Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in Round 2 of the December 2009 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. In this round, there are three head-to-head matches. (Robin Williams advances to Round 3 automatically, since I did not receive a riff from Eddie Vedder by the deadline.) Be sure to check out and vote for your favorite riff in the other two Round 2 matches, also found in the Tips and Clips room. To view the bracket for this month's Riff-Off, go here.

Because not all contestants have access to the same quality of recording equipment, your voting decision should be based first on the actual composition, second on the player's execution of the riff. Try to look past recording quality. Some questions you may want to ask yourself while considering which way to vote: What is the emotional impact of the riff? How original is the riff? Does the riff inspire me? Would I want to hear a whole song built off this riff?

Note that each contestant has chosen a battle name for the Riff-Off; their identities have been hidden from all other contestants and the voting public, and will be revealed at the end of the Riff-Off, when a champion is crowned.

Lastly, while comments are strongly encouraged, please realize that each contestant put personal time and creative energy into his or her submission. If you have any critique to provide in this thread, give the contestants the courtesy of making it constructive. This competition is built on the premises of fun and musical growth.

Here are the links to each clip in this head-to-head:

Banana Phone

Cookie Dough

If you run into any technical issues or have other question regarding the Riff-Off, contact me via email (kgmessier at gmail dot com).

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

both excellent - cant vote yet - gotta live with them a coupla days

nice job guys - especially the way you changed things up from last round - great versatility and stepping up your games

cheers
t4d

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Ooh, very nice. Both.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

The gloves have come off!!

Banana Phone

Draaaaama! That's what I get from this riff. Tension! Edginess! I'm starting to pick up something interesting from Banana Phone's clips. His style has a certain unconventional je ne sais quoi... that I can't put my finger on.

​

Cookie Dough

Nice! I enjoyed this. I think it skirts the line of riff/chord prog., but the little arpeggios in there edge it in favor of its eligibility.
The emotional content of this clip is pretty strong - kind of a tranquil introspection that suits this rainy Indianapolis morning particularly well.
Seems to me like Cookie Dough is a good, well-rounded player in the more traditional rock vein. I'm glad we got to hear more from this contestant.

​

Good battle! ! ! ! ! !

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Voted

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

voted

 

[phil_104]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Very solid matchup. Can't vote just now, gonna have to come back to them in a few hours.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Voted. Wow, tough one, both great. This tournament is shaping up to be something really special. In my mind, there are no losers, everyone is bringing good stuff to the table.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

just wanted to compliment both players on their versatility with respect to previous submissions....NICE JOB to both! ....another TOUGH decision....

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

voted after painstaking deliberation

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

I took a different approach and voted for the one that struck me the most on the first listen.

Both are SOLID entries, though. Great work!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Why can't one of you just suck so it makes it easier on the voters?

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Banana Phone: Crunchy and deep tone, well-articulated. I'll admit the slight syncopation of the opening single-picked notes throws me a little, but it's what makes that riff sound like it does.

Cookie Dough: Neat! Very organic acoustic tone with a little fret buzz that makes it sound kind of "authenitic" in that folksy kinda way. I like the accent/leading melody notes on the upbeat, very cool. Sounds like Neil Young... I dig.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

12 to 12 at this point.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

I had to go through all the other riffs before I could decide between those two and I'm not surprised that the competition is very tight. Amazing effort by both.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Voted.

This one was easy for me.

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Wow, 16:17. Quite the battle.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

18:17

What is it with Banana Phone and these close battles??

 

[Vincent Vespa]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

18:17

What is it with Banana Phone and these close battles??

Hah! I just made it 18:18. I'm afraid I've ruined everything.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Banana Phone vs. Cookie Dough

Wouldn't be surprised if we ended up having to invoke the tie-breaker on this one.