MoraWintersoul
Pain Of Salvation - Lilium Cruentus (Deus Nova) Ehhh. Pain of Salvation. Have never really cared for anything I heard by these guys, and this song didn't change my opinion that much. The use of the saxophone(?) was sweet, but those yelling/singing vocals were really, really cringeworthy. Otherwise, the song wasn't bad, persay, but it just wasn't amazing. Maybe if he sang melodic vocals throughout the song and didn't either talk or half-sing. The chorus was catchy, and the guitar was good, so overall, it's not terrible.
3/5---
Lolzeez
Devin Townsend - Earth DayI actually /have/ heard this song before. I don't remember it very well, though, but I think I remember having a lukewarm reaction. I did this time, too. The vocals were the worst part. Unnecessary emphasis on certain words and sounds combined with his signature singing style just makes for a "MEH" reaction from me. The instruments were great, but those vocals really kill a lot of the first part of the song for me. I think they worked much better when the song started to get a bit "crazier" and they began to suit the music more. The fast-paced screams were kind of cool, too. The overall psuedo-go-green lyrics of the song were kind of laughable at points, I especially was amused by him yelling "RECYCLE!" In any case, the song wasn't bad, but it didn't make me want to listen to anymore of Terria, unfortunately.
3/5 ---
Elite
Pain of Salvation - Iter ImpiusHmm, more PoS? Okay, we'll try it out.
Basically, my thoughts are the same for this PoS song as they were for Mora's. Alright stuff, but nothing special. The piano in the intro was awesome, and the song had good melodies, but really it's just the vocalist that kills it for me. Maybe it's better in the context of an album or something but his vocals just don't resonate with me. Still, i didn't hate it, so that's a success.
3/5---
LieLow
Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots - Song Rebecca Calls 'That Birdcage Song' Which Never Was Though Now Kind Of Is Because Of Her InfluenceCongratulations on having the longest song name ever. Anyways, this song was such a freaking mixed bag. It was definitely interesting in the instrumentation, but the vocals were terrible. Like, honestly, this song would be AWESOME without the vocals. Or with someone else singing, maybe? Seriously, the violin, the other more subtle instruments? They're fantastic. But that guys' voice is just grating. I would listen to an instrumental band like this. Definitely a unique take on the country genre, though. And thanks to the amazing instrumentation, I can't give this less than 3.5.
3.5/5 ---
Scorpion
Devin Townsend - Deep PeaceScorpion, I had so much faith in you this round, and you send me Devin Townsend?!
Seriously, though. The verdict stands. This guys' vocals just are not for me. This really seems to be a theme for this round-- awesome instrumentation, terrible vocals. I guess it's harder to screw instruments up?This song really started to pick up around the four and a half minute mark, with some really good guitar work. The vocals were actually tolerable here, too, so I can definitely say it ended on a good note.
3.5/5---
kari
Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe Woo, the riskiest submission this round! Hip-hop! I can't particularly say that I loved this, but it was actually enjoyable. The beats were good, the melody that is subtly there is good, too. The singing vocals are super-whiny, though, could've gone without those, haha. The repetition of the title was kind of stupid, too, but the verses were actually engaging and interesting. Overall, not a bad song, not a particularly amazing one, but definitely cool in several regards.
3.5/5 ---
WindMaster
Catharsis - SabbatThis song definitely started off on a strange note. The sort of chanting/chamber choir thing always makes for an interesting introduction to a song. It definitely worked here. I myself wouldn't have ever called this "punk" but I can certainly see traces of it in the guitar riffs. The vocals are really heavy and the melodies are good. The drumming was actually my favorite part, such talent. The reprise of the choir section was a good ending note, too. A pretty sweet song!
3.5/5---
crazyaga
Swans - Helpless ChildHeheheh. I knew you would send me Swans. I literally could have bet thousands upon thousands of dollars on it. Fortunately, I have not heard the album this is off of, so I went in completely unbiased. This song was certainly better than ANYTHING I heard from The Seer. The atmosphere was kind of odd and creepy, and the instrumentation was good. The biggest thing that gets me with these guys are the vocals. However, at least here, they were much more listenable than on The Seer. The lyrics were quite unsettling, and I think the song accomplished what it was going for.
3.5/5---
Zantera
Tori Amos - Flying DutchmanThis song wasn't anywhere NEAR the sound of "poppy singer/songwriter" that I was talking about, but it really is that type of song, and a really pretty song, at that. I loved the piano and the melodies. The lyrics were sort of playful, but still enjoyable. I really like the use of the many instruments to achieve the overall atmosphere. It almost reminded me of a movie-soundtrack song. It's certainly sort of reminiscent in sound, if that makes any sense. Like, nostalgic? Maybe that's it. The ending in particular was really gorgeous. Really sweet stuff, definitely not something I would dislike!
4/5 ---
STANDINGS:LieLow - 28
kari - 26.5
WindMaster - 26
Elite - 25
Scorpion - 24.5
Zantera - 23.5
crazyaga - 22.5
Lolzeez - 22.5
MoraWintersoul - 21.5
So, my thoughts on this round were: cool! Some good stuff, some meh, but overall, nothing that made me want to throw my computer out the window. There were some really cool hints at stuff I think I would really like (the instruments in LieLow's song, the atmosphere in crazyaga's, the nostalgic vibe of Zantera's) so I think this round was successful in that regard. For having to send songs that I wouldn't initially seek out, you guys did great. Now, onto..
ROUND SEVEN! The theme for this round is going to be a little crazy. That is, it will take some organizing. This is due to the fact that this round's theme will be: TAG TEAM. But, there are nine of us! That's not even...? You're right. For this round, I want you guys to partner up with someone else and talk (through PMs, facebook, it doesn't matter) and decide on a song to send me. One person will either have to go solo or join another group, which I'm fine with either. The trick here is that the scores of each song will go to the team that sent them's individual scores. So, if Zantera and LieLow team up and send me a 3.5 song, they'll each get that score added to their total score. I'm doing this for three specific reasons: A) it will give you guys a chance to think about something that is really, really awesome by reviewing which songs have done the best in this roulette thus far and looking at my favorite bands list, gauge the options, and come to a satisfying conclusion. B) it will add to the competition; each team wants to do the best, but everyone wants points for themselves, so what to do? Two high scorers pair up? A high scorer and a low scorer pairing up? What's the best strategy? and C) this week is going to be super stressful for me, so there being less songs will equate for quicker results and better availability.
To team up, you guys can either post in this thread talking about it, or PM each other. Whenever you have decided on a team, however, I want you to
post what the team is in this thread so everyone else knows what to expect. The songs are due tentatively. So, get them in as soon as you can, but I'm not having a definitive deadline, because I want you guys to have time to figure out what to send me and actually send songs that will all be in the 4's and higher.
Tips on bands I'm digging at the moment (therefore styles or types of music you could search to send):
Intronaut
The Ocean
The National
Thank You Scientist
Karnivool
Rosetta
Anyways, good luck for this round. I'm expecting it to the best yet, seeing as you have time, resources, and endless options for what to send. You've seen what works, and you know each other's music tastes somewhat. Work to send me the best you can! I'm having a blast running this roulette, by the way. You guys are awesome.