The Syndicate

Sloonei wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:22 pm Is it alright if I submit tomorrow? Today’s the deadline but i’m not locked in on all my picks and may be unavailable tonight.

Scratch that, I got it in. I had a lot of fun and went to a lot of different places for this one.

I'm still seriously stuck on the flawed masterpiece one. I have something of a fallback though so I can still get my sub in tonight.

nutella wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:52 pm I'm still seriously stuck on the flawed masterpiece one. I have something of a fallback though so I can still get my sub in tonight.

I went with a more thematic than literal submission for that one. I couldn’t come up with anything that I’d say was a good fit for the prompt as it is stated.

It's tough, because when you think of that great flaw, it makes the song sound crappy and worth no walrus points.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 4:32 pm It's tough, because when you think of that great flaw, it makes the song sound crappy and worth no walrus points.

My selection is a piece that I like a great deal, but would like a great deal more but for two particular passages.

11 people signed up with the poll, 11 full submissions. Looks like I won't have to extend the deadline!

Good. Now start listening. We demand results night parties!

G-Man wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:54 pm Good. Now start listening. We demand results night parties!

We will have them!

Tuesday Nights at... 9 EST still works for these parties?

speedchuck wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm Tuesday Nights at... 9 EST still works for these parties?

Suits me.

speedchuck wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm Tuesday Nights at... 9 EST still works for these parties?

Ja

Probably going to have to bail early, but sure

I can never make it on Tuesdays

Sloonei wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:22 pm Is it alright if I submit tomorrow? Today’s the deadline but i’m not locked in on all my picks and may be unavailable tonight.

If you wanna change picks that's fine. I'd rather it all be done before the first reveal party.

And if you were looking to change the first two categories, be quick. I was going to start listening tomorrow morning.

Also POLL [mention]Turnip Head[/mention]

speedchuck wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:56 pm

Sloonei wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:22 pm Is it alright if I submit tomorrow? Today’s the deadline but i’m not locked in on all my picks and may be unavailable tonight.

If you wanna change picks that's fine. I'd rather it all be done before the first reveal party.

And if you were looking to change the first two categories, be quick. I was going to start listening tomorrow morning.

I’m comfortable with my picks and they’re all locked in, if this was directed at me specifically.

Sloonei wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:33 pm

speedchuck wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:56 pm

Sloonei wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:22 pm Is it alright if I submit tomorrow? Today’s the deadline but i’m not locked in on all my picks and may be unavailable tonight.

If you wanna change picks that's fine. I'd rather it all be done before the first reveal party.

And if you were looking to change the first two categories, be quick. I was going to start listening tomorrow morning.

I’m comfortable with my picks and they’re all locked in, if this was directed at me specifically.

Oh.

Not sure how I got those all out of time order. Thought your post was more recent. Thanks for the heads up.

Any day is fine with me

Sunday is leading the poll, but I have a hunch that next sunday isn’t going to work for anybody.

Sloonei wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:40 am Sunday is leading the poll, but I have a hunch that next sunday isn’t going to work for anybody.

The Owl may be over by 10.

So technically I have plans on some of these days, but not on a consistent week by week basis. I'm just checking for general availability.

Super Bowl Sunday is out. I'll be playing a DnD game.

Tuesday is fine, but I'm asleep by 10, bro. How long do these things last?

Elohcin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 7:40 pm Tuesday is fine, but I'm asleep by 10, bro. How long do these things last?

A couple hours, no more hopefully

Maybe this Thursday, and then Sundays thereafter? Or something like that.

Would starting at 8pm EST be doable?

Epignosis wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:19 am Would starting at 8pm EST be doable?

I could. That's a question for the west coast though [mention]nutella[/mention]

Yeah that's manageable. Slightly trickier as I'll most likely be on mobile but I can do it

Cool. We'll probably do that then.

What day?

Sloonei wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2020 3:06 pmWhat day?

I will set a day when I have categories 1 and 2 judged.

I just voted for all of the above.

Also [mention]speedchuck[/mention] I'm going to resend you all of my submissions in the easier-to-use format.

birdwithteeth11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:12 pm I just voted for all of the above.

Also @speedchuck I'm going to resend you all of my submissions in the easier-to-use format.

Sure, thanks.

I should be able to do the first round on Monday next week, at either 8 or 9 EST.

speedchuck wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:14 pm

birdwithteeth11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:12 pm I just voted for all of the above.

Also @speedchuck I'm going to resend you all of my submissions in the easier-to-use format.

Sure, thanks.

I should be able to do the first round on Monday next week, at either 8 or 9 EST.

I HAS AN EXCITE!!!

Also, I only picked 2 songs out of the 10 that are over 10 minutes. My prog musical side feels slightly ashamed of that. But don't worry. One of them is 14 minutes.

birdwithteeth11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:20 pm

speedchuck wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:14 pm

birdwithteeth11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:12 pm I just voted for all of the above.

Also @speedchuck I'm going to resend you all of my submissions in the easier-to-use format.

Sure, thanks.

I should be able to do the first round on Monday next week, at either 8 or 9 EST.

I HAS AN EXCITE!!!

Also, I only picked 2 songs out of the 10 that are over 10 minutes. My prog musical side feels slightly ashamed of that. But don't worry. One of them is 14 minutes.

I made sure to balance mine out. One of my submissions is under two minutes.

You guys make this really hard to judge.

I mean that in the best way. And also the worst.

speedchuck wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:14 pm

birdwithteeth11 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:12 pm I just voted for all of the above.

Also @speedchuck I'm going to resend you all of my submissions in the easier-to-use format.

Sure, thanks.

I should be able to do the first round on Monday next week, at either 8 or 9 EST.

k

Walrus today at 8:30 EST, or 10 hours and 15 minutes from now.

speedchuck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:16 am Walrus today at 8:30 EST, or 10 hours and 15 minutes from now.

How many categories are we revealing tonight?

G-Man wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 6:06 pm

speedchuck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:16 am Walrus today at 8:30 EST, or 10 hours and 15 minutes from now.

How many categories are we revealing tonight?

Probably 2.

Sweet. I’ll probably be late to the party, but I’ll stop in for a little while.

speedchuck wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:16 am Walrus today at 8:30 EST, or 10 hours and 15 minutes from now.

That's actually perfect.

Will we get results posted here? If it's not too much trouble, I'd love to take a listen to what I missed without scrolling backwards through the discord

Category One: The Spark of Destiny


11. Joanna Newsom - "En Gallop" - 3
submitted by JJJ

This is the second time I've tried to like Joanna Newsom. I understand why some would. Her unique, airy sound brings to mind fairy tales and simpler times. I do love the harp in the background. But I just cannot stand Joanna's voice. The cracks and flaws in the way she sings are supposed to bring to mind the voice of youth and innocence, but it doesn't work for me at all.


10. Queens of the Stone Age - You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire - 5
submitted by G-Man

The little bits in the opening made me laugh. When the driven music came in, I thought I'd love it, but the screamy vocals turned me off. The song never really evolved from there, though there were parts that had less screaming or more flourish to them.


9. iamamiwhoami - sever - 5
submitted by Sloonei

This is supposedly from an audiovisual album, but I don't think the music video is all that. The song itself is groovy but sad, with a haunting voice headlining it. I can't say it fits me and my type of music. The lyrics, amusingly, seem to complain about creativity being stifled at one point. Thematic?


8. Pegboard Nerds - Disconnected - 6
submitted by Sprityo

Electro music is always a good choice when you want to play background music and get something done. I like the first half (though it would be better with some swing), and then the second half falls into some less pleasing dubstep sounds for a bit.


7. MIKA - Love Today - 6
submitted by Elohcin

I never was into the effeminate 80's pop style, but I must say MIKA pulls it off with a more modern flair. The break into the more guitar-driven chorus is awesome. This is definitely one of those songs that could overstay its welcome in your head, and I mean that in the best possible way.


6. RAC - We Belong (ODESZA Remix) - 7
submitted by TH

I started out not liking this song because of the background chimes-y sound in the beginning. Yet despite a feeling the song was overproduced or repetitive in places, I couldn't stop myself from tapping my foot. This has a good sound to it.


5. The Red Paintings - It Is As It Was - 7
submitted by Macdougall

The opening guitar riff had me expecting a straightforward rock song, and I was on board. What I received was more than that, with a little SOAD mixed in and more atmosphere than I'd expected. Good hook, good atmosphere, but a little noisy in places. The tone that this song goes for is also not something I'd probably listen to often.


4. French 79 - After Party - 8
submitted by iaafr

This is a great groove I could see myself listening to while writing or drawing or painting. The opening builds up to an awesome beat, and the way that the electronic sounds in the background adds to the mix is great! After the 3 minute mark, I felt like there was nothing more to hear, though, which is the way of electronic mixes like this one.


3. The Black Piper - The Assassin in White - 8
submitted by nutella

WHAT? Sanderson's novels have soundtracks? The percussion really drives this song from the very start, giving it the same kind of intensity I expect from a powerful movie score. The ending almost doesn't seem to match the rest of the song, but was enjoyable nonetheless.


2. The Reign of Kendo - The Moments In Between - 9
submitted by birdwithteeth

http://www.mafiathesyndicate.com/viewto ... 26#p441526
I reviewed this album for SAW back in the day. I have generally the same things to say about it now, but it has grown on me. This song is better than I remember the album being, captivating in tone, musicianship, and lyrics.


1. Kansas - Miracles Out Of Nowhere - 10
submitted by epi

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands? So loved because of all the musicianship and complexity and interesting rhythms within? I'd think Epi to be pandering if I didn't know him as well as I do, and understand just how this song inspires him musically, lyrically, and in spirit.

Category Two: Singing In The Shower


11. G-Man - VID00036 - 3
submitted by G-Man

Way to put yourself out there! Under Pressure is a silly song in it's own way, and you look like you really had fun with it. Thanks for sharing.


10. Periphery - It's Only Smiles - 6
submitted by birdwithteeth

The vocal work here is really impressive. I would have loved to hear the actual A Capella isolated recording, which according to the internet exists, but neither you nor I could find it. I don't know whether to be fair and dock points or not, but... I liked this.


9. Smooth McGroove - Phoenix Wright: Cornered - 6
submitted by sprityo

I love Smooth McGroove! ... but I have no nostalgia or particular love for Phoenix Wright and its music. Maybe that's why this seems like one of his weaker offerings. Enjoyable, but disappointing for that reason.


8. Grizzly Bear - Knife - 7
submitted by iaafr

The fact that this a capella version was improv'd makes it really impressive. They clearly had fun, and didn't miss a beat with it. The song itself was pretty good and enjoyable.


7. Idea of North - Cold Chisel - 7
submitted by Macdougall

Beautiful. I especially like the percussion, it really adds to the song. Without the percussion, the song would still be beautiful, sentimental, but not as much my thing.


6. Julianna Barwick - The Magic Place - 8
submitted by TH

This piece is hauntingly beautiful. There is no percussion, few lyrics I can make out. Just sonic texture, painting a scene. Mystical, alluring. I'd love hearing this in a movie soundtrack or as a mood-setter.


5. Da Vinci's Notebook - Liposuction - 8
submitted by nutella

This is really fun! I've listened to some other DVN stuff, but this sounds almost like Weird Al.


4. Pentatonix - Little Drummer Boy - 8
submitted by Elohcin

I'm pleasantly surprised Pentatonix wasn't on this list more. We got some variety. That's not to say Pentatonix isn't one of the best out there for this genre. Their work here is masterful, even though Little Drummer Boy isn't a song I like much on its own. Here I can find something to love in it.


3. Camille - Senza - 8
submitted by Sloonei

The sounds Camille makes are a little... off? Something about that repeated note that comes in on the second measure irks me. The way it wavers, it almost sounds like she's confused. The song rolls with it in an experimental way, with off-beat notes that pitter and patter like raindrops. When the singing voice comes in, it's beautiful. But that one repeated note is still irksome throughout.
And on repeated listens, I keep ranking it higher.


2. Solomon Linda & The Evening - Mbube - 9
submitted by JJJ

This is a history and culture lesson wrapped up in a song. I've never heard this before, or anything quite like it. I wouldn't listen to this casually, but it was an enriching experience on an artsy level, and I thank you for recommending it. Broadened my horizons.


1. Walk the Moon - Iscariot - Middlebury Bobolinks - 9
submitted by Epignosis

This song really picks up as it goes. Somewhere along the way it stopped sounding like a college group covering a song and more like an emotional masterpiece. Something about it just hit me right. I really like it.

So when do I get to feel shame next?

How does this Sunday Night at 8:30 or 9 EST sound?

I should be free to shame G-man then.

90% chance I will be there

I think

G-Man wrote: ↑Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:02 pm So when do I get to feel shame next?

I feel you on every level gman