From TranceMyriad on 18.11.2005, 00:16:
Time for my compo reviews:
Lastfuture - "Picknick"
I quite like the melodies in this one, but I don't think there's enough variation - not enough happening to keep the listener interested for the whole track. I was really waiting to hear some complicated DnB-type percussion over the top, would work really well - as it stands, the high hats/shakers were a bit too quiet, I think. Also, the whole track sounds a little too lo-fi for my liking - like everything's under a bad low-pass filter.
Overall, nice melodies, some nice ideas in there, but it's a little bit too repetitive and needs more variation to spice it up.
Nice work!
Taika-Kim - "Zarjaz Beats!"
Starts off quite nicely - the percussion has a nice "live" feel. The bass drum seems a bit weak imo, although it's covered up by everything else later on. Some lovely synths in there, as well as the usual blips and clicks. The mix is a little bit muddy, but I think that's because you've got a few synths with very similar frequencies all with a similar stereo width (having said, that, it's not a major problem in this track). Hehe, you certainly like your robots - first "Evil Attack Robot Empire" and now this .
Overall, very nice, well produced track
Liquid Boy - "Dynamo"
Very nice intro chords, but they get a bit boring after a while - they need some variation - mix them up a bit! Nice bass as well. The screachy lead synth could sit a bit further forward in the mix - it's a little distant atm. Percussion overall is very nice - works well.
Overall, some very cool ideas in this track, but it's a little lacking in variation.
Rolemusic - "I'm in a place I don't belong"
This tune is a little too simplistic for my liking - mainly the intro. I like the vocals, although they are a little hard to hear. The melodies are quite nice. I would like to hear a non-chiptune version of this. I think there could've been a bit more in the way of backing synths here - it sounds a bit empty in places.
Overall, this has a nice sound to it
Angelus - "Crossing Heaven's Doors"
Some lovely intro synths there. The boom was a tad too loud, and a little harsh imo - doesn't quite match - I think it's because of the snap on the drum being too obvious. The synth that comes in at 0:46 is a little irritating - I think it's just an EQ issue. The guitar is lovely.
That breathing effect works well - but I think you could've faded everything else back in a little better - it's a bit sharp. It shocks a little too much imo.
Apart from that, I have no major complaints - a very well produced track. I would like to hear you re-do this one with a better reverb etc - it would sound awesome.
Nice work!!
Heintau - "Cold Rain"
Some nice ideas in this track, but it doesn't really go anywhere. Even if you're trying to put the listener to sleep, I think you've got to give the track some direction - this track doesn't seem to have much, imo. Having said that, I like the general sound of this.
MfM - "Sunrise Battle"
Love that intro - it really sets the mood. Just when I start to think it's been going on a little too long, the real variation begins. Those plucked synths seem a little sharp compared with what you've started off with. Melodies are spot on.
I'm quite impressed with this one - it has a very nice feel to it - better watch out MfM, you might win on votes, and then people mightn't believe that you'd won jk lol
6Sides - "What on Mars"
Rather simple track, this one. It just sounds like it's a collection of ideas, and doesn't really go anywhere. Tbh, it sounds like someone's just improvising with synths, and recording them along the way.
Sorry, but I'm not particularly impressed with this one. Although I had a laugh at the inclusion of the "unknowns" quote (it was someone in the US govt that said that, wasn't it?).
Alk - "Insert Disk 2"
I quite like the synths in this one - this track has a nice feel. Lovely melody. Can't say I'm a fan of the synth that comes in at 1:30 - sounds a little out of place imo.
This tune has a very nostalgic feel to it (in a good way). Nice work!
Scuba - "South African Hybrid Chillout"
This track sounds like you've added a very nice guitar riff, then added a whole bunch of psycle presets over the top, with not many fx. I just looked at the psy, and I have one major suggestion for you: EFFECTS!! Reverb, delays etc.! Use them! They make a big difference...
Sample - "Glide is Funny"
Ouch! I had to listen to the psy, since the ogg was clipping badly lol. You know, you could make a very cool hard trance track with that glide synth
I love the percussion - works really well. I agree with what someone said about the track sounding like a random collection of patterns. Some very good ideas, but the track doesn't have much direction, and there's not much transition between different sections.
Overall, nice work. Some nice sounds in there
JosepMa - "Looping in Magicworld"
Long time, no sound, Josep! I'd better say nice things, or he might put a bug in Psycle that only gets me jk
Some very nice sounds in this. There's a couple of places where things don't seem to be in harmony, or even in good disharmony. Rather simple percussion, but the melodies are dominant, so you can get away with it.
Magnus - "Lulu Likes"
Rather simple, some nice melodies, but not enough to it imo. Not much more to comment on.
Someone Else - "There and Then"
Some interesting ideas in this, but really not my cup of tea. Rather muddy mix, some cool sounds in there.
Dazzled - "Dints and Taps"
Percussion in this works well. Some nice ideas, but by the end of the track it's a bit of "too much of the same". Has a nice minimalist feel to it, but a bit TOO much minimalism if you know what I mean.
Overall, I'm impressed with this batch of compo entries - they're definitely increasing in quality every time.
Good work, everyone!
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