Here we are:
ROUND 4 RESULTS
Tyrias: Queens of the Stone Age - I Sat by the Ocean
I've heard a couple Queens of the Stone Age songs before, and this one pretty much fits right in with the other ones I've heard. Not bad, but it's kind of just "there". There's nothing I dislike, but the repetitiveness of the main riff makes me start to zone out after a couple minutes and I lose focus.
Grade: 6
Senecadawg: Gotye - Don't Worry, We'll Be Watching You
Your description of the song was pretty spot on. It feels exactly like a night-time, rainy, in the city investigation type thing. However, I noticed that I tended to enjoy the song more as kind of background music while I was doing something else (driving would fall into that category, so it definitely fits the theme), as opposed to when I was solely listening to the song. So there's definitely a "time and place" where this song works great, but other times when it doesn't, if that makes any sense whatsoever.
Grade: 6.5
Train of Naught: Alter Bridge - Cry of Achilles
Ah, another band that I briefly listened to, and figured they were just another "DT clone". Well maybe they still are, but this song in particular definitely isn't. Very infectious beat and riffs, with solid vocals to go along. I especially liked the parts with the cleaner sounding guitar. Very fun song.
Grade: 7
Shadow Ninja: The Plot In You - My Old Ways
This definitely fit the theme. Solid driving song, fun and enjoyable to listen to. I really liked the intro, how it just exploded out of the gate. Overall its one of those songs that has nothing I dislike, but nothing really extraordinary to push it into that next level. I know I tend to say that a lot
Grade: 7
Scorpion: Caligula's Horse - A Gift to Afterthought
All of the songs this round were so consistent that I'm running out of things to say. This is another one this round that can best be described as "really enjoyable to listen to". There was nothing here that I disliked, and I lot that was really good. Solid song in just about every way.
Grade: 7
Sacul: The Mars Volta - Son et Lumiere/Intertiatic Esp
Definitely heard of this band before, but I don't think I ever checked them out before. The intro was really cool, and easily my favorite part of the song. The rest was still very good, but I like the intro so much that it was a little disappointing to be honest. Still a really good song overall, and that drum breakdown in the middle is sick.
Grade: 7.5
Parama: Rosetta - Absent & Beta Aquilae
The more I listen to this song, the more I appreciate it. The long build up in the intro is great, and then it just explodes into some awesome riffage. The vocals were really quiet and subdued, but I actually really liked how they fit in the song. Also, the drumming was just fantastic, and as someone who plays the drums it made it a lot of fun to listen to. Oh, and that ending was like Misunderstood meets Chaosphere = yes.
Grade: 8.5
Splent: Jean-Luc Ponty - The Trans-Love Express
Such groove... That pretty much sums up this tune haha. The melodies of this song were great, but for me it was really the rhythm sections, the bass, drums, and rhythm guitar, that totally steal the show. They were just flawless. Can't help myself from smiling when the guitar solo comes in at 2:00. I could listen to this on repeat for days.
Grade: 8.5
This round was absolutely awesome guys! I'm gonna need some iTunes money or something for Christmas.
STANDINGS
1. Splent - 30
2. Senecadawg - 28.5
2. Shadow Ninja - 28.5
2. Train of Naught - 28.5
5. Scorpion - 27.5
5. Sacul - 27.5
7. Parama - 27
8. Tyrias - 26.5
Scores are still all really close together. Everyone's been consistent.
Let's do another open round next, because why not?
Next round might take a little longer than normal, as Finals Week is upon me next week. Results should be next weekend (so like a week and a half) at the latest. Please don't kill me.