Score: 9

"Oi!!"

submission: fund.mp3

date: May 15, 2008

Hey man, I've been away from NG for a long time for several reasons but I think it's time I return, so I had to pay you a visit (as I saw you were still leaving reviews for pretty much all my songs long after I stopped responding...). I'm glad to see this has just been here a week, so you're still around.

You've got yourself a highly infectious track here! It even loops! It's like an industrial remix of an early Gameboy game (like Bubble Bobble or something) with some hi-tech lasers thrown in for good measure. I gotta say the last part after that breakdown in the middle could use a bit more of the glitchy stuff, it just seemed more exciting in the first half. But overall it's got the qualities I recognize from your other work, goofiness combined with intelligent and exciting grooves, performed with a good sense of humor.
5'd

I got a new track up as well btw, Crystalline II, I hope you'll check it out.
See you around hopefully,
WinTang

Score: 10

"Great work!"

submission: {PBJ}Chapter One{PBJ}

date: May 15, 2008

Whoa dude you scored a hit! Was long overdue if you ask me.
It's a quality tune too, resigned and upbeat at the same time. Reminds me a bit of Eels, obviously because of backward samples, but also because of its overall transparency and the solid simplicity of the main groove.
I love the drums, they pack a good punch and hold everything together.

How's that EP coming along? Sounds like a solid project and a great way to draw attention to your work.

See you around!
Tang

Score: 9

"is more"

submission: Less

date: March 5, 2007

Hello good mister pitters, I was just wondering if you might have uploaded something new.

Very nice track indeed. Always good to get some of your trademarks like the widely panned drums and lo-fi one-bar synth chords.

The vibes are a liiittle bit off-key, not sure if there's something you can do about that but if you could make them a bit higher, I'd do so.

The whole atmosphere is very classy, I love the phaser too (which indeed isn't for everyone but then again, your music never was).

I think you could stretch it a little bit longer, since we've been waiting so long for the drum groove it'd be nice to spend a little more time in its company.

That's all the criticism I have, I really like it a lot. Coming out of your composer's block a little?

Got a new track up as well by the way, I think you might like it. It's called Mutzi Schnutzi (bloody good title innit).

Oh, fifen.

Score: 8

"Hey"

submission: '''exhale, inhale.'''

date: March 5, 2007

Are triple quotation marks the new cool? I keep missing out on the trendy stuff...

After this looped a few times it grew on me, I guess it's meant as background music mostly, it doesn't really stand out anywhere but also doesn't get on the nerves. Sophisticated muzak :)
I think it loops very well actually, and there are some good subtle touches, like the reversed samples in the middle part and the stutters in the drums. Good job!

By the way, I got a nice new track up, Mutzi Schnutzi, AND I finally got around to reviewing Countenance. So off you go!

Score: 8

"So..."

submission: Countenance (rough draft)

date: March 5, 2007

I'm finally getting around to reviewing this.

This is a very good song, very well composed and even better performed. A nice swaying 6/8 time is always appreciated by me. The glockenspiel (?) is a real nice touch and you might consider giving that a few more subtle cameos after its introduction.

Since it's the rough draft, the only thing I really feel needs commenting on is the production. Lo-fi is good but sometimes it's actually a bit sloppy, which is a pity because it kinda pulls me out of the listening experience.

First off, I think you should take the time to make a good volume graph for the vocal track. Its overall volume is somewhat too low anyway (I can't really make out a lot of the lyrics), and at certain points it gets snowed under completely for a short time.

There's also the bit from 1:06 and 1:18 where the melody is really too low for your voice. At 3:32 again. I'd really try to either alter it a bit so it falls within your range, or add a line an octave higher and mix that to the background.

Overall I think the vocals are wonderfully done, you have a modest but flexible voice and are able to reach the higher range without having it sound forced or off-key. It's emotional but not pathetic.

The guitar would probably benefit from some compression, I feel the emphasis on the high and mid frequencies is somewhat too small. Because the drums are so (deliciously!) clanky, it gets a little mushy overall.

All said and done this is a great singer/songwriter track and with a little extra thought put into mixing it can compete with acoustic Pearl Jam in its glory days. 5 and download for effort and goodness. Keep it up and don't let douchebags like above lower your spirits in any way.

Score: 8

"asid"

submission: dontdoasididacid

date: February 8, 2007

Nice pun.

Minimalism is good, though I think this is just a tad too sparse. Now that it's looped on me 5 times I'm pretty much done listening, I really enjoy the craftiness of it but I just crave for that one break or whatever to bring me closer to the edge of my seat. But boy, are you onto something. I like you already.

Score: 9

"Hehehe"

submission: Carry Bee An Tune

date: February 8, 2007

Good stuff, very catchy and light-hearted with a little glitching thrown in for good measure. Cool how you acheived such groove with just a few elements. Not much else to say, except that there may be more to this idea than just a 1 minute loop, but it's quite gratifying as is.

Score: 8

"Interesting!"

submission: 3 AM Trip

date: February 8, 2007

I like the atmosphere of this track. Lots of original and semi-catchy stuff going on, it reveals more on replay which is always a plus in my book. You seem to know your way around using FX pretty well.

There are some structural things you could improve on. What I always try to do when making electronica (which I won't claim to be excellent at, by the way) is see how I can make it 'peak' as much as possible, this generally means making a (few) pattern(s) where everything is present - full bass, full drums, a wide range of frequencies, intertwining melodies and chords - to potentially blow the listener away.

What I think ails this track a bit, is that it seems like you came up with all the parts "on the fly", which makes the song flow very well, but lack a general direction from beginning to end. Some of the elements, like the piano, are a bit overused, while other elements fall behind. The drums for example feel like they could gain much more body.

My advice would be to take the time to figure out all the elements you are going to use, get to know them, determine their impact on the listener, and then decide how you are going to 'build' the track. One of the most difficult parts about making music, or any kind of art, is to keep a fresh ear (or eye), as if you are experiencing the piece for the first time.

I think we can expect excellent things from you, just keep at it, you show a lot of talent already.

4/5

Score: 10

"Excellent."

submission: Crush it.

date: February 5, 2007

This reminds me of Depeche Mode, it's a very full sounding energetic mix, well done!
Nice (if borderline cheesy) ominous lead melodies.

It suddenly dawns on me that your mixing has become clearer throughout the things you have submitted, that's a good thing because it really sheds light on your music, makes it transparent and very exciting.

Been looping a few times now, it's really growing on me. A lot of great ideas that were crisply executed. I tip my hat sir.

Score: 9

"Smileys for you"

submission: Gypsytone

date: February 5, 2007

First time in ages I actually check out an artist I don't know by an ad they placed on the BBS. I'm not regretting it.

Basically I loved everything except for the drums. I'd bet my left arm that you intended them to be near incomprehensible, but I feel they should have acted as the driftwood to cling to while drowning in the insane 8-bit-chiptune-ness. In order words, I'd like to at least get a hint where the kick and snare are :)

Ace otherwise, really disorienting and lots of thought put into detail. Great half-time parts too. Keep at it, and check out my latest tune, "Tease me", I bet you could give me some interesting comments.