DragonAvenger

I like how a lot of this is downplayed, and purposefully not intense. There's no other way to describe this other than entrancing, which fits the black mage ever so well. Jazzy piano fits the bill for the melody just right, and the percussion really adds a lot of spunk. Sexy, man.

Because the final hours source is so ambient to begin with, and this isn't terribly changed from that source, it's hard not to call this coverish. Things are changed around, however, but a lot of it is subtle. The Astral Observatory source, however, is treated fantastically, and I really loved hearing that when it came in. Combining the two sources like that really does make this piece a lot better, so overall I dig the arrangement. Samples are pulling this down, though. The choir attack is pretty slow which makes things a little muddy. Strings are alright, although their attack is a little slow at times as well. Also, might be personal preference, but I am not crazy with the lead synth at 1:13. This is actually a tough call, but overall it is winning me over. Good luck with the rest of the vote. YES

You know how long it took to update that thread today? We expect to crack 100 submissions TBJ next time we hit the inbox.

Odd that there is so little to say about this. Andrew's right that "classy" is just the right term for this mix. The source is treated well, with nice subtle changes. Sax playing is good, and of course the chippy feel adds some texture. YES

YAY BIRTHDAy!!!

Not a fall-through, the dingbat never linked the source the first time around, and managed to forget to re-email until I reminded him a couple days ago. Ok, so the fact that the number of submissions involving moaning women is increasing is a little disturbing to me. Putting that aside (not easy to do), the arrangement itself, while a little coverish, has a lot of flare added to it. The pr0n sleaze style is quite apparent, what with the wah guitar and bass. Guitar and piano solos add a nice touch, and then there are the moans. As Larry said in an another submission: Play it for your girlfriend, don't tell her what it is. (might want to make sure she's in the right mood for this one, though). YES

Overall things feel just a tad quiet, and strangely a little muffled. I'll agree with Andrew that things feel somewhat mechanical, but when it all starts coming together it's less noticeable. I think it's the biggest detractor from the piece, as the arrangement is fine in my ears, and the sounds themselves are pretty good. Touch up the sequencing, and I think this is good to go. NO (resubmit)

Happy birthday to you, and Avaris, and AKS, and AvienV!

I thought about this one for a while. I'm not sure exactly if I can place it, but something just feels...off. Some of it is the string writing. It's not blatantly wrong notes or anything, but some of it just feels like weird note choices that don't fit or lead the melodies effectively. 1:30 really sticks out to me as an example of this. I think the same can be said for the bells at times, though it's not as often an issue. Production overall is pretty good, although the strings sound a bit too mechanical for my tastes. I think this one needs another look-over, sorry dude. NO (resubmit)

Not much to add to what the gentlemen above have said. The arrangement is super strong, and more than makes up for the production choices here. YES

Sweet sweet playing, dude! Really enjoyed listening to this! BUT: The fact that it is a very obvious medley with nothing really helping out the transitions just kills this. If you could fix that up, this would be awesome. But as a medley, it's still awesome. NO (resubmit)

I'm pretty opposite Andrew on this one. I felt like the connection between the source, while there, is still tenuous in how it's presented. It just felt like too big of a leap, and combined with the instrumentation, I just wasn't feeling it. Instruments overall are too generic for my tastes, and the brass just isn't cutting the muster. Along with it all, the song feels pretty mechanical overall. I think there's a ton of promise in this, but right now it's not working for me. I hope you keep working on it, I'd like to hear it again. NO (resubmit)

Fishyfishyfishyfishy! Anyways. I love how you treated this. There are so many subtle differences you have from the original that put this in it's own light; it took about 3 or 4 listens and I am still catching things here and there. Overall, you took a very quirky piece and made it pretty classy. YES

I agree with Andrew, this is a definite improvement on the soundscape, and while it is running a little long, it's still manages to keep me focused throughout. I'm still not entirely sold on some of the sounds, though, especially the main synth that first comes in. That being said, I'm still for giving this a nod, because it's not a dealbreaker, and I was able to get used to it after a couple listens. I'll look forward to even better submissions from you! YES

Definitely a huge improvement overall in terms of source usage. Love it. YES

!!!! Jooj-cat! You are naked! I am disappoint.

Generally, if I crack a grin while listening to a submission, I'm going to yes it. This is no exception. Once that disco started in earnest, I was hooked. The only two things that I noticed were the sax having just a few out of tune notes (not by much), and the zipper/key change felt a little awkward to me. Other than that, I'll take this to the dance floor. YES

This is definitely one of your stronger works. You used the source material to your strengths, and did a nice job adding some additional material that compliments things. I felt the transitions were just a little awkward, especially the entrance at 2:53, which is super sudden. Production is pretty good, no real qualms there. YES

DJP said this right; it's that evil undertone that really brings this piece alive, and really makes you feel that someone is slowly descending into madness. Even so, the song somehow manages to remain quirky, which adds to that ever-so-creepy description of insanity. Lots of fun listening to this track.

Anosou brings out his usual talents for this mix, and I like the style he's got going on. As with the trance style, there isn't a buildup, and I would have liked a little more change-up to keep my ears really focused a bit more, but regardless this has some funky sounds and nice beats to bring it all together. Nice work.

The atmosphere this creates is simply fantastic. I can imagine someone sitting at an empty bar with their drink just moping for the first half; possible a retired robot master dissatisfied with his performance. Overall the playing is great and the mood this has overall really takes the original to a new direction. Great work.

Talk about good orchestration! PR really pulls out all the good stuff for this mix. I love all the different sections that each have their own flavor, but everything works for a good whole. Definitely a keeper.

Nice bass work overall, really like some of those riffs near the beginning. Little on the conservative side, but there's definitely a lot of little details that add up here.

I love the lyrics for this, they really bring to mind a much darker theme to Mega Man as a whole. Along with that, the lines are relayed convincingly, and the rest of the track is gritty enough to really back it up. Nice work.

Basing this mostly on Brinstar itself, and the very little of the 20 or so minutes I played of Prime, I think the arrangement is pretty sweet. There's a lot of different sounds that are very reminiscent of the games, and still a lot of variation working to your favor. I'd have liked something of a breakdown or some sound changes to let my ears rest and get something else to focus on for a moment, but aside from that, no qualms here. Production overall is pretty good, but I feel like the chorus sounds a bit mechanical. There were also just a few balance issues where some of the parts were getting a little overtaken by one or another instrument. Neither issue is big enough to pull it down, but just something to look for in new mixes. YES