Phonometrologist's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Collapse]

Yeah Mang! The atmosphere in the beginning is what I dig! The beat that comes in 40 seconds has a great build. Horror ambient in the beginning with a cinematic sound that truly does align with Mad Max. I've listened to this several times when you released this, but It's really hitting the spot right now. Works great while playing some FPS. Reading your description, I'm reminded of this clip regarding the Age of Decadence that this society is currently in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaSUDBU-QSs
Could it be the beginning of the end?

zybor responds:

O.o I'm so happy seeing your review. I'm so proud of this track, but funny thing is that I already made two unreleased better tracks for the album haha.

Inspired somebody is not the same as imitating. I've been trying to get my stuff sound like someone else and failed. But Collapse marks a changing point in my music, because I now stop trying to sounds like someone else but be my own. While yes, I was inspired by you and Lich, always, I do find my own path.

As for the theme, collapse is already happening. The fires, the riots, revolutions, climate change, they all come from the instability of life, and that come from the system. When people said the system not working, I say capitalism is working as intended, it is how it work, it must exploit people to survive. But capitalism is like a parasite, sooner or later, it will kill the host. And that host is us, and the ecology. 10 years left until the tipping point of climate. Make your time count. You are welcome to look up UN IPCC data and check them out.

Stay safe my friend, take care of your loved ones, buy guns, stock ammos, foods and pray for there still be future for your kids. Because everyone gonna have rough rides, and few will make it.

[TYoT : Never Too Late To Love Yourself]

So this is what it feels like not knowing how one would fit in a track. But I am aware that just because someone was an inspiration for such a piece, that doesn't mean the track is going to sound like them as it's conceived through another. This track puts me into a trance as if the body follows the mind roaming incessantly down long corridors. But there's an element of contentment amid the searching. That pulse at 2:56 and as it develops onward really brings meaning through it all. Loving it

Anchorwind responds:

As I continue to work on my multimedia project (The Ten Years of Tragedy) : This Album Portion of it started off with my 200th published work - Making Angels Cry, and I tried to go out of my way to make it as good as possible, as opposed to tell a story. I, personally, feel I succeeded. I consider it to be an achievement for 'The Anchorwind Sound' whatever that means. Tracks 2-4 of Ten Years of Tragedy, although I didn't realize it at the time was me telling a story - I was falling deeper into the despair I am currently in.

By Track 5 I was aware of where I was at in life and where I wanted to go with the album's narrative. Forgiveness (5) , Soul Searching (6) , Define Your Success (7) , The Battle For Control (8) , Yearning Yet Burdened (9) - and for the last couple I even wrote messages for some, just in case others were struggling like me. I'm an old combat veteran, I've been at this for a while whereas others just may be beginning their journey and a random internet message might be a spark that really helps.

Now to this : #10 - the conclusion. It's Never Too Late To Love Yourself. I know what I want to say but not how to say it, and I think back to 'A City Not Forsaken (Pt. 1)' and the synth line that makes me smile, the hope upon the horizon of it. That even after whatever war we have survived, there is a way to rebuild to a better tomorrow. It may not be easy, but many things in life worth doing aren't.

[Son Montuno]

Since having to write a Salsa piece recently, I really appreciate this. Not so easy for a Gringo like myself to attempt. This is very enjoyable.

AzulJazz responds:

Thank you very much!

[fantasma]

Guitar part reminded me of Russian folk songs. This is fun.

[Neon Hacker]

Okay look you post too many tracks and it's hard for me to keep up. I typically like to wait to leave comments after several listens, but after just hearing the first few opening seconds, I couldn't resist. Really fun stuff, and this sounds great!

zybor responds:

Thank you so much, Phono :3

Take care! Cheers! :)

[Crystal Winter]

I don't really see a point in "reviewing" this other than to allow you two to know how enjoyable this is for me. I don't know what Areyai yaleai yareaiyo is, but it's sung beautifully. The tone and mood in the piano and the vocal harmonies are all so perfect.
This embodies the art of subtlety and beauty in the smallest details of life that we overlook.
prayer for the wandering soul
so perfect

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thank you for the warm words ^ ^
I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Jordi's singing is beautiful indeed, and adds so much to the atmosphere in this piece. It's funny, because Jordi feels like I made the main part of the piece, whereas I feel like his vocals are the element that elevates it. It's such a different sound with just the piano, and personally, I definitely prefer it with Jordi's voice and his lyrics :3

[Till ett träd]

Why am I getting vibes from Medley of a Shattered Mind in this one? I wonder if it's mere coincidence or if there are thematic similarities at all.
What makes this piece interesting is how you establish the motif several times with variations while having different phrases in between. Makes it really enjoyable to hear how you're going to return to this delicate motif each time it strays away from it. Totally unpredictable yet it has the theme reiterated enough times to keep the piece anchored throughout. Really nice.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

It is a coincidence indeed, but I can hear some vibes you mentioned as well. I think it's partially because of how some of the call - response parts are structured. You know, Medley of a Shattered Mind which you inspired me to write is still one of my personal favourites.

Whenever I come up with a new idea that can work as a idée fixe, I want to repeat it in as many variations as possible, so I actually have to stop myself very early in the process (or else the whole song would be what happens at 1:34, but get weirder and weirder). I think my greatest strength and greatest weakness in composing is probably a battle the way I come up with all the variations, and the way I limit myself to make them conform to a structure that makes sense and relays what I feel like relaying. Thankfully, improvisations don't have the same limitations, necessarily (but I can't always think of great variations that quickly either). Perhaps at some point, I'll just go all out and make an insane piece :p

Thank you for the really kind words!

[Obelisk]

Been meaning to leave a comment about this.
I really don't care about the "catchy" melodic motif at 3:39 that some people have been mentioning as it is too peppy and bland for my tastes. However, the intro, middle, and ending really is enjoyable.
What's better than all of that for my ears is the moment at 3:23-3:39. That is really powerful. The mix, arrangement, and melodic/harmonic content in those 16 seconds was pure bliss. I really just want to download this track so I can carve the parts around it out and put this section on loop.
Overall, when I see the many comments about this track, you put so much into your work that there is something for everyone to appreciate and respect.
Hopefully you come and kick my ass for Round 2 so you can free me from this stressful 2 week deadline.

Onefin responds:

oh so that's the "happy" part okay thanks for timestamping it lol

i'm surprised 3:23 even worked :P

[under the stars tonight]

I don't know what Lunacy is referring to, but maybe he's talking about how I like to throw in every stupid idea in my work. Yeah that's probably it.
Anywho, that synth at 57 seconds, classic Johnfn from your days when you won the NGADM. Very tasty
And regarding any comments about being repetitive, I listen to Philip glass on a regular basis so I don't care.
And regarding any comments being, I to glass a basis so don't.
And regarding any comments about repetitive, listen Philip on regular I care.
I think it's that piano motif constantly going for two minutes that will bother people.
The last 30 seconds reminds me of the Beatles.
Hey this is still a fun listen

johnfn responds:

HAHA yeah the last section sounded like the beatles to me too! In fact I had a whole idea where that was going to be a chorus section i repeated a few times, but by the time I had the idea I was too sick to actually record half decent chorus vocals. So I gave up and stuck it on the end. Ssh dont tell anyone

[Trapped in this Time Machine]

I'm assuming this is your vocals on this. You need some guitars to support your vocal style! Not that the heavy strings detract from your song here, but with this voice, I really, really want to hear it in the more traditional set up that I would expect to hear this in. Even in an industrial set up, this would sound amazing. Love the melodic material, and Johnfn is not exaggerating either in how good this is.

LunyAlex responds:

Interesting. I'm pretty self conscious about my voice and I've avoided using it, but I wanted to experiment on this one, so I just went for it.

Might take note and make a more typical new alternative rock-sort of Deftonesy song after this.

Thank you for the kind words and the input! Very appreciated!