Contest [CONTEST] TROUBADOURS ALBUM UP FOR DOWNLOAD (also win premium) (Read 4925 times)

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I was going to write a really long review with lots of detail, but I really don't have the time, so I'm just gunna write a little about each song.

Sabotage:  I'm not really that much of a Beastie Boys fan (I like some of their songs, and some of there songs are really annoying), but this was pretty much fantastic.  I don't have much negative to say about it.  I liked the dark and angry industrial rap feel quit a bit.  It was well done, well recorded and well produced, felt like a professional track.

All Star:  This was good at the beginning an got better for a while when the layers started to build.  But after a while it started to feel really disjointed and un-coordinated.  Kinda like you got more drunk the more you added to it.  I guess it could've been intentional, but it wasn't really clear enough that you wanted it to get over-layered and chaotic and got a little boring for the last 40-50 seconds.

Achy Breaky Heart:  I liked this a lot except for the vocals.  They got out of tune a little too much, and in a way that wasn't really appealing to me.  The bass sounds a little weird, but it's not significant.  Also, no matter how good you did with this.. ...4 minutes of this song is way too much.

Mr. Jonas and Me:  This was alright.  The vocals were really out of time, and also out of tune.  I think it would've been better not to have that gate on them either because it really made the vocals feel separate from the guitars.  The guitars were pretty nice, and I liked them for the most part even when they were rhythmically off.  The part with the panned high guitars was particularly nice, but also probably was the most off also (unfortunately).

Creep:  This was really pretty good, even with the fuzz on the vocal track near the beginning (I think it is.)  I like the really muddy distorted tone.  The vocals sounds a lot like the other dude in Blackfield (not Steven Wilson), don't know his name.  I also liked the drum samples, if you had played them in to have a little more volume variation they would almost sounded real.  The vocals might've been a tad loud, and also everything sounded pretty separate (they sounded like they weren't in the same world).  This can be fixed a little by running all the tracks through the same reverb track and also panning things to be how they would if one were in the audience facing a stage.

Government Sponsored Teen Outreach Program:  Magic Bullet + Smells like Teen Spirit = ???  Despite being 10 minutes long, this kept my interest most of the way through.  The strings felt a little robotic at times, mainly well it broke down and they were more exposed.  I definitely like it when people do something really different with the song like this.

Good Riddance:  I found this pretty funny, with the completely buried melody and over powering synths.  The guitar soundfont shredding was also humorous.

Buddy Holly: This was pretty good, it works well on solo piano.  Sometimes the accenting was awkwardly loud in the left hand.  Funnily enough when the accenting was too strong, the time was pulled back in a way that was also awkward and didn't work.

Iris:  I like the sound that ase got with the acoustic guitar.  It's really clear, but there isn't that much sustain, so the musicscape sound kinda and empty and holey (in a good way).  The vocals are also good.  Unfortunately I really don't like the Goo Goo Dolls, so I still had a hard time enjoying this.

Nothing Compares 2 U:  So this opened with a cool sludgy bass (maybe downtuned guitar) set of chords,  but it went downhill when the vocals came in.  Again, work on staying in tune and and in time.  The beat-boxing.. ...didn't work for me either.  Sorry Mellotron Cowboy!

Shine:  The guitar was too loud and also the tone was not so great.  The guitar also is out of time at point signficantly.  The drums sound robotic, I think it was how they were so loked in time and the guitar wasn't really in.  The vocals sound hollow, but that's probably just cause of a computer mic, wouldn't've been a problem if the guitar was softer relative to them.

Creep:  Really nice and brings alot to the original.  This stripped down arrangement works very well (once again, couch?).  Nice voice.
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I'm not a trained singer or whatnot so, I could see me getting out of tune. And I didn't use a click track on Nothing Compares 2 U so I could see how I got off time. And at the beginning its just a distorted as hell guitar, but now that I think of it, bass chords whould have been cooler.

I kind of feel like I failed now.
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Nah your stuff was pretty good, especially because you did it yourself. I know I couldn't do half as good with that instrumental stuff.
DEUCE: MEETING THE URINE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AND REALIZING IT'S JUST LIKE ME AND MY PREJUDICES  THIS WHOLE TIME WERE COMPLETELY FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF PTTTTHTHTHH GOD IT'S EVERYWHERE<br />DEUCE: FUCK THIS TASTES LIKE PISS<br />PANTS: WHERE IT SHOULD TASTE LIKE COTTON CANDY OR PICKLES<br />DEUCE: OR AT LEAST LIKE URINE NOT PISS
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yeah man, you didn't fail at all that guitar sounded really cool, and your tracks were both some of the most original tracks on the album!  Just keep at it and I'm sure you'll kick ass.
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Can anyone mirror this? I really want to hear this.
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Hey Jojo, I'll try to get you a link up sometime but Megaupload is being really lame for me at the moment. I'll try again later on.
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I wanted to make an annoying song so people would forget "without a..." Did I succeed with Greenday?
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without a... never forget  :fogetscience:
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lastlife - i wanted it to intentionally become chaotic and weird.

I haven't listened to all of it, I was in New Mexico (I really wanted to hear the premiere). However, everything sounds good, though from what I've heard already I wish I would hear more original arrangements of the tunes. I'll review once I listen to everything!
Last Edit: August 13, 2008, 05:33:38 pm by Erave
Below are things I've taken part to create:

Channel Changer 1-3 Complete
Easy Mac Complete
Easy Mac 2
Last Legend

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i was really impressed by this- and i'm not usually very easily impressed (especially with music/covers).

i'm also going to obnoxiously say the atari's creep was my fave. maybe its cause i already love the song to begin with, but atari, you ahve an amazing voice!

awesome job everyone!
sometimes, you need to quote yourself to feel important.
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Hey, I just got a premium membership... was it because of this? I mean I'm kind of confused because I didn't see any of the other people that reviewed this get premium and I did not pay for this.
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Yeah, I bought it for you man.

I'll probably give another one out but hopefully people do some more reviews.
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Oh, well thanks a lot, man. I was just making sure this wasn't a fluke or something.
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A mirror would be tits. Mediafire, preferably. :)
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Is it just me, or does the version of creep that's NOT ATARI sounds like Johnny Cash?
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ImmortalDreamer, I take it you are not too familiar with Couch's work.
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Here you go Jojo: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=3f1ded1576287b10d2db6fb9a8902bda
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Here you go Jojo: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=3f1ded1576287b10d2db6fb9a8902bda
Rad, man thanks a lot! Critiques coming.
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CRITS.

1. The Dog Obeys & PTizzle - Sabotage (Beastie Boys cover)
I love the overall SOUND you achieved with this. It's perfect. And PTizzle, you executed the vocals REALLY well. As always, very professional sounding. Awesome song. My little brother walked in for two seconds and left asking "Is that Beastie Boys?" Very faithful.
2. Erave - All Star (Smash Mouth cover)
I LOVE the idea of this. Pretty original, and it's done very well. I love the ending. A bit messy, obviously intentionally, but a bit hard to listen to.
3. Mellotron Cowboy - Achy Breaky Heart (Billy Ray Cyrus cover)
Ahahaha... This is so dramatic and epic for Achy Breaky Heart. The harmonies on the first chorus are a bit off. The trumpet fits seamlessly, that's a nice touch. The high end of the drums is a bit loud. With any song that you drastically lower the tempo on, the song drags. The Xylophone and bass help to lessen that, but it's inevitable. Couch Montana.
4. Harry Manback & Magma King - Mr. Jones and Me (Counting Crows cover)
I ADORE the original of this song, and this isn't too bad. It would be just a decent cover, but the guitar at the very end is FANTASTIC. Fits perfectly. Not bad.
5. ATARI - Creep (Radiohead cover)
I don't like the reverb on your vocals. But as always, your voice is amazing. The guitar sound is PERFECT. This sounds very full. I can't stop thinking about Ned singing this chorus in South Park, though. (I'm a wieeener...) Dude. Your voice is incredible during the breakdown. And the guitar working against that is amazing. Nearly flawless man. This is really, really impressive. Well done. The highlight track so far.
6. Marlon Brando - Government Sponsored Teen Outreach Program (Nirvana cover)
Greatest intro to a song ever. Of all time. Ever. Ultimate Party Machine. Hold everything! I love the strings playing the lead. That works pretty well. Loses it's momentum pretty quickly though. The rest of the song just drags.
7. Kaworu - Good Riddance (Time of Your life) (Green Day cover)
Dark-Ambient. This is pretty dark man, even darker with that bright and happy synth that comes in(as bizarre as that sounds...). You really took this song and made it your own. Well done, man.
8. couch - Buddy Holly (Weezer cover)
Whoa. Was not expecting this. This is so... Haunting. Who knew this song would sound so good arranged like this? Phenomenal sound. I'm floored, really. The arrangement is really, really well done. Gold medal for taking a timeless song and twisting it into something completely different, yet totally recognizable. For some reason I have visions of 1940 Chicago. Hmm.. I want the sheet music for this. I'm seriously. I want the sheet music for this. Wonderful job. A++++.
9. ase - Iris (Goo Goo Dolls cover)
Apparently people don't like Goo Goo Dolls. It's beyond me, because it's pretty well crafted pop-music. Maybe the guy is douche? Anyways. The guitar sound is perfect. Your voice really suits this song! I love the drums during the chorus. Also, I thought you were a chick for as long as you've been here up until like a month ago. I need answers. I love the ending with the fade out of the drums first.
10. Mellotron Cowboy - Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinéad O'Connor cover)
I love the damp sound of the recording.  And is that you beatboxing? Haha. Fantastic. This is really, really awesome. It's very raw, and I love that.
11. ATARI & Harry Manback - Shine (Collective Soul cover)
The guitar tone is perfect. Ouch. Your "Whoa's" sound out of place. The hi-hat is really loud during the solo. Nice job on the solo man. Flawless. A decent cover. Very nice guitar work.
12. where is my spaceship - Creep (Radiohead cover)
Nicely done. As always. It's SO DRAMATIC!!! Ahaha. But seriously. Very good. The breakdown is really nice.


Everyone! Nicely done! Congrats, seriously! Everyone did a great job and this runs together very, very well. Keep it up, hope to join you for the next Troubadours album.

----------------
Now playing: couch - Buddy Holly (Weezer cover)
via FoxyTunes
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Good stuff Jojo. I should do mine!

Sabotage - I did this so of course I can't comment on it too much but I do like it! I just wanted to say that I stuffed up a little in the last bit so sorry about that.

All Star - This is pretty cool. I don't like it at the end when the horns all clash but apart from that it's a nice play on the original.

Achy Breaky Heart - I really like what you did with the music here but I don't like the original so I didn't love this. Nothing wrong with what you did though! Saxaphone (was it?) is very cool.

Mr Jones and Me - The singing sounds a little off the music, like it sounds heaps like it was slapped together onto the music afterwards (I know it was but bear with me). There's nothing wrong with it but the vocals needed to be louder and put onto the music more. It'd be good if it sounded smoother for sure.

Creep - Good stuff as always Atari. Did you still have that lung issue when you recorded this? If so, very impressive. You have a fantastic voice, I'd really like to hear you at studio quality. The arrangement is really good! You re-created the chorus so well. A standout for sure.

Government Sponsored Teen Outreach Program - I really liked what you did with this - I would've expected a bland vocal cover but you really did something different. I would have liked it if the strings were stronger and the attack was raised so they didn't have that annoying little delay, but it has this cool haunting vibe with what you did so I guess it's not a bad thing.

Good Riddance - Haha, this is pretty cool. It was basically the complete opposite of what I expected! It's pretty much the only Green Day song I like so I wouldn't have minded a vocal cover but I really like the 8-bit style synths you used.

Buddy Holly - This is probably the best song on here and I'm really impressed at the arrangement. It just changes the vibe from the original and is pretty much flawless as far as what you could have done with an instrumental cover goes. Well done!

Iris - The music is pretty great first off. I like the singing and it's a good cover all round, but I don't like the way you mixed your vocals. Something about it just doesn't sit well with me, yo. It sounds better later on though so it's probably just the adjustment to it that bothered me (I mix my vocals like this a lot as well so I don't know why I didn't like it!).

Nothing Compares 2 U - I like this more than your first, for sure. The beatboxing was very solid! I don't know the original well so I can't comment on its worth as a cover but I liked listening to this.

Shine - This was pretty competent but I didn't love the singing (mainly the 'well' bit). I don't know the original to this very well either so it's probably my fault here! It's definitely solid but I just feel it wasn't totally up to the rest (especially your first singing job which I felt was a lot stronger).

Creep - I really dig this. Atari's cover is a little more personally preferred but you did a great job and your voice fits the track surprisingly well.


Good stuff all around guys! I don't mean to put anyone down because I really enjoyed this all the way through, I was just trying to give a bit of constructive criticism.