DuttonsaysHi's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Like a Blast!]

This is really cool! I've never seen you try something like this. You really know how to manipulate retro sounds and it's cool to see you use it in a kind of thump drive EDM style track. I especially like all the glitching you have going on, the entire track has a real cool drive to it and it's cool to see you attempt something like this :D well done!

[{GLP} Still]

Hey this is pretty good! Especially for what I believe is your first song. You should be sure to set it as a loop because it loops quite nicely and makes for a pretty solid ambient track for some kind of horror game :). Well done!

TabbyLuigi responds:

Thanks for the kind words, man! I'll be sure to set it as a loop. The program I used to make the song doesn't cut well when it loops, but I will be sure to change that!

[-Hexagon Force-]

Ahh I remember this! The 80's synth pop attempt xD Kinda draws away from that idea after the intro when the orchestra comes in :D. Now it'd make a perfect stage theme for a mega-man style game! I really like the drum work in this as well with the crash breaks and tom rolls, the melodies are a lot different from your usual style as well. Nice work!

[Idle Starlight]

You've only been making music for 2 months? Damn, this is really good considering!

There are a lot of really nice melodic elements in this. I really like how the soft square lead accompanies the piano as well as fill in the blanks at some points during breaks and whatnot.

I also like the use of the synth FX at around 0:43, a very creative way to initiate a transition.

There's not a lot wrong with this other than repetition. The same beat is used through out and it can get somewhat tiring as well as the overuse of some samples such as that reverse crash but I'm just nitpicking really, it's a habit I usually fall into.

Aside from that this is really well made, I can see you making some decent stuff in the future. Keep it up!

[In the Demon's Lair]

This is pretty cool! There's some nice composition in here as well as some great drum rolls. It does have that nostalgic boss fight essence that you would hear in a lot of older games (particularly the final fantasy series).

There are a few issues with this track that really hold its potential back.

My main gripe would be that the guitar is extremely underwhelming. It sounds as though you've used some kind of weak pre-set or sound font and left them with very little tweaking. They sound really clean and this makes the chords sounds really light, which is the opposite of what you want in a metal track. I'd suggest adding/using more distortion on the guitars to give them a more vibrant sound. I mean they are mixed correctly so no problems there, they just need a little improvement/replacement.

My next complaint would be the drums.. well only the kick and snare really (Personally I think the toms are kick ass and sound awesome when rolled together. I feel the kick and snare should have more punch and presence. Like the guitars they sound really underwhelming when they shouldn't in something that should sound powerful. Perhaps you could layer them with some other samples that could make them pop a little more.

I mean that's it really.. aside from that and maybe some awkward transitions this is a really cool track that could suit any boss fight :D nice work! keep it up!

LeoMDK responds:

Hey, thanks for the review. :) Always appreciated. Also, thanks for the details thoughts about the sound. Always nice when someone takes the time to give honest feedback. I think my mistake was in using the word "metal" to describe the music, when really what I should have said was more of a "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" or "SNES Castlevania" kind of sound, which isn't really metal, by most peoples' definition. "Metal" has, over the years, become a really vague term ("Born to Be Wild" was, once upon a time, described as "heavy metal", hard as that may be to imagine. In fact, the phrase "heavy metal thunder" is right in one of the verses to that song.) In the context of a true metal song by a modern standard, I would agree that the guitar isn't heavy/distorted enough and the kick/snare should be punchier and more aggressive -- so I think you would be right, looking at it from that POV. Thanks again for the detailed thoughts. :)

[Beyond the dreams]

Now this is really epic! composition, production and mastering all flawless!

There's a really great sense of tension in this with the ever building progression and slow build up. I especially like the segment around the 1 minute mark with the guitar and horn having a slow moment before returning to the build up.

Though the build up is great, I feel it takes up too much of the song.It's like 75% of the song is and intro an it gets to a point where I'm thinking "where's the climax? the chorus?".

However that really pays off at the 4.16 mark! :D I really love percussive vocals like that! That whole part was definitely sweet spot of the song and really made it work the wait. Though I shouldn't really have to feel like I'm waiting when I'm listening to something as epic as this. If that segment had come in just a little earlier it would have been perfect! but that's my opinion.

I mean there's nothing wrong here It's just a small issue with structure really, just something to take in consideration for future purposes :).

Still amazing work!

Warhector responds:

Well, hello to you too Dutton :)
I totally agree with your critiques, I see most of the commentors do. Thanks for enjoying it! I will strongly consider the advices you give me. Not if I edit this one, I will defenetly use them in the next projects. No one keeps the epic in the corner! Thanks again, see ya later, Cheers!

[-Sky Fortress-]

Ah so glad you finally decided to finish this! :D The chip/arcade effects you used in this are so perfect! I love the glitch and chiptune elements blasting along side the rock and the orchestral backing just gives it so much power and grandness, it's just too much awesome in one song :D I also really like the breaks in this, especially at around 3:10 when the new section comes in. Definitely one of my favourites from you recently :D well done!

Waterflame responds:

Thank you :D !! That means a lot! Glad you liked it :D

[The Power Unfolds]

wow! nice work man! I really love how stylized your chiptune is :D has that classic nostalgia essence with beefy modernised production quality. The song is bad ass also, especially the work with the little breaks and stumbling drum rolls, so many precise elements that bring this track together :D Keep it up!

basheman responds:

Ah thanks man for a great review! :D
I shall definetely try to keep it up! ;)

[-The grand sea remix-]

Terrific work man! I love your trance variation of the melody! that alone makes it it's own track in a way :D The synths make the whole thing sound adorable, super bubbly and cute ^^ Again, nice work you totally did the original justice and made it completely your own!

Waterflame responds:

Thanks man :D ! it was a blast to make, love that melody still :D

[last stand]

Dude this is sooo super epic! The composition is brilliant and the mixing is spot on. I can't give much constructive criticism since your rock tracks out-ranks mine by far. However, I will suggest that you should try another attempt in the same style but with a grand orchestral backing instead. When composed like this it could turn out to be something huge and spectacular! It's definitely something I'd be interested in seeing :D.

If I had to be picky, I'd say the 8-bit lead towards the end needs boosting a little bit. At that point it becomes the main focus but is drowned out by the rhythm guitar and it doesn't get to see much light. That's all really... Super great work man, scouted and followed. I look forward to your future projects.

8-bitheroes responds:

Thanks for the kind words, its much appreciated! i agree with you on the 8-bit section it definitely needs a volume boost. At the moment all my mixing is done on a pair of headfones :/ so i dont always hear these things until i play them on another device.
I liked the idea about implementing an orchestra into my songs, i think it would be something i would like to experiment with in future tracks.