Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!
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You are rating one of eight riffs in Round 2 of the March 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.

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 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: Buzzardo

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

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

I like this one. Just one guitar doing a melodic riff.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

I enjoyed the melody and the presentation with only a hint of overdrive. However, I would have scored Buzz higher if the riff had turned around or looped in some way. The stalls were distracting ..... as if the riff ended and then started over several times.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

A little too "bubblegum" for my personal taste, doesn't really have swagger or bawls.

That said, the syncopation is cool and the tone is nice!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

It's a little too bubbly and the timing just doesn't quite work for me on this one. All I can think of is Gumby riding over the sunset Not a bad riff, but it's just not my thing.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

I like the mild overdrive tone. Your playing was good. I would have liked to hear a little something in the dead spaces (sustained note, harmonic, ?), rather than the stop/start.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

It was good, but it needed something... it just seemed to lack umph or a rock feel really... also the pauses were kind of strange. Unfortunately it made me think of one of my kid's shows from Nick Jr...

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

I agree that the pauses are a little distracting and would have been better if they were looped in tempo.

Once again I really find the simplicity and execution refreshing. It doesn't attempt to drown itself in layers or fluff and solidly communicates the base idea. And the base idea is interesting, memorable and very riffy.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

Once again I really find the simplicity and execution refreshing. It doesn't attempt to drown itself in layers or fluff and solidly communicates the base idea. And the base idea is interesting, memorable and very riffy.

+1

Although the "happy" vibe isn't my cup of tea, I have to say nice job at creating an emotion with your riff cuz that's what this one does....good entry!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

The pauses killed it. There was a vibe building up, it was getting stronger, here it is... Nothing. Seriously disappointed only because there was such unfilled potential here. Honestly, I'm not knocking the player or the idea. I just wish it would have been what it could have been.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

One riff... four incarnations. I think Andy Warhol painted this riff. Thank you for making it obvious!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

for me, the oddest of the bunch (that's still an actual riff that is). the pauses, the chickin pickin plus distortion. I can still hear it after it's done playing, so it's oddly enticing and memorable. interesting to say the least. it walks the line between genius and madness.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

Neat riff! More of the Clapton/Allman vibe going on here. Nice smooth sound and groove, and a bumpy, melodic little noodle on the turnarounds. Good job.

I didn't mind the pauses. They helped identify the riff as a singular passage and personally I think the riff still sounded good when it stood on it's own like that. It reminded me of a riff clip in the way that an instructional recording would have done it. I think it's fine and points should NOT be docked for that.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

Neat riff! More of the Clapton/Allman vibe going on here. Nice smooth sound and groove, and a bumpy, melodic little noodle on the turnarounds. Good job.

I didn't mind the pauses. They helped identify the riff as a singular passage and personally I think the riff still sounded good when it stood on it's own like that. It reminded me of a riff clip in the way that an instructional recording would have done it. I think it's fine and points should NOT be docked for that.

Man, I was just about to type something very similar.

I agree - the pauses are FINE!

Why?

Everybody gets bent out of shape on entries that are too long, even if they are really just the same thing over and over, like OCE, hangover --- and then they complain when something isn't repeated over and over!

I just don't get it.

I feel like the pause simply states "that was the riff. wanna hear it again? two-three-four!"

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Buzzardo

Fun! Very catchy melody indeed. Good riff.