Introduction
This was a fun set of tunes to listen to. A varied range of takes on the challenges. I came into this with the mindset of if I could hear the thing you learnt in the track then you have taken on the spirit of the challenge. What I found were there were few surprise takes on the challenge which I am keen to try myself.
As with before I have used a scoring system to help me rank, I have reviewed the ranks and adjusted manually when tracks have similar ratings based on my personal preference.
Loudness
Like before I have used the ffmeg tool to analyse and produce waveforms of the tracks. This was mainly out of my interest, but I decided to add a production penalty for loudness if a track is outside the extremes i.e. an automatic way of me marking down because you made me reach for my volume knob.
Averages
I thought it would be interesting see what a track based on the averages would look like, below are the figures
Reviews
DISCLAIMER
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 things (or worse) myself.
1. Ironbark - Bit By Bit
An absolutely delightful track that holds so much meaning and is sparse and a joy to listen to it. I loved the simplicity of it and after learning that was because you were trying to get your head around the cello (which I thought was played extremely well) and the build up was amazing. Big big fan of this one.
Performance
- There is a meloncoly quality to your vocal delivery, I love how reassuring your voice is but it is delivery some quite harsh realities.
- The cello was superb, you've really let it sit front right and centre and there are a few notes that sound like they shouldn't be there but rather than me thinking, that didn't sound right I don't like, I thought, that didn't sound right, or did it!
Music
- I really loved the simplicity and the focus was on introducing different elements throughout, rather than it being look at how well I can do this!
- It is such a beautiful track to listen to, every listen I was excited to hear it again. So much to be said, you let the instrument you decided to learn to ownership, you carefully placed other instruments around the place to heighten the experience and to top it off the ending was awesome, I loved those little synth runs.
Idea
- You nailed the brief, for me it was about going outside of your comfort zone. You borrowed a cello and made it the focal point. I also really loved how your lyrics played with the challenge. They are insipiring but also a little dark, which I really liked.
Lyrics
- Loved them, I think I would be repeating myself once if I went into why.
Production
- I cannot fault it, I'm in awe of it. Everything work well with each other and it was lovely listening experience. I'll stop gushing now!
2. Sober - O Sweet Death
An emotional song which is extremely poignant. Your mandolin playing is on point and I am in shock that the reverb was natural, I was sure that was a plugin. I think the violin is a grand choice of instrument to add to your arsenal, my only criticism is that you hid it away. Kind of felt like you did it begrudgingly and then shoved it under the carpet hoping we wouldn't see.
Performance
- Spot on, so much emotion and anguish in your vocals and also a sense of relief now that the end has finally come.
Music
- Sounded fantastic, everything fits perfectly (apart from the violin, however that was the point of the challenge).
Idea
- You ticked the box for the challenge, very begrudgingly but it is definitely audible.
Lyrics
- Packed with emotion and fit well to your style, there was a line particular that caught my attention. I've never heard the phrase "Press my thumb to numb" before.
Production
- I have nothing, the balance felt right to me. Possibly have the guts to bring out the instrument that was meant to showcase something new rather than hide it away. Sounded great though.
3. The Alleviators - Figure This
This embodies the challenge for me, you have embraced an instrument that you are obviously not used to playing and gone for it. I absolutely loved hearing your struggle, you can hear the relief when you add a guitar solo because you are comfortable playing it. The words are very upbeat and really tell the tale of struggling and pulling through.
Performance
- The mandolin is not played particularly well, but that's exactly the point of this exercise.
- I thought the encouraging vocal performances gave this bags of charm, I loved how you sang "figure this shit out with you". It wasn't a polished piece by the long stretch but it filled me with hope and a feeling that anything is possible and I loved that.
Music
- I thought it was really catchy, as I alluded to previously your hook line got very much stuck in my head. The lyrics fitted well with the song and you could tell it was written in a manor your are not accustomed to and as a result you delivered something new to what I've heard you produce in this competition.
Idea
- To me, this is exactly what I wanted to hear with the challenge set out. It is obvious just by listening what the thing is that you decided to learn and you used that as the centerpiece for your song writing.
Lyrics
- They filled me with the feeling that anything is possible, I love feeling hopeful.
Production
- It could have been cleaner, even though the mandolin wasn't perfectly played (which was the point) I did feel that you could have at least made it sound good. I felt that it was lacking presence in the mix, maybe that was a result of you trying to bury it, I felt you should have brought it out. I also felt like it is a very trebley sounding instrument and it didn't quite gel as well with the other instruments being played.
4. The Popped Hearts - Tusen Takk
This is such a funny and heart-warming song (pun intended). I found the charm just draws you i,n and I love how it sounds like it belongs in the Caribbean but is written about somewhere it is pretty darn cold (at least I think it is, I'm not particularly well travelled).
Performance
- I thought this such a charming little number, it is extremely fun to listen to, which comes across in your performance.
Music
- Very catchy, the hook Tusen takk is infectious and reals you in.
- I would have liked the steel drum to double up on the rhythm in the SKA section.
- It was a little short, you really grabbed me in, and I would have been more than happy to listen to more.
Idea
- You can hear a lot of elements that have been added to this track without even reading the liner notes, I pegged that you were exploring with language and the steel drum caught my ear as being something new that you are learner.
Lyrics
- Funny and made me laugh on several occasions, I really liked what you did.
Production
- Considering this is a TOY steel drum I thought it sounded fantastic, very rich in sound.
- There was nothing that sprung out as majorly a problem.
5. Jeff Walker - With My Angels
A brave walk outside of your comfort zone in which you have managed to subtly infuse a rap style in your verses to a Americana track. The shift (I think there is a key change there) into the chorus is nice and sets it aside from your rapped verses.
Performance
- I was intrigued, you have managed to deliver something different as a result of your learning something. The fast-paced vocal is subtle enough that you get away with it, it isn't quite rap, but it's pretty damn close. Tie that together with the catchy chorus that takes off it's hinges a little, this one grew on me. I wasn't taken in on my first listen, but I came to appreciate what you had done.
Music
- Not much else to say, I also really liked that subtle slide guitar you have got going in the track that cements it all together. Nicely done.
Idea
- It is evident in your track you have taken a massive leap outside of your comfort zone, that is massive tick in the box for me.
Lyrics
- I thought your lyrics worked with the rapping style, I liked the little name-drops here and there and there are some lovely little obscure lines that really stick out.
Production
- Sounded good to me, I couldn't really fault it.
6. Cavedwellers - The Wrong One
An interesting and unique take on the challenge, I must admit just listening to the track I couldn't hear what you were doing. The video you posted is very interesting and a really cool trick that you have nailed.
Performance
- The guitars a played very well, the harmonising parts are played so well it is difficult to spot it happening if you don't know what you are doing, that to me shows you have managed to pull off your new trick.
Music
- This definitely has a message in a bottle vibe to it, which is not surprising seeing as that was your inspiration.
- I would have liked the riffs to be catchier, they didn't stick into my head upon listening, that said I'm starting to compare against message in a bottle now and that is a very tall ask.
Idea
- I do like the idea of being able to spot what you have learnt without having to read up. However, I did like how once I read your bio it suddenly put your song into a brand-new light and I found myself re-listening and hearing you apply the lessons you had learnt, that made it pretty special to me.
Lyrics
- I'm a Brit and you lost me completely when you mentioned that sounds like Baseball. I have no idea at all what you are singing about, and I couldn't relate to the words at all. That said, I did like some of your lines and I thought they were pretty clever, maybe too clever for a thicko like me, problem is, if I can't relate it's hard for me to really love them.
Production
- It sounded good to me overall, I did get a few distorted vocals popping through in the mix that were a bit unpleasant to the ear, but that was only in a few places.
7. Phlub - I Love Them Chickadees
I love this song that is about Chickadees! It's infectious and so much fun. It actually brings back fond memories of my daughter growing up, not because we were made bird enthusiasts, nope, like everything else in my it was TV. There is a childrens TV programme in the UK called the Twirlywoos that features chickadee chick (https://youtu.be/HQ2Pi0Ua4Ow). Your song even reminds me a little of the theme song, I'm sure that was your intention to give me back some fond memories ;)
Performance
- Faced paced in your face and extremely infectious. The performance just screams, good time was had by all. I loved it.
Music
- It was the level for me, I'm not sure if I'm being bios because it just brings back really nice memories for me (we shall see what the other judges think) but I found it extremely charming, and it just makes you think of mischievous little birds chirping away.
Idea
- Unfortunately, I'm not buying this from a challenge perspective. I was hoping you would say in you liner notes about how you learnt how to make chickadees noises from a synth (as that's what I thought when listening) but it was just I learnt about birds to write a song. In my mind the challenge was about learning something new that you could incorporate into your music, I didn't feel like that was taken into account.
Lyrics
- Really enjoyed the lyrics and I couldn't help but giggle like the little child that I am when you sang tit.
Production
- The instruments felt right to my ears, possibly a little loud, I did have to dash for the volume knob but nothing that stood out for me in terms of balance.
8. The Pannacotta Army - From The Beginning
A really impressive creative feat to manage to accomplish a well rounded full song that sounded like a full band, not just a single instrument. However, the challenge was to learn something new, this felt more like doing something creative with what you already know. That said, you did learn that putting rice in a guitar is a very bad idea ;)
Performance
- I could quite happily listen to you singign and playing on repeat. I thought it was compelling and everything fitted beautifully.
Music
- Beautifully played and sounded good to my ears. I loved the "ba ba ba" section and everything just sounds great.
Idea
- Sorry, I'm not sold on the way your approached meeting the challenge, so you loose points for that. I felt this was an extremely creative way to use what you already know. However, I did think you learnt stuff in doing so, so you get points for that. Also, I LOVE that bass sound, I'm totally pinching that idea!
Lyrics
- I though the lyrics fitted the style of playing, I got a sense of retrospective from your words and how they were sang.
Production
- Top notch, you made it sound so full, the use of reverb to really bring out the percussive elements was lovely and that bass trick, I did think it was a double bass on first listen. That was impressive.
9. Tunes By LJ - Salty Air
A very smooth funky little number that sounds incredible. I was little puzzled by the challenge you set yourself, the reason being is G is a perfect fifth from C i.e. it's the next logical key to go for. I would have liked you to push yourself a bit more, why not go for shifting for C to D or even A, then you really have to somehow fill the gaps. It's a bit short, and I was desperately after something else, some funky guitars or something in there, then again I've probably be listening to far too much Cory Wong. That said, I could quite happily to this on repeat (and have done).
Performance
- Singing is silky smooth and I really liked your transition into the higher vocal range into the chorus, some nice little synth interludes and very well played accompaniment.
Music
- This was a bit short and I felt you could have done a lot more with it. I know from previous rounds that you have got the goods, I just felt that this could have been so much more. Still good, but it felt like it was lacking and could have been elevated more.
Idea
- I don't know whether I'm missing something or not, but I would have thought if you wanted to transitions you would pick a key that is harder to transition to. I'm not sure if that was what you were attempting though, I think you wanted to see how you can make it obvious there was a key change. You ticked the box for that as your vocals really lifted it. Just felt you could have challenged yourself a bit more.
Lyrics
- Doesn't really feel like it has context, I can't figure out what this is about. Are you just going for a walk, I want to be told a story or feel like I can relate in some way. I feel like I've been told in many songs previously that it's nice when its sunny and it's a bit clichéd so doesn't really grab me.
Production
- Top notch production, sounded absolutely banging to my ears.
10. Stacking Theory - Something That Was Never There
A very polished track that has some lovely little elements that keep you interested. I felt "I did my research for lyrics" was a weak take on the challenge, I mean, shouldn't you just do that for all songs you right. Chord inversions, however, is something worthy learning (as my piano teacher likes to remind me about).
Performance
- All sung and performed to perfection, however, considering this was meant to be about learning something new I was actually listening out for those imperfections where I could say, ah, that's what they've learnt.
Music
- Every is well played, composed very nicely, and keeps my attention because of it. Like I alluded to in the performance though I would have liked to have heard an instrument you struggled with in the mix or at least something played to a basic level, which would say to me, you've learnt something new.
Idea
- This was weak, I had to read your liner notes to figure out what you learnt, and I just went away thinking, isn't that just what you should do as a songwriter anyway. I would expect something like a songwriting technique you learnt e.g. one I picked up in Jeff Tweedys How To Write One Song book is write down 10 verbs that you associate with something e.g. a spy, physician etc and 10 nouns in your field of view. You then connect the nouns and verbs that don't usually fit together and use that to come up with some wacky lines. If you're a Wilco fan and don't know that you will listen to "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart" in a new light (I know I did).
Lyrics
- I thought the lyrics were compelling, that weren't obviously about crop circles but they hinted and I really liked the reference to "stacking turtles" for 2 reasons, 1 it sounds cool and paints an interesting picture and 2 I liked how it is similar to your alias.
Production
- Everything sounds brilliant, I loved the acoustic guitar that comes in on the verses, that was really subtle, plus the panning helps set it aside. I thought the build was great and the chorus absolutely pops in the mix. It generally sounded pretty damn good to my ears.
11. Balance Lost - Fade to White
A really nice attempt to try out an unusual (for me anyway) reverb technique. I thought it worked in some places but had a tendency to either get lost in the mix or make your vocals hard to decipher. The musicality is nice, but I felt there was something not quite right with the vocals in the mix.
Performance
- I thought this was well performed song, I would have preferred the learning to be more prominent it you're playing i.e. a new instrument, a style of singing. It's fun being able to find the thing you have learnt without having to read liner notes and just by listening I couldn't pick out anything in particular.
Music
- The music was uplifting and I felt it suited your lyrics.
- There was nothing that really stuck in my head after listening multiple times.
Idea
- I think it is a good thing to learn new mixing tricks and I find that admirable. I really liked the idea of reverse reverb at the start, it's a really neat trick, but I can imagine it's hard to get right. I must admit the drum technique isn't something immediately obviously whilst listening to but these both tick the box for me.
Lyrics
- I didn't mind the lyrics, however, nothing really stuck out as something memorable, there wasn't a turn of phrase or a hook line that I could really get behind.
Production
- Although I do like where you are going with the reverb I must admit I didn't like the outcome. I felt it muddied the vocals, all those voices bouncing all over the place was a bit jarring for me. They didn't quite mesh with the mix and your layered vocals and they felt to be competing rather than complimenting. Also, I felt that you pushed the vocals a bit too much in the high-end frequency range for my taste.
- Your parallel compression technique was completely lost on me, however, this is coming from a guy that doesn't mix a real kit, so I would take with a pinch of salt.
- Having just seen your LUFS rating, I think I now understand why I wasn't keen on the vocals, I think you lost a lot of dynamics as a result of pushing your limiter too hard.
12. Jealous Brother - No Harm Will Come Your Way
An interesting use of building up based on the chosen new skill to learn. I felt this blended multi singing styles, it felt a bit Arcade Fire and then some Neil Young sprang to mind when listening. The hook lines are a bit jarring to my ear, I found them to be quite annoying i.e. "This isn't how words work", just something about how it was delivered that I found a bit annoying.
Performance
- I enjoyed the variety of vocals that were put forward, although in places I did find the delivery not to my taste.
- The Harmonium was very nice, it was built up with layers and it kind of felt like you were building in confidence as the song progressed, which I really liked.
Music
- The music was pleasant and I liked how you embraced the new instrument rather than hiding it behind what you already know. There are a few hooks in there, but I wasn't keen on them.
Idea
- Without reading the liner notes I would have guessed you learnt the accordion, but turns out it was something very similar. I felt you met the challenge, you took an instrument out of your comfort zone and slapped right at the front in full view.
Lyrics
- I'm not thrilled with the lyrics, I felt that they were lacking any kind of theme. I'm not sure if I could say exactly what it was about. Just felt a bit confused and I would have preferred you to have picked a topic to sing about and made that abundantly clear in your words.
Production
- I can't tell if it is what I am listening on, but the mix feels a little bass heavy. As a result I am finding it a bit muddy and would have liked the balance to have brought out the Harmonium more, you have featured it would have been nice if the mix honed in on the sound as well.
13. Temnere - Destiny Awaits
A pretty muddy sounding track that has the pace and energy but doesn't quite deliver on intensity. I felt the bass was overpowering the track and as a result you ended up having something that just felt weak. I wanted more shredding guitars in my ears. Your recordings of the drums sounded good, possibly could have used some tweaking on the EQ department (but I've never attempted to mix live drums before, something I am keen to try but don't have a drummer or drum set).
Performance
- Something about the performance feels a bit lack luster, I can't decide whether it is what you are playing or the quality of the mix. I think it is more to do with how it sounds rather than how it is played.
Music
- This is a bit confused, you have the premise of a rather gnarly heavy metal track, but then the bass takes over, and you have those rather naff sounding VST instruments (which I kind of liked, but it doesn't really fit the style). It feels like you are trying to blend heavy metal with a sea shanty, a neat idea but its not for me.
Idea
- Attempting to record and mix drums is on my TODO list, so I cannot fault your attempt to better yourself. Admittedly this isn't something you would know you were doing. I thought it might have been something to do with your approach to recording as I did feel your mix was different from your other submissions.
Lyrics
- I mentioned in the music it sounds like you are attempting to mix a sea shanty with heavy metal, I think the lyrics fit that bill. I get an image of pirates sailing the 7 seas plundering everything in there way. You paint a pretty good picture of that.
Production
- I obviously have issues with this, it feels a bit messy and rushed. I think my main issues is with the lower frequencies, they just completely take over the mix. I think sorting that out in the balance would be an improvement for my ears, I would also have been tempted to try and do some subtractive EQing on the drum takes to try and add some clarity.
14. Governing Dynamics - Whisper Gentle Rain
A pleasant sounding mix which didn't really leave a mark after a few listens. The major problem I have is I know you have submitted as the alleviators too were you just laied it all out bare and kind of went, I know it's not great, but I'm going for it anyway. This one feels like you have done the opposite i.e. you are already a great guitar player, adding slide isn't much to add, is it? Also you slapped a great deal of delay on it and kind of buried away. I know I shouldn't compare, but it's hard not to when you are submitting multiple entries.
Performance
- Pleasant performance, every sung nicely and played well. It's a bit ploddy but nothing than really raises my eyebrows.
Music
- The slide guitar does add, but it's more like adding salt rather than the main part. The solo does bring it out, however, it feels a bit like you are cheating as I did notice the delay which is helping you out.
- I couldn't hear anything that would stick in my head, it feels like an album filler to me rather than the stand-out track.
Idea
- I feel you could have pushed yourself more, maybe allowed yourself to play a more complicated part or picked an instrument that isn't already a well-formed part of what you are familiar with. It felt very safe to me.
Lyrics
- I'm not convinced, they are a bit generic, you haven't really delved into any kind of theme. They are just about feelings and not really identifying anything in particular. Just felt they could have hit on something, my guess is it's all about losing out.
Production
- Sounded good to me, nothing stuck out.
15. Mandibles - What Just Happened?
A fairly awkward listen, which I learnt from you liner notes was intentional. I liked how you crafted the song with the idea of it representing an argument. I didn't quite come across for me without reading the liner notes. I thought it was a song about your frustrations with learning the instruments. I think the issue is that you have made all these really clever musical tricks but there is no real malice in your vocal delivery. I didn't feel like you were pissed off and in an argument. I just felt like you were singing really really fast.
Performance
- As this was a song about an argument I wanted anger to be present in your vocal delivery.
- Kudos for the mandolin, I especially loved how you were going for some little licks that were outside of your comfort zone.
Music
- I know it was intentional but the sudden changes and fast singing sounded weird to me, I didn't get a sense of emotion from them I just got the thought, well that's a bit odd.
Idea
- You attempted to play mandolin, not only that you attempted to play something quite tricky.
Lyrics
- It's not really the topic that I felt suited the music. It doesn't feel like an angry song. I'm a big fan of using music as a way of expressing feelings. It reads like you needed to get something off your chest and I'm all up for that. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
Production
- I did hear a few nice tricks, I liked how you faded in the mandolin on sections, that was pretty damn cool.
- I didn't like the ending, mainly because you played it so loud it was audibly distorted and not a pleasant way to end it. I think it was probably more a re-take than a production fix but it sounded bad in the mix to my ears.
16. Siebass - There's Music All Around
A gutsy take on the challenge, stripping down to just your voice, and a guitar (there is no way in hell I am believing you did that with your voice). It was a funny first listen, but after the 2nd and 3rd it quickly turned into a novelty that got quite annoying.
Performance
- As a very reserved Brit I found the overconfidence to be a bit much for me. You definitely get that in your face, we are the business vibe, but it is just a bit over the top for my taste.
- It very much comes across as being a live performance which has is a bit off the beaten path, and you do get the sense of a band trying to figure it out what the hell they are going to do now that they don't have the instruments they are used to playing.
Music
- The approach for this made it unique and stand out.
- There is only so much of the sound of saliva I can take, I suspect your microphone needed a good dry down after some of those takes.
- Not sure how I felt about the crowd cheering, it did give it that feel of being a live take where something has happened to your instruments, and you had to make it up on the spot .
- I did feel this held up even though it was quite bare i.e. I didn't get bored listening on the first listen, but it isn't something I would listen to on repeat because the novetly wore off for me pretty quickly.
Idea
- I can see from your liner notes that you have taken this opportunity to try something that interests you and I applaud that. The cynic in me was thinking, you haven't really learnt anything new, I mean anyone can make noises with there mouth, but it does sound like there is a lot more too it then that.
Lyrics
- There alright, I think they fit with the statement you are making i.e. you don't need to stick to traditional instruments to create music. They were fun, I especially liked the insults that were thrown around.
Production
- I felt this was messy, the singing was spot on but the beatboxing just didn't work. I think it was that constant lip-smacking and the sound of saliva that was off-putting. I think you might have been able to neaten that out in the production.
17. Bubba & The Ghost of the Kraken - Castle ÄŒachtice
A rather confused song about something that is supposed to be dark. I felt a bit too happy for the subject-matter and the hook line is incredibly annoying.
Performance
- I had no idea during listening that Ezsebet was a name, I spent a bit of my time trying to decipher what phrase it was you were singing.
- I was not a fan of the chorus at all, it was very repetitive and I found it quite annoying.
- I did think the instruments were played well though.
Music
- I felt this should have been darker, the song is about vampires, it's way too happy for me.
Idea
- I think the idea of learning about something to sing about a wasted opportunity. I wanted you to learn something new i.e. a new instrument, songwriting technique, way of recording etc. The idea of learning about something to put into lyrics is something I feel you should do for every song you write.
Lyrics
- If this was something you researched I felt you could have given it some more context, you have her name and a single place for the chorus. I feel that surely there must have been places, people, specific events you could have slotted into your lyrics. It feels a bit lazy.
Production
- It sounded good, I thought the mix was fine, I just didn't like the choice of musical style and hook lines.
18. Daniel Sitler - Everything Ends (Epilogue)
That track starts with so much promise, the layering of your vocals is stunning. I really loved how the low-end bass vocals just lift the whole track. Unfortunately, it's an extremely hard listen once you get past the "Ooo that's interesting". It's so dreary and a bit dull after a while, it needs changing up for it to really keep my attention. The fact that it is a very depressing quite needy topic also makes it a very hard listen.
Performance
- I thought the vocals were performed very well, the issue I have is with variety and overall feel.
- There were same shaky high notes on the "Where were you when ..." parts that caught my ears.
Music
- Sorry, I'm not a fan at all. It was so hard to listen to, it does give you the impression of clinging on, but I don't want to listen to music to be feel down (I have plenty of other things to make me feel miserable), and unfortunately it did that for me and left me feeling a bit sore.
Idea
- Credit where it is due, you can clearly hear what you are trying to do. I do think you are closing in on something, that vocal layering was really lovely. So, you tick the box for this as I think with a couple more tries you could land a track which really showcases what you can do. This kind of feels like the awkward first step, which to me definitely ticks the boxes for what the challenge set out.
Lyrics
- Again, not a fan for the same reason as the music. It was just a bit too depressing for me to really get behind them.
Production
- It sounded good, there were some little percussive things in there that just didn't really fit. My major grips are more around the composition and music. Possibly the production could have been the opportunity to vary it up, maybe some eq tricks could have been applied or maybe muting a few tracks here and there plus adding and removing reverb could have been used to try and vary it up.
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