Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

[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: Hangover

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: Hangover

too much going on for me... sounds good though.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

i'm torn on this one. i really love the riff going on underneath everything. but the high stuff running on top does absolutely nothing for me and takes away a lot from the vibe. i'd give the "underneath riff" a 6, and the stuff on top a 2 or 3. fortunately that still balances out to like 4 1/2

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I love the sound of this composition ... even the recording is top notch! The parts combine to form a solid basis for a great song, but they also force voters to decide to what extent they are willing to accept overdubs, added parts, harmonies, etc.

I'd like to hear this project finished out with bass, drums, and especially vocals!

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I love the big slide / hammer-on in the main part! Badass!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

It's a nice 80's kind of power riff . . . I would have liked maybe a little more space in the recording. By the end of it there's just a bit too much hitting all the ears at once.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I agree this one is a bit busy, but it was well put together.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

Yeah as already stated a lot is going on hear for a "riff" if you will. However, this would be an awesome song and I think you should continue to pursue using this with a band; I think you really have something with it.

Excellent use of harmonies, great tone and execution, I would give you a higher score if it wasn't so busy... try to remember it's a "riff off" not a "song off" and not everyone is accepting the overdubs and harmonies as real riffs. That being said, it scores solidly in my book simply because of how awesome it was...

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

The feedback I left for OCE pertains to this as well I think. I don't think all these parts are working together quite as well though. At some point it sounds as if extras are being layered on to compensate for something lacking in the layer below. And ultimately this riff leaves me with nothing very memorable other than an exercise in recording.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

Another one thats a little complex for a riff IMO, but you did an outstanding job creating a vibe, very powerful, Nailed the 80s thing! Great entry!

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I agree with ex-250. I would've scored this higher if it had just repeated the first 17 seconds. I voted this way not because I'm docking points for adding a new part (I view "repeating pattern" in a looser sense that does not require exact reproduction of the riff note-for-note on repeats), but simply because I felt that extra layer with the high notes was distracting. Those first 17 seconds were pretty brutal though!

There's a lot going on here. Kudos for keeping it all in time.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I've got to take a different tack than most of the thread. I think the stuff on top adds a good bit to it, and the main riff sits right where it's supposed to be as a supporting cast member. It sounds great, and I'm going to mark it high just for that.

I also don't hear an 80's thing. The tone and feel sound like the 2000's to me.

However, I don't know if I like the idea of a band competing in the riff-off. If you did all that in a week, then you must not spend nearly the time I do on your job and family. Is that your fault? No. Is it acceptable to submit what amounts to three riffs in the same week? I don't know the answer to that either.

Regardless, I have a hard time finding any flaw in this. I'd love to hear the rest of the song if it ever makes it into stored electrons.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

wow, 3 guitars - 2 left and right doing essentially the same and one in the middle doing different. I'm going to focus on the 2 hard panned L and R. I like palm muted progressions like that, reminds me of fates warning.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

KILLER tone here. I like the chords more than the single notes, but they go very well together. Again, a little much going on to call in a single riff, but it's still really good.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

I don't really understand the perspective that it's "too much" or more than one riff --- it's riffage with a harmonized accent. And it doesn't change at all - it's the same thing over and over.

I think the harmonized accent part is a little too much in the forefront, I'd like to hear it mixed with more of the main part, bolder in the mix.

Also, the tone was not my cup of tea, but I suppose it fits the style well.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

Nice. but I will have to agree with the other that it sounds more than just one rif...

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Hangover

Ballsy. Like it a lot. However, this is where I'm kinda confused. What's a riff? Is a riff ultimately something that could only be played by one? Or to be more specific; would the riff presented here, be representative of what one guitar player could do at a gig? Or are the added parts so important that if they are not present, the awesomeness wouldn't be all that much? I'm really not sure - this riff incorporates too much for me to vote honestly, so I'll refrain from voting for this one.