Coop's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ryu vs. Oni]

Good pace and drive.

I think that while the bassline for this piece started off just a little too low (too much water in the ears at that stage, which rises to the surface rapidly, draining it away), it certainly rectified quickly. There is a good balance between the rhythm and the melody, with constructive use of bridges, to give variety and a lovely change for the solo in the middle, then the modulation at the end, to take it even further.

Certainly something that I can see included in beat-em-up or racing games, I feel that there's a great scope to take things further here and make similar sounding tracks, either for remixes, or even with a view to making a whole album out of this sort of thing. Keep up the great work!

[Review Request Club]

Gario responds:

A nice detailed response - it's always nice to receive one of those from time to time. Thanks for giving this your ear and review, as that's always rare on this site.

[Diwanit Bugale [Cover]]

Moving and deep.

Could you not have fit the lyrics in the comments section? Quite a shame, as to have the support of the lyrics, this piece would have truly benefited. Still, a good sound overall, lyrics or no.

The hornpipe / flute makes the piece sound vaguely oriental, which is strange, to be honest in the intro, having read your notes about Breton France. When the lyrics came into full swing, I was a little disappointed that the vocalists didn't quite hit the harmony (I think it was more an issue with the backing vocals, but only minor, to be honest), but the balance of the softly spoken track was well stated.

The guitar and piano could have easily overpowered the piece, but they stayed nicely in check, backed by soft percussion, to compliment the whole ensemble, giving rise to a piece that should bring a tear to the eye of some listeners, if used on the right sort of film / animation.

[Review Request Club]

Troisnyx responds:

I was the vocalist as well as the arranger, and I'm aware my vocals were off key in places. Thank you for pointing that out. : )

Also, thank you for the feedback. I'll put the lyrics (and hopefully a better version of this song) at some point, most likely after my exams are over. No promises though, but I'll try!

[Nightlife]

Decent, yet slightly repetitive.

I think that while the majority of the song is usable, there is too much of it that repeats, so after one run through, it starts to grate against me. After listening to it a few times through, we're getting to the stage where the backing loop causes me to twitch, which is a shame, as like I say, there is good in this track.

I couldn't fathom what the vocal samples said, but they were well used - I'd personally consider using more of them in the piece, to add variation. Perhaps the melody could use a solo, to distract from the beat as well, as these things certainly help push the piece forward.

Would you consider looping it? If so, you need to concentrate more on the variation, otherwise more people will react like me, if they hear it a few times over, thus taking away from the overall quality, hence the four stars.

Experimentation with other instruments and sounds could hold the key here. I look forward to hearing more of your work.

[Review Request Club]

[Dance of Rainbows]

Light and airy.

I love the way that this piece can bring a smile to the most hardcore of angry individual, because it uses a good sensible beat, some instruments that encourage the listener to perk up, such as the xylophone and generally has a lot of uplifting qualities about it.

I think that it's not a tune that grabs you by the scruff of the neck, but it lifts you from the very base, towards the sky, saying "look on the bright side", which is what everyone needs from time to time. Kind of like "Would you be there", by Michael Jackson.

There are a few songs out there that sound similar in the piano riff, but I think that you've done enough to distinguish yourself from these and adding to it only makes the piece better as a whole. Perhaps pause the xylophone at a stage and allow the piano a solo, but other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

I'll come back and listen to this, when I need a lift!

[Review Request Club]

[Frozen Heart [8-bit]]

A good blend of sounds, that gives the impression of a pure 1980s game. The combination of various effects from the genre says to me a platformer, though the content of this is largely unknown, so your title of Frozen Heart can be slightly ambiguous, but that's not an issue.

The walking beat that you throw in there about halfway through just seems to be too quick. Halving the speed of it would work well with the rest of the track, but the main melody seems to be blocked out a little by it at present.

It's only minor issues that need dealing with, but I feel that you've got a great track, that is ready to get even better.

[Review Request Club]

SuperBastard responds:

Thanks for the review man, I'll go in right now and try out what you suggested.

[SGKR - Track 1]

Not bad, but it needs more "filler".

I think that there is one of two problems here - either there is not enough in the pause gaps of the track, or that there is too much clutter in there as it is. The initial "gallop" into the piece with the bass beat works nicely and then the addition of the higher pitched melody made it more difficult for me to appreciate. That's not to say I fell out with it, but it could have sounded better.

I try not to be too negative, but that third part of the track (beat, melody,???) seems to be where the problems come from, as the two together work well and the third part (let's call it a counter melody for now) just seems to make a mess. Perhaps that is the issue that needs fixing.

Oh, and it seemed like the track was just getting into its swing and you stopped playing it, fading out and stopping altogether. Another minute is needed, at least, I feel.

[Review Request Club]

silverblazebrony responds:

Thanks! There is, as you've said, allot of work to do on this song. The fade out at the end is actually the looping point of the song in-game, though I'll be making changes to this song for sure. since it's still just a second draft.

Thanks for the review! It's very helpful. :b

[Contact High]

A little repetitive, but good.

I like the way that this sounds, as the beat is powerful, but not overpowering and the melody doesn't have to struggle to get past it. The tune gets repetitive, as both major components seem to have their merits, but looping them as they have been just doesn't get me going. From the way that the variation works its way in there, you can hear something different, but these pieces need to be developed, to exploit their potential a bit more - make the verses a little longer and the chorus just a little shorter.

The length of the track is good and the mix sounds polished, so I think that playing with the balance would be the best thing, as opposed to mastering.

[Review Request Club]

BuggMusic responds:

Again, sorry for the repetitiveness. I do definitely try my best with the mix and mastering as well. Because of my limited working environment (one laptop, 5.1 logitech speakers and headphones), my mix usually ends up sounding pretty good on my system, but other people find it a bit off. I do apologize for this, I really wish I had some good studio monitors, but it's just something I can't afford right now. Anyway, thanks for the review!

[Topspin]

A strong blend, well tempered.

I feel that you've got this piece spot on, with the way that you've taken the initial melody of the synthesised keyboard / accordion. That can get a little repetitive, so that's cost you a little, but the addition of the counter and the beat really does help. This piece is certainly one that gets you tapping your feet as well as people like me thinking. I can see things like a simple light show being set to this, but not only that, there are so many other options, including racing games, though the pace may be a little slow for that, but it certainly makes a good backing tune.

If I'd have had my own way, then I would have put a bass solo in there, when you mess about with the beat, perhaps even the tempo, speed it up, play around with that and then come back down, handing over to the melody, as the bass falls back into step with everything else, restoring parity to the piece. Still, your idea of killing off the bass for a short moment in middle seemed to work as well. The only reason that my suggestion is there is perhaps to break the monotony of the melody, as it gets repetitive.

[Review Request Club]

[No Sky]

16-bit ambience

Hmm, that may sound like an oxymoron, but I feel that we're onto something here - the sound that you've given is very definitely something that could be called ambient, as the length would also indicate. The sounds that you've used would indicate an "early 90s" start, but that mellows out, as the piece matures - was that intentional, or just the way that the piece evolved over the seven minutes? It gave me the impression that there was something to progress with, but this still wasn't convincing enough to state it as an intentional adjustment.

The mood is calm and peaceful, not obscured by the oppressive bass beat - you could so easily have fallen into this trap, but you managed to avoid that, giving rise to another phase, where the track neatly fits together with the other elements and still carries on, not compromising, nor being compromised - the mark or a master composer.

I think that with this sort of piece, we could certainly see it being used in various video games or sprite productions, where the characters are from well known games. That would be the best form of flattery that I can give you, by suggesting that your piece deserves to be included in someone else's work. I only hope that they manage to do it justice.

[Review Request Club]

[Guitorchestra]

Good sounding, but...

I was a little disappointed to hear the sounds of the piano "topping out" and giving static over the top of the track, as it's just a little too loud. More work on the balance would help this, but I've listened to the track in spite of that issue, which still leaves a very enjoyable track to listen to.

The guitar is nice and well balanced, which compliments the piano nicely. Given the additional work with the strings toward the end, you have left the piece well poised to progress further and then it stops. I felt that was a shame, since the setup is there for a fantastic sounding work, that can truly set the mind racing. Take it forward from these beginnings and give us a few more indications of where you can take this, I'm sure it'll sound great. Keep working at it, this sounds positive.

[Review Request Club]

xionxinks responds:

Thank you for the feedback! Yes I will admit my mixing and balancing skills are, not what they should be. I am improving as I go I suppose. :3