Random-storykeeper's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[AIM - Eggstraordinary Garnish Grandiosa]

I'm impressed that you were able to find a piece of art that specifically had to do with eggs and outer space. (I'm also surprised that johnfn is still doing EGG compos in 2021, but that's neither here nor there.)

I've always had this internal expectation that pieces with EGG would be goofy and cheesy, but I enjoy how this piece is amusing and manages to be in on the joke while having class. I certainly get a sense of outer space shenanigans and I like how the piece incorporates that three note pattern.

The structure of the piece is pretty good; I enjoy the structure and flow of events that keep the piece compelling. I could have used some more velocity on the notes, particularly the EGG pattern, since that's the one that is most prominent - just something to give the notes a bit more sense of phrasing and not have each note hit the same.

Overall, this piece is a haunted egg waltz and I don't think I could say that about any other entry, lmao. I like the outro the most, especially when those higher notes at 2:39 re-enter. That slowed down version of the part from the beginning was an interesting change of pace that allowed the entry to conclude in a satisfying manner.

[Bold And Brash]

To preface this review, I wanted to address a response you made to a review in the previous version of this song. As a judge, I can tell you that all entries are evaluated based on their connection to their artwork as well as how they fare as music. Relevance to art is just a component of judging, but it is not the sole factor. Other components that music compos typically look at such as composition, structure and production are still factors in this compo.

As far as relevance to artwork goes, your entry definitely checks the box. I like how the title of the art you were inspired by is transformed into a likeable hook for your song. I'm not usually a fan of entries sharing the same title as their art inspirations, but I didn't have a problem with it for yours.

I like how the lyrics encapsulate the essence of who Squidward as a character is and go one step deeper into the sad sap he is. I know they're not perfect to the character, but they do give off a similar sort of personality to what he has. I also like how the sliding higher notes towards the end also remind me of the music in SpongeBob (particularly the tracks that sometimes play during a titlecard for an episode), but in no way sound like they're ripping off the music from the show.

One thing I really missed from the first version of your entry was the introduction with the funky guitars, because those also fit the art quite well and served as a great beginning to the lyrics. I do enjoy how a hint of them sort of come up with the sliding notes towards the end, but I think they would have been so much more effective had the intro from the previous version been heard. I wasn't really a fan of how the track instantly starts, which is a shame because I like everything else about this track. The harmonies in the vocals and the off-and-on nature of the pitch in the vocals add a lot of charm to the song, and I like that they stand out more in this version.

Overall, I think you did a great job at connecting the art to the entry you've made. If the intro from the old version could be connected to this version, I think you'd have a pretty solid entry all around.

PikeyPaige responds:

Wow! I so appreciate the in-depth and thoughtful feedback. I was lucky to have such a hooky title to begin writing to. This song has become a regular part of my show now and I do very different versions of it each set. I will incorporate it out feedback into the performance and try to capture the things you liked in the first version as well as second version and hope to make it into a more solidified song.

I am so stoked that I tried my hand at making art based on art. That was a first for me and has broadened me as an artist, I feel.

[AIM - Landing of Hope]

I think you managed to capture everything you were going for in your music. I get spacey-ness (not sure about spacious though) and mysterious, alien landscapes that seem inviting. The atmosphere is captured perfectly and exuberates that balance of brightness with mysterious space vibes.

It was an interesting choice to make that lead distorted. I think it gives that sense of hidden wonder despite the somewhat happier melody, like you're exploring this barren landscape that you're not quite sure is actually barren and you're not sure what to expect, but you're hopeful that it will be a generally positive experience. I love that downward contour buried in the accompaniment starting at 0:16. It would have been nice to hear that a bit more, especially when all the other instruments enter, where it practically becomes non-existent.

Overall, I think the entry connects well with the art, with a fitting amount of whimsy with the dominant sevenths that go with the colours and the landscape. The track has a sleepy, relaxing vibe to it that one could rest to if not for the distorted lead. Nice work!

wobwobrob responds:

That's a great note about the downward contour - I can think of a ton of ways to highlight it or expand it throughout the track :)

[AIM - Leyline of the Shores]

Even though I prefer listening to your other entry, I like the way this entry captures the essence of its art inspiration more. The sound design feels just right not only for the atmosphere, but I can feel the particular colours leaping off the animation while I listen to this. The sound you made for "Shores" is very airy and has hints of ambiance behind it, both which convey the sounds of wind and water in the art.

I love the piece's progression with the addition of the percussion. The change in energy adds momentum and the change in pace allows for the exploration of the piece's soundscape in a more rhythmic motion. The composition feels so off, and yet that's what makes it work so well with the atmosphere.

Overall, this entry connects with the art well and has a great sound design that is oozing with atmosphere. The only other issue I have is that it ends so abruptly. I would have liked to hear it at least fade out, let the tail linger for a bit longer - it almost feels like there was more to this piece but a section of it was isolated for this contest (which wouldn't make sense given that there was more time left in the allotted range to expand on it more).

CorruptModule responds:

Thank you! This one was definitely trying to turn the given image into sound. I really appreciate the feedback!

[AIM - Out by the shipyard]

What I wholly love about this piece is how it takes its time setting the scene. I feel like I'm listening to the whole picture, not only the details, but also the atmosphere and the emotion. This is mainly due to the sections, which I could hear being expanded into their own tracks like a mini EP of sorts.

In the first section, the more ambient sounds integrate with the acoustic sounds seamlessly. I enjoyed the gradual buildup with the additions of more sounds subtly entering until the very end where the tension in that buildup finally becomes apparent. The chord choices in the second section are beautifully spaced out and the silence between the chords allows for one to linger on the emotional impact, but it is interesting that the silence between these chords seems to get shorter as that section progresses.

One minor nitpick I have is with the transition between the "Shipyard Walk" and "Empty Shells" sections. The strings not fading to silence was a good choice in preventing the piece from sounding like two different tracks, but they slightly duck between 2:31 and 2:32 in a place that would have felt more natural remaining at that same volume when the new string section enters.

I love how the third section flows, and all those strings working together in harmony just work so well in capturing the emptiness and sadness of a landscape. When the harp comes in at the fourth section, it really gives me KOLM vibes - just that right balance of hope and melancholy. The final section, bringing things back to a more ambient sense, quieting down...just brilliant.

Overall, I love how the piece takes its time with setting the mood with its strings, laying out the parts in a beautiful, flowing manner. I think there’s a beauty among the empty, desolate sadness, kind of like empty structures that get taken over with passing time. It makes me think: is nature trying to win its way back?

nyxl responds:

Thanks for listening and for your detailed review! I'm happy because what you described on how you experience the track is what I was aiming for. You are right about the strings around 2:31, I think this is because the highest note changes from root to seventh and the transition between the two notes does not really exist. It didn't bother me anymore after a lot of listens, but as you noticed, I should have tried to improve that :)

[AIM 2021 - Atmospheric research city]

This piece is absolutely ham and I'm here for it. The thing that really ties it all together is the robotized vocal. I thought it was really cool how it starts the piece and pops up during different parts of the drop. Speaking of the drops, that was also another component that is executed solidly. For an entry with multiple drops, I felt the energy building up and coming off of each one of them. You nailed just the right balance of intensity and high-energy with more pleasant and quieter sections.

One thing I thought could have used a bit more work on is the mixing of the instruments. Particularly during the intensive stuff, some of the higher end stuff gets buried behind the louder instruments, like the bell-like high-pitched sounds at 1:36. I think they were a great addition, adding more substance to the in-your-face beat; I just wish I could have heard them cut through the mix more.

Overall, this is a rather unexpected take on the art. I enjoy how it leads off with being pleasant and serene, but also adds a bunch of hard-hitting drums and basslines, etc. to give this sense of industrialism or maybe aliens honing in on the isolated, elevated city? 🤔 Side note: are the vocals supposed to say something, lyric-wise? They work great as instruments, just curious if they also had some meaning behind the words too, lol.

SazzyBoi responds:

The words of the robotic voice are very dark but censored xdd

[Green Sun]

I don't think I've ever heard a song in these compos that perfectly encapsulates a mood like this so perfectly and thoroughly. The accompaniment alone already evoked the summer heat, the laziness, the melancholy and the vocals and lyrics were the cherry on top. Great representation of the art inspiration for sure.

The vocals were exceptional. I love the echo effect, and even the way the vocals don't *quite* hit the notes properly adds character rather than detracting from the song. It feels organic and gives me a sense of longing - the "summertime sadness", if I could call it that, haha. One small issue I do have with the vocals is that it's quite easy to hear the pop in the diction - that and some parts sound like you're smacking your lips as you sing. It could have done with a cleaner recording, but that's my only big complaint there.

Overall, this entry was excellent in all aspects, and I definitely consider it to be a top contender, even on that first listen.

[AIM - Branches of Life]

I like the idea of using unconventional combinations of instruments as a way of representing branching paths. There's a lot of cool ideas the piece goes through, and I love that combination of electric guitar and pizzicato strings towards the end.

One thing I find interesting about the track is its take on branching in a figurative sense. Branches, despite being different, are still connected to one source, and the idea of having these instruments "connecting" to each other by accompanying each other's parts was quite neat. A lot of the composition does, however, feel a bit like a bunch of different jam sessions put together, and they were mostly short-lived.

Overall, this piece has a lot of intriguing ideas and a strange sound design to boot, but I think it generally works in the piece's favour, especially when it comes to illustrating its own musical concept. I enjoyed the unique interpretation of the art and how the end seems as though it's bringing the piece back to its candle-like form, thus connecting with the picture.

[AIM - Bus Stop]

As far as the orchestration goes, I love the contrast in sound between the piano and the bassline. Making a groovy piece was a good choice for connecting with the art, and I enjoyed watching the animation and seeing if the drum beats were matching up with the person's leg kicking out. The bass is pretty interesting, generally holding out its notes until the end of a measure before slipping to the higher notes, which could also be related back to the person in the artwork kicking out.

While this piece has all the components for making a good groove, ultimately I had trouble hearing this piece as actually being groovy. The arrangement, composition and sound design are a good setup, but for me, the execution misses the mark.

After listening through this several times, I think there are two things that stand out to me why I feel this way. One has to do with the production, perhaps even the texture. There are parts where the instruments are supposed to pull out and the drums roll back in, like at 1:08 (slightly), but most significantly, back at 0:23. It feels like there's a ton of reverb that is still tailing out as the instruments pull back, and that ends up muddling the drum rolls and making the roll not as effective.

The other drawback, I believe, has to do with the composition and structure. Part of what makes a piece groovy is knowing when to develop off the groove versus when to change it up and go for different ideas. The changes this piece goes through, at least for me, often felt too abrupt and because nothing really lingers, I don't get to familiarize myself with the grooves and it feels as though the ideas are just zooming past. Perhaps that was the intention, to make it seem like there are vehicles moving past the character in the art as they are waiting for the bus to arrive, but it also doesn't make for a memorable piece.

Overall, I think this entry had a lot of interesting and nice components to it, from the combination of instruments (piano + synths = satisfying). I love the way the piano gets heavily volume oscillated at 1:10 - it's hard to apply effects to piano without coming across as tacky, but this piece pulls it off effortlessly. With more attention to the balancing (when to repeat, when to move on/when to stop, when to go faster, etc.), it would make for an excellently catchy track.

[AIM - THE ILLUMINATED PATH]

This piece almost feels straight out of a Pokémon game soundtrack - I was thinking of Black & White in particular for some reason, but the similarities aside from the introduction and the sound design mostly cause it to diverge and become its own thing.

The journey this piece takes on, composition-wise, feels like a bumpy ride. In some cases, the main melody is presented as something familiar to grasp onto, but other times, the piece is going wild and crazy with its improvisational-like runs. The higher-end parts were particularly appealing, and I was always interested in where the road (musically) was taking me. It was quite unpredictable, a lot of the time.

The main issue I have with this piece mostly lies in the production. It's quite evident in the waveform, but a lot of the louder parts are too loud. Maybe it's not so much the loudness, but just that *everything* is overwhelmingly in-your-face and I feel like that can make these parts a bit sore for the ears. I would have liked to hear more space given to the instruments in the mix, whether that be like rounding off frequencies, lowering certain volumes, panning, etc. To me, a lot of the sound is very "squished", and the path being conveyed becomes too overexposed.

Nonetheless, I think this entry does manage to generally capture the journey along a path and the sudden tempo changes and flourishes add that splash of unpredictability that seems just right. Overall, nice work!