Board 8 > Raetsel ranks 631 songs. [Rankings]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/05/21 3:37:55 PM
#451:


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198: TOOL - JIMMY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSvdbCDZ5UY&list=OLAK5uy_k_Z0-DYw0_cGPvZm6icNUGbefRT4wktdY&index=9

Nominator: Steiner (4/26)
Source: Aenima (1/15)

Initial Score: 43.06 [#485]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 70.65 [#198]

(First Thoughts: Im sure its a fine enough song, but I just...dont want to listen to this singer? Or the band. Or deal with this subject matter. Or acknowledge the songs existence in any way, shape, or form. But besides the...you know...everything about it, its fine.)

My opinion on this song has moved to neutrality. I wont say I dislike it, but Im certainly not going to say I like it either.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Alright, so I do like this right nowfor the most part. It does get too overly intense towards the end (a very common thread with all the serious songs on Aenima) and its more...real than I care to deal with usually, but this is a powerful track when Im in the mood for something like it.

...Right now, I think Im taking this up to 70 points?]

[Final Thoughts: 70 points works. Song is more than I want to deal with on a regular basis (both in terms of subject matter and in terms of how very loud it is), but I still like and appreciate it enough that I dont want to move any lower than 70 points.]

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AENIMA:

Hooker With a Penis: 0 (Upgraded to 13.00) [#599 originally; a tie for #586th place with upgraded score]

Stinkfist: 10.42 [#588]
Intermission: 19.99 [#584]
Forty Six & 2: 27.49 [#574]
Pushit: 35.10 [#562]
Aenema: 40.08 [#553]
Eulogy: 43.72 [#531]
H: 44.20 [#520]
Cesaro Summability: 49.00 [#486]
Third Eye: 50.32 [#462]
Userful Idiot: 59.01 [#362]
(-) Ions: 61.48 [#307]
Die Eier von Satan: 66.15 [#267]
Message to Harry Manback: 68.00 [#238]
Jimmy: 70.65 [#198]

Average Score: 47.0435714285



Unsurprisingly, this is very far from the type of album Id normally choose to listen to. I kinda knew that much from the opening song, but its not without its charms.

I like experimental tracks that question what music even is and this album had multiple. It was honestly nice to finally get an entire track of noise (Useful Idiot) and buzzing sounds ((-) Ions), since those are things Ive somewhat asked for in the past.

Die Eier von Satan is, quite possibly, the answer to a question Ive had for many years and is possibly the most nostalgic song in the entire topicwhile I hadnt heard it before, it does bring back a lot of good memories.

Message to Harry Manback... I mean, Ive said I love spoken word lyrics and samples taken out of context, so a track that is just a spoken voicemail is really the perfect test as to how far you can get with only spoken words.

Jimmy... is too intense for listening on a regular basis, but is something Ill go back to when Im in the right mood for it. Its a great song and one that Ive learned to like quite a bit, and fairly important for me personally, just... quite heavy.

Also, as Ive said repeatedly, I need to be exposed to songs I actively hate, so I consider anything scoring less than 20 points to be a rousing success. So I am quite actively glad the album was included.

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197: STURGILL SIMPSON - REMEMBER TO BREATHE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/254suDtwoe5QLcMjzCWMjV

Nominator: Xeybozn (3/20)
Source: Sound and Fury (1/10)

Initial Score: 72.18 [#99]
Revised Score: 18.74 [#578]
Final Score: 9.97 (later upgraded to 50.00) (later upgraded to 60.00) (later upgraded to 70.90) [#197]

(First Thoughts: Does a lot of things right.

Stayin in the shadows where the light dont ever shine
Havin one-way conversations with the darkness in my mind


Is probably going to be the best two lines from any song in this entire ranking. But the chorus is very...rape-y.)

Its a metaphor for how hes going to musically rape you with awesomeness!!1!

There are days where Im more forgiving of these types of metaphors or let my love for the lyrics in the first verse carry the song high up the list, but tonight, my hatred for the chorus far, far outweighs any positive attributes the song may have.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Im not one of those who thinks the song is literally about rape. I dont know much about Sturgill Simpson, but that doesnt feel like his style. Its just rape as a metaphor and I have no interest in it.

But that first verse... its so good that part of me wants to move it back up the list a bit... grr...

...fine, I think Ill drop this at the Exactly 50 points level. I both love and hate this song, so lets say it all cancels out into a void of neutrality.]

[Later: ...I hate how close this song comes to perfection. Great music, great voice, one perfect verse... and yet...

...grrr... fine, Im moving this back up to 60 points, though Im not exactly happy about admitting that.]

[Still Later: ...I love the song, hate it, and hate how much I love this song. Moving it back to the 70s. I guess.]

[Final Thoughts: Part of me wishes Id given this song 0 points on principle. Another part wants to move it even further up the list. I have no faith in this songs placement and this seems to be more a case of this is where it happened to be on the list when I decided to stop moving it further up than any real statement on anything.]

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SOUND AND FURY:

Last Man Standing: 25.40 [#575]
All Said and Done: 40.00 [#554]
Ronin: 52.10 [#417]
Best Clockmaker on Mars: 55.40 [#395]
Fastest Horse in Town: 56.06 [#388]
Make Art, Not Friends: 58.24 [#365]
A Good Look: 59.29 [#358]
Mercury in Retrograde: 59.93 [#334]
Sing Along: 67.85 [#240]
Remember to Breathe: 70.90 [#197]

Average Score: 54.517



A very different type of album. After the more traditional country sound from his other album, I wasnt quite expecting this... progressive psychedelic country rock thing. I appreciate both albums getting nominated and showing off his range.

While this isnt my favorite album, I think it might have been the most enchanting. Its so out there that it immediately grasps my full attention and its short enough that it never overstays its welcome or feels like its dragging in places. So, not quite my type of thing, but I definitely see the appeal of it.

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DoctorJimmy133
01/05/21 4:03:03 PM
#452:


Cant help but notice that half my top 4 has thumpy EDM beats!

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/05/21 4:38:25 PM
#453:


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196: FRUMS - (FAKE) [FRUMS VIGNETTE TRACK #19]:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/-

Nominator: cakophon (14/26)
Source: vignette (12/20)

Initial Score: 62.59 [#198]
Revised Score: 71.96 [#189]
Final Score: 71.00 [#196]

(First Thoughts: Good enough.)

A song that goes through multiple phases, of varying quality. The intro is sheer greatness. Those low tones that reverberate through my body and soul, ahh <3.

The outro feels like death, its like watching your own casket being lowered into the grave, and its....awfully wonderful somehow.

All the parts in the middle....vary in quality. I like a lot of the early parts of the song, before it decides to have a breakdown and becomes more chaotic... the crazier the song gets, the further it gets from the parts that I enjoyed.

The intro & outro are great enough that I think I want to bump this up to the low 70s, but there are definitely some parts I dont like in it.

[Final Thoughts: What a rather consistent score for this song. With all the other songs bouncing hundreds of spaces in all directions, this one barely moved at all.]

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195: INDILA - TOURNER DANS LE VIDE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1MqzIgGsHP4cNjPboevsfq

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (5/15)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138] & 70.40 [#122]
Revised Score: 71.08 [#197]
Final Score: 71.20 [#195]

(First Thoughts: Hey, a French song! We needed one of these. The lyrics are a bit too repetitive and the beats a bit too thumping, but shes got a nice voice and the song stands out from everything else, so Im going to give it a rather good score.)

A dance song with tragic lyrics is still a dance song, particularly when its so...thumping.

Help me, everything is falling apart because he is not here anymore is a suitably depressing line and I like her voice, but... this still isnt my genre, so I think low 70s is about as far as Im willing to take it.

[Later: I raised the score slightly from 70 points but made an error on my files and listed the song twice (at 70.00 & 70.40 points), so it was taking up two slots in the initial ranking.]

[Final Thoughts: Nice song, exactly what I was looking for.]

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194: FRUMS - VIGOR LINES YOKED:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/vigor-lines-yoked

Nominator: cakophon (13/26)
Source: vignette (11/20)

Initial Score: 76.60 [#61]
Revised Score: 81.53 [#109]
Final Score: 71.35 [#194]

(First Thoughts: I like it, but cant find anything I really want to say about it.)

Its definitely a Frums song. Its slightly strange, highly interesting, has a good story behind it (allegedly the song is created from samples provided by their SoundCloud followers, in honor of getting a thousand followers), but i cant find anything I want to say about it; its a Frums song and I like Frums songs and I like this, but thats about it.

[Final Thoughts: A song with a ranking that kinda bounces around a bit... I still like it a fair amount, but fear that I dont have the grand attachment to it that I did the second time around.

...though that doesnt read like an 80 point writeup anyway, so Im not entirely sure why it was as high as it was. Good, definitely the type of thing I like, just...ya know, 70 points of like.]

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193: FRUMS - DROPDEAD:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/dropdead-2

Nominator: cakophon (12/26)
Source: vignette (10/20)

Initial Score: 72.31 [#96]
Revised Score: 73.72 [#173]
Final Score: 71.40 [#193]

(First Thoughts: Like a Terminator being crushed in a hydraulic press.)

Terminator boss fight is still all I can think of, no matter how many times I listen to it.

Opening: The fight begins!

Quiet Interlude: Player quickly pauses the game to prepare equipment, study a walkthrough, or listen to the relaxing pause music for the last time.

Main Song: Player unpauses and has to quickly run away from the unkillable boss.

Outro: Boss is crushed to death.

A WINNER IS YOU!

[Final Thoughts: Its certainly a different ambience, you have to give it that much.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/05/21 5:28:10 PM
#454:


And four more songs to end the night. We should be in a good position to speed back up to 15 songs tomorrow.



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192: FRUMS - XNOR XNOR XNOR:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/xnor-xnor-xnor

Nominator: cakophon (11/26)
Source: metacontinues (2/6)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 70.75 [#200]
Final Score: 71.45 [#192]

(First Thoughts: I remember the song name from last topic, but not the song itself, so it doesnt go into the R# pile. My comments on it last time havent changed: It has some parts that I love (namely the part with the static; just give me, like, two minutes of static and you would probably win) and other parts that Im less excited for.)

Another very complicated track. Allegedly, its divided into seven different elemental sections: Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, and Sun with no reused instruments between the different sections. Suffice to say, Im really bad at noticing those types of details, but it does explain why the different sections of the song are hit-and-miss for me. Its like seven different mini-songs strung together.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the better complex instrumental musical journey songs Ive listened to.]

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191: STURGILL SIMPSON - JUST LET GO:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vDpQbGnzRbRVirXlfQagB

Nominator: Xeybozn (2/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2/10)

Initial Score: 65.18 [#170]
Revised Score: 71.08 [#197]
Final Score: 71.55 [#191]

(First Thoughts: Back on the spiritual songs done right train.)

I cant find anything to say here. I like the messages of transcendence, of being in a place between death and rebirth, going far beyond time to an eternal dream... its some very nice imagery and I like this aspect of spiritualism.

Im still not the biggest fan of this album or this particular type of country music, but I do like this song quite a bit.

[Final Thoughts: Nice song. Not the best or the worst spiritual song in the topic, but still a fairly high scoring one.]

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190: PSO2 - YGGDRASIL ~ APPEAR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q36le2xxUw&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=29

Nominator: NFUN (6/37)

Initial Score: 72.35 [#93]
Revised Score: 74.27 [#168]
Final Score: 71.75 [#190]

(First Thoughts: Why does this soundtrack consist almost exclusively of songs that are either too long or too short? This is fantasticthe foreboding atmosphere, the deep tones that rumble through you, the buzzing like sounds, I love this! And its...45-ish seconds long.)

Its a really great 45 seconds of intense atmosphere, but I still want a bit more to my music than something so short. It also loses a bit of impact when Im expecting it. Having a song like this pop up unexpectedly was a real treat, but when I already know what type of atmosphere it creates and how short it is, its just...less impressive.

[Later: Ehh, maybe let it have a bit more points than original? I dunno. I do like it quite a bit.]

[Final Thoughts: Not really anything to add. Its wonderful for its entire duration, that duration is just really short.]

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189: PSO2 - YGGDRASIL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEmsaN5bcA&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=35

Nominator: NFUN (5/37)

Initial Score: 50.25 [#399]
Revised Score: 75.26 [#159]
Final Score: 71.80 [#189]

(First Thoughts: After so many songs with Yggdrasil in the name, I expected more from a song just named Yggdrasil. Either something serene befitting the great world tree, or something dramatic for whatevers going at this point in game, but this is just...kinda...average and ordinary?)

I suddenly really like this tonight, though Im having a very hard time identifying why. I think it might be abnormally complex? Like theres enough different instruments and things going on that I find it very...intriguing? Or something?

...Look, whatever, I like the song, dont try to ruin it with over analysis.

[Final Thoughts: ...Dunno, but I still dont want to drop this down to the 60s, so apparently I still like this quite a bit. For some reason.]

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Haste_2
01/06/21 12:12:17 AM
#455:


^5 to Hb and sergio, the one-track club!

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 11:05:35 AM
#456:


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188: TOOL - WINGS FOR MARIE (PT 1):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNTo34xOwoM&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=3

Nominator: Steiner (3/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (3/11)

Initial Score: 74.12 [#73]
Revised Score: 75.15 [#160]
Final Score: 71.90 [#188]

(First Thoughts: Unlike Jambi, this his the right notes for me.)

Like most of the album, its a deeply personal song dealing with the death of his mother. Unlike most of the album, I can actually connect with this one; its so...somber and powerful that the song actually landsjust listen to that weird, almost buzzing-like sound of his voice during the intro. This is just a masterfully produced song and should get all the praise.

...But Im still not really in love with it, because its not really the type of song I want to listen to on a regular basis. Its great and I can see the argument that it should win, but its just not my style.

[Final Thoughts: Fantastic song thats not really my style, but I do highly appreciate what its doing and why.]

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187: ISEKAI JOUCHO - HYDRANGEA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqTS5eaEhbI

Nominator: UF8 (10/15)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 79.66 [#119]
Final Score: 72.00 [#187]

(First Thoughts: I dont feel anything here, sorry.

...well the end of the song with the way her voice wavers a bit is properly sad, but thats not quite enough to move it up further.)

As a newer and somewhat obscure song, this doesnt have any translations yet that I can find and automatic translations arent of much help: The body temperature that I find gray makes me feel better now is complete gibberish and Gender enough to give extravagance to mischief I was born to accept is...not that much better.

-but-

I dont remember love and hate, living a life that doesnt resonate is a really good line. It may or may not actually bare any resemblance to what shes actually singing, but I do love that line. And the choruses are pretty catchyits strangely tempting to sing along with Tanoshiku nai na, tadashiku mai na even without context (theres probably some irony with those lines being fun to sing, as Google translates it as Not Fun, Not Right but it is fun) and Im going to jump this song more than 20 points, from the land of indifference (50) to the 70s.

[Final Thoughts: Feels more like an early 70s song than a high 70s one, so its dropped down the list a bit... still like it quite a bit obviously.]

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186: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE SUNLANDS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-sunlands

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (8/32)

Initial Score: 58.00 [#282]
Revised Score: 79.77 [#118]
Final Score: 72.10 [#186]

(First Thoughts: No particular reaction.)

This is a good preparing to start an adventure song. The first part is like looking back at your former home and/or village, quietly reflecting on the life that has led you to this point. The song intensifies as you set off on the journey, slowing down again at the end as you look behind yourself one last time. Its a very complete story told without any words and I like this quite a bit. This time, anyway, since I apparently didnt care about it the first time.

[Final Thoughts: Nothing more to add here.]

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185: SCARLING - CITY NOISE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDgfOT6JZrY

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (8/15)

Initial Score: 70.25 [#126]
Revised Score: 87.47 [#76]
Final Score: 72.20 [#185]

(First Thoughts: I actually like this for some reason.)

That reason being the last two verses.

Another deep depression
The calm before the storm
The shaking in your head
How you sacrificed - how you paid the price
All the words you wish you had said

It's the rawest of emotions
Drinking to forget - names written in the snow


So many lovely, slightly depressing lyrics this topic. Other than that, its the usual deal: good song, good vocals, no complaints, you know how it usually is around this tier.

[Final Thoughts: Its on the right wavelength in terms of lyrics and genre, but its not quite there for some reason.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 12:05:57 PM
#457:


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184: THE LIVING TOMBSTONE - THE ROAD TO EL DORADO REMIX!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_DVIRUSyc

Nominator: @GavsEvans123 (8/15)

Initial Score: 15.17 [#565]

Revised Score: 16.79 (later upgraded to 60.004) (even later upgraded to an 83.15) [#100]

Final Score: 72.30 [#184]

(First Thoughts: Im not sure if this is the most repetitive song ever nominated, but I feel it has to be up there.)

This type of song isnt a bad guess for something Id be interested in, but Ive never seen The Road to El Dorado to have any context for these scenes. Its just a pair of (presumably) conmen repeating the same autotuned lyrics on an endless loop, which is not a recipe for a high score.

And now Im going to run in circles meowing until I hit my arbitrary word count.

*runs around*

Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meowsurprised no one ever tried nominating Meow Mixmeow, meow, meow...actually did someone try that at one of the Listening Topics without actual rankings because I seem to recall criticizing someone using a newer version of the song (Tender Centers, I do believe)?meow, meow, meow, meow; ...odd how am I simultaneously positive that both did & didnt happen, kupo.

...Maybe Im thinking of a song lyric topic where someone posted the (incorrect) Meow Mix theme? Or maybe Im just remembering searching for the lyrics and getting angry that Genius uses the Tender Centers version of the lyrics instead of the originalthey say the song was written in the 70s, but youre posting the modern version, you liars!

.....Yeah, it was probably that last thing, meow.

[Later: Been stuck in my head for too long, lets just go ahead and move this up to the 60 point tier now.]

[Later Still: This has now been stuck in my head for months, which is making it feel more charming and familiar than it should... bouncing this up the list again, this time to the low 80s.]

[Final Thoughts: Ah, the fabled Meowing Writeup. Took long enough to get to it. So... this song. Its a thing, I guess? It eventually won me over with brute force, repeating itself so often that it burrowed into my mind and wont leave me alone. I like it now, apparently, though I dont feel like giving it 80 points tonight.]

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183: LIVE - RUN TO THE WATER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvJFkNiSHVw&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=4

Nominator: azuarc (13/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (6/13)

Initial score: 77.00 [#60]
Revised Score: 60.002 (upgraded to 82.61) [#103]
Final Score: 72.48 [#183]

(First Thoughts: Spiritual song done right.)

I think I need to be in the right headspace to appreciate a spiritual song and while I still like this, Im not nearly as into it as I was the first time around. There are some good lines here:

And I will never leave you
'Til we can say, "this world was just a Dream
We were sleepin' now we are awake"


What can I say, Im a sucker for anything about abandoning this reality.

Burnt to the core but not broken


is also fairly nice, in terms of inspirational lyrics about enduring pain/tragedy/whatever. I just dont actually want a highly spiritual song right now, so this just isnt quite working like it did when I was in more of a mood for it.

[Later: Im back to being more openminded and tolerant towards spiritual songs, so now I regret dropping this so low and have revised it up to the 80s. Its very...classic pop rock sounding, comforting in a nostalgic way.]

[Final Thoughts: A highly variable point song. There are times Id want to give it 80 or more points; there are times Id drop it down to the 60s or even less. Right now, its....kinda 70 point-ish? I like most of what its doing, but there are definitely songs on both albums that I prefer over this one.]

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182: GOTHMINISTER - DARKSIDE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63obfx1uoWY

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (7/15)

Initial Score: 72.15 [#100]
Revised Score: 79.44 [#121]
Final Score: 72.50 [#182]

(First Thoughts: As usual, things dealing with darkness are almost guaranteed a good score.)

Hes not my favorite singer and the song itself doesnt do anything I particularly like or dislike, but the lyrics are definitely something I wanted.

Im gonna take you away
Out from this world
Into the darkside
Where we live


Yay, darkness! ...Of course its nothing compared to Nekrogoblikons Darkness from last year, but Ill take it.

[Final Thoughts: Darkness is an easy way to get points, yes.]

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181: ZARD - UNMEI NO ROULETTE MAWASHITE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc7Q-JgolDA

Nominator: handsomeboy2012 (7/15)

Initial Score: 70.49 [#120]
Revised Score: 75.48 [#157]
Final Score: 72.60 [#181]

(First Thoughts: I dont understand this at all, but I think I like it.)

Not as great as last years Detective Conan song, but still a good choice.

[*something comes up while typing and doesnt get back to this for a couple hours*]

...well, I really hope I didnt have anything else to say here.

[Final Thoughts: The type of anime love song that I like, yes.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 1:05:47 PM
#458:


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180: MAZEDUDE - WHEELS OF WONDER:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/wheels-of-wonder

Nominator: sergiocornaga (1/18)

Initial Score: 80.41 [#45]
Revised Score: 78.56 [#129]
Final Score: 72.65 [#180]

(First Thoughts: Good ambiance.)

Sadly, Im not as into this song as I was the first time around. Its still good (Im hardly giving out 70 points to just any song) and I enjoy the exploring a mysterious cave ambience this song gives off, but its not something Im in love with.

[Final Thoughts: I know its not any real consolation, but it was once amongst the highest rated songs. It has that type of mysterious exploration feel that I like, so it was quite easy to get into and enjoy. But while I found new appreciation for hundreds of songs that Id written off, this one... kinda always felt the same. Its a song I like in a genre I like, but there are other mysterious exploration songs I like more.]

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THE AMERICAN ALBUM:

Bone Wagon, For Bones: 24.49 [#579]
The Great Tentacle Pianist: 30.50 [#570]
Zappers Freedom: 33.00 [#565]
Carvosity: 43.25 [#539]
Myst Shrooms: 45.60 [#505]
Slick Rippin Keen: 48.40 [#489]
Countdown to Death: 48.80 [#487]
Zombies Ate My Tracker: 50.16 [#468]
Rockin the Andes: 51.73 [#424]
Jackrabbit Transformer: 56.00 [#391]
More Than MoN: 56.08 [#387]
Exiled Samples: 58.03 [#378]
Opening to Hell: 59.01 [#362]
K-Pax for Evermore: 59.72 [#350]
Keyz to New Junk City: 68.30 [#232]
Glow Worm Jim: 69.85 [#208]
Microscopism: 69.99 [#203]
Wheels of Wonder: 72.65 [#180]

Average Score: 52.5311111111



In spite of not having anything to do with Crash Bandicoot, this album inexplicably helped me established how strongly I dislike the character. So that was interesting.

I was a bit wary of this album, as I remembered Mazedudes only other nomination (Purple Streets) getting a fairly low score last year... looking back it had scores roughly the equivalent of

Initial: 35
Revised: 25
Final: 66

(Though I was much more generous with points then, so its not quite exact)

So apparently I did eventually like Purple Streets. Huh. Dont remember that, I just remember the abysmally low scores from the first two listens.

...I also recall With My Mind getting higher scores than it did, so apparently I dont remember anything about the middle of the list.

Aaanywho..., there were some songs I liked and it was nice getting some context for Mazedude other than that guy who made that Purple song I didnt like (which apparently I did like).

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Which makes the first actual elimination (since Pyre was sharing a slot with sergio)

Player Averages

Pyresword + sergiocornaga: 50.2062698412



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180: FIRE EMBLEM ECHOES - TWILIGHT OF THE GODS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5YGxMjywSk

Nominator: Hbthebattle (1/11)

Initial Score: 72.13 [#102]
Revised Score: 79.11 [#124]
Final Score: 72.70 [#180]

(First Thoughts: Im apparently in the mood for this tonight. Curious.)

An eight minute long overly epic orchestral battle theme. This songs actually good though, so it gets a relatively high score.

I think its helped largely due to the operatic singers and the way the song switches between Latin & English. A multi-language opera is unique, at least in terms of songs that get nominated, which is probably worth some extra points. And the music itself is, as stated, good. So I like this one.

[Final Thoughts: Perhaps the only good Epic Battle Theme.

...alright, so there are definitely others, but its fairly rare for things in that category to get a high score from me.]

===============



==============

HBTHEBATTLES SONGS:

Checker Knights: 30.00 [#571]
Sweet Mountain (Act 3): 43.15 [#540]
Battle! Lance/Steven/Cynthia Medley: 43.64 [#532]
Mor Ardain - Roaming the Wastes: 49.40 [#484]
Truth, Despair, and Hope: 51.42 [#432]
Lush Forest: 52.35 [#412]
Unite Synchronization: 55.00 [#400]
Next Step Toward the Unknown: 55.95 [#392]
Dearly Beloved (MoM Version): 60.90 [#316]
Bounce Man Stage (Instrumental): 68.55 [#226]
Twilight of the Gods: 72.70 [#180]

Average Score: 53.0054545454



Not a lot to say here. Your list consisted almost entirely of VGM that I didnt have a very strong reaction to, which doesnt inspire a lot to talk about. At least you had one of the few Epic Battle Themes that I actually like, so that was nice.

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Player Averages

Hbthebattle: 53.0054545454
Pyresword + sergiocornaga: 50.2062698412
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 1:45:47 PM
#459:


===============

179: AGATA - THE CABLE HAS NO NAME:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-YHxSCbYs

Nominator: rwlh (8/15)

Initial Score: 81.87 [#39]
Revised Score: 81.17 [#111]
Final Score: 72.77 [#179]

(First Thoughts: You say you have no idea what I like, but then you are one of the only people to give me this type of song, so I think you know a bit more than youre letting on. </.<)

A very unique, beep-y and buzzy track. You know I do love me some buzzing and beeping oddness, so a track like this is always welcome. Unfortunately, I dont have any real emotional attachment to the song or anything... its just like wow, this is weird and I like weird, pew-pew-pew buzzzzzzz which is more of a low 80s kinda thing than a top tier one.

[Final Thoughts: Its like they said hey, you know that Tool song (-) Ions? Lets do that, but also add some sci-fi lasers! Pew pew pew!.

Which is definitely the type of thing I like hearing, but I feel Im not quite in the mood for it tonight... feels more like a 70 point song than an 80 point one.]

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=================

178: STURGILL SIMPSON - PANBOWL (PAN BOWL?):

https://open.spotify.com/track/67Nplzu0xrOz1BD56gx8ho

Nominator: Xeybozan (1/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (1/10)

Initial Score: 63.07 [#192]
Revised Score: 83.51 [#98]
Final Score: 72.87 [#178]

(First Thoughts: Just a nice classic country song. Nothing wrong with that.)

Half the things online put a space in Pan Bowl and the other half have it as one word and I really dont know which one is correct.

From the two Sturgill Simpson albums Ive heard, this is definitely the most traditional and straightforward country song hes made. Just a very direct wish to return to the days of youth, before everything sucked.

Its a very relatable song and a definite high point of the album.

[Final Thoughts: Nothing to add here.]

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METAMODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC:

A Little Light: 28.00 [#573]
Living the Dream: 36.55 [#559]
Long White Line: 44.10 [#523]
Life of Sin: 48.01 [#491]
It Aint All Flowers: 58.02 [#379]
Turtles All the Way Down: 59.46 [#355]
The Promise: 60.98 [#315]
Voices: 62.34 [#292]
Just Let Go: 71.55 [#191]
Panbowl: 72.87 [#178]



Average: 54.188

Arguably the most important album for me to have listened to, so thats nice. I also think you may have been the only person in all three years to nominate a male Country artist? I havent gone through the old topics lately, but this feels like a style of songs that either has had absolutely no representation or, at least, very little. So... not really one of my favorites, but something I think I and the topic needed.

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Player Averages

Xeybozn: 53.3525
Hbthebattle: 53.0054545454
Pyresword + sergiocornaga: 50.2062698412



================

177: MAMOMO - (First Fight) [mamomo #3]:

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--47

Nominator: @FL81 (12/20)
Source: mamomo album (10/13)

Initial Score: 74.26 [#68]
Revised Score: 82.25 [#105]
Final Score: 73.25 [#177]

(First Thoughts: The type of very dramatic battle theme that I actually like.)

Another song that reminds me of Undertale. Its both a dramatic battle theme, but also a very hopeful song, so it feels like itd be appropriate for an Undertale type game.

...short write-up again, forgive me, but dramatic battle theme that I like really sums up the song enough as it is.

[Final Thoughts: Good fight theme.]

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FL81
01/06/21 2:41:07 PM
#460:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
177: MAMOMO - (First Fight) [mamomo #3]:
My personal favorite from the album, and the first one I heard that got me to check out the rest!

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 3:07:13 PM
#461:


Two more for the night:



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176: EVERY TIME I DIE - EL DORADO:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0PVweBr8CHUuN6MTd3PrIa

Nominator: Bane (3/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (2/14)

Initial Score: 52.37 [#343]
Revised Score: 78.12 [#133]
Final Score: 73.35 [#176]

(First Thoughts: How many times have I just left a writeup at Its fine? Because heres another one.)

You were alone when you came in
Youll be alone when you leave again
And in the middle theres nothing
That can keep you around when its time to go home


A different kind of sad lyrics than I was originally looking for, but it works for me. Its also fairly tame by metalcore standards which makes it easier to enjoy... the CRUSH YOUR ALLIES! shouting is a low point for the track, but its over quite quickly and doesnt particularly drag the song down.

Also, I wouldnt say it impacted the score at all, but its kinda neat to let the other band members have an instrumental outro to themselves. Its not often on either album that anyone other than the singer gets a chance to shine.

[Final Thoughts: No further thoughts.]

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175: LIVE - LIGHTNING CRASHES:

https://open.spotify.com/track/48iWbsOaBUAGzMdoSmqyg1

Nominator: azuarc (13/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (7/15)

Initial Score: 0 [#581]
Revised Score: 77.90 [#135]
Final Score: 73.45 [#175]

(First Thoughts: Her placenta falls to the floor.

...Well, Ill give you credit for finding a new way to score zero points.)

This was a pretty big song, wasnt it? I didnt recognize it at first, and its not a song Ive ever searched for, but it sounds very familiar... like something Ive heard dozens of times in the background without ever paying attention to the lyrics or really acknowledging it as a song.

Once I get past the...choice of describing childbirth, the actual song is quite good. I wouldnt say I want another Circle of Life song but I like the alternative rock sound this has. I can certainly see why this song became mainstream... at least, I still presume it was mainstream at some point.

[Final Thoughts: Ive never thought about it before, but Im wondering if I have a natural bias towards songs with metaphorical lightning? Ive been listening to a lot of Lou Christies Lightnin Strikes lately:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyRqdzF8swY

Which should be something I hate (cheating ballad, ahoy!), but I apparently really like. On a similar level, theres also The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTUhnIY3oRM

And now Lightning Crashes... eh, probably just a coincidence.

(Id also question if I have a thing for high falsetto voices like those two tracks I posted, but I dont think thats one of my things...dunno, cant say I gave it any thought before right now, but I dont recall many of my favorite songs having that as a connecting thread.)]

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sergiocornaga
01/06/21 3:51:42 PM
#462:


Thanks for listening! I feel like this went pretty well in terms of my goal of getting an atypically wide range of scores from a single album by one artist.

Reading through this topic has inspired me to try and rank the tracks of The American Album (and American Pixels, and some other related stuff) myself, and maybe rope some other people into doing it too. Look forward to that if I ever follow through with it.
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/06/21 4:07:40 PM
#463:


I always look forward to music ranking topics, so I wish you the best of luck!
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NBIceman
01/07/21 1:40:45 AM
#464:


Alright, since I'm down to my last 10, I'll try and predict their eventual ranking.

King of Swords > Bitter Suite IV/V > Tempest > Runaway Train > Tightrope > Lighthouse > The Line > Gutter Ballet > La Muerta > If All Goes Well

This will probably be hopelessly wrong, heh.

Anyway, just some quick comments on my last few songs to go down, since that streak of losses I was predicting did indeed come.

Definitely bummed Is There Anybody Here? couldn't maintain that score from the first revision. I'm not surprised by what you liked and didn't like about it, though. Figured you'd love the lyrics and be less enthused by all the rest. I do have to say I love the ending instrumental, even if it maybe goes on a little long.

Squeaky Wheel is a track I've never had super strong feelings on one way or the other. I always find myself singing along to the last chorus, and they do some fun stuff with the key changes in it, but it's never been among my favorites from the album. I think the verses just feel a little clunky sometimes, relatively speaking.

As far as A Night on the Town goes... Well, you were close! It's actually my second-favorite song from Act IV behind the aforementioned Old Haunt. It also has some sentimental value because it was the first Dear Hunter song I ever heard. Oddly enough, it took me quite a few listens to really fall in love with it... Thing is, those listens all came in the course of a single day, which is kind of what triggered the realization that I must love it in the first place. And I used to have the same divide between my feelings on the first part of the song and everything after it, but that's mostly because it's a fanservice track in a lot of ways. The latter two-thirds are filled with so many reprises from the rest of the story that it probably is kind of impossible to really care about any of it if you don't have that context.

And finally, the lyrics. This is probably the most heavily analyzed and debated song among fans, but the popular theory is that the Fiance is actually nowhere in this song and in fact does not show up at all until Squeaky Wheel. It really is Ms. Leading that he has a romantic encounter with at the end - there's some reprises from Bitter Suites I, II, and III that confirm her reappearance as a bartender in one of the establishments that Hunter's half-brother's friends drag him to. He's drunk, yeah, but not so much that he doesn't recognize "that subtle smile that did [him] in" before. He still hasn't really forgiven her for the falling out they had back in Act II, though, which is what triggers the feelings in ITAH and really ramps up all the disassociation. But the meeting does jumpstart their eventual rekindling at the end of the album.

Waves is another one I don't have many thoughts on. Super beautiful, as you said, and I always love listening to it (especially because Old Haunt leads into it so perfectly), but it's certainly the most accessible song on the album, intentionally so. "The water rushed up from the boards below, so I started slickin' my hair with the kerosene" has always been a favorite line of mine, though.

Wait is a song that hits me hardest in the context of Ms. Leading, who I really love as a character. It's also cool because it's arguably the first song in the entire story that has some actual positive growth for Hunter, considering he makes the mature choice to recognize that what he did to Ms. Leading back when was worse than what she did to him, leading to their reconciliation. It'd be a happy ending if not for the fact it's all complicated by the public relationship he has to maintain with the Fiance for political purposes, but instead it leads all the insane stuff that happens by the end of Act V. I won't go into that here because, spoiler alert, I'll probably nominate that album if you do this ranking again, but the fact that the song ended up being way more important to the narrative than anyone ever figured gives it an sort of cool poignant feeling that elevates it from how I use to think of it.

Wow. That was more than I figured I'd be writing tonight. I really get carried away talking about the Acts.

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azuarc
01/07/21 9:21:12 AM
#465:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
175: LIVE - LIGHTNING CRASHES:

Initial Score: 0 [#581]
Revised Score: 77.90 [#135]
Final Score: 73.45 [#175]

Huh. Well, thank you for giving the song a second chance then.

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/07/21 12:46:21 PM
#466:


I think Id better avoid responding to Icemans predictions to avoid spoiling anything. </.<

And Lightning Crashes is hardly going to be the last song that started at hatred and moved way up the list... but well get to all of those eventually. Going to go through another 15 songs today, hopefully:



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174: MAMOMO - (EVENTUALLY THE NIGHT WILL COME) [MAMOMO #10]:

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--54

Nominator: @FL81 (11/20)
Source: mamomo album (9/13)

Initial Score: 80.00 [#53]
Revised Score: 90.99 [#58]
Final Score: 73.48 [#174]

(First Thoughts: Very...intriguing song. I say that too much, but I dont care.)

I stand by calling this song intriguing. I cant quite place what type of ambience this track is making me think of, which makes my ears all twitchy (in a good way)... usually Mycro/Toxtricity is the only one who gives me songs that inspire this type of reaction.

I like whatever it is this song is doing.

[Final Thoughts: Its still good and I like it considerably, but it doesnt feel as enchantingly unknowable as it did the first two times. It just feels rather hopeful and Im less interested in a hopeful song at the moment, unfortunately. Apparently I loved it the second time around, if its any consolation.]

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173: POPPY - DONT ASK:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Sdqr4VUnCM56E7c5a4KS3

Nominator: Murphiroth (9/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (6/14)

Initial Score: 73.00 [#86]
Revised Score: 78.23 [#132]
Final Score: 73.50 [#173]

(First Thoughts: Very close to what I want.)

A very direct song thats summed up entirely by its title. Dont ask for another album like this one, dont ask about Titanic Sinclair or Mars Argo, just...dont ask anything in general.

Thats certainly a sentiment I can relate to, though its also not one that inspires much commentary or discussion.

[Final Thoughts: Good song, still almost exactly what Im looking for, but not quite.]

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172: ABOVE & BEYOND - HOME [RADIO EDIT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxTNbhbjDQY

Nominator: Djungelurban (8/15)

Initial Score: 57.29 [#288]
Revised Score: 78.67 [#128]
Final Score: 73.60 [#172]

(First Thoughts: I think I like her voice and the lyrics, but... well you know how I feel about this type of beat.)

Song is carried entirely by the strength of her vocal performance. I still have no love for this genre of music, but I find the vocalist so enchanting and mystifying that I want to listen to the song in spite of its genre.

But I think theres a limit to how far a song like this can go. I do like it, considerably, and its kinda helping me ease into the genre a bit... but Im still not a fan of this pulsing techno beat, so I dont exactly love the song or anything.

[Final Thoughts: Its somewhat interesting to compare this edit to the original version of the song. The original doesnt have the pulsing beat (yay!), but its also played at roughly half-speed and goes on for over seven minutes without any new lyrics or melodies to actually sustain the song for that long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfS5ROnRY7o

(I actually listened to it on Spotify, so apologies if theres anything wrong with that link. First 30 seconds seemed to play fine and the video length is correct, so Im just guessing its a functional version of the song.)

And I think I actually prefer this pulsing trance mix over the original. I may not like that beat on Radio Edit, but the full version feels as though its pointlessly long and wasting my time.]

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171: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - SIRIUS & EYE IN THE SKY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_NNCNDYEpU

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (6/15)

Initial Score: 66.00 [#162]
Revised Score: 81.71 [#108]
Final Score: 73.80 [#171]

(First Thoughts: I feel I probably should play the songs listed separately on the album are separate songs, so this is technically two nominations, even though Sirius is just an intro card, but Ill allow it this time.)

Well, nothing said you couldnt edit two songs together into one one song and nominate it as a single entrant, so... I probably need to remember to close that loophole next year.

And this probably should have been placed in the R#s since Ive heard Eye in the Sky a hundred times and even nominated it at someone elses ranking topic, but Ive almost never listened to it with Sirius as an intro, so it again squeezes by with a technicality.

Sirius: Has somehow become synonymous with sporting events, so its kinda difficult to think about anything else or properly judge it. Whatever meaning the song originally had has now been replaced with Introducing YOUR [sports team]s starting lineup!!!!! which is fine, I suppose? Its not something I mind, but Im not really into sports, and its just....weird going from sports music to Eye in the Sky.

And yes, I know, this wasnt written for sports, but thats just where we are now.

Eye in the Sky: An all time classic song, but Im a tad burnt out on it. I had an obsession with it several years ago, but Ive kinda listened to it enough for one lifetime? To a point that I dont really want to talk about it because Im just tired of it now.

Originally had this at a much lower score due to being tired of it, but its still a great song, so I decided to bump it up the list a fair amount.

[Final Thoughts: I seem to have split the difference between the Initial and Revised Scores. Its still a song I kinda love, but since Im tired of it, theres quite a few other songs Id rather listen to more... so I dont really know where I want to rank it, exactly, but this feels like a fitting enough position.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/07/21 1:54:05 PM
#467:


And after some last-second shuffling (yet another song jumping up a tier at the last possible moment), we come to these four songs:



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170: RETURN OF THE KING - WHERE THERES A WHIP, THERES A WAY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y

Nominator: @GavsEvans123 (7/15)

Initial Score: 60.10 [#237]
Revised Score: 71.52 [#193]
Final Score: 74.10 [#170]

(First Thoughts: Too long, too repetitive, and too....military cadence-y. But mentioning the Dark Lord is worth some points, a non-human song is worth a few extra points, and the endSam manipulating a battalion of orcs into murdering a bunch of humansis so unexpectedly twisted that I almost doubled over from laughter.

As a side note, I havent read the books and have no memories of anything that happen in the films, so I dont know if thats an accurate recreation of something from the books or not.)

Being so repetitive has led to this song also being stuck in my head for months, which has definitely helped my opinion of it. And as Ive said in the First Thoughts section, I have quite the bias towards non-human songs, so I definitely want to bump this up to the 70 point tier.

[Final Thoughts: Unexpected and highly memorable, but still a bit more repetitive and military than Id like. Still, its got a very high score for the type of song it is and does a lot of things i like, so Im quite happy with it.]

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169: THE DEAR HUNTER - THE LINE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4TV67FyLiC65xscbYIy7t1

Nominator: NBIceman (10/22)
Source: Act IV - Rebirth in Repose (4/15)

Initial Score: 58.12 [#280]
Revised Score: 77.02 [#143]
Final Score: 74.20 [#169]

(First Thoughts: ...Wow, literally everything I said about Is There Anybody Here? applies to this song too. Suppose Ill have them tie, but itll be awkward to post this First Thought if they wind up untied on a relisten.)

I prefer the lyrics on Is There Anybody Here?, but I prefer the way The Line sounds as an actual song. Its a bit hard to choose one song over the other and I think it does even out into a tietwo songs dealing with the same themes from the same band, each with their own strengths and weaknessesbut still roughly identical in terms of quality and enjoyment.

[Final Thoughts: I was very close to dropping this down to the 60 point tier with Is There Anybody Here?, but I suddenly find his voice rather intriguing on this track. Its not really any different than usual, but somehow its reminding me of Manchester Orchestras The Grocery from last years topic... pretty sure that was also one of your nominations.

Which makes this song oddly nostalgic and curious, on top of dealing with the dissociation I wanted it to, so it gets to keep its place in the 70s.]

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168: TAISHI - IMITATION OF OUR HISTORY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXf-PG8uAqI

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (4/27)
Source: Docs Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 70.39 [#124]
Revised Score: 77.46 [#139]
Final Score: 74.30 [#168]

(First Thoughts: A twelve minute long journey through multiple genres of music, some of which I like & some of which I dont. The pulsing dance club sections are not anything Id want to hear again, but theres enough variety that I liked more of it than not. Especially towards the end of the songtheres some great moments towards the end that, by themselves, would score in the high 90s.)

An excessively complicated song that cannot be summarized easily, which is great from a musical standpoint, but less good when you lack the relevant vocabulary to describe it in any meaningful way.

I will say I was too harsh on the song, I wouldnt describe any of it as something I dont want to hear again, but I feel confident leaving it at the really like tier instead of moving it up any further.

[Final Thoughts: I should have kept a running tally of 10+ minute long musical journey songs nominated this topic. This is certainly one of the better ones, though Im a bit less into it right nowyou really have to be in the right place to want to focus on a song this long and Im not quite there tonight, though I do appreciate the song enough that I definitely want to keep it at the 70 point tier.]

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167: MESSGRAM - ROCKSTARS (KOREAN VERSION):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeYUR6VEUxM

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (11/21)
Source: BlackDra90ns Extra Songs (1/7)

Initial Score: 65.20 [#168]
Revised Score: 71.74 [#191]
Final Score: 74.40 [#167]

(First Thoughts: Im surprised you nominated a song this pretty*gets to the halfway point and someone starts screaming loudly*oh, that explains things.)

A very pretty Korean pop song which features some random scream lyrics in the middle for no apparent reason. Its another all-around good nomination. Its well sung, we could always use more foreign songs to diversify the list a bit, and its got some nice lyrics:

Everyone says its just nothing, but its overwhelming me


Ah, theres that bluntness I was looking for. Its even mixed with a bit of niceness (the repeated refrains of youre not alone and I know its not just me), so it doesnt go too far towards depressing.

[Final Thoughts: Good song that does almost everything right. Im still not a fan of the louder part, but its quite short and barely has any impact on anything. Similarly, the drums in the outro arent to my liking, but its not even 30 seconds long, so its hardly even worth mentioning.]

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BLACKDRA90NS EXTRA SONGS:

Bleeding Sun: 50.00 [#472]
Demolisher: 58.00 [#380]
I Sever: 58.09 [#373]
The Sky That Has Fallen: 61.35 [#309]
Breach: 67.70 [#243]
Watch Me Burn: 68.79 [#222]
Rockstars: 74.40 [#167]

Average Score: 62.6185714285



A surprisingly varied set of metal nominations that scored rather well. The lowest scoring song was complete neutrality, so I didnt dislike any of the set; quite impressive, really.

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BlackDra90n
01/07/21 2:08:52 PM
#468:


Messgram is a pretty good band. Despite loving songs that have a lot of screaming in it, I actually like Messgram songs more when the guy isn't screaming. Jiyoung is a great singer so I can't say I'm surprised that this ranked the highest for you. In celebration of that, here's a Messgram cover of a BMTH song sung in Korean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lybNlaJb_B0&ab_channel=MessgramBand

Looking forward to see where the rest of the BMTH songs land!

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/07/21 3:02:25 PM
#469:


Ooh, I do like the sound of that link and look forward to adding it to the list. (I know I still need to update it, but as well need a second topic before we reach the end of the actual ranking topic, I may just put off updating the list until time to make the next topic.

That is far too many uses of the word topic, but i dont really feel like rewriting it, kupo.

And Im apparently rearranging things again, so while I try to renumber the list and adjust things, heres three more drops:



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166: KANO - YOURS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rl-Ty5jv8o

Nominator: UF8 (9/15)

Initial Score: 65.19 [#169]
Revised Score: 71.74 [#191]
Final Score: 74.50 [#166]

(First Thoughts: A bit too far on the creepiness, maybe. This feels...yandere-esque. Im expecting her to pull out an axe and slam it into my skull at any moment. Which....is a new kind of musical experience, but Im not sure exactly how much I want to be experiencing those feelings...)

This is definitely the most unsettling song in the topic. Which is...probably good, but might just be a bit too far for me to enjoy. Also, I think I prefer instrumentals for my creepy songs.

Still, highly unique experience, so thats...kinda neat.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely sets me on edge. Which is interesting! I look forward to hearing the track of hers that you didnt nominate later.]

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165: FRUMS - WING:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/wing

Nominator: cakophon (10/26)
Source: vignette (9/20)

Initial Score: 71.10 [#113]
Revised Score: 75.59 [#156]
Final Score: 74.60 [#165]

(First Thoughts: Neat-o.)

One of those Frums songs where Im not sure whats happening or how to describe it, but like it possibly because I dont know how to describe it.

Of course, this leaves us with nothing to say in the writeup because if I had something to say here then that would mean I did know how to describe it, which probably translates to a lower score and we wouldnt be here in the first place.

[Final Thoughts: Strange and neat, in the best way of using those words.]

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164: VICTOR VERGARA - ANCIENT STORIES:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Qv9N2CSkY

Nominator: Shonen_Bat (2/27)
Source: Shonen Bats Extra Songs (2/7)

Initial Score: 70.15 [#129]
Revised Score: 81.89 [#107]
Final Score: 74.70 [#164]

(First Thoughts: Hey, its the full version this time! I remember wishing youd nominated this last year instead of the short version, but I havent listened to the full version enough for this to fall into the R#s category.

Unfortunately, I dont think Im getting as drawn into this as I was last year, but its still a very nice song and provides a sharp contrast to many other noms.)

Looking over my comments last year, I said I doubted Id give this extended version more than the 7 points (the equivalent of 70-ish here) the original got, so I suppose I was exactly as drawn into it as the first time around.

Either way, this is still good adventuring music. Not a very dangerous adventure, just a basic hike through a well-maintained forest and possibly some brief looking at caves after the hike. Very nice ambience, which is a thing I also say a lot, but frequently repeating myself is one of my things.

[Final Thoughts: A good song that I like, but its a bit dependent on how interested I am in the specific journey it evokes at the time... I dont quite feel its up to 80 point level this time, though obviously I like it quite a bit and Im glad to have heard it again.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/07/21 4:19:54 PM
#470:


And four more to reach the target number of 15 eliminations:

===============

163: LIVE - FACE AND GHOST (THE CHILDRENS SONG):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDr-Rd80cQ0&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=8

Nominator: azuarc (11/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (5/13)

Initial Score: 70.50 [#119]
Revised Score: 82.43 [#104]
Final Score: 74.90 [#163]

(First Thoughts:

Lost in the maya, overboard in the sea
There was void and then that water broke
Then something called me
Now a trip to the desert, to look at the sky
It's like never ending mirrors
Playin' tricks on my eyes


I like that verse.)

Some random autotune distortion on his voice towards the end of the song,which I find appealing because its just so random. Other than that, weve got the usual: I like his performance on this track more than some other songs from the two albums, the lyrics seem intriguing enough that I enjoy them, etc, etc.

[Final Thoughts: Song bounces between the 70 & 80 point tiers. Right now, Im back to feeling its a 70 point song; ask again in a month or two and I might be back to feeling it worth 80 points.]

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162: FRUMS - MY CAPACITANCE:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/my-capacitance

Nominator: cakophon (9/26)
Source: vignette (8/20)

Initial Score: 90.00 [#13]
Revised Score: 85.67 [#86]
Final Score: 75.15 [#162]

(First Thoughts: I say intriguing too much. Whats another word for that? *checks thesaurus*

Fascinating, yeah, lets go with that one.)

I am / Not what / I am / But I
Might be / What I / Still was / When I
Was not / What I / Might have / Been now
But for / What I / Am in / My now


Cryptic robotic vocals are my thing; the heavy drumming or whatever isnt. Its definitely too heavy for my tastes, but intriguing enough that I still like it more than I probably should.

[Final Thoughts: Im sorry. Tonight is one of those nights where Im bothered by all the drumming and I cant get nearly into this song as I usually do. I will say I usually love it and its just bad timing thats causing it to fall down the list.]

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161: MAMOMO - (IN THE GARDEN OF GOD) [MAMOMO #9]:

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--53

Nominator: @FL81 (10/20)
Source: mamomo album (8/13)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 72.95 [#180]
Final Score: 75.33 [#161]

(First Thoughts: Simple, sad, piano song is simple & sad.)

Its quite pretty and one of the better simple, sad piano songs... but it doesnt inspire any real thoughts or feelings. Its more like the song is sad adjacent than actively inspiring sadness itself.

...also Im not fond of the translated title, but that has no impact on where the song winds up.

[Final Thoughts: Pretty enough to be an easy 70 point song, not beautiful enough to get up to the I love this song categories.]

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160: LES RALLIZES DENUDES - WHITE WAKING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nblK0dtd1GA

Nominator: @FL81 (9/20)
Source: FL81s Extra Songs (2/7)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 71.41 [#194]
Final Score: 75.34 [#160]

(First Thoughts: Got a psychedelic 70s vibe to it, which is kinda nifty?)

Considering that the band that released this song was a psychedelic rock band from the 70s, that may actually be the saddest attempt at a First Thought. Oh, hey you know what X reminds me of? An X!, whoop-de-doo.

This is one of the trippiest songs Ive ever heard and its kinda creepy how all the comments have such different reactions to the song... its like were all listening to completely different songs without realizing it.

Either way, to me, this sounds like falling into a drug induced coma and dying. Not... not my favorite ambience, but its certainly different and I like how bizarre everything about this song is.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the more memorable songs this ranking, but I feel its a bit longer than it needs to be. Its trippy and unsettling, but after a little over two minutes, I think Ive experienced as much of that as I want to... and then the song goes on for six minutes, without really adding or changing anything.]

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rwlh
01/07/21 5:33:48 PM
#471:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
179: AGATA - THE CABLE HAS NO NAME:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-YHxSCbYs

There's Agata! I found that song by searching for "anti-music."
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/08/21 12:48:35 PM
#472:


Ive never thought of trying to search for anti-music before, I have to remember to try that next time I want something really different.

Should get through another 15 songs today, starting with these three:



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159: THE WEEKND - LONELY STAR:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0p3sSUXDohjddeKlnvGbCD

Nominator: Player_0 (5/30)

Initial Score: 63.04 [#194]
Revised Score: 71.85 [#190]
Final Score: 75.35 [#159]

(First Thoughts: Replace all the lyrics, youd probably have.a song I love. As is... well, its still on the positive side of things, at least.)

As usual, Im still pretty heavily biased against the lyrics of his songs... but this song does a lot to draw me in. Weve got some spoken word sections from her, weve got the fairly low tones of music that I like, and I actually dont have any complaints about his singing. I can say with certainty that I like this quite a bit, in spite of the lyrics.

[Final Thoughts:

It seems like pain and regret
Are your best friends
Ooh-ooh-ooh, oh yeah
Cause everything you do leads to them


Most of the lyrics to this song are garbage, but there are moments like that which are great. This song is surprisingly close to being something I love, but its still not quite there.]

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158: MOZART - REQUIEM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi8vJ_lMxQI

Nominator: rwlh (7/15)

Initial Score: 63.20 [#187]
Revised Score: 72.07 [#188]
Final Score: 75.40 [#158]

(First Thoughts: ...You know, I kinda like this.)

1: Latin lyrics are so overused in RPGs that I now associate them with good times, so there may be a slight bias here.

2: Its a religious song, yes, but its dealing with the end of the world. We dont have many apocalyptic songs here.

3: I like how frequently the lyrics refer to the singer as being guilty and unworthy, but begging for forgiveness anyway. Its a minor detail, but it helps.

4: This is the song I referenced that played a commercial during the song itself and it was absolutely perfect.

Requiem lyrics...
Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
Liberate the souls of the faithful,
Departed from the pains of hell
And from the bottomless pit.
Deliver them from the lions mouth,
Lest hell swallow them up,
Lest they fall into darkness


Commercial lyrics that interrupted the song...
Return of the Mack! (There it is)
Return of the Mack! (Come on)
Return of the Mack! (Oh my God)


And that is, by the far, the greatest moment from any of these ranking topics. The image of Jesus returning to Earth during the end of the world and bursting into R&B hits as humanity is damned is so perfect. And most of Return of the Macks lyrics can actually work for Jesus condemning humanity, if you squint hard enough and really try reading the song that way. It is absolutely pure genius and I loved every second of it.

But.. that was just a fluke caused by the ad service. It doesnt always play an ad during the video and even when it does, that specific ad doesnt seem to be around these days, so youll never get that wonderful coincidence again. If it was intentionalif you edited the two songs together or created a proper mashup, something where these two songs coming together was actually the nominationit would be an easy 100. Easy.

As is... the coincidence has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of both songs and they are permanently associated in my mind, but I cant give you a perfect score for it. Not when its impossible to replicate. On the plus side, I do seem to actually like the actual song too, so its not like its only here due to coincidental commercials.

[Final Thoughts: Quite nice, especially for being a genre I typically dont care about.]

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157: TAT-MING PAIR - ROAD ANGEL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i281xYWDnyU

Nominator: handsomeboy2012 (6/15)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 72.62 [#183]
Final Score: 75.45 [#157]

(First Thoughts: While not my favorite song by the duo, theres some intriguing lines here. Auto Translate has its issues, like always, but Let troubles, let ideals be swept away is still pretty evocative and In the long night, angels are laughing and calling ; let everything be forgotten does a fantastic job at setting up a certain atmosphere.

...actually lets raise this score up to 70.00, I really enjoy the way those lyrics feel.)

A Google translated blog said...
Angels on the Road presents the true picture of society in a postmodern way.

There was no criticism, no preaching, only romance and poignancy


Seems like a rebellious youth type song from what I can make out, which is nice. I see that they played it in concert in 2017 and changed things a bit, connecting it to the Umbrella Movement which sounds good? Keeping the song relevant to modern events and all.

[Final Thoughts: Another good song from the pair, as expected.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/08/21 2:04:34 PM
#473:


===============

156: MAMOMO - (Encounter) [mamomo #11]:

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--55

Nominator: @FL81 (8/20)
Source: mamomo album (7/13)

Initial Score: 50.12 [#400]
Revised Score: 73.94 [#171]
Final Score: 75.60 [#156]

(First Thoughts: This reminds me of the type of RPG boss themes that I dont like. I guess its good enough for this style of music (I wouldnt say I dislike it, exactly), but its a low point for the album.)

I feel like Im probably overvaluing this and moving it too far up the list, but I rather like it tonight and Im going to jump it up to the low 70s because I can. I suppose having vocals that I cant really make out helps & it does have a nice intro? *shrugs* Either way, Im giving it a high score tonight, so nyah.

[Todays space filling talk of a completely unrelated song takes us to my favorite Broadway duet that I discovered during the nomination period for Rakas Raka ranks musical duets topic:]

Beautiful (from Ordinary Days):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4gPdkHDxj0

I actually couldnt name more than one Broadway duet when the nomination period started and I was content to leave things with only one nomination (from The Addams Family musical), but after Raka extended the nomination period to allow me a full five nominations... well... it would have felt rude to not find four other songs. So, I spent quite a few hours hunting for duets, scanning every topic & playlist I could find. While I did find several other songs I wanted to nominate (some of which I may use in future space filling writeups because I wish to talk about them), my absolute favorite discovery had to be Beautiful.

Something about the simplicity of the piano playing drew me in. From the first note, my ears perked up and the song had my absolute full attention. And the conversation felt much like one I was having with myself (this is our pick? Out of all the duets, this is it? Out of hundreds of duets, our favorite duet is this?!?) and I was instantly hooked.

I also find it easy to relate to the female character, who seems to be as ignorant of art as I am. After completely dismissing the painting of apples (describing it as a piece of shit, plain, and boring), she gets a lecture about how its truly beautiful... and then in her attempt to pretend she understands, she points at the picture of the apple and says I like that shade of red right there.

And its just so wonderful. It feels like such a me type of answer. To try so hard to find something to say about art and to only come up with something like apples are red!.

(Dont even get me started on her Its deep as an ocean but lighter than air line; yes, this painting I dismissed as shit is like a metaphorbut also like the opposite metaphor? I am very deep!)

And the way the male character never gets angry with her, trying to gently push her into thinking about the painting and being so excited to have a chance to explain. It actually reminds me of Mycro trying to explain the concept of music to me, even if its a relatively hopeless endeavor on his part. Its one of my happy place songs and I absolutely love it.

(I suspect the song to get last place at the actual rankings if they happen as it doesnt seem like the type of song anyone else on the board would go for, but its still one of my favorite discoveries.)

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, I still feel like this is a solid 70 point song.]

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155: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - OCTOPATH TRAVELER MAIN THEME:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/octopath-traveler-main-theme

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (7/32)

Initial Score: 70.29 [#125]
Revised Score: 87.47 [#76]
Final Score: 75.70 [#155]

(First Thoughts: This is a surprisingly triumphant feeling song. It feels much like a celebration and, in terms of feel, I wish this was the last song I heardeither of the album or of the first trip through the rankings altogether, because it sounds so...final that continuing on with more music feels a bit silly.)

A very heroic and triumphant track that is probably doing better off by itself, instead of trying to open the album. I understand opening with the Main Theme and the final track of the album (Daughter of the Dark God) did have a very pleasing outro to end the album on, but Main Theme is just too... final to be an album opener and I quite prefer listening to it by itself.

[Final Thoughts: Less interested in a triumphant song right now.]

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154: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - OREWELL, BENEATH THE CRAGS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/orewell-beneath-the-crags

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (6/32)

Initial Score: 63.62 [#185]
Revised Score: 74.38 [#167]
Final Score: 75.80 [#154]

(First Thoughts: It would fit for a Wild ARMs town. Which is nice.)

I also reference Wild ARMs a lot in this topic.

This is a nice wild west type song, perfect for strolling past the old timey saloons or wandering a desert like environment as a loner who doesnt fit into society and is mildly sad about this fact and also thinks in italics because bold is reserved for people who are less sad than you are.

[Final Thoughts: Good song.]

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153: RAVENCYARM - TOO SWISS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZ5gj80sTk

Nominator: Mega_Mana (12/18)
Source: Manas Extra Songs (3/5)

Initial Score: 71.15 [#111]
Revised Score: 77.13 [#142]
Final Score: 75.97 [#153]

(First Thoughts: Somehow I never noticed how good Cesaros theme was before hearing it in this mashup)

Kinda funny side-note: Ive recently started watching some of Xavier Woods/Austin Creeds YouTube Channel, particularly his weekly Uno games with Da Party (of which Cesaro is a member), so Cesaro is strangely relevant to my interests right now.

I feel like these two themes shouldnt work together as well as they do. I never cared for Too Cool or anything about them, but somehow combining their theme with Miracle creates something that does better than either song would have done individually.

[Final Thoughts: I like Cesaro, wrestling, and mashups so this was a pretty good pick.]

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handsomeboy2012
01/08/21 2:42:54 PM
#474:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
157: TAT-MING PAIR - ROAD ANGEL:

from what I gathered this is a song about sidelined youth, those who get looked down upon for not having good degree or job to become a proper member of society

Angels represent those young people
Night represent the space they create for themselves, as some sort of escapism from all the shaming and troubles

At least, thats what another blog told me.
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/08/21 4:17:24 PM
#475:


===============

152: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE FROSTLANDS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-frostlands

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (5/32)

Initial Score: 64.39 [#177]
Revised Score: 72.84 [#181]
Final Score: 75.00 [#152]

(First Thoughts: Its got a good feel to it, but its missing something.)

Every time I start to play this song, i immediately think whoa, this is a great song, how could it be this low on the list?? and as it goes on, I lose a little bit of interest each moment, until I find that I dont really want to move it as far up the list as those first few seconds indicated I should.

Its like it feels like its going to be this incredibly emotionally powerful song that is going to rise into the 90s or beyond, but its missing something. That one special moment or sequence that clicks and makes everything fall into place. It leaves the song feeling almost unfinished; I know that its a high-quality song and I do like it, but its just missing that last piece to fully complete it.

[Final Thoughts: The song is so close to greatness, but I still never get that emotional connection I need.]

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151: THE WEEKND - D.D.:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7eZ7ODAt9cALYnWLO8F6Fd

Nominator: Player_0 (4/30)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 73.17 [#178]
Final Score: 76.50 [#151]

(First Thoughts: I dont think it lives up to MJs version, but I like that they tried to change it up a bit. Instead of being an exact cover of Dirty Diana, they slowed it down and tried to make it darker... dont think it fully paid off, but it likely works better than it would have if they did a completely straight cover.)

Dirty Diana was never one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and I still prefer the original, but this actually is a really good cover. I like what he did with the song and its one of the high points of the album, so Im upgrading this to the 70s tier.

[Final Thoughts: Still not my favorite song, but its got a good sound and vibe to it. ]

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150: LINKIN PARK - DONT STAY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWfGOVWrueo&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=2

Nominator: Mega_Mana (11/18)
Source: Meteora (9/13)

Initial Score: 71.00 [#116]
Revised Score: 75.70 [#155]
Final Score: 76.60 [#150]

(First Thoughts: Just an all around good song here.)

Am I the only person who sees dont s and immediately gets Dont Speak stuck in their head? ...Probably.

Aaanywho, this is a good angry breakup song. Its probably about an old music executive, but vague enough that you can apply it to any relationship or personal demons and the lyrics still work.

Im also likely using too many italics for no reason, but Im not going to let that stop me.

[Final Thoughts: Not the best song on the album, but it has the right amount of anger and feel to it, so I like it quite a bit. This feels like one of the songs that Ill inevitably regret having ranked as comparatively low as it is (though this is still quite a good score), but I think Im happy with its placement right now.]

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149: FRUMS - I CANT EVEN REMEMBER MY OWN NAME:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/i-cant-even-remember-my-own-name

Nominator: cakophon (8/26)
Source: vignette (7/20)

Initial Score: 73.26 [#78]
Revised Score: 76.25 [#150]
Final Score: 76.70 [#149]

(First Thoughts: Peaceful song.)

Perhaps a bit odd to describe the latter sections of the song as peaceful, since it decidedly ramps up starting just before the two minute mark, but somehow I stand by my reaction. Even the most intense sections simply remind me of birds chirping in the trees and it is short lived before the song quiets down again. Contrary to the songs title, this feels like a relaxing and reassuring song; that everything will be fine and everything will work out calmly in the end.

[Final Thoughts: Relaxing and reassuring, Im sure this song would be a welcome addition to some of my playlists. Even if I strongly doubt thats the vibe they were going for with this song.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/08/21 5:08:41 PM
#476:


===============

148: AZKI - INTERSECTION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fad_0eQIlVo

Nominator: UF8 (8/15)

Initial Score: 72.20 [#98]
Revised Score: 76.14 [#151]
Final Score: 76.80 [#148]

(First Thoughts: Another song that I need a bit more time to process, but I think this is probably quite good even if its a bit too...club music like.)

Hey, AZKis on Spotify! Neat! I should listen to more of her songs on it later.

Either way, this isnt her best work, but its still a pretty good song. I always like seeing her again, even though shes never actually been one of my favorites and doesnt usually get very high scores, theres always some happiness from seeing her again.

[Final Thoughts: Good song from someone I like, so yeah, its pretty easy for it to get into the 70 point tier.]

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147: UNLUCKY MORPHEUS - UNENDING SORCERESS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCv3s0T4bx0

Nominator: Murphiroth (8/21)
Source: Murphiroth Extra Songs (3/7)

Initial Score: 80.007 [#52]
Revised Score: 81.35 [#110]
Final Score: 76.90 [#147]

(First Thoughts: I like FF8 and I like the lyrics; I dont think the song itself is as good as Bloody Rain, but theres a lot of bias in its favor.)

Well, I at least prefer the lyrics and subject matter of this song, but theyre still not exactly my favorite band and the song doesnt do much to change that opinion. Even with my natural bias towards FF8, this is still only really good as opposed to top tier.

....Much like FF8 itself actually; I love FF8, but its not in the absolute top tier of PSX RPGs (Suikoden 1 & 2 are the two best PSX-era RPGs and then I dont care to continue this list). I really like this, but its not even top tier for Unlucky Morpheus songs.

[Final Thoughts: The type of villain song I like.]

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146: LENA RAINE - EXHALE:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/exhale

Source: Metalmind_Stats (2/28)
Source: Celeste Soundtrack (2/21)

Initial Score: 60.07 [#239]
Revised Score: 73.39 [#176]
Final Score: 77.00 [#146]

(First Thoughts: A relaxing song. I might find a use for this later.)

This song probably got lucky on the second listen because I was quite agitated at the time it was time to listen to it and it actually did help calm me down somewhat. Its not quite the most soothing song Ive ever run into, but it certainly does its job well enough and helped when it needed to.

[Final Thoughts: Simple and relaxing. Does its job quite well, if youre ever in the need for such a thing.]

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145: DANNY CHAN - CHERISH TONIGHT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fu9DJGRU8Y

Nominator: handsomeboy (5/15)

Initial Score: 51.597 [#359]
Revised Score: 78.34 [#131]
Final Score: 77.10 [#145]

(First Thoughts: I didnt have any real connection with this song, sorry to say.)

Its probably just me, but part of the intro before he starts singing sounds like a slowed-down version of Everybodys Talkin by Harry Nilssson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFKDyVPkonc

Danny Chan has a pleasing voice and its oddly nostalgic for a song I havent heard beforethe combination of it being a fairly old-fashioned type of song, reminding me of another old song, and a general familiarity with this era of cantopop (thanks to these topics) leads to it being...comfortingly familiar, in spite of being new to me.

[Final Thoughts: Pretty song. Prettier than the 60 point songs, but still not quite at that top tier of beauty... fairly close though.]

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azuarc
01/08/21 6:26:13 PM
#477:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
150: LINKIN PARK - DONT STAY:

For some reason, whenever I hear this song, I get a Weird Al-esque parody in my head that I've named "Don't Save" in honor of all those warnings you get when you're about to close a document that changes will be discarded and you're positive you haven't done anything to it.
.

Sometimes I, need to escape my desk and leave
Sometimes I, need you to close my fucking screen!
Sometimes I'm in disbelief I made a change
Somehow I altered the page?

Don't save
Forget your memory
Forget the stupid editing
What you were changing me into
Just give me my file back and
Don't save
Forget your memory
Forget the stupid editing
Take that pop-up away with you
Just give me my file back and
Don't save

---
Video Game Music Contest 14 champion: Idola Phantasy Star Saga - Endeavour
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UF8
01/08/21 8:33:58 PM
#478:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
This feels...yandere-esque.
surely not
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dne7PCVBnM
<img src="https://cdn.discordapp.com/emojis/676319619941662730.png">
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Djungelurban
01/09/21 9:24:09 AM
#479:


Wow, Above & Beyond sure managed to go much further than I excepted. I don't wanna overstate my influence here, but did I actually manage to lessen your seemingly instinctual dislike for thumping beats? Sure seems like first time you hear them you dislike them and then they rapidly shoot up the charts as you know what to expect. Maybe you've been exposed to a lot of unusually bad electronic music before... Melodic trance with good vocalists seems to be what you respond to the most so if you're interested I'd be happy to provide you with a few other songs from the past that fit that genre. They would still contain more or less pulsating beat though of course... So maybe not.

Oh, and Perfume totally pre-date Hatsune Miku, just saying. :P
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/09/21 2:24:15 PM
#480:


I always appreciate song parodies, so that was neat! (Forgive the delayed response; since this topic is low in posts, Im trying to wait to respond to things until Im posting another elimination)

Please, feel free to post as many songs as you want, Ill get around to all of them eventually.

Bit of a late start today, but we should get through the usual 15 songs, starting with these:



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144: JETHRO TULL - TUNDRA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3CXJdMiVk

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (4/15)

Initial Score: 72.00 [#105]
Revised Score: 75.81 [#154]
Final Score: 77.20 [#144]

(First Thoughts: Interesting choice. Seems pretty straightforward and bleak, but Im intrigued.)

Well... getting lost and confused, then walking around in circles in a frozen tundra until you freeze to death is certainly bleak and depressing, but not quite the type of bleak that I usually find appealing? Think more metaphorical death than literal death. </.<

Still, its a unique story for this topic, which makes it memorable. Its also got a good sound to it, so its enjoyable to listen to. I also like how it ends suddenly and leaves the death implied, so with enough self-denial you could pretend its marginally less bleak.

[Final Thoughts: Nothing further to add.].

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143: LINKIN PARK - FAINT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYU-8IFcDPw&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=7

Nominator: Mega_Mana (10/18)
Source: Meteora (8/13)

Initial Score: 70.58 [#118]
Revised Score: 76.36 [#149]
Final Score: 77.30 [#143]

(First Thoughts: Rather close to what Im looking for. The shouting is a bit much, but its close.)

Personally, I like being ignored. Its so much easier to be yourself when no ones paying attention and youre not going to be acknowledged by anyone.

Song is good and, like I said, very close to being what I wanted. Its in the right genre, but perhaps a little too angry and the lyrics arent exactly my favorite... still, good song.

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, thats about it. It does almost everything right, but theres a bit too much yelling for my general tastes.]

================



==============

142: TOOL - VICARIOUS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_TUP2vuaDs&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=1

Nominator: Steiner (2/26)
Source: 10,000. Days (2/11)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]

Final Score: 50.00 (later upgraded to 60.00) (upgraded to 70.00) (upgraded to 77.40) [#142]

(First Thoughts: ...I just dont care.)

Im just now realizing that 3/11 songs from 10,000 Days have scores of exactly 50 points, neither liked nor disliked in any meaningful way. Its not a good sign when so much of an album fails to inspire any interest or reaction at all.

..I cant even decide if its better for an album to have three nothing songs like 10,000 Days or 3 songs I hated like Aenima. Like, it may have been an overwhelmingly negative reaction, but at least it was a reaction?

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: ...Yeah, I still have nothing I want to say about this. Maybe by the time its actually eliminated?]

[Slightly Later: Well, I mean, its good. Im also more amused than I should be about trying to contrast this with Don Henleys Dirty Laundry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHimia_Fxzs

(I also had a Don Henleys Greatest Hits album for some reason. I dont know why. Its just one of those things that seems to have always been there.

And Im sure there are other songs dealing with this type of subject matter and blah-blah-blah, I dont particularly like this song, its just one I apparently know by heart and I seem unable to articulate my thoughts on Vicarious without getting into it.)

Do forgive the most surface-level and basic comparisons, but its notable that Don Henley attacks the news itself:

We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blond
Who comes on at five
She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye
It's interesting when people die
Give us dirty laundry


While Maynard is more focused on the viewers and humanity in general:

Eye on the TV
'Cause tragedy thrills me
Whatever flavor it happens to be like
...
That's my kind of story
It's no fun until someone dies


And of course, the songs are rather different in styleHenleys is only about two steps removed from being easy listening, while Tools is decidedly harsher in all respects.

And... well I could go on, but I fail to see a reason to do so. I dont particularly like Dirty Laundry and had been actively trying to avoid making the comparison in the first place because its such an abysmal comparison even by my non-existent standards; the actual point is, in trying to compare the two songs, Ive had to admit how much better Vicarious is. To a point that I kinda like it now; still not a favorite of mine or anything, but Ill admit its definitely better than the Exactly 50 category.

Ehh...lets go ahead and move it up to 60. I did enjoy my time with it.]

[(Still Not) Final Thoughts: Actually, I think Im starting to appreciate this song, on some level... I think I actually want to move this up another tier. Huh.]

[Final Thoughts: A very impressive song thats still too real to be something I often choose to listen to, but Ive learned to like it quite a bit.]

===============



===============

141: JAMES - SPACE:

https://youtu.be/94NAbDBDsR8

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (9/15)

Initial Score: 72.33 [#95]
Revised Score: 73.83 [#172]
Final Score: 77.50 [#141]

(First Thoughts: A very complicated song thats going to take a few listens for me to properly articulate my thoughts. The latter parts of the song are definitely reminding me of something, but I cant piece the memories together right now.. this is another song where Im gonna pass on making any Initial Impressions, save to say that its a well-done song and an interesting pick.)

Yes, properly articulate thoughts. Thats definitely a thing we do. </.<

...Probably just me, but the outro on this song feels rather U2-esque.

END OF THOUGHT.

[Final Thoughts: A song that always scores in the early 70s range, so I always like it quite a bit... can never really place why or find anything to say about it, but its always a pleasant detour,]

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Jesse_Custer
01/09/21 2:33:28 PM
#481:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
Probably just me, but the outro on this song feels rather U2-esque.

Its not just you, I hear a lot of U2 in James songs from that era including this one.

Glad you liked the song, its an unusual one thats not for everyone, but easily one of my favorite songs for many years now.
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/09/21 3:45:37 PM
#482:


===============

139: IAMTHEMORNING - LIGHTHOUSE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4K88dqi1A

Nominator: NBIceman (9/22)
Source NBIcemans Extra Songs (6/7)

Initial Score: 86.52 [#26]
Revised Score: 85.85 [#85]
Final Score: 77.76 [#139]

(First Thoughts: Massive jump in quality once the song shifts to being a duet.)

Song is pretty throughout, though I definitely prefer it once the male vocalist joins in. I dont think Id describe him as one of my favorite vocalists, but there is something vaguely enchanting about his voice where I want to hear more from him.

I do see the appeal in the earlier parts, with her haunting voice over subdued classical piano, I already said it was always pretty... but its his vocals that make the song for me.

[Final Thoughts: I love his voice. Its so soothing, I want more from him... but as much as I love him, it does take the song quite a while to get to him and now Im a bit irrationally annoyed that it takes so long for him to join in with the song. Its not exactly right to drop the song down an entire tier out of bitterness that the singer I want to hear isnt featured as heavily as Id like, but Im still going to do it.]

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==============

137 [TIE]: EVERY TIME I DIE - OLD LIGHT:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7uh0csgLz3j6pBZ03U0Jdl

Nominator: Bane (3/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (2/14)

Initial Score: 73.05 [#85]
Revised Score: 74.16 [#169]
Final Score: 77.85 [#137]

(First Thoughts: Lots of inhuman metaphors (masterless dog, ox wandering the swamp, rattlesnake, demon), so I have a natural bias in favor of this.)

I like the guest vocalist, I like some of the metaphor choices, and I kinda like his explanation for the title:

I was watching some shit about outer space one night and they were talking about how the stars we see might be dead currently (because of how long light takes to travel) and I realized how deceiving and cruel the universe could be.

Imagine if you were floating around in space and you saw a star in the darkness (pretending there wasnt gazillions of miles between you) and you thought Oh thats beautiful! Im gonna go fly over that and be closer to it!, and then you get there and it was fuckin dead.

It kind of served as a metaphor for everything we think is spectacular. The closer we get to it, the more we become aware that its not the way it was when you first noticed it. Also I may have been very high.


And theres something rather endearing about this highly educated artist rambling about flying to dead stars. Its not the greatest explanation of all time and I shouldnt let it influence the score any, but its amusing and I wanted to draw attention to it.

[Final Thoughts: Brian Fallon seems to be the name of the guest vocalist. I wonder if he did anything Id like? His performance on this track makes me want an entire song by him... I suppose Ill look into him later. Either way, this is a good song.]

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===============

137 [TIE]: HANDGUNS - SELF-PORTRAIT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8pF--sS5Hs

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (7/15)

Initial Score: 74.186 [#69]
Revised Score: 77.24 [#141]
Final Score: 77.85 [#137]

(First Thoughts: I like the lyrics quite a bit. Im not sure exactly how much I like the actual song, but you know, well see. Its probable I just need to give it a few more listens to get adjusted to it.)

PROS

1.Spoken word intro (which is sampled from a movie I know nothing about and dont really want to look into, but I do like samples like this).

2.Verse 2, in particular, is at the right level of sadness:

Most days I feel fine and others I feel like
Im dying on the inside, forcing smiles on the outside


Bleak, but not suicidally bleak.

3.Handguns may not have been my favorite band last topic, but I do kinda like seeing familiar names and giving them another chance.

CONS

1: So much drumming.

2: Theyre still not my favorite band.

I think that works out to around the low 70s in terms of points.

[Later: Upper-Mid 70s, I guess. I like it a bit more than the average 70 point song.]

[Final Thoughts: Too much drumming, but the song itself is still good and mostly what I was looking for.

*notices that the Pros List uses a number followed by a period format, while the Cons List uses a number followed by a colon and a space format.*

O.o?

Odd coincidence.]

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================

136: LIVE - WE WALK IN THE DREAM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1fgPshhUQo&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=12

Nominator: Azuarc (9/28)
Source: The Distance To Here (4/13)

Initial Score: 23.37 [#552]
Revised Score: 36.12 [#539]
Final Score: 49.00 (upgraded to 68.25) (upgraded to 77.90) [#234]

(First Thoughts: This would be the type of spiritual song that I dont like. Its performed well, but it feels so overwhelmingly Christian that I want to go listen to something like Depth of Satans Eyes to balance things out.

...actually, Im totally going to go listen to that before finishing this album. There are definitely spiritual songs I like, but not so much this one.)



I had hoped to find a professional review commenting on this song, that I may blatantly copy their words in an attempt to give this writeup some value by offering the insight of someone who actually knows what theyre talking about and can properly review songs.

...Only no one ever speaks of this song. The album itself gets mixed reviews, but no one ever talks about this track. Its never listed as one of the best (The Dolphins Cry is often mentioned for that position), nor one of the worst. The closest Ive found was someone saying the albums repeated refrains of love become tedious before you even reach this song.

Well, if people actually being paid to comment on this album cant be bothered to say anything about the song, then I feel a bit better about my own lack of a writeup.

Aaanywho..., Im not saying this is actually a Christian rock song, but lines like We are not these bodies alone & Im finally at peace, the war is all gone, by no cause of my own make it way too easy to read that type of thing into it. Which isnt a dealbreaker by itself, but Im not finding anything else here that I like to offset the not my thing value.

[Final Thoughts (that later turned out to not be very final at all): I do like that its a bit of a softer type of rock than Sparkle was.]

[Later: One of those songs that has been stuck in my head and keeps getting moved up the list. Im actually going to raise this up to the very low 60s, see where things go from there.]

[Final Thoughts (that also later turned out to not be final): High 60s. Its still not quite something I love, but its awfully catchy and I like it.]

[Still Later: I have a very love/hate relationship with this type of spiritual song.

There are days, like the first listen, where Im so strongly anti-religious that I get incredibly bitter and actively resent these types of songs.

There are days where I want to believe in the power of soft rocks ability to unite people in harmony and get overly attached to these types of songs.

Today is apparently one of the latter type of days as I flatly refuse to let this be eliminated before the 70s, which is going to complicate everything... so many numbers to change... ]

[Final Thoughts: And we end in the high 70s. Good song, when Im in the mood for such songs.]

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Snake5555555555
01/09/21 3:56:32 PM
#483:


I love the spoken word intro too! It's from Little Miss Sunshine which I think you implied you knew but just making sure.

Verse 2 is excellent. "I'm an optimist and a pessimist in one" is a killer line. "I still get those headaches I did when I was young", that's a very relatable line for me too.

---
Hey, look on the bright side, there's nowhere but up from a canyon in hell.
https://imgur.com/1e1e70S - https://imgur.com/a/bHIYzis
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Bane_Of_Despair
01/09/21 3:58:53 PM
#484:


Ah yea Keith's explanation for the title is very fun, and Brian Fallon is the lead singer of the band The Gaslight Anthem so yea you should go check them out if he interests you, they really broke out in the late 00's or so. As for my favorite parts of the song, I do like dogless master and masterless dog. And the ending is pretty fun as it ramps up slightly.

Also I think I might only have Revival Mode left for my songs? I could be mistaken though.

---
You were the cancer, that's all you'll ever be
I really messed up this contest, but azuarc gave it a Breath of fresh air
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Murphiroth
01/09/21 4:12:56 PM
#485:


Unlucky Morpheus being a bunch of nerds who make songs about videogames always makes me chuckle.

Fuki's voice the the thing I'm there for. Everyone else is great, don't get me wrong, but she's probably my favorite vocalist ever.
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/09/21 5:01:32 PM
#486:


Yeah, I do at least some research on each song, so I know the clip is from Little Miss Sunshine... I just dont actually know what that film is and didnt feel like going down that rabbit hole, as I didnt think knowledge of the movie would influence my thoughts of the song in any direction. Still, a neat piece of trivia that I probably should have mentioned somewhere, so thanks for that.

And yeah, Revival Mode is the last song. I forgot El Dorado fell earlier (I blame the naming similarities between it and the El Dorado cartoon remix)... which means I should have posted an Album Elimination update:



==============

FROM PARTS UNKNOWN:

The Great Secret: 43.87 [#527]
Moor: 49.20 [#485]
Saturnalia: 50.00 [#472]
If There Is Room To Move, Things Move: 50.54 [#454]
Pelican of the Desert: 51.00 [#443]
Exometrium: 53.34 [#404]
All Structures Are Unstable: 56.23 [#383]
Idiot: 58.30 [#367]
Overstayer: 59.86 [#341]
Cheap Ludes: 60.36 [#325]
Thirst: 62.80 [#283]
Decayin With The Boys: 67.20 [#256]
El Dorado: 73.35 [#176]
Old Light: 77.85 [#137]

Average Score: 58.1714285714



I have a hard time remembering which songs are which and trying to go through the entire album in one sitting is a bit much, but I rather like the songs when theyre spaced out a bit with some other tamer genres between them. Also, Buckley seems cool from what little Ive seenI always enjoyed finding quotes of him explaining his songs and hes probably the best lyricist nominated this topic.

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And another copy/paste error resulted in song #140 not getting posted... (scores are accurate, its just posted a bit out of sequence):



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140: LIVE - SELLING THE DRAMA:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5y9ivD2g37FSCEJpfhG7d5

Nominator: azuarc (10/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (6/15)

Initial Score: 56.11 [#298]
Revised Score: 74.05 [#170]
Final Score: 77.63 [#140]

[First Reaction to seeing the lyrics: ...No, nope, nope, not doing this tonight. Its almost midnight right now and Im not dealing with this song just before bed. Actually, Im going to skip ahead a bit and come back to this entire album later; I need to be in the right headspace to deal with this and I really, really am not at the time Im writing this, sorry.]

Selling the Drama, take two:(First Thoughts: A heavier song than Im likely to ever deal with voluntarily (for the record, the optimal number of times to use any tense of the word rape is 0) and the song repeats itself a bit too often... but the singers got a good voice here, theyre somehow reminding me of... some classic rock singer or band I cant quite place (in a good way) and I think I somewhat like this? Like, I wasnt ready for this song at first, but after BLOODMONEY, I think Im okay with this.)

Skimming other comments, I see a lot of people saying this sounds like REM, so Ill say thats probably who they were reminding me of.

Either way, this song is a bit rough to listen to. As Ive said, I dont really care that the line is we wont be raped or that its metaphorical rape, its just not a lyric I want to deal with. And while theres a lot of debate about what anything in the song means, none of the theories Ive seen really appeal to me.

But the song does have a good sound to it and if I wanted to try listening to something more difficult, this is probably a decent introductory song since I do like listening to it...

[Later: I really like his voice on this track. Subject matters still not my thing, but this sounds fantastic enough that Im moving it up to the high 70s.]

[Final Thoughts: There are very few artists that could get away with including references to rape & Jesus in the same song and still get high marks from me. Im quite impressed that I like this song even half as much as I do.]

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Raetsel_Lapin
01/09/21 5:05:39 PM
#487:


Hopefully that fixed things and we can resume with the next batch:



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135: PSO2 - NEON DAYS ~ THE EARTH (SCENERY):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x25TifWCAuc&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=1

Nominator: NFUN (4/37)

Initial Score: 54.20 [#319]
Revised Score: 76.03 [#152]
Final Score: 78.00 [#135]

(First Thoughts: Not a bad track, but no moments really stood out.)

One of those songs that I suddenly like, but dont actually know why and have listened to the song three times in a row in hopes of finding something to say... but... never getting anywhere, as usual.

[The next space filling song is one that Ive praised before, but Im not sure if I ever talked about it at any length]

Venetian Snares - Masodik Galamb:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOwgOcfj3AE

...Actually, Im not sure theres a lot I can say about it. We get some slightly odd spoken word narration (which I usually like) and then the song... uhh... gets progressively crazier as its a six minute long descent into complete insanity (which I also usually like).

Its a very strange track and I feel like I should be nominating it to people more often.

[Final Thoughts: Again, Ive listened to this multiple times in a row attempting to find why I like it, but I still have nothing. I know that I like it a lot and I refuse to consider dropping it down a tier or anything, but thats about all I know.]

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134: AKINA NAKAMORI - DESIRE -JONETSU-:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YS5euuX7_w

Nominator: handsomeboy (4/15)

Initial Score: 80.089 [#49]
Revised Score: 77.79 [#136]
Final Score: 78.10 [#134]

(First Thoughts:

I kick my heels off and then I feel it
I feel just how long and lonely the night is


Yeah, this song hits the right feelings & I find myself getting drawn into her voice... )

Just a generally all-around good song. I have no real complaints about the lyrics, the singer, or the music. Also, even though its only the most surface level of similarities, it reminds me of The Winner (Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory first opening):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoplnxPv-J0

Not really similar, but theyre both JPop songs from the 80s sung by somewhat deep-voiced women with burning love and burning heart as English lyrics. Not exactly deep similarities, but thats where my mind goes, and reminding me of Gundam is always a good thing.

[Final Thoughts: Original link is dead, but the one I put up there seems fineat least the song and video are the same way I remember them from the first two listens, so Im pretty confident its the same vid. Nothing else to add to the song: its a good song that reminds me of Gundam, so yeah.]

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133: WOODKID - GOLIATH:

https://youtu.be/5tEfYvY3bAg

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (8/15)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 79.99 [#116]
Final Score: 78.20 [#133]

(First Thoughts: I dont think I want to put down any first thoughts. This feels like a different genre than Ive heard before (I half-expected Wikipedia to claim it as post-hardcore, but no, the artist is Chamber Pop, Art Pop, and Neofolk. First person to explain what the bloody hell Chamber Pop is in a comprehensible way will win nothing, because I have nothing to give them and I care exactly enough to ask what? but not enough to Google the term.

Song went completely over my head, not a surprise, most songs do. But this leaves me with a song from a genre I dont know, with a meaning I dont know, by an artist Ive never heard of, and I dont think first thoughts are going to get you anywhere or be worth reading. Giving it a very placeholder value of 60 points for now; enough that its solidly in the I like this category, but fairly low because I dont exactly get it right now and need a bit time to even process what the song is)

Not related to the score or anything, but I do appreciate you giving me a French artist. Not entirely sure it was deliberate, but since I remarked on the lack of French songs, it was nice. (Off the top of my head theres this song, which is in English but sang by a French artist; IhatethisCPU gave a song in French ; and one of The Weeknds songs had some French lyrics in it. There may have been some other inclusions, I dont profess to know the nationality of every artist at this topic.)

Even after reading every interview about this song I could find, I still have a hard time grasping this song. in theory, I get that its dealing with excessive industrialization, climate change, the far right, etc, etc. In practice, lines like The chest and the head divided by a white laser are so incomprehensible this might as well be a Fair to Midland track.

(I always love seeing Fair to Midland make an appearance at these topics, so I mean that in the best possible way. Its supposed to be a playful joke and not a mean-spirited one.)

[Final Thoughts: Well, I still have no idea what Im listening to, so that could be why the score fluctuates so much... I have a hard time pinning down exactly where I want to drop it, other than somewhere in one of the I liked this tiers.]

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Bane_Of_Despair
01/09/21 5:14:19 PM
#488:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
hes probably the best lyricist nominated this topic.
this is pretty much a win in my book even with being almost out right now, glad you enjoy them as much as I do! I'll wait until Revival Mode drops to talk a bit more about them and recommend some potential extra songs to look into

---
You were the cancer, that's all you'll ever be
I really messed up this contest, but azuarc gave it a Breath of fresh air
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/09/21 6:08:30 PM
#489:


Three more songs for the night:



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132: POPPY - ANYTHING LIKE ME:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0z41fERfoKvJsPGuX8gvjE

Nominator: Murphiroth (7/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (5/14)

Initial Score: 71.00 (upgraded to 74.00) [#75]
Revised Score: 79.88 [#117]
Final Score: 78.30 [#132]

(First Thoughts: Im sure you all expected something with lyrics this repetitive (the song title manages to come up 20 times in under three and a half minutes) to get a failing grade, but this song has the exact right amount of anger to appeal to me right now. Its metal without being too scream-y; angry, without really describing violence; its the diet coke of rage metal.

Actually, lets raise the score a bit to 74 points. Im actually rather digging this right now.)

Some nice duality between the softer and heavier parts, just the right amount of anger, its a very well produced song. I also respect how personal this song is and know enough about Titanic Sinclair to know why this song is important, but its so personal to Poppy that its a bit hard to relate to... I like it, obviously, and my opinion of the song has only gone up from the initial listen, I just prefer something I could relate to or that inspires fantasies or something. This song is a bit too specific for that, great as it is.

[Final Thoughts: Again, no further comments.]

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130 [TIE]: LIVE - MELTDOWN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1AEPpQMFu8&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=10

Nominator: azuarc (8/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (3/13)

Initial Score: 43.82 [#483]
Revised Score: 59.95 (later upgraded to 79.55) [#120]
Final Score: 78.40 [#130]

(First Thoughts: It feels cheesy in a bad way; usually I love cheesy things, but its lacking a sense of fun. Like it thinks its some deeply grand message, but it just isnt and the entire thing falls flat.

*looks at the song title and the comments about cheese* Man, I wish Id planned a melty cheese pun there.)

Actually, I rather like the opening verse tonight.

Like Himalayan cold winter
These jaws of Kali Yuga
Yeah it's a crazy kind of cold
A lifeless slumber in a stranglehold


Somehow makes me think of a winter version of The Dark Tower opening: The man in black fled across the snowcapped mountains and the gunslinger followed. Not that I know much about the series (I briefly tried reading the first book, but Steven King is not for me), but its a fairly nice image for a song to conjure up.

The other verses & chorus arent as evocative, but its still a nice enough song.

[Later: That opening verse is enough to carry the song into the 70s by itself.]

[Final Thoughts: The opening verse is what really sells me on the song. The rest is goodnot the greatest Rock Love Song Ive ever heard, but certainly goodbut its really my attachment to the opening verse that keeps me coming back to the song.]

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130 [TIE]: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES - DONT KNOW HOW TO PARTY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBY_UbhYJVU

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (5/15)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 63.60 [#257]
Final Score: 78.40 [#130]

(First Thoughts: Ive given a lot of exact 50s, but this may be the most 50 song to ever 50.)

Singers voice is too deep and gravely, but I dig the songs energy and the horn. (Video shows a guy playing a saxophone, but its so faint that I cant really enjoy it). I suspect an instrumental version would do better, possibly even all the way to the low 70s? Its enough that I have some positive feelings to the track...

Actually, I think Im going to go ahead and bump this up to the 60 point tier; not my favorite song by any means, but I think Id regret not awarding at least 60 points to a song with nice horn playing.

[Laterafter the second phase had ended, but before the real topic started: One of those songs that gets stuck in your head, you know... I find that Ive been really looking forward to hearing this again. Im going to move this up to the 70s.]

[Final Thoughts: Catchy and memorable, the song doesnt make a good first impression but after youve had it in your head for a couple months, you start kinda digging it.]

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And a quick update of the list of extra songs to listen to after the ranking:

ZALIST (in no particular order)

Achtung Baby (Album)
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Trilogy (Album)
Grind Session (Game OST)
Theodor Bastard - Volchya Yagoda Album
Utopia (Pathologic 2 OST)

Assorted Bring Me the Horizon albums, Ill figure out which ones later

Steve Reich (Artist)
Master Boot Record (Artist)
Gunship (Artist)
Hiroshi Miyauchi (VGM Artist)
Imami Pon and BA.M (VGM Artist)
Live - We Deal In Dreams
Piano Opera - Terras Theme (Arr. Bill Dobbins)
Piano Opera - The Serpent Trench (Arr. Bill Dobbins)
Piano Opera - Welcome to Our Town! Music Box
Piano Opera - Theme of Love Music Box
Piano Opera - My Home, Sweet Home Music Box
Piano Opera - The Mystic Forest Music Box
Piano Opera - Terras Theme: Music Box
Shooter Jennings - The Low Road
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Now or Never
Hive - Moves Within Time (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Movements)
The Moody Blues - In The Beginning/Lovely to See You
The Doors - Light My Fire (full version)
ZZ Ward - Ghost
Veracocha VS Axwell - Feel The Carte Blanche
Nina Simone - Dont Let Me Be Misunderstood
Down - Bury Me in Smoke
Down - Stone the Crow
Down - Eyes of the South
Corrosion of Conformity - Clean My Wounds
POWER TRIP - Executioners Tax (Swing of the Axe)
JINJER - Judgement
Jacob Collier - CLARITY
Somunia - last night (virtual cat remix)
Messgram - mother tongue (Bring Me the Horizon Cover)

And some songs UF8 PMd a while ago


If I accidentally left something off of ZaList, please let me knowits a long topic and trying to find any named song or artist is difficult. Other than that, this topic is about full, so Ill start the new one tomorrow.
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Jesse_Custer
01/09/21 7:22:24 PM
#490:


Raetsel_Lapin posted...
This feels like a different genre than Ive heard before (I half-expected Wikipedia to claim it as post-hardcore, but no, the artist is Chamber Pop, Art Pop, and Neofolk.

Goliath and most of the album its on is actually a very different style than Woodkids debut album, The Golden Age, which I highly recommend if you like a more orchestral sound. Id say Goliath at times borders on industrial, but certainly wouldnt classify it that way exclusively. I actually prefer The Golden Age, but nominated Goliath because it was more recent and I was very into it at the time.
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Raetsel_Lapin
01/10/21 4:36:34 PM
#491:


I'll definitely listen to at least a few tracks from The Golden Age.

Continuation topic is up:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/79231059

Feel free to get this to 500, if you are the type of person who enjoys getting the last word in a topic. Or don't. Either way, I'm pretty sure I have all relevant information from it saved, so you don't have to try to keep it from purging or anything.
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