GittingsAndLouis's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Windy]

I can't believe it. Classical that isn't yet another Phillip Glass wannabe or Nintendo soundtrack. And on Newgrounds of all places? Good work. Keep going.

[Anj_Void (Prod. Eyezeck)]

Why do these have so few views? Underrated.

Anjovi responds:

Dont think this kind of stuff is newground's pocket.

Thanks for the love though! Appreciate it!

[Tracker]

This song on first listening sits well with me, and I feel fulfills its purpose. The performances were tidy and free of mistakes, tastefully placed solos were given to the guitar, vocals, and keys, and the lyrics were fitting to the mood of the song. Particular moments that caught my attention were
- @1:29 (ostinato here helps tie into section B nicely)
- @1:58 (An honest guitar solo that is not arrogant)
- @2:11 (The synth pad was an unexpected yet pleasing addition that was transitioned into well)

The biggest issue I would point to for this song is in the mixing. The snares and hats sit too much in the front of the mix. I feel that this approach is not conducive to this particular song because most of the velocity was on the other instruments in the song. The percussion part itself is good but in this song I think it functions better as a tortilla to wrap the other parts together, and not a main ingredient.

SourJovis responds:

Thank you for the detailed review!

Not quite sure what ostinato you mean. The two guitars playing over the chorus?

I too like Wouter's guitar solo's. Modest is a good description. He doesn't show off and likes to keep things basic. Unlike me (the keyboardist) who always tries to make these over the top solo's and has to settle for whatever I can actually manage. I should learn from him.

Thank you for noticing the atmospheric part. That's indeed a synthesizer pad (Polybrute) also some FM bells, a virtual OB-Xa effect (I don't own a real one), but most of what you hear there are orchestra samples (violins, violas, celli, trombones, tubas, euphonia, piccolos, flutes, choir, tubular bells and a timpani) blended into the pad as well as the standard rock instruments (bass, guitars and drums). That part has most tracks of the entire song and you you can't hear all that's happening (you're not supposed to).

I see why you think the hihats and snare are too loud. They aren't loud in terms of volume, but because of the processing they may stand out more than in an average rock song. Not most metal or techno songs though. In any case I don't want every song sound be the same and I think it makes it sound a bit more in your face and emphasises the techno feel. Just my thought.

Glad you liked it!

[extreme drifting ★]

Thank you for posting structural information about the piece. I think that making information like this easily available helps other people analyse and understand what they like/don't like about works.

[(OTG) Death Row Prison Break]

I like how you were expressing a narrative with the track. I always value that really highly in an instrumental work. The orchestration also was not repetitive: things like this too often just become some kind of block chord warhellride and ignore timbre. The rhythmic accentuation in the left hand is also welcome.