The 2004 Elemental Music Compo

Competition Results
Earth Category

First Place: To The World's End by obScene, with a score of 44.50!
Second Place: New Earth by skyscape/Libris, with a score of 41.875!
Third Place: Spirits of the Night by KineTiK, with a score of 39.25!
Fourth Place: Brown Foliage by Alterfish Gravity, with a score of 28.00!

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To The World's End - First Place / Winner

by obScene

Download (1890 downloads)
Score: 44.50

Artist's Comments: The Earth, constant, still and strong, but full of fragile and ever-changing life. Life is born from the Earth, but soon dies and returns to the Earth. The cycle of life and death repeats again and again until the world's end.

But I'm not telling you anything you dont know :) Just listen.

Comments by Christofori

Relevance to Theme and Category

The thing that really makes this tune fit the Earth category in my mind is the drums/percussion. Very tribal/ethnic sounding, nice choice for this kind of tune. I see two things, mainly, with this tune; a complete day, from sunrise to sunset, and a year, passing from season to season. Both really help the Earth-like feel of the song, too. I guess I'm more inclined to go with the passing of the seasons analogy.. The song seems to tell the tale of life "waking up" in the spring, then surviving the hot summer, shedding leaves in the fall, and slowly becomming dormant again for winter at the end of the song. Nice job; 17 of 20 points.

Musicality

This is another great tune! Nicely done. The overall balance is great, and I still love the percussion. This tune's got a lot of things just right. 9 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Very original and creative; easilly good enough for many different purposes I suppose. Very listenable, somewhat contemplative as well; and overall, very enjoyable. 9 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Technically, nice job! Great samples, though at times I could use a lot stronger bass to really round out the chords. Great percussion, and very intimately planned effects, very precise. 8 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 17+9+9+8 = 43 points

Comments by AladdinSane

Relevance to Theme and Category

Earth is hard to get all by itself - if you try to liven the music up it brings in another element - it's underlying tones and melody is very earthy but the overtones are watery, windy, firey. 16 of 20 points.

Musicality

The music is very good - I can see the intentions from the song and it follow the synopsis very well - repeating, steady, rebirth ... 8 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Again - alot of scenes have been created on music like this, but how do you do earth without looking like everything else? 7 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

8 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 16+8+7+8 = 39 points

Comments by Annonymous

Relevance to Theme

20 of 20 points.

Musicality

10 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

9 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

10 of 10 points.

Comments

Fantastic arrangement, I love the beats, and instruments that are used in this track. It sounds like the composer put a lot of work into this, I enjoyed the buildups, it really seemed to flow with the composers comments about the song, all things living and dying on earth, and the cycle of life. Keep up the good work! Excellent job obScene!

Overall Score: 20+10+9+10 = 49 points

Comments by delux-cloudx

Relevance to Theme and Category

This song is firmly linked with Earth: I can imagine immense forests, tribes of natives, and moreover the warm sound of this creation feels like a sweet embrace, like being a child in Earth's arms. 20 of 20 points.

Musicality

Well, great, no flaws and perfect melodies. 10 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Despite of its great technical and melodic features, I don't think this is very original... I mean, it's fantastic but sounds like all the documentary soundtracks you can hear on Discovery Channel and company. Moreover, the song has something linear in its structure that makes all the variations almost futile. 7 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Professional sound and full arrangement: surely the best in its category. 10 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 20+10+7+10 = 47 points

Final Average: (43+39+49+47)/4 = 44.50 of 50 Possible Points

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New Earth - Second Place

by skycape/Libris

Download (1607 downloads)
Score: 41.875

Artits's Comments: This song has weird syncopated beats which squelch around like mud (I think :P) despite being very synthetic. I wanted this piece to have a rather lush atmosphere, like a rainforest while retaining a contemporary edge.

Comments by Christofori

Relevance to Theme and Category

Hmm.. Synthetic mud? Interesting idea! I do kind of get that feeling, especially near the end, with those synthetic squishing sounds... The tune seems to be more technological than elemental, though; but the artist's description really seems to help the song fit better. Still, though, parts of the song sound like water, as well... 13 of 20 points.

Musicality

Nice piece; it's got some great moments, a good lead, and some cool blend of somewhat-organic and definately-synthetic sounds. A modern take on an older, almost ancient scene. 9 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Very original ideas with this one, especially the combination of ideas (synth vs organic, etc). 9 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Technically, the tune's got a lot of great moments. Nice samples and effects, and some great ambient stuff too. Really nice balance, and good transitions between sections. 9 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 13+9+9+9 = 40 points

Comments by AladdinSane

Relevance to Theme and Category

Well - mud is a good analysis - which is earth and water so it really fits in both categories - so what to do here - I get water and earth - The steady strong underneath and the random steady, quick overtones ---- I don't think I should deduct if it's a mix of earth and water - especially if that's what you were going for .... 18 of 20 points.

Musicality

I like it - it is nice, soothing, fun - the birds are an interesting addition and paints a nice picture. 9 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

I think it is very original - especially with the idea of mud - the song created exactly what you were going for - plus the birds, hmmm. 9 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Sounded very good - good mixing, tones, volumes, etc .... 9 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 18+9+9+9 = 45 points

Comments by Annonymous

Relevance to Theme

17 of 20 points.

Musicality

8 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

8.5 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

9 of 10 points.

Comments

Good track. It definitely made me picture the earth, and all of its components. I love the syncopated beats, and I think this track does indeed have a contemporary edge to it.

Overall Score: 17+8+8.5+9 = 42.5 points

Comments by delux-cloudx

Relevance to Theme and Category

As the song start, the first impression is: "This is not our Earth, it makes me think of Outer Space, planets..." Of course we look at the title and... "Oh, it's called New Earth... yeah it fits!" The overall sound till 3:00 is full of earth sensations: "Mud drums" (as you say, and I think it's quite effective as a description) and synthetized melodies that I would definitely link to this element. After the third minute though, the global feelings changes and it reminds me more of an underwater voyage (to quote an old mod I have in my collection), something that have his course not over but under the sea. Anyway, very good. 15 of 20 points.

Musicality

Minimal and beautiful like many Vangelis or J.M. Jarre songs, indeed. If this had been a "Minimal Song Compo" I'd have given 10 out of 10: nothing is wrong and any sound is in his appropriate place, making a well rounded song. On the other side, I must say there isn't that much to listen out: some little (but very good) lead melodies, repetitive drums and synth arpeggios. But who cares, I like the whole sound so I'll give nothing under 7...let's make it an 8 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Very very well, the idea to describe an ancient thing like the earth with "modern" technologies sounds very good to me. What I had to take off from Musicality, now returns here in form of Originality: nice job. 10 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

The sound is good, and so the instruments you used, the fx you applied, but it's a bit simple though... I'm not saying this song had to be different, it's perfect as it is, but I can't give you full score. 7 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 15+8+10+7 = 40 points

Final Average: (40+45+42.5+40)/4 = 41.875 of 50 Possible Points

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Spirits of the Night - Third Place

by KineTiK

Download (1607 downloads)
Score: 39.25

Artist's Comments: The track is named 'Spirits of the Night' because I believe it has a sort of dark forest feel to it. I've been thinking long and hard about what category I was going to submit it to, and originally intended to go for wind. I think the intro makes that obvious. However in the end, earth sounded more fitting, due to the low piano chords.

Comments by Christofori

Relevance to Theme and Category

I do get a dual sense of this tune, some wind and some earth. I see a great forest; the wind gently rustling through the leaves of the many trees. A very earth-like setting, of course, but there's also the wind-like ideas I can't get away from... 12 of 20 points.

Musicality

This tune's got a great sound and there has been a good amount of thought and effort put into it. The music really seems to communicate to me, though at times things don't always seem to fit together quite as nicely as they could. 7 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

This tune's very original, and fairly creative. It's quite successful at conveying vivid imagery to me. It's even fairly contemplative in it's approach, and I feel that the effects are well used and help to add to the tune. 8 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Technically, the tune works well enough. The samples could be better, perhaps, though some of them do sound quite good (especially the piano) -- the balance is good as well. I almost hesitate to mention that I'm unsure of the synth-ish sounding samples; this tune almost loses it's otherwise very organic feel when I hear those kinds of synthetic sounds. More "earthy" (or perhaps tribal) kinds of percussion would also help cement this tune into the earth category. Also, the panning in the hi-hats seems a bit haphazard, almost confusing. Really, though, there's a lot of good things happening in this tune. I love the effects, especially some of the more subtle ones that you might not notice the first time listening to the tune. Good work; 7 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 12+7+8+7 = 34 points

Comments by AladdinSane

Relevance to Theme and Category

The beginning - more windish to me! I get wind, water, fire, earth - this would almost fit in any category but doesn't solely belong to any one - 12 of 20 points.

Musicality

The music is very nice and melodic - I don't see an earthy picture. I see a journey of some sort - and we know earth doesn't travel far. 8 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

It sounds like something out of the old Kung Fu shows - I see a lot of influence from there (possibly). 7 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

It is put together very well - near professional quality - it could be a theme song for a show - so it gets good marks here. 9 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 12+8+7+9 = 36 points

Comments by Annonymous

Relevance to Theme

18 of 20 points.

Musicality

8 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

8 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

9 of 10 points.

Comments

Fabulous! I love those piano chords! Nice arrangement. Glad you selected to enter this into the earth category, it definitely fits. Good job!

Overall Score: 18+8+8+9 = 43 points

Comments by delux-cloudx

Relevance to Theme and Category

First, this song is awesome. Second, unfortunately, in my opinion doesn't fit best in Earth category... nor in the Wind one as you said in the song description... Let me explain what this song summon inside my head: I'm flying in the sky during the night, a quiet night, looking at the ground passing by just below my spirit. Everything is pure, the Moon shines brightly and darkness causes no fear in my heart: I just keep on flying, over and over, again. I feel free, I feel myself for the first time in my life maybe. So, there's a dual scenery: the fly, and the earth. Obviusly they are connected by a pact of destiny... and since you, as the Artist, noticed this double suitability for your creation I've given 15 (instead of 10) out of 20 points.

Musicality

Everything but the flute modulation at 1:28 is perfect... but I consider it an arrangement flaw.. and maybe it sound bad just to my ears... so I don't hesitate to give you the maximum. The songs flows like a river in its bed, or like the wind through green fields, with all the gentleness music can make you feel. 10 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Wonderful, how many times should I say it again? Nice themes, lot of variations, great beginning and nice ending: this song is a masterpiece. 10 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

I don't like the wind sample you used, and the way you modulated it: it goes too high pitched to be kinda realistic, or kinda enjoyable anyway... another little thing I dislike is when at 3:28 you complete the melody with that high pitched instrument: it sounds a bit "outside" the whole sound (when at 3:37 you repeat this, it's better cause there's the piano and it feels better). 9 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 15+10+10+9 = 44 points

Final Average: (34+36+43+44)/4 = 39.25 of 50 Possible Points

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Brown Foliage - Fourth Place

by Alterfish Gravity

Download (1583 downloads)
Score: 28.00

Artist's Comments: The only thing that was in my mind when I did this track was Earth, the soil and the living part of it. I think this track represents more the soil part of it, and maybe forests in late autumn, because when the autumn has almost turned to winter, the nature really looks like it's dead (in Finland at least). So, I made a track that in my opinion describes the darker side of "Earth."

Comments by Christofori

Relevance to Theme and Category

This tune does at least strike me as an Earth tune; though it's tone is somewhat depressing. I get the sense of the dark, unmoving soil; even the lifeless feeling that the artist describes. I don't know that I'm 100% satisfied with it fitting into the Earth category, but it wouldn't fit well in the other categories, except perhaps water; the slow and fluid chords do remind me of calm waters. I'd say 12 of 20 points.

Musicality

Musically speaking, this tune's well done, though it's not very exciting. I'd also like to hear more variety in the chords; there's a lot of good stuff already there, but I can't help but feel I'm hearing the same things again... Some more variety, with possibly some unexpected chords here and there, would improve the overall feel. Also, while it's certainly not required, I feel that some ambient effects would help. Overall I get a feeling of lament or sorrow with this song. 5 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

I'd say the tune is fairly original, and somewhat creative. Again, some more variety would help with the tune. It's hard to really say that this kind of tune is really creative and original in regard to being thought provoking, or even inspiring; but it serves it's purpose. 4 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Technically, this tune's not really offering much to work with. It's got some well voiced chords, and some interesting progressions; but more, more MORE! I can't help but feel it's somewhat lacking. However, the voicings are good, there's a good balance. 5 of 10.

Overall Score: 12+5+4+5 = 26 points

Comments by AladdinSane

Relevance to Theme and Category

I get earth on this one - slow steady - growing, dying, growing. 19 of 20 points.

Musicality

Good but not great - I don't know how to describe it - it didn't keep my interest too well - lets see how it stacks up against the others before I finalise. 3 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Seems like I heard this in Fantasia 2000 - but I don't know how else you would express this thought without repeating something. 5 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

It sounded pretty good - good tones, mixing, rhythm, etc ... 9 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 19+3+5+9 = 36 points

Comments by Annonymous

Relevance to Theme

10 of 20 points.

Musicality

5 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

7 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

7 of 10 points.

Comments

This track really matched the description of the composers' comments, "the nature really looks like its dead." Overall, the track seemed a bit slow, but the arrangement was nice.

Overall Score: 10+5+7+7 = 29 points

Comments by delux-cloudx

Relevance to Theme and Category

Strings and chorus inside this song surely remind of something lonely, like autumn leaves can be. To me, the ambience gives birth to many images related to night, darkness...but globally the piece isn't very focused on the earth theme. 10 of 20 points.

Musicality

Simple, too simple. I surely noticed nothing bad, but nothing too good though. 5 of 10 points.

Originality and Creativity

Sorry to be harsh, but honestly I listened to it many times and I didn't noticed when it looped... since the song stays the same during all the six minutes. 2/3 minutes less and some other instruments (or, at least, sound fx) would have done the trick. 2 of 10 points.

Technical Quality

Again, nothing bad but nothing too good... Moreover, the bass frequencies sometimes go crazy and overwhelm the sound. 4 of 10 points.

Overall Score: 10+5+2+4 = 21 points

Final Average: (26+36+29+21)/4 = 28.00 of 50 Possible Points

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