SpinTunes 16 Round 3 CHALLENGE

Here's your new challenge! As for who gets to move on to the next round... well, watch this space. Reviews and results will be posted starting 8 p.m. Eastern.

Songs of Wisdom: Write an uplifting song to sing for a Graduation, Dedication, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Funeral, Baptism, or similar event.

Examples:

Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C
Young Turks by Rod Stewart
Happy Birthday by Altered Images
Firework by Katie Perry

SongFighters know there can never be too many songs. They've opened a SpinTunes subforum on their message boards. So go participate & post your lyrics. We're under SideFights and Highlights, but the board is waaaay bigger than that. Look around. SongFights are ongoing; Nur Ein will start soon after SpinTunes 16 is over, so keep making music!

Submitting Entries:

• Your entry must be received by Sunday, March 1st, 2020 @ 11:59 PM EDT. Otherwise it'll be posted as a shadow. Received means that it has to appear in my e-mail inbox (spintunescontest@gmail.com) by the given deadline. I will be going by the time stamp on the e-mail. One minute late is too late.
• You are allowed and encouraged to submit a draft of your song early just in case something horrible happens and you miss the deadline. Then you can add polish to your song and send in a better version closer to the deadline. The last version received prior to the deadline is your official entry. 
• Lyrics are mandatory. No instrumentals. Having no lyrics will get you disqualified.
• Name your file the your band name + the song's title, but without spaces & punctuation.
• Title of the e-mail should be the title of the Challenge & your band's name. (e.g. "Songs of Wisdom - Dr Lindyke") (The title of your song is whatever you want it to be)
• Include information on anyone that should be credited for collaboration. Remember, collaborations are OK, even among competitors. You must write your song, but if you want to use another vocalist or musicians, do so. Use the Facebook and SongFight forums!
• If you have a BandCamp account, you can just send me a link to your song on BandCamp if you include all the info I mentioned above. Make sure you have it set as a free download. THIS IS THE BEST FILE SHARING OPTION!
• Other file sharing options if you need them: Sound Cloud (set to download a format BandCamp is ok with) & Drop Box. Please send an e-mail as I already stated, but with the download link if you need one of these services. 
• If you're using something other than Bandcamp, It's best if you send your file in a format that Bandcamp accepts (.aiff, .wav or .flac, at least 16-bit/44.1kHz) You can find the specific requirements for Bandcamp files HERE.
• If you send me an MP3, I will attempt to convert it for you. But be warned... I will be strapped for time, and I will post whatever Audacity spits out of the conversion. So if you picked the wrong sample rate, your dulcet tones may wind up sounding like termites or chipmunks or random static. And that is what will be judged. So please... save and submit your files in the right format. 
• You can update your picture anytime you like, or even use a different one on each album if you send them with your submissions. Just make sure it's up to size (1400x1400 pixels or larger) unless you like fuzzy, blocky photos. I'll crop and re-size it as best I can. Otherwise the album art will be displayed.

Side Notes:

• You are allowed to send in a little background about your song. We encourage and appreciate "song bios". You don't have to do it, but if you want to write a couple sentences about your song I'll post it on the BandCamp page for people to see. I'll even link to longer blog posts if you want to explain your song on your blog. Some judges will read this extra info, but they aren't required to.
• You can send in an entry to SpinTunes 16 without competing. Just tell me it's a "Shadow Song". It will be played at the listening party, but won't be ranked and you might not receive feedback from the judges. Check the FAQ if you don't know what that means. You can even complete past challenges from previous contests. It's a nice way of playing along if you can't commit to the schedule or you just want to get your feet wet.
• The only other way to get your music played at the LP is to cover "Today's The Day" by Inverse T. Clown.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments.

ST16R2 Songs!

Here is the Round 2 album, with cover art, as always, by the incomparable Matt "Shoobs" Schubbe.

Spintunes 16 Round 2 Listening Party

It's "time's up" for Round 2, and here's how it shakes out. Of 20 bands who made it into the round, all 20 submitted an entry. We had 4 shadows that were eligible for reinstatement this round, but no slots available. Next round everybody gets another shot.

The Listening Party will be Monday (tonight) at 9 pm on YouTube, hosted by Tom Giarrosso.
Here's your link!

ST16R1 RESULTS!

AND WE HAVE RESULTS!

Steve Stearns takes the round with his Indiana Jones tribute, followed closely by Ominous Ride, Ross Durand, and Glen Raphael.

Seven groups are eliminated this round... BUT... diligent rules-lawyers know that if they continue to shadow, they could be re-instated in another round. In fact, it's possible for a band to be eliminated in Round 1, enter shadows for rounds 2 through 4, be re-instated in the final round, and win. It's crazy, I know, but rules is rules. But you can't win if you don't play, so shadow!

Here's a breakdown of the scoring.

	Joe	Dave*	Micah	Mary Ann	Russ	Total
Steve Stearns	2	1	8	6	4	21
Ominous Ride	5	3	4	3	10	25
Ross Durand	6	6	17	1	1	31
Glen Raphael	1	14	18	2	3	38
Jerkatorium	13	2	14	4	7	40
Nick Work	3	25	2	8	5	43
Temnere	8	4	1	7	24	44
The Quantifiers	20	26	5	5	2	58
Vowl Sounds	18	9	10	12	11	60
Timothy Patrick Hinkle	14	7	3	17	19	60
Mandibles	16	5	11	23	6	61
Caravan Ray	10	12	9	15	15	61
Good Guy Sojabe	23	10	7	13	9	62
Faster Jackelope	7	8	12	20	16	63
Governing Dynamics	15	16	15	10	13	69
Jocko Homomorphism	9	23	23	11	12	78
Boffo Yux Dudes	12	22	6	26	14	80
Rob from Amersfoort	4	19	13	24	20	80
OutLyer	11	17	19	16	26	89
“BucketHat” Bobby Matheson	17	13	21	22	18	91
Menage a Tune	19	15	16	21	22	93
Lichen Throat	21	27	20	19	8	95
Mike Lamb	25	21	26	9	17	98
Jordan Carroll	27	11	22	18	25	103
The Brewhouse Sessions	26	18	24	14	23	105
Jeb and Iwa	22	20	25	25	21	113
PigFarmer, Jr	24	24	27	27	27	129

It's very simple: judges rank the bands from best (1) to least (27); the numbers are added together, and that's the score. Low score wins. I break ties; and we have several ties this round but as none of them affect who's staying and going, I'm going to let them stand as ties.

Remember, scoring is not cumulative. Your goal is to get to the next round. 

Good luck!

ST16R1 CLIFFHANGER!

CLIFFHANGER!

WHO WON THE ROUND?

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to bring you your regularly scheduled SpinTunes Final Results.

If you must know, something came up for one of the judges. It seems to us that since you've already got the challenge for Round 2, we've got a little bit of leeway to give you as much feedback as possible from all of the judges, including a full set of rankings. Rather than make you wait, you get to peruse what we've posted, and I'll work up the final numbers when we get them.

So bear with us, and check back tomorrow. We'll send a shout out through the usual channels.

-- Dave (aka Dr. Lindyke)

ST16R1 REVIEW - Russ Rogers

REVIEWS

In Submission Order

Jocko Homomorphism - John Goodman's Crowbar 

A Gary Numan/Cars Vibe. Big Lebowski Theme. I bet there will be a LOT of those. Begins with what sounds like 30 seconds of Metal Machine Music. I've never seen Big Lebowski. That's on me. I own Metal Machine Music on vinyl. Dear Lord, trim that intro!

The Quantifiers - Dining in Dictionopolis 

Cello. Needs ukulele, even if that's a DoubleClicks thing. Wear your influences on your sleeve. CLEVER lyric!!! Lovely, innocent vocals. The melody runs up and down the scale like Gilbert and Sullivan or a Children's Song. But, that's what it is. I'm only two songs in, and this is one of my faves.

Ominous Ride - Running 

Great Production. Piano gets buried after the intro. That's too bad. Dark lyrics. Journey meets Toto thing. I can't tell what movie or book inspired this. But I like it.

Caravan Ray - A Soul as Light as a Feather 

Drums, Bass and Vocals. Huh. Capt. Beefheart? Do these people even know of Capt. Beefheart? Nice Production. Who is Miss Watson? (Mary Jane?) I want to know. Great vocals. I don't know the book or movie. I just don't care!

Steve Stearns - The Doctor Has No Time To See You Now 

Piano and Melodica? Neil Innes-like. Funny title. Funny punch. Great Piano HOOK! I'm hooked. I was expecting to hate this (don't ask why--no good reasons) and I loved it instead. WOW! What a pleasant surprise.

OutLyer - Take Me Away

Theme: Peter Pan. This sounds like a rough draft. It's got a chorus and ONE rap break. Then it repeats. It needs a verse. I needs more. Who had the recent pop hit with a Peter Pan Song. My daughters sing it all the time.

Jordan Carroll - WALL-E Meets Eva 

Chip Tunes, cool. Minimalism with Vocoder. Clever. I get it. But I never need to hear it again. The joke gets stale before the end of the song. It needs more. Less Minimalism, I guess. I don't hate it. I just wouldn't put this in a playlist.

Temnere - Amplified 

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto. Styx meets TR-1. Robots...IN SPACE!
"Feast on your misery"?
"All Pain Amplified"?
I'm too depressed. It's too much winter for this dark stuff right now.

The Brewhouse Sessions - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of It All 

America vibe to the strummy-strum guitars. Strained vocals. Even more strained rhymes.

"BucketHat" Bobby Matheson - This Aggression Will Not Stand 

Buried Guitar. Odd Vocals. Another Big Lebowski song? Fame is double edged. I was hoping for more Accordion.

Boffo Yux Dudes - Logan's Run 

Bad synth patch. Very 70's Sci-Fi. That's probably intentional. But, that is an angry wasp in my ear.

Rob from Amersfoort - How to Stay Afloat

Why is his voice in a well? The song is only two minutes, but I'm drowning.

Vowl Sounds - Squid Linguistics 

Hypnotic Vocals. Why did I write that? I will have to listen again. Great production.

Faster Jackelope - Scotch and Soda 

Swirling guitar intro. Cool sound, but too long. Everybody's intros are generally too dang long

Mike Lamb - Falling Down

Full production. Shaky vocals. People. It's rock and roll. You don't have to sound good. You just have to sound CONFIDENT. Don't bury the vocals with effects. Don't sound like you don't know your own melody. Dive in!

Timothy Patrick Hinkle - Sorcerer's Son 

Mandolin. Ren-Festy! Jethro Tull's step-son.

Governing Dynamics - Chiba City Blues

Great Production. Buried vocals.

Nick Work - All Kinds

It's a Tom Petty song! Seriously, that's a good this. Nice, classic pop/rock! I needed this right now.

Jeb and Iwa - Memory Thief

Witchy vocals. Like Maleficent is singing. Not enough melody. Needs more memorable tune in a song called, "Memory Thief."

Good Guy Sôjàbé - Into the Maze

Peter Gabriel Vocals...no, wait. That's BOWIE!
Nice production, but there's a weird vocal effect. Weird vocals are just weird, not creative. The voice is great. Put less junk on it.

Ross Durand - Back to the Beginning (The Ballad of Inigo Montoya)

YES! YES! YES! Clever lyrics and a meringue (some Latin Rhythm). Fun. I expected more Princess Bride this round. This stuck to one scene. Very nice. And a real chorus!

Lichen Throat - Clear Sky and Cool Water

Two notes on a Bass is not a hook or an intro. It's Tom Sawyer! Another Capt. Beefheart guy. But the vocals are more confident. Poetic lyrics that do not scan. Rhyme needs Meter as much as Meter needs Rhyme. Neither has to be perfect. But don't break the Meter or Rhyme just to pack in more words. Hey, on the bright side, there's a real chorus and it's upbeat and catchy! Kudos for a happy chorus.

Menage a Tune - Peter and... 

Peter Pan should have been avoided as a theme. It's a bigger cliche than The Big Lebowski. I LOVE the harp accompaniment. The woman's vocals are buried. The harp should not be louder than the vocal. The duet part is cute, but it just repeats the first two verses together. There should be more payoff there. The straight repeat makes the song too long and too ponderous.

Glen Raphael - Right As Rain

Great guitar. Perfect. Glen's vocals have a jingle -jangle quality that is distinctive.  A REAL CHORUS! A BRIDGE! YES! And. Yes. Bang. Bingo! Packs a punch. I want to learn this song!

Mandibles - Rock Beats Paper

Another D&D Jethro Tull, Magic the Gathering thing? No. Wait. The distorted guitar kicks in and it pick up. The chorus is very cleverly worded. And here's a guitar solo that I can actually stomach. Kudos.

PigFarmer Jr - They're Here 

Poltergeist. Into is too long. Into is WAY too long. I command thee song, begin NOW! More than halfway in, still no song. Melody is swiped from somewhere. I'll figure it out eventually, if I ever get back to this song. 30 seconds of song for something 2+ minutes long? Nope.

Jerkatorium - In the Future 

Funny, punctilious, pedantic, redundant lyrics. These guys like They Might Be Giants. Nice dragged out....
...pause. Funny. I wish it rhymed and had a more memorable melody. I will listen to this again, but I doubt I'll be humming it tomorrow.

RANKINGS

1	Ross Durand
2	The Quantifiers
3	Glen Raphael
4	Steve Stearns
5	Nick Work
6	Mandibles
7	Jerkatorium
8	Lichen Throat
9	Good Guy Sojabe
10	Ominous Ride
11	Vowl Sounds
12	Jocko Homomorphism
13	Governing Dynamics
14	Boffo Yux Dudes
15	Caravan Ray
16	Faster Jackelope
17	Mike Lamb
18	“BucketHat” Bobby Matheson
19	Timothy Patrick Hinkle
20	Rob from Amersfoort
21	Jeb and Iwa
22	Menage a Tune
23	The Brewhouse Sessions
24	Temnere
25	Jordan Carroll
26	OutLyer
27	PigFarmer, Jr

ST16R1 REVIEW - Mary Ann Randall

To start, I am a newbie judge… I may be a bit, er, conservative in my approach as this is my first time so I must proceed gently.

Also, as a female, I may be succumbing to my maternal side in some reviews so that may explain some of the approach and why it took my so long to finish (besides trying to do them during a week of the flu running through the house, and trying to finish up while playing dance mom at a dance competition all weekend…and I’m OCD AND clinically ADHD.)  So it took me awhile to find a “style” of giving reviews.

REVIEWS

1. Jocko Homomophism – John Goodman’s Crowbar

The song definitely follows the theme,  and there’s inspiration there, I just think it sits on the hook and looses my attention (even the background sounds don’t break it up enough to me.)

Mom answer:  Good job, I’m proud of you, win or lose.

2.   The Quantifiers – Dining in Dictionopolis

I liked the ever clever poetry of this song, about “eating your words” lol.  Intellectually speaking sounds like an English language lesson you might hear in a classroom.

Mom answer:  I’m sure you will get an A on this assignment!

3. Ominous Ride – Running

Nice production, I have to admit I’m a sucker for nice easy guitar hooks…  Sounds like nice song you would have at very end of movie credits to set that kind of “closure” to the mood.  Radio ready, no but I could hear this on the alternative rock station. 

I thought it nailed the theme.   

Mom answer:  I’m gonna post this on facebook!!

4. Caravan Ray – A Soul as Light as a Feather

Kind of groovy, low key, late night bar listening song.  Kind of like that original song a band will work in in-between cover stuff and the local groupies love it.

Mom answer:  Let’s go listen, I’m so excited that tonight they are debuting one of their original songs!!

5. Steve Stearns – The Doctor has no time to see you now

My favorite application of the theme to a song.   The tune was fun, had a tv sitcom kind of feel to it.   Fun, laid back sound!  Only challenge I had, is I just had a hard time recalling the tune specifically.

Mom answer:  This is so good!  You should put that up on your Spotify!

6. Outlyer – Take Me Away

I had to fast forward, the beginning just took a little long, my attention span struggled getting to the beginning.  I liked the effort to do the “rap” style interjected, I just couldn’t stick with the song,  it just dragged for me.

Mom answer:  That’s lovely… did you do any other songs?  I’d love to hear those too.

7. Jordan Carroll -  Wall-E Meets EVA

I wanted to love this.  I did.  I think it’s got a great catchy little tune in there, but somehow the creativity lagged after that.  I’d revisit the tune and see if it can get further off the ground.

Mom answer:  Great start, but I think you need to go back and review your work again, I think you can add a little more to it.

8. Temnere – Amplified

Late night stoner music.  I think I got caught up in the heavier rock sound of this, and I am a sucker for fantasy lyrics, guitar solos, and a solid inclusion of drumwork.

Mom answer to the neighbors:  I don’t understand this rock music they listen too, I’ll ask them to turn it down  (but secretly really likes the music and doesn’t actually make good on the request.)

9. The Brewhouse Sessions – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Kind of Dylan sounding alternative folk rock sound…  this song could be popular with the coffee shop crowd…  I couldn’t find a reason to love it, couldn’t find a reason to dislike it.

                Mom answer:  I’ll never completely understand what’s cool and what’s not these days.

10. Bobby Matheson – This Aggression Will Not Stand

I got it,  it met the criteria for the theme, .  Not a bad song, I just didn’t get into it…  

Mom answer:  I think you tried, let’s just see what everybody else thinks.

11. Boffo Yux Dudes – Logan’s Run

I found this song took the theme a bit too dead on…  I did want to run by the end of it.  It was just too repetitive for me, although if you think about it, it did fit the theme. 

Mom answer:  Ok, that’s enough of that for now.  

12. Rob from Amersfoort – How to Stay Afloat

I struggled to stay afloat, the song didn’t help.  Maybe it was the raspy production, it was uncomfortable to listen to for me, the melody didn’t stick with me.

Mom answer:  Not everyone likes everything everyone else does.

13. Vowl Sounds – Squid Linguistics

The title of the song gave a completely different impression of what was about to play.  I was expecting something very weird but instead got a nice driving song with a pleasant tune and I felt like there was a flow to the “story” of the lyrics. 

Mom answer:  Let’s all sit and listen to the new song they just wrote, I’m sure you will all enjoy it!

14. Faster Jackalope – Scoth and Soda

I’m not sure how I ranked this down as much as I did, the kind of slightly “off” tune was a unique change to your basic “catchy” tune…  but I think the sort of “off” sound may have been what contributed to getting pushed down when I was doing relative comparisons to other songs I ended up ranking higher.

Mom answer:  Sometimes that happens, keep trying I think next time will go better.

15. Mike Lamb – Falling Down

Song about one of my favorite movies.  Annnnd another Dylan-esque sounding style…  Ok, ok, I’m gonna favor a strong guitar interjection, especially with a great chorus to mix it with…  I think what really caught my attention is I could definitely remember the song in my head after listening to it.  Strong production, strong lyrics imo.  

Mom answer:  You should use that for your next audition! 

16. Timothy Patrick Hinkle – Sorcerer’s Son

A modern minstrel?  Rock minstrel?  A storytelling song that tells a story.  The lyrics kept me listening to finish the story – bad lyrics could have killed this on for me.  Music style and lyrics were a great fit and it worked– that’s what made it!

Mom answer:  Those theater kids are at it again!

17. Governing Dynamics – Chiba City Blues

This song makes me reminice back to my 2 week goth phase when I bought my first album by The Cure and the soundtrack to The Crow.  Yummy distortion on this one.  This is another song that got snagged in the relative perspective against the other songs based on the contest  for me.

Mom answer:   You look nice in black dear.

18. Nick Work – All Kinds

I like “driving songs” this has a very commercial sound to me.  I’d toss it up on Spotify and see what happens. 

Mom answer:  “Nods head to the beat and smiles”

19. Jeb and Iwa – Memory Thief

I can see this song is trying to set a mood, and in context, I can see (er, hear) that.  It just wasn’t listen-able by itself to me.   It could possibly be I don’t recognize true art when I hear it…  my opinion is just one of many.

Mom answer:  Ok – I’ve heard some of it…  Can we listen to the rest later? 

20. Good Guy Sojabe – Into the Maze

This song sounds like it’s in a maze….  But the tune stuck with me, and I can see this playing on alternative rock radio.  The production is strong, rich guitar and drum work and fits the theme it’s modeled after.

Mom answer:  I used to listen to David Bowie when I was younger and that song reminds me we should rent that movie again sometime

21. Ross Durand – Back to the Beginning (The Ballad of Inigo Montoya)

Clever tune, clever lyrics, entertaining enough to make me laugh out loud the first time I heard it!  Song style and lyrics were completely in line, and fun to listen to!  Very much catches the spirit of its muse.  Not only that, the melody, the song, stuck with me in the most pleasant way!

Mom answer: Anyone that hasn’t seen The Princess Bride can’t be friends with my kids (just kidding…. Maybe….)

22. Lichen Throat – Clear Sky and Cool Water

I liked the guitar melody in this one.  I liked the words…  it stuck with me…  I’d rather heard more of a singing melody.  Again, another song where what made it stand out “different” to me is also probably what hurt the ranking too. 

Mom answer:  Maybe we should get several opinions before making a decision

23. Menage A Tune – Peter and…

This song made me feel sad and kind of got lumped in with the group of songs where the tune being different stood out to me, but gave me conflicted feelings on ranking.   Maybe relax a little, felt like the sadness was more pushed on me rather than let me just feel the emotion of the tune…. Perhaps the heavy enunciation made it sound like theatre teachers presenting a song for the play to their students.  Soften up the singing, more wistful and less over-pronunciation.

                Mom answer:  This is an example of why we get 2^nd opinions.

24. Glen Raphael – Right as Rain

I only put this 2^nd because I had to do a 1^st and 2^nd and not 2 firsts.  I would buy this song, and folksy music isn’t even my thing.  I love the guitar work and the tune… the only thing that pushed it second was comparing the application of the theme with it being just a bit more obscure in application.  Such a lovely little ditty in juxtaposition against a heavy violent movie. 

Mom answer:  “Taps foot, pours glass of wine, puts on headphones”

25. Mandibles – Rock Beats Paper

Heavy metal folk minstrel….   Trans-siberian type arrangement?  Creative idea – I liked the guitar but the singing and the tune just grated on my ears.   I wish I could be more constructive on this one… 

Mom answer:  Why don’t you try another style and see if that works?

26. Pig Farmer – They’re here

Half of a 2 minute song with an intro that doesn’t match….  I’ll leave it at that

Mom answer:  Not every idea works, maybe just try again with something else?

27. Jerkatorium – In the Future

At first I hated this…. Then I couldn’t get the damn song out of my head.  Bravo for establishing a place in my brain.  Catchy and commercial ready!

Mom answer:  The only song I can’t get out of my head aftre the baby shark song is…… 

28. Micah Sommersmith – Chariot Ride

I liked the piano tune, the song and lyrics – altho the tendon comment made me cringe a little  -  lol the lyrics were quite clever tho.

Mom answer: Why didn’t you enter?

29.    Brian Gray – A New Story

Beautiful tune and lyrics and zombies!  I love zombies!!!  Easy to listen to, pleasant, interesting, and lyrics sneak up on the listener.

Mom answer:  I’m so disappointed in you for not entering.

30. Just Ducky – Under the Big W

Refereshing different style!  Very much the style of Puttin on the Ritz! Clever, interesting, fun to listen to….

Mom answer: I’m disappointed in you too for not entering.

RANKINGS

1	Ross Durand
2	Glen Raphael
3	Ominous Ride
4	Jerkatorium
5	The Quantifiers
6	Steve Stearns
7	Temnere
8	Nick Work
9	Mike Lamb
10	Governing Dynamics
11	Jocko Homomorphism
12	Vowl Sounds
13	Good Guy Sojabe
14	The Brewhouse Sessions
15	Caravan Ray
16	OutLyer
17	Timothy Patrick Hinkle
18	Jordan Carroll
19	Lichen Throat
20	Faster Jackelope
21	Menage a Tune
22	“BucketHat” Bobby Matheson
23	Mandibles
24	Rob from Amersfoort
25	Jeb and Iwa
26	Boffo Yux Dudes
27	PigFarmer, Jr