Score: 10

"Beautiful"

submission: The Morning Of-Shine

date: June 24, 2008

I'm speechless. 5, 10, downloaded. ^_^

Score: 3

"Hmm..."

submission: A Walk in the Park (Duo)

date: June 22, 2008

I think you have to work on the basics first before going for improvs. Timing is one of the basics. If you listen to the good improvs, you may notice that they go off-beat, but they will still jive in the end. It's a dance between order and chaos, but will still be harmonic in the end.

It definitely doesn't sound like a walk in the park. It feels too reckless to be free, if you get what I'm saying.

Work on timings, then play around. ^_^

Score: 9

"This would be wonderful remixed and remastered"

submission: Not Much Time Left

date: June 22, 2008

Pros: Nice new age/techno/trance concept! I didn't find it complex; it was rather relaxing at the pre- and post-main melody parts. The diversity of instruments used were tingling to the senses.

Cons: Generally sounds thin. I think it's something that can be tweaked by nudging the bottom end of the EQ (below 1kHz, methinks). I can hear some bass elements, but they're too "hidden", especially prior to the minute mark. Post-minute mark, I can hear the bass, but it's not a full-bodied bass. It felt deep, but lacked midrange (I hope I made some sense there).

Other: I think this track is a blend of techno and trance. Good composition! Again, I just wish you can remix and remaster this track. I suggest that you invest on a headset (I'm using a Sennheiser eH150) so you have an additional reference point.

Also, I can't quite connect the composition to the title, though. I didn't feel a sense of urgency while I was listening to the song. Maybe it's just me...

Nice work! ^_^

Score: 10

"Nice!"

submission: Ego-a-Go-Go (Hey Mr. Prezident

date: April 18, 2008

Pros: Pro-sound. Has a catchy melody. Very poppy (but pop is nice).
Cons: I don't get it (I meant the lyrics), but it's nice as is.

Score: 8

"Hmm..."

submission: Euphoria!

date: April 16, 2008

Pros: Musicians have skill. Nice lyrics.
Cons: Lacks catchiness. Production can be better... the vocals can't seem to project the euphoric feeling of the lyrics. I'm thinking a back vocal or instrument that is an octave higher than the lead vocal to give that lifting feeling.

Score: 9

"Excellent sound, lacks feel"

submission: .:( Orion's Belt ):.

date: March 30, 2008

I feel a sense of adventure and majesty. Some parts feel of danger and, at some sections, of calm -- even dreamy at times. It can also feel goofish. Overall, the tune is trying to tell me a travel sequence. An adventure, it's one big adventure.

Problem though is that it doesn't feel... space-ish, as the title suggests. Yes, the song took me to an adventure, but not that felt like travelling in space. I still felt like my feet were on planet Earth.

But don't get me wrong... the composition is fabulous. Incredible, even. It takes ridiculous effort and imagination to create something this good. Yes, I said GOOD.

Maybe I was looking for a sound that will lift me up, or fire me up into space.

Here's the hard part... 'coz I can hardly put these in words... it feels earthy, but it tells of adventure. I imagined palaces, royalty, and chases -- even a dash of magic. Just lift me up, either by magic or by rocketship, and the title will fit.

Pros: Top-notch composition. Incredible complexity. I dare say one of the best on NG.
Cons: Earthy feel -- it doesn't connect with the title (at least that's how I perceived it).

5 and 9. We don't suck; we just need more practice. ^_^

Score: 10

"I definitely heard some Pink Floyd in there"

submission: In The Fields =S=

date: March 27, 2008

...and I personally find the title and comments in contrast to how I perceived the song. The distorted guitar riffs felt heavy, depressing. The thuds of the drums and the bass line also suggested a heavy theme. The keys/organ suggest hope, and it suggests that the persona sees a light out of the dark he is in.

But that's just me.

Here's a treat -- impromptu lyrics starting after the 1:05 drum break:

The streets are cold, I walk with the thoughts of
what I see for me ahead.
Tomorrow? I don't know.
Oh tomorrow, I don't know.
Today feels just like any day,
no different than yesterday
and tomorrow, I don't know...
but I know there's still a ray of light
to shine down on me.
You'll shine down on me.
(Ooh hoo woo hoo...)
(Oh... oh-oh-oh...)

And now the review:

Pros: Near-pro recording quality. Deep bluesy feel. Excellent jam session.
Cons: Meh... hmm... just the title I guess (and maybe it's just me).

Tell you what, I'll pick up a mic and try to do impromptu here. ;-) Pardon me in advance in case I suck. 5 and 10.

Score: 9

"You remind me of Phil Collen with a dirtier sound"

submission: Under The Sun =S=

date: March 27, 2008

Yup, I'm a big Def Leppard fan, and the guitars here feel Leppardish. I can also feel some Van Halen too. Anyway, here's my say...

Pros: Enjoyable twin- or triple-guitar riffs. Makes me feel I'm back in the late eighties to early nineties.
Cons: Needs a bass line and drums. I can actually imagine both on this track... just awesome... the drums should have a progression too. I'd love to work on this, actually, but after my project album is done. I kinda prefer a slightly cleaner, less distorted sound from the guitars as well, but that's just me.

Great job! ^_^ Gets a 5 vote anyday.

Score: 9

"What are the instruments you used here?"

submission: Dare to Dream =S=

date: March 26, 2008

I'm very curious. This is actually a good mix. I'd love to know the gear you used to record this track as well.

Pros: Pro sound quality.
Cons: Odd ending.

Score: 8

"That's a breath of fresh air"

submission: ***Nightmare's***

date: March 26, 2008

First off, I voted 5 just because it's rare to hear a good rapper around the NGAP. Now the breakdown:

Pros: Good selection of backbeat. Rap lines are good and interesting enough to listen through and through.
Cons: Sound quality and mic pops.

I recommend that you practice rapping without popping the mic. Also try editing out the mic hiss, or at least apply fade-in and fade-out to hide the hiss.

But this is a good listen. Hope to hear more. ^_^