Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

[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:

Ungh, Son of Argh

Strongstrings

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

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

voted

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

voted

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Voted

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

tied up already...

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Gotta love these close ones! Awesome!

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Voted

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Wow. These are both very excellent riffs. It's a shame when one of these needs to be voted off when either one is superior to some of the other round one contestants that will no doubt continue. But them's the rules.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Wow. These are both very excellent riffs. It's a shame when one of these needs to be voted off when either one is superior to some of the other round one contestants that will no doubt continue. But them's the rules.

that's the worst part of this whole deal

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Both riffs were great, but I got me a soft spot for some Funk

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

D@mn. Just evened out the votes 10 to 10

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Too close to call by composition alone. I voted for what I thought was the better executed riff. Still a tough call.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Strongstrings' entry suffered from some timing issues but I still thought it to be the better of the two. Reminded me of something close to Donald Fagen.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Oops! Tied it up... 13/13!

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

This was definitely the hardest poll to vote on for me. Both of these riffs are just so neat. Composition, timing, and tone are very strong on both.

USOA: This is a very well-executed riff. It's 4/4 but it didn't strike me that way at first listen - I had to check it a few times to make sure it was. NOT because it's off time, it's PERFECTLY in time, it's just played very oddly but it SWINGS too! Really reminds me of a Sabbath meets Jethro Tull thing... Very well done.

Strongstrings: Neat spanky tone and the use of a little slapback delay accentuates the space in the riff. Good choice with the double-stops and I love the slide-down on the low note near the beginning. Sets up for an interesting turnaround too.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Voted.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

strongstrings just was a breath of fresh air here

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

ungh - very cool rockin riff if a bit generic - great tone - tight performance - love the triplets that bring the boogie ... full marks

strongstrings - great funky feel - lotsa azz-shakin attitude and groovy looseness - maybe a touch too loose with it's performance issues ... not too much like this so far in the tourneys

no shame to either who loses this round - both brought it

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

both riffs were pretty cool in their own, funk-flavored way.

Ungh's riff has a lot of different stylistic influences in it, and i'm not sure if they fuse well together, but it's definitely an interesting little composition.

Strongstrings is quite a bit laid back, but those little pop/slide things keeps the energy there. timing could have been better, but it's cool nonetheless.

i'll vote in a bit.

 

[pzaxtl]

Re: Riff-Off 2.1: Ungh, Son of Argh vs. Strongstrings

Voted. Tough call, really tough. Even now, I'm not certain I made the right choice. Both really nice riffs.