Round 3 Results:Scorpion - "A Tap Dancer's Dilemma" - Diablo Swing OrchestraAlright, I've yet to really get into this band. I dig their style, as it's very unique, but it just never seems to rub me the right way. I've had another song sent to me from them,"Voodoo Mon Amour", and I didn't think much of that one either. This one, I definitely like better, but I just don't ever feel like I want to listen to them. I'm always down to give them more chances and if you have any other songs from them that you think I should hear, by all means, send them my way, I'm all ears!
7/10
Shadow Ninja 2.0 - "Vessel" - While Heaven WeptOnce again, not a bad song, but not something I want to really listen to. I hate to use the word cheesy, because I don't like calling music cheesy that other people like, but I'm not very fond of the vocals. The instrumentation is pretty good, but there's not much pleasure this song has to offer me. I do like the intro quite a bit, but I do think the song is a bit lengthy and overstays its welcome.
7/10
kingshmegland - "God Rocket (Into the Heart of Las Vegas)" - I Mother EarthInteresting entry here, a bit different from what you've usually sent me. The intro was pretty cool and it took a different turn than expected. The vocals here are okay, nothing great to my ears, but certainly not bad. I think what I enjoy most about this song is the drumming, as they have a loud, powerful presence that doesn't go over the top and distract from everything else. The atmosphere of this song overall is cool, but it doesn't hit me in a big way. It's just, "a cool song", but not much more.
7.5/10
Train of Naught - "Unholy" - Slash, ft. Myles Kennedy & The ConspiratorsOkay, well, I don't like Guns N' Roses, but you know why? Not because of Slash, but Axl, fuck him. I've always admired Slash as a guitar player, despite what anyone says. Now, the best part of the song, Myles Kennedy. I'm a big fan of this guy, he's got a piercing, powerful voice, and this song is a good display of that. I like Alter Bridge quite a bit, and this sounds like something they would release, so I'm certainly not complaining. I'll be honest though, I completely forgot Slash was even in this song when I first listened to it. I expected a bit more of him in this song, but considering the vocals make this song, that's not a bad thing. This is a good song, for sure.
8/10Sacul - "Back When You Were Beautiful" - No-ManOne of the many Steven Wilson side projects, and one of the few that I have not checked out. I'm not quite sure how I feel about Tim Bowness. I do think he is a good vocalist, but I just don't think it fits in the context of this song, personally. His other song you sent me, "Sing to Me", I REALLY enjoyed his vocals, and that song was amazing. This song puts out a nice vibe, as it's certainly pretty. Though I probably would have liked it more if it had been instrumental. I'm not taking anything away from him, but the vocals in this one didn't really click with me like the other song did. I guess I'm just gonna have to keep checking this stuff out to see if I really like it. The music, on the other hand, is simply fantastic. Beautiful, and the last minute and a half or so is wonderful.
8/10splent - "Star of Wonder" - Tori AmosOkay, I actually wasn't really expecting to like this as much as I do. She's quite an amazing vocalist, and I really, really like the mood of this song. I understand why you've been in a mood for this, I completely understand. I've heard her name tossed around several times before, and this is the only thing I've ever heard. I do like what I'm hearing, even if this isn't really an original song. I'm definitely going to be looking into more of her work, nice surprise for sure.
8.5/10
Parama - "Cotard" - The Hirsch EffektThis song took a bit to grow, as on first listen, I had no idea what was going on. Consider me sold on the vocals, as I think they are excellent. There are parts of this song I really love, but some not so much. Some of the really chaotic parts are interesting, but not appealing to my ears. Luckily, those sections aren't really lengthy, and most of this song has a good sense of melody to it. I really think this song would have been better if the middle had been cut
The outro is very awesome, too. So yeah, all in all, the vocals, and melodic parts are the areas of this song I really enjoy. The chaotic parts, not so much, but that is outweighed by the good.
9/10
senecadawg2 - "Brothers in Arms" - Dire StraitsThe only Dire Straits song I knew before this was "Walk of Life", and this is completely different. Unlike the former, this one is just a laid back, atmospheric story. I do very much enjoy the lyrics, they are beautiful. I love the simple guitar work, the soft conservative drumming, and the vocals. I can definitely see why you like this song so much. I hear fantastic things about this album as whole too, and clearly, there's gotta be a good deal of diversity based on what little I've heard. Cool, relaxing, gorgeous song.
9.5/10Elite - "Taro" - Alt-JWhat a different path you've taken this time, and yeah, it definitely worked. This song is just extremely gorgeous. I'm not even sure what the lyrics mean, at all. The delivery of the vocals is more significant, though. The chorus melody is so unique and memorable, I haven't heard something like this before. For some strange reason, it reminds me of like a more up-beat Sigur Ros, but I could be completely off because I don't know what their other stuff sounds like. Everything in this song works, and all put together, it's just a beautiful creation. Definitely not what I expected you to send me, but I am extremely pleased.
9.5/10Tom Bombadil - "Dirt" - PhishWow, I love this! This one is my favorite of the round, and possibly the entire roulette thus far. Phish is one of those bands that I've listened to very, very little of. All I knew is that they were a very cool jam band from Vermont. Sometimes, I forget Vermont exists
. But seriously, this song has it all. The beautiful melodies, the smooth and inspiring guitar work, paced, present drumming, a good vibe, and some amazing vocals and lyrics. There's not a better feeling than discovering a song, loving the song, and then getting that feeling of extreme excitement of listening to more of what they have to offer. I've been listening to a lot of them lately, and I thank you very much for that. Such a simple, straight-forward, gem.
10/10