Score: 7

"Varied modern mix, sticks to roots. Should be loop"

submission: {KT}MegaMan Enter Bubbleman

date: August 25, 2008

I loved the variation here - there was little needless repitition and there were a couple of places where the tune actually surprised me.

The samples betray the video-game roots, though the beats sound modern. Maybe they clash slightly? Still, I'd rather they were there.

The entire tune flows well and got me dancing - for longer than the other one.

After the 1:13 mark, it seemed like a retread. Maybe you could cut out something like 0-13s and 1:13-1:35 and have it loop?

A tune this short seems ideal fodder for a computer game so that would probably result in it being used. Maybe in my forthcoming Megaman TAS-inspired parody-game. ;-)

So yeah, a loop would be lovely and definitely warrant +1 on the score.

Score: 4

"Could be great for a megaman game - loops fine."

submission: {KT}MegaMan Enter Flashman

date: August 25, 2008

This is a fun remix, but a bit repetitive for my liking.

The melody has that cheesy 80s feel and each phrase is repeated at least twice, often 4x. Suits the source material well, with its own cheesy style but it's just not my preferred style of music.

The 2nd half seemed to be just a copy of the 1st half, with added beats.

I did like those beats though they sound modern, yet stick to their roots. They got me out of my chair and dancing a tiny bit.

The repitition was just too big a turn-off for me.

Score: 7

"80s housewife drama theme feel. Very nicely done."

submission: .:-{Best Friends}-:.

date: August 25, 2008

This has the vibe of a classic 80s housewife drama. You know, something like 'Bangkok Hilton' (which is actually rather good).

The opening melody was quite simple. The flute a beautiful touch.

At 1:51, just before the key change, I thought the song was over when I first listened. I guess the part after could be the closing ending, eh? And this is the 'full version' mashing both together, than gets put on a CD... heh.

The switch back into a major chord was quite pleasant and I liked the song wound up. It has a wistful feeling. Like maybe the best friend has now died, or times have moved on past a 'golden age'.

The melody did get a bit repetitive - a great thing for a theme, which needs a memorable theme, but not so great for a piece this long on repeated listens.

That's my main - and pretty much only - complaint.

I enjoyed it overall. If a TV show had a shortened version of this as the starting theme, I'd definitely want to continue watching.

Btw...
In your comments, "I found himself to be the victor" should be, "I found MYself to be the victor", surely. I enjoyed reading that and the part after was sweet.

Score: 8

"A real driven energy. Simple but powerful orchestr"

submission: Arecibo Theme Song (Ver. 2)

date: August 25, 2008

When I first heard it, it was a letdown compared to the original - I was just hoping for more fun techno goodness and was disappointed. Coming to it again now, though, I can enjoy it for what it is. A thoroughly driving piece.

This definitely has more of a dramatic feel than v1 - specially with the samples you used for the beats. I'm not sure I like the clicky clap that you use at the end of every 2nd bar though.

I love the introduction, with a couple of bars of the beats solo. The end sounded abrupt for a long time though (basically until I knew to expect it, by which time most of its effectiveness was already gone) - maybe having a cymbal or another extra-loud/resonating when the tune 'dies' would help make it feel less abrupt. yeah, it's slightly cliche, but it works. Love the extra beats after the 'death' though.

Maybe you could have fitted in an extra counter-melody at points, in the bg?

The strings do seem to lead towards an increasing tempo and they're probably my favourite element. I like how the whole thing is relatively simple but has this driving force behind it. I couldn't see myself deleting this file.

Score: 9

"Narrow function, but perfect for it."

submission: Arecibo Theme Song (Ver. 1)

date: August 25, 2008

To me, this totally sounds like the intro for an 80s American show - maybe a cop show, involving high-speed car chases, girl-chasing and chasers with cheesy lines.

It did get a bit repetitive on repeated listens, but as it's just an intro, that's almost a moot point.

It sets tone perfectly, gets the blood pumping and really makes me want to watch whatever follows. I can just imagine the high-speed text/pics sliding in alongside clips for the intro, before the movie fades in on the 29s mark.

I have no criticisms, considering the intent.

Was that 3D teaser on your site done by you? And will this movie be on NG?

Score: 6

"Initially sounded broken. Then good."

submission: Menu²

date: August 25, 2008

This all just sounded odd to me - originally like I'd maybe started up two songs. (I even paused to check.)

After a couple of repeats, I 'got' how it was syncopated, and could even get into the rhythm. I think you need to lower the volume of the drums though, since they overpower the melody and it sounds strange to hear the slow melody in the bg with the weird syncopated drums in foreground.

The notes at the 15-17s mark sounded odd for longer.

I liked slightly faster melody. It sounds like you have 2 going on.

I guess I enjoyed 'getting into' this in the end - kinda brain-expanding.

I wouldn't ever use this in a menu though - it's just not mass-market-friendly enough essentially and I could imagine some folk never understanding it.

Score: 6

"Eerie vibe"

submission: Tragedy at Dawn

date: August 25, 2008

Overall, this definitely got the 'eerie' sound right, thanks to the bg noises and key choice. A few things niggled at me though - in the wrong way.

The 2nd phrase - starting at 0:13 - seems to be played slower than the 1st and generally there seemed a slight lack of rhythmical unity here.

Maybe that adds to the eerie atmosphere though.

The notes starting at 1:27 seem like they're in a major key and kinda uplifting. Though you throw in a minor chord here and there, the song definitely ends on a more positive note than it began.

Throughout the song, though I could hear lots going on in the background, it seemed kinda cluttered and I could only really make out the main melody, which was kinda simplistic for the first minute or so. Maybe throw in countermelodies, confuse us as to which one - if any - are the lead and disorientate us. Maybe check out Tim Follin's work for Equinox (SNES) - it's very different, but has a couple of similar aspects.

I liked the background clutter and the pacing itself.

Score: 8

"Almost-tribal-sounding rhythm-only tune. Fresh."

submission: Drums of Doom! (DjD)

date: August 25, 2008

I've not heard another tune that's 100% percussion on the AP. Very few elsewhere. So this is like a breath of fresh air.

The starting beats have a tribal quality and I love the rhythm that kicks in at 5s.

Starting beats could have maybe been a bit deeper though and had a bit more resonance. They sound slightly curtailed.

The 57-80ish section is another favourite bit of mine.

I definitely prefer the song when you stay away from the metallic bits of the drum kit, like the snare sound, cymbal etc. I found that that takes away from the sorta tribal vibe.

Also, the simple rock beat at 2:49 doesn't really work too well - not as interesting as everything else you've got going.

I'd love for this to become a series - I enjoyed this one and will definitely keep it. Maybe experiment with different percussive sounds and employing the rhythm in place of melody more - with a basic rhythm, then some riffs on that rhythm, the way a good song will riff on the melody.

Score: 4

"too repetitive for my liking and not enough energy"

submission: Brass City

date: August 22, 2008

It's a cool little melody you've got. Simple, but effective. And yet, it almost overwhelms the entire piece, making it feel repetitive.

I liked the drums - specially the way they kicked in at the start - and there were some cool bg noises.

The riff at 1:13 was cool - shame it only lasted a little while.

Also, I felt it could have some more energy - specially in the 40s-1minute part. But just throughout, maybe beef up the volum of the drums, add some more beats, maybe some bass...

I loved some elements, but disliked it as a whole. Sorry if I'm not able to pinpoint exactly why.

Score: 7

"Funny on the first listen."

submission: The Flash 'Reg' Lounge Song

date: August 20, 2008

The rhymes are reasonably well laid out and fairly funny.

I liked the background sounds. The main melody was kinda repetitive, but I loved the variance from the beats, scratching and extra fx like the strings.

There was some noise on the mic, but the whole thing still sounds aweome, in a homegrown way.

Ultimately, technical quality doesn't mean much here. It made me smile. made me chuckle a little when I first listened through.

Well done. Also, the fact that someone even made this... that's funny enough as a concept.

"Since then its grown
more and more
keeping up with it
is almost a chore"

Too true...

Oh, and 0 points docked for me not being in it. ;-)