Here are your rankings from Ethan Ivey:
Read on for Ethan's reviews!
Before we get into the individual reviews, I want to commend every performer for their song. After every single entry, I wanted more from you. Everyone brought a unique voice and I’m bummed that after the round 1 reviews are in, a number of you will possibly not send in a round two song/shadow. Please please please make the judges’ jobs more expansive next round and keep writing, whether it’s for round two directly or as a shadow.
I have difficulty making numerical ratings for things like this because I want to be both objective and genuine. When I went through and really gave each song the time it deserved, I put them into groups and then rated within those groups to come up with my final rating. As a person who was at the bottom of pretty much every judge’s list back in the day, I want to stress hard that there was not any song here that I felt couldn’t take you to round two. You should all be immensely proud of your work.
Some things I look for from everyone and commented about various times below include the following:
Prominent vocal lines - Don’t be afraid to let your voice speak! The biggest regret I have from my former Spintunes participation is that I didn’t let my voice out of its cage. I was nervous. There’s nothing to be nervous about here.
Also, vocal harmonies that contribute to the song - A number of songs had a cool layered vocal harmony. Some of the songs probably didn’t need it to tell the story. Some could have used more for interest.
Development in the harmonic progression - Occasionally there was a reason not to do this but in general, I’m looking to hear different musical ideas in a song.
Use of the prompt - Everyone made a song about a game but people got bonus points (non-transferrable) for creative use of the prompt.
Understandable lyrics - My first listen was just the whole album without any context. Having lyrics that I could follow without having to read them was helpful but afterward, I followed along with every song.
Instrumentation - I write exclusively for Voice and Piano, sometimes Ukulele. You all beat me on this one. The instrumentation all around was very cool.
Great work all around. This has been an entirely enjoyable process and I’m very excited to see what you all come up with for round two!
The Game Is Afoot!: Write and record a song that is directly or obliquely about any sort of game.
West of Vine - Easy Modes & Cheat Codes
LOVE the guitar at the beginning! Feel free to let your vocal line speak a little more than everything else while you’re singing. When the solo comes in, that’s when the instrumental can be pumped a little.
I like the message of this one. What’s a win if you got there by essentially cheating? There’s no fun in that and it can feel like wasted time. As a longtime RTS player who spent his entire childhood typing in cheat codes, I feel like I wasted the “first time” experiences of a variety of games but managed to find them again later on in life.
This has a country feel but as a non-fan of country, I have to say I like this one better than most. It feels more genuinely personal than mainstream country music. No Red Trucks and Cold Beers, instead thinking through life and the wasted time in your formative years and beyond. Keep it up!
Joy Sitler - Dress-Up
The narrative here manages to speak clearly through the deliberate musical repetition and rhyming scheme. I missed the “game” element of this until the end when you mentioned playing cards but caught it better on a second listen. It seemed like you leaned more into the “oblique” part of the prompt to get the message through, which works for me! Some of the lyrics didn’t fit as well as others (“about your identity”) but most of it is solid.
This feels like a song you’ve been ready to write for a while. I’m not prepared or capable of speaking to the difficulty of coming out but can understand the idea of making a life change and hoping that the people in your circle will support it. I’m left hoping that things are well for you given your desire to have “just played cards” or referring to yourself as a “disaster gay”.
The chord structure, melodic line, instrumentation, etc are all pretty standard here. I’d love to hear some variety in the experience shown through the music in your future songs!
This Big Old Endless Sky - I Love a Sunburnt Country
The distortion in the voice threw me once that started but my choral ears got used to it after a moment. I hope it was entirely a musical choice and not an attempt to “hide” your voice. People are generally better singers than they give themselves credit for. Feel free to let your voice speak through a little more on the next submission.
This is a party song for the kinds of parties I never was brave enough to attend (read: invited to). Even so, it puts me in that moment of passing around the drink, everyone cheering, dim outdoor lights, hot nights. Just don’t ask me to repeat the lyrics.
I wish I had more substantial thoughts to share here. This song is cool. The effect is powerful. Keep making music!
The Pannacotta Army - Covfefe
I read your song bio over your 21 second intro. At first, I thought it was a brave choice to have an intro that long but then the vocals started and it made perfect sense.
I love the premise. At the risk of being overly political, the idea of Covfefe in chief playing a game like scrabble is laughable. I’d love to see an SNL skit to that effect. I bet he has the best words. ;)
Musically, this doesn’t go very far but it also doesn’t need to. Just sort of vibe with the idea. I like that it doesn’t try to give any answers, just simply “no you don’t make up the rules”. The laid back, beach vibes are almost counterpoint to the petulance of trying to play a different game than is on the table. It’s not dismissive, accusatory, or disciplinary, it’s proper gentle parenting at its finest. “Don’t say that it scores 18 if you can’t tell me what it means”. Brilliant! Light harmonies. I want to dance.
Jim Tyrrell - Game Over
This one wins the “how many game references can you make in a single song” game right away. I’ll try to note if anyone else beats it.
What a great analogy for a break up/separation/divorce. You didn’t specify exactly but given how many of your games pieces she stole, I tend to think it was more dire than a simple break up.
The way you weave the lyrics so masterfully around the game pieces makes me jealous. “Now I got to go on with just the blues” excuse me friend. This is what I’m looking for in music all the time and what I wish I could come up with more effortlessly than I do. The harmony and melody are what I expected and didn’t change much past “this is a blues song” but they didn’t need to do much more than that. What you could play around with is to add a real intense moment that the simmer builds up to before you close the piece. Something a little less bluesy and a little more hard, even screamy. Then the calm down moment would feel like a release.
I’ll be listening to this one more. Nice work!
Stacking Theory - Andrew Management Issues
I listened to a dnd podcast once where every character was a multiclass bard. They made music throughout the campaign and would sing at the end of every show. I eventually stopped listening. This was not my kind of group and yes, I agree, bards can be the worst. Dnd is designed with structure that some feel is made to be broken. I think you broke it in all the right ways here.
This is some more Vibe music. I don’t mind it at all. Feels like living in a memory. I like the harmonies on certain words (sunrise, cold breeze), and the imagery of new life that gets snuffed out right away. Endless loop. This song feels like it could be played on repeat, like the life of that poor annoying bard you keep killing.
I’m not sure what to ask you to try. Just keep writing. I like the way you answer the prompt for this one. Nice job!
We Happy Few - Playing Games
I like when it feels like performers are having fun! This energy makes me want to come back to your song.
You navigate some tricky syllabic and rhythmic stress in the chorus and some of the verses. The more I listen to it, the more it just feels right overall, though there are outliers that I can’t unhear like “folLOW”. Not saying it’s a problem, just something I keep noticing. I don’t have the linguistic skill to offer specific suggestions to this end, and I’m not sure any are needed either way.
I’d love to have more vocal in the mix. Don’t hide behind the instrumentation. Bump yourself!
I resonate with this one. Meeting people is a game and no part of it is easy. It’s a dance and you’re guessing at the rules. I like the way you expanded on this idea in such a structured form. I would know going in that this verse chorus bridge chorus outro and would have even if they weren’t labeled. Your musical rules were abundantly clear, while the point of your song is the lack of clarity in the game.
David Taro - The Hardest Game
I’m tapping my foot sir. This one has Rock Opera vibes. “Hot Patootie Bless my Soul” comes to mind. Also a little “Forget You”.
The lyrics flow well and feel organic. The organ in the pre chorus sections is a wonderful choice. I’m a huge fan of your harmonic progression in the bridge (that chromatic bah bah bah to the V - excellent choice!) and dropping everything out for the solo vocal bit. Perfect spot for a key change but that wasn’t essential (clearly).
The cynic in me really enjoys this one. Love is the hardest game of them all. Why play. This is another song I’m going to come back to enjoy further. Good work!
The Moon Bureau - Carcassonne, and On, and On
This one wastes no time. You’re right in it. I said above that long intros could be brave. No (tiny) intro fits a similar category. I think it works here but it might be worth trying a little 4-bar thing at the beginning.
I like the instrumentation choices here and the little rhythmic bits throughout. Those little details give this piece a fun personality. The little solo after your “Carcassonne” at :48 is my favorite part. What is that instrument? The harmony and reverb in the chorus is exactly perfect. The little twinkly bells near the end are great. It feels like your voice is the main instrument, which I appreciate.
I am inspired to try this game you’re singing about. That’s a win.
Jealous Brother - Kings in the Corner
This has light “Devil went down to Georgia” energy.
I got reprimanded recently for using the term “asinine” because the reprimander didn’t know that word and assumed it meant something terrible. I appreciate your proper use of it. It’s validation. I like the conflict in this and how your “what’s goin on” sections feel so different from the rest of it. It’s meta.
Some of the rhyming doesn’t feel as fleshed out. Doesn’t take away from the message, just worth keeping an eye on. I’m a historically bad rhymer so I’ll make no specific suggestions except to speak through things 10,000 more times until you find the perfect rhyme.
The solo is cool. This is another ear worm. I’m going to be humming this at school tomorrow.
▷ - Golden Child
You said you went full on weird. This feels weird on its face but ends up being pleasant overall, just chaotic, which feels like exactly what you were going for. I don’t know the game and will look it up at some point possibly if time allows. It feels like a search history entry that I would not like to have on my work computer.
Nothing feels out of place here. All the little interruptions and random little musical bits strewn throughout coalesce into moments of clarity. These moments are a welcome and memorable element that you absolutely nailed. I like the jazzy cadence at the end.
As a kid, I bought an Aaron Carter CD because I thought having it would make me cool. Each of those tracks had a little spoken silly bit like ordering a cheeseburger without the cheese and so on. The end of your piece has that energy for better or worse, you get to decide. I vote “better” for what it’s worth.
Keep this energy and keep making music. We don’t find new things unless people seek them out. I appreciate that you are willing and capable of pushing those limits.
Brian Gray - Hide and Seek
I appreciate that you’re planning to come back to this song. Spintunes, or any artistic endeavor with a time crunch, is a starting point and an outlet for ideas. The good ones should continue to be fleshed out until you’re satisfied.
I LOVE the feel of this with the little recorder (tin whistle?(please tell me)) at the beginning. You have done what I’m asking others to do and really allowed your voice to be the star of the show. When there’s an instrumental interlude, the instruments swell and then die back down when the voice returns. The tempo change at 2:54 with the chorus of voices is so effective. I’m going to be living in this song for a while. Please share whatever you do with it further.
Hot Pink Halo - A Numbers Game
I had to listen to the beginning of this twice to make sure the track hadn’t skipped. The intro feels unconnected to the rest of the song. I like both ideas, just would suggest you choose one. I almost thought they were different keys.
When I did my spintunes performances, I was always cooped up in a small space and for a couple entries, was surrounded by unsupportive energy that made recording very difficult. I hope you didn’t have a similar situation. If you have a space to relax and let your voice really speak, take it and use it. There’s a lot of passion and talent on display vocally, it just feels smaller than it needs to be closer to the beginning. It definitely picks up as the song progresses.
You have a good sense for what sounds nice. Your chord progressions and instrumentation are cool. A little text painting with the minor chord hitting on the word “terrified”. I really like the way your intro builds, especially with the light piano at the end. This is a song that I enjoyed more with headphones. Those sustained chords felt like a hug. It felt like everything you did had direction. I hear the Alice in Wonderland vibe.
chewmeupspitmeout - Bored Games
Your distorted guitar sound is cool. I like the back and forth of the chord progression. It’s a perfect progression that can be both pleasant to listen to but also doesn’t do much or go anywhere. Kind of like a board game that you’re just finishing to finish.
The little solos and detail bits throughout add some variety. I like that your voice is present and important but fades out with the other instruments at the end.
The light quality you gave your voice on that final “tonight” was the thing I kept remembering when I thought about your song. I’m teaching my new baritones to access that part of their voice. I hope to hear more from you vocally in future rounds!
Vehicles of Beware - The Gambler
I so wish I had the ear for jazz-infused (to use your term) music like this. When I’m just playing around on the piano, I tend toward 7ths and 9ths when I’m feeling like infusing some jazz but don’t know how to really make them sound great. Certainly not like this. All of your choices feel right and organic. Even some unexpected bits like the minor at 2:25. Easily my favorite moment. It’s a choice my boxed up brain would never have made.
The tight harmonies and rhythms are clean. Nothing feels out of place. It’s the perfect feel for the story you’re trying to tell. Good work! Keep doing stuff like this and please feel free to give me any pointers you can once the competition is over (please(pretty please)).
The Dutch Widows - The loneliness of the third choice goalkeeper
I like the premise of your song and also sort of hate the admittedly first-world plight of those people who are only talented, skilled, and/or dedicated enough to make it close enough to the top to get zeroth row seats to the games they love. What a world. I’m surprised more people aren’t complaining about it, or if they are maybe I’m just out of the loop. At least those checks are coming in ideally.
The way this starts hits me in the soul. “I hate when people claim to be artists even though they never make art” needs to be put on a shirt.
This is a vibe song for when you’re quietly just tired of it all but don’t want to make waves. We’ve all been there.
Celestial Drift - Jigsaw
I thought at least one person would go with the guy who said “do you want to play a game”. The feel of this is interestingly upbeat compared to the nature of the content you’re singing about.
Instrumentation doesn’t need to be anything more than it is. The string solo with that sawing percussion sound works, especially if I try not to think about it hard enough. I avoided these movies after one scene so I am not your target audience but I did enjoy listening to this one. Your vocal tone fit the feel you were going for well. Did you add the drawl for this song or is that part of your natural voice? It felt like it fit the song too well for you to not be at least leaning into it.
This was a good play on the prompt and nice performance overall. Keep singing!
Siebass - The Least Dangerous Game
We had a similar upbringing. My childhood was 40% DBZ and 10-15% JRPGs. I wish I had had the focus necessary to complete any jrpgs at that time but alas…
Your solo works but the balance of it compared to everything else feels off. I’d love for it to speak louder. I also had to carefully follow along with the lyrics in some sections to make sure I understood the message.
The harmonic structure of this fits what you’re going for. I like when the core narrative content of a song can be shared over a single tonic chord. Then the movement/development can happen on the sections that are more repetitive or simply feel unique like in your bridge.
This is a song I found myself humming at school today.
SunLite - No Fun!
I think I caught all of your references, though very nearly missed the race start tones at the beginning. I’m going to repeat myself here but I wish your vocals were coming through more than they are. You’ve got nice harmonies and a good sound but it’s buried under so much. I switched to headphones to see if that was the issue but it didn’t help.
I like the way this song ends. That energy feels sudden and the rest of the song is more of a simmer by comparison. It is effective and memorable but it would be worth trying a recording where you get more audibly frustrated at every chorus. The key change does this a little but you could do a lot with your performance expressively in addition to that. This is the thing I find hardest in my own music (along with lyrics, rhyming, extended harmonic progressions, etc).
I like a good I V IV V progression. I could continue to jam to this one. I’d love to hear a rebalanced version at some point. Keep writing!
Sober - Blue Shells
I always wanted to play as Luigi. Dude doesn’t get enough love. I’m the oldest of 6 and would happily give up the player 1 position to be Luigi when possible.
I like the development of this. It reminds me of the Protomen act 1 album. Instrumentation is super cool and doesn’t overdo anything. Your vocals are the highlight, which I am a huge fan of. You are expressive in ways that I struggle to be. I especially like the bits where you access that calling voice. It gives the song direction and maintains a good energy.
The shift at 1:15 to that distorted sound was a great choice. Super cool.
I’m almost sort of maybe a little not sure if this song is really about Mario Kart and nothing else or if you’re making another statement. Or was at least until the last line. Either way, this is a strong entry and all of us Luigi players tip our hats.
“Fourty-Two” - Tarot Cards
My first listen of these songs was just to hit play and listen to everything in order without comment. When this one came on, I audibly sighed. It scratches an itch in my brain with that repetitive harmonic pattern. When it changes at 1:43 and 3:13, it’s a welcome shift, like flipping your pillow upside down and enjoying that cold side. This ends a little suddenly for my liking given how connected and chill it has been thus far.
The vocal lines are cool. I’d be careful to make sure the harmonies are what you really want them to be. Some felt shakier than others. You obviously have the skill to make it happen. I imagine there would be more polishing of things like that without a time limit.
I’m following along with the lyrics to get the narrative and there is a lot to take in here. The rhyming is nice when it’s there and it’s also fine when it’s not there because the structure isn’t relying on it to help the lyrics speak.
Tunes By LJ - Showdown
This feels so fun. Instrumentation is spot on. Little bits added here and there and everything feels like it has a place.
I really like the use of complete silence, like holding your breath when you’re laying it all down. Vocals are strong all the way through. I tried to sing along with you after a few listens once I had the tune down and have to commend your apparent comfort with singing in that falsetto. That’s a skill in itself.
Governing Dynamics - Falling For Maybe
This is a vibe all the way through. I got lost in it for a while.
The vocal harmonies are clean for the most part. There are a few spots that feel shakier than others but nothing that takes me out of it. The echo at the end is cool. I’d love to see more development, maybe a different idea, etc. It’s structured well but feels largely the same throughout.
I like a lot of the lyrics here. “Sometimes the crash is the best part of the ride” is a standout in my mind. I’m not a poet so I just get to marvel at other writers’ skill. Hope you don’t mind. “If I buy my own bluff I’m not scared” this one stands out to me too.
Pigfarmer Jr - Hangman
“With every mistake, he’s more and more complete” - favorite line.
I like the narrative here a lot. I never would have thought to make a song about Hangman, and certainly wouldn’t have taken it the direction you did. The structure of it fits the story you’re trying to tell.
Harmonically, this works great. Your bridge at 1:39 especially feels like the emotional core of the song. I’d love to see more energy in that last chorus, or maybe a key change. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this one.
Dog Star Pilot - Some Kind Of Pawn
I like the sudo-Patter song feel of this. Patter songs are my favorite things to write recently, which is annoying because I struggle to find lyrics. This is pretty close to that with your quick lyric blocks, for lack of a better term. It almost feels like you’re rapping. I’d love to hear what you could come up with if you didn’t take those breaks between sections.
Harmonies are nice. I might enjoy this one better if the vocal line was either just a melody or if the harmonies grew further than just the two voices. I’d love to hear more movement/development. Try a completely new section or different feel. Key changes, maybe more chaotic lyrics as the song progresses. Lots of things you can try here!
Of the 30+ songs, only a few reference Chess. You get a bonus point for that!
Boffo Yux Dudes - Fizzbin, Fizzbin
I couldn’t remember where I heard about this game and it honestly took until the moment you said “Vulcan Neck Pinch” for me to figure it out. Then I googled it, which I should have done immediately.
This song doesn’t really go anywhere. It’s repetitive. I keep asking people to add development/movement into their songs. I’m going to suggest you absolutely keep it as is, even though it doesn’t really do much, since that was the nature of the game itself. Good choice!
I originally did not like the little spoken intro at the beginning but once I figured out what the song was, I changed my mind. It’s necessary. The vocal harmonies are silly, the repetition is purposeful, and the instrumentation is cool. Good unique use of the prompt!
Ominous Ride - Hide and Seek
I am a big fan of how this song starts. It feels ethereal. When the vocals come in, they follow suit. It’s a nice effect overall and appropriate for your narrative.
You said you’re not pleased with this effort. I hope I’m not the only judge to say this but you should absolutely be pleased with this. It is a unique sound and has some cool lyrical moments. I like the narrative here of presumably a child growing out of this kid’s game and becoming more distant with a parent. That loss and the quiet grief that accompanies it is felt in the whole performance. If I was to make any suggestion, maybe present the earlier parts of the story with more joy and let yourself move closer to what it currently is so we all feel that change. Maybe a bridge about a blow up between you and this child?
Harmonically, this is haunting. The instrumentation works perfectly for what you were going for.
Dream Bells - Roses
This one is better experienced with headphones. Something about those ethereal sounds that just give goosebumps.
I have been asking others to balance their vocals more prominently against the instrumental. Your vocal part feels like part of the atmosphere. My first listen was without following along with the lyrics and I almost managed to lose your voice in the mix a few times. Honestly the lyrics themselves didn’t do it for me when I followed along as much as just enjoying the atmosphere you created, though they are well written regardless. Fading out on the “ashes to ashes” was a great choice.
Songs like this are why I agreed to become a judge. I never would have sought out something like this but I enjoy it tremendously. Can’t wait to see what else you do!
Möbius Strip Club - To Victory or to Glory
I see what you’re going for here. I think you’ll absolutely get there beyond the time limit, there is just something missing. Try recording the chorus more times and layering them so it sounds more like a tavern song with many adventurers. You may even hire (ask(coerce(beg))) people with different vocal qualities to do the same or to add some harmonies so this feels like a true “Victory or Glory”
I like the triumphant feel and REALLY love the layering of different heroes at 2:45. The borrowed chord VI VII I progression at the end is great and adds to that triumphant feel.
I absolutely want you to spend more time on this and make is Bigger. The idea is there and is super cool!
Flintsteel - Tarnished
When I tell my choral students that I listen to hard rock or metal music, they don’t believe me. This is the kind of thing I seek out. It has the energy that helps pump me up for a day of work. It is a perfect backdrop for a game like Elden Ring.
I like the different voices you use here. Harmonically, this is strong. Doesn’t do more than it needs but doesn’t circle into nothing either. The subtle heavenly chorus sound you used around 3:22 adds more than it should given its volume. I love the solo that follows.
Great work. I’ll be jamming to this one for a long time. Hits the prompt masterfully, and feels like exactly what I imagine you were going for.
Charlie Cheney - Swifter! Higher! Stronger! [SHADOW]
This has Monster Mash or Rocky Horror energy. You sound like you were having fun with it!
The instrumentation is appropriate, chord progression is nice. I like the growing sustained notes throughout. The way you sing “Tonight” is fun. I like that you’re not hiding your voice.
I’m having trouble figuring out the “game” element of this one except that there are foes, fights, challenges, etc. Is this a specific game or just the game of flying around in our dreams.
On a second listen, I understood the snoring at the end. Live my dreams. Good work!
Eric Baer - All The Marbles [SHADOW]
I like this one. Are you playing on a banjo? The pluckiness of it is a great contrast to your voice, which sustains well and tells a nice story. It sounds like you set the mic in front of you and did this in one unedited take, which is commendable.
The harmonies fit the structure you’re going for. I like the progression you chose and the way your repeated chords have some movement within too. Nice job!
f6b62652-a4e5-43ac-9b70-33e135d62c4b - Conway's Game of Life Data Sonification Test [SHADOW]
When I was in music school, we had to participate in a week called “New Music Festival”. This song would have qualified for that week. I know you had a direction and purpose behind every musical choice you made here. I’m not entirely sure what you were going for, except to create a feeling. It’s chaotic but not unpleasant.
The single organ voice that lingers at 1:06 surrounded by chaos would be welcome, if it weren’t so fleeting. The beginning feels like something out of Super Metroid. There’s an alien quality here. Feels like you’re waking up from a dream into another dream.
Definitely Not Secretly ...? - Definitely Not Secretly ? [SHADOW]
Exquisite. You should write for Jackbox. I could entirely see this or something like it as a jingle for one of their games.
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