johnfn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[-Velocity Wings-]

Fantastic amounts of energy, and overall excellent work. I have some small nitpicks though, like I think that that one melody at :57 is great and you could have probably used it as a main motif by repeating it throughout the song. You keep making modifications to it (the second time you play it, it's different than the first time), which I don't like so much, I think it would be better if you just kept it the same - that would make it stronger.

The guitar solo at 1:30 is lovely but mixed too quietly imo, I could barely even heard it until someone pointed it out!

Arrangement is great and you mix it up with some orchestral elements towards the second half. Honestly though I think that it's perhaps a bit overlong. You could either cut it down, reintroduce that one motif (:57), or switch up the bassline a little.

Hope that helps! Great song.

[CLAB - Eye-Cue vs Teqneek]

Both of you did excellent, making the vote hard. Eye-Cue has a better voice and had some excellent lines, like "thumping you with your bible verse", "immortal teqneek" and the def leppard thing which was already mentioned. Speaking of, I really liked the godzilla/mozzarella rhyme.

But honestly the content of Teq's verses is much better. I was getting tired of all of Eye-Cue's gay lines, which felt really played out, and I really enjoyed Teq calling him out on that. Teq's lines felt more directed and relevant. The high point was definitely Teq calling out "epitome" and later "louisville," which was hilarious.

Vote: Teqneek.

[Dark Reflections]

Oh wow this song was driving me absolutely nuts because I couldn't figure out where I recognized that initial riff from. I almost assumed I was just going crazy when I found it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkKsID6Rp6o (Skip to 1:03)

Cryptomnesia is a really annoying thing to happens to you. But I think this piece is interesting because it interprets the initial theme in a different way, it's almost like an adaption of the song above.

The funny thing is that the idea at 2:35 sounds really familiar too. I think it's probably just that build up to the suspended resolution thing that seems a little familiar. It might sound like I'm complaining but honestly I don't think I'll ever get tired of the resolution of suspended chords :D I actually hear it a few more times towards the end, but it's executed best at 2:35 imo because it has that really lovely lead in that starts like 10s earlier.

This is another excellent improvisation. I come up with a lot of interesting ideas when sleep deprived, but nothing as coherent as this. The chords are really interesting and dark.

Though I'm not as imaginative as TheDoor6, I get a strong sense of loss from this piece, mostly from the main motif that kicks off the piece. There's also this black and white feel to this piece, like it would fit really well in one of those old silent films.

Overall, excellent piece. I'm stuck between 8 and 9.

P.S. Your improvisational stuff is actually really inspirational and I've started incorporating some of your ideas and styles in my own improv. I still have a long way to go though haha.

BlazingDragon responds:

The riff is pretty similar to the song you posted. I might have subconsciously borrowed it from there since I love the Chrono Cross soundtrack, but it is also a fairly common pattern. The chord progressions in that piece and my own are quite different though!

I have to admit that I love those suspension/resolutions as well, even if they are a bit cliche. :p I've done a lot of work emulating other composers and am still finding my own musical voice, so it does not surprise me that much of this sounds similar. Especially since it is improv and I'm falling back on things I've heard my whole life. But that's some of the fun; taking ideas from many people and mixing them together in a way that is uniquely my own! :)

Thanks so much for another thoughtful review John. I really love listening to your stuff and am envious of your skills with electronic music. Great stuff you've got!

[Full Combo]

Oh my goodness. This reminds me a LOT of the stuff that I used to write a couple of years ago, when I would just throw whatever the heck I wanted to into the song, and switch it up every time I got bored of the last idea I had. Plus you have the same focus on melody over pretty much everything else that I used to have (and still do), which is something that I always appreciate.

Looove that guitary synth at 1:07 :D

If I were to give advice to my past self... Well, I actually still have problems where I can't focus on a single idea for too long. The trick is to transition them properly so no one can tell that the ideas are totally different. I think you're actually doing pretty good at that already.

The other thing I had problems with, and maybe you do too, is the whole concept of buildup/breakdown. It took me a long time to realize that having breakdowns was just as important as having climaxes because the breakdown really gives emphasis to the climax. Plus, if you do proper buildup/breakdown, you can take one of these 30 second ideas and expand it out to a minute or two.

Last thing is instrument choice. Nearly all the instruments you're using here sound pretty cheesy, especially in the first half. You could make the song much better with more attention to instrument choice.

Mixing problems: that thing at :45 really hits out of nowhere. It's far too loud and completely overpowers the rest of the song.

All in all I like it though because you remind me of me and I'm a narcissist. lol. But really I do like it, I'll be keeping an eye on you.

P.S. Bagface lol.

LunacyEcho responds:

Somehow, through a series of strategically placed suggestions, I've gotten the top two NGADM '13 finishers to comment on my songs. SOON, I SHALL HAVE THEM ALL IN MY GRASP!

Thanks a lot for commenting, johnfn. This really means a lot.

If I remind you of yourself, then that's probably a good sign, right? :D

The whole buildups/breakdowns thing never really occurred to me when I first started out making music. Similar to this song, I'd just slap whatever I thought sounded nice into a song and call it a day. There definitely isn't a lot to be said about the structure of this one, but I think that when I made it, I was trying to expand my abilities in different genres as opposed to trying to get better at the structure of a song. Also, the instruments. Hehe. Sorry about that. It just sounded so funny. However, I see what you mean in both of those. I'll try implementing them in future projects.

Hm... Yeah, "that thing" was pretty weird. I'm not quite sure where it came from. It sounded so weird, I had to include it. Won't happen again, sir.

'Bagface'. I try putting hidden stuff in lots of my songs and mp3 files. Personally, I find fun in knowing things that others don't.

Again, thanks a lot for commenting!

[~SW~ Stardrift]

Good stuff. Though this is a very minimalistic piece you use what is there very effectively. I really like those echoy noises in the first half - they give a really nice atmosphere. Plus those really nice and subtle strings (that sound a little metallic somehow).

The piano in the first half is really nice too. Great outer space feel.

This piece is making me think that I should really be spending more time on instrument selection and sound design and blablbalbl. AKA BUY OMNISPHERE. lol. Anyway good stuff.

SkyeWint responds:

Hey there, john.

All those echoy noises are random things from like, random sound effects I used in Birth of an Astral Nation, something from Logic which I exported and edited, and then a cool sound made from rubbing a bass drum with a finger.

Also. >spending more time on instrument selection and sound design. BUY OMNISPHERE
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS. Find me on IRC. SkyeWint on irc.rizon.net or on irc.esper.net (yes, I joined there finally as you suggested. Get yer bum on and let's talk)

[Ear Candy]

This is a really good song. The chords are really uplifting and feel unique probably because of the extensions you're using. I liked the vibrato on the lead synth a lot, and the introduction of the piano with all the reverb was fabulous. The mixing was generally great, though I did hear some clutter at times.

But if you're wondering why no one wants to sign it? It's because it's too long and too repetitive. After the 4 minute mark I felt like I had heard all the song had to offer, and I was right, it doesn't really feel like it develops out from there. If you cut it down to 3-4 minutes, it'd be a lot stronger. Alternatively you could add some variety, like maybe more melodic development (since currently there's almost none to speak of).

Anywho, hope that helps!

[Recovered]

Your previous piece "Alone and Adrift in the Darkness of Space" is legitimately one of my favorite songs on this site. I liked it so much that I made a post about it and sent it to all my friends.

That piano and silence in the middle is really nice. The silence is just long enough to make me wonder if the song is gone before the next chord comes in.

I really like this piece. I have a soft spot for swelling strings I guess and your incorporation of them in this piece, like in "Alone and Adrift," is perfect. I wouldn't call it classical, it feels a lot more like an ambient piece to me, something like it's been done by "Stars of the Lid" perhaps (though they wouldn't dare use a sitar!). That obviously doesn't diminish from how much I enjoy the song, of course.

Another beautiful song. Thank you for this.

RetromanOMG responds:

I was really concerned about the piano part. I liked it, but didn't think the silence would be particularly appreciated by Newgrounds. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm especially glad you're such a fan of this song and my music in general!

[Dear Mario]

Lovely stripped down arrangement, great vocals and chords. But the real reason I'm leaving you this review is to let you know that this song has been stuck in my head for the last few days.

I think I hear some slight clipping eg 2:05. That is my only complaint. Aside from that this song is perfect. It feels like it should have a million hits on Youtube (checking... well, not there yet, but it'll get there).

P.S. Dat koopa line.

headphoamz responds:

Daw. Thanks john :D

[On That Day]

This is improvisational? OH MY GOD.

This is the first time I've ever favorited someone just after hearing a single piece of theirs. I love the whole thing and you have some ridiculous skill. I'm a biig fan of the monochromatically descending baselines that you do a lot in the beginning of the piece (and a little towards the end too).

One of my favorite parts is that chord at 3:09, I think it's Fm(?), and then how at 3:14 it goes to E, soo good raghh. Also that ascent at 2:21, such a pleasant surprise. And the sweeping arpeggios.

This piece is amazing please write more music soon.

Qiz responds:

I used to hear those chromatically descending bass lines in other songs and fell in love with them. In my music theory classes, I found out that they were usually made of secondary dominants and borrowed chords. I spent quite a bit of time learning them in every inversion and trying to figure out how to chain them together. It really opened up a whole new sonic palette for me, and now they come pretty much automatically.

Thank you so much for adding me to your favorites. I really like the work you do, and your piece "the fight" absolutely blew my mind. I really wish that I had those kind of chops in electronic music but have absolutely no idea where to start. You should have way more fans with the music you make.

[In Anticipation]

Oh goodness, I was listening to Chrono Trigger music right before this and when this started playing I legitimately wasn't sure if I accidentally just started playing Mitsuda again... That ascending four note piano arp is TOTALLY out of his book (though I doubt it was an intentional reference - I hear Mitsuda in practically everything these days haha).

There are some minor mixing issues - the piano arp is kinda muted in places like :40. The first bit of the song seems a bit more quiet than the rest, and towards the ending the levels of the different instruments are seeming just a bit off to my ear. Again, minor stuff.

On the other hand the composition is just lovely. So many tasteful trills - I wish other people would do that! You nailed the christmas/holiday feel SO well argh! And I really love the melody turnaround at :46.