Neon-Bard's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Whiteout]

NGADM Review

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Very interesting introduction, I immediately picture a dense blizzard due to the fantastic wind effect. That synth that you used along with the wind effect has an almost spooky sound to it, very chilling (pardon the pun). This track most definitely has a 16-bit sound to it, and I can see it in an RPG or platformer. The melody is certainly memorable, and I found myself humming it after I had listened to the song a few times.

I think the looping of the track is a little edgy. It stalls at the very first second when everything begins again and it could be wrapped so that looping the track wouldn't be an issue. Transitioning back into the introduction with the wind instrument might work, but could prove to be tricky! The song itself is kind of short, too. This is not necessarily a bad thing...but rather I think that much more could be done with this track to accentuate the idea of a frozen landscape such as the addition of chromatic percussion, more variety with the synths and so on (just an opinion, of course). I was a little thrown off by its length and was expecting a better conclusion.

I think this song would fit well with a snow level as you have mentioned. Good stuff SourJovis! :)

Score: 7/10

SourJovis responds:

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. I agree with what you said. I don't think I will change the song. I have a solution to make it loop for when it's used in a game, but the ng player won't let me do that. The next time I'll enter a competition I will try to submit a lengthier piece that develops more and has an ending.

[Lying to a Stranger]

NGADM Review

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The first few seconds into this song I thought to myself “this is going to be interesting”...and I was right! At first I thought the introduction was going to take a very 'Daft Punk' stylistic turn, but you surprised me! This is one hell of a catchy track; everything is mixed appropriately. As always, you've thrown in some amazing tweaks and effects that cannot be ignored (such as those glitchy bends). The bassier, lower end of the song is simply phenomenal.

Repetition is this the Achilles' heel of this track, it seems the same patterns are revamped and used throughout the entire track (though they are very catchy). The rhythm sounded kind of generic, specifically at 1:45...but again, very funky stuff that you can't help but move your head to, you know?

Great stuff IO, love it! :)

Score: 8.75/10

[Wolftacular NGADM Round 3]

NGADM Review

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Wow! Instantly I am filled with ideas and inspiration for a new track! I love this happy-go-lucky vibe this track gives off. It sounds like something out of a fantasy RPG game or even Harvest Moon, gotta love it! That being said, it would fit wonderfully in a game of that nature. I love how you build the track, especially when you throw in extra percussion such as the bongos later on, it really adds to the depth of the sound. The conclusion was nice and mellow, and the strings really emphasis this.

As BFJ has said, the lighter portions of the track (0:00 – 0:18) sound kind of MIDI-like. The overall mixing of your instruments could use some work and there are some cases of repetition. The biggest issue I think is that this track is lacking dynamics. By adjusting some of the velocities of the instruments and by making some different stylistic choices with those strings and perhaps the piano, this track would sound fantastic (not that it doesn't already).

Great stuff, keep it up Wolftacular! :D

Score: 7.25/10

[Bajo el sol, sobre las rocas]

NGADM Review

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Whoa! Now this is different. Your flamenco-metal approach is something I don't think I've ever heard before. To say that this is different would be an understatement. You are able to switch between the styles so easily...very impressive! The introductory acoustic work is amazing and it compliments your typical heavy-hitting metal style quite nicely when you make that seamless transition at 0:30 (the following portion until 1:06 is great by the way). You did a good job with the mix of the track, every sounds clean (the synth could use a little tidying up, but nothing too heavy).

The repetition of the metal sections were a little hindering to the overall track, but they were still awesome. Although I loved the synth, it sounded just a bit strange when mixed with the electric guitar. The conclusion, in comparison to the rest of the track is a little weak – it just cuts after the main pattern. With a little more build-up and a mix of that flamenco style, the conclusion would definitely shine!

What an interesting track. Keep on rockin' it InYourDreams! :)

Score: 9.5/10

InYourDreams responds:

Thank you for the nice words Neon-Bard! :) I'm really happy you liked it.

[Mote Prime]

NGADM Review

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Atmospheric to the very core. I was blown away when I first heard this track. The introduction is solid in its approach, everything just melds together splendidly and you don't let up at any point throughout the entirety of the song. I loved 2:42 and onwards, everything sounds so mellow and then BAM 3:46 hits and you transition into that synth so nicely. However, my absolute favourite part is at 6:05 with that amazing solo work and that brilliant effect.../drool.

The drums sound just a tad too loud, specifically in the introduction of the track. I found it took emphasis off of the mainstay of this piece: the guitar. However, at times I hardly noticed this because everything blended excellently. At times, the rhythm sounded a bit exhausting, but you changed things up frequently so it wasn't a huge issue.

Fantastic track, keep it up Kor-Rune! You are an expert guitar player, that's for sure. :)

Score: 9.25/10

[Public Enemy No.1]

NGADM Review

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I was snapping my fingers and tapping my feet throughout the entire track – you have a knack for creating very interesting, snazzy songs! The overall jazz mood was absolutely perfect...no questions about it. In my opinion, the piano/brass combination was the highlight of the track. As stated above, the listener cannot help but bop their head or tap their toes to the expressive style of these instruments.

I cannot believe I am about to say this but...it would have been nice to hear just a tiny bit of a break (or breaks) throughout the track so that the overall mood can just sink in for a second. I agree with Bassfiddlejones when he said that everything sounded “a little hectic”. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it would have been cool to hear a short, slower jazz section with some soft brass. The percussion, while great, could use a little more mixing.

Great stuff SoundChris, yet another catchy track. Keep it up, my friend! :)

Score: 9/10

SoundChris responds:

Hey there Neon-Bard,

thanks a lot for your nice review. Glad you enjoyed the piece. The NGADM has been a great experience for me and really helped me evolving as an artist. Maybe we will meet again next year?

Best wishes!

[Shinjitsu]

NGADM Review

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Loved the introduction to this track, it is so peaceful. I will reiterate what everyone else has said about the piano melody – it is just fantastic. The oriental theme that this piece gives off is perfectly executed in my mind, every instrument hits the nail right on the head with the proper timing. Your overall composition is great and I love the idea of using the synth orchestration, it really adds that unique touch.

I felt as if the conclusion of this track was lacking something, it seemed rushed and was cut far too short. You seem to stick to the one melody and while it remains prevalent throughout the track, it would have been nice to hear a little variation...however, the song is only 2:02 so it isn't a huge issue. There was some clipping, but that's an easy fix.

Great track, I love the title! I would like to hear more stuff like this. :)

Score: 8/10

[Pride]

NGADM Review

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Well what do we have here? A fantastic track I would say. I think this is one of the more unique tracks in the entirety of the NGADM thus far. You have such a marvellously beautiful voice, I love it! :3

Speaking of vocals, I was really impressed by the 'tribal-like' choirs that backed your own singing - they were fantastic. The lyrics were great and I could easily imagine seeing hazy golden plains or a vast green jungle just brimming with life. The percussion was spot-on, it really sets the proper pacing for the track. Oh, and I just have to say...this sounds like something out of the Lion King (that's a good thing)!

The strings at 1:24 to 1:32 could have been mixed to sound much more clear and vibrant, they had an 'airy' quality about them. Since this was primarily a vocal track, the other instruments seemed to be brushed off to the side just slightly. Focusing on your percussion and those stringed instruments a little more in this track would help create a more 'wholesome' sound. The conclusion of the song was a bit sudden and could have used a little more work , but it was still good nonetheless.

I love this track, keep up the good work headphoamz! :D

Score: 9.25/10

headphoamz responds:

Yay, thank you Neon! ^_^

[This is Not the End]

NGADM Review

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My word...this track is just so rich with detail, soothing sounds, and brilliant melodies. Your introduction is magnificent; I was lost in the wonderful melodic melancholy of it all. The instrumentation and orchestration in this piece is fantastic, and the mixing defines all of the instruments quite clearly (though there were some minor issues that I'll get into shortly). This track is quite moving, and you can hear the emotion in almost every note and chord right until the very end. I love, love, LOVE that sliding effect on the strings.

As others have said, the mixing comes across as a little flat (this could be indicative of instrument and sound choice) and there could have been more variety with those lower frequencies and bass instruments. Also, the chord pattern tends to get just a tad repetitive...but not so repetitive as to hinder the listener's interest in the song.

Well done, ChronoNomad! I love this track and I am looking forward to hearing some more of your work! :)

Score: 8.5/10

ChronoNomad responds:

Many thanks for such a positive review, N-B! I would definitely say it was worth the wait. :)

I put a lot of effort into this piece, and it's nice to know that - even though it ultimately lost the NGADM battle - it still holds a special place in people's hearts. Even I am surprised at the beautiful melodies that emerged during this phase of the competition, and that's how it still feels so often when I compose a new piece of music. The instrument selection was mostly predetermined in my mind before I even started working, but that ended up evolving a bit, as also tends to happen.

Initially, the idea was to simply use piano and cello, which - rather like chocolate and peanut butter - are two things that just seem to naturally go great together. Big brassy instruments and percussion had to sit this one out, but the addition of choir felt appropriately reverent even though I had just used the same one in my previous submission. The music then proceeded to seemingly write itself, which is always a good sign.

Is there a flatness to the mixing? Yes, and I blame that mostly on my lack of experience with the Stereo Shaper at the time. I usually like to leave the piano to its own devices since it pans naturally across the field, but applying that bloody Stereo Shaper just seems to have bastardized the sound. A poor and costly choice, indeed.

Thanks again for the lovely review! Please peruse my musical repertoire at your leisure. ^__^

[Agnos]

NGADM Review

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Yet another beautiful entry etherealwinds...I am in awe. Fantastic instrumentation and vocal work. The mixing is also top notch. On top of all of this, I feel like I really connected with the theme of this song. Due to all of these things coming together, I can say that I was fully immersed while listening to this track.

In all honesty, the only thing that really bothered me was the 'emptier' portions of the track where things just seemed to trail on (1:21-1:43, for example). I understand these are transitional sections, and while they are quite atmospheric I feel as if they could have had a more 'wholesome' sound (they are still beautiful nonetheless). There were some very minor mixing issues with the guitar during certain sections of the track, where it sounded as if it was strictly in the background.

Such a magnificent song, well done! :)

Score: 9/10