Score: 6

"Good points here, competition for attention there."

submission: National Treasure Remix

date: August 3, 2008

Although I can undoubtedly see the influence and resemblance of this submission to the rather suspenseful scenes that can come to be in the National Treasure movies, it stands to observation that there are a few occurrences where the "suspense" here is overridden by an underlying clash between the different synths you have mixed together to create this; in a simpler explanation, what seems fluent at first begins to degrade into an amalgamation of tunes that ALL try to vie for the center spotlight. To some, this is the pinnacle of music creation; to many others, it's just a bunch of jumbled noise.

On the positive side, do allow me to note the section beginning at :40 in the song, as I found this added instrument/synth to actually be a great placement of a particular beat for the atmosphere you were trying to create. It was easily one of the more enjoyable sections of the song for me, if not because it seemed for a second that the very tempo that had been distancing itself through the clash of sounds now receded into the background to serve the role it was meant to do in the first place - support.

Nonetheless, I do see some possible scenes where this might possibly be used, should one ever consider it for a film in the future concerning treasure and our nation, although most of it is limited to computer hacking/ mainframe busting purposes. Unfortunately, I can't seem to place my finger on any one specific benefit this song provides that could outweigh the needed improvements, nor do I even know what improvements to make (to which I apologize, since normally I have a general idea what can be done). If nothing else, try messing around with synth volume and seeing if some pieces sound better when certain instruments are a softer (or louder) volume.

Keep on creating, my friend! Potential need not only exist in the greatest of songs, and I trust you'll manage to decipher what I'm saying well enough - just like the folks of National Treasure! ;D

Score: 7

"Great Composition, Moderate Execution"

submission: Brass City

date: July 17, 2008

I find this a particularly interesting submission to review, mainly because I find myself pushed to both ends of the spectrum by the listening experience I obtain from hearing it; at some points, I am actually very aware of the "feel" behind the music, more than happy to tap along physically; at other points, however, I get a repetitive feeling that begins to whittle away at the emotion that has been built up from my previous statement.

The beginning of the song is definitely enegerized in terms of the musical "current" flowing through it, but your first set of notes (what I like to refer to as the metallic "bow wah wahs"), although enticing at first, quickly become the center of attention despite the addition of subsequent accompaniments. Perhaps something that would have aided in immersing the listener would be to have had this first sound fade away at a certain point in the beginning, such as the :30 mark in my case, so that the listener can be engulfed in the new array of sounds. Other than that, much of this section was fine in its presentation, setting aside any volume concerns that can be fixed anyway with a lowering of the volume bar.

One thing I DID like about this submission was your inclusion of the new sound around the 2:02 mark, one that very richly captured the Industrial atmosphere of the song. This was definitely the most fitting part of the submission, and as such left the song on a good note. Keep in mind sections like this for future submissions similar in sound, for those are good-sounding pieces to include for a refreshing section of music.

In comparison to other songs such as Dreamland (Club Mix), this could be considered an improvement, most certainly in the department of using multiple layers of tones successfully. Still, there were some parts lacking in the "meshing" together of notes into a single entity, suggesting that work could still be done to refine this piece. Keep working at it, and I'm more than certain you'll figure out what I mean, if not through sudden discovery then by trial and error. Practice makes perfect!

Score: 5

"Definitely an.... interesting sound!"

submission: Its Under It All

date: July 15, 2008

I'm not quite sure where to begin with this review, as there are some varying aspects that I want to touch on that are rather different from one another; whether this clash is something to be admired or noted negatively is a fact that will be viewed differently between listeners, but nevertheless it's important to elaborate on what I can.

One of the first concerns I held about this song was the tempo that you were going for. I found myself, unfortunately, confused as to whether you were going for a 3-count or 4-count beat, based on your opening sequence. Harder still is the point that I was unable to determine which of these two it was even by the end of the song. Perhaps that is my fault, but it would have helped this submission to clarify that through the music a little better.

The voice, however, was a wonderful accompaniment, one that I praise highly for its inclusion in this submission. The voice was soft, melodic, and very fitting for the atmospheric context you were going for. Clear, crisp, and quality is all I can say to define this portion, and I would not mind seeing something like it again in future submissions.

The second point that hurt you, however, was the overall simplicity of the instruments used. I understand that emphasis wanted to be given to the singing voice in this piece, but the composition itself was lacking in any real depth. It sounds harsh, but there wasn't a lot of "umph" to the background tune.

All that said, this piece showed some promise, albeit a slightly less-than-stellar performance. Some key points were done well, others not so much, but the submission still holds that unique edge that's important to keep intact. A decent attempt, but one that could be improved.

Score: 9

"You know what I like!"

submission: Tropical Run

date: July 13, 2008

I can see where some people would find this song rather repetitive, but I honestly don't see how it could affect THAT much of this piece; what is repeated is well versed in a flurry of upbeat notes, with a rhythm that really gets me moving!

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of this is, by far, the opening sequence, as you waste no time in immersing the listener into a world of palm trees, blue skies, and impending speed. No sooner did the page finish loading than I found myself basking in the sunlight of a stage from Sonic Adventure, watching Sonic speed by as he rushed to his next destination. Surely this can be used for more than this game reference, but my nostalgia brings that memory back as a start.

In noting the loss of a point in my scoring, I found that one piece, beginning at 1:36 and ending at 1:46, was slightly awry in the organization. The sound of two trumpets rather close in pitch clashing against one another led me astray, even if only for a moment, where a single trumpet solo would have fared much better.

That aside, though, this is certainly worth a second listen, and surprising for a second submission from you. Keep me in touch, because I'll definitely be coming back for more!

Score: 10

"This... this is beautiful!"

submission: Take Me Across

date: July 10, 2008

My friend, I never thought simplicity could come in such a wonderful form in terms of musical prowess, yet here I sit stunned before you, unbelieving of what you've managed to create for your VERY FIRST SUBMISSION. This, if nothing else, is surely a sign of hope that Newgrounds still has a steady flow of viable Audio Portal regulars coming in to this very day.

Perhaps what surprised me most about this submission was the way it cleverly disguised what seemed to be a bad-quality recording of guitar-playing, then suddenly... "exploded"... into a whole nature of different rhythms and strings. I honestly did not see this coming, and trust me, it was a definitely enjoyable experience. Your composition remained consistent and fluid throughout the piece, with no stray sections or notes to ruin the listening experience. Are you SURE you have never done this before?

I must also remark on the influence of Maplestory that exists here, particularly at 1:45, but do not fear, for this was incorporated just as well and with open arms awaiting it.

Shortly put, my friend, you have created a gradual piece that has done everything to impress me, as well as even cause me to feel RELAXED. This was by far the most surprising first entry I have ever heard from a Newgrounds user, and if it continues this way, believe that I WILL be coming back for more! Congratulations!

Score: 9

"A wonderful trance mix!"

submission: Entrance Me (Original Mix)

date: July 10, 2008

I will admit, the opening sequence of rain was a bit of an offset to the rest of this song, but I completely understand the purpose of it in this submission; to paint the setting, the locale, where the rest of the song takes place. In that respect you did extremely well, and I am more than happy to overlook the slight effect it had on the piece as a whole.

Regarding the rest of your song, simply beautiful is the word that comes to mind. It reminds me quite definitely of many of the more Trance-based Dance Dance Revolution songs I have come to love, and this submission is very alike in its execution; many of the beats and arrangements have a soft tone, but stand out in their own regard. Meshing is also important here, as well, and even here you succeeded very much so in providing a "plump harvest" of ripened notes. The fact that I hear this through stereo headphones certainly helps the ambiance of it all ;)

Overall, this is a well composed piece that surely deserved the rank it got, and I look forward to seeing what else you may have to offer the people of Newgrounds in the future. You've found your forte, my friend, now don't give it up for ANYTHING!

Score: 6

"A techno feel with beats of steel!"

submission: Dreamland - Kirby (Club Mix)

date: July 9, 2008

Ah, Dreamland. Perhaps one of my favorite Kirby tunes of all times, if not at least for its upbeat tone and insinuations of activity.

I can clearly tell you've gone for a more techno/brass feel with this submission, something you succeed in at certain points in this song, particularly around the :33 area. In addition, you've managed to handle quit well many of the basic portions of the beat, both in terms of notes and overall organization.

This, unfortunately, is where most of the good points come to rest. Most notable to me are the fact that there is more than one occasion where the note seem off key without a suitable purpose for them being as such. In addition, while your base beat has a very likable substance to it, there is no additional foray or string of notes to flesh out the energy that this song desperately wants to convey. Those that are included usually work well, but I don't feel MOVED by the piece as a whole. No fear, though, as this is a very hard feat to accomplish with ANY viewer, and you are well on your way to making significant improvements!

In all, an enjoyable piece, but not one that lingers for long in my mind once I have moved on to other activities. Here's to looking forward to your next submission!

Score: 4

"For an early start, it's a good one!"

submission: Squint

date: July 9, 2008

I will definitely say that the beat in this song was the most admirable portion of it. The notes may not necessarily have had much structure to them, you nonetheless managed to capture a basic outline for a song that could be expounded upon in the future.

Perhaps what could be most improved within this piece is the nature of the notes themselves. I feel too distanced between each section because of the fact that their tone and source just doesn't blend that well. Nevertheless, there are hints of some organization here and there, and the separation of left and right speakers for some sound effects was a nice addition.

It isn't memorable, but it still has its moments!

Score: 10

"An elegant prose in the form of thorn and bristle."

submission: Rose At Nightfall

date: July 7, 2008

Being a video game fanatic, I am always one to be interested in hearing the newest production of what may possibly become the boss fight of a future submission, and it is my pleasure to say that this piece moved my inner child in a way few musical symphonies manage to; not just in spirit, but in intuition, imagination, and application.

The beginning of this submission is by far the most interesting, in that it shows quite clearly the contrast about to occur; the joyful tones of the hero (in the form of toy-block sounds) are soon met by the ominous hymns of "justice" standing in his/her way, and the ensuing combination results in nothing short of pure energy emanating from both participating parties.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this piece lies in that while I almost always attempt to find a suitable game that already exists where the music I am hearing could have been utilized, I cannot name one offhand for this submission. This is not because it is not adaptive to its surroundings, but in fact because it is so original and unique that to tie it to a specific genre would be nothing less than disappointing.

What we have here, in shorter terms, is a masterful compilation of background tones and foreground beats that mesh together as a collective whole while still managing to battle against one another to flesh out the true life behind this piece. What you have done here is a feat rarely attained by others in its wake, and for that I commend you highly. Your submission has earned a place in my heart.

Congratulations, fine sir.

Score: 7

"8-Bit Choklit? Song's the shit, but check this:"

submission: Choklit Rayne

date: June 20, 2008

Ah yes, the 8-bit genre. Perhaps one of the most unique styles of music, the song of this type faces a very difficult process and final result, one that often ends in one of 2 outcomes: either the piece manages to truly capture the feel if a classic game in its execution, or it falls painfully short of anything recognizable as a hit submission.

This entry of yours is particularly interesting in that it starts out VERY powerfully, at a level that I will fully admit I was impressed with, but begins to degrade partway into the song into a slew of effects and twists in the beat that, although flashy, actually begin to take away from the enjoyability of the piece as a whole. Essentially, what begins as a wonderful trip into the days of my youth unfortunately descends into a rather confusing and... "uncomfortable" sequence of notes.

Undoubtedly, the best portion of this submission lay between :00 and :43 on the timeframe, for a simple but effective reason; the simplicity. Many songs actually fare better with a variety of complimentary instruments, but 8-bit songs derive their animosity from using as little as possible to create a memorable tune. Often, and especially as can be seen in the early Megaman games, the truly loved songs did not need a slew of sounds to become well known; rather, they needed only a consistent beat and tune to follow through with, and the listener did the rest of the work. In this section, you managed to capture that very feeling quite aptly, and I commend you on being able to achieve this, as it is much harder to due with more conventional music-creation tools than most think.

It is the large majority of the song AFTER this section, however, that hurts this score more than anything else. Having spent the first 3/4s of a minute in pure bliss, I was disheartened to suddenly see my nostalgia attack burned to a crisp by the harsh, unrelenting flames of "rushing" beats and "warping" notes. It felt too sudden, too fast, and too unpredictable and unneeded. Where was my consistent tune I had just become accustomed too? Simplicity was not the danger in this submission, the overuse of additions was. Nevertheless, I understand that much of this was likely out of experimentation to see what was possible through remixing the song, so some credit must be given in benefit of the doubt. Still, I will stand by the fact that you had a wonderful system going at first, one that would have fared much better even if you had kept it relatively the same throughout the submission.

In the end, the score of 7 comes from the fact that while this song has an AMAZING amount of potential based on what I heard from the first portion, too much of it is wasted on trying to supersize the beat, a mistake once forgiven, but twice likely looked down upon. Yet this is the essence of a music artist, to create and recreate as is needed, and so I wish you the best of luck in what you do with this or future submissions. Just remember the classic but true adage: less IS more!