ChronoNomad's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Where the Heart Is]

You guys really came together to make an excellent track! Very appropriate to the peaceful hometown theme. There's this kind sleepy vibe at first, maybe a bit wistful. The piano at the beginning is soulful, some of the softer notes almost make it a bit sad. Then the variety of sound just opens right up, bringing to mind the daily routines of some bustling village in the highlands.

The mix is just so pretty, and all the instruments and percussion play beautifully together. Some exceptional transitions and very smooth key changes are present, which is certainly no surprise. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the bass at the end. I feel like the note is maintained a bit too long, but also doesn't fade enough since it cuts off abruptly right at the end, making the loop less seamless than it could be.

Suffice to say, this is one heck of a collab! You've nailed that RPG hometown feel as far as I'm concerned. Sure, it could be a lengthier track, but I think it accomplishes its goal rather nicely. :)

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Heh, I had a feeling you might like this track :)

Good to hear that it fits the theme we intended it to fit. You pretty much nailed it with your description. I actually never told anyone (probably not even Mattashi), but I imagined that piano in the intro playing when the main character wakes up in his/her bed, so you've got it right with that sleepy vibe! And when the track opens up, I imagine the character opening the door, and seeing the home town in peaceful action. So you got it perfectly right :D

Yeah. Mattashi's intrument picks, as well as the mixing is great. It really adds a lot to the atmosphere. The temporary key changes and transitions are of course of my making, which I'm sure you guessed (pretty standard LSD stuff :p).

And yes, haha:

"[04-01-2016 21:49:55] Mattashi: Im thinking of lowering the velocity on the bass
[04-01-2016 21:50:05] Mattashi: like it has a slap effect on it
[04-01-2016 21:50:06] Mattashi: xD
[04-01-2016 21:50:20 | Redigerat 21:50:25] Alexander Nyman: Yeah, I hear it. It doesn't bother me too much, but change it if you want to.
[04-01-2016 21:51:16] Mattashi: nah nvm
[04-01-2016 21:51:18] Mattashi: leave it in
[04-01-2016 21:51:20] Mattashi: xD
[04-01-2016 21:51:26] Alexander Nyman: Haha, ok XD"

You got us good :D

As for the loop, we could've used my standard trick I guess, but it might've ended with a splitsecond of noise when you press play, which realy wouldn't suit this piece. The cut off is a bit of a shame. But what bothers me more is that my playing in the intro is just a bit faster than the end, so you can hear a temporary tempo change :)

You got exactly everything that we thought about down in you review, so it's easy to conclude that you know your stuff!
Thanks a lot for the nice words, as always!!!

[Looking for the Stars]

Aw, yeah! There's a lot of epic stuff going on in these two and a half minutes. You've made a really varied and dynamic track here, Lucid. One that truly fits the description of "Cinematic." It's no surprise that you ended up taking second place overall in the NGMT, and it's a real pleasure to be able to hear those tracks now that the contest has come to an end. Very well done!

The beginning really took me by surprise, mostly because it was a sound I hadn't really heard from you before, but also because I hadn't taken the time to read your description yet. Very appropriately dystopian with a cool Steampunk vibe. The backstory you've created here is like a new take on an age-old struggle, the classic story of questing for a better way of life, a world that isn't so corrupted with pollutants that the very sky above is obscured by black clouds and filth.

Hey, I kind of like that totally cheesy level of optimism! It always makes for the best stories. That one person or group of people who hold tightly to a slim thread of idealism and keep hoping for a brighter future when it would be so much simpler to just accept the way things are. Choosing to fight rather than languish in despair.

You know, those moments of almost silence around the one and a half minute mark are very meaningful, and even though it's a release of tension, you can just tell that something big is coming. Enter the low, soulful brass, followed by a rich harmony of strings, rising higher and higher toward that powerful crescendo. A feeling of success and triumph at the end of a long and arduous journey. To finally see those shining stars.

In fact, here are five well-earned stars for you.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

You impress me every time! You're one of the people that can really read into a track, and understand what the creator personally feels about a piece. That's a very good ability to have, and I think it's related to having a strong sense of empathy.

I had no hesitiation when picking a genre for this one, which is actually pretty unusual, unless it's a solo piano composition or something like that. Thanks for the compliment! This is the track, for the NGMT, which I put the most effort into. I'm okay with the second one I did, but the first one I feel was not ambitious enough, for being me. That is why I'm surprised I still managed to make it to such high rankings!

Your interpretation not only of the track, but of how it works in a more general sense is rather perfect. I was thinking of just that kind of a cheesy and generic story. What can I say? I am guilty of watching many a movie, and playing many a game during my lifetime.

I'm glad to hear that you can appreciate the silence too. It actually took a surprising amount of effort to get it to be the right amount of time long, according to my tastes. It's actually a trick I borrowed from Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite". But of course, it works way better with a long silence, and then a long calm part, and then a very powerful outro. I had to speed up the process a little, yet it still does its job :)

Thanks a ton, for another thoughtful review!

[In Love with the Wind]

Simply superb, Lucid! The mixture of Piano One and Yamaha Clavinova lends itself well to the piece, creating a sound that is very full and rich. And by heaven, you certainly did bang this out rather speedily! I am duly impressed. Just one more to go, eh? Gambatte!

I am sorry to hear that your neighbour is so intolerant, not to mention rather unstable. The actual percussive sound of striking the keys bothers him? How utterly absurd, though I have admittedly come into contact with a similar ilk in my time. Such a shame, and I hope that he doesn't punch any holes in the walls with his bloody cane! Methinks he could use a nice, relaxing cup of tea...

All that aside, I do indeed hear some familiar nuances from anime and video games, and since I've been playing the FFX HD Remaster quite a bit lately, it would be hard to not make comparisons even if part of it weren't rather reminiscent of sections from the Ending Theme. But regardless of all those little moments of nostalgia, this piece remains wholly new and original...and totally you.

On a side note, I'm not sure when I'll be releasing my next track, but I am currently working on a little something for Pixel Day! There will also be another singalong starting up around mid January, though Step won't officially be available for mixing until February. Suffice to say, there may or may not be something before January 23rd... Time will tell! :D

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks a lot for writing another huge review! I can't wait to get my "revenge" on you :)

Yeah, I find that both my Clavinova and Piano One are good in their own ways, but none of them is really perfect alone. I thought I'd blend them, and the results are pretty neat. It's not the best available sound out there, but it will do :)

And I am indeed guilty of banging on the piano keys for sure. But it's necessary to play with emotion! Thanks; the final piece is a secret special that's already ready for upload on the 31th.

My neighbour probably has some real anger issues. He kept on banging full power more than a minute after I had stopped playing... I mean, yes, he can hear
the percussive sound from the keys through the walls, but still. I always play during day time, when youre allowed to. And sometimes he starts literally in the same minute as I do :(
I'm afraid that he's beyond being rescued by tea, despite its magical calming powers.

And yeah. That FFX Ending Theme thing is the only thing I intentionally mimicked, because I know Jordi likes the piece. I should replay the game too!!! I know that a few parts also sound a bit like the FF7 soundtrack (like the Piano Collections arrangement of Tifa's Theme).
I'm glad to hear that this sounds original in the end though; I worked really hard on this piece today. I wanted it to still have that LSD quality to it, of course. Wouldn't want to disappoint :D

Oh yes! I can't wait to hear something new from you, as I've probably already told you a few times!! :O

I'm looking forward to your Pixel Day track, and of course, for yet another of the amazing singalongs!

Be well, my friend :3

[Facing the Foe - Piano]

Can you believe that I penned your very first review on Facing the Foe way back on September 8th? Why, I would be entirely remiss if I failed to offer up another one now!

I quite like the original, as I'm sure you are aware (*cough* wall of text *cough*), and you guys totally took me to task with it in the NGADM, but you know...there is just something special about an all piano arrangement that really strikes a chord. Pun absolutely intended. ^__~

The loop, as BlueOceans has mentioned previously, sounds entirely seamless. That said, as a fellow composer I can truly appreciate that feeling that nothing is ever perfect, and I find your modesty refreshing. I also remember you mentioning before how you had composed Facing the Foe on piano, and very little of said piano remained in the ADM version, so finally getting to listen to it as it was originally written is a real pleasure! By now I'm quite sure you know just how very partial I am to the sound of those little black and white keys.

Suffice to say, this piece is - and shall remain - a triumph. You have swiftly risen in the ranks of my favourite audio wizards, and you always have the nicest things to say in your own reviews and responses. Have yourself a fantastic New Year, Lucid! I don't know about squeezing three more tracks out before we ring in 2016, but I suppose if anyone can do it...you can. :D

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Ahh, I always love your reviews :)
Before I forget, great job on the latest sing-along (So awesome o.O)!

Indeed, thank you for your reviewings. They are a pleasure to read, and make me happy inside :D
Great pun XD
I agree. The piano is, quite obviously, my intrument of choice (That pun is also definitely intended :3).

Yeah, the loop is pretty seamless. I honestly just got lucky, believe it or not! I started the track with free tempo, and ended it with free tempo. Only thing is, there is a slight almost inaudible click sound at the loop (easier to hear with good headphones).

And yes. I couldn't much fit the piano in the orchestraded version of this track. It's partly audible around the middle section, but it's definitely not a main deal om the piece. This is actually a really fun composition to play, and it's not as difficult as it may seem. You only really need to be able to roll your left hand up and down scales, and you've got it covered.
I've been waiting to upload this version for pretty long, but time flew, and I never recorded it, until now :p

There is something quite special in this piece for me too. I don't think I'll be able to compose a better battle theme for a while...
I'm honored to be considered among the top by you. Now, you need to submit something new, ughh! I want to listen to some of your calm, relaxing, beautiful music, dude :O

I hope you have a great New Year as well, Chrono! Hehhe, and about those tracks. Two are already done (one is an improvisation I'm going to upload within 2 hours, and the other one is a secret). And the third one, I will compose today (you could say I got some inspiration, heh).

Thanks a lot, and see you in 2016! :D!!!

[Christmas Memories - Music Box]

Ah, this is another very pretty reimagining, Lucid! You outdid yourself with the 2014 version, and this is a very light and airy successor. The overall pacing and a bit of the note progression bring to mind Epilogue to Good Friends from Chrono Trigger, which I'm sure you're familiar with. :D

Hope you've been enjoying your Christmastime thoroughly. By the sounds of things, you have indeed! ;) Maljanne!

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thank you for another nice review, Chrono! :3

I'm afraid I'll have a tough time with surmounting the 2014 version, pianowise. I'm planning on remaking this piece in several different genres, in the coming years. I really love the sound of music boxes, so I thought it both pracical (I'm so busy, aagh!), and pretty to use it as a solo intrument for the entire piece :)

I can definitely hear the resemblance to "Epilogue to Good Friends"! Such a good piece (Actually reminds me a bit of Final Fantasy's "Final Fantasy"). I'll let you in on a secret. While you might not think it, "Christmas Memories" actually took huge inspiration from "Terra's Theme" from FF6 :)
You can hear it in the rhythm, and some of the chord progressions.

Ooh, "Maljanne" is a pretty cool song. I actually hadn't hear it before. I've been enjoying my Christmas, even if there's a lot to do. I hope you've enjoyed yours as well!

Merry Christmas XD

[Frozen Horizon]

Hey, I saw your audio post requesting feedback, so I thought I'd check things out and drop a little critique on you in the process. I find your music rather enjoyable to listen to, so I thought I'd go ahead and become a fan, as well as scout you for the Audio Portal. That puts my butt on the line, so this had better be your own original work, or I'll come back to bite your face off! :P Okay, on to the actual review...

You have a nice mixture of instruments here, and it really gives me that whole 'traversing the arctic expanse' kind of vibe quite well. Very appropriate for the image source provided, and I like how you share your inspiration for each track in this way. I would personally like to hear a bit more from you in the Author Comments, if only a short little blurb, but hey--to each his own.

While most of the instruments are mixed really well, a couple things stand out as being slightly less good to me. First off, there's that tambourine hit. It's a bit too loud and up front in the mix to me, and with it works with tambo, I can see a light jingle bell fitting in even better within my mind's eye. But hey, that's just me. As far as the melodic instruments go, they're all pretty solid, but your main pan flute could use a bit more decay to make the longer notes sound more like they're actually being played. Or just taper off the flute's velocity. Either way.

ietsu responds:

Hey! Thanks for your review ^^ It's my original work, I pinky promise D:

I usually don't extend myself writing down my inspirations for each track because english it's not my first language, so it takes a long time for me trying to express exactly what I think.

Again, thanks for listening and for scouting me! ^^

[Forgotten Green]

Ah, this sounded so incredibly good...until the choir came in. Everything else sounds very nice, extremely well mixed and mastered, but that choir is just not up to snuff and brings down the overall quality considerably. Part of the issue may be the hard and fast attack on each and every note, but finding good choirs and using them effectively is never an easy task.

All your tracks also seem to loop in a very odd way. They sort of fade out, then come back around to the beginning, but it's never what could be considered in any way seamless. This site can play loops beautifully, so you might want to consider making them proper loops, or make them regular songs that just stop at the end. Fading out is generally considered kind of a lame way to end a song, so work on making a true ending if you decide to go that route.

[Innocence Lost [Piano Solo]]

A truly exceptional piano piece, Lucid. The dynamic quality of the music and beautiful mixture of highs and lows, coupled with a tempo that is almost constantly in flux, all make for a truly emotional experience. It simply flows in and out, rising and falling from one progression to the next, and the way you made this transition back to the beginning is no less than flawless.

The previous version is good, but I am well pleased that you decided to upload a version without the ambient effects, as well. I was hoping that you would do so. Thank you for once again sharing the music that resides within the depths of your heart and soul.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks a lot, Chrono :3
I almost always tend to make use of both high, middle and low keys when playing the piano, and when composing. It's pretty much automatic at this point XD
Of course, I always play with emotion too. If I ever play mechanically, it's because the mechanical playing best reflects the emotion I want to go through :P

It's great to hear that people appreciate both the version with the cries, as well as the solo version! Thank you for a beautifully written review , and of course, for listening :)

[The Power of Passion]

Really digging the overall vibe here, LSD. I'm glad that loops are working properly again, and while this is decidedly short, it gets the job done. I don't really have a lot to say, though a bit more variation to the drum pattern would have made this even better in my opinion. That said, whipping up something this solid over the course of an hour and a half is fantastic.

Congrats on scooping up Stormdrum 3 during good ol' Black Friday! I look forward to seeing what else you do with it going forward.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hey dude! Nice to hear from ya :D

Yeah. I became super happy that the audio player was looping properly again, as I really dig me some smooth loops :)
I totally agree about the percussion, it could be a bit more varied for sure. But then again, I made this in a really short time frame, and the main thing I wanted to check, was how much power I could easily get out of this new library. The answer is, a lot more than with anything I've previously owned XD
Do you have anything new on the way? :)

Thanks for listening and for leaving a review!

[Maginot]

Very nicely done, Ceevro. Beautifully written, played, and sung.

The vocal sound reminds me somewhat of Rob Thomas or Counting Crows at times, with a sort of wistful melancholy. Keeping the mix simple is what makes the most sense with a song like this, and most percussion simply wouldn't feel appropriate, unless it were something non invasive like a cymbal roll. A couple acoustic guitars plus vocals just works perfectly here to set the proper tone.

A truly excellent job on your lyrical composition. I love the way you delay some of the timing to really draw out the emotional impact of each word and chord, especially at the end. You really put a lot of time and effort into this piece, and it shows.

Ceevro responds:

Coming from you, that means a lot! Like I said, this was a couple months in the writing/composing phase. I wanted to really make it work right, so I just took my time and let it evolve naturally.