CrabbWalker's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mayya Malyshka]

I am very, very honored to be among the 154 fans (at the moment) to listen to this. It's been awhile since I've visited NG. Such an honor to hear a piece of art that is not genre-boxed and categorized and simply seeks to speak to my soul. These are one of those pieces; with a clear crescendo into a climax, with a musical denouement...it tells a story and drops you at the fork's end, waiting for the audience's response. It's music like this that makes me animate the way I do, and paint the way I paint. Without boundaries and borders and labels, and to stay true to yourself, reflect how important you are, how just 1 man can make the difference. Hands down, you are indeed one out of a handful of amazing artists which keeps me coming back for more, because you are having a conversation through your art, and as an artist, it's our responsibility to respond back with art that strikes just as colloquial. This is an amazing piece of art.

Phonometrologist responds:

And you honor me with your words. I'm just grateful that there are few that enjoy some of the inner workings of my heart and mind. Your kind words have lead my thoughts to the following quote that I remembered reading some time ago:
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”-Toni Morrison
I hope you take what you said about staying true to yourself to heart. When it comes to animating and painting, go without trying to label yourself for that has always been the job of the admirer in retrospect. However, don't just take that approach in art, but also when you get up in the morning. I think it's interesting that if anyone wants to connect and convey a message to anyone, one must first be honest with themselves. Seems kind of obvious to read that at first, but if one gave it more thought, to write for yourself in order to reach others more deeply and meaningfully isn't quite as transparent as one would think.

[Adam Phillips Interview - animation podcast #130]

I agree with Adam on that Yuyu scene XD

Probably his best section of animated works! Good interview

rubberonion responds:

The whole animated short was impressive and with all that action you still got to learn more about Bitey's character... outstanding. Thanks for listening!

[Enter Newground]

Like a breath of fresh air...never a dull entry from you, Phonom!

0:49 to 1:06 to 1:08

I loved how the choir comes in, and then the other instrument. Transitions are my favorite part of any track!

Phonometrologist responds:

You and my brother, who's a programmer, loves the transitions in music as well so I can appreciate that perspective. I enjoy your comments very much.

[Percussive Interlude]

I love the tense energy in this interlude!

samulis responds:

Thanks dude, have a great day. :)
-Sam

[Limbo]

You sir, are truly married to your craft. Evocative in every sense as a musician. I can feel the strength of this piece, as many others- but this really takes the cake. Such expression of the soul, painting on silence. Your work is like therapy when life gets tough. When I need to focus on my animation, there are only so many people in which I can resonate with art-wise. I've been slacking, sometimes questioning myself in the process, but the artists on NG reminds me why I'm doing what I do. It's the ultimate expression and reflection of the self, and so, so few people in this world have it. An amazing gift-- keep it safe, and keep it nourished.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I think I have a severe piano addiction. If I don't play it for a while, I get a physical need to do it. I've learned to control it some, especially if I'm going on vacation or something. But still, the struggle is real :p

Similarly, I can't be for too long without composing something. The good part is, I improve rather quickly because of this. I always like to put my emotions into music, especially if I get to play the piano for it. When inspiration comes, I don't hesitate to use it, even if I have other things I should do, unless it's extremely important.

"Your work is like therapy when life gets tough."

=> You have no idea how happy that line makes me. I'm truly happy if my music can help someone get through a tough day or a heavy moment in life. And I'm also honored if I or my creations can be even a slight bit of an inspiration for any kind of art or expression, or even life in general.

Thank you a great deal for all the nice words! I will definitely always keep on making music (well, as long as I live, at least. It may be difficult after that, but I can try!). That much is for certain.

I'm looking forward to that teaser of yours! :D

[An Autumn Dream]

Reading Goethe's Faust oddly enough whilst I stumbled upon this, in the beginning where Mephistopheles meets and converses with The Lord...made for quite an interesting, interesting read. I felt like I teleported to a fanciful heaven listening to two celestial beings. Anyhow, amazing stuff as usual. I never take any of your journeys for granted.

Phonometrologist responds:

And I never take your comments for granted. I appreciate it.
That must have been quite an interesting read for sure. For me it's always fun to read a Sci-fi book while listening to some classical work or soundtrack in the background.

[Stand By (Orchestrated)]

You create my favorite type of music that I seem to can't get anywhere else- Perfect for animating. I can say though that my subscribed musicians here on NG has opened me up to more classical/ neo-classical based or inspired musicianship. I wish I was more musically adept to give you a more solid review, but I hope you can take delight in knowing that my mind tends to drift off when the music is very, very rich XD Wish I could give you 6 stars...Merry Christmas, Phonom, and stay inspired.

Phonometrologist responds:

Very nice for you to comment in this way. I appreciate you taking the time to expressing your thoughts/feelings. In regards to not being more musically adept, it isn't necessary for a solid review. I have often come across people expressing the same sentiments of a piece of work that I originally felt as well without having to talk directly about notes, phrasing, chords, and etc. and these people had little to no music education. The teaching is useful in understanding how to write, construct, and express as a composer what is already within, but once it is done, you can't define a piece of music by merely identifying the notes in itself just as much as you can't understand or know about a person by dissecting an individual or looking into their DNA. You have to look at the whole of man and even then only when that person reveals to you what is in their heart. Music is a great way to communicate the character of an individual. Thank you and Merry Christmas

[A Long Night]

LSD at it again, with a very cool Jazz style. I've heard that Jazz is quite challenging, and I don't hear it that much on NG compared to other genres, so kudos!

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

One again, you're quick to leave nice reviews :)
There is jazz here on there on Newgrounds, but you almost need to look for it to find it. Jazz is definitely not one of my stronger sides. I'm not sure that I'd call it more difficult at this point, depending on how you approach it. Then again, I've played in a Big Band, and I go to jazz bars quite often, so I hear a fair share of jazz. But in the end, like with every style, it just comes down to analyzing what makes the genre what it is, and go from there. I already use a lot of chords (complex ones too), in almost every piano piece that I make, so in that way, the difference with jazz is mostly the rhythm and style. I find dubstep to be a lot more challening XD
But I think that it differes for different people, depending on their background to music :)
Didn't mean to go on a weird rant there, but it kinda happened, hahha.
I really feel like composing something big now, but I kinda have projects to work on.... Ugh....
Thanks again!