Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

[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: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

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

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

Wow, the patience is really fun to listen to!

I like this one a ton.


I bet you recorded it with something Line6 for the delay - I can hear that Analog / Tape delay signature!

My fave so far!

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

I like the space that this one creates. Good use of effects too.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

I like the space that this one creates. Good use of effects too.

Yep. But is it a riff? I suppose it's kinda riffy but it's also borderline chord progression to my ears. It does sound beautiful though. Gonna have to think on this one a bit.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

I liked it.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

Nice little trick there, using delay to imply an underlying rhythm. Kinda sneaks around the no drums restriction

This one makes me think of long-legged birds strolling about, pecking at the mud for bugs.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

i hate when this happens

this is really masterful composition / playing / recording ... just top notch artistry

i wanna buy this guy's album

but man ... it is weak, for me, as a riff ... just when it starts to give me something to latch onto it slips away ... then it starts to give me something else to grab onto, and again doesnt wrap it up ... thematic composition? full marks .. riff ?... i just don't know

i can't vote on this yet

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

Just excellent, exceptional tone, great execution, I want to loop this and solo over it something fierce.... you sir, are an artist.

 

[willeubanks]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

i hate when this happens

this is really masterful composition / playing / recording ... just top notch artistry

i wanna buy this guy's album

but man ... it is weak, for me, as a riff ... just when it starts to give me something to latch onto it slips away ... then it starts to give me something else to grab onto, and again doesnt wrap it up ... thematic composition? full marks .. riff ?... i just don't know

i can't vote on this yet

+1. i really love the sound of it, but it just seems to be missing some sort of...basis? i'm not sure what the word is, but i like this one alot other than that.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

Cool! Neat little semi-jazzy Mark Knopflerish thing going on. Great use of delay that enhances the rhythm of the riff. Great job.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

Very very slick composition, really nice playing and great use of time. I've listened a few times and it's great, but it's much more than a riff though.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

I love the feel of this one. You're a clever composer. I'm also not sure about the riffyness of it, so I'm gonna wait with my voting here as well..

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

As has been said, it's beautiful, but unlike everyone else, I can hear the riffness of it. It returns to the first note each time, expands between each pass only a little so as not to go off on a tangent, and it's rhythmic.
Yes it can double as a vocal backing, so what? Riff does not always equal wank.

Congrats to the composer :friday:

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

i hate when this happens

this is really masterful composition / playing / recording ... just top notch artistry

i wanna buy this guy's album

but man ... it is weak, for me, as a riff ... just when it starts to give me something to latch onto it slips away ... then it starts to give me something else to grab onto, and again doesnt wrap it up ... thematic composition? full marks .. riff ?... i just don't know

i can't vote on this yet

Wow, for once, t4d, I agree with you. I just can't say this is a riff. If this is a riff, then Dee from Blizzard of Ozz is a riff. I can't rank it that highly just because it doesn't conform to the category. It's like entering Filet Mignon in a dessert competition.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

It was hard for me to grasp the pattern here.

Nonetheless, this piece is both musical and magical and I, for one, am enchanted.

Thank you for the filet!

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

'Tis lovely.

Resolved melancholy on drip feed, and conveys it very well.
Can't give it top marks only due to the lack of riffiness.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

well I feel a lot calmer now. I think I flatlined for a sec, but I'm back to say I dig it.

I think I know who this cat is.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Obsessive-Compulsive Enhancement

This riffer wins the "Busted The Bell Curve" award for this round.