PearlDrummer516's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Apples OST]

Upbeat, full of effervescence

I actually visited this page after seeing the flash video. I have to say I am very impressed with both the video and the song. The song certainly fits with the videos cartoony, zany style. The instruments used are also perfect choices. I'm also in love with the way you used the kazoo! The kazoo is commonly thought of as a joke of an instrument, but you used it masterfully. It fits in the song so naturally, and it makes the song whole. If the kazoo wasn't there, it would sound completely different.

I really enjoy your videos, and I really enjoy your playing and composing. Keep up the great work. I'll be looking out for more.

- Arron -

SWiTCH responds:

Thanks a lot man!

[Main Menu (Po3)]

Old skool with nostalgia added in and stirred up

Hey man, this is really great! You perfectly achieved the feeling you were going for. I actually really want to hear the application in the game when it's all said and done. As soon as I heard it I immediately thought of Street Fighter. I really don't have anything at all to say in the way of criticisms. There's simply nothing wrong in my opinion. I will, however, say what I like about this loop...

First off, it loops flawlessly, and that's obviously important.

Secondly, I like the three different waveforms going on. It was certainly a cool idea to have one of each in there. It really works.

Third, the atmosphere and ambiance of the piece is awesome. Outstanding work achieving that feel.

This is awesome, great job. I will continue to check on your other works as time goes on. I find myself really enjoying the ones I hear. Keep it up!

- Arron -

WritersBlock responds:

Cool, thanks! :D

[Flames of Phrygia]

Foreboding, dark, haunting

Oh man, this is very unique. It's really cool to see stuff like this. It's a rare occurrence, you see. Too bad there's not a World Music genre on here.

Anyways, I really appreciate the use of world percussion, as I find world percussion incredibly fascinating. It also really makes the mood of this song. The beginning pads are incredibly foreboding and spooky. The chanting also makes it quite haunting. The instrument use in this song is great, and I can tell you were experimenting with this one. My only dislikes were the following:

1. I feel the percussion was EVER SO SLIGHTLY too loud. Some of the sounds were just a super tiny bit too loud.

2. The kick drum sound that is used, the second kick out of the RealDrumkits pack, I feel it's out of place. It could probably be made to sound great if you did some effects work to it. Perhaps the B%u0101y%u0101ñ (the deeper pitched drum of a pair of Tabla) would work as a better substitute.

3. I feel some of sitar sounding instrument is a little random when it comes in, and if it is going to be used, it should be used more often.

This song is great and generates an awesome mood. It was also a breath of fresh air to find a song such as this on the portal. Props to you for your great ideas and imagination.

- Arron -

I am a HUGE fan of God of War, and I am eagerly awaiting the release of the third. It's pretty cool to find a fellow player of the series. You wouldn't happen to have a PlayStation 3, would you?!

Suspended-3rd-Chord responds:

thank you for another splendid review Arron :) it's still nice to receive helpful feedback on older tracks!

i guess there could be a world or ethnic genre, but their can be world rock, world techno, world classical, world anything, really.

really glad you like my usage of world percussion. i've always been interested in other cultures instruments and enjoy incorporating such into my music. as for the dislikes:

1. yeah, most likely. i was horrible with levels at the time i made this 2+ years ago XD

2. very true, the "kick" was just something lower that i needed to fill out the bassier range, i didnt have much ethnic drums to use in that register at the time. also, i assume you mean bayan, i applaud your knowledge on the details of indian percussion instruments :) however, i dont think a baya slap would be powerful enough for what i have here.

3. true, i would have liked some more developed phrasing on the stringed part (some type of lute is what I used, wasnt a sitar :P). i just threw in some melodic 'filler' here to make the track longer.

and yes, God of War rocks, i have the OST to the second game, and i must have played GoW atleast 2 or 3 times a year because the game is that great. no I dont have a PS3, but i really dont have a choice but to purchase one once GoW3 comes out!

anyways, thanks again for the reviews man!!

[Beyond the Coast]

Enchanting, meandering

I absolutely loved this piece. I have been wanting to become better at arranging classical pieces, but it's difficult to do. I really need to find where you get these sample packs because the ones that come with FL Studio just aren't cutting it anymore.

Anyways, my ranting aside, I really enjoyed the way the song changes as it goes on. However, it changes very slowly. It ebbs and flows, rather than changing quickly, and that technique really works in this song. The subtle harp going on in the background is enchanting and relaxing. It gives that slow, meandering feeling that makes it sound coastal, exotic, and overall beautiful. The string composition is also very well thought out and it works well with the song.

My only qualm with this great piece is indeed the mixing. I agree with BlazingDragon that it could be spiced up with a bit of repaired dynamics and fixing of the tones of the instruments. If this song was given a "warm" kind of mix, with some "bright" thrown in on some of the instruments, it would become a ten in my opinion. I highly suggest finalizing this song to your standards. It may take a while, but this song would be a true gem if you mastered and mixed it completely.

Also, the absolute favorite part of the song for me is that short, quick little harp ending. I love the little "riff", and I think it's perfect how it ends on a seventh chord. What a great idea. This would be a great film score, and I imagine that the rather sudden ending would conclude the scene that it was accompanying.

I rather like this piece, and I am now checking out your other works. Great job!

- Arron -

Suspended-3rd-Chord responds:

thanks for the very good review! i dont check this account really anymore. but your review is much appreciated!

yeah, FL studio doesnt have any included samples that can even work remotely to anything for orchestral pieces. try finding squidfont or some GM banks but in terms of realism youre going to have to fork out cash for some sample libraries (i use East West)

i do agree with your criticisms. maybe not necessarily the mixing is at fault but I do find the instruments (strings) particularly felt a bit dry and don't have enough articulate color which i really had little knowledge about when i first made this.

anyways, thanks for the review and checking out my music! i might look back into this, i dont see why not.

and i always use seventh chords ;D

[FF7Battle(Final)-Metaljonus]

Energetic with nostalgia thrown all over!

Dude, this pretty much made my day. As a fellow metal head, drummer, and Final Fantasy VII lover, I was very pleased with this! How were the drums done? Was this you playing them? If not, you must private message me and tell me how you got these drums tones. They're excellent. As far as the drum arrangement, phenomenal. I especially loved all the fills. I love the breakdown-esque part that starts at 20 seconds and the eight note triplets on the kick drum. I also love the ride bell work going on over the straight sixteenths on the kick at 2:02. The snare tone is perfect and I love the compression. The guitar arrangement is excellent. My only qualm is there could be a little more low end in my opinion. Overall, this is fantastic mate. Great job!

- Arron -

Metaljonus responds:

Thanks man! pm'd!

[bossa nova loop]

Very true to the Bossa Nova feel...

Bossa Nova is literally "Latin Jazz" and I think you achieved this sound very well. It is very relaxing and chill. I particularly enjoy the instruments used. However, I do have one criticism. The shaker seems to simple. I would've put in more light, jazzy drums at a modest volume. Other than that, I really, really enjoy this. Great stuff!

- Arron -

hjcrbass responds:

Thanks for the feedback Arron!!!

[Always N' Forever]

Emotional and mysterious

You enjoy creating these kinds of songs, don't you? It appears to be your style. Anywho, this also has a great feeling to it. I think the drums fit well too. You should try your hand at making a song devoid of any drums. I'd like to see how that would turn out. My only critique is that some effects would do this some good, simply to add some cool sounds and diversity. I like it!

- Arron -

LKBS responds:

Thanks pal. yeah I really do enjoy making music. It's just a hobby for me though. Glad you enjoyed. yea a couple of my songs I tried to design to have lyrics for. funny too I was planninfg to make a song with out drums, maybe a couple haha. PCE!!!

[You n' Me_In My Dreams]

Sweet and dreamy

This is very cool. It is very relaxing, the drums are at a perfect volume, and you used some very cool instruments in this song. My only critiques here are the lack of effects, and the drum tones. I think the song could have been spiced up a bit more if there was reverb added to everything, particularly the drums. The drum tones would've been cool too if they had that distant, underwater kind of sound to them too, perhaps with delay on at points. Other than that my friend, it was an enjoyable listen! You've managed to create a very soothing mood with this piece.

- Arron -

LKBS responds:

Thank you again. yup I was goin for a dream-like feel. really I think it caught my emotion thinking about like in my comments, of the girl I love. this one I think is probly my fav right now just cause things are goin good. Yeah imma try playin with some reverb, ha actually i'm gettin inspired right now, maybe its cause the song is playing. again glad you enjoy, take care. PCE!!!

[Don't Refuse this . . .]

Dark and trudging

Well sir, this is indeed interesting. At first I didn't really like the harsh tone of the piano used, but then after listening for a bit I realized it fits the mood of the song very well. I personally think it's a bit too loud though. I like the selection of chords used, very dark. I would have used a different bass sound, but that's a small part. 2:34 is a great part, very cool. Overall, I enjoyed it. Keep it up man!

- Arron -

LKBS responds:

hey thanks for checking out my music. yeah I just thought, hey I'll try...hmmm, the Godfather tune with my twist. Once again glad you like, yeah I was sorta debating the bass, but it sounded good on my speaks. think maybe the EQ is jammed on my system though. luckily still came out descent. personally my favorite part is that section at 2:34 when I low keyed in the heavier darker parts in with the sweet tune lightly kinda playin like its off in the distance sort of. PCE!!!