Reviews for King Bosa

[Buoy]

First off (I'm posting this to everyone): Note that the scores might be a bit lower than what's typical for NG reviews - no one should expect a 10/10 unless their entry was absolutely incredible.

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This one was somewhat difficult. There was little that immediately grabbed my attention when I first listened to it while also mindlessly browsing. Careful listening opened my ears to some neat details, though. Of course, the comments about the title and description of Bosa's entry apply to this one as well, though I must admit I found this one less amusing. Those things will not change my score for any of your entries.

I'll tackle the mellow first minute first: I did not enjoy the violin solo as I perhaps wanted to - this particular sound is very shrill and tiring to listen to in that range, I don't know if that's inherent to violin or if it's a problem with the soundfont/instrument you're using. I figure it might sound more pleasant one octave down, or with some kind of flute. The oboe (clarinet?) sometimes complements the string melody (I really enjoyed moments such as around 0:18 where the instruments collaborate with their own different leading tones to put together a nice resolution), sometimes not so much (from 0:45 it sounds dissonant and unfocused, like the instruments are just playing along for themselves). The deep strings play along nicely most of the time. The harp, when introduced, sounds rather meagre, and the reverb tail that ends the first section also disappointed me a bit. So overall there's some nice interplay between the instruments but nothing that leaves me massively impressed.

The shrill violin keeps going in the second section as well. This is where some of the more impressive stuff appears: the shift to 7/8 is done very well (I didn't notice it at all during the aforementioned mindless listen), and the staccato strings and bells give it that certain soundtrack feel too. The chord progression that I can't really figure out but that does contain an awesome tritone jump also adds an unique flavor to the piece. I also found it very clever how you changed the role of the staccato strings from being the main focus (1:06) to supporting the sustained chords (1:23) in a way that I can't really describe accurately with words. That whole transition is really my favourite thing about the song, the whole combination of changed instrumentation, mood and tempo is brilliant. In other words, most of the neat stuff is found in the second half.

The piece ends with a couple of solid minor tonic chords. No real surprises there. A straightforward and acceptable ending. ;) The vibrato of the lead violin rings out nicely, the sustained strings ended maybe a bit more abruptly and synchronised than you would expect from a real string section though. The harp that modestly chimes in at the very end is a nice touch too.

The mixing and the instruments used are a bit too flat and bland. The strings and especially the percussion have little punch and presence, leaving parts like the apparent climax at 1:06 far weaker than it has the potential to be. That is my main gripe with this submission.

7 points for sounds and instrumentation.
8 points for composition and melody/harmony.
7 points for theme/originality/other things that might impress.

Overall impression: 8.0

samulis responds:

Yeah, I should have worked off a more powerful ending to the piece.

One of my major inspirations is a CD of "Gypsy" music from Romania... it has such expressive violin parts, using mainly the upper register... since listening, I have always wanted to create a slow piece that uses the violin's high end in all its glory, although I do greatly enjoy the lowest register of the violin.

Now that I listen back, I do feel that it does need a bit more reverb as well as more percussion. I generally master my percussion quieter than most people... probably because I listen to very little modern forms like rock which use very loud percussion and instead see percussion less as the "keepers of the beat" and more as "embellishers of the structure"- such as in the case of the timpani, which finds itself rotating around the piece both fulfilling chording and giving a deep resonance where needed.

As a composer, my style is generally more in tune with dissonance and minor melodies- dark and sour.

Thanks for the review and the comments, I really enjoy getting comments that are focused on the greater form of the music and the flow etc. like this. :)

-Samulis

[Step]

This is an NGADM Round 1 Review.

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This really shines in composition. It's masterfully composed, and while it follows a story just like Bosa's track does, it still has a great structure and unique melodies. I regard you as one of the top composers on Newgrounds and this track just gives me more of a reason to do so. Fantastic work here.

Like I said, the melodies are phenomenal. The oboe at the beginning had a fantastic tune that started up the song very well, and was complimented wonderfully by those string/chime entrances. The harp's arpeggio was a great way to indicate the end of a section at 0:20 and 0:55. The chords at the end were particularly good and I loved the changes to major chords towards the end too. Tasteful use of dissonance and very warm and deep cello chords were just icing to the cake. Instrumentation was great too. I really have no room to complain in when it comes to composition.

Unfortunately, some transitions need a bit of work. I'm mainly referring to the transition at 1:01. The section before that length of silence and after it didn't have much to do with each other, except for the high violin, and the lone timpani roll wasn't enough to indicate such a drastic change of mood. It needs to be a smoother transition because as it is now it makes it painfully obvious that you're following a story. Another transition that needs work is the transition at 0:20. The introduction of the violin is a bit loud, but that might be because the violin is too loud... which brings me to my next point.

The mixing needs work, especially the mixing on that violin. The violin stands out way too much in the mix. It sounds tinny and loud. The vibrato on it is also ludicrous. I'd suggest either turning it down and dampening its sound or a better option would be to buff it up with more instruments of the string section. Secondly, the mix sounds a bit too heavy on the mid frequencies, which is something that I find is hard to avoid when making orchestral music. Lastly, on a smaller note, this could do with more percussion, especially in the busier part. Right now other than the subtle timpani and chime, there isn't much percussion.

Overall, this is a very impressive piece, with fantastic composition and instrumentation. Needs some work in mixing and transitions, but in general, keep it up!

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SCORE:
8/10

samulis responds:

I think you missed the gong, which surprisingly adds a lot to the piece. I do agree that it would do better with more cymbals and etc.

The violin sound I used is one that I actually enjoy greatly (see my comments on Buoy's feedback regarding my inspiration to delve into the upper register of the violin)... I do see however that it does come in a bit loud. I like to imagine that it is played by a soloist standing at the front of the stage.

I'm really surprised the melodies shined through- I mainly compose chordally and a melody is built to serve the motion of the piece most of the time I write.

I do agree that I need to work on mixing quite a bit... I have never really studied it and simply mix to ear when I write and say "okay, that's good."

[Back-From-Purgatory]

samulis vs. Bosa... FIGHT!

You did a lot of things right in this, including great composition and mixing, everything felt natural, and the section where the staccato strings come in is nothing short of epic. And while the feel of it was fairly cliche, I think you did well to make it your own, and the transitions between sections felt very natural and clean.

Complaints? The solo violin (That is a violin, yeah?) really... really felt like a sample, every time it played a note, it felt very robotic. It rose and hit vibrato in a very unnatural way, it was especially noticeable when it would switch from one note to another as it would just cut off in the middle of a vibrato very abruptly.
As well, while I do think this is a well done piece, I didn't find it all that memorable, the pace at which it moves is both a blessing and a curse... while it doesn't stick with a theme long enough for the listener to get bored, it, the lifted staccato section aside, doesn't really do anything all that memorable either.

All that aside, I did enjoy listening to it, and gave it a 7.5/10.

samulis responds:

Thanks for the review.

I actually really enjoyed the violin sound I used, but I guess that isn't true with most everyone. XD

In the future, I am considering writing a nice, well-formed, melody-based piece so all the classical nuts will not kill me for my excessive cinematic feel.

[SkyeWint]

Here is your personal review for your round 1 submission! Remember that the score might be a little lower than I would normally give, I'm being a tad harsher than I'd normally be for the NGADM.

The Good:
-Lovely melodies.
-Really well-done staccato strings at around 1:06.
-I like how you slowed the tempo down to reach 1:40.

The Not-So-Good:
-Many of the melodies are meandering and 'meshing'. 0:40 is a point where the phrase just seems to continue awkwardly for no reason.
-The pause at 1:01-1:05 is very odd, there's barely any buildup before the explosion at 1:06.
-The end of the song seems as if it's at 1:54. After that, since you seem to have gone for a more dramatic ending, it really needs to have MORE drama. Percussion would have worked well.
-Speaking of percussion, where is it? All I've heard that's very audible is the tubular bell and some cymbals, no snare, bass, or toms. As awesome as tubular bells and crashes are, it feels like you need a bit more.

Overall: It's alright. Kind of boring without the percussion in there to back up the melodies. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton to say - songs that are this meandering are fairly difficult to review well. The score I'll give it is a 7/10.

samulis responds:

Because the lack of percussion is such a large thing, I'll put forward my two cents with my response to yours since I know you're going to read this and write a message to me about this. :P

All in all, I generally dislike bringing in large amounts of percussion in an emotional song because they can cut up the expression and ruin the effect of "loss" created by said rambling melodies (yes, the rambling melodies are intentional). I honestly could see a way to bring in bass drum as helping up the timpani, but a snare would probably give the piece a harsh militaristic sound. Perhaps I could bring it in during the 7/8, but I would need to find a way to introduce and remove it. Toms might work in the 7/8. At best, anvils would be next on my list to add because they could augment the tubular bells in the 7/8 with a harsher, darker feel. I will agree that I mastered the timpani too quiet.

Might I summarize by saying- I am sorry I don't listen to hard rock with drum kits that blast your ears off. :3

I think I should do a study on drums... last time I did that everyone told me it sucked. XD

If I work on this more, I will do more of a buildup at 1:01... perhaps get a cymbal in there and make a roll there.

Thanks for the review!
-Samulis