Cyberdevil's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[GlitchBuddy / 13 / A200]

That 'what does it mean to be cool' answer! XD HELL YEAH!

Great answer on what makes a good community too. And on all things really; aspects of art and creativity too. You have an impressively thorough approach to all things you do @GlitchBuddy - setting the bar high on reviews too, which seems like a rare thing these days. Personally I have a hard time rating things honestly if I leave a review on something I want to show appreciation for, in part because it seems almost a norm to vote five on anything by a friend; especially one who's rated your work before. Give fives and get fives back... but then again it seems the intention with a score changes a bit between different types of content. For some content - made by user you know or no - the rating seems more a show of approval/engagement/appreciation, and nothing more's really required, whereas if you actually have some real feedback to share; critique can really further their work... it's easier to rate honestly. Props on keeping it real though always!

As for sometimes feeling like you have nothing to contribute with a review though: IMO every review's worth something, even if it's just simple affirmation, everyone likes to know their work's seen and appreciated too.

Great interview both of you; you seem like a genuine dude GlitchBuddy. Also shout-out @Picochu on filling in for Shok on this one, creative interpretation on that digital GB alterego! :D

Keep up the great stuff y'all.

-cd-

GlitchBuddy responds:

Thank you Cyberdevil, your kind words are very much appreciated.

What you say is funny, because in real life I'm usually the first one to half-ass things, lol. But there's just something about this website that makes me want to put my absolute best into everything I do on it, whether that's creating art or writing responses like this. I feel as if it makes a lot of difference when a creator puts time and effort into really making their stuff the best it can be, whether it's a piece of art, a forum post or a review.

As for what you said about rating things honestly, this is what I do for all submissions, even those made by friends. This may seem a bit mean to some, especially if the friends in question are leaving 5-star ratings on my own work, but I rate everyone with the same rating system I have in my head, and I only really give 5-star ratings to work that I find absolutely outstanding. Plus, in my opinion, if a friend has made a poor-quality piece of art then it's better to be honest with them and give them pointers on how they could improve.

But yeah, your words have really encouraged me, and I might start writing more reviews now. Glad to know you enjoyed the podcast.

[NG Dublin Meetup 2024 / 12 / A200]

Gotta love the enthusiasm in these! XD And the motivational outro, inspiring! Everyone's NG! Even if you haven't even been on NG before you're just gonna have to join up eventually - you're a Newgrounder already you just don't even know it yet!!!

Sounds like a challenging but also invigorating time over there. :) I didn't know you didn't drink alcoholic beverages man, should've asked a different question... though I did have the maybe best cappuccino I've ever had at an Orange Tree Bakery over there... though wait you didn't drink coffee either did you?! XD Aaa next time I'll have something more relevant to inquire... if there will be a next time.

Fun to see all these photos and doodles too (hey there's Chaz, the dope Dude I share a signature with!), and I'm so curious what's in that age-restricted one in particular. XD Great ep; glad you took that trip after all! Short but really fun Q&A sesh with this one.

Oh and the arts on another level with this one too! Nice work Shok.

-cd-

Aalasteir responds:

Yes, yes, I completely agree! Everyone on NG is passionate and enjoys at least one thing, which makes them 100% part of the community. You can be proud of being a Newgrounder because all it takes is a bit of interest!

I don't drink alcoholic beverages either, and I think you would have been a great chaperone. That's right, I also do not drink coffee. The age-restricted content is a giant penis with schmachma; the full image is on my Twitter. Who created it? I don't think I catched his name.

That was a mistake on my part. I should have made sure that I knew everyone's profile and brought business cards with my Newgrounds profile on them so people would know who I was. Including a picture of my face would have helped them recognize me. I'll add that to my checklist and hopefully remember it for next time.

It was my first time at a meetup, so I was definitely a bit unorganized and didn't think things through. Thank you so much; it's funny you share the signature with Chaz.

Shok's album cover is absolutely amazing, with all the detailed and vibrant colors. It’s so bright and full of happiness.

Yes, this one was short, which I feel provides a good perspective on just how much is said in the regular episodes. It's quite shocking!

[Junglejazz Temple]

So jazzy! So rich and vibrant. Somewhat monotone after a while though NGL! Like it's intended to be a beat more so than a standalone song. An instrumental backing for something more; something that keeps it progressing even when the beat stays the same. Apart from the initial build with the intro it feels like it's pretty much all the same loop all the way through...

It's hella rich though. Love the sound. Little repetitive as is.

-cd-

bananam69 responds:

ur exactly correct, this was originally made to an intrumental/backing track for vocals. good ears man

[Sand in Bazarsopolis]

For a while this reminds me of a Blink 182 song. :) Just briefly, the 0:41 part...

Otherwise it really has an airy, exotic kind of vibe to it. Mysterious sometimes. Slow and atmospheric, but not ominous... the percussion really provides a good backing, both the more standard set and the tribal, djembe-like ones in back... they really adapt to the music overall. Never too much. Good transitions. Good beginning, good end.

The melody itself never grows stale either, it keeps evolving, yet keeps the red thread throughout...

It feels a bit short, would've liked it to go longer, but then again I really like how it turned out too. The atmosphere here's special... you can almost smell the sand, the warm dust and glimmer of a distant sun... it builds the setting well. And the groove's dynamic and rich.

Nice work.

-cd-

DaxCamdaxian responds:

I thought a lot about how to give that feeling of being in a bazaar walking through the sand.

I imagine that those who play this tune are characterized with their turbans, their rough cloth garments wrapped between their arms, covering part of their face, and their rustic instruments made of carved wood, and in the middle of them, a punk drummer.

Thanks for giving it a listen :)

[Sakuya VS Cirno ~ Beloved Flowering Tomboyish Night]

It's fast, it's energic, it's abrim with epicness and atmosphere!

Gets me thinking of games like Castlevania. Cinematic and adventurous. Both tense and victorious all the way throughout. Like you're fighting your fight, and you're winning it, always moving on, always with resolve and conviction...

Impressively well-composed and mixed too, even if that base melody kinda gets on your nerves occasionally. :) Like folk music. The softer breaks are really impeccable in comparison. Never repetitive at all. And the builds. The fanfare-like crescendo before the journey picks up again...

Awesome work on this.

-cd-

sylvysprit responds:

Thank you, it's nice that people still interact with things on Newgrounds

[Kudu]

Feels like Egypt this one, or Babylon, some ancient civilization on the rise...

Love the tempo changes and build... though the structure also at times feels a little aimless, intricate though the sound may be. It builds and breaks and keeps going, but takes a while to truly reach the crescendo I'm waiting for.

A little shorter might've been better maybe... or a different structure, a longer build for a minute or two, it builds relatively quickly, but has to pause and slow down to keep going again. There's so much progress in just the first minute, then not much structure at all for a long time, the red thread feels lost a bit.

I love the style though, the atmosphere! Reminds me of The Comet is Coming too, a jazz band with a style somewhat similar to this, by far my favorite within the genre!

This was great. Though structure-wise it feels a bit like pieces of a puzzle... that haven't totally fallen into place.

-cd-

ClitBait responds:

idk why i tend to make weird structures xD

[GenesisY2K TRANSGRESSIONS Master Loop]

This was dreamy... appreciative layers and nuances to the sound. A good pace, somewhat psychedelic sci-fi vibe, an almost knife-like kind of percussion... the sound's great, production's great, the loop though... it doesn't loop does it! Not perfectly. Considering the title you'd think it'd be seamless. ;)

Dope work though.

I could see this working well for a soundtrack of sorts too...

-cd-

MrSignmeout responds:

thank you. this was gonna be used for an old project thats been indefinitely put on the backburner cuz ive lost interest for now. the "loop" part was more for my idea of using the four segments individually but here its all stitched together

[Partying Alone]

Well this is a vibe too...

A party by the self is a bit softer than a party with others I reckon? It seems so here at least! Both comfortably chill and also... a little melancholy.

The different tempos seem to further enforce that effect. Like there's the party vibe going on in the background, and then the melancholy vibe in front. The party you're trying to have; the way you feel about the party when there's just nobody else in it...

Interesting contrast, intentional or no... the vibe's on point.

-cd-

Snow-Hex responds:

Many Thanks Cyberdevil 🦖

[Gamma Club]

Poignant, jazzy, full of soul, rolling fro!

Not Gamma has in radiation though I hope! This was dope. When the brass and all kicks in too, and the sound bounces left and right a bit in the mix... the production's intricate as well, and composition never stale.

Lovely vibe all the way through.

-cd-

MarlAngelo responds:

Thank you. :)

[Last battle]

It really delivers on the name!

Goes ferocious right from the start, and it keeps it going all the way... powerful sound, and a perfect loop no less, where builds and all fit in just perfectly even when you loop 'em!

I could definitely see this played in a game if it isn't already! Or an action scene otherwise... the arrangement's solid. I like how the percussion stands out in the mix too, though it also feels a bit toned down overall. Maybe getting used to overly loud mixed instead hmm, it really is a benefit when you hear the full frequency range... as you do here!

Awesome track. Grand battle; great craft.

-cd-

Arponax responds:

It felt like loop would be a great idea for this kinda track :D im glad it payed out.

im happy with how the percs sounds in this too, tho i think the mix overall get a little bit tiring for ears and basses could be a bit more clear, it definitely could have had just a little bit more impact i think. But thats a way to learn next time it will be a little better than before :D

im glad you enjoyed.