OK, here are the brief write-ups for Round 3. Like I said, work has been a bitch, so I haven't really been able to get on DTF all that much, but I have been listening. Each song got at least 7 listens. But I'll be honest, I really only liked a couple of songs.
Parama...The Hirsch Effect-Cotard"This was a chore to get through"
So I felt like this was a big nut to crack the first time I heard it. I finally warmed up to it quite a bit. Musically, it sounds like a more progressive Odd Dimension. There is tons of cool stuff going on in this track. For a 9 minute song, the different sections managed to hold my interest. I kept comparing this in my mind to the Leprous track in the last round. I just found this musically more interesting. Still, it never gave me that "Oh wow" moment. And I must say that the last 40 seconds is a total waste. Why on earth end a cool tune like that??
8.0Sacul...Devin Townsend-Depth Charge"Some cool guitar work"
The opening note makes me think I'm going to hear UFO's Let It Roll. But the first 1:25 of this is
. Overall I like this song. It rocks pretty good. I am not a fan the screaming though. I actually find it annoying. IMO it doesn't need it. I don't think he has a great voice, but I'd so much rather hear him clean. He's much better than Ackerfeldt clean though.
8.0Train Of Naught...Beardfish-Voluntary Slavery"I don't remember anything about it"
This one took a couple listens to break down. At first it sounded a little like Soundgarden, which, for me, isn't necessarily a good thing. But I got past that, as this band seems to have an old soul feel to it. Love the "in the end we're all slaves" part. Some cool sounding guitar underneath. If this song ended at 5:00 after the cool instrumental part, it would've made a great and powerful ending. Yet this song, like many in this round, needlessly extended itself.
7.0Tomislav95...dredge-Ode To The Sun"Refreshing"
My first impression comment of "Refreshing" was based on my ears needing a break after the first 3 songs. What I like about this song is that it is concise and is really the perfect length. It never meanders. I love the vocals in the chorus. The guy is just going for it. Reminded me of Bono. I enjoyed this.
8.0Tyrias...Oceansize-Trail Of Fire"I want to hear this again"
This song also gave me a little U2 feel, mixed in with some Presto era Rush. It is pleasant enough. I didn't not like it, but it's a little non descript. Throughout the listening, I was really trying to figure out what to say about it. Has a Indie feel to it. Way too long.
7.0LordCost...Rishloo-Landmines"Interesting...and cool"
Best song of the round! The vocalist really made me think of Freddie Mercury. I'd love to hear him sing this track. The vocalist is excellent on this though. There was really nothing I didn't like about it. Each part has it's own certain coolness. Love the old school guitar solo underneath, and the solo proper. Reminded me of what Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner did in the mid 70's with Alice Cooper. The "I've had enough of idle revelry" part is a total eargasm. I was rocking out big time to that part. This song was never boring, which I can't say about a lot of songs in this round. Would love to hear more from them.
9.0Shadow Ninja 2.0....Steam Powered Giraffe-Automatic Electronic
Harmonics"That was so weird it was awesome"
So on first glance, this had all the makings of a disaster. Even though you guys send me youtube links, I convert and download them, and I do not watch the videos. But I saw the beginning of this one, and I was obviously WTF? I immediately shut it off, because I did not want he video to in any way influence me. But suffice to say, I was intrigued. I must say, this turned out really cool. The first verse, with the harmonies, is absolutely amazing. It's too bad, they never really seemed to go to a second verse. It was easily the best part of the song. The chorus is just ok, and they repeat it too much. This song was an example of lingering on. It would've been fine if they ended it at 3:35, but certainly after the um..solo at 4:36 would've been awesome. I did not need to heard the chorus again. Still those vocals.. My flame suit is on.
8.5The Silent Cody...Devin Townsend-Stagnant"This is different from what I've heard from this band.
What is this? Devin Bon Jovi? I was disappointed with this. The first part sounds like Bon Jovi, but then it transitions into a 90's style radio rock. Reminded me of Stained. And I do not care for that style at all.
6.5Home...Karnivool-Alpha Omega"I have a feeling I'll like this more the second time around"
This song really took forever to get going, and then it seemed like forever to end. The slower build up part just went on too long. This song would've made a much better five to six minute track. That said, I loved the vocals when the song picked up. They sounded to my ears a little like 70's Ozzy. This song has to have a better song. Again, I would check out something else by them for sure. It was just OK.
7.0
Standings:
Parama-25.5
LordCost-24.5
Home-23.5
Shadow Ninja - 23.5
Train Of Naught-22.5
Tomislave95-22.5
Sacul-22.0
Tyrias-21.5
The Silent Cody-21.5