Score: 10

"2:17"

submission: Freefall (Ryukenjin)

date: December 28, 2009

As McDonald's once said: "I'm loving it." I really like how you...roll the tune (if that makes sense? Example at around 2:24). I have to say my favorite part is just before the piano comes in, around 2:17. It's a soothing track the whole way through, and the ending is just excellent (I was pleasantly surprised at the sudden change in the chord around 4:50). I think a lot of what you did with (I assume) filter cutoff in this track was really well done, it definitely worked to change up the synths without getting in the way.

Man, I wish I wasn't listening to this on my laptop speakers, it deserves better haha. I'd say it could use a bigger beat, but that might just be my laptop...either way, beautiful.

Score: 9

"Hmm."

submission: Corridor of the Dark Castle

date: December 28, 2009

I definitely didn't think "dark" until about 2:30. It seemed more fitting of a bright castle before then, but I definitely see it. Coming out of around 3:50, it seems to get brighter again...maybe it's just the way I see music.

The thing about this, I think, is the strings. Strings...I think in FL generally start with a fade in, and so in my experience it's always seemed a bit like they didn't come in at the right time to match the synth tunes. I notice a bit of that here, but I think you've done a pretty great job of setting them up so the timing's great. I think the slight discord you have between the synth tunes and the string background also sets up a pretty suspenseful mood, which (judging by the title) is what you were gunning for. I love the drums, I can't help but think 007 games on the...was Goldeneye on the N64? But the drums make me think of Goldeneye.

I just...something in the song didn't click with me. I couldn't really say what it is. It seems perfect for a really dramatic video game, but...I dunno, I guess it needs a visual component to really fly for me? Still, well done.

Score: 10

"I gotta admit..."

submission: Time Goes On- Ryukenjin

date: December 28, 2009

...I wasn't sure where this was going from the very beginning. I was like, "percussion?" But by the one minute mark, I was pretty convinced it was awesome haha. I really love what you've done with transitions here, and the few soft spots you added in, especially around 3:17, I loved it. It's definitely a good trance song, I'd like to hear it with a good subwoofer just to see how different it sounds (laptop speakers aren't exactly club audio). I gotta say I like how subtle the tune is sometimes. And whatever sample you used for that really faint percussion bit around 2:50-3:00, that's nice.

The tune seems to switch between cold (~2:50) and warm (~3:20) really fluidly, and I think the use of saws and interesting percussion pieces really help to fill the mood. A great piece for working on transitions, and in general.

Score: 10

"AWESOME!"

submission: Search for Tomorrow

date: June 18, 2009

Sorry it took me so long to review, I just got back from Russia and've been fighting valiantly against jet lag. But seriously, nice! My first impression is that it's a bit like some of the music in the original Roller Coaster Tycoon, really chill, the kind you can listen to all day without it getting old even though it's not necessarily designed to loop. I had to dig out my headphones to listen, and I agree with BinaryGuy that the drums sound a bit fake...but I don't think it makes the song worse, as much as it makes me think that it could be even MORE epic.

Kudos on making a song that hits 5 minutes and doesn't seem to get old, I know how hard that is and you've done this one pretty masterfully. I really like the intro, and how the ending is nothing like the beginning but it fits the song perfectly. So, all in all, my verdict is: AWESOME!

Score: 10

"BLISS (part 2)"

submission: Anthem (For Novarri Mix)

date: April 29, 2009

I mean, listening to my version and then to this...it's just...amazing. I really love the changes you made ~2:30 to the end, I heard them and was absolutely amazed, esp. the extra layer of melody ~3:30 on.

I love that quirky bit at ~1:00 that sounds like it's played on a harpsichord or Indian string instrument, it's a really interesting digression from the usual standards of techno. And, again, your mastery of the slow-down section leaves me in awe.

Score: 10

"BLISS"

submission: Zoneout (Beyond-the-Beyond Mix

date: April 29, 2009

For anyone reading this post while listening: I want to emphasize that Ryukenjin made this by ear and from scratch. That's...impossible for me, so props to him for that if nothing else.

But, something else: I love this remix. I've been looking forward to it since you offered to make it, and it is AMAZING. I still don't know how you came up with this much win from my song, because this is absolutely...infinitely better than the original.

I'm especially fond of the harp/bellish sound that starts ~0:16, and just...your choice of synths in general is great, as well as your sense of musical timing. It's like I write the skeleton of the idea, and you make it live, and it's awesome to hear that play out.

Score: 10

"[cont'd again 2] it just seems kind of redundant."

submission: gobis valley guitar mix

date: April 19, 2009

I hope you've enjoyed my "review subject joke/story/whatever it ends up being." Which you have to read...from my first post to my last...so...probably backwards.

This is interesting, it's well done. I looked up the original, and I think the guitars do it justice. I'm not sure if it'd work well as a VG song if it wasn't a remix OF one, but then I'm not sure what it'd be. You've got an interesting thing going on with the two different guitars, and although the guitars are loud, I don't hear any terrible volume mastering issues offhand. The abrupt stop is an interesting way to end it.

I forgot to ask on the others: are your first two songs remixes, or originals?

Score: 9

"[cont'd again] Something like, "look, a review!""

submission: mr.patches theme

date: April 19, 2009

There's a bit of volume interference ~:46, but it actually sounds like it fits with the semi-crazy circus bell sound. And, same comments again: really well chosen instruments, tune, etc. I especially like the synths on this one, because they lend themselves to both the carnival sound and the VG sound.

I hunted down (i.e. Youtube'd) the original, and I like some of the things you've done. My favorite change is that you've brought the background forward a bit, so while the original is all about the carnival tune, your version has that oscillating tune between and behind the notes. And I like the drum solo at 1:30.

But you fade out at the end, you could've made this a 2 minute loop easily, and I know from your other songs that you make some awesome endings.

Score: 9

"[cont'd]...I mean, what do you write?"

submission: destruction in the moonlight

date: April 19, 2009

Once again, you have a really good sense of VG synths. Your choices give off a retro, Nintendoish feel that mixes well with the upbeat...beat. In fact, this gets about all the same comments as your last one, good choice of synths, good tune, it works really nicely in the genre but would need a major overhaul if you decided to switch genres.

Not that you need to switch, because it sounds like you have a good handle on what makes a VG song what it is. You could work on mastering, a bit. You have some really interesting elements here, especially in the (how do you describe when someone take their hand and slides it all the way down the piano? There's a name for it...and you do it with one of the synths. That's what I'm talking about). It's something I've never heard on the Portal, but without mastering it...there's just so much happening, it creates interference without good control.

Score: 9

"I never know what to write as the subject..."

submission: star techno

date: April 19, 2009

You chose your synths really well, for a VG song. Especially with the drum bit that starts around 1:20; that wouldn't fly in a lot of genres, but fits really nicely here. The ending is absolutely fantastic, but again, for a VG song. So, your choices lend themselves really well to the genre you work in. I'd really like to see this on a retro platformer...

Other than that, the tune is actually really nice, and the variations you introduce keep it from getting repetitive or stagnant. As mentioned below, you do need some mastering (the kick adds some volume interference), but that's not a big deal IMO.

If this is a remix, I don't know the original offhand, so...no comments there.