You guys are awesome
First of all, I think this round turned out better than expected - lots of songs grew on me a bit. Now, results:
(splent)
Yellow Magic Orchestra -
Behind the MaskOh, the 70s. Strange and fascinating times. This is a pretty fun song, with those robotic vocals. Doesn't do much for me tho - if Michael Jackson was blown away with it, that only means he and I have very different tastes.
+3/5(425)
Bon Iver -
Skinny LoveOh I've heard of this albums' legend - Vernon shut himself in a cabin for 3 months, pouring all of his demons into music. That alone is haunting. But, as sad as it makes me... that's not what I look for in music. Because I actually look for music, not lyrical content, as heart-breaking it might be. Not because I actively decide not to care, but, as I explained on seneca's previous entry, lyrics just don't connect with me. Hell, he could have been singing about sausages with mustard, and I'd still have given this the same score. Because, well... this is nice. But just that.
+3/5(mikemangioy)
Twelve Foot Ninja -
One Hand KillingI remember these guys from plug sessions - added their debut to the list because one of its songs was pretty good, and creative. This, on the other hand... sounds a bit generic. Nothing bad per se on it, but there are quite some part I feel I've heard elsewhere, and maybe done better.
+3/5(sneakyblueberry)
Hiatus Kaiyote -
Breathing UnderwaterI like this, is pretty chill. Dunno what genre this is, but I like what I hear. Yet it doesn't do much to me. Maybe it's the pretty repetitive vocal melodies?
3.5/5(Tyrias)
The Tallest Man on Earth -
Love is AllI have to admit it took lots of listen for this to grow on me. And with "this" I mean his voice. It's rough, it's high-pitched, it's... nice. It definitely fits the "lonely travelling singer-songwriter" image I created in my head. Now that is no longer a problem, time to focus on the guitar. Which isn't bad by any means, but doesn't really move me or anything - it's just there, playing nice notes. Interesting piece all in all.
3.5/5(Evermind)
Enigma -
Knocking on Forbidden DoorsWell this is pretty good actually, but I feel I've listened to better songs on this style, like most of what DJ Shadow does is better than this. Not your fault, it's just that I really dig this kind of music and have explored it a lot these last months, so it will be a bit difficult to please me on this field. Is it really all sampled? I feel the guitar sounds and the chantings were recorded for this song. Not that it matters much tho. All in all, great atmosphere and sounds, yet it feels a bit inventive after a while, since it doesn't really feel like it evolves throughout it.
3.5/5(Train of Naught)
Koan Sound -
Sly FoxWell, I've gotta admit this one took quite some time to grow. At first, it felt very one-dimensional, and while it might not be the most varied piece I've received on the roulette so far, it's pretty good at what it does. Nice grooves and effects. Nothing too special, but not as bad as I thought it initially was. Well... shall we dance?
+3.5/5(Bolsters)
CHVRCHES -
You Caught the LightSadly, I have no subwoofers, not my headphones have a big bass response -actually I prefer it that way, I'm not a bass-whore- but I get what you mean - lots of subtle details are on the bass section. So, at first this was the best out of the two CHVRCHES songs I received. Really like the atmosphere of this track, very chill, and even though it's a bit of an unusual one for this kind of music, I dig it. Maybe a bit too simple?
4/5(senecadawg2)
The Antlers -
KetteringThis song already starts very well, with a sweet piano and simple vocals. Then slowly reaches a splendid climax. Although the atmosphere is minimalist, this is quite a moving moment. Then, a quiet outro. And, well... that's it. While I quite loath pieces that take too long to build up to a climax (like a lot of post-rock), this one, on the other hand, felt too short for its own good - it left me desiring more. Maybe it works better in the context of the album?
4/5(Shadow Ninja 2.0)
CHVRCHES -
The Mother We ShareAt first... I didn't want to like this. Because lots of these sounds are used in some pretty lame pop radio hits. But took me some listens to realize how this one is different from typical pop bullshit - it's emotional without using cheap drama. And with some pretty creative songwriting. Maybe with more spins I'll end up liking it more.
4/5(FlyingBISKIT)
The Dear Hunter -
At the End of the EarthWell, while I quite liked the other TDH song you showed me (and for some reason forgot to add to my list), I've gotta say this one didn't disappoint - excellent atmosphere and songwriting. Yet the weakest link I find is, as with all of the other albums by them I've checked, is their vocal melodies. The singer is good, but what he sings ends up being rather unmemorable - a thing that has quite improved on this one, yet still doesn't convince me. Anyways, I may actually get into these guy's music, for it seems their last album is up my alley.
4/5(Fluffy Lothario)
Machine Head -
A Farewell to ArmsIf I picked apart the different sections of this song, each on its own wouldn't feel very remarkable nor original. Yet as a unique piece, I'm amazed at how they all flow into each other - really a case where the whole works better than the sum of its parts. Excellent guitar work and drumming in general. For some reason I feel I should like this one more than I do. Maybe because even 5-6 listens aren't enough to fully process what's going on here. Anyways, excellent track - will surely check this album.
+4/5(Elite)
Alt-J -
TaroWell, this is way better than your last submission. Very nice little piece, and great vocals, except at times when his voice becomes a bit harsh or nasal. But the instrumentation is wonderful, specially that part that appears at 1.20 and is repeated sometimes, so beautiful, vivid and innocent - yes. Music like this can be quite cheesy honestly, and turn me off (*cough* Disney *cough*), but when it's good (like
Ommadawn, or
Hurtbreak Wonderland, or like this), it's like the best thing ever. Or almost. I don't have much to add, other than I liked this a lot.
4.5/5(home)
Fair to Midland -
Orphan Anthem 86'Now I regret not exploring more of these guys' music - this one is pretty epic, and crushing, specially the excellent piano work. don't have much to say about it, really - well, maybe the vocal melodies, that wouldn't be my cuppa tea, work perfect here. Top notch instrumentation too. It's just very, very good.
4.5/5(Parama)
The Angelic Process -
Dying in A-MinorIf a word defines this song, that is: crushing. And I really like this. Those distant vocals with reverb, man... I fucking love those. It's a bit of a fetish. The raw emotion of this... damn. It strikes home. All I can imagine while listening to it is someone slowly drowning at the bottom of the sea while recreating painful memories. Really a dark emotional piece, reminds me of Deathconsciousness' heaviest, most intense moments like Earthmover. Definitely didn't expect to like this one this much - was between a 4.5 and a +4.5, but went with the former by now. Maybe after listening to it in a few weeks, or in the album context it will grow a bit more.
4.5/5Standings:
+8.5 - home x
8.5 - Bolsters xx
+8 - Shadow Ninja 2.0 x
+8 - Fluffy Lothario xx
+7.5 - Elite xx
7.5 - splent xx
7.5 - Evermind xx
7.5 - Train of Naught x
7.5 - senecadawg2 xx
7.5 - Biskit x
7.5 - Parama xx
+7 - 425 xx
7 - Tyrias xx
6.5 - mikemangioy x
6.5 - Sneakyblueberry x
(x= one song sent from the list)
The new guy strikes again! Wondering if he will be able to keep this rate. After a faulty beginning, Elite has managed to climb to the top 5 (which remains basically unchanged), leaving a disappointed splent behind (sorry not sorry), which suggests the elitist player he might have done a bit of research - if that's the case, then it has quite paid off. In the meantime, there's a heavy competition in the middle ground, and everybody has a chance to enter the glorious top 5, and thus reach the finals, if they play their cards with wisdom. But 425 and Tyrias, who had a strong opening, have fallen down quite a bit, but stil have chances to make up for their choices. And we finish with sneaky and mikemangioy who, I suspect, have no idea of what they are doing on this roulette. "Damn, I should have sent Adrenaline Mob or Winger..." grumbled one of them. But fear not, my friends! For there are still many rounds ahead, and who knows, there might be a dramatic turn of events (pun not intended) before this ends.
Credits: 0. Send song to keep playing: you have 48hs.