Board 8 > Raetsel ranks 631 songs. [Rankings]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Yeah the lyrics of Anita arent that special but the singing and music makes up for it.

After finding this I searched for their other songs and it was only then I found out they disbanded straight after. I think one of them has some solo works though, might dig up something when I have time

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

(First Thoughts: I expected this to provoke more of a reaction. Considering my total dislike of the two Dir en Grey songs nominated two years ago, and my complete love of Ranunculus, I really thought this song would provoke an extreme reaction in one way or another. But this is just.... good? I dont love it, but I certainly dont dislike it. How distressingly normal.)

Dir en Grey is always an easy nomination for me. The band is so talented and every release is so different.

Ranunculus is a special one though.

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303: LIVE - WHERE FISHES GO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2DSEccwdm0&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=7

Nominator: azuarc (17/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (9/13)

Initial Score: 71.00 [#116]
Revised Score: 61.92 [#271]
Final Score: 61.72 [#303]

(First Thoughts: I like this songs vibe. Yeah, its another overly spiritual song (a common theme this album) and I tend to be drawn more to songs about staying in the darkness rather than this come into the light business... but theres a certain power to the singers voice and the bands performance where Im really digging this track anyway.

I think I should move it up a bit, but I want to leave it here, see how I feel about it another day.)

Speaking of very spiritual songs by the band Live that Ive lowered my opinion on because Im not in the mood for a spiritual song (or at least this type of spiritual song) at the moment, its this track!

Theres a heavier, harsher sound to the instruments that Im drawn to on this track and the singer occasionally has a deeper voice than usual, which also gets some high marks... but Im not interested in the lyrics, which drastically limits how much I can honestly say I liked the song.

[Final Thoughts: Very nice instrumentation here and probably his best vocal performance (out of the harsher songs by the band anyway, I still prefer the more pop like songs in general), but Im still lacking any connection or interest in the lyrics.]

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302: EVERY TIME I DIE - BUSINESS CASUALTY:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5rZ5DP6uPqhcF6UEabxDKT

Nominator: Bane (9/28)
Source: Ex Lives (4/14)

Initial Score: 64.10 [#181]
Revised Score: 61.56 [#274]
Final Score: 61.80 [#302]

(First Thoughts: Well, this was a convenient song. I was just asking for a song by someone who openly hated their fans and here we are. Do they play this at concerts? Do the idiots jump around and cheer? ...Rhetorical question, I dont expect you to know about their concert playlists and it doesnt really matter.)

I still like it, but the surprise of finding a song like this has worn off quite a bit... on the plus side, the singer has a very hypnotic voice on this track (the parts that arent shouted anyway) . It gives it a very bizarre, trippy feel.

...I almost wish he tried singing something psychedelic in this tone of voice, really lean into the bizarre acid trip that his voice comes so close to inspiring.

[Final Thoughts: This song definitely has a different sound compared to all of their other songs you nominated, so it was quite welcome.]

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301: CLAMS CASINO - IM GOD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY6Juy9aaiY

Nominator: rwlh (12/15)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 62.04 [#270]
Final Score: 61.84 [#301]

(First Thoughts: Song doesnt really seem to do much. It exists, but thats about it.)

I still dont get the song in the least, and it may be the most repetitive song of the topic, but I like the... weird, dream-like ambiance it gives off. Everything about the song feels like its just slightly off somehow, which is a fairly neat effect. Particularly at the outro of the song which feels very choppy.

A jump from 50 to 60 points may not seem like a lot, and there certainly are more extreme jumps (this isnt even the only 50-to-60 point jump), but I think its a very significant one. Going from total ambivalence to something I actually like is a notable event.

[Final Thoughts: Everythings just off enough to be intriguing, but not so off that it fries my mind or anything.]

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Which officially brings us to the top 300 songs! I was building a list of how many songs everyone had remaining, but the total comes out to 303... so until I find where those errors are coming from, heres a 99% accurate count:



NBIceman: 19

Cakophon: 18

Azuarc: 16
BlackDra90n: 16
FL81: 16
Murphiroth: 16

Mega_Mana: 14
The_Mighty_KELP: 14
UF8: 14

Djungelurban: 11
NFUN: 11
Rwlh: 11

Jesse_Custer: 10
LOLIAmAnAlt: 10
Player_0: 10
Toxtricity: 10

Handsomeboy: 9
Steiner: 9

Bane: 8
GavsEvans123: 8
IhatethisCPU: 8
Snake: 8

DoctorJimmy133: 7
Paulg235: 7

Metalmind_Stats: 5
Sergiocornaga: 5
Xeybozn: 5

Haste_2: 3
Shonen_Bat: 3

Hbthebattle: 2



...With apologies to whoever is currently listed as having too many nominations remaining.
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Raetsel_Lapin posted...

305: THE ANDREWS SISTERS - STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmjNIq49398

Nominator: rwlh (13/15)

Initial Score: 60.26 [#229]
Revised Score: 61.20 [#277]
Final Score: 61.60 [#305]

(First Thoughts: Well, its certainly an inspired choice. A bit too old-fashioned for my tastes, but... well its different and different is worth points for novelty value.)

Ive never played Mafia 2 or Fallout 76, so I never knew this song was on their soundtracks. Thats kinda neat. Pretty sure Ive never heard any version of this song before, but theres been enough covers (this being a cover itself, but lets not get into that) that its plausible I heard one somewhere a long time ago.

I like this. Its not the type of thing thats ever going to be my favorite, but its interesting to look back at music from a time I dont know a lot about and I do have a noted animal bias. (Not really a fan of monkeys or buzzards, but Ill take what I can get at this point.

...other than bandicoots apparently, but lets not start that conversation again.)

[Final Thoughts: A nice and incredibly retro pick, which is a welcome change of pace from everything else.]

I asked you for areas of music you weren't well versed in, and you said you knew "the greatest hits from the 50s through the 80s." That's why I thought it might be nice to give you a song even older than that. Also, you mentioned not being familiar with Broadway songs, so this filled that niche too.

Clams Casino was more of a "I really like this, let's test it out" pick rather than any specific set of criteria.

I kinda figured thats how you wound up with a song from the 40s, but since I dont really know you, there was an off-chance you were just a really big 40s song buff or something. @.@

Either way, I did like and appreciate both songs (as evidenced by them being in the I like this tier), thank you.



Count from the previous post is fixed now. I typod Mega Manas number of remaining songs on that list and somehow didnt catch it; Bane & sergio both had errors when counting songs from earlier in the topic, which should be fixed going forward.

Two more eliminations for the night,, as we officially start the top half.

(Ish. Technically 599 songs doesnt divide evenly, so Im just counting 300 as the start of the top half of songs.)

>

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300: PAT METHENY GROUP - THE ROOTS OF COINCIDENCE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAcr39zCvqM

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (10/15)

Initial Score: 70.02 [#133]
Revised Score: 61.68 [#273]
Final Score: 61.90 [#300]

(First Thoughts: A long song with some good parts in it.)

Another one of those songs where I just listened to it in its entirety twice in a row trying to find something to say and coming up with nothing. I like it, but for one of those complex musical journey songs, it never makes me feel or experience anything. Its just... good music playing in the background for several minutes. Which is good?

[Final Thoughts: I definitely like it, I just have trouble identifying why or finding anything to say about it...]

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299: FRUMS - FLASHBACKLOG:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/flashbacklog

Nominator: cakophon (18/26)
Source: vignette (14/20)

Initial Score: 71.05 [#115]
Revised Score: 62.64 [#265]
Final Score: 61.94 [#299]

(First Thoughts: [generic one word statement showing approval of song here] )

I still like this song, but trying to focus on the song enough to talk about it is actively painful. Its like.... falling through a busy signal and being bombarded by static and error tones on all sides while someone keeps banging you on the head.

Song works better when I can just space out and not attempt to focus on it or attach words to anything its doing.

[Final Thoughts: Almost two minutes of high chaos. Good as long as Im not trying to focus on it.]

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Hell yeah, it's good to be on top.

Haven't lost one in quite a while, though. I'm worried there's some rapid fire eliminations coming soon.

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Going back to 10 songs eliminated today:



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298: PERITUNE - PRAIRIE3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7dZzMA8cE4

Nominator: @FL81 (16/20)
Source: FL81s Extra Songs (5/7)

Initial Score: 62.61 [#197]
Revised Score: 62.88 [#263]
Final Score: 62.00 [#299]

(First Thoughts: Feels like the opening theme to a PSX era Action RPG. I can picture the rapid cuts showing all the fairly generic anime characters.)

Im surprised it took so long before anyone else tried nominating a PeriTune song after maclir dominated the first ranking topic.

Im also surprised that I dont have a stronger opinion towards this, considering how perfect the other song was.

It just feels like above-average VGM. Which is nice and all, but hardly the most astounding thing.

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297: EVERY TIME I DIE - PARTYING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW:

https://open.spotify.com/track/2f33zOmXnsIjFzJ17PFn6T

Nominator: Bane (7/28)
Source: Ex Lives (4/14)

Initial Score: 54.19 [#320]
Revised Score: 62.28 [#268]
Final Score: 62.08 [#297]

(First Thoughts: There are some lyrics I like here and the title is a great pun.)

Clever title, clever lyrics (I really was not expecting multiple Dostoyevsky references in my metalcore), a fall from grace, a redemption arc, and a different sound than expected from the band. One commenter referred to this as twangcore. This song kinda has everything.

Not entirely sure why Im not giving more points, but low 60s just feels right.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of their more unique songs and a standout on the album.]

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Ya go my mystery song.

Probably just jinxed myself

Just now realizing I never updated Carnivals link to point to the actual song instead of the Shooter Jennings song that wasnt actually nominated.

Spyro Gyra - Carnaval:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINekQuJHE4

For any hypothetical person who wanted a functional link posted for it.



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296: POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: GATES TO INFINITY - A FRIENDS DECISION:

https://youtu.be/GTaD2xpT8F0

Nominator: Haste_2 (3/19)
Source: Hastes Extra Songs (3/7)

Initial Score: 53.13 [#330]
Revised Score: 62.40 [#267]
Final Score: 62.12 [#296]

(First Thoughts: *something came up immediately after listening to this and there wasnt time to type anything other than the score until... three and a half hours later, so I really have nothing to say at this point. Sorry, hopefully will have a few words on the second or third listen.*)

A nice getting ready for adventure song. Like youve resolved yourself to go on EPIC QUEST and are now mentally prepared for QUESTING TIMES. Which is nice, I like it.

...its late and Im too tired to talk about an unrelated song. Just pretend I linked something stupid like the Chipmunks version of The X-Files Theme here.

[Final Thoughts: Yes, there really is a Chipmunks version of The X-Files theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wUBwdjLOxg

Its... a thing. I dont actually suggest listening to it, its just a very bad skit playing over top of the X-Files theme and its neither funny nor actual music, but it certainly exists.

(Its from an entire album of space themed Chipmunk covers, but lets not get into that. Its not one of their better albums anyway, only two decent songs.)

Nominated song is still good, still nice getting ready for a quest music, I like it and it definitely has its place.]

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295: DARK SIDE OF THE RING - BROTHERS RISING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5B0YjzE47k

Nominator: paulg235 (7/15)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 62.52 [#266]
Final Score: 62.19 [#295]

(First Thoughts: Decent background music.)

A suitably dramatic instrumental track. Its got a futuristic sound to it, makes me think of various BAD FUTURE scenarios; the destroyed future from Chrono Trigger, boss fights in the Bad Future in Sonic CD, Shadowrun in general, even looking out over the city in Transistor; if its futuristic enough, you could slot this in for background music and itd work well enough.

Cant say it makes me think of wrestling at all, but thankfully for this song, Im not judging songs based on how fitting they are for their source material.

[Final Thoughts: Still feels like a dark future track, which I like.]

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294: LENA RAINE - HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/heart-of-the-mountain

Nominator: Metalmind_Stats (5/28)
Source: Celeste Soundtrack (4/21)

Initial Score: 65.06 [#173]
Revised Score: 62.76 [#264]
Final Score: 62.23 [#294]

(First Thoughts: Enchanting.)

The only thing I can think of when reading that first thought:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnGqeVoUBnM

Either way, this is one of the more textbook definitions of an I like this song. Theres no part of it that I really want to draw attention to or focus on, it doesnt make me think of anything specific, I just... like it.

[Final Thoughts: Its very nice, whatever it is. The slow fade towards the end of the song is especially nice. It feels like its going to transition into a very meditative track at that point... could be very useful on a playlist if I found the right song to accompany it.]

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293: POPPY - IF IT BLEEDS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0gDl6GqrbiK6340HzBRuAw

Nominator: Murphiroth (16/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (11/14)

Initial Score: 61.11 [#218]
Revised Score: 63.00 [#262]
Final Score: 62.29 [#293]

(First Thoughts: Catchy, but the subject matter does nothing for me.)

I do like these songs of hers, poppymetal, that are a bit more into the pop side than the metal side (while still blending them together), but for all the news medias faults, I dont actively want an anti-news song? Though I think I like it more than Tools take on the subject matter at least...

[Final Thoughts: It has an interesting sound to it, but Im still not really into the lyrics.

And obviously Tool - Vicarious has been moved up the list since that was written.]

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292: STURGILL SIMPSON - VOICES:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7e8KTrlIt6SeImB3vM98ZF

Nominator: Xeybozn (5/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (3/10)

Initial Score: 54.44 [#311]
Revised Score: 64.44 [#250]
Final Score: 62.34 [#292]

(First Thoughts: Lyrics are good-ish.)

Thank you, past me, for that exciting insight into this track. Where would we be without you? Well, not like I have anything of value to say about it either.

Ill say this is one of his more traditional country songs (not a bad thing, or a good thing, just a statement) and theres one great line: And the memories like coal dust stain the window of my eyesthat is the exact level of sadness that Im looking for.

[Final Thoughts: Its just a good, traditional country song. Nothing wrong with that.]

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291: JUNYA NAKANO - RASDAN / TO THE ULTIMATE RELIC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdvqC1In6yI

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (10/15)

Initial Score: 62.15 [#201]
Revised Score: 65.52 [#241]
Final Score: 62.40 [#291]

(First Thoughts: I dont know why the video title and nominated name are so different, but alright. Makes me want to give Threads of Fate another try... I got lost in some forest and just gave up. Probably should have just looked up a guide or something, but I didnt.)

It does a fantastic job of making me want to play the game, so thats something to be commended for. But while I enjoy it and want to play a game featuring it, I dont find it very inspiring. Possibly because the only thing I remember from Threads of Fate is being stuck in a forest for hours, so I cant actually picture anything other than being trapped in a video game forest.(And this doesnt even really sound particularly forest-y, so it doesnt even work for that type of ambience.)

Still like it though.

[Final Thoughts: Good song that I like, but dont have any specific reaction to other than like.]

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And the last two of the night:

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290.SLAP CITY - TOR:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HOlkzW2Abm0

Nominator: Shonen_Bat (3/27)
Source: Shonens Extra Songs (3/7)

Initial Score: 52.28 [#344]
Revised Score: 64.20 [#252]
Final Score: 62.48 [#290]

(First Thoughts: I think it would work well in context for this type of fighting game, but Im not feeling it as a standalone track.)

...Somehow this reminds me of DuckTales and feels like a battle theme for a supercharged Optional Boss version of Scrooge McDuck.

No, that doesnt make any sense at all and there is absolutely no reason for this song & DuckTales to be linked in my mind, but they are, and now I cant associate this song with anything else. Thankfully, I like the image, so it kinda works out?

[Final Thoughts:

You, a Person Capable of Rational Thought: You cannot award more than 60 points to a song purely because youve decided it sounds like Scrooge McDuck!

Me, a Delusional Bunny: haha money bin security go brrrrr]

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289: SEVENTH WONDER - THE EDGE OF MY BLADE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Mem3Qw4WM

Nominator: @FL81 (15/20)
Source: FL81s Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 68.33 [#152]
Revised Score: 65.40 [#242]
Final Score: 62.54 [#289]

(First Thoughts: Pretty decent revenge song, but the singer doesnt sound quite angry enough to fully sell it.)

I like the idea of the song, a medieval fantasy revenge song with swords and (probably metaphorical) ravens. I like the genre, that only slightly intense style of hard rock and/or metal that isnt actually that intense (Im presuming this is another symphonic metal song, but again, lets not pretend I know what genres are). I like some of the lyrics; weve got swords, ravens, the futility of revenge, yadda yadda yadda, its good stuff.

Just not fully sold on the vocal performance. I wouldnt say I disliked it or had any concrete complaints about it, but Im just not really into him.

[Final Thoughts: Pretty good song, I like it.]

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Raetsel_Lapin posted...

: I dont know why the video title and nominated name are so different, but alright.

there's like 4-5 different tracknames for every song between every release/translation/etc of this soundtrack. on top of the game being called both threads of fate/dewprism haha.

rasdan is actually a weird translation of 'final dungeon', which is also known as 'to the ultimate relic' and "valen's fortress"
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Ooh, I was actually expecting Prairie3 to be my #1 placing song haha ;>_> (actually this just means my other stuff placed better!)

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

I like the genre, that only slightly intense style of hard rock and/or metal that isnt actually that intense (Im presuming this is another symphonic metal song, but again, lets not pretend I know what genres are)

Progressive Power Metal is probably the best genre description for this (although other stuff in the genre is a lot more intense lol)

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Ah. I figured it was probably some weird translation thing, but usually I can see at least some similarity being different translations... thank you.

Considering how off-the-wall my rankings tend to be, Im always surprised anyone has guesses on how any of their songs would do. </.<

And thank you for the genre information again.



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288: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE RIVERLANDS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-riverlands

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (14/32)

Initial Score: 64.29 [#178]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 62.55 [#288]

(First Thoughts: I dunno. It feels like something I should love and it does a respectable job of consistently ramping up in intensity for the entire runtime, but I feel like the score shouldnt get far above the 64 point mark. Its rather odd.)

Another day, another technically impressive song that doesnt do much for me. I like it, I definitely do like it, but... I dunno. Without any connection to the song or any favorite parts of it, I find it hard to give it more than 60 points or talk about it even in the most superficial of ways.

[Final Thoughts: I never really click with this song. Its like the early instruments are theoretically beautiful, to a point where Im aware that I should love them, but Im lacking an emotional connection to it.

Then it becomes a metal remix, because of course it does, but the song actually does it well? Like it definitely ramps up in intensity, but it never loses the core beauty of the song and I should be raving about its greatness... but I still just dont quite like it as much as I definitely should. This songs bounced around the 60sIve thought about having it as the first eliminated, or moving it up to be the last of the 60s, but after lots of re-listens and repositioning... it just kinda winds up here, I guess.]

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287: ESTHERO - HEAVEN SENT:

https://youtu.be/0YoE2CWg2EI

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (10/15)

Initial Score: 50.67 [#394]
Revised Score: 51.73 [#412]
Final Score: 62.59 [#287]

(First Thoughts: I should probably do a lot of introspection about why Im not as into this as it seems like I should be. Like in terms of things Ive praised before, weve got:

A: A song the artist has refused to explain, leaving the audience free to make their own conclusions.

B: Is possibly a villainous song? Its usually presumed to be a murder ballad, says some guy on the internet, so its at least villain adjacentif you subscribe to the beliefs about the killing being literal killing and not, like, a metaphor or something.

And the song is performed well enough, i have no objections to the singer or the band or the instruments. And when you look at that, you kinda say well, theres a song Raetsels really going to like, and I just...dont. Its hypocritical, ooh, look at these people nominating exactly the thing you asked for, but Im not a fan of this. At least, not after the first listen. And I kinda need to try to work out where things went wrong.

So for Point A, I do like songs being open to interpretation, but theres a wide variety of beliefs about this song and I very actively hate some of them. Theres also one interpretation (that I personally dont believe) that I would possibly love if it was true. So the song probably fluctuates anywhere between 30 to 70 points depending on which interpretation Im going withand Ill get into those into a minute.

With Point B, I never gave it any thought before Johnbobbs villain song topic, but there are a few specific types of villain songs that I enjoy. In no particular order:

1.I love songs where the villain expresses, even briefly, a moment of regret. This is best exemplified by my most listened to song for almost four years running, Gamma Unchained:

Forgive me for what I have done
I've never felt the need to confess

....

I've cheated, the lies that I've told
Is for a future that I have seen
The death, the lives that I've stole
The end has to justify the means

Simply perfection. I could speak of the song all day, but moving on...

2.I love cartoonish villains. Evil is fine, evil is fun, but I like it to be less realistic. Face Up, Face Down from that Yu-Gi-Oh! album is probably the best example:

What's wrong now
You look so sad?
Losing your soul doesn't feel that bad
Those you love have told me so
And soon my friends
You too will know

Stealing peoples souls through a card game is awesome. Its blatantly fictitious and its fun. Its still evil, hes not just trying to take the main characters soul but bragging about hurting their loved ones, but its a FUN evil. Alice Coopers Man Behind the Mask would also be a reasonable example; Jasons not a cartoon character, but hes gone to space and fought the cast of Mortal Kombat, so were not exactly dealing with someone particularly realistic. (Also every time Alice Cooper sings Hes come out of his hole, it makes me picture Jason as an evil gopher, and let me sayI love this image).

3.Along the same lines, I like theatrical villains. Give me big, loud, boisterous villains wholl ham up the stage. Something like E.G.G.M.A.N. where hes openly singing about how hes going to destroy everyone without mercy (from my machines there is no retreat), but is clearly having grand ol time dancing & singing his own name.

Or to put it a simpler way: Compared to Johnbobb, I look for the exact opposite in my villain songs. And can I just say how weird it is that at least one write-up in all my topics involves talking about Johnbobb, yet hes never popped into any of them? Three years now Ive been talking about him and his tastes in music and he doesnt even know it, its getting a bit awkward now. Notice me, Johnbobb-senpai! </.<

...AAANYWHO, Heaven Sent doesnt hit any of those categories. If were taking the song at surface level then the singer just killed her boyfriends ex; or someone her boyfriend probably fucked at any rate. Its too grounded, too realistic, too ripped from the headlines. Theres nothing theatrical or cartoonish about crimes about passion, and as such, nothing in it to interest me.

At least, if were taking the common belief. Theres another theory that the song is really about abortion, in which case, weve gone way too far along the realism path and the song would be lucky to get a 30 from me. Theres an argument to be made that maybe shes just sleeping with a married man and metaphorically killing the other woman by destroying her life, which... I also do not care about as a story? I suspect realistic murder ballad and cheating ballad probably score similarly (barring extreme cases like Back 2 Good by Matchbox Twenty from last years topic, which is a marvelous song in spite of the subject matter).

But theres one alternate belief out there... that the woman the singer has killed is her own past self, that shes been corrupted and the old her is dead now. Now that is a story that gets you big pointsIve been saying I want more dissociation in my music. But Im not sold on that explanation. You can read it that way, and theres nothing to prove thats not how the song is meant, but... Im leaning towards murder ballad myself. And that gives you points in the low 50s. For now; its possible I might come around on the song later, either out of praise for the uncertainty of the lyrics or because Ive found an explanation I really like or maybe Ill just suddenly like the singer more, I dunno. Like Ive said, initial scores mean nothing.)

Theres an INXS song called Heaven Sent? Drop everything youre doing, were going to listen to that right now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fydm01xmeqk

...Wow, I do not like that all. I wanted to pretend to be a rabid INXS fangirl and try to turn them into a meme, but seriously, I do not want to listen to that song.

[You wonder if a pool table would improve the song, but decide not to inquire, so as to not further indulge her ridiculous flights of fancy.]

Aaanywho... back to the actual song: I still dont particularly like it. It does appear to do most of things Ive asked songs to do, but I still never connect with it. And I already spent enough time trying to analyze why that was in my First Thoughts (most songs were lucky to get a complete sentence, but this song got quite a bit of unrelated rambling as I tried to work out my thoughts), so Im just going to call it a night here.

...oh yeah, I do find it funny that someone actually nominated Gamma Unchained. Id done this First Thoughts section before the History Repeating albums were nominated or I probably wouldnt have used that as my initial example.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Catchy enough to be moved up to 60 points, though still not my choice of subject matter.

Also, youll probably point out that INXS Heaven Sent also appeared in Make My Video: INXS and let me make it clearthere is exactly one INXS song I care about and it is not Heaven Sent.

...okay, more seriously (though still wildly off-topic) I kinda like Devil Inside & Never Tear Us Apart. Bitter Tears is....probably catchy enough that I probably like it, but Ive never gone out of my way to listen to it and cant say Ive heard it enough to have a strong opinion. Heaven Sent and Baby Dont Cry are just things I played once in context of the game, remarked to myself about how blatantly inferior to Not Enough Time they are, and promptly forgot they existed. ]

[Final Thoughts: She has a nice voice.]

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286: PSO2 - EROSION OF NIGHTMARE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWi6S4iOStY&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=16

Nominator: NFUN (11/37)

Initial Score: 51.31 [#363]
Revised Score: 65.16 [#244]
Final Score: 62.62 [#286]

(First Thoughts: While I do like how it ramps up in tension, its only like 20 seconds long. It manages to hit the very tense feeling I want it to invoke and its a well-done 20 seconds, but it needs to be longer to escape the low 50s.)

*shrugs* Or not, Ill move an extremely short song up to the mid 60s if I feel like it.

Its a very suspenseful and intense 20 seconds that I highly enjoy, but it obviously leaves me wanting more. It also just seems to stop rather abruptly; we steadily build up in pressure and intensity and then... stop. Theres no grand crescendo that becomes completely overwhelming, nor is there any cooldown period to relax. It just...stops. Which, I guess, can work in context, but just feels unsatisfying here.

===============



================

285: JUKIO KALLIO - REFLECTION (CENTER OF THE EARTH MIX):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJXKBLeXK9c

Nominator: MetalmindStats (4/28)
Source: Metalmind Extra Songs (1/7)

Initial Score: 74.02 [#74]
Revised Score: 67.83 [#222]
Final Score: 62.68 [#285]

(First Thoughts: I didnt remember there was a remix of Confronting Myself. Its pretty neat; not as good as the original, but more interesting because Im less familiar with it.)

Its still a nifty song, but once the surprise of finding it has worn off, it loses some of its novelty and impact. Especially since I see no reason Id ever pick this song over Confronting Myself, which doesnt leave much room for this song at allif youre not even the best version of a specific song at this ranking, where do you wind up? Mid-to-upper 60s, I guess.

[Final Thoughts: Im going to stick with nifty as the main adjective.]

===============



===============

METALMINDS EXTRA SONGS:

Celestial Resort (Good Karma Mix): 53.17 [R#29]
Mirror Temple (Mirror Magic Mix): 66.11 [R#23]
Golden Ridge (Golden Feather Mix): 100 [R#4]

Forsaken City (Sever the Skyline Mix): 50.86 [#492]
Summit (No More Running Mix): 55.15 [#399]
The Core (Say Goodbye Mix): 60.09 [#328]
Reflection (Center of the Earth Mix): 62.68 [#286]

Average Score: 64.0085714285

A respectable set of nominations. While there was only one song that I loved, there wasnt a single song that I disliked and the average score is firmly in the I like this tier.

===============
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That was my last epic battle theme go brrrrr so I'm not too surprised to see it drop. Hope my last two do well.

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284: LINKIN PARK - NOBODYS LISTENING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ87793QXes&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=11

Nominator: Mega_Mana (13/18)
Source: Meteora (10/13)

Initial Score: 53.16 [#328]
Revised Score: 59.43 [#302]
Final Score: 62.72 [#284]

(First Thoughts: Its another song that does everything I thought I wanted, but I dunno...)

I feel like this might be a bit too close to being soul-crushing for my tastes. I got a heart full of pain should be the type of blunt sadness I want, but it just feels.... too painful, to be quite honest.

So while this does check several boxes for me (I wanted to try listening to this band, I wanted more rap songs, I wanted more sad songs), it doesnt get nearly as high of a score as either of us would have expected.

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================

283: EVERY TIME I DIE - THIRST:

https://open.spotify.com/track/54EUhmQl3rAl7cuCsrkZkt

Nominator: Bane (6/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown Deluxe Edition (3/14)

Initial Score: 5.16 [#571]
Revised Score: 30.00 [#553]
Final Score: 30.30 (upgraded to 62.80) [#283]

(First Thoughts: Well, at least its short.)

...Right, Ive been staring blankly at this spot for 20 minutes and have yet to find a single word to say about this song. Its one of those tracks. The ones that just...are.

Not bad enough to be worth complaining about.

Not good enough to be worth praising.

Not mysterious because the singer has told you what its about.

Not worth discussing the meaning because Howard Sterns a bit ego-maniacal and some people are desperate to be seen as good even though they arent are rather direct and uncontroversial?

Not long enough to overstay its welcome.

Not short enough for a is something this short even a song? writeup.

Not especially forgettable.

The song quite simply is.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: There are some better lines in here than I remembered there being.

...life goes on
But when it dont anymore Ill see you in Hell where
I am God

Blasphemy is always worth a few extra points. And the end of the song, when it slows down a bit, is kinda nice...

*twitches ears*

I still dont think I quite like this, but the 30 point tier is too low. Gotta bump this up to at least the low 40s.]

[Later: Its a simple thing, but I do like way the song slows down after he shouts wait. Its not quite fourth wall breaking, but its fun. I think Im moving this up to the very low 50s.]

[Still Later: Ehhh... low 60s, maybe? It either has to be the last song of the 50s or one of the very first songs of the 60s... I guess I like this enough to move it up slightly.]

[Final Thoughts: This songs come a long way from the first trip through the list, where it was one of the lowest ranked. Its a pretty massive jump from the I hate this tier to the I like this tier where it wound up.]

================



==============

282: DONGA - GOLIMAAR SONG, CHIRANJEEVI, RADHA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2tOlfLEHZI

Nominator: paulg235 (6/15)

Initial Score: 40.26 [#506]
Revised Score: 67.59 [#224]
Final Score: 62.84 [#282]

(First Thoughts: Should be something I enjoy (comedy song, foreign song, supernatural references), but its not working for me tonight.)

This song is strangely addicting. Hes not my favorite singer by a long shot, but the song is so much fun that it almost doesnt matter. And while Im trying not to let music videos influence me this time around, the dance is also fun.

This is one of those songs that I could see moving further up the list later on. I think Im going to get trapped in a loop of Aww, I dont want to eliminate this yet and keep moving it up for a few days... though obviously its a bit hard to guess how far Ill wind up taking it in the end.

[Final Thoughts: Another in the long line of things I should like more than I actually do, though I do actually like this a fair amount..]

================
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I came very close to nominating Golimaar for Jesse_Custer's music video ranking topic

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Last two of the night:



============

281: PSO2 - TEARS OF THE MOON ~ SELENE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f5D0VDONPI&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=13

Nominator: NFUN (10/37)

Initial Score: 51.60 [#358]
Revised Score: 63.84 [#255]
Final Score: 62.90 [#281]

(First Thoughts: I think I need to listen to this again (which I will, obviously, but I meant that in a I actually want to listen to this again and not because I literally have to way). I think thisll probably get closer to the 60s once Im more used to it?)

Ive always said it was impossible for lyrics to be too blunt with their sadness, but this song comes pretty close to over doing it:

Can you see my pain?
Im alive
Feeling sad
On the dark side of the moon

Its so...overly blunt that it becomes kinda funny, which makes the song rather ill-suited for my purposes. I still like it and it was a very good attempt, but its not quite what I was looking for.

As for the song itself: Im not a big fan of the singer on this track and it feels a bit...slow. Which isnt usually a bad thing, but feels off here. Possibly because this is again a remix of part of Moonlight Sonata? Its like having to stick so closely to Beethovens original song holds this back and keeps it from doing its own thing.

[Final Thoughts: One of those its one of those things I asked for, but now that its here, Im not as into it as I thought it would be type songs.]

===============



===============

280: POPPY - BITE YOUR TEETH:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5lOeGNKql3IUxkVL4z4UAs

Nominator: Murphiroth (15/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (10/14)

Initial Score: 62.16 [#200]
Revised Score: 63.12 [#261]
Final Score: 62.94 [#280]

(First Thoughts: One of the more unique musical journeys Ive been through. I should probably move this up a bit, but well keep it down here for first impressions and see where it hits on another day.)

Its definitely weird and I appreciate weird nominations, but its another of those songs where Im not sure how much I actually like the song itself. Im not a fan of the lyrics (though I dont actively dislike them) and Im not drawn to any part of the song, but its so far out there that I think I like it anyway.

[Final Thoughts: I never know what to make of this track. And I always confuse it with Concretesomehow I always think the chewy chewy, yummy yummy yummy part has to be in the song with Teeth in the title.]

===============
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"Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth." - Alan Watts

Song always brings to mind that quote.

Bite Your Teeth rules

---

Going back to 15 songs tonight, heres the first three:



==============

279: TOOL - LOST KEYS (BLAME HOFMAN):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCM7Qig9qI&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=7

Nominator: Steiner (9/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (6/11)

Initial Score: 65.14 [#171]
Revised Score: 66.99 [#229]
Final Score: 63.49 [#279]

(First Thoughts: Like Ive said: I like spoken word bits and very atmospheric tracks, so yeah, I like this a fair amount. Hospitals arent exactly my favorite type of atmosphere, but sure, Ill take it.)

Be honest, you actually thought I was going to rank this intro to Rosetta Stoned over the actual song itself, didnt you?

...I mean that would be one of the most me decisions ever, but I do prefer the actual song. Also, Im kinda glad the two tracks are separate; this seems like the type of intro that I would occasionally enjoy by itself and Rosetta Stoned is long enough without this song being permanently attached to it.

[Final Thoughts: It takes a bit too long to get to the spoken bits. Like this song is just an intro to another song, but the intro to the intro is over two minutes long. You could literally fit an entire song in the intro of the intro to the actual song.]

===============



===============

278: TOOL - ROSETTA STONED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnlhVVwBfew&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=8

Nominator: Steiner (8/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (5/11)

Initial Score: 49.99 [#420]
Revised Score: 51.17 (upgraded to 67.11) [#228]
Final Score: 63.50 [#278]

(First Thoughts: I was actively hoping to never hear this song again. Why couldnt you have nominated the album with Lateralus on it? I liked that song. </.<

More seriously... this is not as bad as I remembered it. I have only a slight dislike of it; Ill still never listen to it voluntarily, but I thought I hated it and its certainly better than I thought.)

[LATER: The joke from last ranking was that the intro was originally way, way above the actual song and its only recently that Rosetta Stoned was moved up to its level.]

Well I dont want an overly vulgar song or a drug use song. So. Yeah.

It does have some things I like; the fast, stream of consciousness talking; the fact that its one of the better 11+ minute long songs (its rare a song goes on that long without me being bored with it); non-human lifeforms, even if the aliens turned out to just be a drug-induced hallucination, theres still some bias for at least including the idea of aliens. I guess I like this? Mildly?

[Later: Okay, so I do actually like this. I think the low 60s fit it better than the low 50s.]

[Final Thoughts: Id have still preferred Lateralus making a return rather than Rosetta Stoned, but I do like this too. Though it certainly took a long time to get to that point...]

===============



================

277: POPPY - I DISAGREE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/61ypvgEm3ovCFbSIq2PsRX

Nominator: Murphiroth (14/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (9/14)

Initial Score: 62.15 [#201]
Revised Score: 70.64 [#201]
Final Score: 63.60 [#277]

(First Thoughts: I like the lyrics, the chorus, and the general feel of the song but the more metal portions of the song give me a slight headache.)

Feels more pop or rock than metal, so maybe Im building up more of a tolerance for heavier metal songs than I had at the start of this ranking?

Song is good, but hard to find anything to say about; I dont really care to get into her issues with Titanic Sinclair (its not really my business anyway) and I do not have the time to get deep into POPPYLORE to debate on if this is song is her rebelling against They or whatever.

Let it all burn down and move on to the next song.

[Final Thoughts: I still love the chorus, but Im not sure why I had this getting such a massive jump between the Initial & Revised Scores.]

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===============

276: OUTKAST - B.O.B. (BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPGWd0m4v0

Nominator: rwlh (11/15)

Initial Score: 61.28 [#211]
Revised Score: 63.24 [#260]
Final Score: 63.75 [#276]

(First Thoughts: The outro is too repetitive and lasts too long, I rarely like it when a song decides to end by just repeating the same thing over and over. I respect how...fast the song is, but it doesnt leave me any time to appreciate anything as its constant rapid-fire from start to end.

Entire articles could be (and should be, and probably have been) written about how the song took on a life on its own, being treated as a pro-Iraq war song in spite of so very many reasons it isnt (such as being written years before this particular Iraq war started, amongst many others), but that is an exercise left to people that can write competently and actually want to write such an article.)

Another impressive song that I like but dont love, because I dont have any favorite lyrics or specific moments that I become attached to. Its an important nomination since (as Ive said before) I need more exposure to rap music & this is rather distinct compared to other rap songs that get nominated, but still just at the I like this level.

[Final Thoughts: Important song that I like, but dont really love. Very appreciated though.]

===============



===============

275: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE HIGHLANDS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-highlands

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (13/32)

Initial Score: 55.05 [#305]
Revised Score: 69.03 [#212]
Final Score: 63.90 [#275]

(First Thoughts: Neither the best, nor the worst, this is in that slightly above average range that doesnt inspire much thought.)

This feels like two different songs playing back-to-back. The first feels like a dramatic resolution theme; like someone important to the main character has been abducted or seriously injured and the heros done holding back against the antagonists, as we seem them readying their equipment for DRAMATIC BATTLE.

Then at the around 1:30 mark we abandon this entirely to... Im not sure what, honestly, other than being quiet. Its a bit like something out of Wild ARMs, only not quite, and it doesnt inspire much for me other than not Wild ARMs... but its nice. I actually do like both halves of this song.

[Final Thoughts: I really like the second half of the song, but Im back to being less interested in the opening metal half of it... still works out to being worth more than 60 points, but I dont think its as close to hitting 70 points as the Revised Score indicated.]

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===============

274: MOONLIGHT HAZE - THE RABBIT OF THE MOON:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7wZtgKnzj7Deq3VWznDQr4?si=6xqJdxj7SVev3zTziSTmSQ

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (7/15)

Initial Score: 64.00 [#182]
Revised Score: 63.72 [#256]
Final Score: 64.32 [#274]

(First Thoughts: I havent worked out exactly how much I like this (in part because I understand roughly 0% of this song), but I do like it. Probably? 64 points sounds right and thats a respectable score.)

I actually hadnt heard the story of the rabbit in the moon before. I know it seems like the type of thing I would have had to have looked up at some point, but t just wasnt actually relevant to anything before this nomination.

I suppose this is another song Im obligated to like. Symphonic metal, bunnies (well, bunny singular, I suppose), a chance to learn somethingeven something fairly insignificant like this taleit does check a lot of boxes in terms of things I like. And yet, this song cant rise above the I like this tier. Sorry, but it was a good attempt.

[Final Thoughts: Really, really should have kept a songs Im supposed to like more than I do tab. Theres so many...

...still, many thanks for the attempt, I can see why you would have expected a very high score for it.]

============
---

I was genuinely unsure about pretty much all of my selections, and was genuinely surprised the G.O.D. theme went as high as it did. Speaking of, I actually like the one with lyrics less than the instrumental, not... wholly sure why.

Also kind of surprised by what's left on my list, other than Tourner Dans Le Vide and Starlight Scene, and... I wasn't sure those would be past this point as is. ^_^'

---

================

273: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - FLAMESGRACE, GUIDING LIGHT:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/flamesgrace-guiding-light

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (12/32)

Initial Score: 52.66 [#338]
Revised Score: 64.32 [#251]
Final Score: 64.50 [#273]

(First Thoughts: Its nice, but doesnt make me think of anything specific.)

Still nice, still doesnt really make me think of anything specific. It starts off rather hopeful and then transitions into being triumphant, so I think it could work as either an End Credits theme or a final cutscene montage before the end credits theme, which is neat & obviously has its place... but I need a bit more imagery than credits to be particularly inspired. Wow, this song makes me feel like Im watching a list of names slowly scroll upwards from the bottom of the screen!!, said no one ever.

[Final Thoughts: Unlike most of the songs from this album, Flamesgrace doesnt waste time trying to go hard or be epic. It starts off as a simple and pretty song and actually keeps that feeling going for the entire song. I cannot emphasize how much I prefer that over most of the songs on the album.

Unfortunately, its still not quite pretty enough. This song is a big step forward for the album, but its not quite there yet.]

===============



===============

272: HUUN HUUR TU - CHIRAA-KHOOR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bDntRWfL70

Nominator: rwlh (10/15)

Initial Score: 51.39 [#361]
Revised Score: 64.68 [#248]
Final Score: 65.00 [#272]

(First Thoughts: I...uhh.... dont know that I actually like this, but I like how theyre making horselike clip-clop sounds to sell the journeying on a horse motif and that its very, very distinct from all other songs at this topic or any other. Its certainly memorable and will stay with me, so Im pretty sure 51 points is the lowest I can give it.

...that Im not giving it any more points than that probably says a lot.)

I dont want to give this song any less than 60 points because I want to encourage more nominations of unique experiences that Id never come across outside these topics. And I do like it, I just think I like it more for novelty reasons & horse reasons than actual song reasons? Im probably never going to be a fan of these types of traditional instruments or throat singing, so its not quite my style of song... but its interesting, unique, and and horse related so its still good.

[Final Thoughts: A good and very unique nomination, as well as one of the few animal related songs. Nifty.]

===============



===============

271: TOOL - RIGHT IN TWO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bndL7wwAj0U&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=10

Nominator: Steiner (7/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (4/11)

Initial Score: 29.99 [#540]
Revised Score: 21.49 [#574]
Final Score: 53.19 (upgraded to 65.00) (upgraded to 65.50) [#271]

(First Thoughts: Long song... Im a bit turned off by Biblical references and angels and it all falls apart once we hit the interlude. I dislike the drumming for reasons I cant place and then the song just becomes quite unpleasant once it intensifies.)

In a rare twist, I actually prefer the parts focusing on Maynards vocals, but either way, this just isnt something I want right now. Dont want to think about God, or angels, or Bible stories, or war, or humanity killing each itself, and I certainly dont want that headache inducing bridge or its preceding interlude.

I at least see the appeal of this track, which is something?

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I kinda like parts of this tonight. Being from the perspective of angels does make this one of the very, very few songs sung by a non-human character and as far as humanity killing themselves songs go I think this might be better than the one by Live (White, Discussion)? At least, its a lot closer than this abysmally low score implies.

Lets move this to the same level as White, Discussion and revisit it later.]

[Still Not Final: Definitely better than White, Discussion. But I dont really have any clue where I want to throw this song now.]

[Later: ...I dont know, 53.19 points? I do lose interest towards the end when it becomes a bit too intense, but Id say my feelings towards the track are generally positive. Lets see how the list looks with this song getting that score and work from there.]

[STILL LATER: ...This is starting to become a pet song that keeps getting moved further and further up the list. Lets try mid-60s for the score?]

[Final Thoughts: 65 and a half points feels good for this. Ive definitely started liking the early parts of the song, but the instrumental interlude is not to my liking... and then the song becomes as aggressively loud as anything on Aenima and I do not like it. But there are definitely enough high points to the song that I want it in the mid 60s score-wise. Certainly the positives greatly outweigh the negatives, though it took quite a few listens before I came to that opinion.

Also, this song jumped over 300 rankings between the Revised and Final Rankings, so thats neat.]

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===============

270: PSO2 - EDEN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihVI-PiFR8Y&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=36

Nominator: NFUN (9/37)

Initial Score: 65.97 [#163]
Revised Score: 65.28 [#243]
Final Score: 65.80 [#270]

(First Thoughts: Id been dreading this almost 14 minute long song since I first saw it. Not that there arent long songs that I enjoy, but its easier for a song to outlast its welcome than it is to hold my interest that long. But I actually like this a fair amount.)

Ultra dramatic super long boss theme hyperforce go!

Its actually quite good for its genre. Even at 13+ minutes long, the song never feels like its taking too long or needlessly extending itself, and it manages to convey all the sense of an EPIC BATTLE without falling into any of the usual this song is trying too hard to be epic and bores me to sleep traps that usually get these types of songs.

[Final Thoughts: Probably the best of its genre.]

================



===============

269: MAMOMO - (SEA OF CLOUDS WALK) [MAMOMO #5]:

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--49

Nominator: @FL81 (14/20)
Source: mamomo album (11/13)

Initial Score: 73.66 [#77]
Revised Score: 66.00 [#237]
Final Score: 66.00 [#269]

(First Thoughts: Its like exploring a forest at the start of an RPG. A simple, low-level dungeon that acts more as a tutorial than a serious challenge. Its nice.)

Its a very nice, peaceful sounding song. Im not quite as into this song as I was the first time, likely because Im just not in the mood to imagine walking through a forest right now. Still a very pleasant ambient track that Im thankful for and appreciate when Im in the right mood for it, so thank you.

[Final Thoughts: It is quite pretty, though still not quite top tier levels of beauty.]

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===============

268: THE WEEKND - THE BIRDS, PT. 2:

https://open.spotify.com/track/51LmI5GE3tHKISLNZMjDPC

Nominator: Player_0 (9/30)

Initial Score: 51.08 [#373]
Revised Score: 66.12 [#236]
Final Score: 66.12 [#268]

(First Thoughts: Yay gunshots!)

By this point on the album I was begging for ANYTHING that wasnt a drug filled orgy, swearing that Id even take some songs about suicide at this point just so I could at least complain about a different topic.

Then this song opened with crying and a gunshot and I was just so, so happy. I didnt even care who she shot; herself, one of the other women, the guy. It didnt matter; for at least the duration of this one song, we would finally be free.

And its....kinda good? Still too much focus on drugs, sex, and vulgarity but I still like listening to it, so thats progress.

[Final Thoughts: Its certainly distinct on the album. Besides the gunshot, theres a really nice stretch starting just before the two minute mark: the distorted, ghostly female vocals and a hint of static? Im so there for that type of thing. And Abels voice is nice enough herenot his best vocal performance, but hes talented enough that I rarely complain about his performance.

Lyrics dont really work for me, but I do like it and it was a welcome change of pace.]

===============
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And the last three of the night:



==============

267: TOOL - DIE EIER VON SATAN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82XqhHYwB-Q&list=OLAK5uy_k_Z0-DYw0_cGPvZm6icNUGbefRT4wktdY&index=10

Nominator: Steiner (6/26)
Source: Aenima (3/15)

Initial Score: 70.05 [#131]
Revised Score: 66.36 [#234]
Final Score: 66.15 [#267]

(First Thoughts: Funny and unique enough that I genuinely like it.)

The problem with songs that get a bunch of points for the surprise factor initially is that its difficult to still be surprised on repeat listens. Stumbling onto this song the first time was amazing: I wasnt expecting the more industrial sound from this band, for it to be an industrial type song that is still tame enough that I enjoy listening to it, or for the joke of the lyrics being a recipe in German.

...but theres no surprise factor anymore and now that the novelty has worn off, Im not enjoying this nearly as much.

[Final Thoughts: I think I also have a personal connection to this song. I vaguely recall Important Person (the one referenced when talking about Magical Trevor and from certain writeups last year) trying to tell me about some German metal song that everyone thought was a demonic song but was just a recipe.

I didnt really understand what he was going on about (I thought he was talking about a German band that... like had this as their gimmick or something), but theres a fair chance that hed just discovered this song and was trying to tell me about it. Theres no way to find out if this song is indeed what he was talking about, but theres also no way to prove that it isnt... so its kinda-sorta-nostalgic? Not exactly since I never heard the song before, but its still associated with a very specific time & place (and conversation) so...

Thankfully, I dont have to pretend to be objective at my own topics and can like things for any off-topic reason that I happen to like them.]

===============



================

266: PSO2 - LUNAR BASE ~ STAND BY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkrkgw_0pHA&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=17

Nominator: NFUN (8/37)

Initial Score: 55.01 [#306]
Revised Score: 64.56 [#249]
Final Score: 66.20 [#266]

(First Thoughts: Im describing way too many songs as pleasant, but I cant find any other words I want to use to describe this.)

Its just a very nice song, not much else to say about it.

*sits there for 15 minutes*

....Yeah, I got nothing else.

[Later: I still have nothing to add to this song, but in light of you giving me odd remixes of a Beethoven song, heres this...weird...thing I found.

Super Robot Wars F Final (Sega Saturn) - Symphony No 9 Presto (4th Movement):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVSFmWkqPuA

...I dont like it and theres no valid reason to post it, but its kinda tangentially related to other songs on the soundtrack you nominated?]

[Final Thoughts: Lunar Base is still a nice song, but I still can find nothing to say about it.]

===============



===============

265: THE DEAR HUNTER - THE BITTER SUITE VI: ABANDON:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0aJ5ij9xVVXTU9IqYKsilc

Nominator: NBIceman (19/22)
Source: Act IV: Rebirth in Repose (12/15)

Initial Score: 53.40 [#323]
Revised Score: 59.50 [#301]
Final Score: 66.30 [#265]

(First Thoughts: I dont know why this song is as high up the list as it is.)

A: Were moving away from the stolen identity plot a bit and going into a far more interesting one, with Hunter & The PimpPriest trying to manipulate and destroy each other. The song represents hope that the story is about to pick up with a superior plotline.

B: Its partially a villain song, thanks to PimpinPriests lines and I must admit, I rather like You couldnt compromise, so keep playing with fire as a line.

Still not my favorite song. The outros too long, the song ends abruptly (I know, youre supposed to listen to the whole album in one sitting, blah blah blah seamless transition, that doesnt work when you are judging individual songs), and its merely a promise that something interesting is going to happen in a later track. But it is a notable step forward for the album.

[Not-Quite-Final: Low 60s.]

[Final Thoughts: Mid-60s; its had a decent rise through the ranks.]

===============
---

Dang. Just a little bit short of going 200 songs without a drop.

Well, our Act IV rankings have diverged slightly now, but not by a ton - Abandon is still a lower-half track off the album for me. It's got some really beautiful parts of it, but it's definitely a setup song for the story in a lot of ways. Plus, even when judged individually and not in the context of the larger album, it's sometimes hard for me to separate it from the fact that it's sandwiched between two standouts in Bitter Suite IV/V and King of Swords, because the outro admittedly does drag a bit even for how lovely it is.

---

===============

264: LENE MARLIN - UNFORGIVABLE SINNER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD7kFCSfvvY

Nominator: Djungelurban (10/15)

Initial Score: 62.15. [#201]
Revised Score: 64.92 [#246]
Final Score: 66.40 [#264]

(First Thoughts: Too far towards the soul-crushing end of the sadness spectrum, but I respect the attempt of the nomination and the talent of the song.)

Im a bit surprised the artist is so cagey about this song. It seems like its pretty directly about someone murdering their girlfriend: You know where you sent her, now shes up there, sings like an angel? Someone cries and youre to blame? Unforgivable sinner? It...it all feels quite self-explanatory.

And yet, she insists that no one can ever find out what this song is about. Which is... curious, but Im not going to try prying any further into it.

Either way, song is good, but still a bit too bleak.

[Final Thoughts: A lot like Heaven Sent actually.]

===============



===============

263: MASAFUMI TAKADA - CLASS TRIAL (FUTURE EDITION):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLH7VByGn7E&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=16

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (7/27)
Source: Crypt of the Blah Blah Blah Yackity Ronpanity (2/20)

Initial Score: 49.80 [#426]
Revised Score: 70.00 [#202]
Final Score: 66.45 [#263]

(First Thoughts: Theres not really much to say about songs in the 49 point range. Slightly leaning towards dislike isnt exactly a category that inspires much discussion.)

Hey, look its a song that actually succeeds when it tries to be intense and imposing! Would that all video game songs learn from its example.

I still cant find much to say about this song though: I like it, it accomplishes any goal it was going for, and I wish every song were as successful as this one was.

[Final Thoughts: It is still impressive that it succeeds, completely, where so many other tracks have failed... Im not quite as into it the second time around, but its definitely up there.]

===============



===============

262: THE DEAR HUNTER - THE OLD HAUNT:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3CcUIGdidSKMjdW6VyI3Vq

Nominator: NBIceman (18/22)
Source: Act IV: Rebirth in Repose (11/15)

Initial Score: 53.13 [#330]
Revised Score: 55.93 [#352]
Final Score: 66.50 [#262]

(First Thoughts: I mean...its good, but I have no real connection to this story thus far, so its just... okay?)

I wonder if Id prefer Act III? Skimming other peoples comments, I see Act IV being described as more choir-like and orchestral than earlier albums. Dont know if I want to add another album to the backlog though... guess Ill think about it, see if I want more albums when the topic ends.

Back on topic to this song: I do like the chorus, but Im not as sold on every other part of the song.

[Not Final: At least 60 points, the chorus is too good for the 50-point tier.]

[Final Thoughts: Its had a fairly significant increase from the first two times, but there arent any lyrics Im really attached to Far too many ways to die is catchy enough to get stuck in my head, but its not exactly a super top-tier line that carries the song all the way to the 70s.

There shall be other songs with great choruses that fall short of the 70 point mark. Well, at least one. Presuming I dont move it up at the last moment.]

===============
---

==============

261: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - MY QUIET FOREST HOME:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/my-quiet-forest-home

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (11/32)

Initial Score: 48.34 [#440]
Revised Score: 67.47 [#225]
Final Score: 66.56 [#261]

(First Thoughts: Not very quiet. Or forest-y. Or homey. Or high score-y.

Outros nice though.)

The intro is actually quite pretty, but then the artists remember this is supposed to be a metal cover and make it pointlessly loud. It doesnt outright ruin the song, and its short enough to get to the outro (which goes back to being pretty), but it does hold the song back considerably.

Id say mid-70s if the song stayed pretty throughout its entire runtime, low 60s with the metal interlude holding it back?

[Later: I guess theres enough high points to the song to make it into the upper 60s.]

[Final Thoughts: Good song, though I stand by the metal portion holds the song back statement. Its slipped back down to mid-60s, but is still fairly nice.]

===============



==============

260: FIRE EMBLEM ARRANGE - BENEATH A NEW LIGHT (ROYS COURAGE):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8bCiEZPdYs

Nominator: paulg235 (5/15)

Initial Score: 51.00 [#383]
Revised Score: 50.006 (upgraded to 66.60) [#232]
Final Score: 66.60 [#260]

(First Thoughts: Its alright. I probably should like it more (saxophone), but its just alright.)

Its an awfully happy & bouncy song for a Fire Emblem remix (not that I know what the original version of this sounded like). Feels like an opening credits theme that plays after you leave your starting village and start the actual game. The songs all hey, lets start the adventure! Lets go to that nearby forest which will be our first actual dungeon! Therell be lots of weak enemies, like SMALL WOLVES and SMALL FLYING ENEMIES (probably insect based) and PROBABLY A SLIME THAT IS WEAK TO MAGIC INSTEAD OF PHYSICALS.

And I just kinda sigh at the song because I do not want to go on that adventure right now.

...also that sax kinda reminds me of the syndicated end credits of Darkwing Duck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOtDV2gBmM8

[Later: I am now in the mood for HAPPY ADVENTURE SONG and have increased the score as a result.]

[Final Thoughts: Happy adventuring song, yay!

(Sax Counter: ...I dunno, 5-ish? I started talking about them at a song that didnt have saxes, so I guess that should have been 4 and I guess that makes this one the fifth.)]

===============



===============

259: AKAI HAATO - THIS IS HAATO BASSIC COOKING RAP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9AkIEDVHoU

Nominator: handsomeboy (8/15)

Initial Score: 53.3305 [#325]
Revised Score: 66.72 [#231]
Final Score: 66.72 [#259]

(First Thoughts: This is funny and a really good pick considering the type of things Ive professed love for before, but I dont think its funny enough to go all the way.)

Yeah, yeah, I like VTubers and I like comedy songs, so this was probably an easy pick. And it is funny, but its not so hilarious that it can coast to the top of the list and its not exactly a high quality song that can get by on its musical merits alone.

Its also quite short, which isnt a dealbreaker, but this song could have used more... everything, frankly.

[Final Thoughts: Cute and funny enough to easily make it into the mid-60s, but not super hilarious.]

===============
---

I Disagree is a banger.

Still waiting for a Haachama/Calliope rap collab.

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

==============
Its an awfully happy & bouncy song for a Fire Emblem remix (not that I know what the original version of this sounded like). Feels like an opening credits theme that plays after you leave your starting village and start the actual game. The songs all hey, lets start the adventure! Lets go to that nearby forest which will be our first actual dungeon! Therell be lots of weak enemies, like SMALL WOLVES and SMALL FLYING ENEMIES (probably insect based) and PROBABLY A SLIME THAT IS WEAK TO MAGIC INSTEAD OF PHYSICALS.
===============

The original song is the player phase theme for all but one of the final few chapters of FE6, where you're facing against groups of strong enemies and main antagonists of the game. It's the complete opposite of where you thought it would play.

---

*listens to original version quickly*

I would have guessed that the original version was less happy and that it was just the remix making everything happier (see: Piano Operas Searching for Friends not being as dramatic as the original), but... no, no, thats how the original track sounds alright.

...At least going in the opposite direction of DRAMATIC BATTLE THEME let it get a higher score than a more appropriately sounding track would have?



================

258: EVERY TIME I DIE - INDIAN GIVER:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7dKhRS5snEdePqcGhsX2YG

Nominator: Bane (5/28)
Source: Ex Lives (3/14)

Initial Score: 53.13 [#330]
Revised Score: 66.84 [#230]
Final Score: 66.80 [#258]

(First Thoughts: ...I dont know who the band member is that left, or why, but I automatically take their side. Like... just naming this song after an offensive term like that kinda destroys any high ground the singer might have had.

Song itself isnt bad though? Its on the low end in the category of songs about a band member leaving that have been nominated in this topic series, but its not bad.)

Well, I suppose theyve never actually came out and said who or what this is about. I think the former band member explanation is plausible, but who knows?

Song is unique for this bandthe verses are fairly typical, but it slows down and gets much quieter during the choruses. I dont know that Id call it somber (its still a bit too metal for that to be an apt description), but certainly more somber than usual for them.

....also thats really Keith Buckley doing all the lyrics, huh? He has more range as a singer than I gave him credit for.

[Final Thoughts: Good song. Its still metalcore, but shows off a greater range for the band and especially Keith himself. I love that Im not the only one who initially felt that there was a guest singer on this track because it just doesnt sound like him.]

================



===============

257: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE CLIFTLANDS:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-cliftlands

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (10/32)

Initial Score: 51.04 [#376]
Revised Score: 67.35 [#226]
Final Score: 67.15 [#257]

(First Thoughts: Not much reaction to this, Im afraid.)

Its a surprisingly tranquil song for this album and, for once, it doesnt go too hard on the EPIC METAL (well it does go a bit too hard near the end, but only for about twenty seconds or so). For the most part this is just a relaxing song, which somehow makes me think of the Grand Canyon? This just feels like the type of song where youre meant to listen to it while staring at the majesty of Earths beauty or whatever.

Not a bad thing to imagine, all things considered.

[Final Thoughts: Another song in the pretty, but not beautiful category. Its definitely on the right track, its just not quite there yet.]

==============



================

256: EVERY TIME I DIE - DECAYIN WITH THE BOYS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Q3cy31OBjPkh2ABnHANtr

Nominator: Bane (4/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (2/14)

Initial Score: 54.72 [#309]
Revised Score: 68.19 [#219]
Final Score: 67.20 [#256]

(First Thoughts: Another good lyrics attached to an overly exhausting song writeup. I think I should just copy & paste that to every song on the album and just be done with it.)

Considering how many times Ive expressed that sentiment already and will continue to repeat it, Id say I basically did copy & paste that to every song they ever made.

...Battery is about to die, so Im going to end this writeup here and hope future me finds something to say when this is actually posted (SPOILER: She wont)

[Final Thoughts: ...Yeah, I still have nothing here. its a good song with a good message, but I cant find anything non-generic to say here.]

===============
---

==============

255: FRUMS - INFINITYYYY:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/infinityyyy

Nominator: cakophon (17/26)
Source: metacontinues (4/6)

Initial Score: 61.22 [#215]
Revised Score: 70.86 [#199]
Final Score: 67.25 [#255]

(First Thoughts: Starts off rather slow, but it does improve in the second half of the song.)

And today I like the slower parts of the song at the start more than the second half, just to complicate matters.

This song feels like an alien abduction theme. Its very futuristic and alien, and I mostly like everything its doing... but its another track where I never fully connect with it emotionally. Its so close to perfection and I feel like it if I heard it while I was in the right headspace, itd probably move way up the list... but I dont quite know what the right headspace would be or how to get myself into it.

[Final Thoughts: Well, I like it more than the first time around, but not as much as the second.]

===============



==============

254: ZENKUSA - CHROMATIC GARDEN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V_GmdefjCk

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (9/15)

Initial Score: 68.24 [#153]
Revised Score: 69.75 [#206]
Final Score: 67.35 [#254]

(First Thoughts: A very complicated song where I never quite knew where it was going to go next. I think this may be the most you song youve ever nominated for me, or at least thats the (probably wrong) first impression I got from it.)

I lack the ability to properly process this song. I can never recall any details about it, I cant keep track of time while listening to it (it simultaneously feels too short and too long), and at no point do I know how to describe any of it.

Which is interesting and I like it.

[Final Thoughts: I continue to have no idea what that was.]

=================
---

And four more to close out the night:



===============

253: FRUMS - END OF SYSTEM:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/end-of-system

Nominator: cakophon (16/26)
Source: vignette (13/20)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 72.84 [#181]
Final Score: 67.38 [#253]

(First Thoughts: Into the large pile of songs tied with 70 points you go, Ill sort you all out later. Or have, like, a ten way tie or something. Who knows?)

This poor song was composed for a rhythm game, but got rejected. Thats sad, especially since Im sure its better than whatever songs actually made the cut.

This song has a very nice opening, the first twenty seconds or so feel like falling through cyberspace, but the song quickly intensifies becoming very...battle-esque. Like you regained consciousness and have to jump & fight your way out of the collapsing space before you get deleted. Its an interesting feeling.

[Final Thoughts: Most of the song is more intense than what Im looking for tonight. Which isnt exactly fair, since I know I usually like this more than I do tonight... but Im afraid that right now, I prefer all the remaining songs more. Sorry.]

===============



===============

251 [TIE]: BRING ME THE HORIZON - FOLLOW YOU:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQy-fKdD30E

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (16/21)
Source: Live at Royal Albert Hall (13/14)

Initial Score: 68.24 [#153]
Revised Score: 69.87 [#205]
Final Score: 67.40 [#251]

(First Thoughts: Another day, another love song that is more on the creepy side than the romantic side. Its good enough for the genre.)

So dig two graves, cause when you die
I swear Ill be leaving by your side

Can we stop pretending that type of thing is romantic? Tying your entire existence to one other person is incredibly unhealthy, for you and for them. Not that I want to get into that discussion.

Its a shame because I really quite like this song, apart from the lyrics. The concert/album needed a softer song like this and I like that the singer can fully pull off a song like this, in addition to their angrier songs... but Im slightly opposed to the lyrics, which hurts how much I can actually enjoy it.

[Final Thoughts: Nothing else to add. Fantastic song, but the lyrics are a bit of a turnoff.]

===============



===============

251 [TIE]: FAIR TO MIDLAND - BRIGHT BULBS & SHARP TOOLS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7_lu5To7-U

Nominator: Murphiroth (13/21)
Source: Murphiroths Extra Songs (5/7)

Initial Score: 68.12 [#157]
Revised Score: 69.99 [#204]
Final Score: 67.40 [#251]

(First Thoughts: Hey, its these guys again! I kinda missed their music last year... I never understand them, I never unequivocally love them, but theres something so much fun about a band where no one seems to understand any of their lyrics. This isnt as immediately grabbing as A Wolf Descends Upon the Spanish Sahara (which, without looking up what rank it actually got two years ago, was probably several spaces too low) but its still both good enough & intriguing enough to get a respectable score.)

Good, intriguing, and completely incomprehensible from a lyrical standpoint. Definitely a Fair to Midland song alright.

[Final Thoughts: I like it and Im always excited to hear more of their music, but Im still not really in love with the song or anything.]

===============



===============

251 [TIE]: SKINDRED - RAT RACE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-kmLkfFrtU

Nominator: Murphiroth (12/21)
Source: Murphiroth Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 59.05 [#272]
Revised Score: 60.00 [#283]
Final Score: 67.40 [#251]

(First Thoughts: Squeak.)

Reggae metal isnt a genre I have any experience with, so I do appreciate this more than the score probably reflects. I just dont know how much I actually like the song itself; like, the parts of it that are heavier and more blatantly metal just dont really appeal to me, so its kinda getting this far almost entirely on a bias towards new genres.

...which works, I suppose.

[Final Thoughts: I greatly appreciate the nomination, I want to encourage people to nominate more obscure genres that Ive never heard before, and I want to keep the song around somewhere I can find it for whenever I need to listen to something really different than my regular playlists.]

===============
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Raetsel_Lapin posted...

The concert/album needed a softer song like this and I like that the singer can fully pull off a song like this, in addition to their angrier songs...

BMTH's vocalist, Oli, can absolutely pull off softer songs. The entire band has an incredible range and their albums have ranged from deathcore to radio rock and everything in between.

I didn't like their 2019 album because I thought it was too soft but this song isn't bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZekS_waLUY

---

BlackDra90n posted...

I thought it was too soft

I'm sold, I'll add the entire album to the list later.
---

Amo is a better album than That's the Spirit tbh, really fun with the experimentation they went with it

There Is a Hell is their best album still, I think they played one of them on this live album? It Never Ends, but they generally don't play anything on that album or the one before, Suicide Season. Which I still love too lol


---

I... wannnnt to say I've seen a Theodor Bastard song or two on one of your earlier lists, but it's not unlikely I'm horribly wrong in thinking that. I'm also not sure you'd actually like listening to them, but I figure 'World', neofolk and darkwave music from a Russian band I'm only familiar with because of Pathologic 2 potentially fits the more obscure genre bit.

Volch'ya Yagoda Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjt2CWUUavM&list=OLAK5uy_lvEP-H_X9Cxym_sq6MYPFhnJ2cvq8O-C0

Utopia (The aforementioned Pathologic 2 OST, and probably nominated before if I *am* remembering them having a song or two before.)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nKe99iI12NpEz5taaV35kh9BGJwLr3WKQ

Only if you've any interest, obviously. ^_^'

---

Bane_Of_Despair posted...

Amo is a better album than That's the Spirit tbh, really fun with the experimentation they went with it

There Is a Hell is their best album still, I think they played one of them on this live album? It Never Ends, but they generally don't play anything on that album or the one before, Suicide Season. Which I still love too lol

I actually like That's the Spirit a lot more than Amo. TTS was fun and catchy whereas I didn't really like where they took it with Amo.

That said, I loved Post Human since it was a weird mix of literally everything. I think that was peak experimentation for me.

---

IhatethisCPU posted...

I... wannnnt to say I've seen a Theodor Bastard song or two on one of your earlier lists, but it's not unlikely I'm horribly wrong in thinking that.

It's not a name I recall ever seeing before, but I'm open to trying them out after the main ranking ends. I'll add those links to the list later.

I'll probably also wind up listening to all three BMtH albums eventually, but I plan on spacing them out a bit... too many songs to listen to in rapid succession.
---

BlackDra90n posted...

I actually like That's the Spirit a lot more than Amo. TTS was fun and catchy whereas I didn't really like where they took it with Amo.

That said, I loved Post Human since it was a weird mix of literally everything. I think that was peak experimentation for me.

I like TTS overall, but I just appreciate the boundaries they went for on Amo as opposed to the what you even called the radio rock-ness of TTS, like Follow You I legitimately think is not a good song. The only one of TTS I think is legitimately not good mind you, but there aren't any on Amo that I think that of plus has fantastic stuff like Nihilist Blues. Of course TTS has stuff like Doomed which is phenomenal but overal Amo is the better album.

---

I've come to the conclusion that every song I know with the word "Chromatic" in its title has a very experimental and/or proggy sound in some way

---

Murphiroth posted...

I Disagree is a banger.

Still waiting for a Haachama/Calliope rap collab.

Got to wonder how she can top cooking the tarantula

Going back down to 10 songs eliminated tonight:



==================

250: LIVE - THE DISTANCE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrPDwLJR_NE&list=PLBB25BAC1F72C0DE4&index=2

Nominator: azuarc (16/28)
Source: The Distance to Here (8/13)

Initial Score: 70.399 [#123]
Revised Score: 73.61 [#174]
Final Score: 67.45 [#250]

(First Thoughts: I dont want to say why right now, because my reasons are completely stupid, but I like this a fair amount.)

Again, I have no clue what past me is talking about. I give songs points for stupid reasons all the time. Im incapable of being ashamed for my terrible opinions in this topic, thats the entire point. I might make an effort to be normal at other topics, but these are my places to just do whatever I wantwag tails, run around in circles barking at things, whatever. I cant even imagine what reason would have been so stupid that I wouldnt admit it.

Right now, Id say its because I have a natural bias towards anything about transcending from our physical forms, so:

Oh, are we locked into these bodies?
Are we anything at all?
Let's hold out for something sweeter
Spread your wings and fly

Is my type of thing. Its almost assuredly about becoming closer to God and blah-blah-blah, but Im not going to let that detail get in the way of my enjoyment.

[Final Thoughts: One of several songs that dropped down a tier from the 70 point zone. I do like it a fair amount still, but its not clicking with me as much as it did the first two times.]

===============



==============

249: LIVE - ALL OVER YOU:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0sqE6XPi9VAaWl5NxDyMQK

Nominator: azuarc (15/28)
Source: Throwing Copper: (8/15)

Initial Score: 45.62 [#473]
Revised Score: 41.85 [#515]
Final Score: 43.30 (upgraded to 51.00) (upgraded to 61.00) (upgraded to 67.50) [#249]

(First Thoughts: Decent lyrics, but Im not into the performances of the band or singer on this track. It feels like I should like it, but...I dont.)

Im unsure why I liked the lyrics the first time around because theyre not doing anything for me tonight. I dont dislike them, either. Its just another of those technically decent songs, but I have nothing positive to say about any aspect of it -nor- does any part of the song stand out as being something I actively dislike.

Todays installment of Raetsel talks about every song except the ones shes supposed to brings us to one of the most obscure pieces of VGM I can think of:

Cutie Q Game Room from Namco Museum Vol. 2 (JPN version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt7wc0_bqGo

So obscure that the best quality upload lists it as Untitled Track. You can find at least one upload that knows what it is, but I think the sound quality is lower on it. Could be my imagination though.

So, in Japan, Namco Museum Vol. 2 featured a game called Cutie Q, a pinball/breakout knockoff that honestly seems quite dull. The US release replaced it with Super Pac-Man, so most people in America never got the chance to listen to this theme.

...well its not a great theme, but as far as I know, Cutie Q didnt have any music originally, and they deserve some respect for managing to create something from nothing for the Game Room theme. Its on the low end of Namco Museum themes for me, but its still an interesting part of gaming history.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Theres so much in this song that I almost like.

Our love is like water
Pinned down and abused
For being strange

Bit of an odd metaphor, but it does fit that forbidden love category I sometimes like and theres certainly nothing explicit in any of the lyrics, so its something I should like... I guess...

This has that 90s alternative rock sound that I dont have a lot of experience with but think I generally kinda like... I guess...

A lot of people mishear the lyric as Our love is like Walter and I do like laughing at misheard lyrics... I guess...

The instrumental, while too brief, is a little interesting? I kinda like what the guitars are doing... I guess...

But when its time to actually score it, I still only want it in the mid-40s. Theres a lot here to like, but it never really gels together into something that I actively like. Its good enough that I dont have complaints, but Im just not into it.]

[Later: Ive had this stuck in my head all day and I cant bring myself to eliminate this yet, so I guess its getting moved to the low 50s for a bit.]

[Still Later: I cant get this song out of my head and it keeps getting moved up the list. Send help.]

[Final Thoughts: Well, its run up the list had to come to an end eventually.]

===============
---

=================

248: MXMS - I REVENGE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAYvjgR1D34

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (10/15)

Initial Score: 70.20 [#128]
Revised Score: 72.51 [#184]
Final Score: 67.52 [#248]

(First Thoughts: Probably a bit too far on the revenge scale, but still good.)

Yeah... I like some darkness, but implied genital mutilation is a bit too far, thanks anyway.

[Final Thoughts: I like the sound and general feel of the track, but given the subject matter, I dont think Ill voluntarily listen to this often enough for it to really fit in with the other 70 point songs.]

==================



================

247: AMORPHIS - MERMAID:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeWa7Jefdw

Nominator: @FL81 (13/20)
Source: FL81 Extra Songs (3/7)

Initial Score: 58.22 [#279]
Revised Score: 69.27 [#210]
Final Score: 67.55 [#247]

(First Thoughts: The music is nice, but Im not much a fan of the singer or the story. Its kinda neat that its based on a poem and all, but....ehhh...)

After all my ranting last year against mermaids (half-fish!) and complaints about songs dealing with suicide, nominating a song involving someone who committed suicide and was reborn as a fish was an... interesting decision on your part. Its too obviously a high-quality song for it to be a legitimate attempt at getting a low score, but still...interesting.

Aaaanywho, song is quality. I dont think I get very many songs from Finland nominated, so its quite welcome to get some representation from other countries; this feels like symphonic metal, or at least some tamer & easier to listen to variant of metal, and I do like getting more songs in that general style; I dont have any knowledge of the Kalevala (or epic poetry in general) or an interest in reading it, but I do appreciate the song offering a chance to learn about it if I wanted to.

Just a good nomination all around.

[Final Thoughts: Good song. I almost want to move it further up the list based on its objective quality, but I think Im content eliminating it here.

...also I probably should have pointed out The Fleurs are from Sweden while Im praising all the foreign bands, but I couldnt think of a way to bring it up that didnt seem ridiculously contrived, and now it would be awkward to draw attention to Finland but not Sweden and everythings all weird.]

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Skindred is always a fun time.

https://youtu.be/DSFnygzsLnk

Glad Fair to Midland continues to intrigue you.

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

Final Score: 43.30 (upgraded to 51.00) (upgraded to 61.00) (upgraded to 67.50)

lol, nice. At least you kinda liked it after a while. All Over You's not one of my favorites that sees radio play, but a lot of people like that one and Selling the Drama. I tend to stick to I Alone and Lightning Crashes. (Plus non-singles.)

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Yeah, All Over You is definitely one of the songs that grew on me the most (over 200 rankings), though it definitely took a while to get to that point. Didnt realize it was that popular a song of theirs, but I cant say I knew anything about the band in the first place.

Also, Ill add that Skindred song to the list. Song title sounds familiar. *checks* Oh hey, Kill the Power is from a past ranking topic. Neat.



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246: EVAN CARSON - OTRIAD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KscSw_t-6Yg

Nominator: NBIceman (17/22)
Source: Icemans Extra Songs (7/7)

Initial Score: 63.09 [#191]
Revised Score: 61.80 [#272]
Final Score: 67.60 [#246]

(First Thoughts: I dont know... usually historical music has done well, so I dont have any problems with songs from an album about WW2, I like the whispered bits, Im okay with the singer (who appeared with a band in some other nomination a year or two ago), and everything about the song is fine.

But it never goes beyond fine.)

I remember that other song now. Graves, the 15 minute long epic that I really liked but found a bit draining and I always had to take a break after listening to it.

Theres just some sort of disconnect between me and this song, where Im not enjoying it as highly as I should be. I like it, but this has all the markings of a 70 to 80 point song, but it never comes close to reaching those heights... and as usual, I still dont quite know why.

[Final Thoughts: Well, Im liking it considerably more than I did the first two times, but still not as much as Strike Witches (for WW2 related songs) or Graves (for epic songs by this particular singer).

...wait, this is seriously the first of Icemans extra nominations to be eliminated? Theres been so many songs eliminated at this point that I just kinda assumed one had to have fallen before this point... huh. Impressive.]

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245: THE DEAR HUNTER - OUROBOROS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/25jwpauhpOvbjDkNHIKhlB

Nominator: NBIceman (16/22)
Source: Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise (10/15)

Initial Score: 50.50 [#396]
Revised Score: 51.66 [#413]
Final Score: 67.66 [#245]

(First Thoughts: I never wanted to hurt no one... no one but you, is a good line. I have no feelings towards the rest of the song.)

Im still not fond of songs where one singer portrays multiple characters simultaneously when theyre unable to do different voices to really distinguish them. Its obvious in context what lines are said by which character, but unless The Boy & The Priest/Pimp are identical twins, their voices should sound at least slightly different.

(I only have an issue with it if someone is portraying multiple different characters in the same song; switching characters between songs is just expected.)

So while the song has some very good lines, theyre not enough to get it out of the low 50s.

[Not-Final: Yeah, changed my mind, that line alone is worth at least 60 points. Moving on up.]

[Final Thoughts: Fairly high 60s for this one. Its got a good story and some nice lines, but its not quite enough to jump another tier.]

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