Gravey's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[[LK] Lost]

Very Soothing...

I love the overall tone of this song. The piano is a nice choice for the lead, and meshes well with the harmonies you created. They just go well together.

I like the playing style you are using with the piano. Rolling chords methodically in the right hand is always a nice change of pace. Then when the melody line comes in it really adds to the song. I'm not sure about the overall sound of the melody line though. Kinda odd, and I'm not sure it really fit well with the song. But this is only my opinion, so take it or leave it as you will.

I like the chord structure you are using. It isn't just a melody and bassline. There are real chords being played throughout this piece, and it adds that color that is no needed for a song like this. I could really just sit back and take in the world while listening to this song. Makes me want to lay out in the stars on a beautiful night.

The ending is kinda rough. You should work on that a little bit in my opinion. It just kinda dies, and that isn't really fitting for a song like this. Normally I am completely against fadeouts at the end of songs. But I think if you repeated the section around 1:20 and faded it out, it would have a wonderful effect.

It seems to me you might want to tweak your limiter a bit. It is causing phasing issues with the piano and harmonies in places. But overall really nice job here.

4/5 and 8/10 overall, because it is good. But it isn't quite perfect yet.

Best of luck on your future projects bud!

-Gravey-

P.S. - If ya get bored, go listen to my entry for the contest. ;-)

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/liste n/215108

LK412 responds:

Wow man thanks for the honest review! I know exactly what you meant about the guitar melody. Personally i didnt like it either but this is after i uploaded it and i really didnt know how to change it.

The ending i know. I really didnt want to end the way i did but i was blank at the time and didnt know what to do.

The mixing/mastering are horrible i know because i am horrible at both which really make my songs crappy.

Thanks for the review i really appreciate it.

Unfortunately my memory got erased and i lost the file so i cant carry out or suggestions.

Thanks for the honest review again and i will definitely check out your song.

[<PS> Antarctica]

Wow...

This is superb. I love the intro. You really captured the essence of nature and life in such a desolate and unforgiving land amazingly well.

I love the structure. This is a true classical piece of work, with a storyline and multiple movements in the piece. Wonderful work here.

As I sit and listen, I feel like I'm almost interacting with the music, and Antarctica itself. I feel the chilling winds and snow, and the grandness of the landscape. As well as the individuality and loneliness of being in such an unforgiving area of the world.

The mix you get with your instruments is amazing. It truly sounds like a real orchestra is playing this. Amazing, simply amazing.

I love the chord progressions you used. You have a knack of taking someone on a journey through time. And really do well at creating atmosphere in your music.

There is nothing wrong with this. Very impressive sir.

5/5 and 10/10 overall. Great job man.

-Gravey-

PenguinSam responds:

Ah, yes, the chord progressions! The progressions used are some of the most unusual that I have used (especialy in "Stars Through Southern Lights").

I am simply filled with joy that people are loving this piece so much! It makes me feel all wiggly inside!

Thank You!!!!

<PS>

[Titanium (TSA)]

As Always...

A kickass composition from you. I love the whole flow and structure of the song. It has that industrial touch like you said. Yet it is very contemporary. Very unique sound you got here man, and I like it a lot.

As for the individual mechanisms themselves, the piano is simply badass. I love the sound of it in this piece, both structurally and harmonically. The pulsing chords in the right hand really drive this song forward. And they mesh well with the rest of the instruments, especially the strings.

I love the distortions you used throughout the piece. I think most most striking is the water effect on the gong. It really distorts the reality within the piece itself. A very nice touch there bud.

The choir is awesome! I never would have thought of that in that situation, so kudos to you for the awesome idea! I like the typewriter (?) type sound starting around the 2:43 mark. Ingenious little idea there really. It adds some flavor to that section for sure.

I love the ending. The upward rolling chord in the piano is a very classy way to end this piece. It really gives it that sense of closure you are looking for.

The overall mix you created was spot on. The kit is definitely noticeable in the mix, yet is not overpowering any of the other instruments in the song. The kick is really punchy, but still kinda distant. Not sure how you created that effect, but I like it!

What can I say, I simply love this man!

5/5 and 10/10 overall. Nothing I could really find wrong with it.

It has been favorited!

-Gravey-

Aeris responds:

Thanksums C:

I was debating on the gong distortion, but i think you're right, it should stay. That whole distortion thing after the watery gong was a complete mistake, but i liked how "fucked up" it made the piece, so i kept it. I believe that typewriter noise is a sidestick panned left and right, but it's meant to be an industrial machinelike noise. So a typewriter visualization is perfect.

what kit? lol

Thanks muchly for the (awesome as usual) review.

[*- Solara(AuraCollab.Light) -*]

It's Decent...

For the style you are going for this is pretty good man. It has a pretty full sound and all.

What I wish I would hear more in trance is some harmonic structure. It is always just a melody with a pad and beat. And then the bass always just plays the tonic over and over again.

I like the melody a lot, as simple as it is really. It's fast, but is pretty simple at the same time. Which is a big reason why it is so catchy.

Maybe add some harmonic structure to it. I hear some strings in the background, (I think.) But it really sounds like they are only playing the tonic. And more layers with chord structure would really make this an easier listen for me.

But this is only my opinion. Take it or leave it as you will, because it is not a bad little tune as it is. I just think it could be improved is all. :-)

4/5 and 8/10 overall.

Nice work here, and best of luck on future projects bud.

-Gravey-

Jebbal responds:

Yeah, its pretty standard trance. I see what you're saying, but I think I'm going to keep it this way. :) This is how I like my trance music! Other genres though, like classical, symphonic, movie score, whatever else like that, hellll no. Orchestral music needs more love.

I appreciate the long review! You are truly a man on a mission! You are also very sexy.

Thanks for the review!

[Duel of the Fates Metaliz]

Kickass...

Once again, I don't have anything bad to say about this really.

Normally I spend a lot of time leaving long well thought out reviews. But I think I can simply say what needs to be said in a single phrase.

This kicks serious ass!

5/5 and 10/10 overall.

I'm really enjoying going through your submissions one by one. Quite an impressive portfolio of work you have worked up!

-Gravey-

fire118 responds:

Thank you ~ I glad you enjoyed it.

[Feelings Of Music (Joy)]

Interesting...

I like the concept behind this. But I'm not sure I understand the point of the water sound effect. It kind of gets in the way of the music after a while for me. In the intro it is pretty good, but I think it would be better suited if it faded out early in the song.

I like the bird effect later on. And the wind as well. It counterbalances the water from earlier in the song. This has a very natural sound to it. Even mystical in a way, and I like it a lot. Very original work here, and would be well suited for a serious flash video with an Asian setting.

I normally like my music to be a little more on the technical side, but I think the simplicity of the music itself gives this song a charming side to it. I do think you should tweak your compression a bit. I hear some issues with some of the sounds being "Warbled." Which can happen with the types of sounds you have are over compressed.

I like the piano lines. Very nice touch there bud. And the ending is simply perfect. This is a good song, and like I said above, very original. But I'm not sure it is a great song quite yet. There are definitely some things to tweak.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. Very nice work here bud.

Good luck on your future projects, and in the competition. :-)

-Gravey-

P.S. - If ya get bored, you can go hear my entry for the competition as well.

(http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/list en/215108)

zenodio responds:

Okay thanks a lot man. And yeah i noticed that with the soun is over-compressed.

[SolTec]

Great Intro...

Love the choir in the intro. Pretty cool sound.

Good god, the snare makes me want to kill myself. Sorry, but I think it sounds REALLY badly. But that is only my opinion. Take it or leave it as you will.

I like the overall sound you have with this song. Everything meshes well together. One thing though, I do think you could have a better kick. Something with more punch. And make it louder in the mix. You can hardly hear it most of the time.

I like the sound starting around the 2:00 mark. Very full and rich there. And I love the instrument that carries the lead in the very next section starting around 2:15. Cool choice there man.

I like how this builds and builds, and then there is a drop off. And then everything starts anew with the choir. Awesome idea there man with the bridge. Awesome awesome awesome.

And the ending is in your face. Nicely done, but I think you could have added another instrument in the ending. A descant voice high above everything else. That would make for an AWESOME effect.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. It is a good song, but not a great one yet. At least not in my opinion. It does have the potential though.

Good luck working on your future projects man!

-Gravey-

Drawoh responds:

thanks for the awesome review, but I still like the snare the way it is xD
but as u said, its ur opinion so I will not object :3

[Carol's Melody (Far Away)]

:-)

God, I love it. This reminds me of my playing style. Not so much my writing style, but my playing style. You should look into some Jim Brickman and Jay Rouse stuff. This reminds me a bit of them in many ways.

As for the song itself, it's beautiful. A great chord structure, and wonderful harmony. I love rolling chords in the left hand. The easiest and often best sounding harmony structure you can use for songs such as this.

I do think it can be improved though. Instead of always rolling them up, maybe roll them down sometime. And even go out of order sometimes. Say you are rolling the C-chord, C-E-G-C. Go from low C to high C, then up to G. Then ending on the E right below that high G. It is a great way to break up the continuous rolling chord sound.

Other than that I have no real issues with this song. Great job here bud!

5/5 and 9/10 overall.

Best of luck on future projects man!

-Gravey-

Drawoh responds:

Glad u like it, and thanks for the chord suggestions, I'll have it in mind :P

[[Tell] - Holly's Song]

Touching...

I can tell that a lot of thought and emotion went into writing this piece. I am a pianist myself, so I get suckered it by little songs like these.

Everything is in pretty good balance overall. The piano has a nice quality to it, even if it doesn't sound to real. Not much you can really do there though. You work with what you have at the time.

The strings are pretty good sounding, but I think that they could have benefited from having another set an octave higher. Just a thought anyways.

The ending is kinda iffy for me. Even with slow and dramatic songs I want a crescendo at the end. It didn't really have much of one. It needs that final push. Nothing too dramatic, but still something small to give it that finishing touch. Closure. :-)

I personally think it would benefit from an oboe solo. And some flutes quietly interweaving with the strings.

I really like this piece. But I can't say I love it. A little too simple for a great score. But definitely worth a good one.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. Nicely done here bud.

-Gravey-

Telliath responds:

I thought about it. I think I'll add some of this stuff. Thanks :)

[I R MAN!]

Whoa...

The intro is cool as fuck, and is completely different from the rest of the song. Great idea for that man!

I like the kick, but it could have been slightly higher in the mix. The melody is pretty nifty, but a little to repetitive. Probably would have benefited if you changed instruments that were playing the melody.

I don't want to dog on ya to much for this because you got screwed by the power going out.

So 3/5 and 5/10 overall. Cause I can see where you were going with this. And I like the idea.

-Gravey-

jbarnett responds:

i actually start out with one melody. then i go back and change it. thiis is before i got to the second part :/