LucidShadowDreamer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Door - Castaway]

Alright. I'm two months late. How/why, you ask? I don't know...
I blame the army, which I also blame for everything else! Yup, totally the army's fault.
Either way... How's it going with Construction?

I like this song. For some reason though, my favorite part of the piece is the atmospheric intro XD I think it's great!!
That said, I like all the other parts as well. I think this is easily one of your best submissions yet. The melodies work quite well in my opinion, and they are most interesting. I like the sub melodies played by other intruments as well.

The bass works very well too, both when it's a bit more subtle, and when it is more in the front.

Part of the percussion could've used a bit more reverb I think, but that's just an opinion.
I like the heavy reverb use in general, but I think the main percussion (inculding claps) shoud've used a bit more too, to fit the rest better. Still, it's pretty good as it is too.

What really makes this piece, is all the mood setting atmospheric effects! You're a lot better than me on aspects such as atmospheric sounds and percusion in general.

The transition into the breakdown at 01:14 is really good. In fact, I can't really find flaws in the rest of the tranitions either.

The only other thing I think I would change is that I think I'd change the lead intrument now and then into something else, maybe even drastically? And, I would try to add a few more intruments into the part after 02:17 at least, maybe in other places too, to fill a little space (although I like how open this song feels somehow; like there is a bit of empty space here and there).

The ending is actually kinda good, I'd say :)
At first I thought it was a bit abrupt, but actually, I think it's just the way it should be.

Otherwise, I don't really have anything to "complain" about. I think you've done a splendid job with this one!!

Once again, I'm sorry for being so late to reviewing this D:
I'll try to see if I have enough time to respond to your message today (I think I will have :D)!!!

TaintedLogic responds:

Two months late reviewing my track? Nonsense! I was two months late responding to your PM, so touché, my friend! ;) I blame college for that, btw...

I'm glad you liked the intro and the melodies, and I'm thrilled to hear that this may be one of my best submissions yet. :') I'm glad the bass works well, too...there are actually 3-4 basses in there playing in harmony at one point. XD

I can see what you mean about the reverb. I'm always tempted to use less reverb than I should for some reason...

I worked hard on that transition at 1:14, so I'm glad it paid off! :D It's a broken sweep and snare with some filters, and the portamento on that lead is the icing on the cake. ;)

I think it is a bit more repetitive than a lot of my other tracks, as I've often been told that I need more repetition, but maybe I was overcorrecting? Okay, I'll think about adding more variation next time...

I'm glad you like the ending, even though (I concur) it is a bit abrupt...

Thank you so much again, LSD. Reading this review was worth the 2-month wait. ;)

Also, Construction isn't really making good progress. I've learned that I can't force myself to finish any given piece at a time, and I have to let the creativity come to me. XD There will be other pieces, though, LSD....don't worry! ;)

I'm really looking forward to your response to my PM. Take care and hope your army endeavors go well! ^^

[Adel's Theme (Menu)]

This is great :)
The calm intro was already good, but the transition at 0:30 and the part after that really got me. The rest of the piece keeps on being beautiful. All the instruments fit well together, while the piano is constantly playing in the background :D

"Lack of anything particularly exciting"?
I think everything was fine, and there was some excitement in the dynamic variation. The only issue is that the end seems a bit abrupt (and the loop doesn't really loop that well), but as you said; this is not the full version :3

I'll certainly look forward to the proper version, whenever it comes out. Amazing job, as always ;)

Step responds:

Heya! I felt pretty insecure about this track so it's very relieving to get a positive response on it.

I don't understand why the loop is off... It should be fine - dominant chord to tonic - but there's a little click that I just couldn't get rid of, which makes it sound kind of weird.

I'm glad you thought this was somewhat exciting, even for a menu loop haha. Thanks a lot for the encouraging feedback.

[Meet Frances]

I listened to some of your songs (and noticed I've heard "Disappointing Love 2014", which this song's intro actually reminds me of, although it's faster and there is much difference), and they were all great!
I don't really have anything to criticise at all. Amazing job ;)

Semaphore responds:

Thanks LucidShadowDreamer I appreciate it a lot =)

[Sorcerers Path - Cale Unleashe]

I am at a lack of words... This is simply great boss music, and amazing music in general. It has everything.
The demo is now out; I'll do my best to try it out, although I have next to no free time :)

SoundChris responds:

Thanks man! I tried a lot of new things in this track and i think i will make a song version of it with more variety (which is hard to do in a loop of course). Glad you enjoyed it!

[Pareidolic War]

You caught me already at the intro. The mood is perfect.
After that, all the other parts are filled with great stuff too. Not only the melodies and the chords, but the choises of (and uses of) instruments are amazing.
I feel like I'm not only listening to a song, but that I'm told a story, which is how music often works :D
The ony thing I could criticise is that I might've added just a tiny bit more reverb to the drums when they were used more as an addition to the atmosphere (like 2:38 and a while after that). I might totally be wrong in thinking so though.
Really, awesome job with this piece, and I wish you luck in the contest!

Phonometrologist responds:

That’s really interesting that you say the instrument choices and the use of them are good. I’ve gotten mixed reviews about the instruments that I used here. I suppose it’s because when it comes to Orchestral instruments, the goal is to get them sounding as real and authentic as one possibly can, but when you add synths to that, it detracts away from the realness of how it sounds as a whole. Not sure if or how I could help that and maybe it’s more subjective as well. Whatever the case may be, I didn’t have much time experimenting in tweaking the sounds, but also, I didn’t look at this totally as an orchestral piece, nor did I look at this as an electronic piece either. I didn’t really give much thought into the style of it, and the instruments used is what I felt/heard needed to be added for this piece in particular.
For the drums, I just used the room mics for the reverb. Trust me, they sound really dry if I didn’t turn those mics up, but I do know what you mean hence I added a little bit of delay in the beginning of them. Perhaps when I remix this, I will experiment more on the room mics to see how much I can put emphasis on those without making it sound too distant. Thank you for the review—creates a good variety of opinions on this piece as you helped balance it out I suppose. I would have been interested in reading more the kind of story that you felt was being told to you.

[Junkman Jam]

Whoah, great job! This track is pretty awesome :D
I too think it's quite unique XD
Good luck in the contest!

BrainLight responds:

Thanks for the review and support, friend. I am to entertain.

[Spring Surge]

I can definitely hear a LOT of LunacyEcho in this. You managed very well in capturing the heart of your own style in this track, which is also quite impressive; I'd have trouble doing so with my own stuff, even if I have a style (or several styles).
This is a very uplifting track to listen to, which is always nice :)
Still, at points there's a lot of stuff happening.
I think my favorite part is the one that starts at 1:53 and ends at 2:13. It's a bit weird, and different from the rest of the song (quite a sudden transition back after the section, but I don't really care), so that might just be it XD (the part after 2:54 competes for the spot of favorite part though).
You seem to know precisely how you want your bass to sound, which is always good. The percussional aspect of this track is awesome as always.
I actually like the ending, and I hope some of the judges will too. It might be a bit over the top, but I think it actually fits this piece :3

I doubt you'll have to worry about the deadline; they tend not to be that strict with such things on Newgrounds :'D

I'm impressed over the fact that you made two good and somewhat long pieces in such a short amount of time too o.O

Anywhoos, I don't have that much more to say, other than great job, and keep up the great work ;)

LunacyEcho responds:

=> hear a LOT of LunacyEcho =>

Great! That's what I was really going for.

=> 1:53 =>

Funny thing: I'd written the parts from 0:00-1:32 and 2:14-3:14 before anything else, so that stuff from 1:33-2:13 was all just random stuff that I thought sounded good. It stemmed from a couple cool drums beats I thought of, then I started thinking about what would lead into a minimalistic break (2:14) well, so I tried making it sound busy and it turned into that part. The transition used to be a LOT more sudden - the decision to make use the high-pitched, muffled sound (which is actually a bass) and the reverse cymbal were made late into development.

=> bass =>

A while ago, johnfn said that using a regular electric bass in a synth-heavy song actually sounded pretty good, so I decided to try it. As usual, his musical instincts were right, it seems.

=> percussional aspect =>

One thing about the percussion I used this time that people don't seem to notice on the first listen is that from 3:05-3:15, the drum kit changes. It goes from being a standard studio kit to a more drum-n-bass kit. :P

=> ending =>

:D I predict a 50/50 split. I'm satisfied with it, at least!

=> two good and somewhat long pieces =>

In a total of around 8-9 days! I'm really proud of that. Also, I'm really tired. This has been a long week, albeit a fun one. I've learnt a ton about music already, and I'm definitely ready to take a long, long, LONG sleep.

Thanks for the review!

[Primal Time]

Whoah, this is awesome!
This piece is full of creative stuff everywhere. It sounds pretty experimental to me, although it seems you know what you're doing. All the interesting noises everywhere add a lot to the rythm and atmosphere; really good job with that.
The mixing is great too XD
Even the ending is fine :)
Although this is a kinda messy piece, I think you did an amazing job with it :p

Keep these great tracks coming ;)

JoshuaHughes responds:

You got it, man! Gotta get some spare time to see what you've been dishing out lately.

[Reflection]

I don't think this sounds terrible at all :)
I have heard better, but this is a solid improvisation for sure!
I'm not too good at improvising either, even if I can play the piano pretty well. Thus, I'd say you've done a good job here, so... Good job! ;)

Chemiqals responds:

Thank you! I'm glad you think so. Your piano work is beautiful!

[Sorcerers Path - The Ice Tower]

Yet another amazing track :)
The music in this game is going to impress many people, as it should!
I think you really succeeded well with the iciness in this track.
For some reason this reminds me of Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". I guess it's the similar intruments :D
Once again, great job with the sfx, as well as with everything else ;)

SoundChris responds:

Thanks a lot LucidShadowDreamer! I am glad you liked the piece - evin its quite short. I will have to work on it a little bit and make it looping. You were right about the dance of the sugar plum fairy. I guess this piece really is the absolute reference for winter tracks, but - to be honest: which instruments could a composer really use for wonter? Metallic instruments are just the best here, especially celesta, harp, belltree, glockenspiel and triangle because the tone is absolutely not organic. Its cold and clear somehow. Some composers also used strings like vivaldi but i think that sounds far more snow like where i wanted to have a more cold and icy feel. The problem especially with the celesta is that they are so well known due to tschaikowsky and john williams harry potter theme that you inevitably will remind people of those great tracks :)
Thanks a lot man for another very nice review of yours

Best greetings!