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If you're wondering what a GroundHog is, then
have a look in a dictionary. |
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| If you came here to read some reviews by a very talented man of some equally talented musicians, then pull up a chair and relax. If you didn't... get out. Click here to reveal the Official GroundHog list |
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Tom Veil
Modern Worship |
| The first of all GroundHogs. Leaders of the pack, if you will. Week crowned:
Dec 2nd - Dec 9th, 2002 |
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Click pic for website |
The Review by Mike Smith |
I played this one all the way through twice - not a bad sign eh? The sound reminds me of a somewhat strange mixture of styles. First impressions were - oddly- there is early Gary Glitter (I remember him from early childhood before you say HOW OLD) , Lennon and 80's electronica in here - New Order?. Strangely, none of this is bad but quite the contrary. The sound is powerful, majestic and dense, almost dark. Vocals were acceptable if not ground breaking although I do feel that effects are for accenting SOME things. Here the whole mix is awash with heavy hall reverb - a great effect, but in moderation please- not on the whole mix. Some of the guitar riffs are a little done before, but hey, what isn't these days? The lyrics are positive and although I described the music as quite dark and gothic the melody actually carries them well and a positive message finds its way through, quite easily. I think this writer has talent and a level of vision in his music, but don't dive for the usual production mistakes of hiding slightly imperfect vocals by drenching them in reverb - this just makes the sound more distant and harder for the listener to connect with the true meaning. M |
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Bobby
Evens |
| TiGG's Second GroundHog. Week crowned:
Dec 9th - Dec 16th, 2002 |
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Click pic for website |
The Review by Mike Smith |
| This is an unusual track
for good reasons. It's perhaps the heaviest emo/attitude track I have
heard in the Modern Christian Rock genre. A sound mix of Nickelback post
Nirvana sounds entwine with the raw power of heartfelt lyrics derived
from strong faith. Something in the sound of the mix also gives me an
80's Van Halen feel (I actually liked that!) This track delivers a powerful
punch in a 'sushi' -raw way although I have some constructive comment
-as ever: The start was excellent - sit up and listen! - just the ticket-
Verse vocals are well delivered although not at all stylized (this is
not good or bad). I did feel that the verse lyric melody repeats a little
too much. - try some 3rds and 5ths or another vox harmony. The dynamics from the quiet passages to the loud ones are well constructed and I felt the song maintained its emotional content and message well until it's rather unfortunate messy ending (shame). In short - a well delivered, powerful 'live feeling' track that strongly conveys the intended message and has a vibrance of fresh new belief, although some areas need a little more musical imagination to make this a really great track. Well done guys/girl. I never knew this type of music could be so engaging. - oh -and sort the end out, will ya! M |
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MC EPITOME |
| The 3rd of all GroundHogs Week crowned:
Dec 16th - Dec 23rd, 2002 |
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Click pic for website |
The Review by Mike Smith |
| I'm so glad you sound
English - but I'm not biased. A solid track with the usual ebullient hip
hop 'don't mess cus I'm the best' message - but there's more here. I read
the lyrics on the second listen and there's quite a bit of clever humour
and attitude here. The track isn't as irritatingly in your face as some
hip hop and gently washes your brain in a mesmerizing way, and I like
this aspect. The mix and loop structure is quite simple and may have benefited from some other sound samples or an interlude / mid8 in the middle of the track - something to shake it up a bit. Sound balance and production are good. The Eminem and 2Pac influences come out clearest but I don't feel any of this track is copyist. We all draw on influences from somewhere. This artist has made a great effort for first recordings. He now needs to keep recording with different artists and to learn more about the recording process. The music so far shows a high level of maturity whilst still retaining that ever important attitude - without which - it just ain't hip hop. M |
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