Logan's Reviews

I fell asleep for three months, sorry. Let's do this backwards style.

The Regulars - Campfire

I know some EZdrummer when I hear it. This reminds me of Calexico. The multiple vocalists keeps it interesting. My main criticism would be to add a mic to your DI'd guitar, but that may not have been in the cards and isn't a big deal. I give it a 26.

Pigeon - With the Tides

Ah, this intro is already spectacular. Those drums are perfect, which I may have said last time too. You guys capture a great "trashy" drum sound. Strong pacing overall. The guitar tone is spot on. I get the same zoned out feeling listening to this as I do when I listen to We Were Promised Jetpacks. Do you folks put anything out outside of RT?

Jake Pearson - Sanity - Representation/Recollection

This sounds like something the girls I knew in college would be listening to in their dorm. I guess by that I mean it has a 90's vibe to it. The acoustic has a nice balance. Vocals sit just right in the mix. I like the marimba, or whatever that may be, in Shimmer. A most solid submission!

Groove Suit - Smoke & Mirrors EP

My only real point of reference for this style of music is Why? and Clouddead. That said, I love me some Why?, and the flow here has that vibe in spades. Ha, fruity loops hat sound in track 2. A lot of great synth choices. I think track 4 may be my favorite. The mix is great overall, my only suggestion would be to try some vocal doubling to add that little extra something in parts. Hope to hear more next RT.

Eric Cripe - Whatever Unfolds

That's a ridiculous ukulele. Ha. And those are some ridiculous vocals in track 2. Oh man this whole thing is goofy. Is that a god damn cat synthesizer in Cat Lady? I have no idea what the fuck is going on, but its fun. I give it six ampersands.

Alan R. Rodriguez Ponce - Para Siempre and His Brother

I'm getting an old Minus the Bear and Hey, Mercedes vibe from this. The mix is pumping like a motherfucker, but it works. The crazy saturation on the guitars in Right All The Time is cool. The whole mix is very hot, way hyped in the highs. The old MTB stuff was always like that, maybe that's where I'm getting the similarity from. Vocals are good and sit perfectly in the mix. Town may be my favorite of the bunch, though I really like Where Would You Go? as well. Is that a sample or a synth for the main string line? Very cool. That bit reminds me of The Love Language. There is certainly a fanbase for this stuff and I think you'd fit right in.

Kris Eckman - Brain Glass

Yeah, now those guitars are getting appropriately thick. They have a stoner rock tone. Most excellent noodlin in Brain Glass and I like the electronic sounds. And theres the doom/stoner songwriting to match the tone in Broken Clocks. Bringing up the guitars' hi-mids in Free Will would make the faster bits more impactful. It works nonetheless. You're playing/songwriting gets stronger and stronger with each RT. Uh oh, someone just opened up this fucking pit in my room because of the end of Free Will. I was expecting Marietta to come back full force at the end, good choice of samples and ambient sounds. Noice Kris, noice.

Kevin Todd - And Then Love

Kevin, when are you gonna start making a living off this shit? I don't know if there's anything to say I haven't before. As always your voice has tons of great character. Very cathartic songwriting. Favorite track may be How Long Can You Stare at the Moon. I like them short and sweet, and that one is both. It'd be nice too hear more room sound in your vocals, but the production certainly doesn't hurt the songs.

Intraphase - Boy/Demon

Songs that start with court precedings have a history of being great.

This one is pretty different from your last RT album. This may be the most story I've ever heard in a concept album. The whole thing has a 70's noodly prog thing going on. I wish the drums were louder. Interesting approach, very unique.

f.e.a.r. - f.e.a.r.ology

Your stuff is always crazy as hell. The sound choices take me back to the late 90's. 7 sticks out the most to me. Personally, I get kind of lost in some of these tracks because the dynamic range is pretty constant. More peaks and valleys would add some more structure, but you may not be shooting for that. I hope to hear some more tracks with vocals in the future.

Brad Adams and Friends

Rockin from start, and I know there's some T Clax on the way. Nice verse/chorus setup. Oh shit, here comes T Clax with a breakdown. Ha, so so so ridiculous in the best way. Gettin more metal up in here on track 2. Crank those guitars mang. Solid riffage all around. Also, the 7 minutes of silence throughout really adds to the mood of it all. Maybe my favorite Brad submission yet.

Andrew Miller - Contentment Storm

What the shit is this? Shit's only 29 seconds or some shit. How is Brendan Frazier gonna defeat the mummy in 29 seconds? I gave Andrew shit about playing it safe, and he went ahead and did about the hardest thing he could. Turned out great and made apparent the beauty of modern electronic composition.

Weber - Christmas with the Webers

Sounds beautiful out of the gate. Mmm. I waited so long I really should have listened to this around Christmas...crap. Oh well, it close enough. Really great ensemble sound in Family when it blows up, and nice harmonizing at the end. Ha, HippotoppotoppotoppomasXmasEve is silly. I'm hard to please with lady vocals, but these are great. The main guitar line in I'll Miss You strikes a nice balance of holiday and just memorable. Are you using your Kel for the vocals? There's a real crispness on them in Midnight Clear. I like the choice for drum sound in this track. No One Stopping Us sounds like an 80's Christmas track, besides the drums not sounding terrible. That main string riff is just so poppy. And a beautiful end with Starlight. Ambient sounds really make this track. I always love your submissions Mike, this one is no different.

Merkelig Batteri - Blod I Himmelen

Yeah for this opening riff. Smashing foreign dudes' faces in. This album stays on target thematically without becoming monotone, which I think can be pretty hard in this style. Your new yelling fits perfectly. Though I will say you sound too nice for this when you sing. I believe yelling guy is gonna do something rude to a gentleman and his lady, while singing guy spends his time respecting his surroundings.  The main riff in Northland is another great one. I like how high the bass is in the mix, but the low end seems to swim a bit in heavier moments. Really solid throughout Dan. It's cool to hear you do something heavy that's different but still very much you.

DEFEKTIV - Nu State of Mind

Three months out and I still haven't put this up on my bandcamp. This is the thing that my enemies will use to blackmail me in my later years. So dumb.

Bitchin Van - Bicoastal

Bitchin Van is back once more! Tell Me is a fun opening track. Hey, more lady vocals I actually like. Yay! I'm diggin the build up and release on that E minor in Motionless. Guitars sound great, well balanced with the vocals. Marriage is another fun one. That dog is howlin somethin fierce. Wish I had more to say, but it's just a good listen overall!

In conclusion, this was a really strong RT. Sorry it took me so long to get around to reviews, and thanks everyone for participating!

- Logan

Part Strikingly of Awesome

Brad Adams and Friends

Walking Giants is a song that I fear to misjudge. I fear that if I don’t say the right things that I could end up in my grave. So I enjoyed this song very much as a little pee comes out. Brad the music was rockin. I really like brake down that lead back to the main guitar between the lyrics. The lyrics that Brandon wrote with the excitation of the voice made for a great over all song. I liked the change in the voice from a deep growl to the higher screech, “This is where.” It sounds like that was done with out an over lay but I'm not an expert just a listener.

I'm Going Home is a cool blend of music styles. Brad another good heavy riffing with a dramatic 3^rd verse breakdown/ change-up. It's chugs along like a locomotive, strong, solid, and leveling anything in it's path. Cassie did a great job on the lyrics and with singing them. I really enjoy her affliction and the tone of her vocal performance. I really like the high note on the last line of each chorus, it just grabs ya. T Clax very good rap. I enjoy it. I feel like that's a poor evaluation, “Hey, T CLAX that was a good rap!” Does that make up for it, Maybe. I guess I could say that my favorite part of the rap was, “Bro check my posts I ain't posing got loads of info for your knowing, Ahh man I long to see the gates.” Over all these were two fun songs, I hope that they were as fun to make as they were fun to listen too. I guess I will mention the silence. It doesn't matter too much to me because you did per-warn us with a blog, So All Is Forgiven.

DEFEKTIV – Nu State of Mind

Flock defiantly takes me to a good place. You nailed the sound of Nu-Metal with this one. I cant put into word how much fun I have rocking this at work. I don't know how you know DMX, but that is awesome. I really enjoyed the bridge, it probably my favorite part, “It's all about me, Na na na na nah.” Hurricane could be better. Just kidding this is a very cool song. You must know what your doing because the verses have very cool effects in them. The way the chorus is teased then builds up to it  grabbed me. The way you did the breakdown, … Awesome. My favorite part of it is that little aliens sound right before the chorus kicks in. Did I say, Cool because I meant too. Explode is a gritty song to count too. It has a whole bunch of reminders of other elements but they all feed off each other and build them shoot away. Some times I cant tell if the lyrics were “ 3.. 2.. 1.” or “Afraid to Run” but that just made me listen to the song a few more times. I still can't tell. Decomposed is a heavy riff ride. The lead in of the sound clip puts me in a good mind state. I enjoyed the fast lyrics and the pulsing music. The chorus is very good, I like telling my coworkers to “Take a look between you legs.” Its a good way to get their attention and challenge their masculinity at the same time. Bent has is my favorite of all of them. It got a great sound and the lyrics are very catchy. They paint a vivid picture in my mind. There is something spell-binding about the mystic of a Bionic Woman. They way they can reprogram your heart, lead you down dark paths, and give you multiple viruses without a care. Behind is the revenge I will have on my Cyborg lover. Chase her down some shady terminals with an ax. Chop her to bits and watch as the sparks fly. This song has an awesome sound. The way the per-chorus has so much going on with its strangle inviting vibe. The crazy placement of the melodic background vocal with the heavy growl over it. There is only one thing that this album did that I wish it hadn't. And that is End, I could have enjoyed a handful more song very good stuff.

Merkelig Batteri - Blod I Himmelen

This is a very heavy journey back in time by the means of heavy riffs. On to the New World place you at the paddles of the massive long boats. The sound is epic and very scoping. The lyrics lead the third eye to see all the pain and torment that this great tribe has brought to make this new world it's own. Cross the Rainbow is a sweet revelry in the treats of war. This journey is only one that can be made by those whose have split the blood of many men in glorious battle. The guitar has awesome attack and the blending of the soulful vocals behind it is awesome. The verse lyrics have a great sound its such a blending of so many voices it's undefinable. The riffs work together good with the smooth runs between them leading to the final lyrics is very striking. Jeg ønsker å dø nå is exactly that. Know entering the valley of the leaders and forefathers seeking there guidance for the next great move. Very cool song, I don’t know what it means but I don’t need to. The structure is very good it leads me to believe that the leaders have spoken of some great battle that will take many life but one that must be fought. O Great One begins the struggle to lead your solders on a death march. Knowing that this is something that must be done and what you have been doing your whole life. The riffing is very good in this part. I really like the way the riffs just start to build on top of itself after the last of the vocals. In the Name of the Northland is like the final battle that for the New World. The sky blazes with the flames as they reach higher and higher as the swords cut through flesh and bone. The guitars have such awesome attach here. Its like the blood pumping through my veins as the song steps up tempo. Its cool how the lyrics are brought back from the first song. Just to remind us who has to die. The intensity is picked up. There is some great tone and blend of bells with each stroke to the end of the song it adds, dare I say, awesome depth to the song. Valkyrie is like the tell of that lone victor marching home carrying the weight of all his fallen brothers. This is a good way to end an album. This is my favorite song there is something that grabs me with verses. The riffs under and over it are great and heavy with that cool breakdown and sole after the 2^nd verse. Very cool. This is an awesome release. The album art is very fitting, it has all the element from the songs. I like the promo art as well. Right now I don't want to order one but it is good to know that it is made my IKEA.

Reviews Forthcoming

OK, I know I said this like 3 weeks ago, but I have a lot of driving to do tomorrow and plan on listening to as much of the RTIX music as I come, and I WILL be writing reviews soon!

Part Breath-Taking of Awesome

Para Siempre and his Brother-

To begin with but I really enjoyed this album. Cordoba is a groove track. The chorus is very catchy expectancy with the piano in the background. I like the tie in of a needle hitting vinyl and continuing in the tracks thru there forth. Para Siempre and his brother is as groove with a different turn. My favorite lines are: A twist on your arm, But don't be alarmed.

Right all the time grabs you with that fun bass line and the guitar chords. I agree with the words of this song, you cant be right all the time. I fell like this song begins a theme for the next two songs. Town good piano driven song. I would like to know what the answer is. Did they end up moving closer to town? Plus how close is this town to begin with? Was it 1 mile or 50 miles? Does the town have a bad crime rate? Just things to think about when your deciding. Where would you go has become my favorite song. It's like watching an old movie. It also pushes for an answer to the last question about moving closer to town. Where would you go without me if you don't move with me. Over all I am very glad that I had the chance to listen and enjoy these songs. I'm not sure how you can combine all these cool sounds, I'm glad you can.

Cover art - I like the choice of the black letters and the font is not to bold. What beach is this? I have enjoyed many sunrises and sunsets but I have never seen it without the Sun. If I had waterproof headphones, the trans that your songs put on me could make me swim out to the horizon and fall off the edge. A judgmental note- sounds maybe everywhere but not everyone can hear them. I luckily can hear them but like I said just a judgment thrown in for fun.

Jake Pearson - Pearson

Calluses feels like a psychedelic melody story. The way it builds leads you forth into yourself. I feel like this the isolation that leads to Sanity which is describes Damn it. It like you just walked into a mental ward which is holding it talent show. The layering of the lyrics add to it creepy appeal. I like the sound effect at the beginning. I could wait is a trippy adventure which leads to the Representation of where the narrator sees himself. I like the blinding of the Sci-Fi guitars and the roomy vocals. Favorite lines: Eccentricity my Feeble self control. Shimmer is a cool acoustic song. I cant tell if its one guitar or multiple all the way thru but it doesn't matter because its cool. I like the way the chorus clear up or change style that gives me the real sense of self discovery. This also leads to the Recollection of himself to see what is at the heart of this madness. I enjoyed the songs and the ride that took me to you.

Groove Suit- Smoke & Mirrors

Start Stop very groovy. The guitar sets a grate tone with the middle section is very cool. I like the smooth rap over the top. It was sinister and subliminal it soaked its way into my mind. I keep trying to get those diamonds but my shine is just not right. When I'm with you began like an old school song groovy and soulful. This the song for getting ready for the club. Jump out the shower, wipe off the mirror, and grab my beer take a sip to get me a needed twist. Strut over to the closet pull out that Groove suit. You know the one its the one the makes the ladies stop and start droolin'. Slow burn grabs you right off the bat. The rhythm that makes the feet take control. Walk into the club and grab that cute chick with curly hair and grin slowly. Making heads turn and it all goes slow-mo. What it do is a good closer song. Its like last call has been called it's now time to seal the deal. I hope that one of this girls cant resist this White Smoothie Groove Suit.

I definitely enjoyed these songs and the street cred that goes with it. I like the way you talked at the pictures and frames in Start Stop it link me to your cover art.

Pigeon - With The Tides

Intro (The Sea) is a cool ride. Groovy and draws me into the world of your sound. I like the crazy guitar sound in the background. Was it a guitar? Yeah I think it was unless you used a recording waves crashing on a beach and reversed then modulated them. Maybe. Where are we? Great question. I think you are in my computer and also in my stereo at work. I like the brake down. I like the sound of the drums. They also gives a good feel to your sound or world. Who will can is a cool vocal song. Great blending. The subtle changes in the lines with that crazy guitar sounds closing it off and blending into the Grey Skies. My favorite line is: Honey my limbs are shaking. I get this cool visual image or is it just cold in my house well I'm writing this. There I turned up the heat, so it is the words and that visual image. The band sound good I would see this live. Interracial Couples I believe in them. I was waiting on the lyrics to tell me about it. Maybe give me some dirty detail. I have never enjoyed one myself but I though long and hard about it well I listened to this song. Cool and groovy. With the Tides is a spectroscope song. There is something to be said about songs that let the words drift in and out a persons head. With nothing but a guitar to guide them visually. I don’t believe in reincarnation but I can say if I do come back I hope that it is not as a piece of drift wood. Thanks for the cool tunes to let my mind wounder around a bit of your musical world.

Kris Eckman - Brain Glass

Broken Glass is good and heavy. Heavy on my soul. No, I would not like to see an angel if that when they would truly appear. They can keep to there miracles and stay invisible. Epidemically if this song begins playing as: a hole is ripped open in the clouds. Dozens of Angel come raining down on a city. Flapping there wings giant and white. In there large flawless fist are huge spears. There I stand in the midst of a large crowd pouring more and more into the streets. Some of the ones, I will call, Believers, standing with there arms spread wide in a Jesus Christ Pose. Close there eyes as the flock of Angels fill the sky.And in a moment of shock and aah, the Angels swoop in. Their spears that pierce though the bodies of the believers. Hosting them high and into the blue sky.

This is when Free Will kicks in. Terror rips throw the crowds of people running in all directions. The angels begin dropping the bodies from the sky. Crashing to the pavement with splashes of blood, bone, and limbs shooting everywhere. I am running with the crowds of panicked people. Fighting with no mercy to anyone who falls. Dodging chunks of human body parts. I push down an elderly lady for a doorway. I slam the door shut as another person tries to pull it open from the outside. My self preservation has taken over. I yell that they must find there own place to hide. Through a small window on the door I see the face of a frighten younger lady. Her voice is crying in terror and agony to let them in. Mid sentence they are speared by an passing Angel. The little window is splattered with her blood.

Brain Glass begins. The torment of screams from the outside and my inner cry for answers. I find the courage to open the door and face my own mortality. To pay for my sins or not to. That is the question. Weather it is noble to stand upon with blood soaked Earth and answer for my action. An Angel comes to a stop in front of me. I feel every hair on my body stand on end. The sweet smell of Downy Fresh laundry feels my nose. The Angel speaks but I can understand. Then a sudden rush of pain expounds in my head and I fall to the ground. I cover my ears with my hands but the pain continues. I open my eyes and look at my hands to see blood. My ears are bleeding. My hands search the ground and I grab a hold a chunky of bone. Its a rib bone and I stab the Angel in the chest and I am blown backward by the scream he admits.

This is when Marietta begins. Not waiting another minute for the Angel to grab me I am running. Running and running. A dark shadow covers me and my path. I take one close look above and I see it is Angel's they blanketing sky. This inner voice takes over in my head and I am filled with love and sweet euphoria. The Angels begin to encircle me forming a large circle around me. I feel nothing but good intentions. The Angel began to flap there wings hundreds of them in one sensitized movement. Lifting me off the ground like I was in the middle of a tornado. I begin to laugh so hard, I cry. I must be 50 stories off the ground when they wind stops. I'm falling in slow motion. My life flashes before my eyes. I feel my last tears run out my eyes and roll off my cheeks as I hit the ground.

I'm not to sure what else to say about you song but I definitely enjoy them. Thanks for introducing me to Record Time! This is Awesome.

Reviews Part Bitchin' of Awesome

Bitchin' Van - Bicoastal
First of all,  I would like to say that your album art is perfect. It puts my mind eye's at a focus point. I find myself standing in front of the van. I'm waiting for you to start with a nod of your head, I look up at the sign. I reach in my pocket and luckily there is $6.93. Toss it in the guitar case then you began to play. I'm glad that I am only human.
The sound is directly up my alley, the acoustic guitars, harmonica, the blending of the vocals and the wolf or dog howling is great. I really enjoy the lyrics of every song. Tell Me - grabs a hold right off the bat. The guitar rhythm with the finger snaps is catchy then the lyrics pop in. My favorite lines are: Fanny pack, shinny slack, showing to much booty crack, pierces hacks, tattoo backs, motorcycle choppers claps. These lines are fun and fresh. Out of phase- very beautiful blend of both voices with great lines colliding together. I couldn't put my favorite part because its so solid. I'm only human- is a catch song about taking trouble with a chin held high. What I can believe is that the you had no money but your mice can afford champagne. Also I like sour cream and salsa but not sour salsa. Motionless- is a song that I feel is like a news story. Telling the view of a man and what he sees. Do we owe it to them to speak up or should we mind our own business? When we become a witness to some changes and do we have a right to say. I really enjoyed your pronoun-cation on this song. Marriage- is like a 2010's Cash and Carter "Jackson."  This was a fun story song, not sure if it a true story or not but I don't mind either way. My favorite lines: Still I see my strengths and flaws in all of them like a fear of spiders its all stuck in my head.
For these song I clap my hands and maybe wish for an autograph. Its OK because I don't have a pen or pencil just a burrito wrapper. Ill shake your hand and wonder on down this road to though these hills.

Reviews Part Supererogation of Awesome

Hello, let me start off by saying I have been throatily enjoying everyone's music. Yes, even myself. I'm a bit conceded but back to the point that I was making was ..... AWESOME.

Andrew Miller - Contentment Storm
I was blown way by your blog about how you hand wrote all the sheet music for this. I cant read sheet music and I know tabs don't count. So this let my mind open to the sounds when I clicked on the track to listen. It was a cool adventure even if it is like Indiana Johns was running out of the cave with the boulder rolling behind him. The sound of this great thing echoing behind him with danger sense tingling. He jumps over the spikes and trips on a skeleton. Trying not to fear death, he faces this evil hands of fate to see a roll the size of a watermelon.  Which splits open on the spikes but the juices run down the cave floor and get his pants leg wet.
I also tried to follow along with the pictures of the music sheets and I was lost. I went ahead and made 5 playlist out of this record time folder. I broke the songs up by my first impressions, so that I could get them all on CD's and listen to them at work. Contentment Storm fit well at the beginning of each playlist. It's got so much build to it, it leads great into each of the EPs. I only wish it was longer but pickers cant be choosers. They can only choose what to pick and I choose to listen.
My favorite part is when the brass instruments come in @ .12

Album Order

Hello all,

I foolishly forgot to put numbers in front of my track titles to indicate the song order in my album.  I DID create metadata in iTunes, so if you listen in iTunes it MIGHT put the songs in the correct order, but I haven't checked yet.

The song order for Christmas with the Webers, by Weber, is:
1) Hippotoppomas
2) I'll Miss You (This Christmas)
3) Coventry Carol
4) Family
5) Starlight
6) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
7) No One Stopping Us

I haven't yet gotten a chance to listen to all of the music, but what I have heard so far is great!  I plan on listening to all/most of it today, and reviews will be forthcoming.

Mike