The Paper Train Express

  Title: Vultures of Love Released: November 12, 2011 Genre: Heavy Metal    Basic and instrumental, but it does fit the genre. An experiment clearly, and if it had vocals (or screaming) it would probably have hit a little more success. That does bring forth the 'what if' scenario, but I suppose that applies to every song, each one has an influence on what came next. I dunno what this song could be useful for, but it's a composition of noises!   Rating: 5/10

  Title: Ultimate Nemesis (Amy's Theme) Released: April 8, 2012 Genre: Industrial    Similar to the last song, this song has a certain unpolished edge to it that certainly adds to it. The drums in this are weirdly quite on point, especially since they are simple drum loops. This screams "video game song" more than for anything else. Whether that is a downfall or a win is open to debate. It did at least end up in a game, albeit a doomed flash one.  The overarching synths are repetitive for sure, and the song doesn't give a huge variety of sound. But it's interesting to listen to, and holds a steady vibe.   Rating: 7/10

  Title: ~Lockdown~ Released: November 4,2010 Enacted: November 20,2020 Genre: Industrial    Gritty. Tense. Strange. Ominous. Fitting for the theme, and experimental in its sound. This again is a piece that be befitting of an album, even though its far from radio worthy.   Oh no.   Rating: too real/10

  Title: The City of Hope Released: Oct 17, 2010 Genre: Misc.     Certainly something different. The chorus is familiar sounding, and had I been more known I'd may have faced the trials and tribulations Talyor Swift had. I'd argue ironically the main tune is what holds this song back. Overall a pleasant tune, the thick bassy synths are the best part.             Rating: 3/10 Title: Can't Wait for the Weekend Released: Oct 20, 2010 Genre: New Wave   Though the synths don't hit as hard on this, the drums do. The synth in the breaks work well. I don't know how the mainline synths need altering, but perhaps what this song really lacks is a solid bass.  Relatable title!   Rating: 4.5/10

  Title: Techtox Released:September 25, 2010 Genre: Trance    A song with words! Sort of. Voice loops, which was yet another experimental track. Overall this track comes off as very basic and uninspired, but there's moments where the direction is more interesting.  The only take-away here and from the last song is the words thing really wasn't happening for me. Ah well.     Rating: 3.5/10

  Title: Escaping Her [Special Mix] Released:August 30, 2010 Genre: Industrial    Another song in the 'her' story-line. The synthline, though very repetitive, is quite good for setting the tone. The breakdown is fun, and the gritty second half of the chorus parts of the song are still a well done technique to me. Certainly it's loopy, and tweaking some of the song-lengthing repeating would go a long way. But it's fun to listen to. Also the special mix was due to taking out lyrics. A constant struggle, but I won't dock marks for that, since this version ended up preferred.   Rating: 8.5/10

Title: Challenge Released:January 6, 2009 Genre:Dance     This song is certainly nice and punchy. Love the kick. It's overall hi-energy. The 'woosh' noise seems unnecessary, even a detraction.  Smoother than usual, that's the programs merit.   Rating: 6/10     Title: Midnight in Eric City Released:January 7, 2009 Genre: Trance     Unsurprisingly similar to the last, but with a bit of good change-up. This one reads more melodic, and structurally feels more like a 'real' song.   Rating: 9/10     Title: 1000 Released:January 11, 2009 Genre: Techno     A stride was clearly hit. It's very nice to listen to, and memorable.   Rating: 9/10     Title: The New City Released: March 7, 2009 Genre: New Wave    This song epitomizes the upbeat vibe. It's quirky and weird, but so positive. Very clearly loops, but mixed nicely, and all the parts work together weirdly well. I can say based on all the...

  Title: A Fantasy of Her Released: December 15, 2008 Genre:Dance     The Pros: Upbeat, Trance, Dreamlike, Decent progression, pleasant to listen to, name fits. The Cons: Basic, Similar to Dream of Her structurally, sounds like a sample song. The best part about this song is the fact that its namesake pushed the idea of a song-story which would ultimately end up being told in 4 songs.      Rating: 6.5/10

  Title: Mad Fiesta (Full w/o lyrics) Released: December 14, 2008 Genre: World   You'll be hard-pressed to find a version with vocals. I'd struggled with the idea for adding that to my music and it peaked with this song. I designed the tune around the vocals I was going to add, but I admitted defeat whilst recording. There is or was actual lyrics written for this song. Not sure where that file went.   The kicker in all this is this song went on without my words to become a bit of a hit. Featured in an online game, and occasionally appearing on youtube. Structurally it follows what I'd normally do to a T. It shines on its own merit, from the instrument loops chosen to the synth to add flair. Will a version with lyrics ever come out? Unlikely. But it's certainly another point for trying something different and garnering success from it.   Rating: 9.5/10

  Title: Crazy Phenomenon Released: October 23, 2008 Genre: Trance   Starting with a sound effect to set the tone, moving into a moody baseline, carried along with a melodic synth.  Tracks like this are the type I could see on an album of mine, if I ever were to release one. It's not the type of song that would ever get popular, or likely even recognized.  But as an instrumental piece, it plays out like a story. My thoughts anyway. Even without the titular title, this song proves itself an interesting piece.   Rating: 9/10

  Title: Crazy Phenomenon Released: October 22, 2008 Genre: Experimental     I claimed this as hip-hop, but I don't think this qualifies. What...what is this? It's an absolute absurdist tune throwing different elements together. In that regard, the name is really fitting.  A real Frankenstein song. I don't know man.   Rating: 3 or 7/10  

  Title: ~City Girl~ Released: October 21, 2008 Genre: Pop     Incredible to realize this followed Rise of Sin.  I don't think it's pop. I'd call this some form of electro. But it's hard to fit this song in a category and I like that. It starts off sweetly with that soft synth and retains a certain light innocence to the sound.  The drums and bass are an odd combo with it, somehow they work. Not perfectly or seemlessly mind you, but they don't detract at least. This sort of song doesn't necessarily need lyrics. And this is more closely compositional of a song, despite it being a loopy mess. If all looped songs could turn out to be the gem this was, there would be a foot to stand on. But this was a one-off and it still has its fair share of imperfections, loop matching and sound mixing and whatnot. 2 or 3 loops carry the entire project and I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing. But this song is closer to what I'm looking for.   Rating: 8.5/...

  Title: Rise of Sin Released: October 20, 2008 Genre: Metal/Hard Rock  It certainly is... a change of tune. *ba dum tss* Since it is a different genre, I gotta judge it accordingly. It lacks vocals, which could have helped carry it more. The riffs are cool, but seeing as they were the only ones, they had to be played into oblivion, which weakens them. The drums are pretty fast and don't seem to add a lot. No guitar solo? Clearly I don't know instrumental rock, or didn't back then. Had this come out in 2000, this could have ended up in a nice edgy flash game that nowadays would be obsolete or likely some level of offensive. But in terms of exploring a new genre, kudos to that.     Rating: 3/10

  Title: Sunny Holiday Released: October 19, 2008 Genre: New Wave This song is a classic RO Design, I can tell my patterning from a mile away. Because of that, the 'intro' is not great. I don't mind the hook of the ukelele, but it'd have been nicer to chop out the entire next bit and skip to :53, and repeat that once more. Past that it's pretty pleasant, save for the snares at 2:25, which I know was to add flair but it really just added too much. For a bunch of loops, not bad. Arranging is it's own challenge, and even with a DAW I'll struggle with that.     Rating: 5/10

  Title: ~ Revolution Released: October 19, 2008 Genre: Electronic   Immediately it's clear I jumped into a new loop program, as the quality improves. Still loopy but much more smooth. I'll admit working with new loops is very exciting, and is part of what kept me going the loop route. Why bother with a DAW when you have pre-made good noises that you just have to try to combine in a clever way? But that's why we're here, because that thinking is exactly the flaw. And this is about growth! Speaking of which, this song progresses decently, and though the sprinkling effects tactic remains a wash, it's certainly something easier to listen to than some other works. Rating: 5/10

  Title: Bassyer Released: October 18, 2008 Genre: Another song name that starts with 'Ba' In a struggle to keep innovating, one turns to their previous work, and alters it. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.    Rating: 3.5/10    

  Title: Base 50 (Riccy's Base) Released: August 13, 2008 Genre: ?? Music? Ah, Evil-Theme. A song of cardinal sins. The grating synth-line, being the core of the tune, meant to carry the entire song. Drums that play at the speed of light. We hear the return of the bass from Base 50. The other f/x work a bit here and there. And the title? Truly unique. I wish this was my worst work, but sadly, there's more. Rating: 1/10

Title: Base 50 (Riccy's Base) Released: August 12, 2008 Genre: Industrial   This screams title screen for an early 2000s FPS game. That's my now impression. It's certainly got a slick and dark vibe to it. It's of course repetitive and loopy, but it's upbeat enough to not become too grinding on the ear. Some effort choices are oddly fitting, but certainly only for this song, and are otherwise not  overall super pleasant.  The 1:30 mark onward has too much overlapped noise.  The intro and first "Chorus" are definitely the highlights here. Very good opening hook. But will it keep someone for the entire 2 minutes? Not so likely I think. Love the vibe ultimately though.  Rating: 6/10

    Title: Hip Hop Meltdown Released: May 6, 2008 Genre: Hip-Hop/Electronic This song gave a good lesson about naming songs before releasing them. It's name now is somewhat fitting, as it certainly fringes on a proper hip-hop sound, but definitely has too upbeat of a melody to fit. Plus it's too fast.  Because of the absurdly upbeat bass, the later synth definitely doesn't fit, being more dramatic and dark. The bubbling synth is cool though. This definitely fits in the category of 'Sound experiments'. If that's your vibe, you're welcome. Rating: 5/10

  Title:Tricky Trixie Released: April 30, 2008 Genre: Electronic   The tricky part about this song is not giving it too much free points for it's namesake. But it's not about the titles, its about the sound. I feel like this song epitomizes where my loop sound was headed ultimately. The loops are extra obvious in this one, and it sounds like something very cheesy. Sounds get layered and 'add more drums' is my go-to. The fade at the end is a nice twist though. Aside from a flash-era game or as the homage it is, not a lot going for this one.  But it's far from the worst one yet.   Rating:2.5/10