LucidShadowDreamer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Catchy Newgrounds Medley]

Great job!

I love the way you used the bass (especially in the beginning), something at which I myself pretty much suck. For some reason the beginning of this piece reminds me of the Futurama intro/theme slightly. Parts of the composition aslo seem a bit similar to some Crash Bandicoot 2 songs, however I cannot name them. In general, for some reason I can't name, this makes me think about several retro games, which is also equivalent to WELL DONE!
I'm also fond of the way you switch the 'main' intruments, which are the ones that are responsible for the main melodies.
One cannot dislike that transition at 0:55-0:58 (as well as the melody after it). Which in turn brings me to compliment you one the ways you use several different sections in this song; one has no time to get bored, and must press the replay button. I can't comprehend how you managed to fit so many different styles into one piece and improved the arrangement by doing it o.O
As much as I like the ending, I can imagine the piece having been even greater if you would've made it into a loop! However, one cannot have everything :p

When it comes to the mixing and the use of different instruments, I don't feel confident enough to review those parts that much, since I need to find a better grasp of those elements myself. What I can say is that I personally don't find much if any flaw with them (that part at 2:26 might have emerged a bit suddenly from nowhere, but I still like it).

As we can conclude, overall: Really good job, keep it up!

LunacyEcho responds:

=> bass + Futurama =>

Thanks! Actually, the intro was based COMPLETELY off of the Futurama theme. Most of the melodies in this song are based off of the catchiest Newgrounds songs from 2013 (derp, 2013 and one from 2012), but the intro was what I came up with before I realized I was doing the gimmick and was too lazy to change it. So yeah, most of everything is based off of something else. General enough.

=> that transition =>

You'd be surprised at how many people dislike transitions such as those. I mean, I think they're great, but lots of people think that doing transitions like that is the "easy way out". Psh. How is completely ignoring the instrument buildup and going to a mini-melody that took about five seconds to create ANY EASIER than actually constructing upon the previously-used instruments to painstakingly make a coherent transition? Sheesh.

=> different styles =>

Glad you liked it! I'm a fan of many, MANY genres. The only musics I don't really listen to are stuff like traditional Scottish bagpipe marches or amateur Cajun zydeco or Enya. Anyways, I enjoy tons of genres and I enjoy medleys, combinations, and fusion. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out the kind of music I'd make. However, there are some *coughcoughjohnfncoughcough* who would say that it's too unorganized and that I should focus on a single style. Yeah, I get that, and I've been working on lots of stuff like that lately. But there are just times like these when I get a stroke of inspiration and if this is where it leads me, this is where it leads me. :P

=> loop =>

Hm. Never thought of that. Everyone seems to want loops these days. Maybe I'll make one. Soon.

=> mixing + 2:26 =>

Yeah, mixing isn't my strongest suit either. The part at 2:26 was supposed to be a "transition", but I was a bit pressed for time and wanted to get it done and upload it before I had to leave the sweet Internet for a day. It could've been better, but, eh. Some call it laziness. I prefer the term "minimalism".

Thanks a lot for reviewing this, LucidShadowDreamer! I'm definitely going to keep it up.

[starlight dreams]

Hahha, yeah. This is not chiptune o.O (jk).

I like it; it's hard not to like something you've done. I already mentioned this, but holy **** you've been productive for a while now. I've got to say I liked the previous composition you posted slightly more than I do this, but I still enjoy it quite a bit.
It's relaxing, and works well as background music. This is just my opinion, but I think it lacks a really 'catchy' melody, but I'd say this song doesn't necessarily need that. Of course there are several melodies, I'm just saying I probably won't remember them tomorrow.
Aside from that, I like the way you put a multitude of instruments (and other sounds) together to form the entirety. I also like the way that the more "heavy" percussion enters at 1:00-1:05.

It's impressive the way you still manage to bring in several different themes (like the shift at 2:41), as well as the fact that they complement eachoter so well.
According to my ears the mixing also seems to be sufficient (at least). However, I'm not to be trusted when it comes to that, as I am very new to mixing at a whole. I'm simply a (starting) hobby musician, so I can't give you any more a credible review than that.
Overall, I loved it; keep up the good stuff ;)

ps. That ending though!

johnfn responds:

> Hahha, yeah. This is not chiptune o.O (jk).

HA YES I DID IT. Now back to our regularly scheduled program of 500 chiptune songs.

> I like it; it's hard not to like something you've done. I already mentioned this, but holy **** you've been productive for a while now.

Could possibly be my swan song. I'm going to work at a real job soon and I'm not going to have any free time any more.

D:

> melodies

I fully understand. Actually I was trying to switch up my traditional style of melodic based songs. The strength in this song is imo how if you put on headphones you sit back and close your eyes and let the chords sweep you away. (lol I'm a little too romantic about my music lol)

I was pretty happy about the mix so I think you're spot on ;-)

Thanks for the review!

[you win!]

Yup. You definitely know your chipstep by now, and that's ok! No matter what field of music you venture into you seem to make it even more awesome :p

johnfn responds:

Haha thanks! It could also be that chipstep is just inherently the best genre. ;-)

[canopy melody]

Wow, haven't you been active lately! :D

It's kinda funny, I too made a song about walking throught a forest a while ago, however it's not nearly as good :p

Keep up the awesome work ;)

johnfn responds:

Haha yeah! I had a bunch of unreleased stuff and I just felt like powering through and finishing them up and releasing them all. Probably not the best idea in terms of maximizing my exposure and whatnot but oh well. :P Thanks for the review.

[Windows]

Wow, amazing stuff from you as usual.

That string development after 1:32 really took me by surprise.

Great atmosphere, great everything.

5/5, 10/10.

Step responds:

Haha I can't quite make a song without throwing a climax in, so 1:32 was pretty obligatory for me. I'm glad you liked it, thanks for the feedback!

[Carol of the Bells (Steam Arr)]

I like the accordion and the mood, but the singin' sounds mechanical, somehow! The simple drums (buckets) and chains add to the song too.

In my opinion this deserves more than the two stars it had when I came here.

steampianist responds:

awww its still mechanical-ish?

wait this was voted 2 stars???! hehehe

thanks for listening