Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in the Championship Round of the December 2009 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. 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:

Robin Williams

cyberBKP

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

 

[phil_104]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Wow. That was STRONG!

Both entries are well written, well performed, well recorded, solid hard rockin' riff that you could easily build a song around.

I liked the Robin Williams entry because of it's raw energy and punch. It just sounded heavy from the start, and carried well. If I stick by my philosophy that a good riff is the simplest form of what reaches people, this riff did just that. Love the tone.

The cyberBKP riff was wicked because it was a 2 part riff, which for me, sprouted a bunch of options in terms of bass playing, drumming, and specially vocals. Very differentiated and easy to build on.

So I cast my vote, and I must say, thank you all for putting this together, and thank you all for participating.... it has been lots of fun listening to the entries and voting.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

I'm replying here to autosubscribe so I can listen to these later.

I've really enjoyed this whole thing.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

As Anointed Battlemaster, I have to be impartial here, but there's no trouble in that at all. This is a fitting Championship Round in that each riff is different from the other but (in my mind) equally strong. Hard for me to choose a clear winner. I think this round will be awesome! What a way to top off our first ever Riff-Off.

- Keith

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

I just gave a couple listens, and I can't decide yet. Within the first couple of seconds, I didn't get Robin Williams' entry. Then I got it. Holy cow did I get it. Then cyberBKP came in with his guitar harmonies. This reminds me of the Walk-Off scene in Zoolander... I'll vote later once I can decide properly, but EXCELLENT work, both, and bonus points to Robin Williams for the raw power of the tone. The riff will decide, though, not the tone.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

:wow:

Wowzers

Stellar work, gents.

I'm having a very hard time deciding. Awesome.

:thanks:

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

I voted, but it wasn't easy.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Within the first couple of seconds, I didn't get Robin Williams' entry. Then I got it. Holy cow did I get it.

+1 - - you need to give that one a few chances - it's definitely a grower.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Weak showing thus far vote-wise. I wonder if it's because of the holiday weekend.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Weak showing thus far vote-wise. I wonder if it's because of the holiday weekend.

yeah, I was lucky to be able to sign in and listen today away from home.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

very nice work gentlemen

t4d

 

[Wattage]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Can't decide yet, both are very good

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Have to give the edge this time to R. Williams....seems more compelling to me. I'd just feel more energy going for a tune from this one. Both are just killer, but the emotional content wins for me.

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Wow. This is truly difficult. Awesome riff-off guys!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

these are the championship riffs?

I'm slightly dissapointed. i was expecting more.

the riffs arent bad. I was just expecting something else... for some reason.

I like how robin williams has momentum.

i thought the phrasing for the little hammer on part was kind of odd.

i liked "cyber.." too, but didnt like the harmony. not everything is better hamonized. (though a great deal of guitar music is).

I voted.


ps- whens the next championship?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

these are the championship riffs?

I'm slightly dissapointed. i was expecting more.

You should compete in next month's Riff-Off.

 

[NUNOSLASH]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Excellent both!

I want to compete in next month's Riff off too!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

You should compete in next month's Riff-Off.

I was planning on it!

i didnt mean the riffs werent good, i just thought that as potential champions, they would be different.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

It was perry hard to choose - I've listened to it yesterday and thought I'll sleep on it but I had to listen to it a few times today before I could vote.
It got to a point where I have started playing them together as a call and response - rhythm and style wise they could both make it into the same song (I'm thinking UFO or MSB here).



I also must say that I'm surprised that the votes don't show a closer battle.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 1.4: Robin Williams vs. cyberBKP

Not all the votes are in yet. Not only the holiday weekend but everyone wants to make sure they're not just voting as knee-jerk reactions, but giving each one a fair listen.

At least tha't what I'm doing. All the votes don't have to be cast today - give folks time. Remember, Smoke On The Water wasn't an Instant Classic until it became one.

A/B-ing both riffs, both have elements that appeal to me. Both appear to have what it takes to be memorable beyond this event. And both have an equal chance of being forgotten tomorrow.


However, this whole Riff-Off has further cemented my feeling that the Classic Riffs we hold so dear would not be so without the rest of the song. By the same token, many of those songs took weeks/months to get into the final forms we know them by, and took a collaborative effort from the whole band, not to mention the years of experience and influence each person brought into the song.

I hate to suggest a "Song-Off" though.