Haggard's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[An American Childhood]

Interesting

Too bad that I'm so bad in music theory or else I guess I could appreciate this song more. But at least I get what you are aiming for after reading the author comments. At first I listened to the song without reading the comments and I thought that this song was too "messy".

After I read the comments I listened to the song again and I understood that it is SUPPOSED to sound "messy" in the beginning.

Sometimes there are some very quiet parts (for example from 0:51 to about 1:41) that don't really fit here, in my opinion. I guess this part is used as a transition, but imo it's a bit too long and/or too quiet.

Also at 3:43 there's a loud noise that really shouldn't be there. Propably this happened during the uploading process. Maybe the file got corrupted a bit.

Anyway, overall this is a very interesting piece and I advice anyone to read the comments before listening to the song. It helps a lot. :)

{ Review Request Club }

WizMystery responds:

Had I started off normally I wouldn't get that sort of reaction but it was required of me :X Like a few of my previous compositions intent plays a strong part in this, so I do hope people read it and like what it represents.

Thanks for the review

[Just Peachy]

Strange

I can't help it, but the melody of the lyrics sounds pretty much like Nirvanas "Come as you are", so at first I thought this was some kind of strange cover with altered lyrics. But apart from the melody in the verses nothing reminds me of said song.

This song starts off really slow, with the instruments strangely set back, as if you didn't know if you really wanted to do this song or not, heh.
But once the chorus starts other instruments set in and at this time the song becomes really strange. But "strange" doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad song. It's just a very unusual song. And I have to give you points for originality here, because I don't think there are too much "electronic post-grunge" songs out there. ^^

Too bad the song is so short, though. I think if it was a minute or two longer I would like it even better.

{ Review Request Club }

SoulSecure responds:

Well, the song was written several years ago and that's how I sung the lyrics from the start. I could've made a different melody for the lyrics, but I wanted to stay true to how I wrote it originally.

"Set back"? I'm not sure what you mean here, but I wrote the thing from start to end with the determination of completing it.

Yeah, way back when I wrote it, my guitarist thought the rhythm guitar (the rhythm synth with glitch effects on it in this case) didn't match with the rest of the song. Little did he know it was actually the solo that clashed melodically with the bass and rhythm. It all sounds good to me though.

I sort of wanted to make it longer, actually, but I wanted to keep what was written so I left it alone.

[You Weren't There]

Good song

The intro of the song reminds me of some 8-bit-video-games-classics, which is really strange since the sound is far, far away from being 8 bit. But the melody... I somehow have the feeling I have heard that before, even though I can't put my finger on it where I might have heard it.

Anyway, the intro is nice and sets a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. I also like the transition from the intro to the main song at around 0:39. It kind of divides the intro from the rest of the song which I think it is really fitting here.

During the rest of the song we can hear some very nice melodies and even though the song stays calm the whole time it never gets boring.

Also, I don't think you should add lyrics here. I like the song as it is now, I think a singer wouldn't fit too much here.

{ Review Request Club }

[Long Gone (Bugg)]

Relaxing

A nice and relaxing song. I like the synths you used here very much. They create a pretty good atmosphere and it's fun to listen to this song.

However, the drum track could indeed use some more variation. It seems that it never changes, which of course gets a bit repetitive towards the end.

{ Review Request Club }

BuggMusic responds:

Thanks for the review! I'm glad you had fun listening to it haha

As for the drums, that's definitely something that everyone has pointed out, will take note next time!

[Ride Through The Madness]

Starts off good, becomes boring

This loop starts off nice and interesting, but after about 10 seconds it loses a lot of appeal and becomes kind of annoying.

While the melody at the start is quite good the notes become more and more "random" later on, it seems. Well, not exactly "random" as the notes are all in key as far as I can tell, but there doesn't seem to be a melody either, that has potential to stick in one's head.

{ Review Request Club }

[(MIII) - After the Storm]

Nice ambient

I like the intro. I don't even know why, I just like the "noise" here. It sounds interesting and sets a good mood for the song that follows.

The rhythm is pretty good and the melodies sound nice. I also like that you use various sound effects throughout the song. Helps to carry that mood that was created in the intro.

The outro could use some work, though. The ending is a bit sudden. Also the "storm effect" there sounds a bit out of place. The song is called "After the storm", after all. So maybe a different sound effect would be nice. Maybe the singing of birds, or something like that.

Anyway, great song!

{ Review Request Club }

MobiusIII responds:

Thanks for the review, and the constructive criticism. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[KzX - Severed Thoughts]

Slow

The backwards bass/drums or whatever it is sounds really strange, but I like it. Adds an interesting note to the song.

The song itself is very slow, which I don't like so much. I think it would sound better if it was a bit faster paced. Also the intro begins very very quiet (and some time after the intro there's a silent part as well), which I didn't like too much as well.

Anyway, later on the song gets pretty good and very VERY bassy. Almost too much for my (shitty) speakers, heh. Especially that drop at aroun 4:30 is amazing.

{ Review Request Club }

[I Like It Black]

Good song

Very minimalistic song. Not much going on here, some nice bass line and a few melodies in the background. But the end result (= the song) sounds pretty cool. I like the bass line very much and the higher pitched melodies create a good contrast to the deep bass.

The voice sample at 1:22 came a bit unexpected, but I like how you used the sample later on in the song as well. It makes the song a bit less repetitive.

{ Review Request Club }

[Mario Kart 64 -- Title (Remix)]

Good remix

Hm, I never played Mario Kart 64, so I just listened to the original title theme on youtube. I must say, I like your version even better. The organ sounds really awesome and fits perfectly.
Also, the organ creates a much better atmosphere than the original title theme.

Too bad the remix is so short, though. You should make it longer! :)

Oh yeah, I couldn't find any flaws in the mixing/mastering department.

{ Review Request Club }

Birdinator99 responds:

Wow, it's been quite a while since I've gotten a review from you -- good to see you again!

Glad you enjoyed the organs; I really like using them in my music.

Seems to me that I'm getting better points on mixing/mastering this time around. Cool stuff.

Thanks for this review!

[Lamentation by the Sea]

Good

Hm, this piece has a very sad note to it. Maybe it comes from the monotony you create with using the same theme throughout the track. Or maybe it's just that the melodies are kind of sad.

Anyway, the track is pretty good. I like the composition very much, even though it really tends to get a bit repetitive towards the end.

I liked the part at 2:46 very much (and we can hear it again at 4:13). The transition to the more "triumphiant" interlude is done really nice. Even though it's done in such a simple way (two notes on the violin, if I'm not mistaken) it is really effective. Maybe you should try to include more of those "interludes" to make the song a bit less repetitive.

{ Review Request Club }

descara responds:

Thanks for the feedback!

Personally I'd say it's simply the harmonic and melodic material that does it, rather than the form.Glad you liked the interludes at least. ;)