CFox's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Fallen Angels]

Nice sense of movement

The string and choral sounds really mix well! I really like how the strings move not all in 'blocks' but against one another, creating a bit of counterpoint, and yet the basses/celli have a very steady pace to them. The fact that you're not recycling the same set of 2 or 3 chords over and over really helps I think, that it keeps moving to new sonorities really helps that sense of movement and keeps the steady bass motion sound grounded but fresh.
The way it moves reminds me a bit of Samuel Barber's 'Adagio for Strings,' if you have not heard it I highly highly recommend giving it a listen. If you've seen Platoon, they use it in that movie.

popraz responds:

Thank you for the review. Big fan of both Platoon and Barber's "Adagio for Strings".

[Psilocine - Forest Theme]

Nice start

Very calming, the instrument choice I think really worked. In terms of instruments to add, since it's a forest theme I think harp or marimba would be a great choice, I'm not sure what those sound like on your synth though. Or for a sustained sound, maybe something that imitates a chorus, a sort of airy/placid/wistful color. What you have now I think works despite not developing much because it's not too long, it would be fine as it is just as a short piece to set a mood, or if you wanted something longer/more immersive, this would make a good 'intro' or 'A' section. To my ear I don't think you necessarily have to add instruments ontop of what's already there, just change the colors/textures in the section of music that would follow this. Hope that helps!

Psilocine responds:

Hey mate,

thanks for the review. I've got some busy weeks @ work so i'll try to look into this later. I think marimba would be a good idea didn't think of it yet =D.

Anyhow, i'll send you a PM when it's finished.

Greets,

Stephen

[Spirit of the Universe]

Very immersive

I love the sounds you used, how it drifts from one very open and atmospheric timbre to the next, with the plodding percussion tying it all together. The muffled sound of the chanting is a nice touch, makes the whole thing sound very surreal, as if in some ancient place where voices from the past echo in the back of your mind. Perhaps you might consider panning the strings to the center? They really take the focus of attention toward the end as they don't have as much reverb so they sound much closer, it seems like they shouldn't be so far right.
Just a thought, it may be contrary to what you were after, but maybe at the end have it die back down to the calm , open/distant texture from the beginning, to sort of round it out? Especially for a song this length, just to sort of remind us of how it all started.

popraz responds:

Thank you for the feedback. You have a point about the strings toward the end. For the time being I thought of leaving them like that, but maybe I should center them.