SpinTunes 12 Round 2 Reviews

Ryan M. Brewer featuring Raven Faith Brewer - Existentialism On Senior Spring Break

Your vocals could make any lyric seem deep or profound...but when you actually have creative & meaningful lyrics like this it creates a song that would make people literally stop what they’re doing to listen.  On first listen I was going to suggest repeating the 1 line chorus only 3 times.  By the time I got to the end of the song I didn’t really care, and was just amazed by the ending.  Hope you gave your sister a nice Valentine’s day gift or something for helping you out, cause she did a fine job as well.

Sumner Wynn - Singing My Heart Out

Overall I thought this was a huge improvement from your first entry.  I really liked the fact that you submitted a song that could be performed entirely IN a car while on a roadtrip.  I think the lyrics could be cleaned up a little still.  Thought the middle of the song was the strongest part.  To make it a little more relatable I’d change “Vietnamese” to something more common.  The vocalizing that happens multiple times in the song, first at 52 seconds in, is kinda annoying.  As a listener I’m thinking, “Did this guy forget the lyrics to his own damn song?”  Then I thought maybe you picked up a Cherokee hitch hiker.  Again, overall I enjoyed this, but some very minor changes could help it a lot!

James Young - Drive​-​Thru!

This sounds like it came off Weird Al’s “The Food Album”.  That’s not in ANY way a bad thing either.  It’s singable, catchy, tells a story in a humorous way, performed well...I wish I had something negative to say...could have more banjo I guess. ;p

Zoe Gray - Drive To California

8-bity.  Last round I was in the minority, I didn’t really care for your entry.  More for stylistic reasons than anything probably.  But this one is bouncy, fun, and much more my vibe. I enjoyed almost everything about this one.  I’d fade out sooner at the end.  Your chorus is pretty long, AND CATCHY, but still no need to even start the 4th section at the end.  Even if I can’t see myself singing along to this in my car (being a nearly 40 year old male I might get some strange looks with a few of those lyrics), I can totally seeing a group of 16 year old girls doing it.  Oh and the 2nd chorus there’s a spot where 2 lines seem slightly muddled together “listening to old bops/while we drive on”.

Brian Gray - Code Red

I saw the lyrics as I was uploading your track to Bandcamp & honestly I didn’t think the idea was all that funny.  Once I listened however, the music had me flashing back to Smokey And The Bandit & The Dukes Of Hazzard. Which tells me you nailed the challenge topic wise & musically.  You pretty much nailing the music & giving a really good performance made this thoroughly enjoyable, and I ended up smiling or giving a light laugh at most of the jokes. Actually reminded me of a comedy track I used to listen to called "Here's Your Sign".

PS:  I liked the accent, but my co-worker from Texas says you need work.

Megalodon - Accelerator

Excellent entry.  The car sounds weren’t too much & added to the feel, the guitar was rockin’, and over I thought you nailed the challenge.  One thing I liked AND didn’t like was how in the chorus you started with 50 miles to go, and eventually got closer by the end of the song.  I liked that idea of the song telling the listener exactly how close you were to your destination.  I just think you could have done it better.  You were 50 miles away twice, when you could have changed that up a little to make EVERY one different.  The last one when you say, “another little nifty mile to go” annoyed me simply because....well who talks like that?!

Rob From Amersfoort - Still On The Road

I thought this would be a tough fit for your musical style beforehand.  After listening to the song I think I was probably right.  I didn’t dislike the music, but it didn’t feel like something that I’d pop in to jam out to why driving, or even a relaxing cruise type jam.  You definitely met the challenge with your topic, but I still don’t find these rhymes or lyrics in general all that creative.  I need more story/lyric wise for this to hold my attention.

Bryan Schumann - Open Road

Lyrically there’s just not much there, but your idea is a pretty simple one, and there isn’t a ton of story to tell...so I guess that’s all right.  This is more of a mood piece & I think you nailed that mood perfectly.  This song is how I feel 5 days a week.  The only problem is I don’t think I should listen to this as I drive to work.  I get up between 2:30-4:30AM for work normally & I’m so tired this song would make me run smack dab into the back of a semi truck.  Nice performance & solid entry.

Lucky Witch And The Righteous Ghost - Hey Mister

I’m just going to forget that first 60 seconds happened...because it shouldn’t have.  You have some seriously dark & intriguing lyrics here.  I’m left disappointed with the ending though.  Musically it wasn’t dynamic enough.  The ending was pretty repetitive & dull compared to the verses.  In the end some of the best lyrics of the round...but still left me thinking it could have been more.

Steve Stearns - The Ride

You win.

I guess that’s probably not enough for a review…  So ok, right from the start the music grabs you & you know this is going to be good.  The lyrics are catchy & when the claps start...I’m already smiling, head bobbin’, and ready to sing along.  This hits all the marks if I was trying to think of the perfect road trip song.  Even with A LOT of other really good songs this round...there’s a significant gap between first & second in my opinion.

Mick Bordet - Autobahn Hype

Enjoyed the music & track more this round. I thought your idea was good, but felt you dragged out the joke a too long.  I’d have even been happier if it were a small section to a completely different song, other than being it’s own song.  The slowing down & speeding up also makes it a bit hard to get into if you’re the type of person who likes to sing a long.

Kyleen Downes - Taking Daisy For A Drive

Great song idea, that I don’t think I’d have thought of.  Not only was it a unique idea, but it’s totally relatable to so many people.  My favorite thing about it was the reveal at the end.  You had people thinking one thing, and didn’t reveal the truth until the end.  Being a huge Dean Martin fan it reminded me of "The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane".

Shyfox - Are We There Yet?

Musically you hit the nail on the head for me.  It’s constantly driving me forward, and rockin’.  I wouldn’t be against removing 1 or 2 “She wants to know” lines.  It’s odd that you choose “Are we there yet?” as the hook when it’s one of the more annoying questions parents get while driving, but it worked out well.

Governing Dynamics - Three Places (I​​-​​80)

Vocals too hot, and not as solid as the last round (night, right, time & time).  Enjoyed the music throughout, especially the instrumental section...you rocked that.  Enjoyed most of the lyrics, especially the chorus.  I did like hearing you try something more upbeat.  Not sure if the vocals were from you being sick or just because it’s a little different from what you’re used to, but that was my biggest issue with this song.

Jailhouse Payback - Wall

I’m glad the transitions weren’t so clunky this time around.  Lyrically I didn’t really get into the story you were giving me.  The music was ok, and there were catchy moments.  Nothing stood out as much as it needed to this round I’m afraid.  I can see it getting lost in the middle.

Boffo Yux Dudes - The Last Road Trip

The idea for a Mad Max type of song could be fun, but I don’t really think this achieved that.  Musically isn’t pretty tame & doesn’t go anywhere.  Lyrically I probably would have been a little confused as to what the song was about without knowing ahead of time.  I mean you start off with a line like, “Spent my last dollar filling up the tank”.  In a post-apocalyptic world you have working gas stations...or dollars that people still value? Set the scene clearly & early unless you’re going for some big twist like Kyleen did...and this wasn’t written in a way to suggest you were.

Turtle Fence - Best Man

So it’s about a last hurrah before getting hitched?  And the guy realizing he’ll give up some things, but gain more in the end?  I feel there was a much more creative way of telling a story like this.  I mean what happened on this trip that made him come to the conclusion at the end?  This is like a hamburger without the meat.  Musically...get a hook.

Ominous Ride - Colipsis

If people do that while driving they are insane.  Very different idea, and one that fits your sound well.  I kinda feel this could even be used in a movie or drama of some sort.  I could picture this story in my mind easily.  Very well done.  Now that being said, if I hadn’t read the information you provided with your song, I’d have been pretty damn confused.  It may not matter to you, but it’ll limit the enjoyment some people get from it who don’t want to have to look shit up. ;p (I don’t mind though)

Dr. Lindyke - On My Way

Most people decided to write a song about leaving home.  I was glad someone wrote about just trying to get home.  Really pretty song, that certainly has a trucker feel.  I’ll assume your boys did a good job, I heard Dave Leigh mostly.  No complaints, but I think I heard a sound around 1:05-1:08...might have been someone hitting a mic?  Not sure.

Ross Durand - Till I Get There

So many different ideas this round.  You had another gem of writing about someone who enjoys taking it all in as they walk down the road.  There are times it seems like your performance is rushed.  Not saying it’s a poor performance, but that you’re trying to get out more syllables than you really have time for in a couple places.  Which to me, affected the overall flow of the song a little.  I really like this, but it’s not in my top 3, and at the time of this writing I have no idea where it’ll fall in the rankings since there a lot of solid tunes.

Army Defense - Autoreise

Ok, not singable...that’s going to hurt it in my rankings.  The idea could maybe be funny, but this didn’t really make me laugh.  No real hook, and there’s no real story other than a robot about to go on a trip.  I look forward to your next song, but this one didn’t do anything for me.

Adam Sakellarides - I Need A Break

Soften those vocals a tad.  What is “jerky root beer”?  I know what you meant, but the way you phrased it was awkward.  Overall it was an enjoyable song, but the music really didn’t hold my attention all the way through.

Emperor Gum - Singalong Ok, I was actually wondering if anyone would take the "Wheels On The Bus" direction for this challenge, and you came the cloeset to doing that. I really like your idea, the execution is mixed. Your chorus is catchy & well done, but the verses need a little work. Instead of such a serious story, I'd rather have something lighthearted & easy for kids to sing with a shanty approach. Because what I rank on mostly is how much I want to hear your song again. Granted the first time was really interesting, but I can't see myself wanting to sing this in my car...nor could I see kids singing this on a road trip.

Andy Glover - Highway Memories (Shadow)

A song about a family on a very unusual trip.  One that’s peaceful & full of contentment.  Not something I associate with family trips, but I realise some people pull it off.  The song leaves me feeling very much like the driver...content.  Little slow for my tastes, but when I’m in a mellow mood, this would do the trick.  Solid effort, thanks for shadowing.

Boffo Yux Dudes - Roadside Attraction (Shadow)

You picked the wrong song.  Nice work coming up with 2 unique ideas this round.  I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first.  Was more of a fun lighthearted song, which is more up my alley.  Musically it was pretty simple, but the harmonica bit mixed it up a little & it was a pretty short song so it didn’t start feeling too repetitive.  Maybe a line or 2 a bit forced, but an enjoyable song.

Mariah Mercedes - Runnin' Free (Shadow)

DAMN! Why did you miss the deadline?  You would have set yourself up SO well going into the 3rd round with this song.  The verses were beautiful & was totally something I’d want to listen to driving down the road.  The chorus felt a little abrupt, actually took me out of the song briefly.  I really do think that between the round 1 song & this song...you would have still been in the top 4.  After SpinTunes, you & Ryan M. Brewer need to collab on something.  I’d LOVE to hear your voices together.

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Steve Stearns - 23
Ryan M. Brewer - 22
Bryan Schumann - 21
Brian Gray - 20
James Young - 19
Dr. Lindyke - 18
Shyfox - 17
Ominous Ride - 16
Kyleen Downes - 15
Ross Durand - 14
Zoe Gray - 13
Governing Dynamics - 12
Megalodon - 11
Sumner Wynn - 10
Emperor Gum - 9
Jailhouse Payback - 8
Adam Sakellarides - 7
Lucky Witch And The Righteous Ghost - 6
Rob From Amersfoort - 5
Boffo Yux Dudes - 4
Turtle Fence - 3
Mick Bordet - 2
Army Defense - 1