Board 8 > Raetsel ranks 631 songs. [Rankings]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Running very late today, but we should still get through the usual 10 eliminations.



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369: POPPY - SIT / STAY:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Z26HE0yLOZYytDlZvxQfJ

Nominator: Murphiroth (18/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (13/14)

Initial Score: 57.66 [#284]
Revised Score: 58.10 [#321]
Final Score: 58.16 [#369]

(First Thoughts: The chorus is a bit too harsh, but its not a bad song.)

Good song, but a bit too heavy for me to really want to talk about it.

[I dont really want to do a space filling song here, but I suppose I cant just leave this writeup at only 16 words, so what do I have left?]

Super Mario 64 - File Select (Lo-Fi Edit):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzDQldjGsM

I feel like I should listen to more lo-fi songs.. its a new genre for me, but i like the idea of it; cant say Ive found any lo-fi songs that I love, but then I havent heard many. Im also not entirely sure how I wound up at this song. I was listening to random Master System songs to try and find one I felt like talking about, was browsing through the Govellius soundtrack, and somehow we seem to be here now? My head hurts... it feels like being in a dream where events are happening at random.

[Final Thoughts: Well, I do kinda love that Lo-Fi File Select. Sit / Stay is still a bit too heavy a song to really want to get into, but I do appreciate it a fair amount.]

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368: FRUMS - (NOTHING) [VIGNETTE TRACK #8]:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/--4

Nominator: cakophon (21/26)
Source: vignette (16/20)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 58.59 [#314]
Final Score: 58.20 [#368]

(first thoughts: is not bad.)

I have no explanation for the use of lowercase there, nor for why not bad was translated to 70 points when thats a pretty solid 50 point description.

Apparently this is from the mobile game SEVENs CODE. Which doesnt matter in the slightest, but does make me mildly curious what type of scores it would get at the VGM rating topic.

[Final Thoughts: Again, its good and I like Frums style of music, but i cant find any particular section that Im really drawn to or in love with.]

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367: EVERY TIME I DIE - IDIOT:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3IVptk9gelxkvVzBb4dfoY

Nominator: Bane (15/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (7/14)

Initial Score: 53.61 [#322]
Revised Score: 58.80 [#311]
Final Score: 58.30 [#367]

(First Thoughts: I like his explanation for the song and I love the last lines of the song, but its still too [pick one of the following adjectives: loud/shouty/drum heavy/similar to other tracks on this album and Im starting to feel burned out-y])

Stated explanation:

This song is about me. I am the idiot. I am not cool. I am not smart. I am not clever. Please trust me. If you could just believe me, it would relieve a lot of pressure.

Poor Keith.

Lyrics:

All I want is for everyone to go to hell
It's the last place I was seen before I lost myself
All I want is for everyone to come to hell
There we can be free and learn to love ourselves

Ah, I love those lines. So perfect. But the song is not quite to my tastes. This is Keith Buckley at possibly his shoutiest (listen to the prolonged yell on paralyzed which is more PARALYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYZED) and it falls into the trap of being too loud & intense.

[Final Thoughts: This song is one of the better tests for how far a song can go based entirely on the strength of its lyrics. \]

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366: LINKIN PARK - HIT THE FLOOR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMals9XXQY8&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=5

Nominator: Mega_Mana (14/18)
Source: Meteora (11/13)

Initial Score: 59.99 [#258]
Revised Score: 58.66 [#313]
Final Score: 58.40 [#366]

(First Thoughts: Not bad, but the chorus is a bit too shouty and I dont have much attachment to the lyrics.)

I like the idea of blending a heavier shouty song with a hip hop song, but Im not fully convinced it worked well here. Its not bad, but its a long way from being one of the best songs on the album.

The lyrics are fine? I dont have any objections to them, but they also dont particularly grab me.

[Final Thoughts: Good song, just not one of their best.]

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365: STURGILL SIMPSON - MAKE ART, NOT FRIENDS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/40Bjvq0doGxiH3vZndB5TR

Nominator: Xeybozn (10/20)
Source: Sound and Fury (5/10)

Initial Score: 58.66 [#276]
Revised Score: 58.24 [#319]
Final Score: 58.24 [#365]

(First Thoughts: Good song, though not exactly what Im looking for at this moment.)

The intros a bit long and not something that appeals to me, so I feel like this would have been improved by being split into two parts. Like, usually I disagree with splitting intros off into their own tracks, but Id rather just skip the first 1:30-ish of the song.

Either way, its a good song, obviously. I have no complaints about the lyrics or his performance, but like so many other songs at this level, it never quite clicks with me for some reason.

[Final Thoughts:

Nobody writes, nobody calls
Nobody bother, 'cause I'm over it all

Face in the mirror's all skin and bones
Bloodshot eyes and a heart of stone
Never again, rather be alone

Those look like the type of lyrics Im supposed to be into these days, but... ehh... Im still just not connecting with this the way I should. The song is performed well, it has some lyrics that are very close to what i want, but... I just really dont want to move it up to the next tier.]

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364: PSO2 - SUPERLUMINAL ~ CHASE ~ ESCA FALZ MOTHER (PHASE1):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mywe_GzyLs&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=18

Nominator: NFUN (19/37)

Initial Score: 50.11 [#402]
Revised Score: 56.70 [#341]
Final Score: 58.40 [#364]

(First Thoughts: This is not at all the type of song the name made me think it would be.)

I wonder what, exactly, past me expected from this song? It certainly feels like a PSO2 chase track to me.

Either way, this is another good piece of VGM that doesnt make me think of anything particular. I suppose the song would go well with F-Zero GX (please pretend Ive posted something playing this song over footage over Fire Field), but I think Ive said something similar about every chase ~ theme thus far and even Ive grown tired of saying it.

[Final Thoughts: I think I ran out of compliments for very good racing songs a while ago.]

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Ok I'm satisfied that you picked out the final lines of Idiot, those are my favorite as well and part of why it's one of my favorite songs from the band

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362 [TIE]: TOOL - USEFUL IDIOT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzHd9sYXBQI&list=OLAK5uy_k_Z0-DYw0_cGPvZm6icNUGbefRT4wktdY&index=4

Nominator: Steiner (12/26)
Source: Aenima (5/15)

Initial Score: 61.24 [#213]
Revised Score: 58.80 [#311]
Final Score: 59.01 [#362]

(First Thoughts: Hey, an entire track of noise! Shame it isnt longer.)

Vinyl record noise probably isnt my favorite type of noise (dont ask what is, I havent actually thought about the topic), but I do like noise and things that stretch the definition of what music even is... but this is really short and pointless. Even with all my natural bias towards it, I think I want to keep this at the high 50s instead of the low 60s.

[Final Thoughts: I like the way it gets progressively louder and I love that its an entire track of noise, but 30 seconds (or however long this is) just isnt enough time. Its like I start to get drawn into it and then it just comes to an abrupt end.]

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362 [TIE]: MAZEDUDE - OPENING TO HELL:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/opening-to-hell

Nominator: sergiocornaga (7/18)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 59.01 [#308]
Final Score: 59.01 [#362]

(First Thoughts: Not as hellish as it should have been. Its all hey, look, I added some screams. Screams means youre in hell. Yay screams!, but it doesnt feel spooky or scary in the least. Its like...funhouse screams or something? Like it wants to be child-friendly scary instead of hellish which... should be exactly my sort of thing, but isnt.)

If anything, the song is closer to the cute end of the scale more than hellish. It wants to be scary, but it just isnt and its almost cute & charming as a result.

Other than that... you know, its Doom music, and things relating to Doom dont exactly have a great track record. I kinda like it for novelty value since its not like anything else on the list, but Im not all that into it.

[Final Thoughts: The songs that I should like more than I actually do category claims another victim. Its a fantastic idea for a song, but the torture never actually comes through. Ill give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was probably hamstrung by having to keep the remix recognizable and that Mazedude could have made a more Hellish song, if he had full creative freedom here.

...also as many times as Ive criticized the concept of music and remixes from Doom, I feel the song deserves some commendation for even making it this far.]

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361: MASTER BOOT RECORD - ANSI.SYS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep-zEY7SSbI

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (13/15)

Initial Score: 59.98 [#260]
Revised Score: 59.08 [#307]
Final Score: 59.08 [#361]

(First Thoughts: I was really looking forward to hearing this song because the band seemed right up my alley; metal darksynth is not a genre Ive heard of (well, not that I know what any genre anything is anyway), but I like some artificial instrumentation and it sounded like a great genre... but this song feels almost distressingly ordinary. Its not so overwhelming that it fries my brain into a trance-like state [see: Frums Creditx EX from last years topic or this years VGMC], nor soundscape-y enough to let me really envision anything. Its fine, just the name of the song & the artist & the genre got me really hyped up and it did not live up to it.)

I want to like it for being this metal chiptune thing, but its just another instrumental that I never emotionally connect with or have any odd fantasies about. Its a neat song, sure, but not neat enough to make it up to the next tier.

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, that kinda summed it all up. Also, perhaps I should have had a Raetsel randomly praises Credits counter going... certainly not the last time that comes up either.]

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And one more for the night:



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360: PSO2 - ADVENT OF DEUS ESCA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ReEUCttS5A&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=30

Nominator: NFUN (18/37)

Initial Score: 61.00 [#221]
Revised Score: 58.87 [#310]
Final Score: 59.13 [#360]

(First Thoughts: And theres the arrival of an Evil Goddess theme to go with the evil church theme [Sacredness ~ Adam] from earlier, which also goes on a few minutes too long. Im going to have the two songs tie for now; perhaps one of them will leave enough of an impression, good or bad, to break away from the other on the next listen.)

While Sacredness ~ Adam felt kinda tedious and dropped all the way down to the Pit of Exactly 50, Advent at least stays on the positive feelings of things. Look at this final boss? Isnt it lovely and evil? Ooh, final boss!! is...nice? Not the greatest type of song, but nice.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the best Evil God Descends themes Ive heard. Or maybe the best, I cant actually think of any specific song like this to compare it to and dont really want to dive through a bunch of JRPG OSTs to find a counterexample right now.]

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Awww man, still I recommend trying out MBR's other songs too.

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Snake5555555555 posted...

Awww man, still I recommend trying out MBR's other songs too.

I'll add some songs of theirs to the list. Any other suggestions or should I just click whatever seems interesting?
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Yeah just try whatever I'd say!

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Works for me. Added them to the list next to Steve Reich, will post updated list later. Its a bit long so not much point pasting the whole thing for one addition.

Anyhow, unless I change my mind and move some songs up at the literal last minute, there are 30 songs remaining at this tier. So lets go with 15 songs today & 15 tomorrow, then take a brief break before diving into the 60 point tier.



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359: REWRITE - FERRY POEM:

https://youtu.be/0E2lPK3brkE

Nominator: Haste_2 (7/19)
Source: Haste_2s Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 60.12 [#236]
Revised Score: 59.22 [#305]
Final Score: 59.22 [#359]

(First Thoughts: I like the idea of a song in such a large a variety of languages (or possibly just random phonemes) that it basically cant be understood, and its nice enough, but Im not in love with it.)

Nice enough sums up this track. I briefly had a thing for fictional languages a year or two ago, but that moment has passed... I do still like Chocolate Missile though. And this song is certainly no Chocolate Missile.

I feel no connection with the singer and the background music is so subdued as to be almost nonexistent. Theres a decent amount of novelty in the song and I dont want to complain about the vocal performance, its just...nice enough. Its nice.

[Final Thoughts: Still a nice song that I like.]

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358: STURGILL SIMPSON - A GOOD LOOK:

https://open.spotify.com/track/11neHCjylpZs7v2zdn8qJ5

Nominator: Xeybozn (9/20)
Source: Sound & Fury (4/10)

Initial Score: 59.97 [#261]
Revised Score: 59.29 [#304]
Final Score: 59.29 [#358]

(First Thoughts: Acceptable.)

Another day, another song attacking the music industry... I should have kept a running tally of how many of those there were this year, as it feels like its been an awful lot of them nominated this time around.

Not that I care to defend the industry and Im sure his grudges are completely valid, but its not really relatable. To me, at least. And while the song itself is good, its not exactly my favorite from the album, so it falls just below the 60 point level.

[Final Thoughts:

Some YouTuber said...

Disco,Rock,Country,Funk and Electronic in one.

Thats a good point I never touched on, but this song (and obviously others in this ranking) doesnt really lend itself to any one genre. Thats nifty. I still dont feel like its quite at the next tier level, but its certainly nifty.]

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357: EMMA HAZY MINAMI - PRIDE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW05zqx2bxY

Nominator: UF8 (15/15)

Initial Score: 58.96 [#274]
Revised Score: 59.36 [#303]
Final Score: 59.36 [#357]

(First Thoughts: Its pleasant, but Im not exactly raving about it.)

You know the drill by now; good song that I dont feel any personal connection to. Its close:

When I think of you
Its just so painful that I start crying

Is along the lines of the blunt sadness I look for, but not quite. Possibly because the song itself doesnt feel sad, possibly because its just not sung sadly (though I should point out that Emma is at least as good as the original singer and any lack of sadness is due to the song itself, nothing with her performance).

I dunno. Its a nice song that theoretically does things I should love, but its not quite clicking.

[Final Thoughts: Nice song though.]

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356: LIVE - VOODOO LADY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSrZ3plGRx0&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=6

Nominator: azuarc (19/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (10/13)

Initial Score: 53.99 [#321]
Revised Score: 59.57 [#300]
Final Score: 59.40 [#356]

(First Thoughts: Not quite my style, but pretty great for what it is.)

I do like some of the characterization of the Voodoo Lady here:

Now nothin' really matters to me you see
Check out these holes in my gown
Let your eyes lose their focus a little
Let your guard come down

Not exactly my favorite lyrics, but they get the job done and I kinda like it. The outro (Did I dream you up or are you for real?) causes bizarre flashbacks to The Rain, The Park, and Other Things:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC9tALmALh0

Im not saying the magical, possibly imaginary Flower Girl from the 60s vanished and reappeared decades later as a voodoo hooker, traveling through time and space to be whatever muse an artist needs in any given timelinebut Im also not not implying that theres a secret interconnected musical universe that only I know about. </.<

[Final Thoughts: Does a lot of things right and has a good sound to it, but its not quite one of my favorites.]

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355: STURGILL SIMPSON - TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4NE3oWyUQI2b2NjyMyC8Bi

Nominator: Xeybozn (8/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (5/10)

Initial Score: 59.39 [#268]
Revised Score: 59.71 [#298]
Final Score: 59.46 [#355]

(First Thoughts: Yeah, Imma hold off on commenting on this for now.)

Lyrics that refer to Jesus, the Old Testament, Buddha, mythology, cosmology, drugs, and physics, before concluding that "love's the only thing that ever saved my life," making it a glorious cosmic cowboy song.

Lets just say Im in over my head and move along. Its a good song, but a bit too...deep to be something I come back to often, well say.

[Final Thoughts: Well, if you had to nominate a spiritual song, a crazy one rambling about reptile aliens made of light is probably one of the better options to go with. Still not something Id really into, but it was a good attempt.]

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354: PIANO OPERA - THEME OF LOVE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5YiRFd67N1QtchSeeKlTVn

Nominator: Haste_2 (6/19)
Source: Piano Opera Final Fantasy IV/V/VI (3/12)

Initial Score: 59.999 [#256]
Revised Score: 59.99 [#294]
Final Score: 59.52 [#354]

(First Thoughts: Quite pretty, but I dont want to give it the full 60 points right now. I havent worked out whyperhaps Ill have figured it out by the time the ranking starts.

SNES version scores similarly, might actually be a tie. DS version is the worst of the lot, though probably still in the high-40s for points because I dont mind itits just not as good.)

I still feel like having this song mark the cutoff point for 60 point songs. Anything above it, I can definitively say I like. Anything below it, is definitely not getting 60 points.

I do like it, just...not sixty points worth. Its just not really my thing, even if I know its good and I do like it a fair amount.

[Final Thoughts: Its fallen a bit. I still like it, but there are a few other songs that are even closer on the not quiet 60 point scale than this one. Its still nice, I still like it, but... yeah.]

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353: THE WEEKND - TILL DAWN (HERE COMES THE SUN):

https://open.spotify.com/track/6Rqe6ghJ6t9SlQ2pRrt5tI

Nominator: Player_0 (12/30)

Initial Score: 59.40 [#267]
Revised Score: 59.64 [#299]
Final Score: 59.55 [#353]

(First Thoughts: Not a very engaging song, but not bad.)

I think I ran out of things to say about The Weeknd a while ago. Here we have yet another song with sex and cheating that Im not really able to care about, but theres a decided lack of drugs or anything explicit, so I dont have a very negative reaction to it either.

Like so many of his songs that didnt get ludicrously low scores, hes got a good voice, which is almost enough for me to be able to say I like this without hesitation... but its not quite there.

[Final Thoughts: I really dont have any complaints about the song. Its performed well, I like the backing music, no issue with the lyrics, its a perfectly good song. I just dont like it enough for the next tier.]

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352: NIGHTWISH - GHOST LOVE SCORE (LIVE):

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

Nominator: @GavsEvans123 (9/15)

Initial Score: 62.06 [#206]
Revised Score: 59.78 [#297]
Final Score: 59.60 [#352]

(First Thoughts: I mean, its an impressive song and all, but Im not really into it. Its just exhausting.)

I feel like this should be my most controversial drop because symphonic metal usually does decently with me and I know this is a popular group and that this is supposed to be their best song, but I just dont fully get the appeal? Its well designed and well performed, but also so exhausting that I dont know Id ever choose to listen to it.

Good enough that my feelings are generally positive, but I cant bring myself to keep it at the I like this tier because... Im really just not that into it.

[Final Thoughts: Probably the most objectively great song Ive cut so far, but... my standards for 60 point songs are too high this time around for this song to get that far (and objective quality doesnt really matter to me).

...also, for the first time, this video decided to pause in the middle to play an unskippable ad. It did not do that the first two timestheres one song to come that more consistently does that (I vaguely referred to it in the nomination topic), but itll be a while before we get to it...Im not removing any points for that, as its not the songs fault that YouTube wants to be a bit overzealous with the ads, but it was still a tad annoying.]

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351: BRING ME THE HORIZON - SHADOW MOSES:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwOr-3es56I&list=PL1djAjAZEwIaB0KaDGDu8uF99OV2Q4FA4&index=9

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (18/21)
Source: Live at Royal Albert Hall (14/14)

Initial Score: 59.74 [#265]
Revised Score: 59.99 [#294]
Final Score: 59.65 [#351]

(First Thoughts: If it were actually about Metal Gear or if Whats dead can never die was literally about him fighting the undead, itd probably score higher.)

Its another song that comes close, but never fully hits the mark. The Metal Gear inspired part at the opening is neat, but not really fantastic. The lyrics, seemingly dealing with a part of yourself that you can never get rid of, are very close to getting high marks, but... as usual with the high 50s, something feels just slightly off, that I cant quite place.

[Final Thoughts: And with this elimination, at least one song from every album & nominator list has dropped.]

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Damn, the first casualty of the album.

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

[Final Thoughts: And with this elimination, at least one song from every album & nominator list has dropped.]

At least it was the gatekeeper of this milestone though!

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Knew I shouldn't have posted, my superstition that posting in these makes my noms drop holds true.

But yeah those are probably my least favorite songs on the Poppy album

As a big Nightwish fan, I've always thought Ghost Love Score was a little bit overrated.

I really like it still, but I prefer at least a couple of their other epics over it. In fairness, though, I'm also less of a fan of Tarja's voice than many.

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350: MAZEDUDE - K-PAX FOR EVERMORE:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/k-pax-for-evermore

Nominator: sergiocornaga (6/18)

Initial Score: 61.25 [#212]
Revised Score: 59.85 [#296]
Final Score: 59.72 [#350]

(First Thoughts: Kinda mysterious. I kinda dig it. Kinda kinda wind-a... dunno where I was going with this. Nowhere, apparently.)

I like the sounds on this track. As usual, I cant tell you what type of synths and electronic instruments are being used here, but they give the song an odd... ancient future sound, like youre exploring the still-active remains of a technologically advanced civilization that vanished a thousand years ago.

Its just...kinda. Its kinda mysterious. Its kinda futuristic. I kinda like it.

[Final Thoughts: Hey, I just remembered that Secret of Evermore has a Ruined Future sectionI played the game when it was new, but its been a long time and I never have reason to think about it. Any chance the original version of this song played there? Because if so, I really do need to praise the original composer for nailing the future ruin aesthetic and Mazedude for truly elevating the concept.

Mind you, the answer has no impact on scoring, the result is still I like this but not 60 points worth; I can both have a lot of respect for what they did and not feel I like it enough to break the 60 point barrier. Though it really is quite close (arguably even closer than the 59.72 makes it seem) because part of me really does want to move this up a bit... but its just not fully there. It does make me curious about the K-Pax soundtrack thoughI dont have enough context to know if Id find it better or worse than this track, but Mazedude certainly makes it sound intriguing.]

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349: EVERY TIME I DIE - I SUCK (BLOOD):

https://open.spotify.com/track/6PIltGJHvV1bfAwl4JhMk4

Nominator: Bane (14/28)
Source: Ex Lives (7/14)

Initial Score: 32.02 [#534]
Revised Score: 44.38 [#492]
Final Score: 59.73 [#349]

(First Thoughts: If it were about a vampire, I might forgive some of this song. Maybe.)

Well saying the song needs to be forgiven is being overly harsh. Im still not a fan of the song, but other than the Ill take what I can get, even if its restraining orders line, I dont particularly mind the song.

I just cant see moving the song any further up the list because, while I only actively dislike one line of the song, there are no parts of it that I particularly like. I have hundreds of costumes, but not one disguise comes very close to being a line that I would love, but... no, its not quite enough.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I cant decide where I want to drop this song. Im going to guess very low 50s? One line I like and one line I dont almost cancel each other out, but Im leaning more towards slightly like more than slightly dislike tonight.]

[Final Thoughts: High 50s. Its one of those songs that gets a bit better each time I listen to it, but I dont quite like it enough for the next tier. Quite close to it though.]

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348: PIANO OPERA - SORROWS OF PARTING:

https://open.spotify.com/track/13wWzweLgPDa7e8HKR5iIi

Nominator: Haste_2 (5/19)
Source: Piano Opera Final Fantasy IV/V/VI (2/12)

Initial Score: 15.00 [#566]
Revised Score: 33.97 [#544]
Final Score: 59.74 [#348]

(First Thoughts: More sleep-inducing than it is sad. Even at only 3:30 long it feels tedious and overly drawn-out.)

Sorry, but this song doesnt make me feel anything at all. This piano version loses any emotion the original track had (which, while not overflowing with emotion, would at least get somewhere in the 60s) and replaces it with... either nothing or utter tedium depending on how brutal I feel like being when you ask.

I feel this song is half as good as the original, so if the original is worth 60 something points then perhaps this should be 30 something points? Not really how things work, but the score seems appropriate enough.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Well, 30 points feels too low. Its still not even close to the original in terms of quality, but I guess low 50s might be a bit more appropriate? I like it a little tonight, at least.]

[Still Not Final: High 50s or low 60s? ...Havent decided yet.]

[Final: High 50s. Ive obviously come to enjoy this song much more than I did originally, though I still find it vastly inferior to the original; SNES Sorrows of Parting probably lands somewhere in the low 70s. The piano version is...good, but doesnt really compare.]

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oh I'm happy you picked out the "I have hundreds of coustumes, but not one disguise" line, that's probably my favorite from the song as well. I also like the way he delivers "Did you think I could garner attention with tact? What do you take me for?"

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It is pretty neat how we seem to like the same lyrics from the album.

Final three songs of the night:



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347: POWER TRIP - NIGHTMARE LOGIC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCTcI4orVJ8

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (12/15)

Initial Score: 61.07 [#220]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 59.77 [#347]

(First Thoughts: I like the opening and the short instrumental near the end. Theyre intense in the good way; the video describes the music as punishing the listener, which works for me. But I want more of itmore distorted guitar, longer instrumentals, more punishment. The main parts of the song are fine, but less intense.)

...My opinions continue to fluctuate so wildly as to be the exact opposites of each other, depending on the day you ask. Today this song is too far into the heavy metal category to properly enjoy. Its also a little demonic, but not quite as much as I might like...

I like it, but slightly less than I did the first time.

[Final Thoughts: Good metal song with some decent lyrics, but I dont quite feel its enough to get past the 60 point barrier tonight. Sorry.]

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



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

346: CUT CHEMIST - THE GARDEN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8l0NFmuNO0

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (10/27)
Source: Jimmys Extra Songs (6/7)

Initial Score: 72.67 [#88]
Revised Score: 62.16 [#269]
Final Score: 59.79 [#346]

(First Thoughts: I think this is the first Portuguese song to get nominated, so props for thatI was hoping for some exposure to other languages and cultures. Songs also got a different sound to it and I really like the singers voice, would like to hear more from her. Well done.)

Well, I suppose this song is merely sampling a Brazilian Portuguese song, but that seems like a needlessly semantical argument.

Also the singer being sampled is allegedly Astrud Gilberto who I would know from the popular version of The Girl From Ipanema:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jrJ5mcCshw

Interesting. Havent listened to The Girl From Ipanema in a long, long time... cant say it was ever one of my favorite songs, but its an interesting bit of trivia and I kinda like the sudden rush of memories.

Somewhat back on topic, I prefer the original version of the nominated song:

Astrud Gilberto - Berimbau:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uuSaOZg8hI

Very, very drastically prefer Berimbau, in point of fact. The Garden strips all the beauty out of her voice and the timelessness of the original in exchange for... nothing that interests me, at least.

...now Im conflicted on how far down I want to drop the nominated song. Its not quite fair to penalize it because theres a better version of it out there, but I cant listen to the nominated version without wishing I was listening to the original instead... going to move The Garden down to the low 60s for now, well see if I want to move it further up or down when the time comes to give it a final score.

[Final Thoughts: Well, tonight Im less interested in both versions of the song, and I dont really know what to make of that. Id put both of them in the close to 60 points, but not quite there tier. Which... has no resemblance to anything I felt about either of them the first two trips through the list. *blinks*]

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



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

345: NORAGAMI - NORATAN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=230NWoF-vS4

Nominator: pyresword (3/7)

Initial Score: 41.62 [#497]
Revised Score: 42.95 [#505]
Final Score: 59.80 [#345]

(First Thoughts: While trying to search for lyrics, I found someone utterly trashing the singing on this, calling it a cancerous idiot [singing] the same gibberish over and over again.

...I wouldnt call him an idiot, but I would agree that it is annoying and repetitive.)

The song is saved in part by the rapping sections. They arent the best, but they remind me of Burning Rangers and anything that reminds me of Burning Rangers is worth at least a few points. Unfortunately, I dislike the main singer; theres a part near the end where hes very poorly autotuned that I kinda like because its so odd and out of place, but usually hes just being very repetitive. Cut him out entirely and let the rapper take over the whole song and wed probably be onto something great.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Well, it is kinda catchy. And I inexplicably seem to like the backing music, even if it is overly pulsing. Low 50s?]

[Final Thoughts: High 50s. It is catchy and somewhat addictive, but not quite catchy enough to go up another tiera pulsing beat and someone who is not my favorite singer hold it back a bit, though the song has jumped up considerably from where it started.

(Pulsing Beat Counter: 9)]

================
---

The "shortness" of Nightmare Logic definitely owes itself to their hardcore punk roots, or like the intensity of something like Metallica's Kill Em All which also had some hardcore punk roots to it. Riley Gale (RIP) was just an amazing vocalist too, always right on that edge of intensity but also accessible hookiness that really makes the songs pop. Though there isn't really a ton of conventional hooks on the track Nightmare Logic, something like Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe) is a lot more evident of that, you should give it a shot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOWf8uqGf8A

---

darn, i was stealth hoping i could get all of my songs in the top half. guess i'll have to settle for "only" nearly making it out of the bottom 250ish songs untouched

i hate to say i also understand the reasoning too. i really wanted to include one of these emma covers, but i went from having too many to pick from to struggling to find even one i was comfortable with picking since these classic covers of hers are pretty much a perfect fit for her compared to her vocaloid stuff, but just not as there as i wanted somehow. a very mood dependent thing i suppose

edit: also i wanna just mention that i found out about her non-vtuber stuff recently and it's pretty alright. she's been in games

Ill add Executioners Tax to the list, thank you.

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

344: EVERY TIME I DIE - DRAG KING:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1S03guvEc0tLb0IP4XfMoa

Nominator: Bane (13/28)
Source: Ex Lives (6/14)

Initial Score: 28.99 [#542]
Revised Score: 46.80 [#470]
Final Score: 59.81 [#344]

(First Thoughts: PAUSING! AFTER ONE! OR! TWO WORDS! DOES NOT! IMPROVE! LYRICS!)

What sacred spot will I be buried in when I have covered every inch of land in terribleness is a good lyric.

WHAT! SACRED! SPOT WILL I! BE! BURIED! IN WHEN I! HAVE! COVERED! EVERY INCH! OF! LAND IN! TERRIBLENESSSSSSSSS!!!!! is almost infuriating.

Its a shame because I like some of the lyrics and the feel of the track, but its delivered in the shoutiest and slowest manner possible and I wind up slightly disliking the song in the end.

...Also its slightly interesting that his voice is pleasing in the outro, not that you can really hear it over the incredibly loud band that hes no longer shouting over.

[Not-So-Final Thoughts: ...Alright, I guess I do kinda like this a bit.]

[Final Thoughts: I find the song a bit easier to like each time I listen to it. Once Im more prepared for what the song is going to do, Im able to enjoy the song and not be so...bothered by the way that line is delivered.

And no, there is no valid reason to have been annoyed at how it was delivered, but my opinions rarely make sense on any level.]

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



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

343: PSO2 - THE PLACE OF DEATH ~ ESCA FALZ MOTHER BATTLE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GJFeK8_kxc&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=22

Nominator: NFUN (17/37)

Initial Score: 43.00 [#486]
Revised Score: 48.45 [#455]
Final Score: 59.84 [#343]

(First Thoughts: I was looking forward to this song based on the name. The Place of Death sounds ominous and a song for a super boss of darkness sounded really promising... but this is rather bland and doesnt live up to any part of its name.)

Its a good song, definitely. And there are no parts that I want to complain about, but also no parts that I really enjoyed either. Its just good VGM which...should be worth more points, but just because something is good doesnt mean I actually like it. And without finding any aspect of the song that I want to praise, I think its safe to say that I didnt like this.

I could move this to the exactly 50 points level, for songs I neither liked or disliked, but I feel as though I did dislike this. Very slightly, but still some amount of dislike.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: And now Im feeling that I slightly like this song, so up to the low 50s.]

[Final Thoughts: Dramatic without being overly epic or tedious, I find that the song largely succeeds where most of its kind fail and want to move it up to the high 50s. Still not quite at the next level, but a good attempt and better than my initial reactions said.]

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



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

342: FRUMS - GONE_IN_THE_MORNING:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/gone-in-the-morning

Nominator: cakophon (20/26)
Source: metacontinues (5/6)

Initial Score: 46.03 [#469]
Revised Score: 42.18 [#512]
Final Score: 48.00 (upgraded to 59.85) [#342]

(First Thoughts: Kinda dull. Never seems to do anything interesting or make me feel anything.)

I like the low tones of the song, but it really doesnt feel like anything happens. Its just rather okay for a bit less than three minutes and then stops abruptly, which is quite disappointing because the opening gets me excited for greatness and then nothing happens at all.

[Its time for the next installment of Random Song Filler!]

Virtual Pool - Lose My Way (Full Version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnKeFMYnak0

I nominated the in game version of this song at someones ranking topic. I was going to nominate it to the VGM Rating Topic, but unfortunately the in game version was deleted and blocked from YouTube to make room for this extended version.

I mean, Im glad for the chance to listen to an extended cut of it, but there was no need to block the actual version. Now Im stuck and unable to nominate this anywhere Id actually want to.

Anyway, this song is one I found after my first Ranking Topic. Someone (probably Lasa, but I recall NFUN & Mycro & I think someone else nominating VGM composers at the end of the first ranking topic) suggested I find songs by [VGM composer here] and while whatever that composers name was didnt work on this track, he was listed in the credits of Virtual Pool somewhere, and I randomly stumbled onto this track. It was an instant hit with me and Ive kept it on my lists ever since.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I really like the sound of this track, it just doesnt seem to actually go anywhere or do much of anything. ...which feels like it should be high 40s? That sounds like a high-40s type of writeup.]

[Later: I dont know what it is, but I cant bring myself to eliminate this song... I guess well try the low 50s? Maybe thatll work out better.]

[Final Thoughts: Good idea, great sound, not really a lot happening musically. I think Im interested in what its doing, to the point that I now refuse to let it fall below the high 50s... but I still dont quite want to move it up to the next level.]

==============
---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWacjSk52pA
---

Huh. Nominated song seems much better than the PS2 one, but it was still neat to listen to the other one.



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

341: EVERY TIME I DIE - OVERSTAYER:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6KPjIw5FeMXlb3fpIpqwoh

Nominator: Bane (12/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (6/14)

Initial Score: 22.12 [#554]
Revised Score: 35.69 [#540]
Final Score: 59.86 [#341]

(First Thoughts: Yeah, yeah, its not literally dealing with suicidal thoughts, but any song featuring a line like I should have died when I was young is...too far along the soul-crushing axis to ever be listened to voluntarily.)

Well, its not just Maynard who can cause their songs scores to tank with a poor choice of metaphor. I get that this is actually about music and what not, but the choice of imagery is just... more than I want to deal with.

*20 minutes of starting to say something, deleting it, and staring blankly into space*

...Yeah, thats all Ive got here.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Yeah, the choice of metaphor is just a bit too much... kinda. The song is oddly intriguing though...

...

......

..........

Is it intriguing enough to break the 50 point barrier?

...Huh, I think it is. Interesting.]

[Final Thoughts: High 50s; its good and interesting, but I definitely have to be in the right headspace to appreciate it which feels like it keeps it just below the 60 point barrier.]

==========



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

340: LAND OF THE LUSTROUS - SUNSPOT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WhsWzJWp7I

Nominator: pyresword (2/7)

Initial Score: 52.73 [#337]
Revised Score: 51.24 [#419]
Final Score: 59.87 [#340]

(First Thoughts: A good idea, I do still need more dread inducing instrumentals, but this still isnt as unsettling as it could be.)

Right idea, right genre of song, just not very well executed. A song that exists only to inspire feelings of terror and dread that does not actively inspire such feelings is a bit pointless. I hate that Im being so harsh on this, because it really is done in a style of music that I desperately need more of... but I dont think the song actually succeeded at its goals and only like it a very small amount as a result.

Sorry, I really do appreciate the attempt with this song though.

[Final Thoughts: Decided to move this up the list because its definitely the type of song I want more of, even if this isnt the best representation of it.]

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

1 Song Remaining Danger Zone: Pyresword

...Sorta. He is sharing his slot with sergio, so the combined slot is decidedly not in the danger zone.
---

The one song left is the one I was expecting to drop out almost immediately!
---

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

338 [TIE]: NO NAME TIM - G.O.D. (FIRING SQUAD) [INSTRUMENTAL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7I9xtfD20

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (11/15)

Initial Score: 47.62 [#453]
Revised Score: 30.00 [#553]
Final Score: 59.88 [#338]

(First Thoughts: The song felt like it was missing something. Like it just wasnt complex or interesting enough as an instrumental, leading me to wonder why you wouldnt have nominated the version with the lyrics.

..After listening to that version, Im not sure it would have mattered which you nominated.)

It was a tough decision, but Ive decided that I do prefer the version with the lyrics. It repeats itself way too many times, and I do usually avoid anything militaristic, but my like of spoken word intros is greater than my dislike of it being a military intro & the song just feels more complete. It just doesnt feel like this instrumental version was ever meant to be heard separately and stand on its own; which does give it a bit of forbidden mystique, but mostly it just feels unfinished and dull.

[Full version probably gets...51 points? I like it a little bit.]

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: ...Actually I might kinda like this too. Mid 50s, maybe? ]

[Final Thoughts: Well, I do like this. I dont know the wrestling stable the theme plays for, but since this is a very getting ready to bust some heads song, I have to imagine its perfect for them.]

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



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

338 [TIE]: HAIYORE! NYARUKO-SAN 2 - KOI WA CHAOS NO SHIMOBENARI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSN131exLCU

Nominator: pyresword (1/7)

Initial Score: 44.19 [#481]
Revised Score: 42.51 [#509]
Final Score: 43.60 (upgraded to 59.88) [#338]

(First Thoughts: I like the idea of Nyarlathotep as an anime schoolgirl, but this is just...loud and annoying.)

This score feels a bit generous because I honestly cant find anything nice that I want to say about it. The repeated SAN chi PINCH! agitates me, Im not a fan of the singer or the melody, and I dont particularly find the lyrics funny or intriguing in any way.

About the only thing it has going for it is Nyarlathotep; Ive never finished Persona 2, but Im aware of his role and existence in the game, and have had a fairly strong bias towards him. (Of course I know he wasnt created for Persona, but I have minimal knowledge of Lovecraft, so Persona was my first exposure to Nyar.)

So... yeah, thats it. The lyrics mention Nyarlathotep and, much like referencing Satan, thats an easy way to get a few extra points.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: An extremely fast paced song, I wouldnt be surprised if this turned out to have the highest BPM of all 631 songs. That does make it a bit addictive and interesting, so Ill probably regret dropping it this low...

...Eh, I guess I do like this a small amount. Lets bump it up to the very low 50s.]

[Final Thoughts: Its definitely addictive, but not quite enough to break through the 60 point barrier. I think its the SAN chi PINCH! parts holding it back; I love the idea of the song, its rapid-fire pace is starting to grow on me, but I have a well documented aversion to anything that keeps repeating the same lyric over and over... so the song falls just short of the barrier.]

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



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

PYRESWORDS NOMINATIONS:

Always HokuHoku: 34.00 [#564]
I Beg You: 35.19 [#561]
10 Stars 5 Flowers: 42.30 [#545]
Alternative: 44.13 [#521]
Noratan: 59.80 [#345]
Sunspot: 59.87 [#340]
Koi wa Chaos no Shimobenari: 59.88 [#338]

Average Score: 47.8814285714

I cant tell if this elimination should come as a surprise or not. On the one hand, I feel it should be expected that the person with the fewest nominations winds up as the first one out; on the other hand, anime songs and Japanese songs tend to do exceedingly well at my topics: The first ranking topic was won by a Japanese song, the second ranking topic was as well, and the R# winner was a Japanese anime song. So one might have just as easily assumed youd be one of the last to be eliminated.

...Im sorry. For what its worth, you seem to have made very good choices on paper. Sunspot is the type of genre I need more of, I Beg You is definitely a tragic song (and I did want sad, just...not quite that tragic), Noratan reminds me of one of my favorite games, Chaos is addictive and pushes certain nostalgia buttons that no other song ever has... and yet, here we are.

Technically, you share a player slot with seriocornaga, so in a sense you live on through the remaining Mazedude songs, if thats any consolation. (It likely isnt)

===============
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Guess I'm speedrunning the 1 song danger zone.

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

I cant tell if this elimination should come as a surprise or not

It isn't. I already knew our tastes were not especially compatible from VGMC, and since I was short on time I just picked a bunch of songs I knew I liked. The only one I really thought might have a shot at crossover appeal was ironically the one that finished the worst out of mine. I was anticipating most of the songs to drop out early though.
---

To be fair, VGMC proved I was incompatible with everyone. </.<

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

337: MASAFUMI TAKADA - SUPPLEMENTARY LESSONS FOR THE MYSTERIOUS (3-3 HOT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zgOkQjT_YQ&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=13

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (9/27)
Source: Crypt of the Necrodancer Danganronpa (4/20)

Initial Score: 20.17 [#558]
Revised Score: 27.99 [#561]
Final Score: 59.90 [#337]

(First Thoughts: Ive got nothing to say here.)

There is a harshness to this track that is almost appealing. I at least want to like it and can see why someone else would. Unfortunately, I still just...cant bring myself to care about it. Its inoffensive, but just abrasive enough that Id rather not hear it again.

...I think Im officially out of random filler text for these writeups that I have nothing to say about. Ive already done the furry thing (running around meowing), the brutally harsh thing, and the arbitrary thing (talking about one of Johnbobbs projects).

You know its a running gag that I talk about Johnbobb at every rankingeven the first Mega Man Song Topic by Se7en & Ibut hes never posted in one of them. I hadnt intended to make it a thing (until this post), but its just getting kinda awkward for everyone at this point.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I cant tell if this song is too abrasive or not abrasive enough. But I kinda like what its doing here, so maybe move it up somewhere to the 40s?]

[Later: Its not the best song of the album or anything, but I do kinda like the aggressive vibe this is going for. This is a good fight song... oddly, I think Id like it in a Yakuza game. This is very smashing someones face into a vending machine music. Maybe 51.40 for the score?]

[Final Thoughts: Regardless of original contexts, this is a pretty top-tier fighting theme. Im still not super into it because fighting themes arent one of my things, but this is actually pretty great for getting pumped up and ready to wreck faces.

...Also the meowing writeup will be a while in the future, that particular song got moved way up the list on a second listen.]

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



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

336: DOWN - NEW ORLEANS IS A DYING WHORE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPCBYbtBE9M

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (11/15)

Initial Score: 48.62 (#437]
Revised Score: 48.89 [#451]
Final Score: 59.91 [#36]

(First Thoughts: Average metal song is average.)

Yeah, not exactly my type of metaphors in this song, I think we all knew that much from the song title. I do appreciate that the song is milder than a lot of other metal songs that get nominated, this actually feels like the Diet Coke version of Motorhead which plays significantly better with me than actual Motorhead would.

Open to trying another song or two of theirs, but this one didnt quite work out, sorry.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I do like the sound on this song. Its still heavy metal (or...some metal adjacent genre, whatever), but quite slowed down compared to other things that get nominated. Going to try this song at the 52.00 point mark, see how that feels; definitely needs a positive value of some sort.]

[Final Thoughts: Lets go high 50s. I like the sound and general vibe of this song. Its somewhat aggressive, but fairly slow and not overly loud. Its very polite, like the song wants to be angry, but not too angry or intense.

Metaphor choice doesnt exactly bother me, but its obviously not the type of thing Id be giving bonus points to.]

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



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

335: PSO2 - PATH TO THE FUTURE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB6t2gwM_KU&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=31

Nominator: NFUN (16/37)

Initial Score: 57.50 [#285]
Revised Score: 53.41 [#388]
Final Score: 59.92 [#335]

(First Thoughts: I kinda like this, Im just not entirely sure why.)

No, I still havent figured out what it is that I like in this song.

I suppose it feels like a very triumphant battle theme, presumably for one of those fights where you already beat the actual final boss and this is more of an interactive cutscene that you cant lose. Which is somewhat interesting?

[Final Thoughts: Good and close to getting past the 60 point barrier, but not quite there.]

==============
---

With the title I expected it to drop a lot sooner actually lol. Down has more of a sludge/stoner metal sound which focuses more on a dense and slow-paced sound that's nonetheless dripping with heavy atmosphere, except vocals are typically aggressive for contrast. Down is actually a supergroup made up of a ton of members from the NOLA metal scene, Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, Eyehategod.

Down - Bury Me in Smoke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRA3VgO3Vz0

Down - Stone the Crow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdnki7XBzPE

Down - Eyes of the South
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJjL4sT9J_0

I'm also gonna rec a CoC song just to see what you think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvsQsao1F88


---

I'm liking these drastic bump ups on my ETID songs from first listen to final lol

As for my favorite parts of the respective songs, for Drag King it's probably the slow down and delivery on "I have declared a war on the silence before the storm" and for Overtstayer it's the whole "What in the fuck am i doing here?" section, so part of that "I should have died when I was young", with again the delivery of it.


---

Ill add those four songs to the list laterwill probably post an updated version tomorrow.



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

333: TOOL - INTENSION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCU-lYb0G4&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=9

Nominator: Steiner (11/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (7/11)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 50.15 (upgraded to 54.00) (upgraded to 59.94) [#333]

(First Thoughts: Another song in the I dont care pile. I just...have no interest in saying anything about it. Sorry.)

Long, tedious, and not really something I want to talk about.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: ...Eesh, that was overly harsh. I like that its a much slower and subdued song for the band, especially after going through Aenima. I like that its primarily an intro to Right in Two, but reasonably capable of standing on its own (though Right in Two is the better song. Probably. At least, Right in Two has a higher score at the time this was written...). And while the song doesnt really do anything with the backwards vocals, I still kinda like that they were included.

Eh, move this up slightly to slightly enjoyed.]

[Slightly Later: Hmm... lets try 54 points for this, maybe? Its better than most of the songs about to drop in the early 50s, but I dont think I want to jump it up a whole tier.]

[And Yet Later: Very high 50s. It does a lot of things right.]

[Final Thoughts: It definitely took a while for me to develop an appreciation for the song, but its been consistently moving up the list since then.]

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



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

332: LENA RAINE - QUIET AND FALLING:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/quiet-and-falling

Nominator: MetalmindStats (10/21)
Source: Celeste Soundtrack (7/28)

Initial Score: 40.00 [#510]
Revised Score: 56.56 [#343]
Final Score: 59.95 [#332]

(First Thoughts: Its almost what I want... starting around the four minute mark, its kinda like falling into the abyss or the ocean, and I love the idea of the atmosphere... but it never makes me feel like Im really drowning in an ocean of darkness. Good concept, assuredly great in context, but not emotionally strong enough to function on its own.)

The songs still a bit on the long side and takes a while to get to the ambiance I like, but it does eventually turn into something that I likewhich is more than can be said for most songs eliminated before this point.

But its still not quite immersive enough. Its almost there, like with a bit more work it could turn into a 100/100 song, but its still in the upper-mid 50s.

[Final Thoughts: Make that high 50s. It really is a great concept and I want to love it, but it never fully clicks for me.]

===============
---

...Accidentally messed up when copying the list and number 334 vanished from existence. Just pretend the following song was posted where it was supposed to be (the numbering on all songs is correct, just posted slightly out of order)



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

334: STURGILL SIMPSON - MERCURY IN RETROGRADE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6PT1dLDHk9BaVwFG74pomG

Nominator: Xeybozn (7/20)
Source: Sound & Fury (3/10)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 59.93 [#334]

(First Thoughts: I like this, but it feels like the definition of a 60 point songsomething that I definitely like, but not something II like so much that Ill go back to it constantly.)

One of the most 60 point songs to ever get 60 points, this is definitely something I like but have nothing to add to it beyond I like this. I suppose I like the choice of metaphors (astrology, dogs, and Hell are apparently good sources to referenceeven metaphorically) and his voice is oddly pleasing on this track, but its all just expanded ways of saying I like this.

[Final Thoughts: A nice song, but I think I had it slightly overvalued originally.]

===============
---

And the last two songs of the tier:

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

331: SPYRO GYRA - CARNAVAL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4YkKICrCaA

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (10/15)

Initial Score: 48.50 [#438]
Revised Score: 56.07 [#350]
Final Score: 59.96 [#331]

(First Thoughts: Another technically impressive song that I never connect with in any meaningful way.)

Theres some nice trumpet (or...some brass instrument of some type here, lets not pretend I recognize many instruments) playing here. Theyre no saxophones, but I think I like trumpets? I should probably listen to more trumpet focused songs, or on songs focusing heavily on brass instruments in general, to actually have an opinion.

[I know that sentence sounds weird, but Im aware saxophones dont count as brass instruments, I meant it in a listen this family of instruments to have an opinion on how they compare to instrument I do like type way, not trying to confuse things. Like, I care enough about saxes to have skimmed a Wikipedia article to know the correct instrument family, which is more that can be said for any other instrument in existence.]

It just feels like island parade music. I can practically see people in a line, dancing down the streets of a tropical island, and thats not exactly an ambiance Im wild about. Its good and I think Ill bump it up to the mid 50s, but its not top tier or anything.

[Final Thoughts: Up to the high 50s. its nice.]

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



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

330: PSO2 - YGGDRASIL ~ STAND BY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUuo1HDv0B4&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=34

Nominator: NFUN (15/37)

Initial Score: 52.03 [#354]
Revised Score: 56.21 [#348]
Final Score: 59.97 [#330]

(First Thoughts: Pleasantly pleasant plesiosaurs plant produce products producing prodigious profits, plip!

...dunno what Im on about, Im quite tiredliterally tired as its late when Im typing this, but more so tired of describing so many songs as pleasant that the word, and by extension, all words starting with p have lost all meaning, plip.

....now I want to replay Disgaea 5, plip.)

I thought my overly alliterative gibberish was terrible, but after Hope Diggys lyrics, I think my nonsense isat the very leastno worse than the lyrics to that song.

Aaaanywho... this song is very peaceful and pleasant, but not quite pleasant enough? Its like I like it, but its not quite peaceful or pleasant enough for me to really, really like it? Good try, but not great.

[Final Thoughts: So very close to being at least 60 points of pleasantness, but its just a bit lacking.]

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



Well be moving on to the songs I like tier soon, but Ill be taking a day or two off. With so many songs being repeatedly moved around the list, I need to do a quick audit and make sure that no songs have accidentally been deleted or comedically misplaced... pretty sure everything is where its supposed to be, but now is a good time to make sure I dont have any flaws that will become catastrophic if theyre not fixed.
---

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

413: LIVE - SUSQUEHANA:

This is an odd nomination. The original release of Throwing Copper had 14 songs on it. The 25th anniversary added three extra tracks, including this one. azuarcs playlist had the 14 original songs & this one extra track.

WTF? I had no idea this song or the other two you're referencing even existed. I just grabbed the first playlist for the album that appeared to be complete and not sound like total ass.

Also, RIP I Alone. Yikes.

---

19/22 in the "Like" tier or better? Nice, I did pretty good.

---

I didnt think nominating Susquehana was intentional on your partpartly because you didnt make the playlist, partly because I think you would have went with the Deluxe Edition if you particularly wanted it ranked.

I am more thankful for the song than I indicated though. Since it was made for the album, it was kinda neat to get a look at what could have been if they hadnt decided to cut it. Also, I think stylistically Susquehanna might have fit in more with The Distance to Here than Throwing Copper, so I imagine it could be fun to contrast the song with those that actually made it on the album and talk about the direction the band went in & what not.

(It also makes me very curious about the other two bonus songs that the Playlist avoided adding)

So.... definitely appreciated and interesting, just felt like a random addition on the playlist makers part.
---

So, I have almost no concept of time and don't celebrate holidays, so I actually did not realize it was Christmas Eve. I think I'll pause until the 26th--don't want people having to worry about songs being eliminated on Christmas.

I'll likely do some work on listening to things from Za List so there'll be some content, but nothing relevant to the rankings. Happy holidays to all and what not.
---

Going to try a few random songs from the list... lets start with one of Throwing Coppers other Extra Songs:

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

Live - Hold Me Up: Well, Im glad this song was finally released for those who wanted it. I hear this song appeared in Zack and Miri Make.a Porno and fans had to trade low-quality rips of the song from the movie because there was no legal way of getting this song.

Not super into it because there are no lyrics Im really drawn to. It wouldnt have been the best song on Throwing Copper, but certainly not the worstprobably somewhere in the mid-50s for a score? The singer still has a good voice, but hes got better songs.

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


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

I have a bias towards music box type sounds, so Im rather looking forward to that section of the Piano Opera Deluxe album.. lets start with the Moogle Theme, kupo.

Piano Opera - Moogle Theme: Music Box Version: *twitch*

Uhh... no comment.

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



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

What would the opposite of that be... wrestling? Lets go for some wrestling songs.

CFO$ - Let Me Show You How (Titus ONeil): Not bad. I do see why you switched to nominating something elseIm still not a fan of the looping, though Im more lenient on that when it comes to something like a wrestling theme that has to be created to loop to fit entrances that vary in length. Since I like wrestling themes and need more rap/hip-hop, I like it somewhat... probably low 50s? Its not bad.

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



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

Trying to bounce between genres and nominators, so lets go down to the Hive song. Im guessing I just typod the nomination and its supposed to be Ultrasonic Sound and not the apparently nonexistent Ultrasonic Sonic.

Hive - Ultrasonic Sound: Definitely interesting. Some odd sampling and I never know what the song is actually doing at any point... the slowed down part towards the end of the song is very much my type of thing. Probably high 50s? Its weird and I like it, but I dont know that Id like it enough to get past the 60 point barrier... definitely an extra song Im thankful to have heard though.

....Eh, I think I need to listen to this again on another day. Its odd enough that I want to hear it again and odd enough that Im not feeling very confident on a first reaction score.

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



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

And lets try one of UF8s extra VTuber songs while were here... lets go with the one that has the least connection to actual nominated songs to avoid risking any spoilers or implications:

Oubadrive - Snowdays:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3v3KWTfkRM

*listens to the first 20 seconds and pauses the video*

Okay, see, this type of instrumentation right here? With this kinda static-y feeling in the background and subdued guitar playing? I love this. And Im sure you know that I do which makes me very worried for how bad the dubious voice work youve warned me about is going to be. Because this song is basically starting at 90 points and I want to believe theres no way they could ruin this song.

So lets just pause for a few minutes and reflect on how good this first 20 seconds are.

*resumes*

Well, I definitely see your point on the singing. And the more intense part starting at around the three minute mark is unpleasant. But theres another instrumental section shortly after it that I love (before it ramps up in volume again), so... this is a complicated song. Im going to say probably the 70s for this song? There are way too many parts I love for it to get a low score, but there are also segments of it that I dont love and its definitely not top-tier singing...

...mid-70s feels right? Close enough for a first impression anyway.

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

ZALIST (in no particular order)

Achtung Baby (Album)
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Trilogy (Album)
Grind Session (Game OST)
Steve Reich (Artist)
Master Boot Record (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)

And some songs UF8 PMd a while ago

---

by the way, oubadrive was involved in a cover of 21st century schizoid man that went up yesterday that is pretty solid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcVdqM2j_t8
(fortunately, no singing from oubadrive in it)

^That was certainly different and unexpected. Not sure how many points Id want to give it, but it was certainly different.

Going to go through 15 songs today & tomorrow to make up a bit of lost time.



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

329: LIVE - WAITRESS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0pA37RXVwbMoB6bKr5fb24

Nominator: Azuarc (18/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (9/15)

Initial Score: 41.87 [#495]
Revised Score: 44.05 [#495]
Final Score: 60.00 [#329]

(First Thoughts: If there were a contest for best message delivered in the most annoying way, I think this song would have to be in the running.)

I cant object to the message. Like, of course you always leave a tip for your waitress, they need those to survive. (There is an argument to be made against tipping culture, but I have no interest in making it [and why would you even want me to have a serious discussion about society in the first place?] and youre just an ass if you try making it to someone who is working for tips & serving you at that exact moment)

Not...not really sure why you had to call her a bitch four times and start screaming about FUCKING CHANGE like a mentally ill hobo. Its not offensive (though the waitress would probably disagree), but it makes the singer sound strangely unhinged. And not in a fun way.

But what if its a METAPHORICAL WAITRESS??

...Is it just me or is Metaphorical Waitress a great band name?

Its just you.

Fair enough.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: ...I dont know why, but I think I actually like this song. Sure, go on up to the 60 point tier]

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, lets go exactly 60 points on this one.]

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



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

328: MATTHEW - THE CORE (SAY GOODBYE MIX):

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

Nominator: Metalmind_Stats (9/28)
Source: Metalminds Extra Songs (2/7)

Initial Score: 73.68 [#76]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 60.09 [#328]

(First Thoughts: I actually missed this one on my first sweep through all the songs, leaving me at 630 ranked... took a while for me to track down which one was missing. Pretty nice song to end on, actually.)

Regrettably, I do not feel anything towards this song at all on a second listen. I know I usually like ambient tracks, heck I actually did like this quite a bit the first time around, but at the moment this song does absolutely nothing for me. Cant say I dislike it, but I also cant understand why I liked it at all either, so it joins the mass graveyard that is the exact 50 deathzone.

...Perhaps Ill remember why I liked this when it comes time for the final score, but I wouldnt count on it.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Well, I dont like it as much as the first time, but Im enjoying itlets say 60 points for now and revisit it when we get to that part of the list?]

[Final Thoughts: One of those songs that continuously bounces around the rankings, flipping tiers with every listen. Right now, this feels like a Deus Ex type song to me. Its very futuristic, like youre DUDE MCCOOL with your TRENCHCOAT and SUNGLASSES that you wear at night because youre so cool and youre driving down the streets of FUTURE NEW YORK while checking your weapon loadout for STEALTH MISSION that will inevitably end in MASS MURDER because youre not very good at the stealth thing & really its the games fault giving you so much ammo & letting you equip the rocket launcher in the first place.]

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



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

327: PSO2 - THE REPLICA ~ MOTHER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cbBSVo43gc&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=2

Nominator: NFUN (14/37)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 60.18 [#327]

(First Thoughts: Its a little unsettling, which is good. If it was very unsettling, it would be great, but I do want to come back to this song later. Im hoping that Ill connect with it more next time and itll give the sensation some of Mycro / Toxtricitys best picks are known for.)

The song never goes beyond mildly unsettling, which is unfortunate. I want the song to crush my completely, but this...doesnt.

It feels rather like being alone on a space station, but a functional one that doesnt have any real problems. Theres some unease about being alone, but honestly, youre completely safe and just being paranoid.

...which is a different type of ambience, but not an amazing one.

[Final Thoughts: Good song of the right genre, it just doesnt hit hard enough to get any further on the list.]

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326. LENA RAINE - MADELINE AND THEO:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/madeline-and-theo

Nominator: Metalmind_Stats (8/28)
Source: Celeste Soundtrack (6/21)

Initial Score: 60.95 [#225]
Revised Score: 63.36 [#259]
Final Score: 60.27 [#326]

(First Thoughts: Its simple, but cute and charming in its simplicity that makes it rather nice to listen to.)

Its not the most emotionally moving song or especially complicated, but its probably the most charming song on the soundtrack. I think... on the right day this might just be cute enough to be an incredibly powerful track, but it doesnt do enough by itself to really impact me emotionally on a normal day.

Still cute, still like it.

[Final Thoughts: Still simple, still cute, still in the early portion of the I like this tier.

...also, there has to be an error in the counting of these eliminations somewhere. If theres only 1 Extra Nom & 5 Celeste Soundtrack songs remaining, then Metalmind shouldnt be listed as having 7 songs remaining...

*checks* Well, that was an old error. Confronting Myself and Golden Ridge (Golden Feather Mix) were both listed as being 25/28 over a month ago. Number will be corrected in the future.

...I suppose I need to go back through all the remaining nominations to try to find any other numbering errors, but Im just going to hope everythings fine for now.]

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



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

325: EVERY TIME I DIE - CHEAP LUDES:

https://open.spotify.com/track/03Jqj5fy1sgEeOwHmsZqKT

Nominator: Bane (11/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (5/14)

Initial Score: 51.01 [#380]
Revised Score: 53.13 [#392]
Final Score: 60.36 [#325]

(First Thoughts: Pass for now.)

Can I just pass again? Its good, but wow, I really do not want to discuss this song. Like, ever.

[space filling song goes here]

ToxicxEternity - Super Metroid RIDLEYS THEME || Metal Cover:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viMSBQpz8PQ

This thing popped up on one of my Spotify lists quite some time ago and I made a note of it. Thise board seems to love Metroid, and Ridley, and METAL COVERS, so I figured itd be of interest to someone here at some point.

....probably not you, but it did get me out of doing an actual writeup, so Id say it did its job. Also, ToxicxEternity was involved in that Octopath Traveler Metal Remix Album, so its not even a completely arbitrary reference.

.......I mean its random to bring it up now, but it could plausibly have been relevant at another songs writeup.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Ehhh... fine, 60 points, but Im still not discussing it.]

[Final Thoughts: I should probably clarify that I dont have any issues with the lyrics, theyre just so deep and serious that Im hopelessly over my head. Which is a good thing, yes, it wouldnt have reached the I like this tier if I didnt like it. Theres just not much relevant I can say here.]

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



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

324: PSO2 - THE WHOLE NEW WORLD ~ ESCA FALZ MOTHER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ6-A9QUGWs&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=25

Nominator: NFUN (13/37)

Initial Score: 62.00 [#207]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 60.45 [#324]

(First Thoughts: A triumphant song. It feels as though youre at the end of a difficult boss fight and the power of everyones HOPES have supercharged you, or shattered the enemys barrier, or whatever. Its kinda neat.)

Im not really into hopeful and triumphant things at the moment, but I do like how clearly it conveys a specific emotion. Very well done track, I like it.

[Final Thoughts: Apparently songs that sound like triumphant and hopeful battle themes are better than epic battle themes. Who knew?]

================
---

Cheap Ludes might be my favorite bonus track from them, I like Keith referencing their previous album Ex Lives in it (which they do again on the next album Low Teens, referencing From Parts Unknown). Favorite part of the song is probably the ending, love just jamming out to it

---

I did think the callback to the previous album title was clever. Surprised I didnt mention it, for space-filling purposes if nothing else.



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

323: CHICANE - SALTWATER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTJtfytoYy4

Nominator: Djungelurban (12/15)

Initial Score: 61.00 [#221]
Revised Score: 63.48 [#258]
Final Score: 60.54 [#323]

(First Thoughts: Its another song that starts off very well, but transitions into a dance club type song that I have no interest in. 61 points might be a bit high, but I did like the early parts...)

In general, I do not like trance music. But I like this song, in spite of its genre; its a softer, more tolerable trance song that makes it relatively pleasant to listen to. Its a long way from my favorite, but it is pretty in a way and it does reference rain a few times... I like this.

[Final Thoughts: A bit of an easier listening type of trance song. Not bad.]

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



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

322: MASAFUMI TAKADA - KILL COMMAND:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbtdM28Dfw&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=15

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (8/27)
Source: NecroDanganronpa (3/20)

Initial Score: 48.22 [#441]
Revised Score: 65.76 [#239]
Final Score: 60.63 [#322]

(First Thoughts: Zzz.)

Another song with an initial score that was tanked because I was way too burned out on this album & style of music. Im just not the type of person that enjoys listening to a bunch of similar songs in a row, so again I say wed have all been better off I shuffled all songs instead of going in order.

The song is still energetic, but with a much less pronounced beat to it (presumably to make the stage harder since this is towards the ends of the game) & a snazzier feel to it that makes the song feel like it came from a different album entirely. Its the first track of the album where I can say I like this without any caveats like I like this in the context of building up more tolerance fo this type of song, this is just I like that.

[Final Thoughts: I still like it, but I think I moved it a bit too far up the list the second time around. I was trying to correct how undervalued it was originally and missed the mark a bit.]

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



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

321: PISTOL ANNIES - I FEEL A SIN COMIN ON:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltvfXeN5KY

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (9/15)

Initial Score: 75.11 [#64]
Revised Score: 65.88 [#238]
Final Score: 60.72 [#321]

(First Thoughts: Another good choice.)

...Is it bad that I didnt recognize Miranda Lambert at all on this track? At least I decided to look up who all was in the group before trying to draw any comparisons between this song and Dark Bars. Im not getting better at recognizing people, but I am getting better at remembering to try to check before saying something stupid. </.<

Aaanywho, this is good. Not as good as Dark Bars, but still good. I occasionally like this type of easy-listening country song, I like things slightly dark and embracing sin is slightly dark, but its perhaps a bit too... openly about sex for it to be something I go back to on a regular basis.

[Final Thoughts: A song that I still like, but seems to be slipping down the list each time. I wish I had an explanation as to why, but Im afraid I dont. Sorry; still like it though.]

===============
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320: LSD - THUNDERCLOUDS:

https://youtu.be/JDjTJ6lkb-8

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (11/15)

Initial Score: 47.88 [#452]
Revised Score: 65.64 [#240]
Final Score: 60.81 [#320]

(First Thoughts: When Sia says Imma go through your stuff it sounds like Im a grocery store and I wish we were living in a universe where that was the actual lyric, because its so much better than what we have here.)

I like Labrinths voice on this track. I suspect theres probably a song by him out there that Id love, though I dont have the time to try hunting through his entire discography to try to find it. (He has relatively few albums, so I probably could go through all his songs if i wanted to... but thats work and I dont really want to spend that much effort on it, especially when theres no guarantee that i actually would like his voice on any other track).

Song is nice enough, I like it. I can only hear Sias lyric as Im a grocery store which I like better anyway, so yeah.

[Final Thoughts: I still like the song, though not quite as much as the second time around. I think I let the I want to hear more songs by Labrinth factor influence the score a bit more than it should havea sort-of if this song inspires me to seek out several more songs by the artist, I must have liked it a lot logic that doesnt entirely play out now.

Still, I like it a fair amount, I certainly wouldnt think of dropping it down a tier or anything. its just not as high scoring.]

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

319: DRAGON BALL Z KAI - SANJOU!! GINYU TOKUSENTAI!!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpcL--3BHZ4

Nominator: paulg235 (8/15)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 60.90 [#319]

(First Thoughts: I love DBZ and this is kinda funny, but there arent really any new jokesits just the Ginyu Force reciting their attack names & lines. Which is still neat, but at that point, Id rather just go watch the episodes they appear in.)

DBZ is so important to me that I should love this for hitting so many boxes for me: Comedy song, villain song, DBZ related, in character song, non-human song. But, I think the problem is what I said under First Thoughts: Theres not really anything new here. Its characters I love telling the jokes I love them for, but its all the same jokes Ive heard a thousand times before.

I like it, naturally, because I cant not like something like this... but I cant honestly say I love it or anything.

[Final Thoughts: Credit for finding the song most specifically tied to all of my interests, even if it didnt entirely work out with a high score.]

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



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

318: LENA RAINE - FIRST STEPS:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/first-steps

Nominator: Metalmind_Stats (6/28)
Source: Celeste Soundtrack (5/21)

Initial Score: 59.996 [#257]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 60.98 [#318]

(First Thoughts: Its nice enough and I get what the composer was going for here, but it lacks emotional punch. For me, the strongest starting out on an adventure song has to be the NES Zeldas introits not just the best NES song or the best version of that theme, but one of the best songs period. It manages to perfectly capture the fear of the unknown, mixed with the exhilaration of starting a new journey, in a way that no other song has. Every other version of that song makes things way too upbeat and happy, often to a point that it completely ruins the song... though I did kinda like a version from Cadence of Hyrule, with the electric guitar.

[This has been another episode of Raetsel talks about every song except the ones shes supposed to be listening to. We now return you to your regularly scheduled ranking, already in progress.]

So First Steps. Judged entirely on its own merits, its goodit does sound like starting out music, so mission accomplished, but it has absolutely nothing on other songs that do make an emotional impact.)

Ive decided I do like this enough to lump it in with the massive 60 point clump of songs, but I still cant get enough of an emotional connection to move it any higher. Its close, like I can almost picture something... but its just not quite there.

[Final Thoughts: Nope, I still cant really connect with it. Good song though, worth a bit more than 60 points.]

===============
---

Spoilers for Dark Bars :O

I guess I am a bit surprised you didn't recognize Lambert but if you're not that good at that sort of thing in the first place I get it. I just love how the song ramps in intensity and each verse is so good!

---

I like all of the contributors to Thunderclouds, but Labrinths vocals are definitely the highlight as you said. And so far I havent been able to find another track where he sounds quite that good.

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

317.PIANO OPERA - DANCING MAD:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4by3lHdDkJI2zqESx2YyrV?si=8wYaCQYlQZqh_yOXsHKMkg

Nominator: Haste_2 (4/19)
Source: Piano Opera Final Fantasy IV/V/VI (1/12)

Initial Score: 23.68 [#550]
Revised Score: 28.49 [#560]
Final Score: 61.13 [#317]

(First Thoughts: No, thank you, Ive heard enough Dancing Mad for twelve lifetimes. Its such a long song and while there are some decent parts in it, there arent nearly enough to justify listening to the entire ordeal to get to them. And the song keeps popping up this yearIve gone from I respect its complexity, even if I dont really like it, to Im starting to dislike this, to I actively hate that reality conspires to keep forcing me to listen to this track.

Which is not fair to this version. I can give the original a 0 all I want, but this is different... but... I dont know that there are any ten and a half minute long piano solos that I actually want to hear. Could we just start at 6:53? I like that part. Kinda. I mean, I at least like remembering the games title screen and thats worth a couple points, innit?

[Signs you have been watching too much Taskmaster: You spontaneously lapse into British slang.]

Alright, I dont want this song in absolute last place, but... 23.68 points is what Im going with. Which, since this is a cover of a song that gets 0, is basically the best you could have hoped for.)

I think I actually like the last two minutes of the song. Theres a certain....elegance to that part of the song that I find genuinely refreshing. Now if only I didnt have wait 9 minutes to get to that outro, you might be onto something...

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Actually, lets jump this up to the high 40s for a bit. The piano seems to fit this song better than several other songs on the album and there are definitely parts of this I like... I think I could say the parts I like and the parts I dont like average out to slight dislike, so probably around a 48 or so?]

[Still Not Final: ...I...think I actually like this version? At least, I like a decent portion of it...

...think Im going to see about placing this song at the 57 point mark? Im tempted to go all the way up to 60, but that feels like too large of a jump right now... just put it close to the 60s and see if I want it to go further when we get there.]

[Slightly Later: ....Nah, I think I like the main part of this enough to hit 60 points, lets go ahead and make the leap.]

[Final Thoughts: I do like it and its a tremendous improvement over the original, but 11 minutes of piano music is a bit more than Id listen to on a regular basis. Great song though and its at least a solid proof-of-concept that a solo piano remix can be far superior to a chiptune original.]

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

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

PIANO OPERA: FINAL FANTASY IV/V/VI:

Kefka: 34.60 [#63]
Protect the Espers: 36.98 [#558]
Theme of Final Fantasy IV: 41.80 [#548]
The Red Wings: 45.15 [#509]
Troian Beauty: 50.00 [#472]
Home, Sweet Home: 50.05 [#471]
Battle on the Big Bridge: 50.84 [#446]
Searching for Friends: 51.68 [#426]
Main Theme of Final Fantasy V: 56.12 [#386]
Theme of Love: 59.92 [#354]
Sorrows of Parting: 59.74 [#348]
Dancing Mad: 61.13 [#317]

Average Score: 45.6633333333

All albums when arranged from lowest to highest scoring begin with a song about Kefka and end with a song about Kefka! This is the truth! This is my belief! ...At least for now.

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316: KINGDOM HEARTS: MELODY OF MEMORY - DEARLY BELOVED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6okG_NrkE8

Nominator: Hbthebattle (3/11)

Initial Score: 40.61 [#504]
Revised Score: 55.51 [#358]
Final Score: 60.90 [#316]

(First Thoughts: Unremarkable, never seems to go anywhere, actively lowers my interest in the game.)

Significantly better than my initial thoughts implied, but still not actively great. It feels like a walking down a sidewalk theme. Its certainly not exciting enough for grand adventures like walking across the street or stepping on some grass, but it at least paints a picture of some sort.

...the really sad part is that having typed that makes me slightly like the song now. Its a million miles away from my favorite soundscapes, but... well I do like walking on sidewalks and there is value in an easygoing ambiance like this one, even if its not something Ill go back to often.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Ive regretted not moving this up to the 60 point level for some time, but inexplicably never went back to correct that error. Moving it up now.]

[Final Thoughts: It is quite a nice walking song.]

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

315: STURGILL SIMPSON - THE PROMISE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6OV4CbPHRtbqrpJrbEFJfi

Nominator: Xeybozn (6/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (4/10)

Initial Score: 17.12 [#564]
Revised Score: 39.99 [#530]
Final Score: 60.98 [#315]

[REDACTED]

[REDACTED]

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: This was probably the most important song on the list for me to listen to. I dont want to go into many details, but I had a very strong negative reaction to this song at first. And I had to do some serious thinking about why this was setting me off.

At first, I blamed the lyrics. But this is a cover of a massive 80s pop hit and Ive heard that version of the song hundreds of times without it setting me off, so that wasnt quite right. I tried to blame Sturgill himself for it, but no, I dont have anything against him or his voice. (He actually has quite a nice voice).

I dont actually want to get into the reasonsI think weve shared enough flashbacks for one yearbut I eventually worked out where things were coming from and Ive made enough progress with things that I can listen to this. Its certainly not my favorite or anything, but Im actually capable of saying things like I enjoy his voice and his ability to take a familiar song, radically change its genre, and make it his ownthis version is sufficiently different from the original that this cover stands completely on its own, not even inviting comparisons to the original and I actually like this.

So, up to the 60s with this one, I think.]

[Final Thoughts: An important song that Ive learned to like, but not exactly something I want to listen to very often.]

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

And since I dont want to end on that note, lets go ahead and eliminate a 16th song tonight.



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314: THE WEEKND - THE ZONE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/46X8c9qJzpBLYcos3OX0CE

Nominator: Player_0 (11/30)

Initial Score: 0 [#586]
Revised Score: 0.77 [#587]
Final Score: 61.05 [#314]

(First Thoughts: I hate the song, naturally, but... I guess the backing music isnt too bad and if I try to space out & not notice any of the words, its almost tolerable.

[Later: ...Nope, I hate these lyrics way too much to give it any points.])

This song was originally set to be eliminated way back with that cluster of Weeknd songs that were eliminated in one writeup. It was an easy elimination to make; hes so drugged out that he cant see or feel anything, so hes way too far out of it to be consenting to any of this. Also, if this outro is typical for Drake, then I can say that I probably dont like Drake.

But... apart from the lyrics, I had to admit (at the literal last possible moment) that I didnt really hate the song. So it got moved up a tier or two. This was followed by well, dislike is a bit too strong of a word and moving it to the 40s and then well, its certainly more tolerable than that unending block of Battle Music, lets move it to the high 40s.

And now I fear Im getting rather attached to the song. I still dont care for the story or the lyrics (and I still dislike Drakes part), but... I kinda sorta like this?

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: The song is strangely addictive, though I still dislike the outro with Drake.

...Yes, I am actually complaining that a Weeknd song would be improved with more Abel. This new tier is a strange and alien world.]

[Final Thoughts: Thematically, I think this being the exactly 60 point song to introduce the tier would have made more sense, but this is one of those songs that just kept getting moved further up the list.

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And there's my personal favorite song! But if trance music ain't your thing then I guess this isn't a bad grade. Heck, it even made the 60 point range which means you like it. Nice!

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313: POPPY - BLOODMONEY:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4X863RO196BJ5bUBbhMral

Nominator: Murphiroth (17/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (12/14)

Initial Score: 0 [#582]
Revised Score: 29.99 [#557]
Final Score: 61.10 [#313]

(First Thoughts: Im sure the final score will wind up at some sort of positive integer because there are aspects of the song that I do honestly like, but this is that Jinjer song all over again.

...which you also nominated, now that I think about it.)

Well the good news is that this isnt half as triggering as Teacher, Teacher was and after the initial aversion wore off, I think I actually can judge this in a reasonably unbiased fashion.

The bad news is that Im pretty sure I just dont like it. This song goes all in with harshness & atonal noise, which normally I love unequivocally, but somehow just sets my fur on edge here. But even if I could get past the music, there arent many things Im less interested in than these lyrics; I dont want to think about religion at all, so a song that feels like its largely dealing with hypocritical/false Christians is already a dealbreaker. And Ive repeatedly trashed choruses that are too repetitive beforethis chorus is not only overwhelmingly repetitive, it repeats Beg for forgiveness from Jesus the Christ six times per Chorus.

And that all means that the song just has way too many things working against it. At first, it was I cant listen to this song because its too triggering. Now its, I just dont like this songwhich is a vast improvement, but still gives it a very low score.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Actually, I am going to move this up towards the more positive than negative tier. Its still not for me, but I respect the anger. I also think it needs the videoI know, Im trying not to be influenced by those and you explicitly nominated the Spotify link, but the violence helps sell the anger and the video dulls the harshness of the music somehow... I think having something to look at keeps it from getting too overwhelming. (This was a problem A Jagged, Gorgeous Winter had two years ago, where I really needed the non-provided video to be able to appreciate the song.)

Clearly not a relaxing song, but still, much less painful with the video supporting it. ...And I think Im going to jump another tier up to the 60s; it might be overvaluing it a bit, but whatever.]

[Final Thoughts: One of those songs I like considerably more each time I listen to it, but I think Im going to eliminate it here. As much as Im learning to appreciate it, its still not exactly my type of song and factoring in the video is kinda cheating on my part.]

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312: THE FLEURS - DARKNESS IS A COLOUR TOO:

https://open.spotify.com/track/47H3627jXIwBgltqVfQQdc?si=GSK5Z9vWQyG6t19Wzm1InQ

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (10/15)

Initial Score: 60.07 [#239]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 61.18 [#312]

(First Thoughts: Great title, decent song.)

I dont know what the best song title in this contest is. This ones probably in the top ten, but Snuff Out the Light feels like a stronger title thats actively in support of darkness.

Song is nice. Theres some decent lyrics: Im falling through the rabbit hole inside me is...interesting, I guess. I cant find the adjective Im looking for. Its just another all around good song: Cant say I have any complaints with the singing, instruments, genre, or lyrics. Just not parts that I get really attached to either.

[Final Thoughts:

Said The Fleurs: Im very familiar with changing moods. I know it all: Pure joy of ecstasy and the nagging feeling of being in a dark space were everything feels the same: washed out of colors and joy. Darkness Is A Colour Too is my mantra which reminds me of beauty and hope thats still there, just not always as clearly visible.

Sounds like a decent message.]

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311: EVERY TIME I DIE - UNDERWATER BIMBOS FROM OUTER SPACE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/2jBFDAmXYvioX2unGiQbtk

Nominator: Bane (10/28)
Source: Ex Lives (5/14)

Initial Score: 52.13 [#349]
Revised Score: 64.08 [#253]
Final Score: 61.25 [#311]

(First Thoughts: This is going to be a long album... well, the wholly ghosts pun was worth some points.)

Strangely, this is one of the tamest tracks on either of their nominated albums. You think a song opening with repeated shouting of I want to be dead with my friends! is going to be the harshest song, both in terms of lyrical content and song intensity, but for the most part the album only ramps up. Which Im sure is the main selling point

Anyway, I do like this a fair amount; my only complaints about the band have been that theyre too loud and too intense, so of course I like a song that dials things back a biteven if its still really hard by any other bands standards.

[Final Thoughts: Perhaps thankfully you didnt post the music video. Ive never seen it, but as it is described as potent and unsettling footage of immolation and mutilation, Im sure Im happier not looking into it any further.]

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310: - ANITA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nBiF8YIr2w

Nominator: handsomeboy (10/15)

Initial Score: 60.04 [#241]
Revised Score: 60.72 [#281]
Final Score: 61.30 [#310]

(First Thoughts: Its got a good toe-tapping beat that I find infectious (in a good way). I couldnt find much information on the song, but I see this band only released one album before disbanding? Too bad, I wouldnt have minded hearing a bit more from them.)

This one seems like a straightforward song about begging for a second chance with a lost love. Find a new opportunity in your loving heart today and Please let me beg, let me talk to you again, dont feel like theyre open to other interpretations and sing together and sing the love song in your heart feels like it removes any possibilities about this being a tragic song. Like... Anita has to be alive if he wants her to sing, right?

So: A catchy pop song with a basic love story from a band that was very short-lived, in spite of their talent. I think I both understand and like this song.

[Final Thoughts: Nice song.]

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309: DIR EN GREY - (The Sky That Has Fallen):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5OayaAwDnI

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (17/21)
Source: BlackDra90ns Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 60.30 [#228]
Revised Score: 60.84 [#280]
Final Score: 61.35 [#309]

(First Thoughts: I expected this to provoke more of a reaction. Considering my total dislike of the two Dir en Grey songs nominated two years ago, and my complete love of Ranunculus, I really thought this song would provoke an extreme reaction in one way or another. But this is just.... good? I dont love it, but I certainly dont dislike it. How distressingly normal.)

The only attempted translation of the song that I can find has some nice lyrics:

Theres nowhere that makes sense
Nor even begins to
The fair and just tomorrow that I prayed for, will be...

If Im unable to live in that kind of world,
Where is there to go?
Will it last forever, the turbulence of things getting even worse?

I quite like that. But the opening of the song with METAL YELLING does nothing for me and even the tamer singing is a million miles away from the beauty of Ranunculus. The end result is good. Just good.

[Final Thoughts: Still good, still 40 points away from Ranunculus greatness.]

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308: FRUMS - SALMIAKKI:

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

Nominator: cakophon (19/26)
Source: vignette (15/20)

Initial Score: 71.08 [#114]
Revised Score: 69.39 [#209]
Final Score: 61.40 [#308]

(First Thoughts: Good song, but it feels too...busy in the bad way. I like convoluted songs, but this just seems too busy for its own good and Im not fully connecting with it.)

An intense 5 minute and 20 second long musical journey thats just a bit too intense for me. Theres so much happening at once that I cant really think of anything or point to any part that I particularly like, which... yeah, usually I like that, and I do still like this song... its all just slightly too much.

[Final Thoughts: Good song, just too busy.]

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307: TOOL - (-) IONS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smjXVkiBYmI&list=OLAK5uy_k_Z0-DYw0_cGPvZm6icNUGbefRT4wktdY&index=14

Nominator: Steiner (10/26)
Source: Aenima (4/15)

initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 60.96 [#279]
Final Score: 61.48 [#307]

(First Thoughts: Well, Ive been saying I wanted an entire track of buzzing sounds. These arent quite the sounds I wanted, but hey, you tried to give me something I wanted.)

If youve ever wanted to be trapped inside a bug zapper during a lightning storm, then do I have the track for YOU!

...Seriously though, this is the type of thing Ive wanted for a long time now, so well done.

[Final Thoughts: Not much that can be added to that. Its not like theres a lot to discuss here. I do really like it, enough that Ive considered moving it up a tie (or at least higher into the 60s), but... I think I prefer the other remaining songs on the list over this, if only because theyre... songs.]

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306: 2CELLOS - SCHINDLERS LIST THEME:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0XejjAXX6NAy6tcAyxyDpY?si=VZYwkMoMQMyDmUwcYABuSA

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (9/15)

Initial Score: 60.24 [#230]
Revised Score: 61.08 [#278]
Final Score: 61.55 [#306]

(First Thoughts: Its pretty.)

I know its horrible to describe a song like this as pretty, but Id like to believe were all numb to my terrible descriptions and opinions by this point in time.

I see the appeal of the song. It does feel tragic and painful, though I never truly connect with iteven songs like this that are objectively beautiful and have obvious emotional overtones can have trouble getting to me, with there being apparently no rhyme or reason to what actually hits me emotionally.

This... I like it. Im not sure where it would wind up if I had the proper emotional reaction to itits probable that a song dealing with the holocaust would be too soul-crushing for my tastes, if the full weight of the songs power came down upon me. Its also possible that the soul-crushing weight would force me to move it up to the 90s, at least. As is... without that deep connection... it just kinda hangs out at the ooh, I like this level.

[Final Thoughts: Still objectively great, still not fully resonating with me.]

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305: THE ANDREWS SISTERS - STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmjNIq49398

Nominator: rwlh (13/15)

Initial Score: 60.26 [#229]
Revised Score: 61.20 [#277]
Final Score: 61.60 [#305]

(First Thoughts: Well, its certainly an inspired choice. A bit too old-fashioned for my tastes, but... well its different and different is worth points for novelty value.)

Ive never played Mafia 2 or Fallout 76, so I never knew this song was on their soundtracks. Thats kinda neat. Pretty sure Ive never heard any version of this song before, but theres been enough covers (this being a cover itself, but lets not get into that) that its plausible I heard one somewhere a long time ago.

I like this. Its not the type of thing thats ever going to be my favorite, but its interesting to look back at music from a time I dont know a lot about and I do have a noted animal bias. (Not really a fan of monkeys or buzzards, but Ill take what I can get at this point.

...other than bandicoots apparently, but lets not start that conversation again.)

[Final Thoughts: A nice and incredibly retro pick, which is a welcome change of pace from everything else.]

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304: PSO2 - CHERUB ALPHA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcK7YZDoAsQ&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=32

Nominator: NFUN (12/37)

Initial Score: 60.94 [#226]
Revised Score: 61.44 [#275]
Final Score: 61.64 [#304]

(First Thoughts: I like this and think Im slightly undervaluing it, but dont want to move it up right now.)

I still like this. Its... hmm, how to describe this...

It is as though it is the theme for a computer AI that has created a body for itself in the shape of an angel and is preparing to obliterate all humanity in nuclear hellfire.

[Final Thoughts: I for one welcome our hypothetical digital overlord.]

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