Reaper93's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[We Believe Ep.6 - F-777]

Time to break out the big one

Time for my first big review of the new year!

First off, the wind instruments are great - simple but they really add a lot of dimension. Very trance-like build up and there's a lot of action going on at once here, no wonder this has had such high acclaim.

Now, I'm not sure I can support the switch to piano around :45ish because it seems to make very little effort to return for another 45 seconds, and one time instrumental insertions are just not my idea of a good use! But that's just me, and I'm sure others feel differently. Personally I believe that you needed to combine that a bit more instead of keeping in separate segments, perhaps have them switch more frequently (every few bars?) to create a better dynamic.

The song is very simple, but some would say this is a plus, so I won't hold it against you - it's still very well constructed! I have to say that I like the orchestral instruments thrown in, but they could use a bit more work on placement in my opinion.

Well, look at that, that wasn't a very big review. Oh well, start off with baby steps :p

F-777 responds:

Your right the song could have been more dynamic,
thanks so much for the review man =).

The melody and bassline are simple but the setup
in the background is not even close to simple XD.
Theres about 3 extra saw patterns that you can't
really distinguish (i did that on purpose) but they
add pretty good to the background in my oppinion =).

Thanks again for the review its nice when someone
pours out their oppinions on every part of the song =).

[I Thank You--_--(goa Trance)]

No long review :(

However, I will give you one in the future. I'm glad you're back, first and foremost, and this song is superbly well-made. I really think it sounds great, it just flows nicely.

Not my favorite tune on Earth, but the song itself is just constructed so damn well I can't fault it. Maybe do something a little more, well, I can't quite put it, but something with a little more energy to it, then you'll have it perfect - but the song itself flows greatly, and its technical aspects are top-notch. 5'd.

PERVOK responds:

Ever since I started writing music, I always thought that the least descriptive term you can use to describe an element in a song is "energy" :(

Whatevs, thanks for the review man, you know that I appreciate it :) I just woke up though so I'm probably just a dumb bastard.

[Castle of Tears: Bloodlines]

!!!

Oi, you, I already reviewed this! >.<

Sorry, NemesisTheory, but I can't bring myself to give you another wall of text. It's improved, though I think I sense a slight drop in bitrate due to the length? I dunno. Anyway, just as good as the last one, if not better. Once we get some original work out, we get some original reviews, too :p

5'd and DL'd regardless ^^

NemesisTheory responds:

Hi! Haha, I guess I was cheating a little bit lol :p

Don't worry about the review, and you are correct about the bitrate! You really do have good ears (or you cheated and checked out the file info in winamp XD). I'm glad you like it, and yes, more originals are coming. :D

Thanks for the scores and review, reapie! :D

[Forgotten Tears - Mjattie]

Here you go!

Let me first state that I have never been a real fan of ambient music. I will do my best to not let this skew my review, but it is possible it could. So keep that in mind :)

Intro & Build (0:00-1:18) - This is a real slow, quiet introduction and buildup, as is expected in ambient pieces. Overall I feel it could've been made a bit quicker and a bit less listless feeling, but as I said, ambient isn't really my thing. The pace of adding in the instruments feels about right, though, so maybe speeding things up isn't the best idea. Maybe experiment with that? I dunno. Anyway, by the time the piano comes in the intro and build are really over, and the body gets started, I feel, which means that this is an exceptionally long intro and build lasting over a minute! So maybe cut it back about ten or fifteen seconds just to keep it a bit more interesting? Two points for being technically sound and decently good at its introductory and build role, however I docked it a point for being perhaps a tad too long. (2/3)

Body (1:18-3:14) - Another exceptionally long segment! Perhaps ambient is just supposed to be a bit drawn out? At any rate, this is pretty thoughtfully put together, and the melody of the piano is soothing, even if it does advance at about the pace of a waltz (tad too slow for me, generally :p). There's a lot of variation in here, though, which really helps keep the monotony down and the replayability of the track high. It's a very technically sound, if too slow for my own pace, body segment. Again very long, but perhaps not as bad a thing here as in the intro. (3/3)

Outro and Recombination (3:14-4:44) - Bringing back a bit of the drums and such, then taking them out, really helps give the song a bit of a flavor, I think. It's like it could go on and on, which it does, with the exact same theme for four minutes straight, but doesn't really get old due to subtle variation and additions. This section is again rather long, but it has a little more to do than the intro - it had to recombine the intro's drumline with the body's piano melody, a difficult task to be sure. At any rate, it succeeds, and remains short. Uncharacteristically short for the job it does with the pacing of the rest of the piece, in fact. Lengthen this if you leave the rest of the song as-is by perhaps 15 to 30 seconds. (2.5/3) Lost half a point for being too short comparatively, otherwise completely technically sound.

As for the "do I like it" point... well, I'd be driven mad if I had to play team fortress 2 listening to this, but as an ambient track, I do like it quite a bit. Not quite enough to make it to my downloaded music folder, but certainly enough to give it high marks. Things to improve is that the intro is either too long, or the outro is too short. One of those needs lengthening or shortening, I believe. At any rate, your total score combined was 8.5/10, factoring in the "do I like it" point. That nets you a 4 - there is room for improvement, but not a lot. Then again, as I said, ambient's never really been my genre, so take all that with a grain of salt, as the saying goes.

4'd.

mjattie responds:

lol, well, that you don't like ambient, I can't do anything about that... (though thanks for reviewing it) and about the long intro, I like minimal music (music that almost not changes but sound a bit different) I think shortening the intro will take away the ambient feeling a bit, but I could be wrong... And about the ending you could probably be right but then, the song would be even more longer scaring even more people (who don't like ambient) about the duration of the song away XD

Though, glad for reviewing this :) It really helped me but, I can't say this is a short look (as you said in your comment) (but that's not at all bad :D)

My next song will prob. be trance :P hope you like that genre more and maybe if I think it's good enough for a reaper93 review I'll pm you :D

[A Silver Kiss]

Well.

I was about halfway through a large review when my browser decided to inexplicably return to the previous page, thereby erasing about 2500 characters worth of work. Since it's late at night, unfortunately, I REALLY cannot be assed to retype a 350 word review of this decent, technically sound, but somewhat uninspired song.

Therefore, I will give qualitative advice in a short, succinct manner instead - you can look forward to a real Reaper Review (TM) on your next song or two, sorry for the inconvenience.

At any rate, while the song technically works, I feel there could have been a lot more variation in form, timing, and especially in the melodies. It was all just such typical trance that I've come to expect at this point... it really couldn't break out of the "average" spot, no matter how well put together the notes were in a technical sense. Try busting out some funky bassline, or a crazy melody next time, then maybe we can see some big points. Your skills can definitely handle it, but you have to make the song stand out :)

7'd in the review, 4'd because I round up. No DL this time out, but maybe next time, if you get some less "been there, seen that" work out there :D

Kr1z responds:

i dont wanna stand out atm, im fine being general.
Just my second trance song yet, lets not get too complicated ;D
Thanks for ur tips though!

[Rose At Midnight]

Well, well, well...

It'sa me... again...

You already know how I do things by now, so let's get down to it, shall we?

Intro (0:00-0:23) - This is less of an intro than usual and more of a straight-into-it segment. Which, I suppose, is necessary if the song loops, which it does, and very well at that. Further, the theme is already present and very strongly emphasized, which makes for a killer intro to a song.

Body 1 (0:23-0:47) - This is a much calmer period in the song, which lends itself well after the energetic rush of an intro it had. Doesn't really seem to be lacking anything, but it doesn't really stand out either.

Body 1, part 2 (0:47-1:10) - This is a continuation of the original body segment with a slight alteration or two here and there. I feel it did roughly the same job as its earlier part.

Return to the Intro (1:10-end) - This is a bit of an interesting area, especially that pause midway through where the guitar comes back. I felt that it worked well enough for its job, and it loops amazingly with the intro segment. Nothing really to improve.

As much as I feel this song could have something more, based on what its job is, it gets a ten. It feels like it's lacking something I can't put my finger on, but really, its purpose is not to be amazingly stand-out-ish or some such, it's designed to be background music, or at least to imitate background music, for a character-based battle. In this respect it does its job quite well, and on that note, I am going to download it and submit this review. Good job.

NemesisTheory responds:

Great review as always! Glad you liked it. <3

And don't worry... I may or may not upload something later on that is sooooo much better than this lol.

[Kr1z - "Boten Anna" [Cover]]

Back to reviewin'!

Well, being a fan of the original, I can safely say this does it justice. The lead vocal sample is very crisp and clear, no quality issues there. Not only that, but while the music follows the tune of the original (obviously, or it wouldn't be a cover) I listened to both this and the original sync'd up, and I can safely say there is plenty of difference between them. Neither is really better than the other, but this version has a lot of variety added to the song.

Overall I'd say that this was a great effort, though your own mini-theme could use a tiny bit of tweaking before it truly fits with the rest of the song. Keep up the good work, Kr1z.

Kr1z responds:

Great review :D thx dude!

[Shades of Green]

Another classy one, m'boy!

Keep putting out songs like this and you're going to give me carpal tunnel! Review away, without further delay! (Haw, I made a rhyme. I'm so clever ^.^)

Intro (0:00-0:14) - This is nice and slow, kind of ambient, but it lets you know something is coming. Pretty short, as opposed to some other intros and opening builds, so that gets you some points for getting right to the action!

Build 1 (0:14-0:29) - This is another nice, short segment that really gets right to the action-y part. I like it because not only does it blend the instrumental additions well into the original track from the intro, but it's also short, sweet, and to the point, something most build-ups tend to take waaaaaaaaaay too far out of context (you know that ONE song you have with a buildup that's like 30-40% of the entire song, and you have to fast forward through it every time it comes on, and then the second half of the song is great, but you wish the rest of it was that good... yeah).

Body 1 (0:29-0:58) - This is, surprisingly, another very short segment, even though it's the song's main theme. I like this rapid switching between segmentation, it helps keep the song fresh and, well, summer-like. Not too lazy, but not too quick, either. The fact that it's trance really helps that feeling. Swapping between segments keeps it fast paced, but the song itself feels really lethargic and relaxed, if you know what I mean. Gives it a good feel.

Body Reprieve 1 (0:58-1:28) - A quick dip into a sub-melody and/or harmony here, once again, helps keep the song fresh while retaining a classic trance feel in terms of being relaxed. Perfect placement, very good execution.

Body 2 (1:28-1:57) - Well, it's a continuation of body one. Once again short, quick, to the point. No additional comments.

Body Reprieve 2 (1:58-2:30) - Basically more of Body Reprieve 1, nice subtle harmony/secondary melody. Gives it the chill back.

Build 2 (2:30-2:59) - Now this is interesting, it gives the song at its halfway point a nice little kick in a different direction, throwing in what sounds to be a new synth as it rebuilds to the main theme once more. Once again, perfect placement, good execution.

Theme Reprise (2:59-3:14) - A quick visitation back to the main theme, ends really quick (fifteen seconds?! :O) This is still keeping the song fresh to listen to, despite the repetition, simply because it swaps around so frequently. This technique could be used more extensively in the future :D

Body Reprieve 3 (3:15-3:43) - Another quick burst of melody? This is madness! (NO, THIS IS SHADES OF GREEEEEEEN!!!!) Well done again in terms of timing and blending.

Build-Body Slur (3:43-4:27) - This build turns into a body so effortlessly I had to combine the two. That new synth you added in really gives the song something special here, and I feel it really works. Like the rest of this song it is a short segment, but it still accomplishes its job and sounds good doing it.

Outro (4:27-End) - Some strange hybrid of the body theme and the body reprive theme, it really feels like the end to something, credits music, as it were. Gives it a sense of finality and sad depart after such a song with the pacing and combination of notes.

While it certainly isn't going to be my favorite thing to listen to in my off time, this song is perfectly and masterfully put together. The pieces flow without interruption, the notes are melodic and harmonic both, and best of all, it's a trance piece that doesn't feel boring and repetetive. For this extreme attention to detail and taloring of the song in every way I award a very rare 10 out of 10, 5 out of 5, and download to my music folder. While it does retain your signature sound, this song is so masterfully put together that, while the mastering itself isn't professional grade, the way the song fits the pieces together certainly is. I expect more of this in the future. (And only 123 characters left with no filler :D!)

NemesisTheory responds:

Another quality review of you! You ever think of going into a carreer as a reviewer? I think you'd do it pretty well. You seem to nail down the aspects of reviewing a product pretty literally (you RE-view the entire thing) and do that really well.

All in all though, I'm really happy you liked the song! :)

Thanks for the scores 'n download! :D

And ofcourse you can expect more. :D

[Sincere Serenity]

Another excellent piece!

As in your comments, this is definitely a chill 'n bass. The bass is evident, but it isn't too fast or hardcore. It's, y'know, chill :p

There is one strange thing about this song in that it doesn't really have an intro, it just goes right into the song after the opening crash. Therefore, clearly, I cannot give you a score based on the traditional parts of the song. I will adjust them to modify :D

Body (0:00-1:27) - Very nice rising in terms of the energy level, but you still manage to keep it relaxed and in-control. I especially enjoy the portion around 0:50 where you introduce a harmony using a synth; it really sounds good! I'd like to see more of that harmonic synth in future pieces :D Overall this section does very well in not only getting right to the action (no real intro to speak of) but also managing to retain a nice relaxed feel with a lot of energy. Paradoxical? Maybe, but it works! (3/3)

Respite (1:27-3:06) - This real trancey, low-key section still retains a lot of the energy but it isn't nearly as intense, which I think does the song well. It doesn't stand out quite so much in its features, but it is still well put together. It could use a little something of its own, though. (2/3)

Outro (3:07-end) - This section is real bouncey and really just sounds like an outro, assuming it's at the end of a song, but it also really sounds like an intro or a transfer to another section of the song. Perhaps some expansion after it? That would be cool, I think, to explore that ending sound a bit more. Most artists just do a five, maybe ten second outro, but you really got kinda far into it with nearly 30 seconds of a differing harmony from the rest of the song. Halfway there, I suppose ^^ (2.5/3)

And, as usual, the one remaining point is my "fudge factor" in the "do I like it" area. Well, yes, I do like it. (1/1)

That brings you to a grand total of 8.5/10. There's certainly room for expansion or improvement, but not too much! A really great song all around, I 5'd it and downloaded it, looking forward to your next piece!

NemesisTheory responds:

Quality review right here. Really appreciate the comments, makes me see what part of the song was good and what might need work.

If I could vote on this review, it'd be a 5.

[Trekkin']

Excellently made!

Uses creative instrumentals (I detect harmonica! XD) to make a pretty upbeat ambient feeling.

The real downside, for me, though, is that I don't really LIKE ambient... too repetetive and boring as a style on the whole :(

So, my two "I like it" points were absent, but it's very well put together nonetheless, and receives a 7/8 on everything else.

synteza responds:

can't have 'em all :(

thanks!

milosz