Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in Round 1 of the January 2010 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. In this round, there are eight head-to-head matches. Be sure to check out and vote for your favorite riff in the other seven Round 1 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:

Spock

Roy G. Biv

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

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Spock's reminded me of Days of the New!

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

voted

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Gotta take Spock here. Thinking lonely western highway at dusk. A chill wind blows...something's about to happen...and it won't be good.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

voted

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Voted

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Wow, I'm really sorry Roy.

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Voted

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Roy starts out good but seems to lose focus halfway through. Maybe it would have helped to loop it a couple times if that was the intent?

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Roy's doesn't establish a rhythm, or at least not a "straight time" beat. I'm sure with the full environment of bass, drums, maybe some horn stings or other elements of P-Funk I'd "get it".
But it don't, so I don't.

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Roy's doesn't establish a rhythm, or at least not a "straight time" beat. I'm sure with the full environment of bass, drums, maybe some horn stings or other elements of P-Funk I'd "get it".
But it don't, so I don't.

True say.

For me there's the additional element of of a saturated market. The first riff off saw a lot of distortion, everywhere. This riff off will have it's fair share. When you hear something clean, it sounds refreshing. And refreshing wins (although it doesn't necessarily have to be a 'better riff')

 

[Ninja Monkey]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Whoah, Spock sound badass.

That's very badass acoustic playing right thar.

Don't feel bad Roy, it ain't you, it's him.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Roy's doesn't establish a rhythm, or at least not a "straight time" beat. I'm sure with the full environment of bass, drums, maybe some horn stings or other elements of P-Funk I'd "get it".
But it don't, so I don't.

I was thinking the same thing. I would like to hear some drums behind RGB's clip.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Spock: Oooooo... very very cool. Moody. Woodsy. I'd love to hear a tabla or something being played to this.

Roy G Biv: I had to listen to this riff about 5-6 times before I "got" the rhythm of it and could hear a band behind it. After I did that, the riff made a lot more sense. I'm hearing a bluesy shuffle here.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Voted.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

what happened with RGB's clip - - does he only have a limited amount of recording time? It just cuts out for me when he starts going off at the end

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

for me, spock's has the compactness that i think a riff should have in order to be able to deliver its emotional content ... i think that this riff was vulnerable given how loose the playing was though ... it has a happenin' dark and dusty quality that almost needs rhythmic tightness to deliver the mystery

RoyGBiv's riff had the tightness and a real nice tone going in spades, but lost its way approaching the end ... to me, a riff has to be memorable - the kind of thing you can almost instantly sing back after a single listen ... roy had it goin until the flippity flippty part at the end which left it as kinda all over the map

two nice efforts - one clear winner

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

what happened with RGB's clip - - does he only have a limited amount of recording time? It just cuts out for me when he starts going off at the end

I read 13 seconds on that one. You're getting less?

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

no I got 13 seconds - it just seems to end abruptly

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Spock vs. Roy G. Biv

Yeah. Sounds like it goes to a chord to end it, then got chopped off when it was edited for the tourney.