SockpuppetRemix's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Golden Rival]

Good effort, but could be a lot better...

You really need to turn the volume down. I was using headphones and it really hurt my ears. It also gets a bit distorted (I think the word is "clippy"), especially around the 0:45 mark.

That instrument 0:40 is off key, and again when it returns at 0:53. The one at 0:45 is alright (but distorted).

Everything Holy Crap said is right. Either bring the guitar up an octave, or switch it for another instrument.

Now, the arrangement...
Most of the song sounds pretty empty/bland. There may be parts of the original missing, or it might just be that the song sounds more "full" with the old 8-bit sounds. Try adding some chords/harmonies if you can. Drums might also help.

It's very conservative (in other words, you haven't actually added anything to the song). If you're able to try adding melodies, harmonies, etc. If not then at least try playing around with what's there a little more.
Judging by the out-of-key synth, I'm guessing that this ISN'T a MIDI rip, so you get points for that. =)

NOTE: My score may seem a bit harsh compared to other reviews I've given (I can't remember if I've reviewed any of your songs before), BUT it's because I've changed my marking system. I'm now marking VG arrangements like this:

2/5 for arrangement (How the parts are put together, transitions, how original it is, how much it differs from the source, etc.)

2/5 for production, how enjoyable it is, choice of sounds etc.

And that's 4/10 overall, 2/5 on the vote.

(In short, from now on it'll be much harder for ANYONE to get a high mark from me)

Still, good effort Squiggley! Keep at it and you'll improve. And even if you don't plan to redo this song, keep this stuff in mind, as it may help with later mixes.

Feel free to ask me for a review if you ever want one on any of your songs. Send a Youtube vid of the source in case I've never heard it too.

Squiggley-Inc responds:

Thanks, It's about time someone actually gave me some constructive criticism. Whilst I beleive it was a bit harsh, I really appreciate it, and will take it into consideration for my next stuff (I'm making a few medleys based on movie series').

PS, this IS the first thing I've done which you've reviewed.

[DKC2 - Brambles Ressurection]

I like it! =D

The sound you've got is great. It's other-world-y (Not sure if that's actually a word...). It fits the Brambles perfectly. And the percussion buildup around the middle is good too. =)
One thing I found a little weird though: the main melody bits (1:49, 3:39) sound like they're coming in to early. I think you need to put them forward by a whole bar (Which may mean changing the rest of the song. =( ). The guitar is a bit sudden and it's not a very good sample.
But other than those 2 things I really enjoyed it! And once again, congratulations on the great sound! =D

[DKC Album Project Preview]

Looking forward to hearing these finished!

Wow, there sure are a lot of DKC Album Projects going on. Overclocked DKC2, Overlooked DKC2, a DKC project I'm working on with some guys from a DKC fansite, and at least 2 others I know of.
Excellent choices on the tracks! I recognized all of them. I was really happy to hear In a Snow Bound Land in there, that's such a beautiful and underrated song.
My favorites out of this preview are Aquatic Ambience and Forest Interlude. Great job on those 2! And the rest as well!

And I think the tracks are:

Track One (0.00 - 0.27): Theme (DKC)
Track Two (0.28 - 0.46): Cranky Conga (Monkey Museum) (DKC2)
Track Three (0.47 - 1.31): Donkey Kong Rescued (Credits) (DKC2)
Track Four (1.32 - 2.01): Aquatic Ambiance (Underwater) (DKC)
Track Five (2.02 - 2.34): Forest Interlude (Haunted Woods) (DKC2)
Track Six (2.35 - 3.02): In a Snow-Bound Land (Ice) (DKC2)
Track Seven (3.03 - 3.33): Mining Melancholy AKA Kanon's Klaim (Mines) (DKC2)
Track Eight (3.34 - 4.03): Bonus Room Blitz (Bonus) (DKC)
Track Nine (4.04 - 4.31): Life in the Mines (Mine Walkway) (DKC)
Track Ten (4.32 - 5.02): Credits Concerto (Credits) (DKC)
Track Eleven (5.03 - 5.30): School House Harmony (Kong Kollege) (DKC2)

It's hard to tell from this preview but it sounds as though you're also mixing in original melodies and such, rather than just making straight covers. If so, then AWESOME! =D
Just one question though: Is this album going to cost money or is it free?

Good luck with the project! Can you please put me on the PM list too? =)
(*Crosses fingers for Stickerbrush Symphony and Haunted Chase*)

UnrealReno responds:

Haha yeah, that is right. I'm glad this OST gets it's deserved attention! It's probably the best OST I know!

And we have a winner! Very well, you knew all tracks :) That's pretty good as there were a few pretty 'unknown' tracks like Cranky and Wrinkly's Theme. I'll edit your list in my Description, to make it easy for any other listeners.

I have one answer on your question: this album will be totally free. If you like it that much (which I can't really think of) you can donate, but it's really really not needed. This project is Fan made, we are no pro's or anything. And we would like to keep it that way ^^

You are on the PM list! Thanks for the comment Sockpuppet.

(Yes, Stickerbrush Symphony is like 90% done ^^ Haunted Chase we're not that sure of, but we started that one aswell)

[The Dragon Master]

Much better!

Good job, Holy Crap! Particularly on the drums. The song's a tiny bit distorted though, so maybe try turning some stuff down. =)

HolyCrapProductions responds:

Thanks. I like adding drums to things. (=

[Pain in the Grass]

Nice one! =)

LOVE the chirping stuff, that was a really nice touch. Although it's definately missing something. Most likely a bass and/or some chords.
The drums are pretty good too. The kick drum sounds a little odd. I think it needs to be deeper. And maybe try putting more of them throughout the mix (where they belong of course. Not randomly.)
Good job, HCP! =D

HolyCrapProductions responds:

Thanks. I'm not really sure what to do about the kick though...
As you may have noticed I like adding drums to things. (=

[DKC3- SwimUp]

Wow! =D

I listened to it, downloaded it (and I haven't downloaded from Newgrounds for AGES), listened to it a few more times, and I'm still having trouble finding anything wrong with it! XD
The intro is really great, with the banjo-y thing introducing the melodies. All through the song the banjo-y thing sounds great, and so do the background synths/pads/effects. And you've changed the song quite a lot to make it a REAL ReMix. Fantastic work! =D
Before I heard any of your ReMixes, I didn't even think I liked Trance. But I LOVE your music! Good luck with your DKC2 Remix album. =)

cRAVE01 responds:

WOW. I converted someone to trance ^w^ thank you so much! I hope I can keep this momentum!

[Watch Your Step!]

Nice one! =D

This happens to be one of my favorite songs from Gold/Silver, and I also really like your version of it! The bells are great, and I like that subtle-ish panning effect. Very nice touch. =) The drums were nice too, but they're maybe panned a little bit too much. Nothing serious though.

Also, I think you should try a different bass. I can't think of the right word to describe what I mean... something more legato-y I guess. Not a lot more, just a bit. And it may sound better if you put the volume down a little, and maybe put it down an octave.

But you've definitely improved, and this is a really good remix! =D

HolyCrapProductions responds:

Funny, I don't remember panning the drums at all.
I actually really liked the bass, but oh well. Thanks.

[Dkc2- Shipdecktechnopreview]

Good so far!

I love how it starts! The way the melody comes in is a bit strange though. This might be a bit hard to explain but here I go:
Around 1:07, that synth just suddenly goes from doing it's simple thing (When I say simple I DON'T mean it's bad ) to playing the last bit of the first half of the original. I think maybe it should be starting with an earlier part of the original.
At the moment, not only does it sound weird coming in, but it also makes the next bit (1:15) seem like it's kinda coming out of nowhere.

If you didn't understand that (I kind of suck at explaining things...) just say so and I'll try to explain further with a PM.

The bit at 1:15 also needs a stronger synth.

I'm looking forward to the final version! It's good to know someone has FINALLY noticed this song. And you just reminded me I never finished my one >_<
PM me when it's done. =)

cRAVE01 responds:

I think I know what you are getting at. I've noticed something funky for a while . . . just lacking motivation to get my hands dirty and chop-up what I have . . . e_e . . . Looking forward to a finished version of this as well thos!

(w/ the work I've done on it since putting it up here, it's not any farther into the original song than what's here, but I have stretched it nicely to a good 3 minutes if I remember correctly)

[Dkc2 - LiquidHotMagma]

Awesome! =D

I like the way each part of the original song has been changed to fit the genre. Just a few things though.

The bit that comes in at 1:49 (And all the other times that part appears) sounds a little strange compared to the original song. I think maybe you should have put the rest of the notes in.
The synth that comes in at 2:18 needs to be a little stronger.

They're pretty much the only negatives I noticed, the rest of the song was great! =D I especially like the percussion and SFX. =)

[LoZ-TP-Hyrule field]

Great job!

A very good remake. I really like the brass, but maybe a little too much reverb. =)

oOkorobugOo responds:

lol, ya. It's hard to get less though because my program only has solo trumpet so I have to make up for that to make it sound like more and that creates reverb. Maybe I should find a trumpet section sound or something XD
Oh wells, thanks for reviewing. (I might've just not found one either too though ^^;)