Gravey's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Hero's Bottle (Complete)]

Man...

This is pretty sweet!

I really like the upper vocals. I really enjoyed the upper melody lines in the vocals, but I'm not crazy about the rest of them. Whoever the vocalist is, you or Crucified, sounds a little too much like Metallica when singing in your natural register. And I hate to be a hater, but I truly hate Metallica with all my heart and soul. BUT! The upper register stuff reminded me a little more of Priest in a way. Not exactly, but in a way. So kudos to you for that! :-D

The guitars are awesome. Really relaxed on the riffs, yet they are pretty cathartic when the volume is pumped up loud enough. I think you could make the distortion a little harsher personally, but that is a subjective thing. So I'm not gonna hold it against you at all.

The guitar solo was very appropriately written for this song. I love the duet going on in the solo. How you recorded it twice, but not the same. Reminds me a lot of a band I worked with in the studio called Screaming Death. The guitars are very similar. So it kinda takes me back to the good ol' days when I was still in school and had a studio at my disposal. :-) Overall, I love the guitars.

The drums are pretty tasteful. They sound like they might be live? Like real drums is such a treat here on Newgrounds. And these really do sound authentic. But I could be wrong. Overall I like the drums. They fit the song very nicely.

Really there wasn't much to complain about in this song. Really nothing at all.

5/5 and 10/10 overall. I really enjoyed this bud!

-Gravey-

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

Thank you for the review!! Really glad you liked the song. Crucified did all the vocals. I only joined in on the "standing broken" and on the first chorus.
The man is a beast. He'll have something new on his page, with both of us vocalizing.
Glad you like the guitars. I tried many different styles of distortions. I have about 10 copies of this song in different distortions. In the end, I had to choose this one, for over all feel. It was kinda therapeutic to me as well.

The guitar solo was also something I have a few hundred copies of, before I decided on the harmonics one. It just followed the soft break, better than the others.

The drums are not live. But thank you very much!! I worked really hard on them, and will be doing the same for next songs that come out.

Thank you for the awesome review, and support!! Do you have any of your old bands songs?

[[GW] Just Dream [GW]]

:-)

I really like this song...A LOT! Just so you know anyways. Btw, there is slight clipping in areas. Lower your fader like [ ] much and it should be fine.

I like the new instrument that kicks in around 1:12. It has a very nice and yet weird quality to it. It really mixes well with the piano as well.

Ther percussion at 1:38 is FUCKING AWESOME! Although, I think you could do slightly more with the kick, and maybe one or two other drums there. Maybe some light congas there? Perhaps? Maybe not, but it might be an idea anyways.

I really love that new instrument you added. It mixes well with the electric piano near the end as well. So it really fits the entire song nicely. And I love how it ends with the percussion clicks. Very nice there man. Very nice indeed.

This is definitely an improvement over the first cut. The one thing I'm not sure on is the bass. I'm not sure I heard any bass at all in the piece except in the beginning. I really think it would benefit from some very light, airy bass. Something where you mess around with the EQ and add some massive reverb to it. But then again, this is just subjective. So take it or leave it as you will.

I love the hits at 1:36 man. I'm listening to this a second time through, and they are so full sounding. Really man, you should use those in other areas throughout the song.

Overall though, this is really good. 5/5 and 9/10 overall. Very nice work here man. Very nice work indeed.

-Gravey-

P.S. - Please just call me Gravey btw. :-P I only added a "1" at the end of my name because "Gravey" was already taken. And I'm flattered that you thought my ideas were so helpful from the first cut of this. :-)

gamerworld14 responds:

Wow. Thank you so much! I really appreciate the review, and I will consider your review in the next version of this song. (You convinced me to do another version) :D

I am not completely sure where the bass was in my song, what time frame were you referring to? (PM me)

I will call you Gravey from now on ;)

[Endless Sonata]

Yea, Not A Sonata...

Next time you should be a little more careful with your titles. Some people get really mad for some reason, like the guy below me.

A sonata is a musical composition consisting of 3-4 movements. Each movement has different key signatures and ideas from the previous movements that have been altered in various ways. So it keeps the same ideas, but alters and adds/subtracts from them in many ways.

(I left a definition here because in your pm you asked me what a sonata is, so now you know.)

As a song, this is pretty boring at the moment. But you have some nice melody lines going on. And some interesting chords as well, which creates a little dissonance here and there. So the foundation for a song here is solid.

I would definitely add some more instruments. Then use some plug-ins like reverb and the such to give it some color.

The drums are pretty decent actually. The rhythms that is. They could be compressed a little a raised in the overall mix a smidge. But as the rhythms go, you did a nice job actually.

So yea, you should work on this some more. With the melody lines you have going on, I really think there is some potential in this. But as a final version, this is pretty lame. Lol

2/5 and 4/10 overall. Good start, but definitely not a good song if it is a final version. So go finish it! :-P

-Gravey-

Super-Assassin responds:

woah
i dont think ill ever do a sonata then... :P

but yeah
thanx for the advice!
i think i will work on it some more...

[Tears of the Exiled]

Smooth And Refreshing...

I like the intro a lot. But I was not crazy about the instrument playing the lead before the clean guitar came in. I personally would change that, but it is all subjective really.

One issue I hear right off the bat is the limiter. It needs tweaked. I often use the limiter myself, but I always have to mess around with it a lot. The way it is being used right now, it is really causing some weird sounds with your instruments. It is causing them to phase in and out of the song. Maybe make the limiter have a little less edgy cutoff. That would probably help a bit.

I like the fade ins and fade outs with the different guitars. Nicely done there.

The pads/strings sound really nice. They have such a warm quality to them, and they fill up the song beautifully. And do I hear a choir in this song as well? It sounds like a choir with a sort of water effect on it. Nice job in being creative with that bud. I like that a lot.

I recognize those hits you are using for percussive effect. You should try to do something with them. Make them sound a bit different than the other song(s) you've used them in. I just think they could really benefit from something being mangled on them in some way.

Overall not bad, but not my favorite of your works so far.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. Nice job bud!

-Gravey-

Theledge93 responds:

About the limiter, i have been tweaking that shit so much. if i didn't, it sounded like everything was real muddy, or staticky(staticy?) however you spell it. I don't know how to use the limiter i just messed with shit until it sounded decent.

for the phasing, you're talking about how an instrument gets quieter when another one comes in right? well if your not, then i don't know what your talking about. But i was aiming for that. i wanted everything to become quieter when the lead guitar came in.

I'm glad you liked the choir. i think i utilized them, i think, pretty well.

But did the synth pad fit? i was asking myself that when i put it in. and no one seemed to think it did or it didn't.

[[GW Mix] Just Dream [Preview]]

Couple Of Things...

First off, wrong genre my friend. This is definitely not classical. :-P At the moment I would probably classify it under ambient or miscellaneous. But definitely not classical.

But that is hardly a huge deal. I won't hold it against ya!

As for the song, I like it. It has a nice flow to it. The beginning is very full sounding, yet is still pretty light and airy. Very nice touch on the instruments and effects there for sure.

I like it when the piano comes in. It sounds really good, and the melody line is pretty simple and pleasing. I would add a little syncopation to it myself, but it isn't necessary. Overall the piano is well written.

I like how the bells/chimes really blend and mix with the piano. Yet they keep their individual parts as well. Really nice job in the writing and mixing of those two instruments.

There definitely is some room for improvement though. First off, it needs to be longer. It really feels unfinished. It needs at least another section, if not two or three to really feel complete. Right now the song feels like it is over before it even really gets going. And that is not a good impression to leave on a listener. :-P

I want to hear more of the electro instrument that is present in the beginning. (Which says something, because typically I don't like that type of sound with piano songs.) So if and when you add more sections, definitely use it. It has the perfect timbre and creates another layer in the song when it is present.

Also, you should think about adding some light bass to this. Something that isn't heavy and daunting, but rather a bass line that is quiet in the mix. With some nice reverb on it to give it that far away atmosphere. I think that would really add a new dimension to the song in a spacial way.

Sometimes when working you have to think and write in 3D. Instead of just adding instruments, and making songs longer and shorter, you have to think about depth. Tasteful reverb can really help to create this, as well as an overall mix of the instruments. So do not be afraid to think in a 3D environment when writing music. It is something hard to grasp, but once you get the hang of it your music will have a quality to it that most others can't emulate.

If you are looking for an example as to what I mean, I think my song Iron Monger would be a good example. In the beginning there is a piano part that I created that has a far away effect. It sounds like it is in a cave faraway. Whereas the rest of the song is in your face. But I'm only mentioning this to give you an idea what I mean if you don't quite understand.

I think some percussion would be nice. Especially if you extend it. I would add something slow and melodic. Not a hard thumping kick and snare line. They would ruin the atmosphere. But maybe something along the lines of Asian melodic percussion. It seems that something along those lines would REALLY be a great benefit to this song.

You can get such sounds online for free if you look around. Just type look for some Asian sound fonts. You are bound to find some free ones sooner or later. :-)

Overall though, this is nicely written. But there is definitely room for improvement. This has great potential, so don't let it collect dust here in Newgrounds and on your hard drive! :-P

3/5 and 7/10 overall.

Hope this was helpful in some way.

-Gravey-

gamerworld14 responds:

Wow, I really appreciate the time you took on this review. It really, and I mean really helped me out. I will give this song another try, and won't give up on it. I don't want to let you down with this long review you gave to me.

I really like the input you gave me on this one, and I will definitely try to incorporate this into the next version of my song. You really helped me out, seriously :D

Thank you very much for the amazing review, I will definitely try to finish this one now ;) You gave me inspiration, because it seems to me like I was becoming stuck and I couldn't think of anything good.

Thanks so much!

-gw-

[Cant let go]

Wow Man...

People ask me what music I listen to, and I always feel like a dick saying "Everything." But unlike so many people, I truly do listen to everything. From Yanni to Napalm Death. From Charlie Daniels to Raffi and Eiffel 65, I listen to it all.

So it is quite a treat to come here and hear this tune. I mean really, I have yet to hear anything quite like it on Newgrounds. This is fucking amazing man! Fucking amazing.

First off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the chord structure you have going on. It is so basic, but so full and robust. It really pushes the song along unbelievably nicely.

The instrumentation is simply awesome as well. To be honest, there isn't anything here I couldn't play live myself. But that does not mean it is not awesome in the fact that it creates such an atmosphere with such simplicity.

God this really makes me sit back and reflect on my days at OU, working in the studio with a couple guys who played this exact same style. We had so much fun, and it was probably the best experience in my life. So this is really taking me back to those days at school when I was producing as a student for local artists. God man, I can't tell you how fucking amazing this makes me feel. I really can't express it in words.

Two things, the section with the organ is clipping. You should definitely fix that. And also, the transition to the bass solo is bad. Or should I say lack of one? That instant drop-off is so rough on the ears. Maybe bleed the last chord of the other instruments in to the bass section for a half second. That might help.

But overall man, the emotions and memories this brings to me far outweighs any minor problems this song has.

5/5 and 9/10 overall.

This has been favorited. Please make more of this. Really, please do.

-Gravey-

tw0k00l4sk00l responds:

Ok i dont hear an instant drop off it must be the bass solo drop off because the ending of the song is all just fading away but thanks dude

[Hard Guitar Techno]

Interesting...

This has serious potential. And I really mean it.

The beats are in your face all the way through the entire loop, and I have a feeling that was intentional. (I say loop because it is far to short to be a song.) I really like the beats, and especially the few fills you created. You should make this a bit longer, and vary the beats/fills some throughout. That would be pretty sweet.

As for the melodies, they are beyond simple. But it really gives this song a charm about it. You don't always have to get extremely complicated to get your point/idea across. Sometimes simple is simply better. I do believe this to be the case for this little diddy.

I think it could really be helped with a bass line of some sort. Nothing overly complicated, unless you want it to be of course. But something to help bring some balance to this. It is pretty top heavy throughout in my opinion. But it is simply that, my opinion. So take it or leave it as you will.

Overall this is a good start, like I said. But it could really be expanded both vertically with more instruments, and horizontally with more sections.

3/5 and 7/10 overall. I hear some serious potential, so don't let this sit and collect dust on your hard drive! :-P

Best of luck bud!

-Gravey-

Zageron responds:

Thank you SO much for the positive review! I've had my friends pestering me constantly over the past year for me to extend this song, however I lost the project file mere weeks after completing the 'loop'.
I can't remember any of the sound sets I used to have ether, so getting the same sound back is almost impossible.

I will REALLY attempt to get my act together and figure something out, but except some serious music coming out of here during the summer.

Thanks,

[The Sprinting Brawl]

Oh Wowzers...

Pretty intense for a piano only diddy. I definitely hear the anger in this! Lol!

Normally I leave long and well thought out reviews. But there really isn't much to say. You were angry, and expressed it in musical form.

3/5 and 6/10 overall. Simply because I really hear the anger behind this. lol Plus, the chord structure is intriguing. (I've been playing piano since I was three. So yea, I'm all about chord structures and weirdness with the piano.) ;-)

-Gravey-

Zageron responds:

Hehe. I absolutely LOVE the beginning and ending of this song. :P
The middle part was absolute crap, but I WAS pissed.

A note on the chord structure you keep commenting on will appear in your inbox within the half hour. ^^

[Flow with Water]

You Have Improved...

I like the effect on the piano that plays the chords. Very nice touch there.

It really has a good sound when it kicks in, but the intro is slightly lacking. Maybe a little something more in the very beginning would be helpful.

Also, I wouldn't pan the right hand to the right so hard at first. It creates a slightly empty sound. But when the second hand really kicks in at 1:36, it sounds really cool. Very nice section there.

I like the section starting around the 2:05 mark. Once again though, if you have one instrument playing the melody, try not pan it so hard to one side at first. It makes the song out of balance. Whatever that instrument that is playing the melody in the left ear is, it should be a little less edgy in the mix. Move it slightly closer to center to get more balance. Not a lot, but just a little.

One last thing, I think there should be a little more syncopation in this. It is pretty straight forward all the way through. Not a lot of off beat stuff going on other than in the bass. And that makes it pretty hard to enjoy the song for the full 7:38.

The section beginning around 5:20 is pretty kick ass sounding. I REALLY love those rolling chords man! And I like how it is starting to build towards a crescendo at the end. The cymbals crashes should not be so apparent in the mix. Lower them in the mix, and maybe add some reverb to give them that "far away" quality. It would really help them out a lot.

Overall, this is a solid little piece. A little long for the style, I actually think it is pretty ambient in a lot of places. But that is all subjective to an extent.

3/5 and 7/10 overall. You have definitely improved bud.

-Gravey-

BlurrySound responds:

thank you for another long and helful review. I guess i did go a little too crazy on the pan, i wanted to make sure that all the parts and melodies wouldn't get mixed together and sound awful. I'll try and edit the song and add in some extra things. I'll pm you when its ready

[::Moving Trees::]

Wow Sir...

It is clipping slightly in my left ear when listening to this. I'm 99% sure it isn't my headphones, but it might be.

Other than that, this is like your other works, nothing bad can be said.

The atmosphere you create is amazing, and the mix you come up with is spot on every time. Love it, love it, love it! What can I say, I've run out of good things to say after listening to your works. :-)

5/5 and 9/10 overall. Check the slight clipping in the beginning. If that is fixed then this is easily a 10/10. Amazing work as always man.

This has been favorited!

-Gravey-

gOrc responds:

yeah now I hear the clipping, too. well this could be fixed thanks for the hint. and thanks for your review, good to read such things after waking up. ^^ be sure to remind me when you got some new classic stuff, I really enjoy listening to your pieces.