LunyAlex's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[No Time Left]

Fantastic production. Very professional. Very fine and delicate. Love the spaciousness of the song.

Percussion is used very tastefully.

Effects also sound great. Give a lovely dynamic to the soundscape.
And I love the intricate, dark melodies. I'm hearing a hint of Brian Tyler influence here, maybe?

The only thing I could constructively criticize is how the distorted guitars sit in the mix.
They're good enough, don't get me wrong, but the rest of the song is pretty impeccable, so they stand out a bit.

What I'd change about them? Slightly lower the treble, cut down on the low-mids a bit and slightly boost the deep lows. Not your typical rock guitar advice, but I think it would work better with the context.

Take these specific guidelines with a bunch of salt. but basically what I'm trying to say is that they're a bit too harsh, considering how particularly smooth the rest of the production is.
(But to clarify: The harshness of the tone itself is great and I like how it sounds production wise, the highs in the EQ are the only thing I'm nitpicking; and this is indeed a nitpick)

But everything else is great. The composition expresses very atmospheric, mysterious, contemplative, dark vibes. Love that. A lot.

Mind revealing what you used for percussion? I love the textures on these hits.

Chemiqals responds:

Thanks for the wonderfully detailed review Alex! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

I'm certainly a huge fan of Brian Tyler's work on Far Cry 3 and Assassin's Creed IV and now that you mention it, I can definitely hear his influence here!

I'll be sure to toy with the EQ on that guitar and see what I come up with. I wasn't too sure about its mixing in the first place, but now I've got some great feedback and suggestions to work with!

For the percussion I used NI Action Strikes. Specifically the Dark City ensemble! I love the texture as well! =P

Thanks again for the feedback. I really appreciate it! ^_^

EDIT - I made some general tweaks in addition to adjusting the guitars in the mix. I think they sound much better now, sitting in the background. Thanks so much for the advice there! Might have to refresh your cache to hear the changes! If you happen to hear the changes sometime, let me know if you think they're an improvement or not =P

[Orchestration]

"Don't know if you can"

ಠ_ಠ

--------

Wonderful piece.

Very serene and majestic.

I love how it builds up until 0:58 and then it kinda goes like "Okay, now I really have something to say!" and releases a beautiful, proud and solemn melody/chord progression.

Your piano pieces might not be perfect in all senses possible, but are most probably my favorite ones on Newgrounds.

They sound very honest and genuine and the core is always filled with very pure feelings.

Really beautiful.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hey, thanks for checking by once again :'D

I'm glad you like my stuff!
I think that the part right after 0:58 is my favorite part :p
It's a bit of a shame though; it was so long ago I made this piece that I barely remember the process behind composing and recording it o.O

"Your piano pieces might not be perfect in all senses possible, but are most probably my favorite ones on Newgrounds."

=> Whoah! That's quite the compliment :3
Especially as it's coming from such a great musician as you ;)

I can agree that most of my pieces that I've actually recorded on my piano are honest, as they really reflect my feelings and so on :)

Thanks for listening, and for your review!

[Sorcerers Path - Cale Unleashe]

Haunting and beautiful.

And massive.

And gigantic.

Powerful work.
5/5 - Would beat the s*** out of this boss.

SoundChris responds:

Thanks a lot Alex! Massive - Gigantic - Powerful ... those are words we love :D

[Blast Off]

Beautiful.
No seriously, beautiful work!

The intro progression is superb, along side how it transitions into the main body.
Splendid chord progression and melodies.

The tone variation is very well executed as well.
How it goes from melodic/melancholic-ish to rhythm-infused, energetic, bright and groovy.

2:03 - when that harmonizing note hits - that's a memorable moment.

2:32 has this timeless feel to it. The background chords make it feel like a journey. I know that sounds cheesy and cliche, but I don't really have a better way of expressing that feeling of semi-melancholic remembrance.

5/5 - Would share adventures with classic video game characters to.

MrStr8face responds:

Dude, thank you so much!! :D It means an incredible amount from you since it was your song, Flip the Switch, that inspired me to make it. Thank you so much and I cannot wait to hear more from you! :D

[Tree of Life]

This is the kind of peaceful, serene, beautiful, fulfilled song I'd want to play during my viking funeral (I'm not getting a viking funeral, lets be serious, but you know, lets pretend!)

Might sound like a morbid thing to say in a NG Review, but I mean it in the best possible way.

This is insanely beautiful and so very inspiring. Voices blend perfectly. The composition is phenomenally deep and emotional.

Production is also impeccable; everything is delicate and finely polished.

5/5 - Elves tear up to this.

etherealwinds responds:

I'll get the arrows and matches at the ready! =^_^=

I'm always so overwhelmed with the feeling of bringing inspiration to just one person, let alone multiple people. I still have a long way to go with mixing though. I don't even know what to say. You have my deepest gratitude!!

[Orcus]

Oy...

That opening riff just took a massive dump on every new metal song I've heard in the last year.
I know that sounds like empty, dramatized praise, but I mean the shit out of it.

5/5 - I'd be put in a difficult position if asked to truthfully say I'm not rubbing my nipples to these riffs right now.

PirateCrab responds:

Quality ha! It's hard because there's not a lot of melody behind it which is where tracks shine in the NGADM, but if you're rubbing your nipples to all the riffs, then I think I'll be fine :P thanks dude means a lot!

[My Cortana]

Yeesh. Glad I'm not in your group.
Flawless fusion of elements. The guitar tone sounds so rugged, while the strings so youthful.

1:53 is so timeless.
Instant classic.

5/5 - Would flash entire life before eyes as I make the final sacrifice that saves the world to this.

[Infinite]

Awwwww yiss.

This sounds splendid! This would make the dopest Super Meat Boy OST track. (In the best way possible)

5/5 - Would turn into a Vampire and dance the night in my castle to this.

AeronMusic responds:

Ahw thank you very much dude! ^-^
Really glad to hear you liked it!

[Figure 9]

Oh wow. I love this! This feels extremely fresh!
Production and composition are both fantastic!

The roaring low notes at 0:49 are awesome.

The song has a very surreal, timeless, spacial vibe to it. You know, that larger than life feeling.
I really don't use the Download button often, but I'm totally snatching this one.

5/5 - Would contemplate existence to.
Good luck!

Sequenced responds:

that's what I'm here for

[Oceans Wide]

Very beautiful progression.

Can't put my finger on what it reminds me of, but it's something classic.
Disney meets 80s ballad? And I mean that in the best way possible.

1:11 is a superb moment.

Fantastic work; Good luck!

Troisnyx responds:

All the best to you too!

I'll admit not having thought about it sounding like Disney until you told me. I guess I'm getting it just a little bit, from hearing the chords.... hm. I like classic Disney, and I'm pleasantly surprised that the song reminded you of it.