Phonometrologist's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Alone (Original Performance)]

Although I like the original in its own way, this one is quite nice because I hear more of that piano. I can hear more of that lonesomeness sitting at the piano. The choice of each note is great... not easily mimicked. There are fleeting moments of calm in the piano if it weren't for that travailing sound in the atmosphere surrounding it. It could sound at moments like Bladerunner with a darker twist. SlaughterClub is right in that regard, but this is something that is quite unique that I wouldn't dare try to explore either if I tried my hand at the specified style. For it isn't about trying to accomplish a goal but rather it exists for its own sake. Sometimes true expression has to be left alone. I must admire it from a distance for the mystery would keep me lost for who knows how long...

ZLEAP responds:

You know, I almost treated the piano as its own character. The poor thing was/still is very much broken. Strings out of tune. Pedals not fully functioning. It was a piano that was present for the destruction of another piano for Subjective - TDoSB. I'd be warped and broken after witnessing one of my own kind being ripped apart too. But it still had life left in it. And it knew to do as I will it. It saw what might happen if it didn't.

It does what it's told. *wink*

[Terminator Theme cover]

Had to go back to the original and compare to see how close you got this and alas you are spot on. Love the moment at .47 though more than what the original could ever provide. Did you subtly make this more modern by the inspiring harmonies?! Damn good, sir!

Jakey-San responds:

Thanks man! Yeah I opted for more of a dramatic and harmonically richer sound, as is how I like to do everything, haha. Also because I wanted to mix in elements of the different interpretations over the years: the retro mechanics of Brad Fiedel's original, the orchestral grandeur of Beltrami and Elfman, and the heavy production sound of Lorne Balfe's version.

[Africa (Singalong)]

Man the singing is superb! not the easiest song to cover. It doesn't quite have that cheesy 80s sound which is Great! Much better

Ceevro responds:

Awww MAAAAN! We totally messed-up! Dagnabbit, Step! We have to redo the whole thing - this time WITH MORE CHEESE!!!

[Port of Lost Souls]

I've been listening to this for quite some time. Intriguing piece.
You have a nice intro with the harp parts. But the real interesting part is at 2:30, and at 3:23 really just tops the whole piece off with that melody that's panned toward the left... not going to guess what sample you used, but that is some tasteful stuff right there

DL2Electron responds:

Thanks, I layered the KSHarp sample with that staccato string sample CelloEns_spic_C3_v2_4 at 3:23

[Never Once]

HA Love it! sounds like I missed out.

SoulSecure responds:

Y'know it's funny, but I was going to ask if you wanted to sing for this before we decided to do a simple recording.

[Fantasiamaailma]

Hmmm... where does one begin indeed...
You leave me here contemplating about this. I like the overall structure and vision for this which is to start small/modest and build into something one least knows where they are headed. It certainly is a track that takes us into a world of sound that leaves one in wonder. By journey's end, we seem to have been left which mere fragments of this sonic palette in our memories where we can only try to recall what struck out to us the most and what makes this most intriguing to listen to. I get what eatmeatleet has said about this. It can be difficult as there is so much thrown at us as a listener. Does that make it all the less more interesting? I don't think so as I think all the reviews from others before me are true. I tend to like to analyze your music in the aspect of theory, but I'm forced to just enjoy it by letting it wash-over me as that would be a daunting task. I will say that the two most memorable parts for me in this piece is the piano interlude at 2:22 with its tasteful, syncopated rhythm and melody. The second is that low-string motif underlying everything at 3:51 (reminiscent of what dem0lecule does so well) because of the rhythm, again. So there it is.
It appears that what I find most appealing is the drive behind this piece that you both seem to mask very well with by the profusely intricate melodies.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

That's great to hear! We were kind of waiting for your review, hehhe, and you did not disappoint ;)
We appreciate that you appreciate the structure and the vision behind this composition. I always find that when one is introduced to a new world, be it by book, movie, game or music, there is so much that is never told. A story, no matter how huge, almost always leaves somthing more to be desired, and some mysteries that are never solved. That, is part of the beauty, at least to me. It may also lure the one who enjoyed the world back for more :p
It's also good that we managed to "force" you to just sit back and listen, instead of analyzing the track too much in depth. I've never been too huge on theory, partly because of laziness, but also because if used too forcibly, it can limit freedom. I never fully understand why some people analyze a book thoroughly on the first read, especially if it's a book that was never meant to be analyzed in such a way :)
Sure, you can learn a lot of things by doing so, but I always think that at least the first round should be enjoyed as what it is; entertainment, in most cases. Informational books are another story XD
Same goes when listening to music. A lot of times, it's best to just live the music instead of dissecting it :3

Back to the track, after that weird sidenote :p
It's good that the sudden transition into the piano part is something that people have liked so far. We were a bit worried that the sudden tempo, time signature and rhythm change would throw people off. And dem0lecule is definitely responsible for 3:51 XD

This track definitely works in layers, at least in some parts. Many of the backing rhythms and such are dem0's, and many of the melodies are mine, especially at parts where it gets pretty crammed :)

Then again, many of the backings in the first half are mine, and some very good melodies were made by dem0 o.O
I guess I tried to hide my own style a bit though, so that this would sound more uniformal :p

Thanks so much for your review, we appreciate it a lot ;)

[.: Eternal Darkness :.]

Very fitting for a boss theme. That low synth at 34 seconds is what does it for me. Enjoyable work

larrynachos responds:

Ah, that low synth <3 I really love that synth.

Thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed this song :D

[{Heim} Helium]

This is certainly feel-good music. I didn't care for the beginning nor did I know what I was about to get myself into, but the melody, harmony, and beat really is a joy to listen to. Inspiring work!
1:30 is brilliant as it transitions back to the anthemic horn section at 2:15.

JeffHeim responds:

Hi, thank you for the kind review and feedback! This is definitely "new grounds" for me in composing (I usually do more orchestral music), so any feedback on this will be very helpful as I develop my electronic music chops. I considered your feedback and am in the process of changing things up a bit. The intro may have to stay as I currently don't have any other ideas for a lead-in, but I've changed the wording of the description and am remixing it. The piece itself isn't about anything in particular. Really nothing more than a 'one day I decided it would be cool to write something catchy with electronic / orchestral elements' :)

Thanks again!

[MM3: To The Depths With Her]

Impressive as always with the soundscape you're able to provide along with the beat you get us going in at 56 seconds. Right now on my headphones, the sub-bass is quite present... I can't imagine how it's going to sound when I listen to this on my set of speakers so I'm just going to have to do it.

Anchorwind responds:

Good! I'm glad it translated well. I hope you'll give us a follow-up after you've been immersed in Mother Machine via your speaker system. :)

[Shoreside]

I like it! Very creative! A lot of intelligent sections and different parts happening as well. This is just fun to listen to even after multiple listens. This certainly keeps my interest throughout. The piano melody although short is quite tasteful. Great guitar work and chordal movements. lol and the dissonant notes played at the middle and end of each phrase makes me smile--good stuff. The bass at 3:00 is a nice touch for an ominous sound but it quickly dissipates because after all, this is for a good ending. I suppose you can't have a good ending without reflecting what it took to get there within the "game."
So my one complaint is the choice in timbre of the horn parts. I think recording it live will help this tremendously and then you're golden.

Nimble responds:

Hey Phono, Thanks for listening! I'm totally working on getting live horns for this one, just need to get my buddy here for a day so we can record them. I already have a couple parts tracked myself but I gotta have him here too since he plays trombone and I play trumpet. gotta have them harmonies :^) Glad you liked it though! :D