Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Spike Pit Blitz (Mystic Cave Zone remix)]

I see it mentioned a lot on this site, but I never properly understood the mindset of "better place for" when it comes to sharing one's art. Share it everywhere that's appropriate and maximize exposure for your works. This is good stuff, Neon (nearly all your songs are) and it would be a shame if I was a YT-only fan and missed out on this or a NG-only follower and missed out on other songs.

NeonLuigi responds:

Thank you. I probably should change that mindset and just do it anyway. I initially just thought "Eh, people on YT don't really care for original stuff, I might just not upload it on there".

Mystic Cave one is being uploaded of course, I mostly meant original music, but you're right.

[[Sonic Heroes spoof] Sonic The DoucheLog Vol.2]

It wouldn't be a proper Sonic tune of the '00s without Robotnik's pingas.

HoboKa responds:

Indeed!

[[Secret of Evermore] Mini Boss - Raptors! It burns!!]

I've never played Secret of Evermore. After listening to this, I was wondering what sort of mini boss would be so impressive that it would merit such a song, so I was going through a Longplay video and looking up information on the game's wiki... what an interesting Square-but-kinda-not-really RPG, but your remix is SO MUCH better than what a minion in this deserves. Some of the mini bosses don't even get the original theme, like that mad monk with 1000 hit points who drops the bronze spear. The whole thing seems like a weird, charming mess and I can see why it has a cult following. I gave a few other songs from the soundtrack a listen, as well. It's no wonder you wanted to create a remix from one of them, but I never would have thought to turn this particular track into a relatively intimidating piece. It really sounds like it belongs to a late-game boss and not merely used to highlight a handful of random enemies littering the world.

HoboKa responds:

I forget most of the game, just some moments that stood out (and I never beat it)...Guess it's a real liberal reinterpretation on my part. It was also an experiment with my Composer Cloud Oriental and European Voice Packs. Although, I do recall this game kicking my ass every step of the way, as a kid. It was more into Chrono Trigger and SMRPG I guess.

[Get a Squirrel (2020)]

YES, BERTN! YES!

Bertn1991 responds:

Smiles for miles ^____^

[Lovebug Virus (2012-2020)]

These Lovebug tunes are some of your bestest uploads, Bertn. That term must be your version of giving something your own seal of quality.

Bertn1991 responds:

Super thank you! I don't know about seal of quality. I would say seal of "this one is especially special to me and I hope other people also enjoy it." That's a pretty long seal I guess.

[(DK64) "DK Crew Gets Spooked!"]

I love this so much. Have you ever listened to a proper Halloween radio station, Alex? There are so many fun songs dedicated to the holiday, and it feels like they've been diminishing at a steady pace since the mid-nineties. My point, however, is that many of those songs are the same sort of goof-spooky that this brings to the ears, and I couldn't be happier.

Thank you as always, HoboKa. You really know how to bring out the best of Halloween music.

HoboKa responds:

Probably listened to it back in the day. Radio in general hahaha. Yeah, I love campy, dismal, fucked up things. If I didn't have psoriasis I'd probably make a good Goth/Emo kid. Thanks for the kind words and thoughts to things that once were.

[Soapstone Palace #SNESMusicContest]

You know, it really does sound like something I'd hear while roaming a castle for the first time in an SNES JRPG. I'd like to believe the tune would change to something more lively after your party has defeated the whom/whatever is troubling the kingdom... kinda like Camlon in the original Breath of Fire before the first boss is defeated and the town is rebuilt.

If nothing else, I hope you're recognized for your talent, Bertn. It's a lovely piece of music and you're a lovely individual for sharing it with us.

Bertn1991 responds:

Thank you 6000! Breath of Fire is a great complement in my book. Breath of Fire 3 is currently my favorite of the bunch I've played. Good memories for sure.

U #1 :-)

[Grim-Dark Temple of Yore]

It has the sound, the feel, the motherfucking flow of the holiday! Really took this track far above what I was expecting. Fantastic work, Alex! Seriously.

HoboKa responds:

Yeah, I really went all out. I'm kinda proud of it too! Thanks.

[chiptune_Real Time Strategery]

It lacks that authentic Gaussian "charm" to truly sound like I'm hearing music through someone's mattress, but I don't think anyone's going to complain.

I can hear the samples of SoM and MMX, but I couldn't imagine the song fitting all that well within either game. Rather, I keep imagining a standard "Go Right!" beat'em up in the mean streets of Fictional American City at night as Mayor Mike Hobogar goes from one area to the next clearing out the syndicate shenanigans plaguing his constituents.

HoboKa responds:

Thanks for the feedback. Huh...I think you're right. It does have a bit of a fighting game aesthetic to it. IDK, maybe others will hear it as more of a SHMUP. *shrug*

[Château de Pierre (2019)]

...but I don't want cats and spaghetti. I want dogs and lasagna (and Bertn music).

Haven't you've mentioned before about people commissioning you for your musical talents and refusing to pay? I greatly dislike being reminded that people are shit, but if the end result is being able to freely share your work, then I suppose that's better for everyone. You still deserve to be paid though.

Bertn1991 responds:

To be fair, I didn't try very hard to contact this person after the initial ghosting event. I let it go pretty quickly, so some of that is on me I suppose. Maybe something terrible happen, like a bear attack, or a dog attack, or a dog bear attack, or bear dog attack. All of those are real. Did you know bears and dogs share a common ancestor who lived fairly recently in geologic time? Who knew, right? Have you ever seen a shaved bear? It's like something out of a Guillermo del Toro film. Super monstrous.

But yeah, cats & spaghetti and dogs & lasagna seem backwards. Then again, I can only think of one cat that likes lasagna and two dogs that like spaghetti. But I appreciate you added Bertn music into this equation. So very kind. I guess it wasn't really an equation, though. Speaking of algebra, a couple years ago my teacher and classmates noticed a frowny face next to my name on the roll sheet and asked if I was okay. But a kind lot of people. They're just like you!