Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[[Poke The Bear] "The Cave Of The Cowboy Bear Duel" (Original Work)]

"I hate to 'bruin' your fun, but this here bear cave ain't big enough fer the both of us, pardner!" ~ bear, probably.

On the first listen, I was a little put off from 0:32 to 1:04. No particular reason. It just sounded weird compared to the rest of the piece which gradually increases in its intensity. Thought, "WTF does this have to do with jabbing sleeping animals with a stick?" After reading the description, I gave this a second listen, and could hear that sort-of country guitar in the segment I initially disliked being warped by the sounds we are introduced to in the first portion of the track. From then on, it turns into the initial credits theme of some campy horror film from the eighties (like a Full Moon Features-level of horror flick) and that guitar returns to help wrap things up. For something as comical as a cowboy's showdown with a bear, having this create the atmosphere for it would be a little unnerving. Good stuff, HoboKa!

[Jungle Falls (Diddy Kong Racing cover)]

I guess I know what I'm going to be playing when I get my N64 unpacked. Oddly enough, I always forget about how good the music is in that game. Maybe it's because there needs to be more covers and remixes to act as reminders for my aging memory.

[Camel Star On-Line - Office Procedures | 2024]

This sounds slightly eerie with its soulless, mechanical tune and DallE3's visual is a little unnerving, but the tune is also kind of a bop. I especially love the first 26 seconds that returns at the 00:53 mark.

Bertn1991 responds:

Why thank you. I think that's a great description. I suppose all the Camel Star tracks are a bit unnerving, but still pleasant, I hope. Anyways, thanks again. More bops to come~

[Propulsion]

The quality in your music was definitely worth the "almot" two-year wait.

Welcome back, Babas.

Babasmas responds:

Thanks !

I hope you're excited for what's coming then !

[Apple Soda | 2024]

I can clearly remember James Pond in Babes in Toyland (he was pretty much the star of the entire film) but Pond was also on the Super Nintendo? *checks online* Well now! On the Switch, too, it seems. Guess I'll wishlist that and hope it goes on sale. You provided me with a revelation alongside the tune. That's whatcha call "trapping two fish in one barrel" or something like that. I don't know. I'm not a barrel specialist... a barrelist.

Bertn1991 responds:

That must have been the original theatrical release of Babes in Toyland and not these "special editions." Give us the original cut already. It's good to know I'm not the only one who remembers James Pond. Super James Pond is not a particularly outstanding game, but I love it. I'm sure James Pond and Plok are probably great pals.

[The Village]

You're thinking Ghibli. I'm thinking Dragon Quest. The only logical outcome here is that Ghibli needs to make a Dragon Quest film and center it around this piece of music. Hopefully, you'll remember us when you become rich and famous from this inevitable lucrative endeavor.

[Rock Candy | 2024]

Definitely leaning towards the "spacy" tag on this one. Relaxing, sure, but I'm stuck with the image of someone doing so out in space and all the debris floating around them is colorful like those star bits in Mario Galaxy. As usual, it has that distinct Bertn sound that I can immediately pick up on when it begins playing from my ipod shuffle at work.

Bertn1991 responds:

I do wish I had a hungry luma to spoil. Sigh, real space isn't as fun as Mario space. It takes too long to get anywhere in our boring ol' dumb ol' universe, I guess to hide the secret loading screens. You know, like when you're playing a modern video game and, uh-oh, you have to slowly inch through a tight opening into the next area. I'm on to you, game. I know what you're throwing down.

But sincerely, thank you. I'm happy to hear there's a distinct Bertn sound that people enjoy, and at work? Wowza! All the best, dear friend :D

[Metroid Fusion "Ambient Fusion Water" [ft. Ridley Snipes & Hemopheliac]]

Always ready for more deserved love towards Metroid Fusion especially when it's this level of quality. Considering some of your other works, the comparison to Parasite Eve with your use of vocals is not only appropriate but I wonder if it was also deliberate.

HoboKa responds:

It wasn't deliberate, but it was good seeing Chimpazilla and others favor that style over realistic Legato and let the less realistic approach pass...if only the J's forgive my oldschool jank more often lawl.

[Cottonwood Ridge | 2024]

Starts off sounding like a song by Radiohead except my mind now has it being played by that one NPC in the village whose dialogue had to be altered for the American release because he was a creep. He was a weirdo. What the hell was he even doin' there? He didn't belong there.

Bertn1991 responds:

We feeble-minded Americans cannot handle such dialogue. We're so heckin' special.

[FUZZY UNTOUCHED SKIN]

I wouldn't say it is too busy for a game. It just isn't a conventional option. Throw this into a LISA fan game, for example, and it would fit in perfectly. Someone's going to create an experience that will definitely be enhanced by the inclusion of this song. Just don't forget you have it when that person goes around asking for music to include his work.