Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

[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: Riff 'n' Chips

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: Riff 'n' Chips

I kind of liked this even though it feels to me like a 2 part thing.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

the beginning of this one reminds me of a 3 doors down song or something....which is really not working in its favor. personal bias aside, i like the modulation or whatever that effect is, and all the layers really work well together. none detract from the riff, they only build.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Yeah, I like the phaser (or whatever the effect is) too. I like the way the tone of the guitar playing the lower part opens up and pans right when the octave comes in. My ears are not good enough to discern whether it is an octave pedal or a second guitar that comes in.

I'm really not a fan of added parts, but this submission is very well thought out, nicely executed, and contains a perfect dose of melody.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Seems more to me like the melody and progression of an indie song than a riff, but there are no rules!

I dig the progression, but the modulation was a little distracting.

To say I dig the progression is actually a bit of an understatement - I lurved the progression and the execution!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

This song really reminds me of the start of that Lifehouse song . . . Hanging By a Moment? Hanging on a Moment? I think that it would work very well in that type of song. Nicely put together!

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Here is another "song" rather than a "riff" in my opinion. That being said it was really well put together, and I didn't ding you for it. You also have the 2nd coolest battle name in this month's tournament.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Well done, just didn't quite grab me and pull me in like some of the others this round... good tone and execution turns a fair score nonetheless...

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

I'm also struggling with the riffyness in this one. It's a simple idea that does progress to a different chord but it doesn't really do much beyond that to complicate it. So while part of my brain struggles with whether or not it should score well as a riff, the other side of my brain speaks up and says "who cares? It doesn't hook you anyway. Score it for that."

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Cool feel I like the phase as well.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

The Phaser sounds cool, and the panning adds a nice vibe to it. It's not very riffy, and not driving someone. It will fit some moments and moods, but not many!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

I'd like to add to the discussion, but I don't have anything more than what has already been said. Good work.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

I hear this: Main theme ---> extended turnaround ---> Main theme ---> fancy ending.

I wish you would've just done the extended turnaround again and called it a day. Cool melody and cool effect - sounds like chiming bells.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

I think the effects slightly got in the way on this one. I'm curious to know down the road how many effects were used. I'm hearing a chorus plus a wah type thing, and maybe even verb on top of that.

riff wise, I like it, and dig the chord (or key?) change.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

This one took a while to repeat, and thus seemed like a 2-parter at first glance. But it's a single riff to my ears.

I would've like to have heard more moving over implied changes, but the vibe and use of a phaser was pretty good.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

I wanna know what all was in the signal chain for this one - love the "plunky" guitar tone --- Telecaster maybe?

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Interesting piece this one. I really like the chord change there, and it kinda saves it to keep the listener on the edge.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Riff-Off 4.2: Riff 'n' Chips

Really, really cool riff