Bezman's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Lord of the Rings (Remix)]

Great idea, but could be improved further...

Crazy idea for a techno remix! Just crazy enough to work...

I liked the way it started. I like the minor key part that comes in around the 1 min mark.

But within those 2 halves, it just kinda seems like there's not an awful lot of progression. I did like the electronic pulsing note that fades in and introduces the 2nd part.

But really, I just would've liked to hear a few more prominent variations. Maybe some more layers.

Also, the beats kinda sound overpowering to me.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed it. Just pointing out the flaws.

endlessnumber responds:

THANK YOU!
This was made before I learned how to use FL Studio's mixer feature. I might do a Fix in the next few days. Thanks for listening/reviewing.

[Neon Lightning]

Great vocal harmonising but needs more layers

I loved the vocals that help introduce this.

Around the 50s mark, I was hoping for a new instrument.

I liked that you did have a build-up, kinda fading in that synthy melody. But it seemed really sparse.

To me it sounds like a great start, but you should add in way more elements whilst doing the build-up for added interest.

==
The vocals are by far my favourite element here. Keep working on it!

How did you do the vocals?

TheUrbanNinjaGirl responds:

to vocals are accually me singing. all i did was record and loop them. and, i relize i need more elements in the song. this was only a test of the update on GarageBand 3.

[[SR] Town Outside [Demo/Loop]]

Ideal for a town in an RPG. Safe, accoustic vibe.

I should definitely use this for something. Maybe a menu, a short section or a single level... something with little or no risk of death/failure.

I can definitely hear a sort 'RPG generic small town' vibe to the melody. Vaguely similar to Snes RPGs, it reminds me of a dozen and none.

I like how you used real instruments, but kept an old-school simple melody. I love the soft drums and also the way you share the melody between guitar/piano. the soft violin only became noticeable after a while. That sorta ties it together well as do the bursts of guitar during the piano playing.

What's the instrument you start with? Was the guitar real and the other instruments fake? (That's my guess...)

You've definitely added onto the melody enough to make it interesting to listen to for a while.

It's on repeat just now and I find myself getting tired after... I dunno... 7 minutes. Yeah. It's lost most of its charm now.

I think the piano should maybe be a touch softer and played slightly more legato. Also, maybe just as you have bursts of guitar during the piano part, maybe you could throw in a few piano chords...

Loops well.

So final thought - too short for a full game (as I'd expect for a loop of this length) but great for an upbeat acoustic-style menu, a single level of a puzzle game, an upbeat platform level with little (or no) risk of death or maybe even a town in an RPG. Heh.

Great stuff.

ShinRok responds:

I made a full one check it out when you get a chance =D

[Amazing Grace(Iguana Mix)]

Nice chords indeed, but short and lacking developm

I like the bass at around 12s.

Is this a single playing? Well played!

I did feel though, that the rhythm of 'treble solo notes' followed by chords was kinda simplistic.

The whole thing was exceedingly short too, for a non-loop.

Like your other piece, I'd have liked to see more development.

MrIguana responds:

and this is the original version. we were not allowed to use inharmonic tones or any 7 chords other than the dominant. We were forced to work with only this part of Amazing Grace and I tried my best to have the bassline be merely an accompaniment, not a melody.

i got a 97 btw. thanks for the review

[Amazing Grace (Insane Iguana)]

doubling-up sounds good. But develop it more!

I liked the way it sounded thanks to you doubling-up on all the notes.

I don't understand why there's about 20s of silence at the end.

Also, you could have developed the piece a bit more... it does sound like you kinda thought of something interesting to do with the tune, but then left it that. Develop it!

It does sound good though, specially if you listen to the other version just before, as I did. (Listening to NGAPRadio with shuffle off.)

MrIguana responds:

the other version was a music theory project that i did. i expanded on it with this. the 20s of silence was because i forgot to delete the extra measures in finale(oops). I should fledge it out more and add some of my own rhythms too.

thanks for the review

[Spring's Feathers]

Soothing... relaxing... I wish it lasted longer.

"Feel free to feel anything." heheh. Great line.

The whole piece is wonderfully relaxing. Soothing. Listening on NGAPRadio, I immediately jumped back to this and put it on repeat.

I just found it short for a piece that doesn't loop!

There are some beautiful parts, specially the chords around the 9/10s mark the parts around the 25ish, 37ish, 49ish...well, you have a beautiful melodic journey.

The last 10-20s seem kinda stuttered though as do a few points around the 1-min mark. That let it down slightly.

I do wish it looped or was longer.

Was this improvised? If so, I'd love to hear something similar that you spend time composing! If not, lengthen the piece!

==
I could fall in love with a piece like this.
It reminds me of XJapan's 'Endless Rain', which is a big compliment!

I just wish it lasted forever - or failing that - longer.

LfunkeyA responds:

thanks for the long review. this was in fact something like an improvisation, not perfect. I'll try to 'fix it' and possibly make it longer in some way. thanx!

[Dreams (Piano version)]

Like "Anthony and the Johnsons". Polished but...

The production is great. The piano is all fairly tight and the voice is never strained.

When the chorus comes in half-way through and again in the last minute, that sounds great. I heard a backing instrument that sounds a bit like a synthed violin chorus. Works well.

I felt the lyrics generally felt a bit cliche'd and false. You had some decent rhymes, but it never felt like you were writing from experience.

If you were, then sorry. You shouldn't dwell on such things.

The piano seemed a bit overly predictable and simplistic. There were some great chords and harmonies with the backing instruments, but I felt like a few diversions from the main theme, maybe even a few grace notes here and there, would have added to the piece.

==
I commend you and your friend's abilities in making it sound so polished. However, it just didn't sound interesting. To me it seemed slightly vacuous.

I'd like to hear something you wrote from experience.

Naitzmic responds:

Uhm, I hate to break it to you, mate, but it's very much based on personal experiences. Lol...
I don't know what to tell you, but yeah. I'm a manic depressive / bi-polar disorder patient, and I think along these lines... well, alot.