Bosa's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[~To A New World~]

I loved the song until 1:40. I felt as though the increased excitement was ill placed for the slow/melodramatic theme you had started at the beginning. A change in pace and theme can be a good thing, but I felt as though the change was too sudden and sounded a bit like Ocarina of Time. Perhaps I would of loved to hear a subtle yet emotional flow of strings coming in at 1:40 -- accompanied with a more distinguished slow cymbal. But anyways, this is only my opinion and I'm sure you designed the track exactly the way you wanted it and for the ending you mentioned in your commentary.

I loved the beginning with the piano. It reminded me of James Horner and his sweet compositions. When the strings and English Horn came in, it kinda pushed the emotion up a level, but I would of had the piano playing the melody an octave higher in the background during this period, but you may need to take the key down a step or two if you did this. I love this song though and the melody that it plays. It's so sweet to listen to, and is kinda romantic in a way.

The progression that follows at around 3:11 at the end is very lovely. I would of liked to of heard this sooner in the song and perhaps expanded upon if need be. The song ends abruptly here, but that is ok -- that just means I get to hear this great track again! I love the instrumentation and the effort you've put behind it. I can tell you have worked hard!

ajfromcanada responds:

Wow, what a great review! Thank you so much! I'll try to take everything you've suggested into consideration. One thing though, is that the change in tempo and theme is there for a very specific purpose. As the title of the track says, it's supposed to symbolize the end of one adventure - saying goodbye to a team of friends - and then heading off to a brand new adventure. Also, I take the James Horner comment to be such a great compliment. Him and Thomas Newman are some of my favourite film composers.

Once again, thank you for the great review.

[Night at the Knight's Bar[WIP]]

I had to leave a review for this. I admire any one who submits medieval or fantasy music to Newgrounds (it's mostly piano solos these days).

I can tell you spent a lot of time on this. I don't care if the instrumentation or samples are sub-par; you did a great job with this track. It's very subtle, and it does its job very well with giving you an old nostalgic feeling of the historic middle ages. The choir pads that came in at 0:57 just increased the subtle ambiance.

I love making medieval music and I do it often. I'm glad you chose the style for this piece and I hope you make more just like this one. I promise I will listen to it.

-Jon

raphtheman responds:

Thank you so much for your words! Im still very new to making music and its always a help to hear inspirational reviews like yours.

['11 Love to the End]

Appreciate You

You're one of my favorite artists here on Newgrounds. I wish there was more I could say about your work, but to be honest I'm too stunned by it to say anything!

Great work,
Jon

EvilRaccoon responds:

Thankyou very much, I really appreciate the comments from an awesome composer. :)

[Shadow of Fate [collab]]

I enjoyed it

I love collaborations, and I used to do a lot of them a LONG time ago back in the old days of the audio portal. This song has a nostalgic feeling towards me.

There's not much I can say in regard to improving the song, as I believe there's no flaw musically. I believe the instrumentation you used (or the programs) could be better, but I understand that it would be quite an expensive endeavor to do so. Feel free to listen to my newest track and let me know what you think, because I really enjoyed what you've produced here!

samulis responds:

Howdy there, Bosa. Thanks a ton for reviewing this. :D

I'm presently using EWQL instruments, and I honestly feel they are some of the finer VI sets out there... I probably should have used a marcato ensemble for the strings that had more variations.

I'd be glad to listen to some your pieces, I hope you don't mind really long constructive critiques. :D

[Triumphant Alone]

Great song

I know how it feels to be emotionally distraught, or feel cynical in a way in which you believe no one cares or you have no friends. But it shouldn't bring about hopelessness in your life or cause you to contemplate an end of life alternative. Suicide is growing rapidly unfortunately, and I want you to know that I will be a friend to you if you feel as though you have no one else. Any musician on Newgrounds is someone I can relate with, and you (also everyone else on this site) have a specific purpose in life -- a purpose that should not be interrupted by suicide.

I want you to continue creating music and contributing to this site. I will make a great effort to check up on your songs, so let me know how things are going with you -- musically and otherwise.

[New Awakening]

Clever!

A very clever use of Edirol Orchestral. At least, I think that's what you're using here. The melody you've got going here is very enjoyable to listen to, and it is lively. I especially liked the piano at 1:34. I do wish you had more diverse musical tools, although it is not necessary to enjoy your music. Keep it up!

whitesymphonia responds:

Yup, spot on. Using Edirol Orchestral indeed :)

[Solus- Blue Crystal Moon]

Very Interesting

One thing that really sticks out with this one is the attack in which the wonderful brass produces. Since it was based off of another track, you sure did implement the style well -- it sounds like something I would hear in a fantasy adventure movie.

One thing that really catches my attention is the beginning with the harp and celesta/glockenspiel. The oboe and soft brass that accompanies the movement of the bell instruments seems to have been a perfect decision to make, as they all blend in very well to give the feeling of fantasy.

I must say, I'm glad I listened to this. Quite capable of being used in a fantasy movie/game -- as I know that was its purpose.

-Bosa

SolusLunes responds:

The oboe is an excellent instrument for solo work- it fills that niche almost perfectly every time. Having the celesta and harp backing it/complementing it was a great way to bring in the mental picture it did. :D

And dear GOD did I spend a lot of time on the brass to make the attack sound like it did- seriously I think that is the best I've ever done with brass.

[Broaden Your Sound]

It's too loud, and I'm too old

Of course, I could only hear the ringing of my ears after the song had ended, so that means you produced something worth listening to.

I really liked the filter you added on the guitar at 1:51 -- I could actually imagine an entirely different song with this part being added into the middle; something awesome beyond imagination. But of course, the song you've produced here is quite awesome indeed.

The strumming at 3:17 was well placed, however I feel that mastering it may have been an issue for you.

Again, you've made a great song here, and I'm proud to compose against you in the Deathmatch Competition. I actually had another song made for the competition, but I thought it wouldn't be fair to you if I was to repost with a new song. I'm actually quite eager to see if you can beat the song I originally made for the comp.

I have confidence in your talent, and I will most definitely keep my eyes on you for future hits like 'Broaden Your Sound.'

-Bosa

mr-jazzman responds:

Hey, thank you so much for the review! And also, thank you for your consciousness to the detail; I wish more people would actually give me more genuine reviews other than "Dude, sick!", or something along those lines. I find it ironic that you think it's too loud, because I think the same thing; I've been listening to this specific version of the song in my car for the past few days, trying to figure out exactly how I can get that guitar sound to balance out (it sounds good through my computer speakers, but not so great through my bass-biased headphones or my car stereo =( ), and also how I can get that bass to fit a little better in the mix. Yeah, you're right about the acoustic part: It's a royal pain, out of tune, etc. A lot of this is because I was in a hurry in trying to get the original song up here for the first round, and also because the capo that I fastened on my guitar would detune the strings even when they were perfectly in tune without it. In a future version of this I think I'll end it similarly, but shorter and more conscious of keeping the listener entertained (it's a bit repetitive IMO).
And, as I said in my own review of your work, it really is an honor composing against you in the competition; I just wish that our match up would have happened in the finals. Alas, we must wait for the opportunity again! But, in the mean time, may the best composer for the round win! =)

[Hero's Destiny]

Wow!

This is absolutely wonderful! I could definitely see your future classical music here on Newgrounds proceed to the top of favorite lists everywhere!

However simple it is, the song has a good selection of instruments. I think I recognize them, though... are you using East West Silver? It is a very good program, although I myself use the Gold edition for some of my music. You made a good choice to produce music using East West Symphonic Orchestra.

-Bosa

Bas3008 responds:

Thanks man! Ye this is EWQLSO Silver. Of course the Gold edition is better, but when I bought it, I just had the money for the Silver edition.

[Battle of Supremacy]

Good

It was very well constructed, I think. The dynamics you added in the strings at the beginning was well placed, however the tech-music that followed afterward was ill in a sense.

Of course, it is just my own personal opinion, but I think adding a less fast paced beat into the track would have made it easier to listen and follow with, although beats in classical music is definitely not required. It was a good first attempt, and very close to what I first created in the Classical genre. You've done well for yourself, and I sure hope to hear more of this genre from you. It would be a great shame if you decided to give up on this genre.

-Bosa