Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Heads Will Roll (2013)]

"Dang it, Walter! You did this. Not me. I told you, 'No aerial stunts!' You know I don't like riding in one of these things."

See, it's a Cute'em Up featuring Squirrely Boots as she fights her way through eight levels of high flyin' oddities in order to rescue Admiral Cheeseburger from an adorably vicious crew of sky pirating shrews.

Bertn1991 responds:

Tales from Arcadia reference instantly make my day. You are officially the best.

Also, Walter needs to stop his reign of tyranny >.<

[Mushroom Forest Dance]

I hear an awful lot going on with this piece, and I'm just amazed at how it doesn't end up sounding like a cluttered mess. It's a testament to your talent, Flops.

[Ice 7 (2019)]

You are one of the few who can craft a slow melody that I won't quickly grow bored of hearing. Thank you, Bertn.

Bertn1991 responds:

I'm happy to hear 'twas not boring. That's a high complement. Thanks for listening, as always ^.^'

[Crystal Crusade II - Castle Munchausen (2019)]

Initially, I was thinking about the Castle/Fortress theme for Yoshi's Island, but as the song continued, it felt like I was also being reminded of something else. I just can't pinpoint it. The beginning of the Puppet Master theme, perhaps? In a vain attempt to look up possible songs I might be thinking of, I found myself listening to the theme of Killer Klowns From Outer Space and watching a video about why an eagle-owl is a dangerous pet.

Is it safe to assume the Baron of this castle is a well-known teller of tall tales? Does his fight have you riding half-horses and flying cannonballs? There's a great movie about those stories, but I don't particularly know of a game that properly referenced them. A missed opportunity, if they haven't.

Now, if you would be so kind as to point my Smash main in the direction of DK Island. Duck Hunt and I have some avenging to do in your honour (and honor), Sir Brent "The Bertn" Bunn of year 1991.

Bertn1991 responds:

Ah yes, the Fortress theme for Yoshi's Island / the Song of Storms from Ocarina of Time. I think Koji Kondo plagiarized himself.

Also, it's funny you should mention the Baron of the castle, since the original title for the song was Baron Vongor. When I was little I played pretend with my cousin. We'd have these big fantasy adventures (LARPing before LARPing was a thing) and Vongor was a character. He was basically the big bad and probably not very good at telling stories.

Also also, Baron Munchhausen is one of my favorite movies ever. Probably why I was attracted to the name.

I will honor your wishes. Duck Hunt is S-tier in my book. Dogspeed, sir.

Thanks for listening <3

[Crystal Crusade II - Prelude of Fire (2019)]

An unnecessary, but greatly appreciated reminder that the limitations of the SNES have little effect on you and your ability to create amazing classic Chiptunes. Now, all we need is for Flops to get his ass back and Newgrounds will be filled with proper music from both ends of gaming's fourth generation of consoles again. (When he returns, Flops's is going to owe us a week of apologies, along with more Sega music, and a lot of IBC to drink.)

Bertn1991 responds:

Thank you once again, sir. I'm working on a SNES soundtrack at the moment. Not for an actual game, but just a soundtrack for fun. Video game composers from back then are my biggest inspiration. I would have loved to have become a composer for video games back then. Born into the wrong period I suppose. But yeah, when he comes back it'll be the 90s all over again, Genesis vs SNES. Flops does what Brenten-Don't.

[Hell Frozen Rain [Silent Hill]]

I went into this expecting some creepy industrial track (I've never played any of the games), but this was nothing of the sort. I gave the original song a listen, too, for comparison, and you two fucking nailed it.

Even if it's just for some background sounds, you should really find a way to incorporate Vedrana into more of your music. Her voice is woefully underutilized.

endKmusic responds:

Me neither, I just played first two, but both songs we covered were from other parts, lol.
I'm in love with Akira's music in general.
Thanks a lot, was really hard to pull-off this one since it's pretty long and I'm kinda out of form with covers, but I guess Vedrana isn't! Ha!
Appreciate your support, was thinking the same about incorporating, but I guess I have to find a way how.
Certainly would love to do that. :>

[Bookstore (2019)]

Add another minute and a half (or more) to this, and I'll pay you for it, instead. A friend of mine really likes it, because he's a sucker for piano music, but he also says it's too short as is. Can it be done, Bertn, the greatest (and sexiest) of all squirrel-related heroes?

Bertn1991 responds:

I will sell you this track for the cost of one turnip. One of those weird, long turnips that look like Nosferatu's fingers.

Also, you're too kind. I simply can't compete with the likes of Squirrel Girl. She has all the powers of a squirrel AND a girl. She can both climb up trees at squirrely speeds AND has a slightly longer life expectancy than my sex. That girl's got it all.

[High Place Drifter (2019)]

Sounds similar to Outlaw Frontier. When comparing the two, it feels like Frontier would fit well as the opening theme to a western game, while High Place Drifter has a more celebratory tone to it, which I'd expect to hear at the end (during the credits).

Bertn1991 responds:

The two are a bit similar, minus the very un-western steel drums in Outlaw Frontier. I for one would adore hearing this as the ending credits to something :^)

[Deathmobile Redux (2019)]

Heh... bort.

Sure, he's the boss, and his vehicle is an impressive-looking killing machine, but the music and title suggest that it's mostly just an act. He's gotta look tough for the sake of his followers. Perhaps no one will bother him and his crew if he can convince enemies that he's not to be messed with. By the time your party reaches this battle, you realize your opponent is trying his hardest to win, but doesn't have it in him to really finish the job, and, in turn, you spare his life when you are finally victorious. Perhaps, he will have a chance to return the favor later on in the game, but, if he does, let's hope his machine is given a better name by then.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Deathmobile fight became one of the most memorable throughout the adventure.

As always, thank you, Bertn.

Bertn1991 responds:

Bort is life.

The driver of the Deathmobile, Bubba, might look tough around his enemies, but he's a real softy. He eventually sees the error of his ways and joins the party, renaming his vehicle to the Alivemobile, which isn't any better than the first name. Can't expect a guy named Bubba to have a lot of great ideas.

And thank you so very much for listening <3

[Override Protocol (2018)]

I feel neither relaxed, nor mellow, but, rather, a little unnerved and overwhelmed. It's the kind of music I would expect to hear while exploring a location that one might view as spirital or otherworldly. Imagine walking through the ruins of a long-forgotten city. You're the only one there, yet it feels like you're surrounded by others who don't even acknowledge your presence.

Bertn1991 responds:

I think you described the song perfectly. I think above all it's meant to be unnerving, but also gentle. I don't know if you saw the animation this was in, but that description isn't TOO far off.

All the thank yous :)