Hippolyte Great little finger picking tune with a slide guitar part. Instrumental two part song. Kicks ass. The finger-style switches between an fast arpreggiated chord and some full strumming. The two parts work well together but I'd like to see some mixer work here. The slide needs to be louder in certain parts.
Westward This is the title track that is three parts guitar and one part vocal. Again we have the slide guitar that at times sounds like a steel guitar. This is a dreamy piece on the slide where the slide and lead work together. Great vocals that need to be a little louder -- no reason for them to be back there so far. The rhythm guitar is a little loud. But this is a great song.
Decent Descent Guitar solo finger-style on the acoustic electric at first. Nice work on this instrumental. This is the same style of fast arpeggios with the lower strings sustaining beneath faster chord work in the high end. Another guitar and the slide joins again later. The theme I'm catching in all this work is the amazing connection between the guitars. They really fit together. Love the harmonic ending.
Fly to the Sun This is an AWESOME track. My favorite of the non-instrumentals. Getting the message of the words but once again, the vocals are too low and often get lost in the guitar work. Really, really good piece that has that great guitar combination again especially in the break. Only thing I might do differently is put less separation on the guitars -- rhythm is too far left. That works on the instrumentals but here a little less width.
Climbin' The first picture my gal ever sent me was a photo she labeled "Climbin'" -- and that's special so this song can't possible live up to that memory the title invoked. But wait .. WOW! This is a great instrumental and the first one featuring percussion. This is a great instrumental with a great beat on some interesting drums. Starts with Adrian Legg like feel on a solo acoustic electric but then picks up a beat and gets cooking. The dum kit is too low in the mix - I'd like to hear some dripping reverb on that crash.This is a MUST listen instrumental.
Eulogy: February 5th I know the story behind this song as it was announced in a blog. But even without that you can hear this finger-style solo piece is a tribute. It has a somber feel. Slower tempo, great work on the 6-strings. Seems a little rough. Could use some engineering I think to separate the lows and highs and achieve a better balance. But I get the feeling this song is supposed to be a "natural" sound -- one with less engineering and closer to a live feel. And I think that works. Only complaint is, sequence. Coming off "Climbin'" this has a definite downer feel.
John's Ragg More flowing guitar eloquence that works nicely between a strumming mode and picking mode. Solo piece I think but done so well there are times I think there's two. Has the feel of a Steve Howe piece after his Yes days. Great little motif carried high then low and uses the feedback well. More countryese then the other instrumentals. Nothing bad to say here at all.
Sunwind Change of tone here with a wild sounding delayed guitar work that is abstract. This one is smack dab up my alley as for the kind of experimental work. The overtone in the delayed reverb creates this wailing sound on the high end. Experimental, eerie, but totally interesting. Great example of playing with the effects as the feature of the song. I'm feeling this one -- nice ride. Great ending -- like to see that final sound held out long with a ridiculously fat delay.
DrumznBass As it says, just the bass and drums. Since I come from the didj and drum school of thought I thought I'd be all over this one -- but it just doesn't carry it for me. It has its moments for sure, especially when it breaks into the effect run at about 1:10, I think there's way too much reverb on the drums. And for me, the drums are a little sparse for a bass and drum piece. Pulse chamber would be great for the drums here with a switch to reverse pulse in the effect runs. Love to see a faster tempo to get that drum sweating. This is my personal preference -- I think this song came exactly as intended -- just not my style.
Runnin' Outta Time Blues piece with great guitar work again. Good gravely blues vocals fits well with a dry little slide part. Great stereo width here, perfect balance with the main rhythm picking with lows left and highs right with mids spread across the whole width. Great feel. Solid blues work.
Overall Excellent work. This is a great listen and if you're a guitarist it's even better. This guy can play. Great album. My biggest complaint is the song sequence doesn't flow and the vocals, which are fine, seem meek in the mix on two of the songs. But these are such small issues, I struggled to find anything wrong with it at all (worse thing is, this guy is coming to the listening party and I think I need to stay home now cause I can't compete.)
This album is six-string greatness.
Post edited by: mick, at: 2008/03/19 18:30
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 18:42OK -- is Mick's album the next to review? Mick you may want to post a location where folks can find your full album. I'd pick it, but I can't get to something until tonight and I don't want to slow things down. Keep it going, guys and gals.
Kevin cville ramblings
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mick
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 18:51KevinEmmrich wrote: OK -- is Mick's album the next to review? Mick you may want to post a location where folks can find your full album. I'd pick it, but I can't get to something until tonight and I don't want to slow things down. Keep it going, guys and gals.
Kevin cville ramblings
Profile player. I couldn't stomach the Virb version this time.
<------ Click on my little guy on the left -- he looks just like me. Everything there is 128-vbr-mp3.
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1. "Aldeles" Starts off with a not-to-be-ignored didj, then metamorphoses into a plucked/bowed string motif that swirl around each other. The percussion is subtle, and only comes to the fore when it needs to. The chord changes are snazzy, unexpected, organic. I like the call/repeat phrases: like two dragonflies chasing each other. Emotional response: I was swaying my hips and waving my arms. Spirit of Unity has been evoked!
2. "Saikafu" starts off with rain, birdsong, and flutes calling forth the daffodils and crocus. Soft pads sweep in the background, like the elements of nature we cannot see but surely feel. The rather ambient intro fades into more of a Fresh Air Sampler rock beat. Imagine Kitaro had some funk. Short, but then again... isn't Spring always short?
3. "Yerta" Michelangelo does like low, rumbling noises. I had no idea how expressive didj could be. The Budweiser frogs have taken singing lessons. Lulling and meditative.
4. "Kapi" Walking along a dusty road at twilight to get somewhere, somewhere important... the strumming guitar and flirty clarinet-sound impel one foot in front of the other.
5. "Gaia" is indescribable. It needs to be experienced over and over again. My speakers are Elcheapo (The Sirit of Crap from the Box), so I had a hard time hearing exactly what the little girl was singing. But "Gaia" is hooky, unusual, and arresting.
6. "Bukkiana-meyu" Upbeat and discordant... but I feel like I'm running through the bush, being chases by something barking. "Dingoes ate my baby."
7. "Isilwanyazane" Excellent flute work, over one of the best rhythm tracks I've ever heard. The second part has what sounds like an electric mouth harp that jumps around frenetically... kind of rubs the wrong way with the flute part. What starts out as a butterfly emerges as a wasp.
8. "Wanyama" Claves to the fore. The guitar work is neat, precise but not overwhelming. The beat does call forth the image of critters going about their day. Cold ending.
9. "Yuuwa" Reminds me what a big sky we ignore more often than we enjoy. The flutes recall clouds, birdsong, breezes... really beautiful.
I can't wait for the cd to arrive. I was epsecially taken with the flute work on "Yuuwa" and "Saikafu." Ditto the strings on "Adeles" and "Wanyama." The overall effect is very spatial, without being cerebral. MOst pieces seem to flow, inspired, from Nature herself. Exquisite! Good job, Mick!
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Last.fm and Virb both have 'music from an alien lounge' up for streaming, and I've sent out quite a few copies to fellow RPM'ers....
hm.
The rules are to get a review you gotta do one. So review Dazzleships and then you're next, Jeremy. If you don't think you can do a fair review of that genre just wait for one to come along. Problem is you reviewing Dazzleships is bound to be a love fest.
Thanks, Raleigh, for the review. I especially liked relating the mandolin and fiddle call/repeat to two dragonflies chasing each other. Makes me feel I got it right.
Oh..and the little girl is using half English and half in an aboriginal language so you probably aren't having a hard time hearing what she says .. just understanding it.
Wahkeen, sheshna wah, wahkeen. That's why we have to come back gaeba dadiya
Post edited by: mick, at: 2008/03/20 19:38
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agedmachine
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 20:17I shall review Dazzleships, then. Let's see how well I can do this at work (grin) -- Let me just say from the get-go, this type of music is near and dear to my heart already, so you're hearing this review from the point of view of a 'fan' of the genre.
Stoking the Fire: ------------------- This is a GREAT starting track for the album. The rumbling beginning, the slow buildup, the drums slowly moving in, then... "Wham!" flutes and drums and strings, OH MY! this is fantastic... movie soundtrack material right there, then the drop at the end... mmm.
The Dream Furnace: ----------------------- title track. nice Kraftwerk-esque beginning. Your drum work is great, gives a moody feel, and those lovely synth noises I enjoy so much... I can definitely see your influences here. Have I mentioned your production is awesome? I don't want to name-drop here, but WOW, you've pulled off paying homage to some of the greatest synth bands of all time in this track, and very well.
Management: ---------------- This has a very unique feel to it. Again, I like the sounds you're using, the steady beat, the wandering mood - Short, but maybe that was your intent. I'm reminded of some of the little synth interludes ala Depeche Mode...
Travelers and Thieves: -------------------------- OK, this has OMD written all over it at the start. (hehe) Am I capable of giving a 'fair' review when Dazzleships appears to have nailed down everything that got me into electronic music in the first place? A nice track, this one sounds like it'd be great with some vocals.
The Acrobat tries to Impress: --------------------------------- Soundtrack-like dramatic build-up beginning, then transitioning to a more lighthearted wandering... You have a lot of little bits going in and out, your attention to detail is incredible... all the 'airy' sounds, this is reminiscent of "Art of Noise" at their In Visible Silence era. (Another band near and dear to my heart)
The March of Fortune: ------------------------- I'll admit, I normally don't like the 'marching band' sound, much like I dislike the use of horn instruments in my own music, but this is an elegant track.
Your Pillow, Empty: --------------------- Interesting pitch bends and an oriental feel. I like this. Seems it's a short one, an interlude, as well. Nicely done. You've got great drum sounds all over this album, and again, your production is good - everything very well balanced.
Glare: ------- Your influences are showing again - this is another track that sounds to me to lend itself well to vocals. Do you have words in mind for some of these, or did that not come up during the composition? I like the bouncy bassline...
Passengers Watch the Night Slip By: ---------------------------------------- Creepy sounding, then sparkly synth bits and ... channeling Gary Numan on this one, this is fantastic. Your ability to create these droning and sparkly soundscapes is making me envious.
Cup of Joe: ------------- Another shorter track, this is 'loungey' and quite appealing to me... mellow, chill, and danceable at the same time. Good breakbeats, melodies, sound effects, WOO. Love it.
Fanfare: --------- This is very "A Broken Frame" - beautiful string work, a nice bit all around.
Dangerous Stars: ------------------- Ooohh... great mood. again, your ability to pull all these elements together beautifully shines... love the kick drum that comes in right about the last minute or so... then the drop off/breakdown... nice.
The Furnace Closes: ----------------------- A good ending track. Again, you've done some great things with flute-like sounds and deep basses. The whole album flows very well. I'm extremely impressed.
Maybe my review is a little 'skewed,' it's like you wrote this album for me. haha.
Post edited by: agedmachine, at: 2008/03/19 21:25
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Raleigh
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 20:23I didn't comment on the technical aspects of Spirits, Mick, because the only think I noticed were the overly-loud claves. No news is good news, I'm Gary Gnu.
And I love Aged Machine's album. Its in my cd player that I take to work!
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Raleigh
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 21:26For the record, I loved the name "Dazzleships" before OMD recorded their seminal '83 album. (Sure it was a flop, but where would Radiohead have been without this album?) Thanks Jeremy for the review. I was really proud of the chord sequence in "Travellers" and the whole arrangement of "Dangerous Stars." I guess I do write with lyrics in mind, but never get around to writing any. I just wish I had discovered VSTi's (virtual synthesizers) before February... not halfway through.
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agedmachine
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Re:Critique thread...Kavin's Acoustic Church - 2008/03/19 22:07Ahh, but you'll be well armed with VSTi's next time around. hehe. I love my VSTis... opened up a whole new world (even though I do have a nice collection of hardware synths anyway)
and, did I mention, I love your album? I'm constantly amazed at the talent lurking around this here RPM...
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I like this CD. Hearts of Space, but a little more uptempo. I’ve had a crappy day but this is mellow and hits the spot. Good ambient soundtrack music, the kind of stuff that works great during the movie, and you’d want it if you made your own movie (I’ve actually made a cheap-o movie myself, and if I make another one this would be great for it). Maybe not quite memorable / surprising enough to buy the soundtrack album if it were $15 in a store. But for $8…I’m considering it; I’ve at least bookmarked the page and will check my bank account.
Good for driving. I seldom like music right away, so I usually have to listen to it over and over again before deciding on a strong opinion. Professional recording, but not too professional; it still sounds made by a human being and not by a faceless conglomerate. All the tracks sound different from each other; good. Different tempos; it’s good for tempos to vary even on a chillout album.
Good music for a party. I could play this and feel okay about talking to my friends at the same time; that sounds less backhanded than it really is because it makes a good case for purchasing. I set up my own CD on Kunaki (or whatever it’s called) at the same time and Aged Machine is perfect for listening to at the same time.
When I crank “Alien Lounge” up I might prefer to hear more things hidden, more depth and layers faintly creeping through the vaporous electronic reverberations. But maybe I wouldn’t; that might just make it cluttered. Sorry I don’t have comments about individual songs; this isn’t the kind of album where the songs are so wildly different that they stand apart from each other. Either you like the whole thing or you don’t. And I like it.
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The album is good, but I'd like maybe one or two more tracks with a little more heft, a little more "umpfh!", and then maybe one or two really, really mellow, intimate tracks. At least that's what I think I'd want; maybe once I got it I wouldn't like it better the way it was before!
Good production values, too; it doesn't sound made in a month. Mine definitely does.
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strummindude
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Re:Critique thread - 2008/03/19 23:06Sorry, just wanted to make the header a little less misleading. And to give some kudos to the good folk offering up reviews. Makes for some great listening tips!
Carry on, people, nothing to see here...
S. Dude
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Night Driving
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Re:Critique thread: Want Opinions On Your Album? - 2008/03/19 23:37Yes, Jana, if the subject of all these replies was kept at "Critique Thread" or "Critique Thread: Want Opinions on Your Album?" that would be great.
Please try to do that if you can, folks!
Post edited by: Night Driving, at: 2008/03/20 00:00
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templaar
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 23:54sister_savage wrote: I think this has gone off track slightly. I could be wrong but I think Templaar needs to review Kavin next, and then Oldemimickry reviews Templaar. Then the next person wanting feedback will review Oldmimickry and so on!
OK, so I wasn't paying too much attention! story of my life...
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/20 00:18If I am going to review songs that have lyrics, I would like to also see the lyrics so I can follow along at least once. So if you can, post a link to the lyrics also. Soundclick is good for this, but if you have a free account you can only post at 128kbs -- which is probably good enough. If this is not possible, then that is really OK, too.
Kevin cville ramblings
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You can listen to streaming versions of all of the songs on the album, along with copious "liner notes" with background info on the album as a whole, my musical influences, and each individual track, on my website:
If you just want the music without the context, and without having to click on each individual song, then you may want to listen to the songs in a Virb playlist. So here that is:
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kovic
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Re:Critique of the Critique thread - 2008/03/20 01:21You have to post a review of the previous reviewer in order to get your stuff reviewed.
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/20 01:47KevinEmmrich wrote: If I am going to review songs that have lyrics, I would like to also see the lyrics so I can follow along at least once. So if you can, post a link to the lyrics also. Soundclick is good for this, but if you have a free account you can only post at 128kbs -- which is probably good enough. If this is not possible, then that is really OK, too.
A little housekeeping. If you want a review, you have to give one to the last person who left one. Kovic is up for review next.
Review Kovic and win a review from the next person who wants one.
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:Critique thread - 2008/03/20 03:30Ok I am going to do Kovic's. If anyone has already started this just let me know and I'll pick a different one. Worst case scenario: Kovac gets 2 (or more)reviews. I'll be back in about an hour or so!
Kevin cville ramblings
Post edited by: KevinEmmrich, at: 2008/03/20 14:04
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room34
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Re:Critique of the Critique thread - 2008/03/20 03:50kovic wrote: You have to post a review of the previous reviewer in order to get your stuff reviewed. Well that's what I get for self-centeredly posting without reading the whole thread.
OK... I'll give the prior poster a listen tonight...
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So, where are we, who is on deck for a review? I have my fine, new flat response headphones that I would love to test out on some RPM stuff. Should I review someone who has already been reviewed, or is someone eligible for review now that hasn't been yet?
Thanks for assisting the slightly addled...
Gary
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- this is another track that sounds to me to lend itself well to vocals. Do you have words in mind for some of these, or did that not come up during the composition? I like the bouncy bassline... 
<br><br>Post edited by: sister_savage, at: 2008/03/19 13:20
