Animith's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Of Angels]

First: Nice title. Next: Nice piece.

Great chords, nice progression (0:55-1:02, while surprising, works very well). I think sometimes the piano could do with being less harsh, and maybe little quieter in general. Because I can hear what you're playing is quite beautiful, but I get a little distracted by how harsh the sound gets at points, especially by the end.
But, dynamics aside, I really like this in general. I could see this working both as a piano solo and maybe even with an orchestra, depending on how you wrote it. But if this is anything to go by, I think it's safe to say both would sound pretty darn good. Great work.

[The Reason For Living Preview]

Powerful

Nice opening chords. Though I have to agree with Gravey, the arpeggiating strings could probably use some work. Not only does it seem to be highlighting some odd notes, but I think in general it's just a little too loud. Given how their range is generally much higher than everything else playing at the time, it could probably stand to be a little quieter.
Though in saying that, the ones that come in at 0:44 work very well. VERY well. At 1:25 now and I the one fault I can find is with the arpeggiating strings. The piano and brass entries are very nice, very powerful. Especially at the 1:50 mark, where everything kind of culminates.
The build-up is nice and structured, in general it's got a lot of promise. Even if this is a WIP, it almost works as a loop by itself.
It's got the promise of a beautifully majestic air, I'd be really interested to see how this sounds once you're done with it. Nice effort, overall. 7/10, 4/5.

Theledge93 responds:

well, when i get the final product out, i'll definitely let you know my friend.

[Flying with the Wind]

Nicely done.

Reviewing as I go:
The subtle entrance of the strings at 0:13 is awesome. I almost wish the piano in this section was a little quieter, but then again the emotive power of it is quite effective.
At the 0:35 mark, the lower notes I think could use being a little quieter, just to emphasise the absence of the strings a little more.
I love the semi-absence of the strings in general. Insofar as even when they're playing, you can barely hear them; as if they're an echo themselves. Given this is meant to symbolise wind, it works very well.
1:06 is genius. The fluidity of the next minute also works well, especially given the subject matter.

The final chord could probably be fine without the strings added in. Simply because the echo on the strings at around 2:55-2:58 seems a little unnatural, Which is a shame, because the piece in general is very good. It's got a great air of melancholy. The piano sound is a little harsh at times, but apart from that I can't fault this. Looking forward to hearing the next two pieces from this, definitely.

Jabicho responds:

Thanks so much for taking the time to review my piece, it means a lot to me, and i can't thank you enough. Loved reading your comment, and it helps a lot to improve, thanks again!

I made a mistake while I wrote the info about the piece, hehe, this is already the second piece, you can find the other one called "Dwelling at the Bottom of the Ocean" at my audio page, and I'll submit the third one tomorrow =) i'll let you know when it's uploaded, take care!

[NG Orchestration 09]

Highly emphatic.

Really like the start. I like the way you've not hurtled straight into playing the theme all the way through, and have rather taken the first part and developed the piece into something bigger than the theme itself.
The descending notes in the harmony were very well done; as a person below put, it creates quite a calming atmosphere, and the way you bring all the instruments in at around 0:16-0:26 was very nice. The first drum roll could have been louder, but the quiet after it was very emphatic.

What can be said about the buildup at 0:40-0:52...loved the guitar, just gave it even more of a tense aggression to it. This is one of the more rhythmic and intense competition entries I've heard for this contest, so far.

The strings at 1:30 were very energetic, the way you bring them into the theme also at 1:50 felt very romantic and epic. From 1:16 onwards, it really reminded me of the sort of music you'd hear in a movie trailer for something like the Dark Knight, which is odd because I've gotten Pirates of the Carribbean vibes from a fair few of the other pieces.

The ending is insane, in the good way. The cymbals at the 2:35 point could have been a little less frequent, but the break just after it, before the drums/double bass was again, very tense.
The ebbs and flow of instrumentation and dynamic were on point, it was a very engrossing and emotionally intense piece to listen to. Excellent work.

PGegen responds:

Thanks for the lengthy review. I'm glad you thought it sounded trailer-ish, since that was part of the vibe I was going for.

PGegen

[Spooky Tune]

Welcome to the AP

I like the melody, it is very spooky especially for a first submission. Not so sure about the instrument choice, to be picky.
Don't get me wrong, I think you're a pretty good singer, but I think doing a creepy tune with "noo-ne-noo"s is a bit of a mistake. I think adding lyrics and/or finding another way to sing/play this would not go amiss as an idea. But in general, I think you've got a pretty cool tune here, nicely done.

Jtec responds:

Thanks, I Will use that advice if I enter another submission!
Thanks!

[Ancient Discoveries]

Nicely done.

Not totally sure about the Harry Potter part of the characterisation, but I can really get the Mountain King idea of this. Definite Grieg vibes, throughout.

Not totally sure about the sound of the drum roll at 0:15, that could have standed to be a little more subtle. But that asides, the rest of the percussion in the 0:20-0:48 area and continuing further create an even more ominous feel accompanying the strings. Very nice stringwork, by the way; the melody is very clear, but haunting at the same time, and you use the pizzicato to tremendous effect.

The acceleration reminded me a lot of Grieg again, it was very well done. Melodically, the strings before 2:40 where the main tune comes in again were again, very haunting, but with an added tension to them, also.

The ending was also very good, I liked the abrupt silence before the final chord. Though the cello (I think) which bows the two notes at 3:40 doesn't seem quite right, sound-wise. Maybe because the dynamic of the instrument is negligible just before it, and then it just abruptly comes in with these two notes...I don't know why it isn't sitting right in my head, to be honest, which is a sure sign that I've just listened to the ending too many times.

Anyway: Evidently you've dived into Kontakt like a fish to water and it's achieved a very successful piece. I'd be interested to see what you'd accomplish once you know the software a little better. Excellent work.

SantaBro responds:

Heh, that characterisation was something I heard from a couple of buds who listened to it, I'm not sure where potter comes in either. I now realize I may have been subconsciously influenced by Grieg when I made this, I just went and listened to Mountain King again- the accelerando, lots of pizzicato, there is also a rhythmic figure in it that is very similar to the figure played by the pizz. cello in this piece.

Thanks for the great review and advice! I'm very glad you approve of it, I am in fact quite proud of this one. I'm really looking forward to get into Kontakt, this is mostly meddling with presets :)

[So Sweet of You]

Eerie.

Reviewing as I go:
Like the beginning, though I think the...I want to say string?...synth did overpower the melody a little too much, and was perhaps a little too loud again when the piano came in, I would have preferred it if it had dropped a few decibels by then. Or to have the piano louder. Anyway:
Addition of the bass is a nice touch, it's got a few unexcpected notes which add to the kind of mystery you've got in the piece.

I really like this piece in general, you've got some good ideas, but I think the more melodically interesting things (such as the piano) in general get drowned a little too much in the other synths and the bass.

The synth at 2:30ish was a little unexpected, perhaps too much so. But the very end when it cuts out again and just leaves the one synth worked reaaally well, which was the good kind of unexpected. This is a good piece, but I'm giving you a 7 to try and strongly encourage you to take another look at the levels of all the instruments ;). Very nice work, though.

[Forest Dream]

Interesting sounds

I like the starting synths, they do add a certain ambient feel from the start of the piece, and the addition of the cello also works in your favour.

I'm not too sure about the suddenness of the transition between the synth and cello to the timpani and strings at 0:15, I think that could stand to be a little less abrupt. But that aside, I do like the second section; the melody and harmonies do serve to make it feel quite ethereal. The ending also works very well-I'm not sure whether the accompaniment under the synth is plucked strings or just short notes, but either way, it works.

It's a very interesting piece; as the person below said, this would fit nicely into a flash. And as the person below also said, if you did extend this a little more it would be very interesting to see what else you could do.

[Marionette In Bbm]

How has this gotten no reviews?!?

It's crazy that this hasn't gotten any reviews yet. But anyway:

The beginning is mesmerising, your use of harmony is a little unorthodox, but that does wonders for the general mystery of the piece. The repetition of the first motif is highly effective, I love how it seamlessly goes into an idea of a simpler melody for a few seconds after the one minute mark, before returning to the original kind of idea. It's the good kind of repetition; the type that doesn't bore you, but instead makes you want to listen on to see what little change is going to be made next.

I don't know quite why I like 1:34 to 1:42, but it did cause me to stop it and listen to that part again. The bass notes around the 1:50 mark were a little messy, but the return to the motif at 2:02 was very well executed-giving the piece an even darker feel. The effects after the last chord were also unexpected, but fitted very well, as if it was reaching another level of abstract mystery.

Very nicely done. I hope you get more of the written recognition this piece deserves in due course.

[FFVII: Those Who Fight-Strings]

Solid effort

Should be first said--I love this song on piano, I think it's a brilliant piece.
When I saw the title I was skeptical as to how you'd manage to make this work, but I'm glad to say I'm not disappointed. I really like the way you've mixed the pizzicato and bowing of the strings; you've managed to maintain the original essence of the piece while giving your own twist to it. Very nicely done.