Wow. This is a breathtaking homage to KMS. Like Nick said, I got lost in the many, many instruments layered over it...but I really enjoyed that. I guess it's a personal taste. And at 3:14 I was like Wooah, man did this track took a dark turn! Overall, superb job!
Reviews for "Killing Me Softly"
Phonometrologist responds:
Wow I wouldn't have expected a comment like that, but I'm grateful that you enjoyed it as such.
In regards to 3:14, perhaps I took the title of the track too literally.
So I just wanted to say "GOOD JOB M8" because this music feels great, it's not perfect at some moments, because of the masterisation and the confusion between different instruments, but that are so minor problems.
Any way, I read that "what makes any difference is within the character of the person projecting their art. It has little to do with talent as I don't have much"
This is a really intresting thought you're giving us, You are actually right, even though you need to know some basics about music and some experience if you wish to entertain the others, It's from the people basic tastes, and how you feel closer to this person by the same experience, something that you could reliate to create some kind of magic communication between the listener and the composer.
This is why I always think that the music is in the taste of the sublime, not beauty, it is something so abstract that is in direct contact with your earing sense, Cinema is merging those to create some kind of rules : the situation, the context etc.
Music speaks for itself, and that is also why we love to be ethnused about some kind of specific music, because it just encounters your own education and personality, but in a more detailed way, so you can fully apprehend and appreciate this unique taste.
ANYWAY : GOOD JOB M8 5/5.
Phonometrologist responds:
Thanks mate! Yes you're right that it isn't perfect, but I'll borrow from an old adage that perfection itself is imperfect.
Everything you mentioned about music is spot on, and that music is a great tool for empathy. Moreover, if you really want to know a composer/artist, listen to their music. It will reveal more about them than you could ever learn from in a book. Even their own dialect cannot fully express for all that they are for it is far too limiting compared to music. In music, you listen to their blood, sweat, and tears from over the years of what it took from them to progress to what is heard--not necessarily speaking about the creation of the musical piece itself but rather where they are in life should shape the music. If only all were able to communicate through an elevated and more eloquent speech such as music, there would be far less misunderstandings. The mystery of music is of the same class with the mysticism of love. Not all will treat this form of speech as such however, but it still reveals a little about the individual that listens or writes it. For example even for those that treat music merely as a source for primal, surface level, or selfish means, it merely would reflect just that in their own personality/worldview. I think it's also important for that matter to know why anyone listens to music. What activity is one partaking in while listening to music will reveal the message behind it such as one that works-out to, dances to, meditates to, or etc. to the music that is heard or written. Interesting thoughts-- point being, music will reveal more about the individual while at the same time giving the capability to comprehend its meaning more fully.
I had totally forgotten that this song existed, somehow! And it's a real shame too, as I really like it. So thanks for reminding me! :D
You know, I've experimented with chord changes now and then, but I've never made anything nearly this elaborate! What I like to do, is to take songs like "Happy Birthday" for instance, and switch out the chords to really dark ones :p
But oh man. Funny thing is, I really like the original chords in this piece as well, because while pretty simple, they have a really nice pattern, as well as some changes that sound really good, like the minor to major things and such. But you kept many of the chords too, to some extent, which is nice :)
That said, I also really like what you've done to the piece! This is another one of those tracks that flows really quickly for me, despite not really being that long. There are just so many interesting things going on!
To start with, you definitely picked the right genre. Even if experimental would fit nicely, I'd say that even more than that, this sounds cinematic. I'm pretty sure you used the same strings as in you "Tron: The Son of Flynn- Remake" in quite many places. It's not impossible that you used some other stuff I've heard before, as I feel like I recognize something (like at 4:40 for example). But that is unimportant.
I really love the style you're using. It's not entirely unlike mine when it comes to mixing, even if it is clearly better, on most fronts. But you're using pretty much reverb, and some parts feel a bit muddy. I don't necessarily view this as a negative though! In the end, there are only different approaches to mixing anyway XD
I also enjoyed all the extra effects and instruments you used, and very well for that matter. The new atmosphere allows for an entirely different interpretation of this song, imo.
The most interesting part, to me, is at 3:37, with the organ (that for some reason sounds like some kind of weird/creepy reversed circus organ). It too, reminds me of something, but I can't recall what exactly.
Anywho... There's so much I could comment on in this song. It must've taken a while to make, as there is something new happening all the time! But I don't have much more to say, as it'd basically end with me saying "this is great" at every single part XD
Amazing job, all in all, and I can't wait to hear what more crazy and amazing things you'll upload! ;)
Phonometrologist responds:
Once again thank you-- I always appreciate your reviews/comments.
This piece isn't so satisfying to me, but then again, I don't feel like I have written a "complete" piece yet... still sculpting for it. And it did take a while because I struggled to make it work.
Everything you mentioned is correct except one thing; the moment at 3:37 is woodwinds playing harmonic overtones in an extended way i.e. Cage. But you're close enough because an organ is very much so a woodwind, and it perhaps is mimicked to sound like one as well.
I do want to reiterate what you said-- the chords are nice in the original so that is why I started with the original chords in the beginning while throughout the piece, I wanted to slowly substitute chords in a continual line where it eventually just becomes a mess such as in the third minute. The section at 4:18 is a complete constant change of chords under the same melody, and then the outro goes back to the original. Not sure why I took that approach other than to think it would be fun and interesting to do like, "Pfft...who cares how messy this can get."
That section at 4:18 was a challenge to mix, you're right that I used a bit of reverb, but a lot of it was sample delay as well. I try to balance between both effects.
I really wanted to leave a review on this one for quite a while but I never found the time :( It´s amazing how you put so many different moods into the arrangement of a single pop song! I did some string quartett arrangements for pop songs a while ago but I definitely wasn´t this creative like you here.
When I heard this track at the beginning I think the master was a bit dull but I guess you remixed it a bit because I think it´s much better, now.
Okay here are some impressions I had during the different parts:
Beginning: Calm with a feeling of minimalism (especially in the strings)
Arround 1:30: More in a happy climax. Very cinematic (Still with a bit of minimalism)
Arround 2:40: Some chanson elements in the organ give this a bit a feeling like in a coffee in Paris.
Arround 3:00: Very dark, climax, horror, cinematic.
Arround 3:40: Clockwerk Orange!
Arround 4:10: Happy Ending climax with some SF elements.
Arround 5:00: Sad ambient ending.
I really have now idea which story would fit this track but it´s great. You did some amzing work with the chord substitutions here creating different atmospheres. The only thing is that maybe the melody could be a bit more present in some parts. Other than this: Great!
Phonometrologist responds:
Although I don't consider this too amazing, I do appreciate your sentiments dearly.
I think you're spot on with your descriptive sections of the piece, and I should just put those in the comments about the piece. The beginning is, I suppose, an ambient, minimalistic approach in cinematic sounds. Your description at 2:40 is quite interesting to me because I thought I was the only one that thought the organ sounded more like an accordion in that exact setting that you have put forth. It certainly wasn't intentional but with the combination of the chords and instruments, it's just what happened. Sometimes we are credited to be highly creative when these things are merely mistakes at first. The 3:40 section is very interesting to me that you thought of Clockwork Orange as I haven't thought of it. But I certainly hear what you mean now.
I'd be highly impressed if anybody thought of a story to go along with this piece, because I certainly haven't myself... not really a story-telling kind of piece than it is a descriptive exercise.
In regards to the melody, I only kept it in its true state in the 1:30 section. It's heard a little bit around 4:10, but in places like the beginning, the oboe merely follows the melodic contour of the original melody where it doesn't play the repeating rhythmic ones. The piano melody at the ending is my own derived from playing along with the original melody in the beginning.
Overall, your review has allowed me to reflect a bit more on this piece... I'm glad you enjoyed it and took the time in letting me know.
Well executed track, You really got me lost throughout the piece as there was a lot of instruments doing its part while still trying to stay coherent with the whole mix. Very difficult to do. To me though it did sound a tad muddy.
I like the cinematic bridge as well as the outro. at 1:30 when the strings expression goes up and jumps down rapidly...wasn't feeling it, seemed too fast and I thought it sounded kinda fake.
Overall though it sounded pretty good, very nice use of several string libraries I am assuming. And those cool trill effects and risers.
Phonometrologist responds:
Thank you for your honest review. I'll be sure to return the favor!
Your critiques are well noted, and I even edited the moment at 1:30 to make it less apparent of my use of a cheap violin sample lol. I really dislike mimicking lyrics with the use of sample libraries, and when it comes to production I just decided to call it quits so I can move on to other more interesting projects-- so much to do and so little time. Muddiness is fine by me as I prefer a slightly more dirty production. I'm in the mindset that not everything needs to be heard so clearly.
The outro is my favorite part as it fits more of my interests.