ROUND 2 RESULTS10 points: Stadler
Van Halen – Panama
While this was probably a safe bet, it’s fun and fits the theme to the T.Sometimes playing it safe pays off. I mean, it’s a song about a car and features sounds of a sports car revving!
Stellar guitar playing and while it’s kind of flashy and almost silly, it has the strong driving back from the rhythm section.
9 points: Puppies_On_Acid
Tomorrows Bad Seeds – Early PrayersSome really sweet guitar work right here. I was in from the opening riff and while it didn’t go where I expected it to, it was a fun journey.The opening riff let me expect something stoner rock, but then it became reggae-y. And towards the end it becomes skateboard punk. Interesting mix, but it works. Instrumentation is top notch and it’s really fun to listen. Although the missing apostrophe in the band name is bugging me.
8 points: Parama
Gunship ft. Tim Cappello, Indiana – Dark All DayMmm, sax. I don’t really like the female vocalist, but she doesn’t ruin the song.How to make modern music that I like? By making it sound retro, of course! Okay, it’s not a surefire method, but it works here. They’re taking 80s vibe and turning it into something that sounds familiar and vaguely futuristic. Tim’s sax is soloing all over and while it sounds a bit sleek to my tastes, it’s a nice touch. Indiana’s vocals are indeed my biggest gripe with the song, she has that breathy indie pop voice ala Ellie Goulding or Halsey which probably intends to sound sexy, but usually gets on my nerves. On this occasion I can tolerate her however. Great bass drop! Let's fly.
7 points: MoraWintersoul
Sentenced – May Today Become the DayI do know this band, but I’ve never really liked the vocals. This is maybe best song by them I’ve heard though. The opening reminded me of something along the lines of Bullet for My Valentine or Saosin.Wait, weren’t these guys supposed to be all gloomy and depressing?
This reminds me of music on the PS2 racing games I used to play when I was younger (Burnout series, FlatOut2…). I’m not still too crazy about Laihiala’s vocals, but he does good enough job here. Just some very good high-octane heavy metal.
6 points: Lethean
Angra – Carolina IV
I dig the percussion. While this belongs to a genre I'm not too keen on, there’s still a lot to like.The theme was about driving and you send a song about a boat?
I really like the Brazilian folk music influence. The straight-up power metal portions are probably my least favourite here, it’s just a genre of music I’ll probably never get into. The chorus is very good though. Instrumental section is seriously good, especially the sick bass lead and the guitar solo.
5 points: Kattelox
Kings of Leon – Knocked Up
Not exactly what I was looking for, but this totally works too. Nice bassline.I don’t like Sex on Fire or Use Somebody. Thankfully this song is nothing like those two. This is driven forward by a quite chill country-esque vibe. The chorus is very good, it could stand to be repeated one more time.
4 points: TAC
Lost Domain – Silent Cry
Cool bridge, but I’m kinda lukewarm towards the rest. Vocalist might be the bastard son of Geddy Lee and Claudio Sanchez.OK, I also quite like the chorus. This belongs pretty much in the same category with the Sentenced song, but while this is more technical, it’s less catchy. But like Thrice in the last round, this band’s probably worth further investigation.
3 points: Sacul
Goldfrapp – Stranger
This is nothing like the other songs by them I’ve heard. This feels more like sitting in the backseat while someone is driving through the city at night. I’m surprised if this hasn’t been used in a movie.The first impression still stands. I have no idea how this song would fit the theme, it feels like you’re going 10 mp/h. However, no points for style are awarded. This is a big orchestral, lush ballad and a quite good one at that.
2 points: senecadawg2
The Protomen – Breaking Out
They’re taking it slightly over the top, but not too much. And that’s a great 80s synth sound right there!I get some Bruce Springsteen vibes from this. This song is musically quite repetitive, maybe a little too much for its length, but the energy and theatricality (is that even a word?) of it save it from becoming too boring.
1 point: Train of Naught
Crippled Black Phoenix – Troublemaker
The first half of the song would probably cause me going way under the speed limit. Thankfully it picks up the pace.The sample at the beginning is almost more interesting than the rest of the song. Here’s some of the stoner rock vibe I like, but it feels like they’ve been hitting the bong one too many times. The first half of the song feels a bit undecided whether it wants to be chill or heavy. I wish the production was a tad heavier. The chorus is good though and the organ sound is lovely. While the faster part is fun and fits the theme, they take a bit too long getting there.
StandingsParama 18 pts
Stadler 18 pts
Puppies_On_Acid 15 pts
Kattelox 14 pts
Lethean 13 pts
MoraWintersoul 8 pts
Sacul 8 pts
TAC 8 pts
Train of Naught 4 pts
senecadawg2 4 pts
Also, I'm listening these songs on shuffle and there was one amazing segue between songs, where I wasn't first sure whether the song had changed.
This one was a segue from Tomorrows Bad Seeds to Goldfrapp. It was quite fun, I'd encourage at least Puppies and Sacul to try it out.
Poll
Topic: Ruba's Roulette II v. Final results! (Read 39939 times)