Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in Round 2 of the January 2010 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. In this round, there are four head-to-head battles. Be sure to check out and vote for your favorite riff in the other three 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:

Spock

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

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

This is probably the toughest of this round for me... both are very cool, and conjure up images of dust & tumbleweed. Nice job, fellas!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

spock - i wanna see the movie that this is on the soundtrack to .. very atmospheric and mood evoking ... nice tone and production quality .. i just cant find the 1 - i've listened three times and cant be sure i even know the time signature to use to try to figure out the one ... the lack of groove makes it too hard for me to vote for

strong strings - yeah, this one's a riff - right length and 'singability' ... the tone is 'ok' but could be better ... i like the slinky feel and it makes me want to hear the song that would kick in

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Actually I found Spock's groove right away, and found it very hummable.
Reminds me a bit of Megadeth's 'Diadems', but then Strings' reminds me too much of Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

I liked both, but the atmospheric nature of Spocks wins out for me.... live long and prosper.

Edit: Having listened again... and again... I'm sticking with my decision but Strongstrings riff is very cool and reminds me of the Hellicastors.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Spock here. Nice and spooky with a nice use of fx.

Strongstrings' riff suffered from the use of the old 'cliche from AC/DC's "Riff-Raff" and Rick Derringer's "Rock-n-Roll Hoochie Coo".

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Spock here. Nice and spooky with a nice use of fx.

Strongstrings' riff suffered from the use of the old 'cliche from AC/DC's "Riff-Raff" and Rick Derringer's "Rock-n-Roll Hoochie Coo".

so i'm not the only one who hears ever so slight phasing, right? right?!

i'll vote for this round once i have a bit of time to really listen to these two. they're both not the type of thing i'd listen to on a regular basis, so it's harder for me to choose.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

ok i voted ...

went with strongstrings because he had less votes

 

[Hoss]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

i don't normally comment...but I dig Spock's stuff as much as anything i've EVER heard on this site...EVER!

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

This was hard. Truly hard.
A major problem in this particular battle could be a person's mood. One was very calm and relaxing, the other a bit more lively.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Made my selection, thank you.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Both nice riffs and well matched.

The emotion and groove in Spock's makes it a clear winner for me


Strongstrings' riff may have sounded better with a heavier tone.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Like both, but going with the more ethreal one. Very Trower-like.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Strongo gets my vote here.

Spock relies too much on atmosphere IMHO. This is not a contest of ambient, atmospheric loops. Strip away the effects and what you're left with is borderline riffy.

I agree that there may have been too much hoochie-koo in Strongo's entry but given the two entries it just is more riffy, catchy, memorable, and uncluttered with gimmickry.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Voterated. I did not have difficulty with this one.

:dunno:

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

When I put on Spock's riff, I got the feeling I was walking down a sterile, poorly lit hallway having to check behind me as I looked out for ghosts and faceless men with chainsaws. I don't see how anyone could have competed with this riff. Frankly, it's incredible.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

This one was tough because the selections were so different and both exceptionally well played.

Strongstrings' execution was particularly precise, but I was ultimately swayed by the mood created by Spock and his spaced out intervals and use of effects.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Strongstrings was really cool. However, Spock wins this easily for my vote, as interesting as I feel it is.


As for riff or not - PUH has allowed it for the competition, and by definition (the only relevant definition so far), it is a riff. I have no better way of assessing a contribution as a riff or not, other than going with my gut; I'm not really sure what a riff really is, nor do I care about that for these contests, because all contributions are regarded as riffs. Therefore, if something pleases my ears, that'll be getting my vote.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

I'm not really sure what a riff really is, nor do I care about that for these contests, because all contributions are regarded as riffs. Therefore, if something pleases my ears, that'll be getting my vote.

Fair enough and as good a reason as any I've heard.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 2.2: Spock vs. Strongstrings

Spock gets my vote !
The feeling is right, the groove is awesome. It touched my soul from the very first moment. Hard to counter against that feeling!
The best riff in the riff-off so far!