Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

[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: Racer X

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: Racer X

Every breath you taaaaaaaaaake!!!!!!

I like the overdub, and the gutteral range. The tone was too buzzy to hear some of the notes, so I kind of had to interpolate, but I enjoyed it!

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

Not bad. The tone was very scratchy to the point it distracts from the riff.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

sounds familar to me - like it's part of a new style that all sounds like this.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

i really liked this one just for how unapologetically ugly it sounds

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

What happened at the end there? Seems you lost the tempo a bit in a place or two as well.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

problems for me ... maybe had a nice idea after you strip away the intro thing and the ending thing ...

tone problems left the notes a bit too indistinct to be able to make out the melodic component

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

Sorry just didn't quite do it for me, good idea, lost tempo some and the ending kind of, killed it...

 

[willeubanks]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

i like the harmonizing guitars, but i felt it could been a good deal faster. pretty good though.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

Didn't do much for me... needs more rhythmic motifs and variation to keep it interesting.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

I couldn't get past the tone, not my favorite.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

... needs more rhythmic motifs and variation to keep it interesting.

Exactly, good critique...

 

[Sanford]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

i really liked this one just for how unapologetically ugly it sounds

i like the harmonizing guitars, but i felt it could been a good deal faster. pretty good though.

I agree with these opinions. I can understand people wanting more rhythmic variation, but it's just the riff...other stuff will come later in the song. For an opening riff to some potentially epic tune, I think it works.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

Hm.. I think the first part displays the riff's potential the best. From there it kinda drifts off into something I can't quite make out.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

I agree with these opinions. I can understand people wanting more rhythmic variation, but it's just the riff...other stuff will come later in the song. For an opening riff to some potentially epic tune, I think it works.

Same here.


While this riff did have its tempo problems, the ending sounds to me like it's about to go off into the next part of the actual song, which it should do. A riff should not be a standalone wanksterbation session.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

The harmonies give it some movement (I do like what some might call "dissonance"), but it either needs to be faster, or sludgier in tone.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

The harmonies come in to save it. I feel like this was definitely a complete song idea, and he just leaves us hanging on the intro solo. Also, I feel like there's crunch, then there's wadding up aluminum foil, and the tone borders on the latter. Maybe a Line6 model for the kiddies? Again, no disrespect, but I definitely feel like it could be dialed back a notch.

I think it's well played, and I get it. I think it would work perfectly for a backing track, and I'll score it well, because it fits the definition, but with a bit more mids and a bit less gain, it would be much better. I feel like I'm talking to the Tone King.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

The ending didn't hurt this riff for me at all, just sounds like winding down, the job done.

Pace could have been faster to really help tighten everything up and keep the package focused.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

Pace could have been faster to really help tighten everything up and keep the package focused.

Yeah, I think the tone demands a faster pace. The riff was somewhat predictable, but not in a bad way. It's like when you hear a song for the first time and can sing the melody by the time the second verse comes in.

The timing issues put this in the middle of the pack for me.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Racer X

nice tight playing. kinda basic, but I dug it. ending kinda went into outer space, but tits ok.