Jakey-San's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Traveler (Battle) WiP]

it's an excellent start! the short string rhythms give that fierce "battle" energy. I like how it smoothly modulates from C to E and back to C. could definitely use more low-end orchestration and/or drums though.

headphoamz responds:

Thanks so much JC! :D

[Mystic's Shore]

you already know my opinion on this song, but I figured I'd review anyway. I'm in absolute awe of the sheer magic you've conjured up here. it's one thing to have a canvas full of interesting colors, harmonies, melodies, etc. but the way these elements speak to each other evokes such a blissful mood beyond rationale. your lyrics are pure poetry (+100 points for incorporating Mandarin), and your singing isn't half bad either. =P

what I'm impressed with the most is that your blending of styles is conveyed with honesty, rather than just mixing it up for the sake of mixing it up. the Asian/zen-like elements are present, but in context with your signature "etherealwinds" sound.

keep it up, good sir! I'm confident that your next piece will be even better than this one! ;-)

etherealwinds responds:

Thank you Jacob and once again, thank you for pointing me in the direction of some amazing VSTs for my piece after this. Really appreciate it! <3

[Asperges Me]

is satanbrain on drugs?? THIS SONG IS BRILLIANT, and beyond the confines of genre-labeling. with the right production quality, it could be a masterpiece! you had me reduced to tears by the time the epic build up came around. =*)

the chord progressions flow perfectly, and I LOVE the piano part (especially that right-hand melody at 3:14). vocals are shaky at some points, but that's not a deal-breaker for me at all, especially since your harmonies at the build up and climax are GORGEOUS. there's really not that much I can pick apart, because this is one of those pieces that merit such emotional impact that a technical critique is completely irrelevant.

pardon me for coming to this so late; I'm cycling through last year's NGADM submissions for research (now I'm sad that you didn't get to do it this year) and realizing what I've been lacking in my own submissions. so thank you for the inspiration! ^_^

Troisnyx responds:

On that note, Jacob, I'm attempting to get a better version of this into my debut album. The strings still need polishing as far as I am aware, and any help on that front will be appreciated. If you go onto my Bandcamp (music store), the current version of this song is in my single, Terre des Hommes Libres.

I'm just grateful that this song has really touched you so much. I am still clinging onto the message of the song because that is what has carried me through last year, and I need it to carry me through this year...

[With You]

great job, sir! I was expecting to have my head blown off by your amazing knack for manipulating synth sounds and pounding beats. but man, you totally surprised the heck outta me with a rock ballad, and a good one at that! the nice and steady drum beat is perfectly tailored, the bass guitar sits nicely in the pocket (although I would have preferred a slightly more interesting bass part), and that guitar tone is just the way I like it: clean enough, but with a little grit. I like the guitar chord voicings, and the singing gives the song a very chill, post-rock vibe. great lyrics, too!

although as guitarist myself, I would have loved to hear more experimentation with layering/multiple tones, and maybe even split parts. there are so many things you can do with electric guitar that can add impact and atmosphere to the track, without making it sound overbearing. also, the song could have been better with a bridge in the middle, rather than reprising the first verse. but overall, I really dig what you got going on here. I give you mad respect for venturing away from (as far as I know) your comfort zone. =)

this is gonna be a tough bout for sure! no matter who wins, it has been an honor! ^_^

garlagan responds:

Lots of tips! Thank you Jacob! Your track is too good btw. It's been an honour indeed!

[Mote Prime]

O_O did you really do this in only 3 days?!

I hate you... yet I love you at the same time. you're a real force to be reckoned with, my friend! the atmospheres you create are always next-level status, and the compositions... just wow! you truly are ahead of this time, and I wish the best of luck to you in the future rounds!

stay gold, you time traveler! ;-)

Kor-Rune responds:

Thank you! I only sequence the drums, everything else is performed in takes and a lot of these chord progressions are fairly simple, so it doesn't take long to put something together. Thank you for the kind words!

[Pride]

holy crap, you never cease to amaze me! the feel of the song is great, but I REALLY enjoyed the lyrics, and especially the way they are phrased throughout the song. beautiful voice, too. harmonies are absolutely perfect! my only criticism is that I would have loved to hear your vocals panned across the stereo image. but that's just personal preference, and I'll assume that the mono vox was probably an artistic decision. ;-)

10/10 easily!

headphoamz responds:

Yessssss! I think I paid more attention to the harmonies and lyrics throughout the song than anything else, really. Fun to write and fun to sing.
Thanks Jacob! Best of luck to ya man :3

[This is Not the End]

wonderful! a very nice atmosphere, and amazing piano work. as Kor-Rune said, the piano could have had a warmer tone, but that's not really a deal-breaker for me at all. I noticed you've been pouting about lacking the expensive orchestral libraries and stuff. but this piece proves that you're doing perfectly fine without them! keep it up, my friend. I hope you get really far in the NGADM. =)

ChronoNomad responds:

Thanks a lot, Jake! I'm not sure I'd quite admit to pouting over my lack of pricey orchestral suites, but gazing wistfully in their general direction with the occasional sigh? Oh my goodness, yes! Nevertheless, I am very fortunate to have been able to pick up FL Studio this year (farewell, my previous DAW!), and am quite happy with the SoundFonts and scant VSTs that I currently have at my disposal. The rest will come in time. In the interim, I am overjoyed by such fantastic feedback and just to be in this competition!

Being up against the exceedingly talented etherealwinds in this round shadows my NGADM future with doubt, but regardless of the outcome I can be confident that I gave it my all. It's been a truly fun and educational experience, and I simply don't want it to end! ^_^

[Agnos]

welp, Kor-Rune took the words right outta my mouth, lol.

but man, this is absolutely beautiful! so... ethereal (pun intended) ^_^

also, a very wonderfully mixed track! easily a 10/10 from me.

etherealwinds responds:

Thank you so much Jacob, I really loved your track also!! ^ ^

[Memories of a Forgotten Land]

stellar piece of work, my friend! that violin performance got me teary-eyed, haha. also, it was well-mixed with the sampled strings. however, there were a couple moments where the sample programming fell flat, and distracted me a little bit from the solo performance. I think there could have been room for more instrumentation, especially in the latter half when the piece builds up. other than those little things, this is definitely top-notch. one of my favorites by far!

MichaelJ responds:

I completely agree. I need to start using more instruments. Thank you for the great review!

[inside the machine]

this is the second piece in round 2 that made me get up and dance! haha seriously though, I love this. the structure flows well, and the production is super solid. I don't know much about this genre, but this song reminds me of Ronald Jenkees' music (love that dude!). I feel it could also work in a classic Sonic game, haha! great work, and I wish you the best of luck in round 2!

johnfn responds:

Haha great! :D Yeah I think NGADM is cool because it gives us exposure to genres outside of our comfort zone - like I don't listen to much cinematic/classical, but I get blasted with it when I browse NGADM pieces :-) Thanks for the review! I've never heard of Ronald Jenkees before but I started listening to one of his songs and he rocks!