SpinTunes #5 Round 2 Review

Different things motivate different people.  This challenge is so wide open lyrically that it is hard to say that anyone didn’t meet the challenge. (unless you didn’t include lyrics) Just because your song didn’t motivate me, doesn’t mean that it didn’t motivate you or someone else.  My rankings will mostly reflect how much I liked your song, and not how much I thought it met the challenge.  That being said...if I hear something that really does motivate me...it could bump you up a little in my rankings.

The rankings were the hardest part of the judging process this time around.  I thought it was a REALLY strong album, and it was hard to put anyone near the bottom.  Great work everyone.

Ross Durand - Win
I was looking forward to this song more than any other this round.  Mostly because of “Let's Get Bloody”, and I enjoyed putting a little extra pressure on you by mentioning that.  Now...on to the new song.  It was worth the wait.  Probably the song that pumped me up the most, and it was also a lot of fun to sing.  This is something that can (and will) be played in my car as I’m going to basketball games.  Heck I might even have to ask to use this in another Pain For Laughs video.

Edric Haleen - One More Step
It doesn’t SOUND like this pushed you out of your comfort zone...  At first I’m thinking it’s a song about running, and it could be, but it can also be about anything.  Just improving & pushing yourself at anything really.  Music & vocals were as usual great, but it would be nice to hear you sound like you were challenged for once.

RC - Get Up
You win for best idea of the round.  Who doesn’t need a little extra motivation to drag their ass out of bed some days?  If I had a fancier alarm clock, I’d have this play in the mornings.  Aside from having a great idea, everything else works as well.  Music is upbeat & fun, I enjoyed the lyrics & it was catchy.

Gorbzilla featuring The Gorbzookies - Superwoman
Funk...cool.  Not all that motivational for me since I’m a guy, but it’s a lot of fun, and I would have to think it goes over great with it’s intended audience.  Between Zoe & The Gorbzookies we’re certainly getting our fill of cute kids in this contest.  Well done Gorb & company.

PS: Happy birthday Superwoman.

Mariah Mercedes - Hurricane
You improve from contest to contest, and this is my favorite song yet.  The music is as powerful as a hurricane & you really let loose on the vocals.  Not really sure I can relate to being a hurricane, but it pumps me up nevertheless.

Rats Of The Sky - Dance To The Groove Libido
I know that boasting & self-praise is a part of rap, but it’s one of the things I really don’t care for.  In this case I don’t knock you much because the self deprecating kinda balances it out.  The beat & music work well to motivate, but lyrically I’m not sure this would motivate many.  The lyrics were creative enough to hold my interest, but the chorus was a little weaker than I’d have liked.  Overall...good entry, that I hope gets you to round 3.  Well done.

Caravan Ray - Pump It Up
Like The Boffo Yux Dudes, this was the obvious direction for you.  I’m going to give you props for having some difficult lyrics (even though the Latin shadow trumped you), and despite being repetitive as hell it was still fun.  I didn’t care for the Tour de France line, but other than that I enjoyed the lyrics.

The Boffo Yux Dudes / Chris Cogott - Big, Bigger, Best
There are a couple lines that didn’t really get a laugh from me, but for the most part I laughed more than groaned.  The music & vocals were about perfect.  Could this pump you up?  Musically yes, but lyrically it’s more like the anti-workout song.  The take on the challenge was a bit obvious...at least for the Boffo Yux Dudes.  If you’re going to do obvious, you should at least do it well...and you did.

Glen Raphael - Pump Down The Volume
Great idea, but the subject itself doesn’t seem that motivational.  The music sure hits the mark, and it got me bobbing my head.  The breakdown was funny, and you come off sounding like an old man with lawn issues.  One of my favorite songs from you thus far.

Godz Poodlz - In The Zone
I like everything about this, but I want more.  It’s just a little too repetitive for me in the end.  The sound is awesome, lyrically no issues, but you need to leave the zone long enough to write at least 1 more verse.

Governing Dynamics - Forward
I thought the music was more interesting than most this round (but it could have been shortened a bit), and lyrically I didn’t really get it at times.  The music held my attention, but overall I don’t think it’s all that motivational for ME.  It was just the opposite at times.  I mentioned I wasn’t grading too hard on the challenge this time around, but I always knock people if I don’t really dig the lyrics.  That’s the main reason you dropped in my rankings.

Jailhouse Payback - Kick Your Routine
Change your name to Schoolhouse Rock Payback.  Seriously...I got a Schoolhouse Rock vibe from this.  Working out has got to be one of the most boring things to do in life.  Which is why some people need music to help motivate them.  A song / lesson plan on working out wouldn’t be that motivational to me personally.  BUT, I am a huge Schoolhouse Rock fan (have them all on DVD), and I still managed to enjoy this track.

Felix Frost - The Frost Mine
Ok...I thought you had the most difficult task this round.  Your 8-bit style & your very youngish voice just didn’t seem like fits for this challenge.  That being said I do enjoy brentalfloss videos & his music...and there have been some games that have soundtracks I still find motivational. (Mega Man, Contra, Zelda, Life Force)  So lets see how you did...

The intro is interesting, but I’d shorten it some.  Not all that motivational yet...oh but wait...the chorus is pretty cool, and it’s pumping me up somewhat.  But once again this sounds like 2 different songs pushed awkwardly together.  Your story is a bit weird...and going to be hard for some people to get into.  Especially since your vocals need to be brought up in the verses.  Whoa...that ended quickly.

In the end there were parts of this song that I could see being included in some really kickass NES game.  But in the end I still think less could be more in terms of types of sounds you’re throwing at us.

Menage a Tune - Run!
Musically this is fine, but lyrically I don’t really see this being motivational for many people.  You don’t really ever give a reason to keep going...just that you should.  It’s rather depressing for me.  If you’re going to motivate someone I would think you would focus more of the positives of your story.

The Chocolate Chips - Nothing Can Stop You
OOOOooo...love the opening.  Don’t like whatever you ran your vocals through though.  Not all that catchy.  “You will taste fresh if you begin to plant the seed”????  The music throughout could have held my interests, but the vocals & lyrics didn’t pull their weight.

Jeremy Lambright - Shut Up And Dance
I know you ran out of time, and that’s why there are no lyrics.  If you would like to finish this track later, we would be happy to play it at the next LP.  The music is chill yet at the same time seems to push me towards something.  So I would love to hear this finished.


Jeffrey Powers - If I Finish This Workout, I Can Go Get A Beer (Shadow)
You may have a drinking problem, but I’m glad Tom wrangled you into the contest. You seem more like a happy drunk than an angry one. The song doesn’t meet the 2 minute minimum, but it’s a shadow, so that’s ok. For what it is it’s effective, but there are a couple lines that need cleaned up. For instance: “If I run, I can make the happy hour earlier than late ”. It sounds like you crammed too much into that line. Minor issues for what’s not meant to be a serious song.

Dr. Lindyke - A Tune For You (The SpinTunes Montage) (Shadow)
Yeah, I didn’t know I was getting a SpinTunes theme song this round? It’s more like a ST5R2 theme song because of lines mentioning the examples, but it’s the best I’ve got, and it’s really fun to sing along with. In the contest...you may have been at risk for going meta, but I love this. I wish there was a 2nd FULL verse.

Dr. Lindyke - Monastic Workout (Shadow)
I have a policy against reviewing things I can’t understand that are not official entries. I just started it.

Ménage a Tune - Rat Race (Shadow)
I really think you missed the boat...again...with the lyrics. I find them depressing...not motivational. And anyone who uses the phrase “Hamster wheel of life”...needs a rewrite.

Zoe Gray - Mine (Shadow)
You sound like a villain from the show “My Little Pony Tales” that’s trying to take over the world with cuteness. When I send out my feedback forms to all the participants of SpinTunes 5 I’ll ask them what it feels like to have their asses (Brian you better bleep that out) handed to them by an 11 year old. Extremely well done.

Trader Jack - Let Nothing Be Left Behind (Shadow)
Better late than never. I’m glad you sent this in, and I enjoyed parts of your lyrics a lot. It did get a little weird for me in parts, but for some reason it held my interest. At first I thought it was going to be a bit too slow, but I think it worked as being motivational. Well done.