Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!
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You are rating one of sixteen riffs in Round 1 of the March 2010 Riff-Off. Each of the other fifteen riffs can be heard and rated in the Tips and Clips room. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here.

As with last month, 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 eight contestants with the highest average scores will advance to Round 2.

I encourage you to score each of the sixteen 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 1 riff: Candy-Colored Clown

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

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Haven't even listened to the riff yet but I'm inclined to give it a 6 based on name alone.

Suddenly I feel like goin' for joyride.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

More of a progression than a riff for sure.

That said, what a cool progression!

The tone was plunky and wet, too, perfect match for the song.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

That was more of a song than a riff. However it did sound very cool.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I really liked this one - the sound and the playing were really cool. Reminds me of a Les Paul kind of sound - the man, not the guitar.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Okay, I've now listened.

Why does this sound so familiar to me? The descending part of this "riff" even right down to the tone reminds me of a song. I can't for the life of me place it though. Gonna have to listen again until I figure it out.

I'll echo the above though in saying this is more of a chunk of a song than a riff. It sounds great but it just doesn't fit the contest criteria IMHO.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

This chord progression sounds very familiar to me I swear there's a Paul Simon song that I've heard with something similar going on . . . I like the delay and overall guitar sound for this one.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

sounds like it mightve almost been police-ish - kinda cool

sadly, not a riff to me, but rather a progression

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I can picture it being 1987 and I'm listening to a mix tape on my generic Panasonic Walkman. At the time I was heavy into the metal. There's a song from that era that this reminds me of. I don't know if it's Testament, Flotsam & Jetsam, or maybe one of the Shrapnel shredder dudes like Jason Becker or Marty Friedman. It's gonna drive me nuts figuring it out now though...

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

two zeros? really? that seems totally uncalled for to me.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

two zeros? really? that seems totally uncalled for to me.

I agree, this was a great idea that was very well executed... a zero is not justified imo...

I think this had some cool stuff going on... very familiar but I can't place it... liked it a lot tho. Good musicianship man, well done in my books.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Whoa... what was that?

Was that two guitars or just one with a very clever use of delay? I'm not sure. The name definitely fits the sound. It took me a few listens to really get it but the overall vibe grabbed me right away. I'm not sure if I could classify it as a riff BUT I hope this player advances to the next round simply because this is so interesting.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I figured out what this reminded me of! Savatage, "I Believe" from the Sirens album. For the record, it's not the same thing so please don't let my comments influence you're voting. In fact I was going to link to the song on YouTube but I've decided not to for fear of it influencing anyone. I just wanted to share what it reminded me of.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I would not call this a riff, it's more of an arrangement but I really like it. It's got alot going on and it's well executed... I hope to see this player get through.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Hah, I actually raised my eyebrows instantly with this one! Interesting for sure..

I would not call this a riff, it's more of an arrangement but I really like it. It's got alot going on and it's well executed... I hope to see this player get through.

Agree with Don again. "Arrangement" is the term I was looking for. But it'll be interesting to see what's up your sleeve if you advance. I'll wait with my voting on this one for a while. I'm not sure yet.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Up to now I've disagreed with everyone about whether something was a riff or not. This to me is more of a melody at the core than a riff. It's a great piece, no doubt, but I can hear a melody running through it more than a riff.

I'm assuming the 0s are from those who wish to kick the composer out in Round 1 for this not being a riff by their standards.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

Someone get Quentin Tarantino on the phone immediately! Think of two of his characters driving down the road calmly before a tense showdown. Now listen to the riff. Anyone else follow me on this image?

What is that, anyway? Tremolo and delay? It's sort of a modern take on surfer-style music. I like it, and I think this contestant has quite a bit of talent.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I can hear where it repeats. A lot happens before it repeats and so it drifts away from riff territory, but there is a repeat.

I wouldn't listen to an entire album full of music like this, but, as others have said, it would fit perfectly in the soundtrack to a movie. You get points because your imagination must be a fun place to hang out in.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown

I can hear where it repeats. A lot happens before it repeats and so it drifts away from riff territory, but there is a repeat.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a repeat. I repeat, we have identified a repeat.

:joke:

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Candy-Colored Clown