DexiAntoniu's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[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.

[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

[Minotaur's Labyrinth]

This is sick.

It's mysterious, it's a bit sci-fi, like the X-Files, I really dig the instruments and the effects, I actually think this would go well back-to-back with one of my tracks, lol.
I really like it.

The chord progression is pounding, the melodies and riffs are strong, it's all crisp and spacious. It lacks a bit of the charm of the original version. But still!

GamekrazzyProduction responds:

Glad you liked it! :P

[M. Path Through Infinity]

What a nice journey! WHAT a nice journey!

I reckon this sort of music doesn't get the recognition it should in this medium, even though this place is full of talented folk. But don't worry. This is a great composition, at least in my opinion.

It's quite fresh, its cerebral. It might be a bit too long. Otherwise, rhythmically and harmonically it's complex, with lots of energy. I like it!

Blacklawn responds:

Thank you! I really did put a lot of effort into this track.

[Devestation]

There's nothing more I could say about this piece except that in my opinion in doesn't sound that repetitive.

It's ambiental and it lets you sink. It might sound repetitive to some but it's certainly not dull, my brain hurts to dull, and that's why I make pieces at max 3 minutes.

This is not dull. This is good! It actually brightened my mood, and this is a certain download and 5* for me.

CANDYdisturber responds:

Thanks! That really means a lot to me :D

[Mechanical Flower]

Ok, I was a bit tired of reviewing 8bits, house and technos, so when this madness started dropping in my headphones I sighed of relief.

I really, REALLY, like the intro! And when the strings come at 00:30, for some reason, I want to cry. It evokes in me a powerful emotion, it really confuses me, makes me feel weird and that I like.

More into it, I don't really understand the synth at 01:00. But I do like how it twists.

( this is a random note: I read what Juicebomb wrote about dissonances, and with all the due respect to his opinion, I say, f*ck it! You do not overuse dissonances, I think you use them quite tastefully, it's the people who are used with only a couple of chord progressions and the way a less trained brained perceives music in perfect chords make some people repulse at the sort of stuff you're doing, but it's not your fault, it's theirs. I think it's in your best interest to remain as true as possible to your intentions and likings! )

I really like the piano from 02:34... This piece is obviously done by someone that knows to a big extent what he's doing.

I applaud your courage and your taste!

Ah, I also suggest turning down the guitar from 03:00. It's way too loud, and I don't consider it to be that important to enforcing the melodic idea of the piano.

The last minute of it I really like ( except the loud guitar, again... sorry, I just don't dig it, lol).

All in all, great courage, good piece, hat down.

Blacklawn responds:

Thanks! (And I kinda agree about the guitar. Will probably take it out in the future)

[Everyone Hates Squids]

Ok, the drum in the beginning is boss.
As the synth comes in around 00:45 I realize this is the work of a master, someone that knows what he's doing. There is much taste playing around with every idea in this song.

There are slight, inherent variations in the synth loop that, despite the repetitive nature of house, makes the whole thing not seem repetitive at all. That's something I applaud and hope that someday I'll learn to do.

Ambiance is good, I really get the feeling of a somewhat joyful frustration.

Didn't expect 03:05, reeaally liked it.
I really dig this piece! It somehow fits Minecraft quite well.

I actually like it so much, I feel glad I decided to check the "review4review thread" today.
I'd totally buy an album in this style and mood!

Reinteck responds:

Thanks! I'm really glad you checked out my music and I'm happy to see you enjoyed it so much!
Thank you for your kind words!