spades though.
Idea
- The opportunity is life, I'm not buying that. Feels like a bit of a cop out to me. I want something more concrete, a specific thing.
Lyrics
- They feel a bit hippy and I wasn't captivated. They were a bit clichéd for more, blinded by the truth because you lie as a hook is just a bit, OK fair enough. I want something unexpected that conveys the same thing.
Production
- I liked the sound, it was full, it built and was very pleasant to listen. One thing did niggle me a little. I didn't like the unpleasant spitting sound that I heard every time you sang truth and youth. You could have done a retake on that or you might have been able to fix that in production.
LUFS
-13.97
LRA
9.6
Peak
-0.92
Total
26/50
⬆️ 28. The Evil Genius formerly known as Timmy - Monkey Videos
An catchy synth pop piece that belongs in the late 90s that is going to be stuck in my head whether I like it or not.
Performance
- Introduction is a lack luster.
- (0:37) \"Faulty wiring\" sounds like \"For to Irene\", not sure which I prefer, both make sense to messy.
- Ending is messy.
Music
- (1:10) Oo oo oo oo, is a great hook.
- Music is ridiculously and chorus is ridiculously catchy.
- Sounds a lot like Dandy Warhols.
Idea
- Interesting take, a touch of imposter syndrome in the workplace or just easily distracted means you are missing out something important.
- The chorus is catchy, that's for sure. I felt like it needed more context, I felt a bit all over the place. It would have been better if there was a bit more narrative why you were distracted by the monkey videos rather than just, I'm in office or I'm in the yard.
- I don't think it is very nice to call security guards ugly and meaningless, feels a bit mean to me.
Lyrics
- I thought the lyrics were OK, but I think they felt a bit thrown together and could have been embellished.
Production
- Everything sounds like, the panning separates everything nicely
- Like how the chorus builds.
- The big tubular synth gets a bit much, it's really in your face and I could have done with less.
LUFS
-12.75
LRA
10.8
Peak
0.18
Total
26/50
⬆️ 29. Berni Armstrong - It Will Come in Handy One Day
This is a unique take on the challenge, it was fun to read and listen to but lacked any real imagination in the instruments used and the production.
Performance
- It doesn't start well, your timing is off, and it is immediately obvious that you are a little (not much mind you) out of tune.
- Vocals come across loud and clear and understand every single word you are singing. Particularly like the way you conveyed "Diogenes Syndrome"
- Solid vocal performance throughout, the banjo (I think that's what it is, I'm terrible at placing instruments) is a bit ropey in parts but generally pretty solid, just a shame it starts a bit messy.
Music
- I wanted far much more out of the music, it is very bare and doesn't really shift musically.
- At the very least it felt like it could have used some percussive elements to drive it along and if you introduced it midway it could have given it a much needed shift.
- It drove very well, there was a groove, and it felt a bit like a sea shanty, which I think works with the theme.
- I enjoyed the chorus, the way you sang "rubbish" has a nice harshness to it.
Idea
- The take on the challenge about all the missed opportunities of what you have hoarded is very clever.
- The idea is very obvious when you listen to the track, you don't have to read into it to try and figure it out.
Lyrics
- This was the star of the show for me.
- I loved that it was a person you can on a journey with.
- I loved all the situations that Jim got into.
- The words flow very nicely and the shift in rhyming schemes on the first and last verses vary it up a little.
Production
- I thought with what you had it sounded nice, but you didn't really push yourself with this, which was disappointing.
- Looking at my loudness statistics, it's a little quiet.
LUFS
-20.35
LRA
6.8
Peak
0.04
Total
26/50
⬆️ 30. Mandrake - Supernova
An interesting but awkward track which explores the feeling of watching a supernova.
Performance
- The vocals were incredibly hard to follow, I couldn't understand most of what was being sang.
- The other elements although interesting were more programmed than they were performed. I still think that counts in my book, I enjoyed the sounds.
Music
- This is a mix of interesting and awkward for me, you have a lot of clever little tricks under you sleave, but it feels a bit disjointed.
- I thought the break at start was nice. Really stops you in your tracks.
- Did I catch the sound of eating crisps as a percussive element?
- This definitely morphs, it's very hard to keep up with what is going on, but it starts quite slow and awkward then gets all chip tuney and has quite a nice beat behind it.
Idea
- I guess the opportunity is to be able to see a supernova. However, I have issue with this because it because a song about a supernova, not the opportunity to see it. Your liner notes even allude to that.
Lyrics
- They're a bit generic, I'm sure there are things you could have written about that a specific to a supernova. You kind just go, wouldn't it be cool to see a supernova. I want to know why it would be cool, what is it that I would get to see. Are there any clever supernova terms you could have googled that you can drop in the lyrics?
Production
- You spent a lot of time put this together and it shows. I did feel some parts needed tweaking here and there, but there were some production decisions I really liked. The big break at the start and the reverb you put on supernova to drag it out were interesting.
LUFS
-13.73
LRA
10.4
Peak
0.58
Total ⬆️
25/50
⬆️ 31. Roddy - Piano opportunity
A guy and piano that is singing about all of us gullible musicians that got dupped by the opportunity to get better at it.
Performance
- The piano was played very well and you would hope so considering the subject matter and the singing was good to. I would have like to hear more instruments to really bring it out though.
Music
- I just thought this sounds exactly like Randy Newman. I enjoyed it but it didn't stick out as unique because of that.
Idea
- As someone who is always looking for courses to try and improve online and fell well within the "gullible musician" bracket I hated the idea. It really annoyed me as it felt like you were having a dig at me. I would have prefered if it was directed more towards the crappy site but it felt more like us poor stupid musicians that decided to purchase it. I don't like feeling stupid when I listen to something, and this did that.
- Reading through the lyrics it would have almost worked if you hadn't had used lines like "Persuade the gullable to subscribe" and "If you get those suckers to pay". As soon as I realised you were calling me a gullable sucker I was put off.
- That all said, it was a unique take on the challenge you just didn't think of your target audience.
Lyrics
- They were different lyrics, I liked how you changed it up between the verses. You already know why I'm not massively keen, but it does read well and goes with the music.
Production
- Sounds good, but I'm not sure how much effort was made into making this. For all I know it could have been a huge miccing operation of a grand piano, but with so few elements it just feels bare.
LUFS
-21.27
LRA
3.9
Peak
-4.2
Total
25/50
⬆️ 32. The Alleviators - Hit The Ground Stumbling
A track that doesn't quite feel realised about an opportunity that came up that you regret not taking.
Performance
- This doesn't feel very polished, the bass guitar at the intro is sloppy, and your vocals together do go off on tangents in places. It feels a bit rushed and could have used some more practice to get the parts nailed.
Music
- When you get it right your vocals together sound really nice. I did think they helped lift the chorus.
- I was intrigued when the church organ came in at the start but unfortunately in the song once the guitars kicked in kind of stole the show. I wanted more of that.
- I really want to like it more than I do, there is lovely quality about it but it just never really grabbed me I'm afraid.
Idea
- I think this song is about an opportunity that went wrong. I'm struggling because the chorus feels like you are running away from something. Maybe, it's about an opportunity that came up i.e. "I think I missed an incoming call" that you are regretting not taking. Yeah, that's my interpretation.
Lyrics
- I think the chorus is nice, I don't think it has that killer hook where I'm never get it out of my head (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I find the message a bit confusing and struggled to understand the meaning. I think I liked it more than disliked it, but I struggled, it was a bit too hard for me to get my head around (although I'm probably just a bit thick).
Production
- Much like the performance I thought this didn't have the care and attention it probably deserved. In particular, I wasn't keen on the levels of the different vocals, the female vocal felt overpowering at places.
LUFS
-16.41
LRA
6.3
Peak
-0.1
Total ⬆️
23/50
⬇️ 33. Ominous Ride - The Deal
A unique take on the challenge where you have an opportunity of a lifetime at the cost of your soul, but the repetitive nature of the music made this a hard listen.
Performance
- I wasn't grabbed at all, it was extremely repetitive and those elements of the track really got on my nerves. The bended guitar that was played constantly and that guitar after your vocals in the verses got very tiresome because they were so constant and exactly the same.
- I thought the solo was weak, it felt programmed and very downplayed. I want it to shred, but it was there but didn't really have any presence.
- I thought the chorus had an interesting vocal arrangement.
Music
- Not a fan I'm afraid, the repetition put me off straight away. It just didn't have anything that made it stick out. The chorus nearly rescued it, but then the verses started again, and it lost interest. Also, all I could hear was that bended guitar which I found annoying.
Idea
- I did like the idea, you have the opportunity to make a deal with the devil. I though that was a neat take on the challenge.
Lyrics
- I liked the idea and your lyrics did portray this, but there was really any clever word play or interesting metaphors. It was spelt out (which I like incidently) but there wasn't anything that made me think, that's a nice way of describing that.
Production
- I felt the balance was OK, the solo was completely lost and probably wise considering it didn't really give anything. Like I said in the performance it all sounded a bit programmed, which is fine if you don't have the ability or instruments to play. However, you can do a lot in the production to spice it up i.e. use a humanizer on the repetitive parts so you DAW changes it up for you. Add some delays and effects to the solo so that it makes it sound bigger than it actually is.
LUFS
-12.1
LRA
5
Peak
0.05
Total ⬆️
23/50
⬇️ 34. The Popped Hearts - Never Miss A Chance To Miss A Chance
A punktastic tale of unrequited love from the girl next door.
Performance
- It's not as tight as it could be, I thought the vocals needed to be bit sharper and the rhythm guitar could have used a few more takes to get it on the beat. However, it was rawkus and it was well paced and fun to listen to.
- Vocals felt like they needed to have more of a shout style.
Music
- I really liked the build up into the song, you introduced us into it well and when the lead guitar kicked in at 0:40 it really picked up the pace.
- Toe tapped all the way through.
- The chorus does have the potential to be catchy "miss chance to miss a chance" is a hook, but it just is delivered, I think maybe some more harmonies or something to really pick it out.
- I did like the little key shift at the end of the track.
Idea
- Another love song about a chance missed in love. Felt there was probably something more you could have done with the challenge.
Lyrics
- There were a few lyrical lines that caught my attention. I liked the reference to "praxis" and "Fabian tactics". I also liked the mention of "my suburban cul-de-sac" which made this feel like more down to earth.
Production
- Nothing really stuck out as out of place, the drums did sound a little weak compared to the guitars, I would have been tempted to slap a bit of distortion on them to try and make them sound more rawkus.
LUFS
-11.38
LRA
5.1
Peak
-0.15
Total
23/50
⬇️ 35. Jocko Homomorphism - The Captive Sphinx
A trip into the games arena for the opportunity to win and laugh at your opponent ... a lot!
Performance
- I want to like the performance, but it's just a bit too weird for me. I found all the laughing really got on my wick and the disjaunted vocals just too much. I will say this, I did like it at the start because it felt like an episode of stranger things.
Music
- It is certainly different, I will give you that. I thought the feel was right for what you wanted. It feels like it belongs with a board game i.e. Dungeons and Dragons or Magic The Gathering, please don't take offense if I get them wrong and miss the context, I know what they are but not how to play.
- Like I said in the performance for someone who isn't into that kind of thing it just came across as annoying and it did raise my eyebrows and make me think "what the hell is going on"
Idea
- At a guess I would say the opportunity is to win the game your playing. I must admit that was at a push and I didn't get any kind of association to opportunity just by listening. There is probably something clever I am missing, but I don't get it.
Lyrics
- I think the lyrics work very well for the genre you are peddling. They are mysterious and foreboding and you kind of feel like you are gathered in basement playing role playing games. I think it works for what you wanted to achieve.
Production
- I did like your use of panning, it was cool how you vocals shifted left to right and the synths were constantly panning. However, that only became apparent when I listened using my cans, on speakers I didn't pick up on that happening.
LUFS
-15.21
LRA
18.4
Peak
0.86
Total
22/50
⬇️ 36. The Practitioners - Heaven
A confusing take on the challenge which flows well and has a great beat.
Performance
- The rapping sounding pretty damn good to me. Not being into the style and how you do it I don't feel in place to pass comments, it works for me though.
Music
- The beat drives it along quite nicely and complements your rapping and I liked the little reverse sample you have going on.
- The chorus is catchy enough, the overlaid rapping is very cool.
Idea
- I didn't feel the idea of an opportunity played any part in the lyrics whatsoever, I felt you had a line that mentioned opportunity knocking and that was about it.
Lyrics
- Not being a fan of the genre, it's hard to pass judgement. I can only go on what I heard and whether I liked it. I thought they flowed very well, but I would have liked it the play around with an opportunity, that didn't come across in the lyrics.
Production
- Sounded good to me, I would have liked the female vocals to have taken a more prominent part in the chorus. I felt they were second fiddle to your rapping, and they could have really lifted the track.
LUFS
-14.39
LRA
6.9
Peak
-0.34
Total
22/50
⬇️ 37. Night Sky - Janus Lies
A rather questionable performance about a guy or girl named Janus who is a bit of a fibber.
Performance
- Sorry, but your vocals are way off point. There were quite a number of occasions where I winced because you wavered or couldn't quite reach a note. That could have used a few more takes.
- The brass section nearly saved you, if you had done that throughout I would have liked it more.
Music
- It was a slow paced piece that needed you to deliver on the vocals as they were the centre piece. I enjoyed the brass section and I liked the introduction of the Hammond organ but everything else kind of washed over me.
Idea
- I'm really struggling to pick out the opportunity. I get the impression there is a person called Janus, and they lie but what's that got to do with opportunities. There are sprinkles of it in the verses i.e. "chance stood naked before me" but it seemed more like a song about someone being dishonest rather than centred around an opportunity.
Lyrics
- You do have a nice way with words in the verses that were interesting and engrossing. I didn't like the repetition of "Janus Lies" in the chorus. I do get the impression that Janus means more than an actual name. I have a feeling it refers to something as well as someone, which I like. Just read your bios, and I was right, he is a Roman God.
Production
- I thought the drums were a little too aggressive for the track and could have been fixed in production. I thought brass sounded spot on, but you might have been able to do something to rescue your voice, but I think it probably needed re-recording (which is a production decision).
LUFS
-15.34
LRA
5.6
Peak
-0.73
Total
21/50
⬇️ 38. Yeslessness - My Secret
A little tune about the urge to be a nosey so and so who sees an open door and can't resist.
Performance
- The vocals are a bit cringey and are obviously out of key.
- I liked the stabbing organ I thought that work quite well.
- You are trying to cram in too many words in chorus "would try to control" is a bit of a mouth full. I would have been tempted to drop "try to" so it rolls off the tongue better.
- It's a very repetitive rhythm that doesn't really change throughout the verses, it feels like it has been programmed rather than played.
Music
- It was ok, it had a nice pace was just bit plonkey plonkey and nothing really grabbed my attention throughout.
Idea
- I liked the idea of an open door and the opportunity to be a little bit naughty. I thought you could have expanded it further, could he have been thief, was there a twist you could have thrown in. We knew from verse 1 that you were snooping, maybe verse 2 could have expanded on that.
Lyrics
- Pretty much the same as the idea, neat concept would have like the lyrics to have gone off in different direction as when they started. The chorus doesn't work for me at all, it's obviously rushed and could have been made better so that it doesn't sound so awkward.
Production
- Didn't have any real issue with how it sounded, maybe it was a bit regimented, and you could have humanized it a bit, so it doesn't sound programmed. Other than that nothing really caught my ear.
LUFS
-16.59
LRA
5
Peak
-0.12
Total
21/50
⬇️ 39. Bubba & The Ghost of the Kraken - Knock Knock Knock
Fun song that twisted the challenge into a very catchy hook. The production choices felt a bit out of place to my ears at times but the chorus sticks out a mile.
Performance
- I find that "Vvvvv" at the start very annoying and I rather it was there.
- Lots going on musically it is a fun listen.
- The lyrics come through clearly, I can understand every single word you're singing.
Music
- I like the play on the tile of the challenge it is super catchy
- Knock Knock Knocking is a really nice hook that really sticks into your head
- I thought the chorus does have a really nice lift to it that sets it aside from the music.
Idea
- Struggling to see what the opportunity is, if anything, I want to have that "ah, that's what they realised, missed, ignored etc".
- Felt like you had the idea of "Knock knock knock" early on and then everything else was an afterthought.
Lyrics
- Other than the hook there is nothing in the lyrics that cries unique, it's a bit clichéd for me.
- Rhyming is lacking any real imagine, You rhymed "like it" with "like it".
Production
- The distorted vocals don't work for me against the cleaner instruments. IMO, if you are going to use distorted vocals the track needs to match it in some form. Maybe some saturation on the instruments, so they don't sound as clean.
- Drums are a bit over powering and I would hazard a guess they are just taken out of ez drummer or something like that out of the box. I think you could have tweaked the levels and eqs to match it blend a bit more.
- I do like that this does have some production value to it and I think that deserves commending, just feel it could have used some love to really get the elements to gel together well.
LUFS
-17.85
LRA
1.8
Peak
-0.14
Total
20/50
⬇️ 40. Phantom Woes - New Woman, New Cry
A rather confusing extremely panned track that explores the feelings of not taking a chance in love.
Performance
- The vocals don't work for me, you rush your lines, and they aren't as polished as I would like.
- The saxophone solo needs more practice, it's a nice addition, but I just felt it was played particularly well.
- I did like the piano that worked really well for me.
Music
- It felt a bit confusing to me, so many instruments were crammed in bouncing off both of my ears and the vocals were difficult to place inside all of that madness. I felt it needed more structure to try and improve the clarity. I didn't get a sense of any hook or something that would remain in my head.
Idea
- It's about not taking the opportunity for a new love. However, the centrepiece i.e the chorus is more about your feelings about not taking the chance rather than the opportunity. I would have liked this to explore what the opportunity was.
Lyrics
- I felt it needed more, it deals with how you felt but in a very generic and clichéd way, is a there a more artful way of saying how you felt that doesn't feel like it has been said many times before.
Production
- I felt a lot could have been done to improve this, the panning is really confusing and just leaves your head in a spin. The vocal effects sounded weird and they just didn't fit in with the mix. I came out of the listen not really knowing what happened because I was just lost in stuff that was bantering around my ears. It did sound a lot worse in my headphones.
LUFS
-15.21
LRA
9.7
Peak
-0.1
Total
19/50
⬇️ 41. chewmeupspitmeout - Never Die
A depressing song that looks like it is dealing with the opportunity not to die and the fear that surrounds it.
Performance
- Vocals are a bit all over the place. I'm not sure that how you are singing in the chorus suits you vocal range. It feels pretty forced and strained to my ears. Possibly could have used a few more takes to nail it.
Music
- I wasn't a fan of all the breaks, it just never got going to me and that drum beat just doesn't fill the void.
- You do get the feeling of doom listening to it, but it just felt awkward to me.
Idea
- I thought the idea wasn't great. The opportunity not to die and writing about death is just so morbid and depressing, it makes me down in the dumps (even more so than usual).
Lyrics
- The lyrics themselves are actually pretty good, they are expressive and interesting to read.
Production
- Some sound choices where questionable, I did not like the bass drum sound, it was short and sharp and had a tone to it that just didn't sit right with me.
- Deep bass line could do with being cleaner, it felt liked it belong on a synthwave track. I wanted something a nice and deep but without the added features, maybe a simple sine wave could have worked. I think you used an FM synthesiser, the modulation just didn't work for me.
- Maybe could have done something with you vocals to try and make sound a little better than they did.
LUFS
-16.39
LRA
14
Peak
-0.52
Total
19/50
⬇️ 42. Profestriga - Useless Sapphic
An overly aggressive track about getting with someone you are not sure is into you.
Performance
- I liked the backing track, you have a nice double bass going on and that piano which comes is very nice. I do have issues with the vocals. The starting vocal is a bit cringe worthy, it comes across as very desperate. You then go into some very aggressive rap style which feels mean, and I found it hard to get past that feeling.
Music
- I thought the music worked, the rapping was intensive and delivers a punch. I just wish it wasn't so creepy, it comes across as stalkerish. Long story short, the music felt right if the subject matter was different.
Idea
- This feels like a missed opportunity to dominate a girl that you like. I found it quite offensive and derogatory, and I couldn't get behind it at all.
Lyrics
- Didn't like them, I find it hard to read and to listen to because of the derogatory nature.
Production
- Not anything I can hear that stuck out, levels feel right to me and everything sounds good.
LUFS
-14.19
LRA
7.7
Peak
0.12
Total
19/50
⬇️ 43. The Single Pint of Failure - Don't Believe in Hope
A blisteringly loud heavy rock song that does deliver on intensity but at the cost of deafening the listener and loss of any dynamics that the track could have had. I do think this had potential, but the shear loudness was a real off putter for me.
Performance
- This track is a bit one dimension, it's kind all or nothing really. I felt like I was repeated hit with aggressive guitars and vocals. At around the 2:17 mark I found it very tiring to listen to.
- Not sure how I feel about the pronunciation of "Wait". I think that's a dialect thing though and it does add character.
- There isn't any timing issues or tuning that immediately struck me. Just wasn't a fan of how much is thrown at you without a reprieve or some dynamics to give you a bit of a break.
Music
- It's a shame about the production because as it is so loud it gets distorted and distracts you from what is going, the panning guitars after the hook are nice (1:20) and the solo does help to break it up a little (1:30).
Idea
- I don't see the opportunity in this, feels more like you are stuck in a rut and don't know how to get out, maybe it's the opportunity to get home, but that's at a push. Maybe you are retrospectively looking at the aftermath of an opportunity that's happened. On second glance, I think the context is there, but I had to really struggle to find it.
Lyrics
- The repetition of I believe was a bit much for me. There is a structure in the verse to the chorus, I just wasn't sold on the story. I didn't feel like I could relate to it and wasn't personally invested in the message,
Production
- WAY TOO LOUD! All the dynamics have been lost! You have a whopping -3.84 LUFS and 2.29 peak which is crazy loud.
- At some points the vocals sound like they are clashing (1:14) which is unpleasant. That could be to do with the amount of limiting you are putting on it that is just pushing over the limit.
- Vocals got quite tinny in places, 1:08 is where I spotted it.
LUFS
-3.84
LRA
3.9
Peak
2.29
Total
18/50
⬇️ 44. Loren Kiyoshi Dempster - Land Of Opportunity
A rushed long song about a sea of different opportunities that have knocking, some interesting percussive elements and comic moments but hard to listen to in one sitting.
Performance
- Vocals are really rushed, you have crammed so many words that you struggle to keep up and the vocal performance suffers because of it.
- The trumpets were a nice touch, but I would have wanted more than those one note stabs that I got.
Music
- This was so long and varied very little that it is a chore to listen to the whole way through. I think it could have been shortened to hold my attention. There were a few instrument changes that did help, but it wasn't enough.
- The that's knocking at the door line is repeated so often it becomes very tiresome.
Idea
- I guess the opportunity is that all these people are knocking at the door and all the people that are there are the opportunity. Problem is it turns into jus ta list of people and things rather than a cohesive idea of a particular opportunity. It's hard to get behind because it feels like everything has just been thrown into a pot and mixed together.
Lyrics
- Too many verses and an irritating chorus, there is a good rhyming scheme going on, but I just felt you needed to really go through it and define the verses a bit more, I honestly think if this was a shorter song and you had sacrificed some verses the chorus wouldn't have got so annoying and it wouldn't have lost my attention. Less is more!
- There were a few moments that made me chuckle, so you get a point for that.
Production
- I think the production was OK, I couldn't pin anything down that was obvious when listening. Maybe the vocals where a little hot in the mix, but there wasn't anything that raised an eyebrow.
LUFS
-18.27
LRA
7.9
Peak
-2.8
Total
18/50
⬇️ 45. Weiner - Play Your Hand
A bit of ploddy track which has some questionable instruments that really take over the track, but unfortunately not in a good. The lyrics have some nice word play, I do like the idea of a deck of cards, but it isn't enough for me, I'm afraid.
Performance
- Your vocals sound tired and lack luster, there is no real presence about them.
- The acoustic guitar is played nicely and does feel like its in its place.
- Everything just doesn't fit, it's all a bit messy. There are a few timing issues that could have been ironed and doesn't captivate me.
Music
- It plods along, no real flourishes in the track that really lift it.
- Violin is way way way too much and just doesn't work at all.
Idea
- I do think the playing cards idea is interesting, but it's second fiddle to the opportunity in my eyes. Your first to lines say, oh you had an opportunity time to play it, then it goes off into how you should play it rather than describing what the opportunity is.
Lyrics
- It's a stretch on the challenge. It is different but it's nothing special.
Production
- Some horrible mid range tones that could do with cutting out using EQ.
- Acoustic guitar fits, a bit too hidden. Shame it's the best sounding thing in the mix
- Violin takes over and isn't very pleasant. Sounds like you need a better VST to me, or mess around with what you have got. Add some saturation, shove a bit crusher on, adds some chorus flange. At the very least slab some reverb or delay on it because it just sounds dry and horrid. It definitely needs some eqing to reign in some of those harsh tones it has.
- Percussion and bass need bringing up, they're a bit buried in the mix.
- Reverb on the vocals is a bit too short for my taste.
LUFS
-13.39
LRA
4.4
Peak
0.13
Total
17/50
⬇️ 46. Menage a Tune - Push It!
A very minimum effort acapella track about the opportunity to take out some money.
Performance
- Sorry, I found it extremely to listen to. It is brave to do acapella, but it was a very difficult listen for me.
Music
- There is no music! Tell you what, I'll give you half a point because there was a tiny bit of music right at the start.
Idea
- The idea is neat, I like the thought of someone coming to cash machine and not knowing how much they have in there and the opportunities they have depending on how much is in their account.
Lyrics
- The lyrics are interesting, but they don't feel musical. When I read them and when you sing them they just don't feel like they would fit behind any musical structure. Maybe I'm being unfair because there is no music behind it, but looking at them if I was to attempt to put music on them myself I think I would need to alter them to fit.
Production
- Again, not really much production if any.
LUFS
-15.25
LRA
9.3
Peak
-2.31
Total
14.5/50
⬇️ 47. Susan Veit Heslin - Go My Own Way
A fairly middle of the road girl and guitar track about some opportunity (I'm not sure what), had some lovely harmonies here and there but didn't really capture my attention.
Performance
- Vocals were pretty weak, you either need to fix it in production or get better at moving to and from the mic as your vocals got louder and quieter throughout the track.
- Guitars are pretty simple with no real stand out playing that caught my attention.
- The harmonies where nice and lifted it up and I noticed some vibrato in your voice that caught my attention.
Music
- I would have liked a lot more, the guitar was there but that was it. I'm afraid it just wasn't enough to really wow me.
Idea
- I get the impression this is a song about an opportunity missed and regretting it. For me I would want a specific opportunity and this was a bit too woolley for me.
Lyrics
- There were some nice lines but it just felt a bit clichéd and nothing special really grabbed me.
Production
- Considering there is little going on I was still able to pick holes. You could have levelled out the vocals using a vocal leveller or some compression. Your guitar tone could have used some eqing to bring make it brighter, possibly reduce the mid frequencies and cut out some of those dissonant tones that crept into the mix. Just feels like you recorded this one take, added some harmonies and were done with it.
LUFS
-17.86
LRA
6.5
Peak
-0.98
Total
14/50
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