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Soundoffs 111 News Articles 26 Band Edits + Tags 4,551 Album Edits 227
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Last Active 12-09-22 12:08 am Joined 08-22-13
Review Comments 41,524
| The Umbrella Genre Contest Round 2: Under Rihanna's Umbrella
2 people are out and the rest are in! | 1 | | Erykah Badu New Amerykah Pt. 1 (4th World War)
The rules are simple:
1.Link a song via YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, DailyMotion, Vimeo... or whatever you like as long as I don't have to download something.
2. The genre this round is R&B. Characteristically, it's a commercial sounding genre that focuses on emotion, and rhythm (so a lot of prominent bass.) This includes all soul and most funk (except like Red Hot Chili Peppers or Alt. Metal and Nu-metal type funk because who the hell thinks "If You Have to Ask" or "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver" is R&B?...)
3. Aim to impress me with what you pick, since I'm rating these.
4. If I know the song already, I'll tell you to pick something new, otherwise you're good.
5. I'm going to start each new round every Thursday night, so if you're late, you're out.
***The winner can recommend me whatever album they want and I'll listen to it no matter the album as long as it's not impossible to find.*** | 2 | | Lydia Illuminate
“This is Twice Now” (JustJoe.)
I don’t like these vocals. The music seems to float mostly in the background which seems kinda of ineffectual for my taste. Dream pop’s cool a lot of the time though, but this isn’t grabbing me at all. Sorry.
2.5/5 (PASSED!) | 3 | | Teena Marie Starchild
“Lovergirl” (Thrust!)
I admire your bravery going with dance pop even though I’ve shown zero signs of liking it on this website. The funky bass is so 80s. Teena’s got some pipes though, so I have to respect it at least a little. Somehow this wasn’t boring at any point.
3.1/5 (PASSED!) | 4 | | The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin
“A Spoonful Weighs a Ton” (BlazinBlitzer)
A really pretty psychedelic pop ballad. It’s weird in the right way. Good song, even if Coyne’s voice is kinda gross.
4.3/5 (PASSED!) | 5 | | Falco Out Of The Dark (Into The Light)
“Out of the Dark” (0xMe)
Is he rapping in German? I mean this is corny as hell, but not necessarily bad. The guitar solo livened things up pretty well. This is passable for me, if only just barely. Simple pop rock.
3/5 (PASSED!) | 6 | | Janet Jackson Velvet Rope
“What About” (Drifter)
Pop R&B with funk bass during the chorus and wave crashes and flamenco guitar during the verses… It reminds me of the kind of music my mom likes. I’m sorry, I don’t care for this.
2.3/5 (FAILED!) | 7 | | Syd Barrett The Madcap Laughs
“Octopus” (Minushuman24)
This sounds like regular folk music, maybe psychedelic folk? It’s fun music though and I like it, but I don’t really see what’s pop about this unless you REALLY stretch the definition. Fine I’ll be nice and call it folk pop.
3.9/5 (PASSED!) | 8 | | Hunx and His Punx Too Young To Be In Love
“Lover’s Lane” (bgillesp)
The gayest homage to doo-wop ever. I love it. Happy coming out day everyone! Even the guitar solo is legit great. :D
5/5 (ROUND WINNER!) (handicap next round of +0.5) | 9 | | White Noise An Electric Storm
“My Game of Loving” (Frippertronics)
This reminds me of Nico vocal wise. Psychedelic pop was probably the smartest pop route if you know my taste honestly. So yeah, this is pretty nice, The sex moans made me raise an eyebrow, like what the hell? Haha I guess I’ll never listen to this song without headphones. Honestly this is legit super cool.
4.6/5 (PASSED!) | 10 | | The Tammys Egyptian Shumba
“Egyptian Shumba” (IronGiant)
They’re screeching like monkeys and referring to Egypt as “Egypt land.” I’m honestly not sure this song should even exist, but all I can say is I kinda hate it.
1.9/5 (FAILED!) | 11 | | Treepeople Something Vicious for Tomorrow / Time Whore
“Liquid Boy” (butcherboy)
I’m gonna say this straight up. I don’t like bands where the vocals sound like adolescents. It’s kind of a pet peeve of mine when a man in his 20s sings like a 13 year old. Pop punk will get you nowhere with me.
2.8/5 (PASSED!) | 12 | | Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Album
Tickle Torture - Spiritual Machete/Spectrophilia
“Would I Love You” (Grimlin)
Very modern funky synthpop. There’s really not much else to say about it since it’s pretty generic. The 80s nostalgia craze kinda missed the mark with me. The breakdown part at the end was kinda of interesting maybe?
2.7/5 (PASSED!) | 13 | | White Moth Black Butterfly Atone
“The Serpent” (kalkwiese)
I’m kinda of tired while listening to this and it’s peaceful atmosphere is nice for my mood. Wikipedia calls this progressive pop. That’s cool, I probably would’ve just went with indie pop though. Not bad.
3.6/5 (PASSED!) | 14 | | Pentatonix Pentatonix
"Misbehavin" (The Spirit)
I hate to sound close minded, but when I saw you picked a song by Pentatonix, I was pretty sure you were going to be the one eliminated this round. I never liked a capella. DESPITE THIS, this song is fairly harmless and there’s certainly been worse things picked.
2.5/5 (PASSED!) | 15 | | Yellow Magic Orchestra Solid State Survivor
“Rydeen” (SandwichBubble)
Very fun instrumental synth pop. I feel like I’m on an epic quest in an early 90s video game.
3.9/5 (PASSED!) | 16 | | Foxes (UK) Glorious
“Youth” (Sinternet)
This sounds like modern top 40 brand indie pop and I’m underwhelmed. Song seems like a dime a dozen.
2.5/5 (PASSED!) | 17 | | Tiger Trap Tiger Trap
“You & Me “(Pheromone)
Cutesy indie pop. It sounds like it belongs in a Gregg Araki film. Them again, I’ve only seen two of his films…
3.5/5 (PASSED!) | 18 | | Carly Rae Jepsen Emotion
“Boy Problems” (Brostep)
So… this sounds like 80s pop, but it’s from 2015. The funky bass seems extra out of place for some reason. Bland radio pop.
2.5/5 (PASSED!) | 19 | | Robyn Honey
“Honey” (luci)
Electropop with a pretty spacey atmosphere. I feel like if this were to be a bit faster in tempo it’d belongs in a club being blasted at a loud volume. It’s fine.
2.6/5 (PASSED!) | 20 | | David Sylvian Secrets of the Beehive
“When The Poets Dreamed of Angels” (Aberf)
Folky art pop. The production is nice, the strings are mixed low, but are audible, so it gives the song this sense feeling to it. The percussion is really cool too actually.
3.7/5 (PASSED!) | 21 | | Light Asylum In Tension
“Dark Allies” (Papa Universe)
Wow this is new wavey. Down Papa like anything that isn’t tangentially related to post punk? I’m serious haha. This is a little overlong, but it’s still pretty decent.
3.2/5 (PASSED!) | 22 | | Kishi Bashi Lighght
“Carry On Phenomenon” (VuvuzelaBzz)
See like, psych pop is just a good genre. This caught my ears immediately. The strings, bass, and percussion are all super on point here. It manages to capture the 60s sound oddly well.
4/5 (PASSED!) | 23 | | The Clean Boodle Boodle Boodle
“Thumbs Off” (NeroCorleone80)
Indie pop rock stuff that’s catchy, and all around a good time. I feel like running through a sprinkler in the summer with this blasting in a backyard. Sounds like a British Invasion band from the 60s haha.
4.8/5 (PASSED!) | 24 | | Stromae Racine Carrée
“Défiler” (Masochist)
I know that’s not the album this is from, but it’s a new 2018 single sooo. Wow this is a long one and so far it’s pretty chill. I lost focus on this and it’s 5 and a half minutes in. I don’t think something this poppy should ever be this long. I don’t even hate this, but it feels like an eternity.
3/5 (PASSED!) | 25 | | Twenty One Pilots Trench
“Neon Gravestones” (Tyman128)
Why does this song open up with the Moonlight Sonata? OKAY, it’s slightly different, but that was my first thought. Poppy hip hop so far… this is pretty chill. Not my thing, but pleasant actually.
3.3/5 (PASSED!) | 26 | | Kimiko Kasai Butterfly
“As” (ZombieToyDuck)
This isn’t cheating, but I already LOVE Stevie’s original version of “As.” In fact it’s like one of the best from Songs in the Keys of Life. So a well done cover featuring Herbie Hancock is bound to do at least somewhat well. Poppy jazz music with kickass solos? Sign me up.
3.9/5 (PASSED!) | 27 | | Janelle Monae The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid
“Cold War” (neekafat)
This is pretty fun. It feels a little empty production wise, like it needs to be filled with a nice bass line or more organ, but I like the overall vibe.
3.5/5 (PASSED!) | 28 | | Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz
“I Want to Be Well” (RikRoach7)
Fun electronic indie pop. The flutes are so playful and the song is multi-sectioned in a way that works! This is actually pretty original for pop song from the 2010s. This is pretty hectic at the end and kind of experimental.
4.1/5 (PASSED!) | 29 | | The Ronettes Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
Be My Baby (AlexanderMR)
.I think I’ve heard this one before, but I’m not sure so I’ll let it pass. It’s simple and pleasant doo-wop. Not my cup of tea, but still well made and enjoyable. The string section definitely gives it a much needed edge to.
3.4/5 (PASSED!) | 30 | | Cícero Canções de Apartamento
Ensaio Sobre Ela (alamo)
A pretty pop tune. Emotional with a nice guitar. Not much else to say. This is pretty decent.
3.5/5 (PASSED!) | |
ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | 2 out and 27 left.
I decided the the round winner gets a handicap, but also that it can only last until the next round. | Aberf
10.12.18 | what is RnB again? lmao | Minushuman24
10.12.18 | yayy! | Aberf
10.12.18 | Ah, I got you...
Clarence Clarity - Those Who Can't, Cheat
https://open.spotify.com/track/7A4hqvmo5w1NxALmNWSIsU?si=kuRxMxFRRneYL3qcUWqrmQ | Minushuman24
10.12.18 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvKYisPsmXM
Dance, Dance, Dance - Earth Wind and Fire. Less R&B and more Funk, but man it slaps | Masochist
10.12.18 | You prefer fun, poppy R&B or you want baby-makin' music? | ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | No hints, but you could always check my ratings. | Sinternet
10.12.18 | abra - crybaby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-POWtEJ8U | Frippertronics
10.12.18 | white noise is often compared to the USA so i think you'd love the album
as for a rec, gimme a sec | Papa Universe
10.12.18 | Mattafix - Big City Life
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4mtfnfQoAco
from Signs of a Struggle | NeroCorleone80
10.12.18 | Does Hip-hop with heavy R&B influence count? | butcherboy
10.12.18 | can i rec a tune that's been done live but isn't part of an official release? | ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | Anything with R&B counts
Just make sure you link it | SandwichBubble
10.12.18 | Barbara Jean English - Breakin' Up A Happy Home (from the 1973 album "Barbara Jean English")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kmr8pEqt1k
Dusty version doesn't have that bass, so here's this version. | ZombieToyDuck
10.12.18 | Hell yeah, It is a kickass cover! | ZombieToyDuck
10.12.18 | Childish Gambino- Me and Your Mama (Awaken My Love)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZCsgcKa-g | NeroCorleone80
10.12.18 | Z-Ro - Doing Just Fine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbvBJnTNb4U&ab | J() Alexander
10.12.18 | My previous rec made it, nice.
I have nothing for R&B tho. Oh well. | ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | So you’re forfeiting? | J() Alexander
10.12.18 | No. Not yet. I have an idea... | ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | Thrust, you’re still in the competition, so yeah rec and link an R&B song. | tyman128
10.12.18 | The Isley Brothers - People of Today
https://youtu.be/1oFdjSs1zuA | J() Alexander
10.12.18 | Fuck it, I just finished listening to a bunch of soul pieces and this is the one I'm going with for this round. If I don't make it that's what I get for not listening to more of this stuff. Just, tell me if you already know it:
Laura Nyro - Eli's Comin'
https://youtu.be/Ve6PSCUOYvE | ArsMoriendi
10.12.18 | I don't know any songs rec'd so far :) | Frippertronics
10.13.18 | I'd imagine the cutoff for us would be, say, Monday? | Frippertronics
10.13.18 | and going by your ratings and seeing just "What's Going On," I'll be taking Marvin Gaye's You Can Leave But It's Going to Cost You
absolute classic from a very underappreciated record of his ("Here, My Dear") | ArsMoriendi
10.13.18 | No, the cutoff if Thursday afternoon.
Take your time if you want
Also link your song please | Frippertronics
10.13.18 | my b
by cutoff, I meant in the case you wanted all the songs rounded up prior to the next round beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsdUHJWz3Y | ArsMoriendi
10.13.18 | I listen to them all on Thursday night, so as long as they're in before that, you're good | Frippertronics
10.13.18 | sounds good, chief | ArsMoriendi
10.13.18 | Thrust I know that song pretty well
I thought everyone did, wasn’t it a #1 single | rodrigo90
10.13.18 | Damnit, I thought it was a resident evil related thread. | BlazinBlitzer
10.14.18 | Ok. Maybe, just maybe, this rec will work for you unlike butchermyhopesanddreamsboy.
Tyler, the Creator - "Garden Shed"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VgLwAjz4oA | JustJoe.
10.14.18 | * Maxwell -- "Luxury: Cococure" ~ [Embrya]
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jomAb6jpPJg
| ArsMoriendi
10.14.18 | bumped for Thrust! cuz he asked me to. | Masochist
10.14.18 | Anderson Paak - "Am I Wrong"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvPeJLcK2Lk | Pheromone
10.15.18 | Give me a day bb | ArsMoriendi
10.15.18 | No worries, you all have until Thursday night (EST) | VuvuzelaBzz
10.16.18 | We Need a Resolution — Aaliyah
https://open.spotify.com/track/1RCRrw1SVk9zPPZlYkdGnx | bgillesp
10.17.18 | Ooh, I won. Didn't notice this was up. I'll get a track to you tomorrow. | bgillesp
10.18.18 | Why You Treat Me So Bad- Club Nouveau | bgillesp
10.18.18 | https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b533-iuLDIs | ArsMoriendi
10.18.18 | 24 more hours or so to get those recs in guys.
11 people haven't submitted yet:
0xMe
butcherboy
Grimlin
kalkwiese
The Spirit
Pheromone
Brostep
luci
neekafat
RikRoach7
alamo | Aberf
10.18.18 | shoutbox | ArsMoriendi
10.18.18 | Yeah, I'll do that. | TheSpirit
10.18.18 | Ella Mai - Boo’d Up | Pheromone
10.18.18 | Is it be open still | Rik VII
10.18.18 | I don't know much about RnB so I wanted to pass. The only suggestion that'd come to my mind would be Janelle Monae - Electric Lady, but you already had a song of hers in this round
(but jus in case: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c_K6YSNHdgI ) | ArsMoriendi
10.18.18 | Yes Phero, it's open. Pick quickly though, I'm gonna listen to these all in like 8 hours.
Also Rik, there's no rule against picking the same artist as someone else, so yours works | neekafat
10.18.18 | Ravyn Lenae - Sticky (from Crush EP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvv2PR0ZeI | Pheromone
10.18.18 | my addition
Akua Naru - Poetry (how does it feel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anK-WR7MbaM&list=PLVu4R5eCICOq4x1ZWOsyEUKP3crCLl3Nz
more on the hip hop side of rnb but I think it defo fits the theme, fucking love this album | Grimlin
10.18.18 | Don't really know any notable R&B, and this is probably not considered R&B, but...
Kenna - Hell Bent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PovHYSQcZ4 | ArsMoriendi
10.19.18 | Listening to them now, anyone who didn't rec something is out
The rest of you will have a week for round 3 when that thread goes up in like an hour. | J() Alexander
10.19.18 | Oh boi. | ArsMoriendi
10.19.18 | New one is up |
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