[WALRUS] Walrus VI: Fallrus

[JaggedJimmyJay]

k

[Sloonei]

What’s the over/under on total National subs?

[NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME]

5

[G-Man]

What’s the over/under on total National subs?

I’m pretty sure I can say with certainty that I will never sub a song by The National.

[Amy]

Spoiler: show

[mention]MacDougall[/mention]
[mention]NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME[/mention]
[mention]Timsup2nothin[/mention]
[mention]cayvie[/mention]
[mention]Hally[/mention]
[mention]vanity.[/mention]
[mention]Keldeo[/mention]
[mention]nutella[/mention]
[mention]LordQuas[/mention]
[mention]TonyStarkPrime[/mention]
[mention]Ranmilia[/mention]
[mention]Boomslang[/mention]
[mention]M Plus 7[/mention]
[mention]G-Man[/mention]
[mention]JaggedJimmyJay[/mention]
[mention]birdwithteeth11[/mention]
[mention]Sloonei[/mention]
[mention]Queen Pink[/mention]
[mention]Epignosis[/mention]
[mention]Enrique[/mention]
[mention]motobot[/mention]
[mention]Marcher Jovian[/mention]
[mention]Turnip Head[/mention]
[mention]dobby[/mention]
[mention]Mistyx[/mention]

First reveal will be Sunday, September 20th at 6 PM CDT. We'll be using the Syndicate Walrus Discord for reveals; if you're not on that, the link is here. I'll also do my best to post reveals simultaneously in this thread (expect lots of spamposting from me, heh).

[Hally]

HYPE

[vanity.]

might not make the reveal because i know i'm working monday

def wanna be here for this cat though lol, even though i feel like there's a decent chance i whiffed

[Mistyx]

Spoiler: show

@MacDougall
@NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME
@Timsup2nothin
@cayvie
@Hally
@vanity.
@Keldeo
@nutella
@LordQuas
@TonyStarkPrime
@Ranmilia
@Boomslang
@M Plus 7
@G-Man
@JaggedJimmyJay
@birdwithteeth11
@Sloonei
@Queen Pink
@Epignosis
@Enrique
@motobot
@Marcher Jovian
@Turnip Head
@dobby
@Mistyx

First reveal will be Sunday, September 19th at 6 PM CDT. We'll be using the Syndicate Walrus Discord for reveals; if you're not on that, the link is here. I'll also do my best to post reveals simultaneously in this thread (expect lots of spamposting from me, heh).

Short question

The 19th is not a Sunday

Is it sunday the 20th or saturday the 19th

[Amy]

Spoiler: show

@MacDougall
@NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME
@Timsup2nothin
@cayvie
@Hally
@vanity.
@Keldeo
@nutella
@LordQuas
@TonyStarkPrime
@Ranmilia
@Boomslang
@M Plus 7
@G-Man
@JaggedJimmyJay
@birdwithteeth11
@Sloonei
@Queen Pink
@Epignosis
@Enrique
@motobot
@Marcher Jovian
@Turnip Head
@dobby
@Mistyx

First reveal will be Sunday, September 19th at 6 PM CDT. We'll be using the Syndicate Walrus Discord for reveals; if you're not on that, the link is here. I'll also do my best to post reveals simultaneously in this thread (expect lots of spamposting from me, heh).

Short question

The 19th is not a Sunday

Is it sunday the 20th or saturday the 19th

so it turns out i can't read calendars

Sunday the 20th. Will edit.

[Timsup2nothin]

hype!

[Timsup2nothin]

If I do really poorly it's because it is my first try

if I do really well I knew it all along

[Sloonei]

I probably can't make sundays, but you kids have fun with your musics.

[Amy]

Category 1: A Torrent of Leaves

[Amy]

25th:
Lightning Bolt - 30,000 Monkies
Submitted by: Boomslang
Score: 3.5/10

Spoiler: show

Yeah, I suppose I was asking for this, huh? I love weird time signatures and rhythmic oddities and atypical song structures, but there comes a point where you altogether leave behind any sense of coherent music and enter the realm of pure noise, and this is roughly 4 minutes of that. I assume the song title is an homage to the guest artists on this track.

[Amy]

24th:
Helcai Fibla - Through The Storm
Submitted by: Queen Pink
Score: 4.5/10

Spoiler: show

This is like the definition of a 5 but I docked it half a point because I think I legit fell asleep one of the times I tried listening to it. Technically there is music happening but I can confidently say that I have no idea what this song sounds like if it isn’t actively playing.

[Amy]

23rd:
Imagine Dragons - Thunder
Submitted by: motobot
Score: 5/10

Spoiler: show

A middling score for a basic submission. This song is… fine. I don’t find Imagine Dragons actively offensive but they only have like 2 songs that I would say I enjoy listening to. Music video is actually delightfully weird but unfortunately we don’t grade those.

[Amy]

22nd:
ゆうゆ - endleSSStation
Submitted by: Ranmilia
Score: 5.8/10

Spoiler: show

This song exists in a space of “this is probably an absolute banger to some people but it’s very whatever to me”. The Venetian Snares impersonation just… doesn’t really do it for me, and the particular textures of the track prevent me from really engaging with what I suspect might be a fairly interesting composition.

[Amy]

21st:
Kate Bush - Sat In Your Lap
Submitted by: cayvie
Score: 6/10

Spoiler: show

I think stereotypes indicate I’m supposed to be into Kate Bush? But honestly this is my first real exposure to her, so that’s something. This is… interesting. My initial reaction to her voice is one of visceral dislike, but I think it grew on me a little? Ultimately I think the repetitiveness of this one wound up overwhelming some of its better qualities, which is kind of a shame.

[Amy]

20th:
Iglooghost - Super Ink Burst
Submitted by: M Plus 7
Score: 6.5/10

Spoiler: show

That saxophone carries the song. The backing track here isn’t one I find super interesting or compelling - hell, those high pitched vocal samples get a bit grating after a while - but I could listen to that sax all day. Think the overall package ends up somewhere hereabouts.

[Amy]

19th:
Steve Walsh - Smackin’ The Clowns
Submitted by: Epignosis
Score: 7/10

Spoiler: show

This was a 9 until the vocals kicked in. Legitimately haunting and super compelling instrumental track that instantly turns into something I don’t wanna listen to when Walsh opens his mouth. Really really disheartening. Have to score it right around here.

[Amy]

18th
Alterniabound 21 - Killed by BR8K Spider!!!!!!!!
Submitted by: Marcher Jovian
Score: 7.2/10

Spoiler: show

From the comments: “To anyone who does not get there title, Viriska screws up her quirk when in extreme emotion like most trolls. She also uses "break" to mean luck. Therefore, being the aspect of light (luck), she is the "luck spider", or BR8K Spider as it is the title.”

So I think that about sums it up, yeah?

[Amy]

17th
Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane
Submitted by: Timsup2Nothin
Score: 7.5/10

Spoiler: show

Yeah, I can’t trash this song. It’s good hair metal. It’s timeless. It was in Guitar Hero, and lord knows the way to my heart is through a plastic guitar. That riff and that solo are both still absolute bangers.

[Amy]

16th
Dan Deacon - When I Was Done Dying
Submitted by: Sloonei
Score: 7.6/10

Spoiler: show

Sorry to rob you of your 0.5 bonus, but I’ve actually had this one subbed to me before! I think it scored higher here than it did there… but not by THAT much. I enjoy the steady flow of this song and the backing track a LOT, but it’s not the sort of thing that drives me to see out the artist’s other output or anything like that, just a good standalone.

[Amy]

15th
A Hat In Time OST - Death Wish
Submitted by: Mistyx
Score: 7.7/10

Spoiler: show

Without having any context I’m going to assume this is an absolute BANGER of a boss theme. The intense forward momentum of the bassline gives the song a lot of musical interest, and the synth tones in general are stellar. Love the energy.

[Amy]

14th
Lightning Bolt - Snow White (& The 7 Dwarves Fans)
Submitted by: LordQuas
Score: 7.8/10

Spoiler: show

Pretty chad of you to see that I dislike harsh noise, submit it anyways, and then score well. This song is rad, teetering on the edge of that insufferable noise that Lightning Bolt seems to so often reach for me without QUITE getting there, and it somehow doesn’t overstay its welcome despite being 11 goddamn minutes long. I vibe to this.

[Amy]

13th
Joni Mitchell - Cactus Tree
Submitted by: Enrique
Score: 7.9/10

Spoiler: show

Well, I was vibing hard enough that I forgot to start a writeup for this one, so that’s a point in its favor! This isn’t “turbulent” in the traditional sense but it’s a unique take on the category that I really appreciated, and the singing/guitar playing is absolutely beautiful.

[Amy]

12th
The Who - Sea and Sand
Submitted by: NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME
Score: 8/10

Spoiler: show

Yep, it’s The Who - lucky for you, I think The Who are great, and don’t think I’ve ever heard a song by them that I’ve disliked. It’s not anything transcendental, but it’s got those strong vocals and clean drum fills that we all know and love.

[Amy]

11th
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna OST - Battle!!/Torna
Submitted by: Keldeo
Score: 8.1/10

Spoiler: show

Honestly it takes a VERY strong track for me to want to listen to VGM outside the context of the game it’s in. This hits the mark. I absolutely love the jazzy instrumentation, and that bass tone is sublime. Almost makes me want to play Xenoblade, which is I think the first time I’ve ever uttered that sentence.

[Amy]

10th
The Breeders - Cannonball
Submitted by: Hally
Score: 8.2/10

Spoiler: show

This hits that sweetspot of dirty 90s alternative that’s juuuuuuuuust right. Perfect amount of distortion, perfect amount of reverb, just a sweet sound. Love the aesthetic.

[Amy]

9th
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Bellbottoms
Submitted by: TonyStarkPrime
Score: 8.3/10

Spoiler: show

The guitar on this track is SO FUCKING GOOD. Like holy shit. The vocals were a little hit or miss for me at times but I could listen to a good blues rock track literally all day. Good sub.

[Amy]

8th
Blackbird Raum - Ars Goetia
Submitted by: nutella
Score: 8.5/10

Spoiler: show

Congrats! You found my not-so-secret weakness for folk punk. The vocals are raw in the best way, the accordion is absolutely filthy, and the banjo is deployed for great effect. Great example of punk music conveying powerful emotional intensity without resorting to pure speed. Will be checking out this band further.

[Amy]

7th
Split Enz - The Choral Sea
Submitted by: JaggedJimmyJay
Score: 8.6/10

Spoiler: show

Perhaps lacks the emotional punch of the previous track, but makes up for it in sheer v i b e s. The bassist is poppin’ off and the guitar tones are pretty sweet as well. Appreciate the amount of space there is to sit back and enjoy the composition. Good shit.

[Amy]

6th
Hot Snakes - This Mystic Decade
Submitted by: MacDougall
Score: 8.8/10

Spoiler: show

Pure dirty rock n’ roll. Good stuff. Mac length writeup for Mac song.

[Amy]

5th
Marilyn Manson - Astonishing Panorama Of The Endtimes
Submitted by: G-Man
Score: 9/10

Spoiler: show

Oops my inner edgelord is showing. I’m not SUPER into Manson but he’s got a fair few songs that are impossible not to headbang to, and I’m adding this one to the list. The song just never lets up. Great mood piece.

[Amy]

4th
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Sad Girls For Vida
Submitted by: vanity.
Score: 9.2/10

Spoiler: show

Forget Sad Girl Autumn, this is Pissed Girl Autumn and I love it. Raw angry girl rock really scratches the itch for me, and the guitar work is fantastic. Really regretting not digging into this artist after hearing them on RB3 lmao.

[Amy]

3rd
Let’s Talk Daggers - I Love You Dad But I’m Mental
Submitted by: dobby
Score: 9.3/10

Spoiler: show

2 years ago I might have tanked this song, but as I get older and angrier I’ve come to appreciate some well-placed musical screams. The instrumental on this track is already killer, and when the horns kick in at the very end? Oh baby.

[Amy]

2nd
LPX - New Mood
Submitted by: Turnip Head
Score: 9.5/10

Spoiler: show

Yeah, this is killer. I’m in love with these vocals - so expressive, so fuckin’ good, and the way the instrumental goes from fairly standard in the verses to just exploding into the choruses is really compelling. This is just super fuckin’ cool and I want more.

[Amy]

1st
CHON - Story
Submitted by: birdwithteeth11
Score: 9.6/10

Spoiler: show

You managed to find a song by one of my favorite prog/math bands off their one album I haven’t fully explored, so props for that. I love CHON and I love this song. The technical complexity within such a mellow packaging is just… I love it. Their guitar tones are so good, the drumming is so good, everything about it is so good. Thanks for this. Gonna get off my ass and spin this album now.

[Amy]

Cat 1 Scores:


Overall Scores:


Cat 2 reveal tentatively set for the same time next week - Sunday, September 27th, at 6 PM CDT.

Spoiler: show

[mention]MacDougall[/mention]
[mention]NANOOKTHEGREATANDFEARSOME[/mention]
[mention]Timsup2nothin[/mention]
[mention]cayvie[/mention]
[mention]Hally[/mention]
[mention]vanity.[/mention]
[mention]Keldeo[/mention]
[mention]nutella[/mention]
[mention]LordQuas[/mention]
[mention]TonyStarkPrime[/mention]
[mention]Ranmilia[/mention]
[mention]Boomslang[/mention]
[mention]M Plus 7[/mention]
[mention]G-Man[/mention]
[mention]JaggedJimmyJay[/mention]
[mention]birdwithteeth11[/mention]
[mention]Sloonei[/mention]
[mention]Queen Pink[/mention]
[mention]Epignosis[/mention]
[mention]Enrique[/mention]
[mention]motobot[/mention]
[mention]Marcher Jovian[/mention]
[mention]Turnip Head[/mention]
[mention]dobby[/mention]
[mention]Mistyx[/mention]

[Amy]

Pushing back tonight's reveal to 8:30 CT.

[Amy]

Category 2: Back To School

[Amy]

26th:
Buckwheat Boyz - Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Submitted by: Moose
Score: 3/10

Spoiler: show

After shaking off my initial reaction of uncontrollable giggling, I came to the sudden and stark realization that this song fucking blows.

[Amy]

25th
Mr. Rogers - Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Submitted by: Ranmilia
Score: 5.5/10

Spoiler: show

Feels bad to rate this so low, but… the nostalgia isn’t really there for me. I have utmost respect for Fred Rogers as a person and an entertainer, but I don’t know if I’ve ever actually seen a single episode of Mr. Rogers’s Neighborhood. Might’ve been before my time, tbh - I’m not 100% sure when it aired - but whatever the case, the emotional appeal’s a miss, and the song itself is kind of whatever.

[Amy]

24th
Jane Siberry - Calling All Angels
Submitted by: Enrique
Score: 6/10

Spoiler: show

I actually had to watch this movie for a leadership class I got swindled into taking in high school, so that was fun. The song itself is thoroughly uninteresting until like 30 seconds before the end, which isn’t exactly the best look when you’re a 5 minute song. Unrelated aside: still weirds me out that Haley Joel Osment’s face looks exactly the same as it did when he was a kid.

[Amy]

23rd
Loving Caliber - Faster Car
Submitted by: motobot
Score: 6.2/10

Spoiler: show

The biggest knock on this song is that it’s generic. I feel like I’ve heard it a million times before, even though on an intellectual level I know I haven’t. The individual sounds come together nicely but it just… doesn’t do anything particularly INTERESTING, yknow? The guitar is the nicest part of it but it still kinda feels like I stumbled upon someone’s youtube cover of a OneRepublic song or something.

[Amy]

22nd
The 6ths and Sally Timms - Give Me Back My Dreams
Submitted by: cayvie
Score: 6.5/10

Spoiler: show

My ADHD hates this song. I want so terribly desperately to score it higher but between the soft synth pads and the breathy voice I just cannot for the life of me maintain any degree of focus while it’s playing. This is probably the one I had to listen to the most while judging because I just plain kept forgetting what it sounded like. There are cool things going on here, but they keep falling into the black hole that is my brain.

[Amy]

21st
Madilyn Bailey - Titanium
Submitted by: Queen Pink
Score: 7/10

Spoiler: show

I’m giving you the bonus points because I’ve never heard this particular cover before… but I definitely like the Sia version better. I think Sia’s voice and the production on that version is more able to hit the emotional climax that this song really craves, whereas this version winds up being like a very good American Idol performance of the same song. I certainly don’t NOT enjoy it, it just makes me wish I was listening to the other one.

[Amy]

20th
Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease
Submitted by: nutella
Score: 7.2/10

Spoiler: show

I like a lot of the big new wave hits, but the rest of the genre often feels very samey to me. Quite a bit of this song sounds like any other Depeche Mode or Tears For Fears song you could pluck off one of their albums - which isn’t to say I don’t enjoy it! It’s just not particularly interesting in the grand scheme of things. I dunno if this is an album track but it feels like one.

[Amy]

19th
Can - Moonshake
Submitted by: M Plus 7
Score: 7.4/10

Spoiler: show

Lmao those random noises in the middle of the song. I dig the overall groove of this, though I kinda wish it progressed into being something more. Don’t really think I have much else to say about it beyond that? Just sort of a pretty good song.

[Amy]

18th
John Butler Trio - What You Want
Submitted by: MacDougall
Score: 7.5/10

Spoiler: show

My only prior exposure to John Butler is a really really cool live solo acoustic performance, so this is… somewhat different from that, but it’s still quite nice. Hits the sweet spot of a kinda post-grungey sound that actually does it for me, and the backing textures of the guitar/strings are like. Classically vintage late 90s/early 00s in a good way. Idk, this is bringing me back to a really particular time and I’m enjoying it.