Rythe

Ah yes, Wolves at the Gate. I really wish I could like them more, and I think the crux of it is that the music doesn't support and mesh with the lyrics as I could wish. It's a tricky thing with this style, but All That Remains is closer to my sweet spot by comparison. Still, quite liked the chorus of Wolves'  Awaken; powerful lyrics in general.

And this is where I normally link The Passing of the Blue Crown, but... Let's go with the sibling trio: Oh Bravo by Children 18:3

Give Everything - 1 Kings 17: 7 - 24

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

Kairah let out a little sigh as Fang made his escape. "Sure gave me the wrong impression," she muttered just in Aden's hearing and then stuck him with a glance. "So why did you say he could pay others to do his errands for him? Now you make it sound like he wasn't that well off at all." But speaking of first impressions reminded her of other mysteries, and her look became a little more pointed when she quickly added, "And what's this business about being hunted by a sourc'ress?"

That sure didn't sound like something she and Ember wanted to have sprung on them unawares.

"Well, better late than never," Kairah said in response to Aden then blinked in realization of how that might come across, "To, ah, get use to handling some things yerself, I mean...Live a little rough...And uh..." She dug her toe into the dark earth and fidgeted a moment before clasping her hands back beneath her feathered wings with a penitent, downward gaze. "I'm sorry, it sounds like you've fallen in with hard times too."

Also sounded like they were strangers from a strange land. Silver spoons just do not make sense no matter how Kairah tried to work them around in her head, even for the supposedly silly rich. Cups, sure, you can be careful with a cup, but putting silver in a predator's maw simply gets you dinged up silver...

Identifying yourself with God to step into an extraordinary, reciprocal relationship with God.

Into Deep Waters - Luke 5: 1 - 11

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

The Church - Matthew 16: 13 - 19

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

"Sounds great!" Kairah replied with a bit of an impish grin. She added her hands to those repacking the basket and tucked in the extra little apple amongst the rest. "Although if we take a small detour to my papa's shop, we can grab some packs and things to help carry the food in and all that treasure out," the little dragoness suggested as she scooted off the blanket and began rolling it up for Ember.

Once finished, Kairah hopped up and brushed her skirt off, then with a cocked glance to Ember, asked, "Adventure, ho?"

Quite welcome.

Hmm, I've listened to Mainsail Part 1 a few more times, and changed my opinion on a few things. Do note that the only reason I'm digging into this song as much as I am is because I like it a lot and see a lot of potential in it, but potential I feel hasn't been completely tapped yet.
 

Scrap my previous comments on the intro. I think I mostly want it to make that initial changeup closer to the 18 second mark rather than the 21 second mark. The slow, teasing lead-in does work, but it's just a touch long to my tastes.

For level adjustments, the electronica accent first used at the 24 second mark could go up a little, while the synth, bass drum and that wood percussion thing can all go up more.  The high hat is basically at the level you want it, just need to bring every else up in line with it comparatively. Still might be hot presence-wise, and I'm not sure if the levels on the bass guitar would need adjustments or not. Which is to say, the song is mixed soft compared to industry standard these days, and Part 2 is even softer.

The remaining weaknesses are more structural, so this is where I'm likely to shoot myself in the foot when I get on this soap box of mine.  You've got half a foot in progressive style tracks and one and a half in composing music with Mainsail Part 1. By progressive style tracks, I mean layering in instruments as time goes on without much changing what said instruments are doing. It's a cheat, basically, where it's typically slowly warming up for the first 80% of the track and then has something worth turning into a song for the last 20% of the track - at which point, said track just ends.

What I would like to see is you step fully into composing with Mainsail Part 1. To tell you what I mean by that, I dug up my favorite song in this genre (Solar Sailer remix by Pretty Lights) in the off chance I might manage to say/show something intelligent with a comparison. And by 'theme', I basically mean the melody line plus associated accents below.
 

Composing music differs starkly from making progressive tracks in that composing involves developing and exploring the theme (melody line) and arranging those developments and explorations into a cohesive whole. For Solar Sailer, that's both the structural blocks arranged as shown along with the multiple Theme Variations, and for Solar Sailer, it also involves hinting at the next Theme Variation ahead of time and other things that I'm sure mostly fly over my head at this point.

Mainsail Part 1 isn't quite there yet, so first some more specific critiques.

Intro - I think you made a slight hash of your intro with the progression of the elements. It kinda feels like the bass guitar comes in too early and steals some of the thunder from the little flourishes that get added to the melody at 0:30. So I'd say you could play around here some more to get a bit more from the intro, and along the way, the intro as a whole could be lengthened a touch too. Do quite like the bass guitar coming in here though.

Dropping in that snare at 0:58 is kinda like a weird, almost transition between the first theme variation and the interlude... I'd say this is one of those progressive track missteps subbing in for a proper transition.

Interlude v2 + Theme - This is almost a Theme Variation 2, but falls a little short. On one paw, it's the interlude with a different snare and the theme dropped into the background, and on the other, it's basically using the raw version of your melody line which works better with the breakdown rather than as a variation of the theme. It's not bad, and after some thought, I think it could work well if it was separated from the first interlude and used as a distinct second one, probably transitioning into the breakdown as now. 

The last 10 seconds seems like you put some higher energy instruments back in just to have it all run out of steam. It's not a particularly satisfying end. Simply leaving the breakdown to ghost out piece by piece woulda worked better, methinks.
 

But I think the biggest takeaway here is that Mainsail Part 1 is two Theme Variations and a proper Outro away from having all the basic pieces of Solar Sailor, which would extend it to that 3ish minute song mark. To get closer to 4 minutes, you could extend all of those pieces (sans the interludes) without them overstaying their welcome and possibly repeat a section like Solar Sailer does. You already have a solid core for a great song, so again, would be pleased to see it fleshed out fully.

I will be seeing about those EPs later, I think.

Hello!

I am going to be a bit biased as you're doing a style I quite enjoy, which is a lot about the texture of the music from moment to moment. Also the usual warning - live audio mixing was my bag, so I know just enough about talking music to be dangerous.

Mainsail Part 1 -

For the very beginning stretch to about 0:20, your flatter sustain on the notes (compared to later) seems regrettable to me. It's teasing without being really descriptive, but I think adding in the ghost of another element, having it quietly fade in and out or make brief little appearances, might do the trick rather than reworking the melody line there. That wood block-y percussion instrument you used at the very end would be my first suggestion. In contrast, 0:20 - 0:41 was much more the thing, in part because of the bass guitar being added in and in part because you showed more of what you were developing with the melody line.

I wasn't a fan of the snare. First version because you pillowed it to the point where it sounded a bit too much like the bass/kick drum. Second version because it and the high hat stepped away from the rest of the song and obscured said song by them being hot level-wise and sucking up all the space in the higher frequency range. It felt like those two instruments became 80% of the track while they were there, while also being the least interesting parts going on.  When the second snare was left on it's own at the very end, it became pretty apparent that the slightly twangy tone of it didn't mesh well with the electronica tone and style of the track too. On the high hat I'm more forgiving, but still a bit too hot and pervasive a presence while there.

I really liked what you did with the wood block-y percussion instrument, but felt it was a touch too soft. I had to turn up the volume on my speakers to get a good sense of them. It's a fine line you're trying to walk with them being a quieter background presence, and you're close but not quite.

But overall, I really liked Mainsail Part 1. I liked the tone and style of the electronica elements, all the variations and work you put into the melody line, the driving bass line (drum & guitar) and melody line at 0:41 - 1:00, how you changed up the bass line with that wood block-y percussion bit was a great and well-composed accent at the end (especially how it played off the kick drum at 1:45 - 2:04), and the 1:45 - 2:04 stretch was a great breakdown of what had gone before in general, adding in some breathing/negative space to the song. I would quite enjoy seeing this track expanded and developed to the 4ish minute mark. The melody line also reminds me of one or two other songs I can't quite put my claw on...

Mainsail Part 2 -

Quite enjoyed the piano, but the levels on this track are too soft in general, particularly those edgy/eerie string and whirring industrial elements which basically have the same problem as the wood blocky-y instrument of Mainsail Part 1 - a bit too soft, to the point where sometimes you're wondering if you actually heard them or not.  Those two elements also seem out of place without a broader context of why they might be there. It's one of those things that could work really well in a game, but are kind of a question mark without said context.  Not particularly bothersome as they are, at any rate, even a bit interesting, but would probably be a good thing if what they represent became a stronger, more developed presence in the track later on.

A great start with these two Mainsail parts, Akarynth! Keep it up. ^^

Changed the file links in case and for those who ye ol' podcast setup is less than ideal.

The story of God and humanity.

Homecoming - Luke Chapter 15

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

Well, I should have done this a week or three ago. It was something I badly needed to hear when I first heard it.

A Place Called Home - Ruth Chapters 1 - 4

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church.

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

"Hi Kairah!" Ember shouted in glee as she met her with an awaiting hug. "Where are the boys? Late as usual?" She laughed deep and heartily for she had a very deep voice for a woman. "While we wait for them how about we grab something to eat? I brought us some pan bread, a small roast of chicken and a couple potatoes." Laying down a small blanket she pulled up the basket and set out the freshly made food. Praying a prayer of blessing over the food she looked up at her friend, "well? lets eat." 

A long time ago, while guns were just beginning to be constructed, there lived a Tiger named Ember. Ember was a young 18 year old with bright orange fur and black and white stripes, she stood about 6' 2" and could stare anyone down with her peircing blue eyes.

 

One day Ember and her friends got together in the nearby cornfield.

It's been too long since this forum has been used, so let me offer an interim service.

No Waiting For Daylight - 2 Kings 7:3 - 16

Sermon by Erwin McManus, Mosaic Church.

Streaming Link and Direct File Link

Well, since we went there...

The www.eff.org writers make a good writeup on why the TPP would enact policy that has the teeth of the DMCA in the US (and then some) without many of the protections or the ability to adjust domestic policy appropriately to the times, tech, and conditions because international trade agreements don't work like that. And then the TPP goes further in areas like putting liability on ISPs to do something about copyright complaints.

For us little guys, there's a lot to say that the TPP will be worse that what the US currently enjoys.

I've wandered past some news about the TPP as a mere trade agreement and had to come to the conclusion that it's one most muddied bit of politicis I've seen in a long time - so much disinformation. I should have known that was a bad sign when combined with a few other things.

But I hadn't seen any mention of the intellectual property rights provisions before, so thanks for bringing this up Adair.

On the quick browse, https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp seems to be a good writeup of the issues without being particularly partisan about it.

Down to the River is Christian themed at least. Kind of a Folk/Slave Hymn with muddy appearing origins. The version sang here is a bit more Christian than older versions.

My standouts from Seasons 7 and 8 of The Voice. There's quite a few other Christian songs that've had great performances on the show too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHQStBH2TXQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amxE80Zj1Ys

Skype is a bit obnoxious these days, but it works and I've no preference.

I keep saying I mean to stick my nose into these things, but the moment always escapes me for one reason or another - I've been occupied and away the past week or so, for instance - but I'll try to keep an eye open for this one.

And generally speaking, I'm flexible on the day and time.

The easy connection between the various agencies and their scandals is the operating attitudes and beliefs among them. Also humanity. Also command structure.

But this is politics, Foxbunny, where the so-called smart practice of dealing with problems is to tell as little of the truth as possible and hope the widespread response doesn't go too badly against you. A sober, honest and comprehensive root cause analysis of the various acts of corruption coming from the US government would likely give us the reasons these problems are happening, and would let us identify and target those root causes in the various agencies, or at least gives us the odds on which agency is going to give us the next failure.  That sober, honest and comprehensive root cause analysis is not going to happen though, and so your desire for comprehensive and sure data is naive and futile.

It's a case where the certainty and clarity you want will never happen, so we have to settle with trend analysis and best guesses given the available data.

In other words, the reality is almost certainly worse than we can definitively say it is, and we should account for that. There is also a lot we have to try and infer here, and we should try to infer what we can.

And in other words, it's all a bit of a crapshoot. If a conservative source is wrong about something, that doesn't mean they lied, it means their analysis was off (assuming analysis situation or their sources were wrong, and maybe used the word 'promised' inappropriately which is a thing political types and sales types do). And you're misrepresenting the ACA thing, given that it gave Pres Obama the political lie of the year award, and given that it was the duty of the people selling and presenting the bill to understand what was in that bill and what it would do. (It was also the duty of the reps voting on the bill to understand it before passing it). That's not a case of best analysis on available data, that's a case of having all the data available and either lying outright, or giving claims about something they did not know. Somebody did a lot of lying with the ACA, if at least the people who wrote the thing and didn't tell anyone otherwise when all the false claims were coming out. Also this.

Nextly, I first presented the idea that the 'General Conduct' clause is rife with potential for abuse, which it is.  It's basically giving the FCC veto power over any ISP practice, which is basically giving the FCC the ability to set any ISP practice, which is basically giving the FCC the ability to run all ISPs in large part. They have to justify it based on a number of standards, but really, the government at large is justifying just about anything it pleases on the flimsiest of pretexts these days. See abuses of Imminent Domain laws and what people are saying the Constitution really means. As a part of said government, the FCC likely will join those ranks, but the real problem is that the FCC is giving themselves this power that is rife with the potential for abuse and misuse in the first place.

Thenly, I presented the idea that this will morph into an Orwellian anti-'hate speech' setup. Is that certain? No. Is that likely? Depends on your analysis. Is it possible? Well, much, much more than it use to be, which is an aspect of the real problem above.

And if that isn't a valid merit on the FCC's decision, then why not?

And speaking of the FCC's recent decision and new slew of regulations being unnecessary and a bad idea - it looks like the FCC might have decided to break internet streaming, whether they realized it or not. See this.

A number of things.

The evidence is comprehensive that the IRS targeted conservative organizations in a way well outside the norm, and in a way that differed considerably from liberal organizations and their other allies/associates at the same time. The IRS, in effect, punished political enemies. 

Secondly, all government agencies are government agencies.

If there is something effecting government agencies across the board, then it follows and is valid to say that said something can and likely will effect any government agency. Maybe not necessarily, but I did present it as a wager, which is asking people to play the odds here. I am saying the odds I'm right are good, of course, and in that case, it is prudent to raise an awareness and maybe effect a change that would alter the situation to something more desirable or favorable to all of us.

Nextly, it's not the 'Affordable Care Act', it's 'the US government lies to us'.  Although now that you bring it up in the general case, it is another wonderful example of expecting us to form a comprehensive opinion on something we know far too little about before it becomes law/regulation, and in the case of the ACA, that mystery turning into something full of problems and things we were told it wasn't going to be. Also unconstitutional. Also going against a certain campaign promise and general claim to 'transparency'.  If the trend follows, the FCC's new regulations for the internet are going to be full of issues too.  Not necessarily, which is your point, but why should we bet otherwise when that's the way it's been going? Which is my point.

If you want to play it that absolute certainty is the only game in town worth talking about, then that's your deal, but that's not the world I'm living in.

This is where your argument instruction works against you, Foxbunny.

The slippery slope might be a fallacy in the realm of pure logic.

But it is also a very real phenomenon in humanity.

It's observed in gateway drugs, the progression of soft porn to hard porn, and the progression of tyranny.  There's multiple aspects of the psyche at play. One being tolerance build up to stimuli. Another being the fallacy that a little bit of something being good means a lot of that something must be very good.

Admittedly, the first two are primarily about stimuli and tolerance, but with tyranny, people build up a tolerance to oppression in incremental steps. Oppression is a means for those who are in power to get what they want, which creates a positive feedback loop where more oppression seems the best way to get more of what they want.

And when I look at the rampant corruption coming from the US Government, that slippery slope of tyranny seems to be very much in play.

Which is what I tried to explain/present in my second post here.  And which is why you claiming slippery slope fallacy isn't what you think it is.

-edit-

And thank you, I do appreciate the apology.