You know, I decided to have 15 players to up the chances of finding good stuff, and to have somehow consistent rounds with just a few duds - seems like that proportion has gone the other way around this time. Honoestly, at this point of the game, I didn't expect this. But, in the end, my tastes make little sense to you although they're pretty clear to me, so it's not much of your fault
(mikemangioy)
Mestís -
Gentle GiantEh... no. Kind of generic whale-core
At least the bass sounds gud.
2.5/5(Parama)
The Hirsch Effekt -
BezoarI think that even after like 5-6 listens, this track still makes very little sense to me structurally. I wouldn't mind if every part was awesome on its own. Sadly, this isn't really the case - I feel the good parts are sporadic, while there's an abundance of heavy sections that seem done for the sake of heaviness. And for some reason some melodic parts remind of Haken circa Visions. And I like Converge because of the excellent songwriting - those guys don't make heavy, furious songs for the sake of it, but to express and fuel their anger and frustration. Kind of the same with Nine Inch Nails. Although I have to be in the mood to enjoy the mentioned, I feel like an emotional catharsis when I listen to them. Plus they have better songwriting.
2.5/5(Evermind)
Seventh Wonder -
UnbreakableThis is like a crossover of power metal, prog, and anime intro (or outro?) music - a fucking cheesefest
Honestly, this sounds generic as fuck, and falls into several of the tropes I dislike about the aforementioned genres - even a guitar solo lol. No, I don't connect with this kind of music at all. Basically that. Oh, and the singer is pretty great.
2.5/5(Shadow Ninja 2.0)
Vulture Industries -
The TowerI can definitely see why you love this thing, but I honestly don't connect with it. Don't have much to say, for that sums up it perfect.
+2.5/5(senecadawg2)
Max Richter -
She RemembersSoundtracks are a very tricky thing to me, for I feel I rarely enjoy them out of their context without having listened to them in such context in the first place. I can only imagine this piece belong to a very dark, sad scene of this series. It's a nice little song, but... just that. Nothing makes it stand out nor I connect with it - it feels incomplete without context. At this point I wonder if you're even trying, mate - I know you have better stuff that would suit my tastes
3/5(sneakyblueberry)
Jeff Buckley -
VancouverFor a moment I thought you would try to redeem Buckley with another song from Grace
So... even after several listens I can't recall a single thing from this song besides his great vocal performance. Odd thing, but I guess it's because I didn't really connect with it.
3/5(Bolsters)
MØ -
PilgrimThis is quite a mixed tune, for on one had there's a nice atmosphere and good vocals and melodies - on the other that weird, eh... trumpet melody that keeps appearing for like half of the song. I don't really like it. Other than that, it was nice I guess - maybe I'd have like other songs from the album more, as you said
3/5(425)
Bruce Dickinson -
Arc of SpaceI can be quite picky with my ballads - while I normally prefer female-fronted beautiful stuff (like iamthemorning and Marketa Irglová <3), that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a ballad with male vocals. And... I don't really connect with this track. And the worst is I'm not exactly sure why - the song is there, and I'm here, but there's basically no link between both as it would happen with tunes I liked more.
3/5(splent)
G. F. Handel -
Solomon: Arrival of the Queen of ShebaThis is one of those things about classical music that make it such a mixed genre for me - lots of compositions sound the same, or very similar, like they could be written by the same guy. While enjoyable, I didn't find anything really outstanding about this piece. If it makes you feel better, here is my absolute favorite classical piece: Beethoven - Sonata 14 "Moonlight" Movement 1. There's a world of difference between listening to a recorded interpretation and playing it, for it's a very moving piece - when I learned it, it could made me tear up. Really an astonishing composition.
3/5(Elite)
Look to Windward -
Vad Åskan SadeWhat kind of music this even is?
To be honest I feel quite mixed about this song, for it goes many, many places in less than 7 mins, meaning it's quite hard to digest in just a few listens. I don't mind this approach as long as each place is interesting and doesn't appear abruptly. But I'm afraid that this song goes to places I quite like as well as others that just underwhelm me. It indeed has some interesting "textures" going on. But overall it's just all over the place and doesn't feel cohesive at all, like without a clear direction. Maybe it will grow on me on relistens, but I can't score it higher than this now.
+3/5(Fluffy Lothario)
Fat Freddy’s Drop -
BlackbirdSo this is some kind of nice mix of reggae with soul. I dunno what to say about it other than I just liked it. Nothing mindblowing, but quite enjoyable - I dig the good vibes here and the short solos.
3.5/5(Train of Naught)
Apocalyptica -
PathA very interesting combination of strings and metal, and it works quite well. I'm not convinced on the guitar sound production - sounds quite weak and doesn't have the best sound to it. The ocassional synths are a nice touch. Overall, it kind of repeats the same theme and makes it fell like it goes nowhere - and the end is too abrupt. So, very good idea, kinda could-be-better execution.
3.5/5(Tyrias)
Caravan Palace -
SuzyFor reasons I can't explain, I have a bit of a soft spot for cabaret and swing music, and electro swing is definitely something I want to dig deeper in the future. Although it may not be the most varied song in the round, it does its job very very well - good thing I have one of their albums in the list.
4/5(BIZKIT)
The Aristocrats -
Bad AsteroidThis is the kind of stuff that reminds me of LTE - pretty groovy instrumental music that's closer to Jazz Fusion, and shows the great chemistry between the musicians. Overall, although Guthrie kind of dominates the piece, the other guys made some tasty work. Pretty interesting.
4/5(home)
London Grammar -
Hey NowSo earlier today I did one listen of this round, and throughout the day I had this song stuck in my head - and that's normally a good sign. At first her voice felt a bit weird since it's a bit unusual to find singers that sing (duh) in a low register most of the time. But I got used to it, and quite like it now for how unique it is. Gorgeous atmosphere, definitely. My only complaint, and with like most of this round's songs, is how short it feels - in my opinion, this track could have been developed a bit more. Other than that, this is excellent.
+4/5Standings
36.5 - Fluffy Lothario xxxxx
+36 - Elite xxxxx
+35 - Bolsters xxxx
+34.5 - home xxxxx
34 - Biskit xxxxx
+33.5 - Train of Naught xxxxx
33.5 - Shadow Ninja 2.0 xxxxx
(33.5 - Symphony)
+32.5 - Parama xxxxx
+32.5 - Evermind xxxxx
+32.5 - senecadawg2 xxxxx
+31.5 - Tyrias xxxxx
31 - 425 xxxxx
31 - splent xxxxx
29.5 - Sneakyblueberry xxxxx
27 - mikemangioy xxxxx
OHBOY, finally the tie in the lead has been broken, and Fluffy claims his crown, but he shall wait until after finals to see if he shall be crowned as the master of my roulette. In the meantime home solidifies his position in the top 5 at #4 with the biskit at the edge of it, with ToN just behind his very feet - a relisten and the round 10 results will determine who will get the precious ticket to THE INSANE EP ROUND IN WHICH YOU WILL ALL SUFFER WITH BAD SCORES. Unless a miracle (and a tragedy) occurs, the rest are unlikely to get a chance, but who knows - this last round is your last shot for 10 of you folks, so make it worth it.
So...
I have decided to wrap this part of the roulette up with a bang:
the absolute time limit here is 18:30 mins, and not a single second more unless it's of silence or subtle fadeout. Of course you dont have to send something so long - I'll be equally happy if you submit an awesome 5-min track or a fantastic 17-min epic. You have 48 hours to send from now. Good luck!