SoundClick Music & More

Two Versions of Meadow Green

2008-05-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of reviews for two versions of the same song. Unless otherwise specified, all of the posts from this point on can also be found on the SoundClick Forums. Enjoy.

Here's a link to version 1: CLICK HERE

Here's a link to version 2: CLICK HERE

My review of "Meadow Green (version 2)" by the Captain!

I'm sort of mixed about this song. There are parts that I like very much, and then there are other aspects that I'm not too crazy about. Overall, though, I like the piece very much. Especially the 1st 30 seconds! The flute and guitar work well together. They have a very soothing, relaxing sound.

This song has great potential. With the right combination of variation, the first 30 seconds could be expanded to be a 2 or 3 minute song, without ever bringing in the louder strings because later in your piece the strings overpower the flute, taking away from the soothing nature at the outset.

At about 1:40, you bring in an organ type instrument. This has nothing to do with you or your piece, but I don't like organs. Oh, and I'm not sure about the flute sample. There is a lot of ambient noise with it, maybe on purpose since flutes often have breath sounds associated with them.

Good work.

My review of "Meadow Green (version 1)" by the Captain!

I listened to the first version of Meadow Green. Overall, I did like this version better than the 2nd version. I never felt that any of the instruments were being overpowered by another part, and it seemed like there were more instruments in the mix (EDIT: what I meant was there was more than just flute and organ, there's a third instrument so it seems), which is always nice. And, the flute sample didn't have as much ambient noise, so I liked this flute better.

The one thing that the second version has which the first version is missing is the guitar. The piano of the first version just doesn't sound as soothing as the guitar in the second version. If I hadn't heard the second version, I wouldn't have thought something was out of place. But, don't get me wrong, the piano sounded just fine.

I'm not sure what one of the instruments used was. I know the flute and the sax. But, there was another one. It could have been a clairnet, but I think it was more horn like, perhaps a french horn. My ear isn't that good when there are tons of things going on. What instrument was that? It's playing at 1:40. ... Now, that I listen to it again, it could also be another flute. What is it?

In a reply post, Cam told me that he thought the mystery instrument was an English Horn.

Oh, I forgot to mention this with the other review, but it's still true with this version. I like the melody. It works well. It's the kind of melody I might catch myself humming.

3 Songs by Jon Bushaway

2008-05-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here's some reviews I posted on the SoundClick Critics Corner Forum. All of the pieces in this post are by Jon Bushaway. Here's a link to his site: CLICK HERE . He did not have these pieces posted anywhere on SoundClick at the time of the writing of these reviews.

My review of "Was Once" by Jon Bushaway.

"Was Once" is an eerie atmospheric piece, which reminded me of a scene in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. A Federation fleet has just been destroyed by the Borg at Wolf 359 (I think that's the number). The Starship Enterprise is late arriving, so they fly through the wreckage. They see debris from destroyed ships. What few ships are left have been heavly damaged. This piece would work well here. Of course, if you aren't a Star Trek fan, this piece would work well in any examination of the aftermath of a battle. Perhaps after a navy battle, a resque boat examining the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors, but none are to be found.

I think the name -- Was Once -- fits the image I see when it plays. As if someone is examinging something that ONCE WAS but is no more.

REPLAY VALUE: low for entertainment purposes. I don't have room for this piece on my 8gig IPod, but I am definitely keeping it on my computer. And, if used in the proper situation ... I think it's a wonderful piece.

OVERALL SOUND (Production): this one is hard for me to judge, since I don't have that great of an ear. I can't tell if he used a professional sound library or not. I use free soundfonts, and I like their sound just fine. (Of course, if I had the money, I would love the sample libraries, too.) The point is, I don't think the production quality gets in the way. If it were used professionally, it would probably be re-recorded, anyway.

SOME GREAT MOMENTS IN THE SONG: Just past the two minute marker, the string bass comes in with a walking bass part. I love the string bass, and I think this is a good example of bringing out its deep voice. Soon after the cello starts the melody. At about 4:25, the cello pans to the other speaker, keeping the piece fresh. Right after that, the violins pick up the melody. The piece is, thus, louder at this point.

Depending on the application, the piece is a little too long. If it were shaved to under five minutes (or better yet, not much longer than 3 minutes), I think the replay value for entertainment might be higher. Changes in the piece take a little too long to happen. A shorter version could have the cello melody happening within the first 30 seconds. Depenind on my mood, I might actually listen to a shorter version, perhaps to relax. Overall, though, I think it is a great piece.

My review of "Senna-extended" by Jon Bushaway.

In the interest of being fair, I want to forewarn the reader that this review is basically a negative one. However, I want to point out that I do love one aspect of this piece. This piece starts with a wonderful string pattern. I love it. My instrument is the violin. I played it in school from 4th grade all the way through high school. I ocassionally pick it up today. So, I love the string pattern, but that is all it is - a pattern, an element of harmony, etc...

The lack of variety and/or variation shoots down this 11 minute monstrousity. At 5:45, the string pattern fades into an atmospheric section with a slow bass drum and a few toms. This section of the song has potential and is not too terribly long. At 7:30, the string pattern fades back in with most of the atmospheric elements remaining. I don't have a problem with this section (sounds kinda nice) ... except (and, you might have guessed this already) ... that it takes another 3 and half minutes for the song to end ... with very little if any true variety and/or variation along the way.

There is no discernable melody. If there was, I could probably listen to 11 minutes of this harmony underneath. The string pattern is a great element, but there should be more.

Sorry.

My review of "Falling Leaves - Extended" by Jon Bushaway.

I am beginning to sense a pattern in Jon's music. He creates great stuff, but he drags one great idea out ... way too far.

This piece starts off with long string chords with a pizzicato string bass. Sounds great for a short period of time. Right after the minute marker, the plucking speed increases. Right before 1:30 a short faster melody element is introduced. At 3:50 the melody fades, and we have the opening chords again. Right before 4:30, percussion fades in ... an unexpected choice. (Unexpected is good in this case.) At 5:05 a faster paced treble harmony is introduced. Fifteen seconds later, the percussion gets louder, and a couple of minutes after that, it gets softer. It gets louder one more time ... that I could see.

This piece almost suffers the same fate as the last piece I reviewed. (Senna-Extended) The only thing that saves this piece is the drums that start about 4 and half minutes in. But, it isn't enough for me to put the piece on my IPod. That I believe is the highest kudos I can give a piece of music. Am I willing to put it on my IPod and listen to it while I clean windows? (That's my main occupation right now.) In this case, sorry. Stays on my computer.

What could save this piece IMO? Well, more melody. I think that could save "Senna-extended" as well. Which reminds me, why extend these pieces? There doesn't seem to be enough material to extend.

Sorry.

Munich Syndrome & Jazzy Curtis Allen

2007-09-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to feature two groups today. I've noticed that I talking about groups that don't have a lot of free downloads, so I'm going to give you one of each. This first one is pretty good in my humble opinion, but they don't have any songs for download. I think they are worth a listen if you like electronica music.

Click HERE to go to the Munich Syndrome SoundClick page.

Now playing: Munich Syndrome

The next band has a wide range of stuff to listen to: electronica to classical with Jazz being the main thread through most of it. Of the 39 songs on his SoundClick page, 36 are free for download.

Click HERE to go to the Curtis Allen SoundClick page.

Now playing: Curtis Allen

Ooh! Guitar Mayhem with Wolf Static

2007-09-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

This group has just about every style of guitar you could think of. Rock, Country, Acoustic, etc .... Check them out. I love the guitar riffs in their songs Sam's Town and Mayhem. Once again, I say check them out.

They do have only one song that is free for download, but in any case, they are worth an ear or two.

Click HERE to check out their main page on SoundClick.

Now playing: Wolf Static

Wide Range with Bessinnox

2007-09-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

None of his songs are for download, but he's got some good stuff to listen to. Bessinnox ranges from the soft classical of his song Rain to the suspenseful, action film symphonic sequences like in his song Battlefield to the wonderful beats of his song X-Ray. In other words, there is a good range of songs to listen to. If you are looking for variety of songs to listen to while you are browsing the Internet, Bessinnox is a good place to start. Why not listen to him while you're reading this blog?

Click Here to Visit the Bessinnox page on SoundClick.com

Now playing: bessinnox

Classic Rock - Jossh Style

2007-09-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

The band Jossh did some stuff in the mid-1990's. They split up in 1995 according to their SoundClick page. In 2006, they got back together and are writing new material. Their music definitely has the classic rock feel. It doesn't sound like I am listening to stuff recorded today.

I don't know much about classic rock. It really isn't a genre I listen to, but if it is your thing, I think this band fits the bill. Give them a listen.

There are 4 free songs for download.

Now playing: Jossh

"Don't Stop" with DJ Slow

2007-09-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

His name may be DJ Slow, but it won't take you that long to like his music. Right now I am listening to his song Don't Stop (2007 mix), and I like the vibe it has. By the way, the song reached Number One on the SoundClick charts. There are lots of bands registered, so if you can make it to number one, you are pretty good in my book.

There are 35 free songs for download on his SoundClick page. I've listened to a few of them now, and this guy does everything right as far as I am concerned. On his main page, he says that to him melody is the most important part of a song. I agree, and I also agree that he does a very good decent job at melody. I'm definitely downloading all of his stuff. You should too!

Click HERE to visit his main page.

Now playing: Dj Slow

A great place to catch some tunes

2007-09-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

A good song can transport you to a different place the same way a book can take you to a different land. But, do you get tired of listening to the same songs over and over again? Everytime you turn on the radio, the same music is being played. Sure, some radio stations do better than others at being creative with their playlist, but in the end you have no choice at what is played - besides requesting a song, which takes too much time. What can you do? Where can you go to get some great music of all genres without spending an arm and a leg?

There are great places on the Internet to get some great music, a lot of times for free or for very little. You can go out and buy the latest CD from BestBuy or your favorite music retailer, but if you just need one song, you can download it from ITunes for a lot less than the cost of one CD. But, what if you are tired of the same mainstream music that you hear on the radio?

Well, there is some great content from less known groups on the Internet as well. One great site that I will feature predominately is http://www.soundclick.com/, but there are several like it. You can find tons of songs on sites like SoundClick. I'm not sure about other sites, but with SoundClick you can pick your favorite artists and listen to their songs via online radio. That's right! You can choose what to listen to. Several of the artists will have their songs on the site for free download or for a very cheap download.

In future posts, I will discuss further features of http://www.soundclick.com/ and sites like it. I will share some of my favorite artists and which songs of theirs I like. And I, being an amateur musician myself, may even talk about my own songs, which can be found for free download on SoundClick.

Click Here to go to my SoundClick Page.

Now playing: Mark Lee