SimCorder's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Infatuated (loop)]

I actually had to look up R&B to answer your question about the songs proper Genre, and my interpretation of it comes off as "Jazzy Blues". The Trumpet in here definitely puts this song into the R&B category from how I see it.

As for the song itself, I dig it, it slips to the back of my mind where it lives rent free. For some reason the song doesn't loop properly. I dunno if its me or whatnot. Not the end of the world though.

If this were used for anything, I totally could see this song used as a BGM track for an RPG or Visual Novel. Where the Protagonist and a group or crew of characters are casually hanging out in an "out of sight" location like an alley or abandoned building, discussing their plans and ambitions or getting to know one another as they determine their next move.

xenith800 responds:

The looping bothered me too. It's especially annoying here on NG due to how the player works, for some reason. I posted a "song" version too since it bothered me too much.

[Essence]

Pretty good, I found my thoughts drifting off as I was listening.

The eerie yet distorted melody provoked a sense of... "cautious" wonder or curiosity for lack of better words.

If this were used in a game, I could totally see this where an Adventurer is exploring an Ancient but technologically advanced ruins/dungeon. A place that doesn't make sense, but also clearly far ahead of its time that you have to ponder what created it all and why whomever made it is no longer around.

For something more Sci-Fi, this could easily be a chill song to vibe too as your drifting through a barren portion of space.

Or perhaps your a computer guy, plotting in data points, commands, writing in logs and calculations, a montage of searching databases and plugging in numbers and strings trying to find an answer to a mystery or very complex problem. (looking at you Hacknet)

Nicki1202 responds:

Interesting interpretation!

[Fading (Piano Improv)]

You improvised this..? wow man, I was half way through this thinking "wow this is really well written" then I read the comments and find out it was improvised, and my mind exploded a bit.

Nice job

BlazingDragon responds:

To me, the trick to a good improv is knowing what will keep it from sounding like an improv. Haha. Here are some examples of what I mean:

-In my first minute or so of improvisation, I try to pick out a chunk of melodic material that I can repeat later.
-I think structurally. So after that first minute or so of improvisation, I intentionally try to do something that contrasts what proceeded to create more tension and interest.
-At some point, I quote earlier material. This makes so that the improvisation doesn't sound like a bunch of random, stitched-together ideas that jump all over the place. It makes it sound like a real composed piece with form and parts you might even be able to hum afterward.

Rather than think of this process as improv, it might be better to think of it as speed composing. The goal is to take the elements that make a memorable composition and consciously apply them to spontaneously created music. It also involves a good deal of thinking ahead while you are playing.

I also fall back on things I already know. For example, there are certain keys I'm very comfortable playing in, and there are certain chord progressions and left-hand accompaniment patterns I tend to fall back on. I've spent enough time consciously building a tool-set to draw from that I am able to focus on melody and not have to constantly start and stop. I'm getting better at doing this everyday. May next goal is to cut pauses and tempo fluctuations that come from my uncertainty about where to go next. I would like my improvisations to sound incredibly intentional.

So, that was probably a lot more info than you wanted, but hey, I enjoyed writing it! XD

Thank you so much for your review. :)

[Va Contest 6 Shockdingo W]

DANGIT! YOU GUYS DON"T MAKE IT EASY

Dangit why are there so many good entries in this contest, just makes my job so much harder...

This was hilarious, its so over the top. Its awesome.

Shock-Dingo responds:

Hehe, thanks man. I appreciate the kind words. Yea, I tried to push its insanity level as much as I could without it killing the story. I was a bit worried about it coming off coherent; I had to make some big revisions a few times and I felt this was the best version.

Thanks for the review! Take care!
-Shockdingo

[Zombie Apokalypse]

Pretty well done, could be better though...

Since I am a fan of zombie games, I can definitely say you accomplished what you were trying to achieve in regards to the theme of this song.

However.. the song feels as though its lacking diversity, although the general tune of the chimes/bass give that good eerie tone to the song, you don't really have anything that gives a strong sense of horror. (you can disregard what I'm gonna say if that's not what you were aiming for) As for a way to improve that... well there's no obvious way, because adding more intense beats would probably make this song more cliche compared to similar songs of this category.

Never the less, you did a nice job composing this, it sticks out from the usual zombie apocalypse songs but still manages to have the same feeling.

Sefirot8 responds:

thanks for the feedback!

i think the best part is when the tribalish drums come in, you can just imagine having the credits roll in then when that part starts its perfect for some kinda event unfolding

[Grasping for the Wind]

Nice piano skills.

Despite what critics might say about the song being all over the place. I think thats what makes this song so great, considering the fact you only used a piano.

However, somewhere after the 2 minute mark as the song starts to fade out, it seems as though the gradual silence seemed a bit rushed, since the low notes are faded out almost instantly whereas the high notes faded normally... I don't know if that was intentional or not, but that was the only thing that seemed to stick out in my opinion.

Regardless, This is still an amazing song. Keep up the good work.

BlazingDragon responds:

It was my intention to fade out the low notes at that pace. The section with the low notes is supposed to be "stormy". The storm, however, is supposed to pass just as quickly as it came, like a breeze. I had a specific image that I was attempting to convey, and if I would have kept the low register in use for a longer duration, it would not have contributed to the success of the image's presentation. You have a valid point, though, and I appreciate the honesty. Thank you for reviewing. :)

[(WF1)Mysts of the unknown]

Love the mood

The piano and harp (or at least thats what it sounds like from my perspective) were two really good choices for a song like this. The fact there so distinct from the rest of the song just makes it much more dramatic. If this were used in a movie or game I could see the protagonist wondering the ruins of a destroyed city, probably his/her hometown, everything and everyone that was part of their past... is gone, or destroyed... and all they have left is what remains of their current life.

Why I think it would be like that is because even though the song is very emotional, it also has a feel of aimless thought, even though I don't know how to describe it, thats what comes to my head.

Awesome job, I hope you and your buddies can come up with even more epic songs.

wyldfyre1 responds:

Many thanks for the review =) Glad you enjoyed it. Keep an ear out for more from us in the future.

[Sini - Dark Passanger]

Not bad

The beat this song has is quite catchy, I could see it being used in one of those chase/escape scenes in movies, however if you made it a bit more intense it could probably be used for a fight scene.

DjSini responds:

that track is actually more goa-trance and less for a flash scene, but i get what ur saying..ty for teh review :]

[The Great PanPipe Ensembl]

Love it,

This song... is awesome. Inspiring yet relaxing, I could see this being used in a movie or game where there was a mysterious yet peaceful forest or another related environment.

ErikMcClure responds:

Thanks, the original genius was UncleBen though xD

[Divine Pariah]

Decent.

I could see a song like this used in the opening of a video game or movie, The song seemed to drag on longer then it should of in parts such as 0:46 to 1:20 (probably cutting it by around 2-6 seconds would of fixed it but that's just my perspective) Besides that this song is really good.

Nice job

Vertagoa responds:

Yeah, my girlfriend says the same thing about my songs dragging on. The biggest problem I have is that I have to synthesize everything, so the guitars are less than ideal for what I have musically. Thank you for your input, I need as much as I can get