Shellac's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[[S] Greg]

I don't know Greg.

...This is a bit childish isn't it? What did you expect when you asked us to review this? I had to listen to it a couple of times for the review and I really didn't want to after the first. I presume you're this is a rip of one of your friends? I can't review this musically because you know it's weak. There's clipping distortion everywhere, you're guitars and singing are out of tune, the stereo is all over the place... I feel stupid trying to give you constructive criticism because I don't know if you really want any. I've listened to your other songs though so I can give you some general advice.

Buy this!

http://www.amazon.com/Necessity-4-Tra ck-Years-Jason-Falkner/dp/B00005AVO9

This talented fother mucker made that album on a fostex four track and it sounds amazing. It doesn't matter what you record on but you need to spend time with your equipment and learn how to deal with the problems it throws at you.

Make sure your instruments are in tune. You need a tuner if you haven't got one. Tighten up your panning. Bass generally goes in the middle along with major drum elements, melodies go as near to centre as possible but you can spread a little if there are harmonies, hats and accompaniments you can spray around pretty much wherever you want. Your tracks at the moment are a little annoying after a while because they have no balance.

Review Request Club.

[requiem fo' a dream DNB RMX]

Unnerving!

You've given yourself a really tough task here. There is sooooo much going on in the original piece and I wasn't sure that it would handle a D'n'B beat underneath it all. I think you've done pretty well though, you've boiled down all the characteristic elements of the piece and left enough space for complex rhythms so well done on that.

I think there are improvements to be made however. There is a major clash in the region of 5-7 seconds, also heard in the outro. I know the original is quite dissonant in places but because of the number of instruments playing, it is buried and the listener gets a feeling of unease. In your song there are only two elements when this occurs so it sounds like a bum note.

Also you need to vary the velocity of the violin lead before the synth kicks in. It sounds like you have it at 127 through the whole passage and it makes the violins sound unrealistic. The original is very interesting to listen to because there are so many parts floating in and out. It would be easy to incorporate some of these things into this song.

Your bass sound comes across as a little weedy in places. I think the track could do with a very warm, round sound to fill out the lower frequencies along with the growly line you have there already. Whilst I like your drum beats in general I think there are too many glitches. You have a pattern that you've stuck to throughout and the whole point of glitches is that they're meant to sound a bit random. Throw them around the stereo field a bit, add some filters, chuck in a few one-off breaks and drum shots. All this stuff adds to the movement in the track and would really help in retaining the listeners interest. The melody isn't brilliant (sounds a bit like the chorus of 'Crack A Bottle') so you have to add these elements to make up for that.

jpgregorio responds:

thx for the review, i made this just for fun though, i don't plan on making another of this.

[Calm_Sky [Box-Killa]]

Soothing!

I really like some of the drum patterns you've used here. Especially the half time one with the busy hats at 0:53 and tabla's are awesome! I like the way that the underlying chord takes over as the melody line dies out towards the end of the song. Good counterpoint, That's a nice little touch.

The sound effects give this a watery feel rather than an airy feel. I'm not sure about the sparkly electrocution effect prior to the aforementioned drum beat but that's a little personal thing. The bubbling water accompanied by the jet noises make it sound like I'm under the surface and travelling at speed past rocks and shit but I'm not worried about it because the music's so relaxing! I'm Ecco the dolphin!

It's not the kind of thing I would listen to normally, I don't think there is enough going on in terms of melody. There's some nice passages and trills but no strong tune, not a lot I can hum. This might be perfect for the purpose but I can't be sure of the context That being said, you have skills! The arrangement is really good, lots of stereo delays make for a nice balanced feel, good fades and effects and some good drum programming. I need a bit more of a tune if this is supposed to stand up on it's own. I'd like to give you a 7.5 sooooo 8/10 and 3/5.

Review Request Club.

[dubstep wip]

Filthy intro!

It shows promise but it only works as an intro as it is. It doesn't loop but I think you're just testing the water here aren't you?

From here, I'd loop the wobble a few times adding in some more elements of the drums section by section. You need a chunkier kick, that gets lost but you can bring that in as an added element. I wouldn't hold off bringing a bass line for too long either! That would fill some of the gaps... Then you need a melody and a few different sections. I'd bring that riff back in after a chorus of some description too, It wouldn't work throughout the whole song because it's so disgusting and it would lose it's impact.

You have a sort of minimalist, Major Lazer kind of thing going on at the moment. I'd check him out for some ideas if that's the direction you'd like to take it but I'd bring in some elements of 'Black and Gold' by Sam Sparrow. Not hardcore dub, I know but I think some swingy rhythms could work really well here.

Good luck with it man, I've given you a fairly low score here because this is just an idea that needs a lot of work. I like the start though, it shows promise.I look forward to hearing the whole thing!

Review Request Club.

SessileNomad responds:

psh i hate minimalistic music xD i am just testing the water with this

i actually probably wont work on this for a while, this wip will most likely end up in the depths of my musics folder

thanks for the review though