This was a so-so round. Have part 1 of round 8 results.
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kingshmegland
Forgotten Suns - In Harm's Way 7.0 This doesn't sound like it has much identity unfortunately. Like, it's not bad, but it sounds like a lot of other bands. There's a moment that genuinely bothers me toward the end of the solos where this totally out of place guitar riff comes in for a few quick seconds and then we're thrown awkwardly back into the chorus, then there's a couple more minutes of noodling. Not much here for me to come back to.
Subsignal - A Time Out Of Joint 8.3 I dig the Subsignal that I'm familiar with, but this is new. Lots of stuff here I like. The chorus is a bit awkward though and I don't like it that much... The synth work is something I really enjoy about this band and the solo here is great. I just wish that chorus was stronger.
I Am the Manic Whale - Circles (Show Love) 9.0 So many epics in this roulette. I'm conflicted. This one is really freaking long, but there are so many great musical moments - the back half has most of them, and the ending is just so good - that I am unsure just how much the song's length bothers me. Vocalist is vanilla and doesn't have any awesome moments, but the instrumental side of the band, wow, fun stuff, great soloing in the second half and the synth towards the end reminds me of Moon Safari. Talent on full display. [+1 BP]
Current Score: 59.72 [+6 BP]
Round 8 Score: 24.30 [+1 BP]
Average: 8.10
Movement: 8 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 67.82 [+7 BP]
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Puppies_On_Acid
Junius - Birth Rites by Torchlight 7.5 I enjoy this when it's on, but almost every time I get done with it and move on to something else, I can't remember anything about it. For some reason it just isn't that memorable. I do like it when it's on, because it's chill and has a smooth vibe. Just doesn't make much of an impression.
Gazpacho - The Walk 6.5 It sounds like Radiohead and Hogarth-era Marillion but I don't really like this. It's way, way, way too long - two parts totalling 13 minutes is just too much for something so plodding. It doesn't help that it shares a similar title to an earlier Gazpacho song that was similarly lengthy, but I just don't like this nearly as much as the last one. It was okay for one listen, but returning to it made me check the track length quite a bit.
Hourglass - Facade 6.7 If this was just the first 6 minutes I'd probably give this somewhere in the upper 8s. It's really nice instrumental stuff for that portion of the song. Now, I'm a sucker for super strong voices and vocal melodies. I don't get that out of this, and unfortunately I think the chorus is super weak and the lyrics aren't all that compelling (the idea is pretty clear, and the song doesn't need to be nearly this long to get the message through). I do know Mr. Brick Williams, he was BrickGlass on MP's old forum, and he's a very talented dude, so I hate to be critical of this piece but it's a bit too long and I lose interest halfway through.
Current Score: 59.25 [+4 BP]
Round 8 Score: 20.70
Average: 6.90
Movement: 7 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 66.15 [+4 BP]
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Nekov
Arena - Cutting the Cards 7.8 I tried to get into Arena a few months ago with some epics, but I think I bit off more than I could chew. This is more like it. Nice triplet groove, great synths, the hook isn't as strong as I'd like but it works. Good song, but not the Arena song I'm looking for to knock my socks off.
Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of 8.4 I love the beat here and what the synths are doing through the whole piece. The vocals are great for this kind of music but they're also not that memorable to me - but the instrumental stuff is just delightful. Nice short happy song.
Faunts - Lights Are Always On 8.0 Nice tune - I like the energy behind all the swelling synths and the drum beat most. The verses aren't bad but it's the end that's the best part of the song because the instrumental side lets loose. Good tune, just not blowing me away.
Current Score: 61.55 [+10 BP]
Round 8 Score: 24.20
Average: 8.06~
Movement: 8 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 69.61 [+10 BP]