DexiAntoniu's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Prometheus Factory]

Hell, I started reviewing this before I read the description, and the first thing I said was along the lines: "this sounds like Autechre"; then I read your description. As far as I know, during Kid A/ Amnesiac, Radiohead were also heavily influenced by Autechre and others alike, so you mentioning Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors doesn't come as a shocker, only as a very pleasant surprise, for me at least.
As I hinted on my other review, you do really have some VERY nice influences, or being more objective, I think that a lot of what music influences you also has me in it's hands.

I've got nothing bad to say about the track, I thoroughly enjoyed it; the influences were assimilated very nicely and a very nice piece was born.
I've only listened to two of your tracks, but from the versatility you showcase, you are in a league of your own. I wouldn't expect you to get the recognition you deserve on this portal.
I hope one day I'll get to be in the same proficiency level with you.

secantwave responds:

Wow. I would say "you have no idea how flattering this is to me", but you probably have some idea. Thank you very much!
The Autechre influence is pretty strong, I'll admit. A little while ago, I was playing _Tri Repetae_ for my dad, who hadn't heard much by them before, and he remarked how much he was reminded of my music. That was amusing.

[Dying Sun]

This is a gorgeous track. I do not wholly understand the dynamics of this portal, submissions that are worse than this have 5 stars, whilst this composition which is not only crisp and professionally done, is also moody, showcases a lot of theoretical knowledge and talent, is rated lower...
In any case, reviews for this track might be redundant, the number of plays it has speaks for itself.

Very well done!
You seem very proficient in this style, have you ever considered doing an youtube video showing a bit of your creative process, or writing some tips on a blog or something of that sort? I'd be greatly interested and I don't think I'm the only one, this sort of composition is rather hard to make good, and I'm sure many are interested in increasing their versatility.

Benmode responds:

Wow what a kind review!

I'm glad you like the track. I haven't ever really thought about doing a youtube video or anything like that, I don't really feel thatttt confident about my stuff haha. When a track turns out well, I always feel like I got lucky and that I'll never be able to do it again. A common feeling among composers I think!

I do post in forums every now and then though, just sharing some of my approaches to composing. I'm also happy to help people who PM me etc.

[VG Atmosphere]

After listening to a string of rather uninspired audio submissions also labeled as "video game music", this was definitely a welcomed treat.
It's far more original than most, and uses less traditional tropes. I like the chord progression and the instrument's choice.

I feel that the intro is too long, and that the whole thing could benefit a lot from being more compact, it would have a better pacing, a better dynamic. Also, the drum beat is simple, and it works, but it sounds too disco, too techno, it's too punchy for this track... I'd suggest making it more light, and adding a bit of variation in the snare's rhythmic pattern. Mix it up a bit, add of bit of variation.
Anyway, it's a good track, and it shows a keen ear.

[Graveyard]

The fabs or not, this sounds a bit as the Cure lol
I'll just be concise, the mastering is lacking. It must be more dynamic, just a bit, I know that a song titled Graveyard can't really be in it's purpose if it's too dynamic, but a bit of it is necessary otherwise the whole thing become a tad boring, and you don't want that...

The bass lick, and the progression that it sustains is nice, the notes the chorus hit are also appropriate, but the sound becomes very repetitive. I suggest you add secondary chords on top of those, something simple that works, or just maybe repeat those in a canon ( if you are not familiar with classic composition, wiki for canon ( music) ).
You need more atmosphere for your piano to deliver, I am sure you feel every single note the piano hits, but it doesn't deliver the same to everyone. You need to modulate the piano's volume a bit, also, you cannot rely entirely on the rain and background sounds to make your atmosphere.
I would suggest you add some reverb, if you play around with some serious reverb I am sure you will find something that suits this piece.

Overall, I like the idea, and I'll rate the effort; this piece comes from a person who I reckon is still learning and doing a good job at it, experimenting like this is the good thing to do.

Morteth9 responds:

Thank you very much!

[Scratch Cat Fever]

You have many short ideas posted here, some are really great, but they are underdeveloped... Why aren't you working on an album or something? I went out of my way to listen to a lot of the things you have placed here and I really like it...

Solisio responds:

I really appreciate that and I'm very thankful you're checking out my music. A lot of times I will say "meh, good enough" and never return to it. I will be sending you a PM, I appreciate the enthusiasm :).

[Through the Bamboo]

I agree that this piece needs more work, but I definitely like what I hear.

I like that it sounds a bit out of tune, and when the synth comes in, the whole thing bombs and lets me wanting more.

This actually sounds like something I would compose. Ah, heck it, I'll rate this 5 stars because I like its strangeness.

Solisio responds:

Thank you so much. Please send me a PM.

[Olive Juice]

Skill here is obvious, I, for once, feel glad that I don't have much too say.

I really like some licks and phrases, even though the talent is obvious, as far as the composition goes, I might say that some moments are very inspired, whilst other are not so much so, they steer into generic guitar solo tropes, and I'm pointing this out only because my opinion holds such talent should develop as much a sense of uniqueness as possible.

Of course, you cannot do EVERYTHING right, that's what I just said could be interpreted otherwise, considering this piece is a great listen and it showcases both talent and hard work.

Keep up the good work, I always love to hear recordings and real instrument playing on this audio, and this virtuoso quality is definitely 5 star material!

[11 Waves]

Hearing this, I can definitely identify some very tasty influences in your composition.
What I absolutely love about this track it that it is fully recorded and not one bit digitally made, and you rarely come across this sort of happening here. The time signature, and the fluidity which it is treated shows the work of a talented dude.
First of all, I'll congratulate you for the style you have developed for yourself.
I'd like to point out that the piece is rather lengthy and in my opinion not dynamic enough. Of course, it is a tall order to make that time signature be fluid and also derive a dynamic pacing, but that is an area I consider that if you work on, you'll greatly improve composition. For this particular piece, I'd personally sacrifice some seconds of some parts to make my point more concise - this is just an outside opinion...
I like the tones chosen, and I consider the guitar work to be of great quality; the chord progressions are nice and the whole thing is rather moody, thing which I like a lot.
But 5 minutes into it, I realize it would benefit from a more melodic part, because it is highly rhythmical and atmospherical, but a higher case melody to complement the guitar licks and hooks would do a great service.

All in all I liked this piece and my advice, if taken, would be for you to continue with your style, it's great, keep at it!

secantwave responds:

Thanks very much for the thoughtful review!
I definitely agree with the issue of dynamics. I was really happy this piece when I first completed it, but looking back there are some structural issues. I am still quite pleased with the atmosphere and tones, and I'm glad that you liked them as well.
I wasn't really aiming to create a melodic effect with this piece, focusing instead on how the repeated parts interacted with each other rhythmically. I tend to prefer this minimalist approach, but I can certainly see how a melody would help.
It's funny that you mention how this is entirely non-digital (not strictly true, as the chorus filter I used on the guitar is a digital process, but close enough), because my most recent pieces have been 100% digital, as I haven't had access to a guitar at college. (However, this will probably change very soon.) I think it works best to combine digital and recorded sounds, so I'll likely work more with that in the future.
Again, thank you very much! I certainly plan to develop this style more in the future, so I'm glad you liked it.

[The Rift, Adrift]

I am going through a horrible personal time, afraid of losing someone very important to me, and this helping, in all honesty, makes me surreal and apreciate the one I love much more, somehow.
Thanks.
I have nothing more to say.

Canas responds:

Wish you the best, stay strong.

[The Rift, Adrift (Draft)]

Canas, this is the second piece I review from you, and I listened to it casually while chatting, I liked it, I thought it was familiar and then when I decided to listen to it a second time to review it, I saw it's yours and I thought you're the man.

I honestly CANNOT WAIT for your album. Do you have an ETA? In all honesty, I am eager to listen to the full thing.

As a side note, your dreams must be pretty nice, as your songs are pretty chill, lol.

The chord progression is nice, the instrument choice is what I'm already familiar with from you, and it's nice.
The break at 01:20 is nice, it really lets you sink in. The tremolo and everything is nice. The voice is nicely added, it actually adds a lot of depth to the song.

As it's a first draft, I can't wait to hear the full version. But also I don't know what to say you should add. Maybe a recurring motif, and a secondary melodic line that is sometimes woven in the song?

The pacing is nice, as always, with taste.

Nice!

Canas responds:

Hey thanks for the kind words! I don't have an ETA on an EP just yet, most likely sometime around Christmas. Once I get six songs together that fit the theme (and i'm confident with) i'll be finished, yet there's no telling how long these things will take! Especially with university starting again in two weeks

As far as the song goes, I actually ended up adding a recurring motif, which is funny you should say so haha. I've tinkered with a second melody but there isn't much I can find that has worked, so instead I added a few new drum layers as well as a new beat after the break at 1:20. I'll try not to give too much away though!

Thanks again for the review