Phonometrologist's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[1 Thessalonians 4:17]

My friend and I wrote a simple folk song with that same exact verse just recently. Our response in the chorus was Lord Come Soon.
I love your own musical approaches to this stuff as it is certainly different from what I would do. Quite refreshing to hear a different mind.

SoulSecure responds:

It can be tough to stay positive all the time with all the stuff that's happening in the world. I turn my eyes and ears to the LORD and think about how we're gettin' outta this place soon. :)

[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.

[Between Dimensions]

HA Nice! Your rhythmic production, writing, or whatever you would call it is superb! A joy to listen to--great atmosphere. Reminds me of some old industrial music mixed with one of Stanley kubrick's hauntingly beautiful pieces of music that he tends to use.

[Newfound Happiness]

I share similar sentiments with Mattashi on this one in regards to the style-- a bit surprising from you. The atmosphere you're able to provide with these samples gives this track a sense of mystery.

[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!!!

[Poisoned & Abandoned]

I'm stuck on an island with a bunch of twisted clowns! Freaky as heck lol
It sounds like ZipZipper would write something like it. Bizarre but interesting nonetheless... had to keep listening to this on loop

[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 ;)