Welcome back! Thanks again to Becksta20 for taking the time to judge all of the submissions. I think we both were happy to see some lesser known Australian artists. Here are some opening remarks from Beck and our comments.
Thanks for bringing me a lot of new Australian music that I hadn’t heard before. I’ve enjoyed being a guest judge so thank you Tim for inviting me! There were a few great picks in there and I’m sure Tim will like some of them more than I did. Good luck everyone!
Happy Little Pill
T: I haven’t listened to Troye Sivan much since Blue Neighborhood. He honestly sounded like he was so bored the entire time and wasn’t bringing any real energy with his vocals. It just felt a bit flat for me.
B: I’m not usually a big fan of Troye Sivan and I don’t know why. I haven’t heard this song before but it was a nice song and I liked it more than his other songs.
Riptide
T: Fine song. I don’t love the vocals and have a hard time understanding him at times, but I appreciate the vibe.
B: Love this song! He has such a cute style and despite the film clip making me so confused when it first came out I always loved the song. Great pick!
Depreston
T: I liked the guitar and the overall instrumentation of the song. I was enjoying it for the first half, but it kind of dragged on towards the end.
B: I’ve not heard this song or artist before but I do like her style. She is very Australia and reminds me a bit of Missy Higgins who I love.
Timebomb
T: I really just wasn’t feeling this. I’d put this song in the category of songs that I’d probably enjoy while out dancing and drinking, but not necessarily in my day to day life. Like it has energy but isn’t particularly interesting.
B: Of all the Kylie songs…. I mean I love her but this is not her best by a long shot. Nevertheless, she is an icon and her music is always great.
Not the Same
T: I thought the song had strong vocals and a powerful instrumentation, but they didn’t really fit together for me. Kind of felt like they were competing against each other for most of the song.
B: Another song/artist I’ve never heard of so thanks for introducing him. He has a sweet voice and I liked this much more than a couple of others so far.
Smoke
T: Now this was great. I loved the vocals and how well it fit with the instrumentation. And I’ve probably said this many times by now, but I’m a sucker for horns, so I was hooked when the trumpets came in. Loved this!
B: This song is very meh for me. It could be catchy at times but it wasn’t keeping my attention.
24K
T: Nice beat. She kinda pops off in the verses. Definitely feeling this one.
B: Another one that is not my style. It’s a decent song but not something I’d listen to again.
Only High
T: Very ethereal and dreamy. This definitely would’ve hit back in college when I still indulged in certain activities. But I still liked the vibe and enjoyed the listening experience this gave.
B: To be honest – this is not really my usual style. I don’t listen to Geowulf so this was new for me and I actually didn’t mind it. I don’t know how it will go compared to others though after the first two submissions!
All Loved Up
T: Good song. I like how dynamic and engaging it is. And I think considering the guest judge, you probably made the right call with this pick haha
B: You are playing to the judges here because you know we love Amy Shark – and I’m definitely here for it! This is one of my favourite songs by her. Perfect selection!
Never Tear Us Apart
T: Wouldn’t say this is my favorite INXS song, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.
B: This is a great Australian artist and song. I always love hearing this song because it is classic Aussie music. Nice pick.
Before revealing the next eliminated contestant, I just want to say that everyone brought their A-game this free choice round. Like I genuinely liked every song that was submitted, but only one can move on.
You are safe. Heavenlee, I'm sorry, but it's the end of the road. Noelle, you were a great contestant. Not only did you make it farther this time than in my first season, but you submitted one of my favorite new songs of the game so far with Mid Years. Thanks for much for playing <3
Round 9 Theme: Oldies but Goodies
I'm an old geezer who likes old music. So this round, send any song you like that is older than me (aka released before 1995) as well as your free choice song.
NOTE: This is gonna be a double so go for broke. Good luck!
Overall (average score):
All Loved Up (2)
Never Tear Us Apart (3.5)
Riptide (4.5)
Smoke (5)
Only High (5.5)
24K (6)
Depreston (6)
Timebomb (6.5)
Not the Same (8)
Happy Little Pill (8)
Tim’s Ranking:
Smoke
24K
All Loved Up
Only High
Never Tear Us Apart
Riptide
Depreston
Not the Same
Timebomb
Happy Little Pill
Beck’s Ranking:
All Loved Up
Never Tear Us Apart
Riptide
Timebomb
Depreston
Happy Little Pill
Only High
Not the Same
Smoke
24k
Free Choice Ranking
Naturally
The Fear
Vertigo (up for elimination)
1950
2 You
Beautiful and Bittersweet (up for elimination)
It Can’t Be That Hard
Dirrty
Billions
The Prayer
Thanks for submitting everyone. I think this is the first time everyone submitting since the opening episode, so thanks for that! Before getting to the results, just want to give a quick shoutout to the hero group. You guys ate. But unfortunately, one of you - along with one person from the villain group - will be eliminated today.
Here are my comments:
Soul Sucker: The vocals were super good. The track was pretty minimal, but I don’t mind that in this case as it lets the vocals shine. I liked this but overall wish there was an extra punch to it somewhere
Screw Feelings: This is a song that I think totally fits the theme. I could see this as the song where the villain first decides to embrace their inner heel. The song itself was fine. I didn’t find it particularly engaging, and I wish there was something about it that stood out.
Last Hope: I mean…I don’t even think I could call this pandering because you’re the one person I know who loves this song and this album more than I do. It’s the perfect song for the hero preparing for the final act. It just hits so many emotions, and Hayley’s vocals are so good here. This is high on the list of Paramore’s best songs ever. I really can’t say much more than that.
Play With Fire: Lyrically, I thought this was really good for the theme. The chorus was just kind of a mess though, and it just felt like a lot of different things happening at the same time.
My Own Worst Enemy: I definitely dig you going the anti hero route. This song is a pretty basic pop punk song, but it still hits in all the right places.
Funeral: LMFAO what the hell was that? That song had the same feel as a horror movie I would like: it’s weird, it’s kind of ridiculous, it’s unconventional, but it somehow works. Not sure if it’s a song I’d listen to repeatedly but it was an experience I enjoyed.
Girl on Fire: This definitely has that fearlessness behind it that would be very inspiring for a hero. Plus Alicia Keys is pretty great. This was a good choice and is a really good mix of inspiration and bad-assery.
Cry Thunder: This is classic dragonforce and high key makes me want to play guitar hero. It has a fun intensity to it, like metal for people who aren't super into metal. But I’m just not sure how it stacks up against the rest of the songs in the group.
Sucker for Pain: Not a bad song. But sometimes these super collab songs don’t work as well as they should. I feel like a lot of times the focus is on the lyrics which is cool, but the backing track was so boring that it really couldn’t save this.
Superman: Haven’t heard this song in ages. It’s a bit slow, but there’s good things happening here. I do enjoy his voice, and as far as the theme goes, I feel like this could go either way which makes this a pretty interesting entry imo.
Girls on Top: The beat was pretty cool. No clue what she was saying, but it was fun. It went on a tad too long for my taste, but I was vibing.
Zoom: Who is this dude because I loved his vocals. I could take or leave the woman, but I do think they harmonized very well together which made the song really pleasant to listen to.
Jake, your song was weird as hell but the instrumentation was good and super interesting. Nick, I think your song was really strong lyrically. Noelle, I loved his vocals. Zack, your song was a fun pop bop. Each of your free choice songs had very strengths, so it really came down to some of the small details.
You will not be moving on the in this contest. You both did well, and I really did enjoy both of your free choice songs. Ranking them was very hard this round, and unfortunately, you both just came up a bit short. Thank you both so much for playing <33
Which means, Jake and Noelle, you both remain in the competition. Congrats!
Before revealing the next theme, I want to introduce my good friend Becksta20! She will be joining me as a guest judge this round. Give her a warm welcome by submitting some killer songs this round.
Round 8 Theme: Australia
Since Beck is our tg expert on Australian music, this round we will be focusing on Australian musicians. Please submit a song from an Australian group or artist. Any Australian artists submitted in prior rounds are open, just try not to repeat any previously submitted songs. As always let me know if you have any questions
tl;dr submit a song by an Australian artist and a free choice song. Good luck!
Last Hope
Girl on Fire
Girls on Top
Zoom
Superman
Cry Thunder
Villains Ranking:
Soul Sucker
Funeral
My Own Worst Enemy
Screw Feelings
Play With Fire
Sucker for Pain
Free Choice Ranking:
A Temporary High
Come and Get Your Love
Too Close
Love or lack thereof - up for elimination
Automatic Electronic Harmonics - up for elimination
Untouched - up for elimination
Cake - up for elimination
Harlem
Beware of the Dog
God Complex
Dance Again (not On the Floor solo version :( )
Moments Passed
So unfortunately stuartlittle16 did not submit, and because I need even numbers for this next round, there will be no other elimination. Michael, it was great having you back after your successful stint in my first season, but this is the end of the road. Thanks so much for playing <3
Before revealing the next theme, want to give a quick shout out to the winner of last round...
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x
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Congrats #Symmetry888! Midnight Sky is my favorite song from Plastic Hearts and this version of it is just... *chef's kiss*. Congrats!
Round 7 Theme: Heroes and Villains
For this round, you will placed into two groups from random.org. One group will need to send a song that gives hero vibes and the other group will need to send a song that gives villain vibes. Basically imagine if you were a hero or villain, what would your theme be? Here are the groups
A FEW NOTES FOR THIS ROUND:
1. You don't need a free choice song. I will use last round's free choice songs for the elimination
2. One person from each group will be going home. Everyone will submit individually and will be ranked against the rest of their group
3. Now that we're down to a manageable number of contestants, I will be providing critiques for all songs #nomorelazyhost
Please let me know if there are any questions!
Chart: To be updated xx
Theme Rankings:
Edge of Midnight
Knockout
Monster
Gucci
Get on Your Knees
See You Again
The Game of Love
I’m Not Sober
Mayday
I hate u, i love u
Irresistible
Pink Matter
