Coop's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[In League (Cover)]

Vocals = fail

When the vocalist tries to talk, all I get is a wave of static, which means that you've probably got something wrong with your recording equipment - probably the mic for the vocalist, as something sounds badly wrong there.

The guitar and drums aren't too bad, with a basic guitar riff and the drums to back it up. Perhaps a little too dependant upon the cymbals, but then it may just be a case that the drummer seems unwilling to expand the repertoire and get into something a little more ambitious. Perhaps start some new patterns with that and go from there.

[Review Request Club]

[Nymphetamine (Instrumental)]

Too much static

Well, first thing's first - this piece has far too much static in the intro and it occurs a few places other than that after, but for me the damage was done. The 'bell like sound' seems to be where it is at its worst, so please look into that.

A nice slower piece, this one has a much more 'MeatLoaf' quality to it, with the choir singing some sort of ethereal psalm in the background in places. The guitar definitely takes the lead, with the drums sitting back and being led this time, which is a nice change, as drums should not always take the lead.

For a song this long, you could do with some lyrics and vocals - 3 verses and a chorus would suit you fine - even if you made the chorus just the choir and went from there, you'd have more than enough material to expand the piece nicely.

[Review Request Club]

[[dj-Jo] Thru The Sea of Trance]

Arr matey!

I can certainly hear the pirate style ramblings of this track - it was what I though fleetingly even before reading your notes, as I try to see what I think first, before seeing the author's spoilers.

However, it's a little too 'yo ho ho' for my liking - it lacks the dramatic edge of the Pirates of the Caribbean for my liking, as it sounds too jolly to be such a cut and thrust piece of music.

I'd need to hear a much darker piece for Pirates if that was your intention, so increase the bass power and run riot with the rhythm and melody, to create a much more sinister edge to the whole piece.

[Review Request Club]

[Invention No. 2]

If you insist!

Overall, I like this.

Those lower brass notes stand out too much for my liking and although I can see why you put them in as part of the melody, the brass just seems to let it down somewhat.

From 00.10 to 00.19 my very minor criticism would be that the brass mimics the backing too closely without being in harmony. Personally I would go one way or another.

00:30 to 00:40 is just beautiful though, I could listen to that on loop.

[Review Request Club]

loansindi responds:

Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked it.

The brass samples really disappoint me.

I'm relatively proud of this one I guess.

[[dj-Jo] Turn It Up]

Banging

A thumping tune that assaults the senses and leaves no stone unturned in the quest to ransack the brain.

This is quite a piece, but sadly after a while, it does get a little repetitive - there is variation there and the only real gripe I have with that is that this is not enough of a variation to distract from the usual part of the track that's going on around it. Perhaps expanding the variations, coupled with a few other bits of variation should just give it the shove in the right direction.

[Review Request Club]

[If You Say So]

Good tempo

A rather nicely paced piece with what sounds like a glass bottle xylophone playing some of the solos. A rather different and interesting instrument to play along with.

I think that the way the whole piece fits together, with a great deal of variation and a not very overpowering bass beat and drums, you really have got something to build on here for other pieces. I'd have said it was more ambient than D&B, but that's your decision.

If you're gunning for it being a D&B piece, I'd suggest that you increase the power of the drums. I'd also do away with that single note solo that was in there - you're better than that, play to your strengths.

[Review Request Club]

svinepels responds:

Damn, I hope I didn't lose on or two points for categorizing the song unproperly? Anyway, thanks for the feedback, I now understand that the fade out was a bad idea. Although I don't do much fade-outs in my songs, this must have been the wrong song to use one in.

[I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) METAL]

Not bad

I think it could have used better vocals, as it doesn't do justice to the original epic vocals of the piece all those years ago. Do you shout "surrender" in the bit where they are supposed to sing "a-la-la-la" all the time?

Not a bad piece of metal guitar - perhaps cranking the tempo could have helped, as it sounds really slow in the verses. Adding more tempo would have given you something else to play with - perhaps even a solo or two.

[Review Request Club]

[Invention No. 1]

Like a summer cartoon

It reminds me of some of the short animation sequences I have seen; bright sunshine, fluffy bunnies, bubbling stream, big majestic trees - usually shown as a contrast before moving on to something darker.

It is quite simple - not too many layers in the music that I can hear - but I find that quite charming, part of that playful air.

True, it could be longer, but I think that is a matter of context. Stand alone, I would make it longer, but if it were backing for a visual of some description it is fine.

My only criticism is that the strings come on a little strong for my tastes in comparison to the opening piano. That could be something is simple as a slight volume adjustment for that part though, so nothing major.

[Review Request Club]

loansindi responds:

Oh wow I missed responding to this. Whoops.

Anyway, thanks for the review. It definitely is pretty straightforward. I still think this is a fun little piece for what it is.

[Animation Voice Demo Reel 2]

Not bad at all

Some nice stuff that you've come up with, but I think that a little bit of the vocals is lost with taking them out of context. A shame, but that's just the way I feel about demo reels.

Some good voices there - did you add the music and sound effects yourself, or were these taken from the final cuts that the artists used to present their own flash work?

I think that you've got one of the better ranges on Newgrounds and you're capable of producing a measured and breathtaking performance. The one real question that remains is how's your thinking on the fly?

[Review Request Club]

Rabidssquirrel responds:

Thanks a bunch for the review, Mr.Coop!

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that a bit of the vocals are lost with taking them out of context. If , when you read this, you could send me a pm highlighting what you mean I'd be very greatful.

I did indeed add the music and sound effects myself, and all of these little lines were the result of hitting record and waiting on myself to think of a voice to use and something to say. Freestyle, if you will, then cut and trim. I suppose this would have to say how my thinking on the fly is? lol

Thanks for the range compliment :) Self-confidence ftw. And that a major compliment which I also thank you for.

Thanks again for the review!

[[LY] ,-- The Cyan Monkey --']

INteresting music box

Certainly a piece that is full of suspense and takes the listener to other places while listening - perhaps the jungles of South America, where who knows what sort of secret treasures will be waiting for the Indiana Jones type person to come along and try to take them away.

Of course, when the track fades in the middle, the 'music box' plucked metal sound that you get going sounds really creepy and it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end really well. Congratulations.

[Review Request Club]

la-yinn responds:

Haha, a music box eh?

It was partially my intention to characterize old civilisations in a dark and spooky way, so I'm very glad that you mentioned the jungles of South America, hehe. It's good to know people can visualize things on my music.

Thanks for the review!