Too much PotC
It sounded too much like PotC, just with a lot of different rhythms in it. Sounded great tough, I mean it was original, but with too much PotC influence. It was well done none-the-less.
Reviews for "Pirates of the Seven Seas p1"
Not bad at all
This was pretty good overall. It definately has the same feel as the pirates score, however. I must agree that it seems awefully close to the Kraken theme from Dead Man's chest, but that isn't a bad thing. Like I said I liked it. The only way I can think of to improve this piece would be to add in some accordian or fiddle. Now I know that sounds rather strange to say, but it would give it a more authentic feel. Anyway, good work.
madboss responds:
Yeah the Kraken theme was really close and that was the only theme I wanted to remake the samer way as it was in the soundtrack - but I didn't have a proper organ sound so I've made it with brass.
And I also know that this part is a bit too messy. I wanted to make a complex sound whit a lot of instruments playing on and all have different melodies - and it turned out against my aims. The strange thing is that I paied more attention to this part for it's details and much, the second one came just lightly as it could - and the second one has better critics. Well that's my usual form.
Thanks for writing a rev for this song!
Nice Nice
Great as usual! Although, you got a bit too close to the original Kraken for my liking near the ending.
And now when were talking about PotC here, do you know what track plays right when Jack Sparrow picks up the gun and saves the day, in the end? I've been desperately looking for that one. Really intense instrumental there, but after listening through the entire PotC soundtrack, I have not been able to find it.
madboss responds:
I wanted to re-compose the Kraken theme as close as I could - but I didn't have a church organ to make it more closely.
Hm I don't know what theme do you mention... I've seen the movie quite loong time ago and I don't remember what music was playing under that scene. But I can imagine that they have't put it on the soundtrack. (Because it's really short comparing to the lenght of the movie)
Excellent
Hey Madboss. This piece holds a great deal of power in it, you've got a huge mountain worth of energy being portrayed here, and that I think may have worked against you. The song was very loud my good sir, I would consider equalizing the high end a bit more.
Though I can hear the POTC influence I felt this song really was original to it's core. I felt the most excited parts were also the most muddled, you've got so much going on, they are competing for space, but if you lay back and not particularly listen to all the melodies, pick one (my favourite is the horns), then the piece's power nearly doubles.
I think the most chaos comes from the really fast moving violins, they are overlapping, and trying to compete in the same octave, have you considered using another instrument for the second set of fast moving strings (the one that kinda goes up and down really quickly), like an oboe or bassoon? I have no idea how it would affect the piece, maybe for better, maybe for worse.
My favourite part of the piece is near the beginning when the timpini and beat come in before the french horns come in. That part simply has such an adventure feel to it! I loves it.
In any case thats all I can think about for this part, let me head on over to the second. Good stuff madboss, well constructured overal, I felt you did a great job on this piece, with some minor fall backs is all.
madboss responds:
Thanks for the review maestro and thanks for the warnings on some stuff. With this music I wanted to test myself in composing really complex and greatly varied piece. And Reason 3.0 is not the best platform for this but I wanted to test myself.
During the composing process I haven't feelt the high end too dominant but I'll check out.
About the fast moving string: well yes it was really difficult to match them in volume to the whole mass. I think you mention the last part - where there are a string section playing a constant and fast up-down melody and the trombones melody in staccato. Well yes... they are hitting each other. I've realised this too late.
Anyway thanks for checking my music and thanks for your advices and warnings!
Originalish, I guess...
Sounds a lot like the POTC score but less, well just a little less dark and epic. Definitely getting there, in some parts it sounds more like a march. Great compared to non-professional work though.
madboss responds:
Well since every theme I used here - except in this track the Kraken theme - is my creation I hope to belive that it sounds original and just gives the feeling of the POTC score.
Well less dark? I don't know. The second part here after my opinion is quite dark I think. And the Kraken theme variation after it is also not a happy theme. In my opinion the song is darker than the first POTC score but not as dark as the second.
About sonding a march - that must be the fault of the drums. It was difficult to fit the sound of the drums under the complex sound of the full orchestra. But I don't think that is to much sounding as a march and if yes - well, why not? Pirates are moving to battle... arrr...:)
So thanks for the review hope that you'll find the second one better.