Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

[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: The Lorax

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: The Lorax

I felt much more focus on the tone than the riff here --- I could tell the whole thing was played within 2 frets, not that that's a bad thing. It just felt a little...simple

cool vibe!

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

I agree it is a bit simple for a stand alone riff. It was kinda catchy and I bet it would sound awesome with the rest of a band playing.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

a nice blues riff...

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

definitely a riff

but nothing to stand out

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

middle of the road, the tone was iffy... the riff choice was simple but solid enough to be a foundational effort for a song... not sure if it will get you through but a good idea...

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

I couldn't really get into it. I felt like the Vibe effect and the muddy distortion just buried the players phrasing and articulation.

Not a bad riff per se, a little simple-sounding but it would've been better heard with a cleaner, clearer, more defined tone.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

Not sure what to make of this one although I like the vibe.

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

It is catchy... You could perhaps have thrown in a small variation in the towards the end to spice it up a bit.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

Not bad. Funk #49-ish (which is not a bad thing), but coulda been just a tad clearer.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

I never understood the appeal of this tone, but I guess people love it. I personally would've liked to have heard it a bit cleaner.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

The tone was a little distracting for me. I found myself wondering how you were getting that sound rather than appreciating the riff for what it is ..... straight up blues.

 

[donahue]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

I liked the tone. I'm a sucker for blues riffs.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

The more I listened, the more this grew on me.

If the "in the fingers" tone was on purpose, it was very clever.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: The Lorax

kinda grating, but in a good way, if that makes any sense. I was bobbing my head.