The Syndicate

I love Banjo Kazooie/Tooie. It was a big part of my childhood.

Never played it.

7th Place



Ayreon - Into the Ocean

Speedchuck I am *onto* you lol. Overall I was pleased by the genre diversity in this category, and not surprised at all that some of the cheesiness carried over from the first one -- in fact I'm maybe surprised there wasn't more, given the "epicness" of the open sea This definitely works, but doesn't stand out a whole lot. Having listened to some of Ayreon's albums I get the impression that a lot of his stuff just all kinda sounds the same. He has a gimmick and sticks with it. The lyrics are evocative and clearly part of his expansive sci-fi mythos. The music just doesn't do much for me.

7.5


Submitted by: speedchuck

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:15 pm Never played it.

Best 3d platformer ever made.

6th Place



Homestuck Soundtrack - Pumpkin Party in Sea Hitler's Water Apocalypse

More hamsteaks!! Lmao that title wut. I don't have much context for this and don't really know what the mood is supposed to be, but I can get a piratey vibe -- it's definitely drawing on some various European folksy influences, like Celtic fiddle and maybe a bit of klezmer in there. I dig it.

8.0


Submitted by: sprityo

That's a... huh... interesting way to evoque water. lol Homestuck.

5th Place



Camel - The Hour Candle (A Song for My Father)

This is gorgeous, and I'm unfamiliar but found a description of the concept album this is taken from and it sounds like a really moving story told through music that I'll have to check out. The proggy "jam" aspect of this track doesn't necessarily resonate that strongly with me, but parts of it are amazing. I suspect it would have more impact in context.

8.6


Submitted by: JaggedJimmyJay

Camel's "Harbour of Tears." Great option.

Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

4th Place



Procol Harum - A Salty Dog

This has Epi written all over it lol. I only know Procol Harum from that one Bach-y song they did that everyone knows, and this has a similar style with the lovely strings and the drums. It's nice, and yet somehow still sounds dated to my generationally-challenged ears. Maybe it's just the singer's voice, but I think the cinematic nature of it has a part as well. Thematically/lyrically this is obviously a winner, and musically it's very well put together.

9.0


Submitted by: Epignosis

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

A Latimer fan, eh? Didn't know that.

Top 3: Dragon D. Luffy, Keldeo, Turnip Head

.....Dat consistency tho

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:27 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

A Latimer fan, eh? Didn't know that.

Camel's "For Today" may well be my favorite song period, and it's all him.

nutella wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:27 pm 4th Place



Procol Harum - A Salty Dog

This has Epi written all over it lol. I only know Procol Harum from that one Bach-y song they did that everyone knows, and this has a similar style with the lovely strings and the drums. It's nice, and yet somehow still sounds dated to my generationally-challenged ears. Maybe it's just the singer's voice, but I think the cinematic nature of it has a part as well. Thematically/lyrically this is obviously a winner, and musically it's very well put together.

9.0


Submitted by: Epignosis

Fine. Listen to it sung by Mike Portnoy.

For real:

^Oh wow that's wild hahaha

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

It took me less than 1 minute to put this song into my list, and I'm still waiting to see if there are vocals or not.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:29 pm

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:27 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

A Latimer fan, eh? Didn't know that.

Camel's "For Today" may well be my favorite song period, and it's all him.

The Snow Goose still wells within me emotions I would have a hard time putting into words.

Dragon D. Luffy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:31 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

It took me less than 1 minute to put this song into my list, and I'm still waiting to see if there are vocals or not.

Andy Latimer isn't a strong vocalist, but I dig him anyway.

3rd Place



Thrice - The Whaler

Ooooooh baby this is that deep dark emotional stuff I didn't even realize I was so looking forward to. The piano and soft beat immediately felt simultaneously soothing and ominous -- just like the ocean. Coupled with the emotionally devastating lyrics and harmonized "ahh"s, this is absolutely gorgeous. This is the kind of indie bread and butter I thrive on. Love it.

9.6

Submitted by: Turnip Head

Dragon D. Luffy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:31 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:26 pm Couldn't pass up my favorite electric guitarist ever.

It took me less than 1 minute to put this song into my list, and I'm still waiting to see if there are vocals or not.

Who needs 'em.

No Mariner's Revenge Song? Boo!

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:29 pm

nutella wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:27 pm 4th Place



Procol Harum - A Salty Dog

This has Epi written all over it lol. I only know Procol Harum from that one Bach-y song they did that everyone knows, and this has a similar style with the lovely strings and the drums. It's nice, and yet somehow still sounds dated to my generationally-challenged ears. Maybe it's just the singer's voice, but I think the cinematic nature of it has a part as well. Thematically/lyrically this is obviously a winner, and musically it's very well put together.

9.0


Submitted by: Epignosis

Fine. Listen to it sung by Mike Portnoy.

For real:

Transatlantic is always great.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:15 pm Banjo-Kazooie probably makes my console games top ten.

100%

1st Place, Part 1

http://donottouch.org/
^website very worth checking out, here is a youtube for the thread though



Light Light - Kilo

Oh this is very cool. The site is like a collaborative music video in which the viewers use their cursors to make collective shapes and stuff. Very unique experience; I'm a sucker for innovative music videos. And the song is really good!! Very strong thematically and I am really into the catchy tune. Excellent pick.

9.7


Submitted by: Dragon D. Luffy

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:37 pm No Mariner's Revenge Song? Boo!

That and Come Sail Away were too easy

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:37 pm No Mariner's Revenge Song? Boo!

Was almost one of my examples anyway

"The Whaler" = Dope.

I think I posted this in the last Phenon too. Just remembered now. Almost spoiled it, lol.

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:39 pm "The Whaler" = Dope.

Yeah. Notice how very close the points are -- I actually originally had it in first but the top three were just all so close I had to make a call, sorry TH. Absolutely adore it.

Is this going to continue throughout? Should I call out of work?

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:42 pm Is this going to continue throughout? Should I call out of work?

Eh? I'm just doing through category 3 tonight if that answers your question.

1st Place, Part 2



Ewert and the Two Dragons - Sailor Man

Ooooooh I have a passing familiarity with this band because they're apparently really good friends with The Family Crest. Love their sound. This song has a really uplifting, inspirational feel to it in the way the chorus builds. Also love the drum/instrumental interlude.

9.7


Submitted by: Keldeo

nutella wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:43 pm

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:42 pm Is this going to continue throughout? Should I call out of work?

Eh? I'm just doing through category 3 tonight if that answers your question.

What I'm asking is if you'll be going through category ten tonight.

Ah, reread what you wrote. Got it.

I haven't even started on the later categories haha. I'll probably do another batch of three in a week or two and the last four another week or so after that. Will let you know when I decide on a time.

I've had a good time tonight.

ROUND THREE

3. The Lotus-Eaters - Psychedelia baby. Gimme something that will make me feel like I'm high or dreaming or both. Can be anything from chaotic, trippy electronica to peaceful New Agey shit.

10th Place



Gorillaz - Andromeda

This is a bit.... samey, idk. I feel like nothing I've heard from Gorillaz has ever stood out in any real way. Like, it's got a nice beat but it doesn't really go anywhere, it's just predictable. Maybe it would be less boring if I were high. Sorry, but I don't really get much from this.

5.8

Submitted by: Dragon D. Luffy

Imo this is the kind of song that gets better every time you listen to it. It's simple but it's catchy.

Only been drunk. Never high.

I'm disappointed that nutella didn't get high for this category lol

I got high for this category.

Epignosis wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:54 pm Only been drunk. Never high.

Same.

9th Place



Grimes - REALiTi

Video was blocked for me so I found a working one here


Never listened much to Grimes, so this was interesting. I liked it, pretty catchy and her video was fun. Not feeling the category fit that strongly, if anything it's more on the dream side than the drugs side but that's fine. Overall this is a decent track that unfortunately doesn't stand out a ton in my head.

7.2


Submitted by: Texas Cloverleaf


***REVISION***
The video I found did not exactly match the version of the song Tex intended to submit, so I thought it would only be fair to re-evaluate. The correct version is here: https://vimeo.com/178893108
I appreciate the difference, and based on both my enjoyment of the song and perception of thematic fit, I am retroactively re-scoring this submission to 7.5, making it tied with sprityo's submission in 7th place and surpassing TH's by a hair.

Turnip Head wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:55 pm I'm disappointed that nutella didn't get high for this category lol

heh, fair enough.

Oooh I almost submitted a Grimes song. Love her

8th Place



Miley Cyrus ft. Sarah Barthel - Slab of Butter (Scorpion)

Is this what Miley sounds like these days?? Iiinteresting. And... not bad. I can dig this. The sci-fi-ish sound effects and some of the lyrics make it okay for the theme. Not a slam dunk, but surprisingly decent.

7.4

Submitted by: Turnip Head

Our first round medalists have flipped to the bottom three here! Fascinating.

I am presently listening to a song by Miley Cyrus.