Deemo-R's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Searching for the Princess]

Aw yeah, I love little waltzes like this! Really like how you used the instruments here; bassoon and celeste really sold me on the piece early on, and the violin had a perfectly expressive melody line. I think you might have been able to vary it up a bit more by having a cello take the melody once the instrumentation thins out a bit, like a response to the previous phrase (especially because it's hard to hear the flute over what the violin is doing). My only gripe with the ending is that the major 3rd comes in while you're still on the V chord, which just sounds odd - the leading violin goes from [scale degree] 1 to 7, but then jumps to the major 3rd and leaps up to the 1 above, while the counter line does the same thing, but goes from the min3 to maj3 before jumping. It sticks out less the more times I listen, but it definitely jumped out the first time. I also think the 2nd violin should stick to the major 3rd on the last chord, but that's just my opinion. Great classical piece after a month-long break! :D

Everratic responds:

Thanks for the review! I get your comments about the ending. I normally wouldn't end a song like that but I had no ideas for extending it and settled with the first ending I came up with. I like your idea about the cello :)

[Event Horizon]

Hey, a new piece from you; this is definitely a treat! I've always thought you had a strong grasp on the "Sakuraba-esque" aesthetic, and I think it's only become stronger over time! I love good JRPG battle music, and this feels really compelling to me. Not especially a fan of the extreme level of reverb, but I know some SNES music had that sound to it, lol. I hope you'll have more stuff of any sort in the future, because I always enjoy what you write. I definitely feel your pain on the "getting sick of your own music" syndrome for similar reasons, so I understand how tiresome it gets, but I think eventually it'll become comfortable enough to work through consistently. Your music is definitely worth the effort!

ILG924 responds:

I think Sakuraba's earlier stuff is really great because of his previous experience with progressive rock, makes for an interesting balance when he's forced to work with hardware limitations. I went real heavy on the SNES-verb to match the sound from Star Ocean 1, and I agree it's pretty extreme, but it also has a nostalgic quality to me. Tri-ace was all about showing off their fancy sound compression technology

When it comes to actually finishing music, I think you're right that it'll get easier to work through. I just need waaay more practice to bring up my speed with writing and mixing. I think that was you who posted about that 24 hour challenge to finish a song? That definitely helps, but it's so so exhausting lol

Thanks for listening, and for the kind words!

[The Entrance of Heroes]

I've enjoyed hearing this through your writing process, I think it turned out great! Congrats on the pick, hoping it'll go the full distance for you! :)

CloakedSoup responds:

Thank you for all the great critiques/comments that helped me to shape it along the way! Here's to hoping I can get a TV spot! :D

[Hope]

No surprise, I still enjoy this a lot! I see what you were talking about regarding the bass clarinet now, it does have an interesting quality to it in this context! Very uplifting and reminiscent of Powell's HTTYD work, great sketch!

CloakedSoup responds:

Thanks! Wish I had more time to work on it, but counterpoint, orchestration, and creative writing homework got in the way!

[Mio/Homura (澪/炎) EXTEND Ver.]

I love what you do with your music. I'm not much aware of the history of this piece, but I read everything you linked to and it's easy to see how much of yourself you've put into this work. I find your dedication and talent to be inspirational - never stop doing what you do. :)

Troisnyx responds:

Oh my. Thank you. <3 I want to cry... not out of sadness, mind you, but just sheer joy.

[BRUCE: Bretta's Theme]

I've been in a pretty sour mood today, but your music has help put my mind at ease for the moment, so I have to thank you for that. I enjoy both sections - both are well written, imo - though I do like the latter a bit more. I believe your composition here works well enough to not be hindered too much by the lower quality libraries, which is what matters most in my mind. If you are looking for some better ones, however, I'd throw out a recommendation for Ilya Efimov Production. Not too expensive, but pretty easy to get a presentable sound from them.

Good stuff! Looking forward to your next work! :)

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I'm glad if my music was able to be of any help at all, in any way! Thank you for finding the time to listen to my stuff.
I prefer the latter a bit more as well! It doesn't follow a specific tempo, it's a bit more dynamic, I think I used some nice harmonies, and it's not as crammed. It's not as stylistic though, I suppose!
I tend to keep actual composition in higher regard than the quality of the tools as well. Sure, it's nice to have lots of expensive and amazing instruments. But it's still the core that's the most important ^^

I already have my eyes set on a lot of different libraries, and I know about Ilya Efimov Production as well. I'm just trying to not go on completely unhinged sprees of buying all the instruments I want, as there are quite a few, hehhe. Thank you for the recommendation!
And thank you for the review as well :3

I'm looking forward to your next work too!

[Jump! (Save The Princess)]

Purely from a jamming perspective, this is my favorite track from the album. It's hard for me not to feel really satisfied with 1:16 and onwards. You really know how to put sounds together in a good way! I've yet to hear you tackle something that you haven't made great results with.

Mattashi responds:

Thanks for the review Deemo! I think I can improve on my "electronic" style though, I'm never really sure if it sounds right... actually I'm never really sure if any of my mixes sound alright. I just like to stick things together and hope for the best xD

[You Must Leave Me Behind]

Lovely! I like the way you write a lot. I'm curious as to where the title comes from. Any story behind that? In any case, I don't have any real nagging gripes about the track. It's a bit short and I can't decide how I feel about the woodwind parts as the track progresses, but I don't think it really changes my opinion on it in any meaningful way. Good work! :)

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thank you for the review!
The name is something I ripped from the lyrics that Erutan wrote for Aerith's Theme from Final Fantasy VII. You can listen to a version of it on Newgrounds (not Erutan's) here:

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/550494

I know it's a bit short, as it's a cancelled project, but I'm glad you like it anyway ^ ^

[The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Piano Cover]

Never seen this movie myself, but I've heard the theme and think your arrangement is a very nice take on it. Of course, it's always nice to hear you play the piano! :)

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Aww, why thank you mr!
I've seen the movie once, and it's fairly good. I should rewatch it at some point though :)

[LV 99 MP 999 HP 9999]

"Having overwhelming strength is... pretty boring."

Kickass song, as always. Real great start to 2016! :3

DanJohansen responds:

I gotta agree with you, being O.P in most games gets old fast hahaha.. Rock on!