Here are the results. Beforehand, I want to emphasize that all nine of you have really done quite well and sent me a lot of stuff I find very interesting. If I had been faced with the challenge of simply choosing three of you to eliminate based on prior performance, it would have been almost impossibly difficult. Since I was choosing those three based on how well I like your songs, though, that made things easier logistically, at least.
There were a few songs this time that didn't really do it for me, to be honest, but there were also a few that I found quite good. So we'll have a nice spread of scores this time, in the final single-song round.
Thank you again to everyone for participating!
ShadowNinja 2.0: Dir en Grey - Ware, Yami Tote…
This is a song that interests me stylistically, because it feels like the band has taken somewhat of a metal approach to songwriting using primarily acoustic instrumentation.
What I really like in terms of the execution is the vocal performance. I love it when a singer puts a lot of emotion into his performance, and that is definitely going on here (I can tell even though the lyrics are in a language that I do not speak). That definitely adds a lot to my level of interest in this one.
On the instrumental level, my view of the execution is somewhat mixed. I think there are some good passages on the acoustic guitar, but at times the instrumentation feels a bit plain to me. This feels especially true in the second half of the song, when the distorted guitars come in. My feeling is that this is a song that starts out pretty strong but fizzles out in the second half.
The more I listen to this song, the more I realize that being really interested the idea behind it isn’t the same thing as finding the finished product really interesting, and the more I realize that the main thing I enjoy is the vocal performance, while the instrumentation just does not do it for me.
Unfortunately, this result means that you are going to finish below 6th place and consequently miss out on the EP round. The decision to eliminate anyone of this final nine is extraordinarily tough, because every one of you has produced a number of great entries. You in particular have given me what has a very good chance of ending up as my #1 favorite from the roulette: the Sleeping At Last song. Plus several other very good entries in the Frost*, Frightened Rabbit and Cloud Cult songs. All of these artists are ones I am very interested in. And if you would like to send me an EP, I would love to listen to it after the roulette is over and I would be happy to give you some feedback. Definitely want to hear more when possible.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Kattelox: Power Quest - Magic Never Dies
If I had done a snippet for this one, it would have implied something like “This one comes close to escaping the trap of ‘okay here’s some power metal,’ but it doesn’t quite escape it.”
Because this is both a song that has a good number of interesting melodies going on and a song that seems designed to check all the power metal boxes without any real stylistic deviations. It’s definitely not in-one-ear-and-out-the-other like some of the purely generic stuff in the power metal genre. It is something that I’ll enjoy when I’m listening to it, but that doesn’t make much of a lasting impression.
There’s nothing really to criticize here from a musical perspective. As I said, some good melodies. A good vocal performance and nice instrumentals, particularly from the keyboardist. Lyrics are not very good, which doesn’t help, but they aren’t severely hurting it like they did on the Rhapsody of Fire song.
It’s a song that I like, but it just doesn’t have enough going for it to push it into the higher echelon.
Unfortunately, this result will cause your total score to drop below 6th place, and thus below the threshold to continue to the EP round. This group of nine players all really sent some great material, and cutting any of you would have been tough. For you specifically, I really appreciated what you showed me in terms of the varieties of power metal that exists out there. And while I didn’t end up liking all of it, I am optimistic some of the artists you sent me will go on to become favorites. If you want to still send it, I would love to accept your EP, listen to it once the roulette is over and give you feedback. I really want to hear what you were planning to send.
Score: 7 out of 10
Indiscipline: Deep Purple - Burn
Snippet: I don't know. I understand that a lot of people really like this artist, but this isn't clicking with me so far.
So, this song falls into the category of straightforward rockers. That is a category that can really be hit or miss for me. I enjoy rockers that are well-done with interesting riffs and melodies, but I often find that I’m left looking for a little bit more.
This one is fairly well-done. It stays high-energy with some interesting melodies, in particular that guitar part at around the 3-minute mark. The keyboard solo is also pretty good, and the main riff is catchy.
This is a song that I enjoy, but… it’s not one that makes the type of impression on me that higher-scoring songs do. I hate to say it, knowing that it’s one that you like a lot, but that’s how I feel about it. If I had to point to something in particular, I would say that the vocal parts aren’t as interesting as they could be, but it’s more of an overall feeling that I get here.
That said, your scores in earlier rounds, several them won on excellent songs, are sufficient to give you a shot at glory in the EP round. Best of luck.
Score: 7 out of 10
Nekov: Agents of Mercy - A Quiet Little Town
Snippet: A lot of meandering going on here. But I'm starting to catch onto some threads that I enjoy...
Yeah, so something about the structure of this one really did throw me off the first couple of times I listened to it. It feels like a winding a tour through a number of different musical sections, kind of like a tour through a town, perhaps.
Once I started to find the threads and follow the structure of this one, it became something that I enjoy pretty well! It definitely has a lot of the trappings of modern prog, but it has something of a distinct feel all its own, much of which is lent to it by the vocal melodies, which feel like they have a lot of forward momentum. The “in a qui-et li-ttle town” part that repeats a few times is not something I like, but other than that the vocals are not just good, they’re interesting. I also have to commend the bass, which steals the show from the other instruments at several points in this one.
This song’s distinct feel is not exactly up my alley, but it’s close enough to my alley for me to find it an enjoyable listen as well as a distinctive one.
This entry places you right on the very borderline of the EP round. The decisive factor will be a short one-song lightning round against Parama. Send me a better song than he does and you’ll be in the final EP round.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Parama: My Chemical Romance - Disenchanted
This song is not anything particularly groundbreaking. It has all the hallmarks of an anthemic, pop or stadium rock song with a prominent strain of “emo” styling, particularly in the vocals.
But it is pretty well-executed. The chorus is anthemic and definitely lends itself to being belted out. It’s bolstered by some nice riffs and a hint of keyboards that really provide a nice touch. All the elements are well-placed, and while this doesn’t have the emotional impact for me that I suppose it might for you, I can see where that impact comes in, and can still feel the power that it generates, especially as it builds up to the first instance of that big chorus. And ultimately that makes it still quite enjoyable for me to listen to.
You are so close to being in the EP round. You have one obstacle to overcome. A lightning round. Give me the best song you have, beat out Nekov, and your EP will become an official entry.
Score: 8 out of 10
Evermind: Orphaned Land - The Cave
First of all, stylistically, this is something that really interests me a lot. I like the ample use of symphonic elements and the Eastern flavor brought to this metal song. The growls are tastefully used and actually, I think, added an element that the song needed. I wouldn’t have minded if they had been used on more than just that one short section.
My main problem with this one is something that seems minor, but is something that does bother me about some songs, which is that it is a little bit too repetitive. I feel like this one spends a bit too much time on that chorus. Not something that’s going to drag a score way down, but still a strike against it—especially when I think the chorus is actually the weakest part of the song.
On the whole, though, this song is a triumph. It keeps a lot of different instrumental elements all engaged throughout the song. The guitarist stays particularly busy, and the aforementioned Eastern elements are integrated quite well. I’d definitely be interested in hearing more from these guys.
After this entry, I’d say you’re in what must be a pretty familiar position: one half point out of first place. But the opportunity is there to make things come out differently this time. Just one stellar EP away from victory… Best of luck.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Elite: Bruce Springsteen - New York City Serenade
Snippet: I enjoy the feel of this song quite a bit, but there is one section that feels really out of place and borderline disruptive.
I am, of course, familiar with The Boss, and in my familiarity, I have always liked the vibe he brings to a lot of his songs. This one, the first one I am making a concerted effort to listen to repeatedly, definitely encapsulates that vibe. Springsteen’s vocals here are really special. He doesn’t impress you with his range or any sort of acrobatics at all, but with the way he delivers each and every line for maximum impact. He just slides from one word to another so smoothly in a way that puts you on the edge of your seat for what is next.
The part that felt really incongruous to me at first was the “She won’t take the train” interlude right in the middle. And I still do feel it doesn’t really fit. It pulls me right out of the vibe, and I would have preferred for that section of the song to have been handled differently.
But the song as a whole is really so good that it mostly overcomes this issue. Springsteen’s special vocal performance and some really diverse instrumentation just do a very good job of setting a captivating scene.
And yes, this vocal performance gives you the score you need to climb out of the cellar and survive to the EP round. Great choice. And best of luck to you in the EP segment.
Score: 9 out of 10
Lethean: Kingcrow - Phlegethon
You know, this is actually the third time I have heard Kingcrow in a roulette. And it’s not like I disliked them the first two times. I did like their songs when I heard them. But to date there just was not enough to drive me check out their discography quickly—and then I did mostly fall out of listening to prog for a while.
This song is a game-changer for me, where Kingcrow is concerned. It’s by head and shoulders my favorite song I’ve heard from them, and it’s the one on which I most feel they have a distinct flavor all their own, most powerfully felt on the great chorus with all those nice vocal harmonies.
I really just quite enjoy this song. It’s one of those ~10 minute prog songs that runs from one segment to the other without ever breaking stride or feeling like it’s stitching a bunch of separate pieces together. This is the one that really will get me to check out Kingcrow.
And this excellent entry is enough to put you in sole possession of first place! All you have to do is hold off Evermind and four other strong competitors in a hard-fought EP round to come in first out of 18. Best of luck to you.
Score: 9 out of 10
romdrums: Queensrÿche - Anybody Listening?
I am familiar with Operation: Mindcrime, but that’s it from Queensrÿche. And honestly, all the weird Geoff Tate drama that I heard about kind of put me off any further interest. That and people saying they only have a handful of good albums at most.
Well, I was wrong to ignore the albums around Mindcrime, I guess. Because this is an excellent song. Great dynamics and build-up, instrumentation that is subtle when it needs to be and bombastic when that’s needed. And at center stage, a stellar vocal performance from one Geoff Tate.
What’s interesting to me is that a lot of the vocal melodies here sound really reminiscent of others on Mindcrime, which might in some cases be a reason to object to the artist’s lack of originality. But in this case, it actually contributes to a feeling that this song is the distillation of the best things about Queensrÿche.
Tate’s vocal performance is one for the ages, and this song is very well-written and well-performed. Definitely my favorite song of the round, and already my favorite Queensrÿche song.
After another very impressive entry, you’re standing just a half point out of first place. The EP round will be the test, and you have one of the best shots to win it all. Best of luck in the final push.
Score: 9 out of 10
Standings:
Lethean: 59
Evermind: 58.5
romdrums: 58.5
Indiscipline: 57.5
Elite: 56.5
Nekov: 56
Parama: 56
Kattelox: 55.5
ShadowNinja 2.0: 55.5
Kattelox and ShadowNinja are eliminated. Sorry to see you guys go! Thank you very much for playing and for sending me some great material.
Before the EP round is fully underway, we will have a lightning round tiebreaker between Parama and Nekov, who tied for the last elimination spot. For this tiebreaker, like last time we had a tie for an elimination spot, both of you send me a song no longer than 10 minutes. I will listen to both songs just a handful of times, and the person whose song I like best will advance to the EP round.
I do want to run this EP round on as fast a timetable as I can, so I want to ask everybody to go ahead and submit their EPs as soon as they have them ready—including Nekov, if possible (Parama has already sent his). The lightning round won't take longer than 48 hours after I have both songs, and I will probably start listening to the EPs straightaway given how much time they will necessarily take.
To make sure the EP restrictions are all in one place, the EP should be a playlist of tracks from at least three different artists, with each artist having at least one substantial track (a bit of a difficult requirement to pin down, but this basically means a full song and not merely an intro). And I think it would be a good idea to devote no more than 60% of the total runtime to any one artist (though if anyone has something prepared that doesn't follow this, let me know and I may waive it). The maximum total runtime for the EP is 40 minutes.
My preference would be to receive each EP as a Spotify playlist. This would make the EPs easily accessible without ads in between the songs as there would be on YouTube. I know some people like to make edits, and I'm fine with that—if you would like to send me an edited file, you can send a download link or PM me to ask for my email address. YouTube playlist is acceptable if necessary.
I also ask that people include the tracklist, preferably with runtime, in the actual text of your PM. That way we're both clear on what the EP sequence will be and I can more easily solve any issues that might arise. And also include a title for your EP!
Oh, and I think I haven't mentioned this yet, but this was the practice in my first roulette as well: The EP will be scored out of 20 points, not 10. And the scoring will be holistic (in other words, I will not do a mathematical equation in which I score each song and then add in a score for "flow," although both the individual merits of each song and the flow will be taken into consideration). Holistic scoring means that I will score the EP based on how well I enjoy listening to the thing as a complete musical unit, so make sure that your EP is not just a collection of songs.
Looking forward to seeing what's on these EPs!
Topic: 425’s Second Roulette v. Keep your hands upon the wheel (Read 95158 times)
