LucidShadowDreamer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Echoing Calm]

Well, well, you certainly managed to make a melodic trance. Is there no genre you won't be able to succeed in making music in? I'm beginning to doubt there is :3

I can definitely hear the johnfn in this. And indeed, who else to turn to when in search for melodies of this kind? I think johnfn'd like this too, so he better come and give it a listen :)

Already at the beginning, I realized that this was going to be a good, relaxing song. I like the sub bass/synth that comes in at 0:15, and the claps that come short thereafter. They keep going for most of the song too, even if they are not always in focus :p

And really good job with the synths especially. They are very calming in the background, and the leads are all good too. The melodies are all nice. I think I'll try out something in this genre too, sometime.
Not only that, but the piano is really well mixed, and appears at all the right places.

See, you should make a bad song soon, so that I have something to criticise :(
All the transitions, as well as all the small details in the background are what makes this song go above the 4.5 star rating. It's not only relaxing, but there's much musical value nonetheless. That wind in that interlude for instance, was great (1:50). Actually it's blowing pretty much throughout the whole song, but that was the first time I noticed it :p

Seriously though. If I didn't know this was from you, I'd label this song as having been made by johnfn, and I wouldn't question it for a second. Isn't that stealing? Lol, ofc not :D He may have grown to think so, but he doesn't own this genre >:)

This song could've been more complicated at times, but I think that would ruin some of the calm mood.
Finally, I really like how you brought back a shadow of the melody one final time at the very end (3:20).

I think this is great. If you keep going like this, you'll develop so fast in every genre that you can please every ear :'D

It'll be fun to see what genre you'll do next (next). After guitar month I suggested bagtime month to johnfn. Maybe you'll do the most epic bagpipe song ever in his stead! ...
I wonder what genre that'd be on Newgrounds...

I did hear the preview for the next song. I even wrote a review about it :'3

LunacyEcho responds:

Holy crap, that was fast.

=> definitely hear johnfn in this =>

Really? That's great! Glad it went through.

=> sub bass/synth =>

I think some of my best work was basslines. Look at 'Illustrious Forenoon', for instance. Easily the part of the song that stuck with me the most was the bassline, and I sometimes use it as a placeholder in certain songs that have similar chord progressions while I'm in the middle of production.

=> melodies are all nice =>

I did have a few motifs in this song, but lots of it was just random melodies that I just came up with on the spot. :D Glad to see you liked them! For some of theme, I still cringe when I hear them because I know I can think of better ones. However, it's been too long since I last posted a song (2 weeks?!) and I want to get other stuff done as well. :P

=> wind in that interlude =>

You know, one of my friends said the exact same thing. Funny thing is, it's not actually blowing throughout the song, although I immediately knew what you meant. The resonance on the pad sounds a LOT like wind blowing, especially when it's blocked by other sounds playing in the same octave. Pretty interesting how that works, actually; it probably adds even more to the calming feel of the song.

=> isn't that stealing? =>

It sure isn't stealing to do a song in the style of someone else, is it? If it was, Weird Al would've gotten arrested forty years ago.

=> more complicated =>

I was going minimalistic for this one. Trance songs don't really have that giant climax where everything is playing together. I thought even the interlude was risky, since I didn't know whether it was small enough of a change so that someone relaxing wouldn't be jerked out of their 'trance' (since that's what I think trance's purpose is - to just play while people are tranquil and maybe fall asleep).

=> shadow of the melody =>

I thought that touch was nice. I didn't really think much of the rest of the ending, though. I end WAY too much with just all instruments playing one note and fading out. That's what I should work on next. :D

=> bagpipe song =>

I wish I could, but Garageband only has one bagpipe preset, and it sounds like a harpsichord. :(

=> preview =>

Yay! Then you have a slight advantage in knowing what to expect next. Unless I don't do it. Which is also kinda likely, since I was gonna do it for this one.

Thanks for the review, man. I can't believe you responded within an HOUR of my posting. Wow.

[The Hunt]

Wow... Well done! This is totally different from the previous track you made, which just shows how flexible you are!
And once again, this is prefect for the artpiece :)
Good job with everything once again XD

JosephAS1 responds:

Thanks mate!, :D

[Cat Upon A Cup]

Meh, I liked the preview better :/

TeraVex responds:

That's okay, well be tweaking it up over time.

[The Wishing Tree]

Yup, this is beautiful :'3

This piece fits the artpiece so well. Like Elitistinen said, I am amazed by all the music that has entered this competition. The japanese style that reminds me of Joe Hisaishi among others is great, especially since cherry blossoms are associated with Japan in the first place :)
The mixing is wonderfully pulled off too.

Good luck! :'D

JosephAS1 responds:

Thanks dude, Hisaishi is one of my favorite artists :)

[Endersgame]

Well, this is certainly your best performance in terms of music so far :'D

TeraVex responds:

Lol thanks

[Fox-trot Fletcher]

Well chosen artpiece! It really suits your style! I instantly got the Steampianist feel from this song :O

In terms of portraying the art with a composition, I think you managed best out of all the people in the competition of whoms tracks I've listened to so far.
Your rythmic and melodic portions of this song were amazing, imo.

As always, I loved your instrument choices as well. Also, those cartoonish sounds you used here and there were just perfect :'D (like 2:50 for instance).

The jazzy feel is great too.
Everything is great. There's so much going on, so at least I couldn't have been bored even if this song was much longer XD

Seriously though, awesome job with this one!!!
I hope you do well in the competition, as this is such a good song :3

steampianist responds:

Thanks for the enthusiastic review

[Section B - Demo 2]

Not a real review but... good job ;)
I liked the melodies, as well as the overall feel of the song, not to speak of the quite perfect loop!
I'm not inteding on buying any VSTi for now, but I certainly liked the sound of this one :3

steampianist responds:

its cool but you may want to check out central composers some freebies

[Stage Magic]

Good job! This was a very worthwhile listen. I like everything in this track :'D
Especially that medieval feel ;)

LunyAlex responds:

I'm happy you enjoy it! Thanks a lot!

[Stay Inside Me]

Awesome, just like all of your tracks seem to be :3
Your modulations and intrument choices, along with the melodies and rythms/percussion are always incredible ;)