Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!

(It's a little different this time around.)​

You are rating one of sixteen riffs in Round 2 of the February 2010 Riff-Off. Each of the other seven riffs can be heard and rated in the Tips and Clips room. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here.

Contrary to previous Riff-Off tournaments, this month's Riff-Off has no bracket; each riff will be rated on an individual basis according to a seven-point scale. Once all of the polls have closed, the scores for each riff will be averaged, and the four contestants with the highest average scores will advance to Round 3.

I encourage you to score each of the eight riffs. You may wish to listen to each riff before voting in order to establish a baseline. Of course, you are free to score riffs however you like, in whatever order you like. You could even give each riff the same score, if your impressions dictate so. It's all in your hands!

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 is a link to this contestant's Round 2 riff: Tesla Coil

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

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

Nice and melodic, but has some issues with consistency and tightness IMO.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

Wow
A riff that certainly grabs you by the balls!

Nice aggressive mentality behind the pickng hand that allows its' own timing and expression.
Almost too much variation throughout the riff, no need to show so many nuances - you had me at "Hello"

I like this one.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I feel like I might like this better if I could hear it with drums.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I like the thick deep tone... somehow it's got gobs of saturation but remains clear.

Having a little trouble picking out a consistent "riff" in there though.. less might have said more, in the end

a worthy submission nonetheless.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

It lacks some consistency between left and right. But the riff has lot's of depth, and the tone is better tan the first submission. Nice emotions, enough balls and good groove.Solid!

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I like the sound of this .... it's deep and fat without being mushy. I listened to this many times trying to discern a pattern but couldn't find it. I still gave this a high rating because it made a good first impression and is very well played.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I wish I knew what to say about this. I tend to agree with most of what Adam said. It's very heavy (obviously), and I like the downtuned-without-mush tone. I rated it higher than most, but I think it's more just for having the balls to smash us all than its memorability. I honestly liked last week's submission more, and I hope to hear a third.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I think this riffer's battle name really matches his sound the best out of all the entrants. Deep, thick, throbbing with power and a thick hot crackle on the top end. SHUMWUMWUMWUM.... love it.

I didn't really get a distinct feeling of a pattern out of this and some of the doubling wasn't as tight as it could've been. I would've loved to have heard more 16th note noodles like what was at the end.

I really hope this contestant can tighten his game up just a little bit... in spite of this riff's shortcomings I do want to hear more from this person.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I like your attitude, man. But as others have noted, it's difficult to see the pattern here - I like that you're venturing into those details, but you could perhaps back a little bit off on it. But cool ideas for sure!

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I like the thick deep tone... somehow it's got gobs of saturation but remains clear.

Yep. I noticed that too.

I like this one a lot. I admit it's probably because it is inline with something I may listen to so naturally it has an appeal to me. There's a good mix of chunks in there but it never strays too far from the base chunk into fill territory. Good variety. With a little clean up I could hear this being in the Dream Theater catalog.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

Big & (hate to say it but it fits) Ballsey tone! Original sounding rythm...nice job!

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I ended up kind of jamming along on my desk with my fingers, trying to play drummer. It's easy to get lost in the fuzz, and if it weren't for that little memorable descending part that kicks off the repeat, I would've been lost.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

missing the crucial bit to latch onto that would make this great in its genre

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

Crushing, I would imagine this would be superb in a live situation. I like the different timings of the rythym, very cool.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

I think this round's tone works better with the low tuning compared to last week's round.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 3.2: Tesla Coil

This riff had potential for real excellence, was well executed and had good tone, but it's like it's just... missing something... not sure what and I can't put my finger on it...