Jingle.boy:Rhapsody - Lux Triumphans 6.5/10 +1= 7.5/10
Yeah, you weren’t a fan of this round if I recall. This was a clunker for me. The voice that introduces the song is borderline comical… I know he’s trying to sound dark but it’s so freaking cliche especially with the water drips in the background that I couldn’t take is seriously. I like choral sounds in pieces like this, but this one didn’t really go anywhere (in comparison, I really like the opening number of Symphony X’s “V” that sounds like Verdi’s Requiem, at least that added a power metal section). I do realize that this sets up the rest of the album and I’m sure it’s epic, but I couldn’t get into it.
Train: Diablo Swing Orchestra - How To Organize A Lynch Mob 7/10 +1 = 8/10
Again, this one really didn’t go anywhere. It was really slow… too slow. It sounded like one giant cadenza. Because of that, I couldn’t tell where it was going, or even if it had a melody… it didn’t really work by itself.
425: Death Cab for Cutie - Steadier Footing 7.5/10
This one wasn’t bad, but I just couldn’t get into it. It almost sounded like one of those pop punk bands like Green Day, and while I’m ok with that, that kind of music is hit and miss for me, and unfortunately this one missed.
Tomislav: Camel - Rhyader Alone 8/10
I know a few pieces by Camel, and I really enjoyed them and it is one band I’d like to explore more. However, this interlude didn’t really go anywhere or do much for me. It’s great as transitional music but doesn’t really work by itself and doesn’t really have anything memorable about it. Still, I enjoyed it and want to hear this album front to back (as I really enjoy Le Princesse Perdue a LOT).
Parama: Cursive - Some Red-Handed Slight of Hand 8/10
It wasn’t bad at all, I think you were afraid that it’d be too harsh, and it wasn’t. It was on the harsh side of things, but it was short enough where it didn’t rub me the wrong way. It just wasn’t anything special in my opinion. And what’s with that soft warning sound at the end? Does that lead into the next song?
Fluffy: Bic Runga - When I See You Smile 8/10
Like some of the others, it was very nice, but really didn’t have anything special that stood out for me. It was just a really nice short song with a guitar.
TAC: Fates Warning - Falling 8/10
For as short as this song was it was VERY repetitive. That was the biggest turnoff. It was a short phrase repeated like 4 times before it changed, and then ended one more time with that repeated phrase. Just a little bit too much. It always rubs me the wrong way when it’s repeated 3 times before we hit the chorus rather than 2. Seemed a little overkill. Still a nice short ballad.
Evermind: Seventh Wonder - Tears of a Father 8.5/10
This was nice, and I really want to hear what happens next. Very conceptual. Doesn’t QUITE work by itself, which is why the score went down, but it does to an extant. It was also very dark (I mean, it’s SUPPOSED to be... but it just may have been due to me starting with it in the playlist). I am interested in hearing the rest of this album though especially after hearing it.
Elite: St. Vincent - The Sequel 8.5/10
This piece was unique. Kind of avant-garde instrumentation that kind of reminds me of Tori Amos’ albums that uses the small ensembles. It was nice. Because of this randomness, I never really knew where the piece was going, and had a hard time maintaining focus due to my ADD (legit). It was good though.
Big Hath: Khorikos - Bogoróditse Djévo 9/10
A nice choral piece that I probably would have sung in college had my director gone to Poland for an extended period of time. He did go to Russia and I sang pieces in Russian for a while. I do really like this piece. Unfortunately it ends to early! But it’s very nice. I’d like to hear more by them.
Tyrias: Arstidir - Days & Nights 9/10
Again, it was a very nice short track. It had an almost folky feel to it, and I really enjoyed it. The vocal harmonies were REALLY nice in this, almost like the band America.
Scorpion: Opeth - Patterns In The Ivy 9/10
A very nice short instrumental. I really liked the subtle piano in here; it reminded me of Different Strings by Rush, which in my opinion is one of their most underrated tracks. I wish it had a little bit more substance to it. And even for a short song it was a little repetative. But I enjoyed it quite a bit.
King: The Rembrandts - Goodnight 9/10 +1= 10/10
This piece reminded me of the Beatles. Like mid 60s era Beatles… it reminded me of Hello Goodbye. It was really nice. Perfect length for a song like this. Now I want to watch Friends.
Bolsters: Pandora’s Box - The Opening of the Box 9.5/10
THIS Is how to open up an album. This was great. It was crazy, chaotic, and AN ACTUAL ORCHESTRA. I am genuinely interested in hearing the rest of this album after hearing this.
Sacul: Future of the Left - Things to Say to Friendly Policemen 9.5/10
Oh this was fun. This sounds like Adam Sandler trying to sing with a hardcore ska band. It’s completely crazy. And it works. I hope the rest of the music sounds like this. There are some harsh vocals but it is one of those rare examples where it doesn’t bother me at all. I would expect them in this type of song.
Lonestar: Woven Distortion - The Gate 9.5/10
HEre’s another band I REALLY want to check out now after really enjoying this short tidbit. They do a LOT in under 2 minutes here, and it’s really enjoyable and leaves me wanting more. A GREAT short instrumental, and I was always bummed when it ended.
WHO IS STILL IN
Bolsters 39
Big Hath 39
kingschmegland 38.5
Lonestar 38.5
Sacul 37.5
parama 37
Evermind 37
Tyrias 36.5
TAC 35.5
Scorpion 35
Jingle.boy 35
ELIMINATED
Tomislav 34
Train of Naught 34
Fluffy Lothario 32.5
To you three; very VERY good effort, and I'm sorry this roulette didn't really go your way. I hope you guys had fun through the first four rounds.
And now....
TIED
425 34.5
Elite 34.5
I wasn't originally going to do a tiebreaker, but this sounds intriguing. I'm giving you guys 24 hours to submit me a song. I will listen to the songs and post results within 24 hours of receiving both. Round 5 will then commence.
Artists chosen by these players will be eliminated from selection in future rounds by all players, so there is still strategy involved. And players, don't think that because you are in this place right now doesn't mean there isn't a possibility of you winning.
If you don't submit by 10PM Central Time tomorrow (That's Chicago time) you will be eliminated regardless.
Good luck!!!