EmperorCharlemagne's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[The Journey (Piano)]

Pretty good.

I liked the use of dissonance. The use of things that don't quite 'sound right' always add a flavor to the music, in my opinion, and the little pieces that didn't sound correct add an amount of character to it.

If I can say anything I am glad you returned to the 'main theme' to bridge the sections together. If you didn't do so, this song would have suffered as a result.

I don't really know what the review underneath me is trying to say, but I say this was a good attempt, and the piano-work is solid.

arxarts responds:

this came about when notes that where not chords to my understanding sounded pretty good together

[-+[Adobe Bazaar]+-]

Pretty good

Loved the Spanish elements, I suppose you could call it flamenco? My terminology is limited in that respect...

I was kinda expecting something Arabian, or Middle Eastern, but a Spanish-themed tune was a nice surprise. All the sounds were great and mesh well together, and everything is fine-tuned par excellence.

I don't have much to say, because you are at this stage a craftsman, and mostly anything you can make at this stage will be of high quality and of a distinctive style.

MaestroRage responds:

I really have no idea what to call the culture of this piece. In my dream, it was something completely new. It was like... Greek, a little bit of Middle Eastern, some African, some Spanish/Meditteranean... It really was its own culture. It was beautiful there... I really wish I could show this place to anyone else, but alas, I am no animator. Anyway, thank you very much for your kind words, and thanks for listening!

With love,
Mandi <3

[Macross Aria - A Melody]

Pretty decent.

As far as things go, I do not know the original piece this is based off of, so I have to judge solely on face value here.

Orchestration was all right, melody sounded good, the divying up of parts by the instruments was well-implemented, but I think it could have used a bit extra oomph in some departments. Something to really make it swell and swing and serenade, ya dig? Colloquialisms aside, some more underlaying rhythm and lower parts would have complimented the melody nicely.

Nanashi responds:

Thank you for the fare and relevant review! I will do my best to take your advice into consideration as I continue to work.

[Brave New World]

Uplifting, and certainly inspiring

A decent prelude, building up an emotion and a certain mysterious feeling.

Interesting that this is such a positive/positive feeling song when 'Brave New World' conjures up distinctly dystopian visions for most people, myself included. An interesting spin. Does this perhaps mean that a sinister reality lurks under a hopeful veneer, waiting to burst the surface? Food for thought.

This piece, when the horns come in, as well as the other instruments, gains its musical crux and high-point then. Nice use of chord progression, especially where the half-step to the next major key occurred at around 1:33ish.

Not a bad piece all things considered. Good job.

nathanallenpinard responds:

An very nice in-depth review. Much thanks!

[Toccata of Skulls (loop)]

Not bad.

While I say not bad, I mean to say that technically this piece is constructed well enough. Aside from the 16th-note shaker sounding a bit fake, sound quality is really nice.

But I think what this piece needed the most was something to spice it up. A melody, or playing around with the chord structure. As you said, "generic". Generic doesn't mean bad, but this doesn't have something unique to it, something that says that "this is a masterjiji composition."

If you find your style, even when you do so-called 'generic' pieces, they will sound unique and worthwhile.

Keep at it.

masterjiji responds:

(blinks) upgrade your speakers. it's a snare drum.

eh. my thing is ridiculous brass, but it could use some more variety, yes.

yeah.

oh, i will.

[Adventures on an Island]

Excellent for a first try!

I must say, I am duly impressed, and if this is your first try, then congratulate yourself son, because this work is very very good.

Let's start with the positive:
The opening with the brass is well-constructed, and the chorale part that comes in afterwards is generally interesting and pleasant to listen to. You do well with the melody and keep things interesting and moving at a good pace even when you slow down. I like how you work with secundal harmony, that is, harmony based on seconds (intervals), because it's a nice change of pace from tritone harmonys. Good on that, Gandalf.

The string part that comes afterwards is also very well done, and I like the moving about you did with the high strings.

If I can criticize anything, it's that at :30, for some reason, the sound for some of the intruments cuts off, which is a bit disjarring.

Other than that, this work is great. Keep up the good work.

[Rhapsody Of A Fallen Gladiator]

Not bad

Nice for a short listen. Has a nice tune, and certainly a 'driving' beat.

If I can offer any constructive criticism, I would say that a piece like this could use a few more chordal variations in order to give it more flavor, ie some dissonance, etc, but other than that, it's good for the most part.

MC-Nifty responds:

Yeah I agree with that, there is already some dissonance but I hear you. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review.