Reberetta's Walrus Reveal AKA Reberrus!

Reberetta · 24-03-2020 6:17pm #1

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages; it's the Road Dogg Jesse James, the badass Billy Gunn...wait, wrong script.

Welcome to Reberetta's Walrus reveal AKA REBURRUS! (with a hat tip to Rikand for providing me with that name.)

Categories:

1. The Weirdest Music/Song Ever

2. Great Vocal Performance

3. Song To Play At A Funeral

4. Great Non-Album Song or Great Live Performance Of A Song

Rules:

1. Songs scored out of ten, instead of scores based on placement; there will still be placings of course. More on the scoring later...

2. Out of the 60 songs submitted I will choose the very best song and award the submitter a bonus 3.5 points. This be unveiled at the end of the reveal thread.

3. Out of the same 60 songs I will select the very worst and deduct 3.5 points from the submitter's total as punishment. This be unveiled at the end of the reveal thread.

4. There will be a prize for first place which I will post to an Irish/N. Irish address free of charge! The prize will be a bunch of rubbish CDS that I dug out of the back of my garage.

First things first:

5. Guess my favourite artist/band
As an aside game, if you can guess my favourite band/artist, you will win a bonus 3.5 points!

Let's look at the pretenders and contenders and their guesses:

$hifty

The Beatles
tusk

Prince
Pretzill

Soundgarden
Spook ie

Anything not by Slade
Necro

Pearl Jam
Rikand

Blur
Gru

Foo Fighters
lassykk

Nirvana
ShaneU

ELO
beakerjoe

Prince and the New Power Generation
FixXxer

BTS
Electric Nitwit

Pink Floyd
Homer J. Fong

Metallica
Also Starring LeVar Burton

Fleetwood Mac
phatkev....................................The Rolling Stones

Has anyone guessed correctly? I will hold you in intolerable suspense for now.:P

All I need to do is add up some scores and put the songs to usernames, as I largely forgot who entered what and thus it was free from any chance of favouritism. I don't know who has won either.

Scheduled to kick this off Wednesday or Thursday at 6pm.

Reberetta · 26-03-2020 8:46pm

Reveal for this will be tomorrow afternoon. First up will be 4.Great Non-Album Song or Great Live Performance Of A Song.

Songs scored out of ten. With tied scores, I will place my preferred submission higher in the countdown (naturally).

First 14-2 will be revealed, then finally last place and first place in one post to up the suspense.

Be there! Or don't, it doesn't really matter, it'll go on without you.:D

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 4:11pm

Ok, let's get the show on the road with Great Non-Album Song or Great Live Performance Of A Song. I received

9 Non-album songs: all seem to fit the category as far as I can tell.
5 live performances: fit the category obviously.

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 4:44pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

I can't think of much to say about this entry. It doesn't excite or bore; it doesn't annoy or cloy; it doesn't engage or stir the emotions. It's just sort of there; bland and inoffensive. Neither the lyrics or music appeal and arouse curiosity. Medium-pace and middling, it rarely changes gear. He belts the chorus with amorous gusto, but I've heard better Billy Joel songs-Everybody Loves You Now is on a playlist of mine.

The "Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooooooh" conjures visions of a swaying, baying sports crowd. Okay.

Score: 6/10

Second last place aka 14th place:

Pretzill

tusk · 27-03-2020 4:47pm

excite

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 27-03-2020 4:49pm

lassykk · 27-03-2020 5:02pm

Really looking forward to this.

My first time being active during a Walrus Reveal!

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:02pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this version.

Explaining the origin of the band name, Piccone is quoted as saying:

In George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four social classes were defined as the inner party, outer party, and the working class. It sounds really "holier than thou" when you say it, we're really not this full of ourselves, but we liked the idea of creating this full, multimedia, over-stimulating, elitist environment that we were trying to invite everyone into. It's the ironic elitist class.

Interesting. A touch of The Prodigy and Pendulum about this track. What genre does this fall into? Techno dance? Electronic rock? It's passable, with energy, but that's where my praise ends. It took me to the last (when I read PMs properly) to realize this is a cover of a Joy Division creation which I've heard occasionally. I prefer the original, although credit to them for putting their own signature on it-they fooled me, if no one else.

Score: 6/10

13th place:

Electric Nitwit

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:08pm

Nine Inch Nails-Burn

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

Confession: I have never listened to a Nine Inch Nails album; an anomaly considering their influence and reputation, not to mention the genres and bands I favour; I mean, I like their bosom buddies Marilyn Manson. This sounds like typical NIN to me with their traditional leitmotifs; special effects on Trent's angry, disenchanted angst. Slow section, fast section, keyboard beeps like a computer processing. It comes to an awkward halt at 5.04 for some reason. A bit lengthy and repetitive.

"I am your future
Swallowed up in fire".

I like those lyrics. This isn't Closer but it's satisfactory dark industrial, featuring at various points, presumably, an invasion of giant buzzing flies, whom by the conclusion devour Reznor's corpse completely? It's fiery but I am not inflamed.

Score: 6.5/10

12th place:

fixXxer

Electric Nitwit · 27-03-2020 5:13pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this version.

Explaining the origin of the band name, Piccone is quoted as saying:

Interesting. A touch of The Prodigy and Pendulum about this track. What genre does this fall into? Techno dance? Electronic rock? It's passable, with energy, but that's where my praise ends. It took me to the last (when I read PMs properly) to realize this is a cover of a Joy Division creation which I've heard occasionally. I prefer the original, although credit to them for putting their own signature on it-they fooled me, if no one else.

Score: 6/10

13th place:
Electric Nitwit

Well, I took a gamble and you were wrong

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:16pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this version.

Freddie's customary crooning is the highlight. Very good drumming. The crowd up the volume at three minutes; my favourite section. Good performance of a good song but nothing stands out as spectacular, capturing my imagination. I'm sure the submitter loves this for their own reasons, but it's a tad run of the mlll for this category. I think I prefer the studio version.

Score: 7/10

11th place:

ShaneU

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:20pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

I haven't paid enough attention to tell the difference between all the modern British/Irish bands- Kaiser Chiefs, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Killers etc.- I cannot differentiate or identify from a police line-up. My uncle respects The Killers and he hates almost all modern bands. He even hates Queen.

This reminds me of The Zombies, which is a good thing. The verses' hook overshadows the chorus; ideally you want it the other way round. Nice quick fingering on guitar at three minutes. The outro sounds like the ending to a sentimental episode of Thomas The Tank Engine wherein Thomas dies of a drug overdose after going off the rails and I'm not terribly fond of it (because I love Thomas).

Score: 7/10

Tenth place:

Gru

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:25pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

The intro and outro is reminiscent of a song by Hendrix, possibly Castles Made Of Sand. This has Ten era Pearl Jam production stamped all over it; classic rock which seems tailor-made for a stadium. Eddie's lungs are beefy here; he's an iconic frontman.

"I don't know whether I'm the boxer or the bag".

Good, but maybe a bit formulaic for them, lacking in personality. Still, it flirts with sublimity. It's a tad surprising it was omitted from their studio albums, although Ten was stiff competition and perhaps it was considered too similar to others on that record. In fact, that release has a song called Porch-so maybe their Porch reference quota was already filled!

Score: 7/10

Ninth place:

phatkev

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:30pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

Menacing piano hook. Eminem is pissed and a smidgen misogynistic...no change there then. He does his thing of skilfully dissing in rhyme, then just when it's in danger of becoming monotonous, at two and a half minutes variety appears in the form of a female collaborator whose accent I immediately adore; is it Mariah Carey herself!? Sounds a bit like her. Whatever, she ramps it up a notch until the end. The final word is "Knife" and this cuts like a knife. Ripping.

Score: 7.5/10

Eighth place:

Necro

Necro · 27-03-2020 5:40pm

Glad that did ok.

Yeah he either cut snippets from her songs or she did actually make tracks with Eminem which he had access to.

Its defo Mariah either way

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:43pm

B.E.R.-The Night Begins To Shine

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

I can't find any info about this group.

This has an ELO/Blondie flavour. If I were to attempt to place this in a decade I'd go for eighties, but it is contempo. It has an element of disco. I like the lyrics; uncomplicated yet gothically grand. If I were a vampire, I might adopt this as my theme. Contagious chorus. Nifty submission.

Score: 7.5/10

Seventh place:

beakerjoe

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 5:54pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

Gruff Cookie Monster growling and crashing cymbal effects on a keyboard carousel! I like it. There simply aren't enough Sesame Street impersonations in the modern canon. I'm not one to put much stock in 'stage presence'-musicians can stare at the floor for all I care- but if I did, this guy would get top marks. He ain't mailing it in. I've never seen Letterman so enthused for a group!

Will check out more from this band.

Score: 7.5/10

Sixth place:

$hifty

tusk · 27-03-2020 5:57pm

this is starting to get scary now. I might just unfollow :pac:

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:10pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this version.

Why did Prince not capitalize on this classic? Talk about a prodigious oeuvre.

Arguably the greatest rock singer of the past 30 years, Cornell gives a sturdy rendition which rivals Sinead O Connor and Prince himself.This would have scored highly in category two of this Walrus. It includes a quality solo. I wish he had repeated the "Guess what he told me" line like others do.

Tremendous track delivered by a troubled troubadour with a commanding tone. RIP.

Score: 8.5/10

Fifth place:

lassykk

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:13pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

Although not a supremely gifted vocalist, I have a lot of respect for Madge. She's intelligent, brave and talented. She has carved out her legend in the glass ceiling like a strong woman should. In a way, she's like Xena Warrior Princess.

This is a rocking, bouncey number, recollective of an energetic Prince composition and performance. I enjoy the tempo and rhythm throughout; there isn't a dull moment. "You understand what I'm talking about Detroit?" Yes!

Score: 8.5/10

Fourth place:

Spook ie

fixXxer · 27-03-2020 6:16pm

Reberetta wrote: »

B.E.R.-The Night Begins To Shine

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

I can't find any info about this group.

This has an ELO/Blondie flavour. If I were to attempt to place this in a decade I'd go for eighties, but it is contempo. It has an element of disco. I like the lyrics; uncomplicated yet gothically grand. If I were a vampire, I might adopt this as my theme. Contagious chorus. Nifty submission.

Score: 7.5/10

Seventh place:
beakerjoe

I know where this comes from. BK you are a hero, the true people's champion.

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:20pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this version.

One of my favourite Eagles songs. Here it has an extended intro, which I initially took for musical wankery, but much like a boner, it has grown on me. I haven't seen this much chemistry since my cousin Earnie's meth lab was shut down. A hairy magician on guitar. I didn't know the drummer also sang lead. One of the members looks like the bloke from Spinal Tap. Maybe it is the bloke from Spinal Tap, that would be cool.

Around the fourth minute, the traditional version kicks in and it continues with fantabulous musicianship all round. There's one wrong note at around 4.30, but it may be intentional. I have to say this is a wicked live performance vocalized adroitly.

Score: 9/10

Third place:

tusk

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:30pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

This has attitude. A bad attitude, which is to say, good attitude. Puissant piano pounding with punk venting; whatever she's saying it sounds vital; this isn't about an Uptown Girl; it's passionate and rebellious. Fantastic story-telling lyrics; "dicks droop like lilacs" is noteworthy. I haven't studied the words intently, nor the true meaning of the song, but I get the scent of euphemisms that almost seem to refer to prostitution? I could be way off base, but that's partly what I think about when I hear the lyrics.

I have heard the song Horses and her cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit; neither blew me away. This one compels me to check out more Patti Smith.

"I have something to hide here called desire". No kidding-it's not hidden!

Score: 9/10

Second place:

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 27-03-2020 6:35pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

This has attitude. A bad attitude, which is to say, good attitude. Puissant piano pounding with punk venting; whatever she's saying it sounds vital; this isn't about an Uptown Girl; it's passionate and rebellious. Fantastic story-telling lyrics; "dicks droop like lilacs" is noteworthy. I haven't studied the words intently, nor the true meaning of the song, but I get the scent of euphemisms that almost seem to refer to prostitution? I could be way off base, but that's partly what I think about when I hear the lyrics.

I have heard the song Horses and her cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit; neither blew me away. This one compels me to check out more Patti Smith.

"I have something to hide here called desire". No kidding-it's not hidden!

Score: 9/10

Second place:
Also Starring LeVar Burton

I'll very happily take 2nd place for this round. Wasn't sure how well received this one would be.

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:37pm

Only two entries left to reveal then: first and last. I will do so in one post.

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 6:50pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

Electronic chilled, acoustic ambience; conjures the vision of a relaxed nightclub setting with flashing colourful lights and a few groovy dance moves on the floor. Somewhat reminiscent of Jose Gonzalez's Veneer. Nice blend of guitars and effects, but a bit soporific and not something I will return to in a hurry. Fairly forgettable fare.

Score: 5/10

Last place:

Rikand

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: Yes, many times.

This is late nineties Billy Corgan era; subdued with electronic poetry and drum-machine beats. Leaving this off of the low-key and unheralded, unprofitable and underrated Adore album seems to me an oversight. If it had appeared it would have been its strongest track in my opinion; it far surpasses Perfect, a single from that studio release.

There is variety here and it rocks almost deceptively; ethereal pre-chorus, slap-bass like springing beats; a multi-layered diaphanous crescendo which conjures visions of a portal to...somewhere adorable, an outro which cuts like paper.

I am a big Smashing Pumpkins fan so you've struck gold submitter! Even though I've heard it a hundred times before, it still deserves number one.

Score: 10/10

First place and winner of category:

Deleted User

tusk · 27-03-2020 6:52pm

Nice reveal reb

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 27-03-2020 7:05pm

tusk wrote: »

Nice reveal reb

What he said.

Necro · 27-03-2020 7:06pm

Yeah, I enjoyed the in depth reviews, twas great!

Reberetta · 27-03-2020 7:07pm

I didn't make this table, I ripped it off from another thread and redid it. I think it works ok after clicking 'total' one or two times.

Scores After Round 1

Name|B-side/Live|Funeral Song|Vocal Performance|Weird Music|Total
Homer J.F.|10(1)|0|0|0|10
A.S.L.B|9(2)|0|0|0|9
tusk |9(3)|0|0|0|9
Spook ie |8.5(4)|0|0|0|8.5
lassykk |8.5(5)|0|0|0|8.5
$hifty |7.5(6)|0|0|0|7.5
beakerjoe |7.5(7)|0|0|0|7.5
Necro |7.5(8)|0|0|0|7.5
phatkev |7(9)|0|0|0|7
Gru |7(10)|0|0|0|7
ShaneU |7(11)|0|0|0|7
fixXxer |6.5(12)|0|0|0|6.5
Electric N.|6(13)|0|0|0|6
Pretzill |6(14)|0|0|0|6
Rikand |5(15)|0|0|0|5

fixXxer · 27-03-2020 7:16pm

Ahhhh back at the bottom of a walrus, it's been too long.

Eye was on my shortlist as well, great song

Trigger · 27-03-2020 7:18pm

Great reveal Reb, enjoyed reading your details. Some lovely choices in there too.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 27-03-2020 7:26pm

Oooh points for Grade rather than Placement... Interesting flex Reb...

quickbeam · 27-03-2020 7:31pm

tusk wrote: »

this is starting to get scary now. I might just unfollow :pac:

Vindicated!! Great choice

Electric Nitwit · 27-03-2020 7:32pm

Good work Reb - shame you didn't like mine but Walrus isn't a game I play to win (as opposed to all the others that I'm terrible at as well!)

Hopefully the next one tickles your fancy more

27-03-2020 7:43pm

Phew! Was worried as I saw the list go down and I hadn't been revealed yet....Smashing Pumpkins are one of my absolute favourite bands and Eye is one of my absolute favourite songs by them (or by anyone), so really didn't want to come last in this round.* Glad we saw eye to eye on that one Reberetta.

And great job on the reveal, look forward to Round 2 (unless the apocalypse comes even closer and we have to abandon the game immediately, declaring the current leader the winner - I'd be ok with that! :pac: )

This was one of those rounds where the second I saw the category I knew Eye was gonna be my submission.

*Obviously don't want to come last in any round, but particularly not this one!

lassykk · 27-03-2020 7:48pm

Happy with 5th place with Chris Cornell. Looking forward to listening to the other tracks on the list!

ShaneU · 27-03-2020 8:41pm

Yeah I totally read that question wrong

phatkev · 28-03-2020 2:15pm

Nice reveal Reberetta, still cant believe no one went with this!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn4SCyBmAOo

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 3:24pm

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

Good work Reb - shame you didn't like mine

It's not that I didn't like it. There are some songs you like and can leave, some songs you like and come back to, then some songs you love and put on a playlist. Yours fell into the first category. A score of 5 or above in this Walrus means I thought it was decent.

Coming up soon today is 3. Song To Play At A Funeral. I know some people take funerals seriously and have entered songs close to their heart, so no offence intended as my reviews get harsher and darkly humourous. Besides, once you have decided to enter my Walrus, you must suffer the consequences.

Songs scored out of ten again. Tied songs placed higher on preference naturally.

13th down to 3rd revealed initially. Then 14th, 2nd, last and first.

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 4:53pm

If anyone wants to create a Walrus playlist from the songs above, go ahead. I don't have it myself because I was using someone else's youtube account and they've since deleted.

Right then, time for round 2.

Song To Play At A Funeral.

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 5:22pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

Intro has a country vibe, then it cranks up. "I can slap a tornado" is a quirky, clever line. I feel like I've heard it before even though I haven't; musically there's nothing captivating or inventive. I'd prefer heavier drums. The chorus is ok but it quickly grows old. The ending is a drag.

"I ain't buying no future when the past is so far away". What does that even mean? Is it a cynical reference to Jesus and churches concerned with profiting? Is this song partly to do with religious dogma? I don't care enough to ponder.

A distinctly middle of the road rocker with a generic central riff. A poor man's Soundgarden.

What I would do if this was played at a funeral: Carve "I ain't buying no future when the past is so far away!!!" into the tombstone of the deceased.

Score: 4/10

13th place:

beakerjoe

Necro · 28-03-2020 5:24pm

beaker with the wrestling themes, me likey!!

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 5:25pm

Necro wrote: »

beaker with the wrestling themes, me likey!!

Whose entrance music is it?

Necro · 28-03-2020 5:27pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Whose entrance music is it?

Used to be this guys:

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 5:48pm

Hardyz ruled.

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 5:53pm

Clannad Siuil, A Run

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: No

This is reminiscent of some of Donovan's material. The word 'minstrel' springs to mind; folky, melodious acoustic guitars with harmonious vocals, delivered partly in the native language which adds to the almost medieval mood. It's definitely suitable for a saturnine day of mourning. It also might be an appropriate score for a few scenes in the original Wicker Man movie. It's decent but a little lengthy and boring.

What I would do if this was played at a funeral: Join hands and dance in a circle around the grave with my fellow heartbroken mourners.

Score: 5.5/10

12th Place:

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 28-03-2020 5:56pm

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 5:57pm

The more I listened to that song, the less I liked it. Sorry Mr. Burton.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 28-03-2020 6:02pm

Reberetta wrote: »

The more I listened to that song, the less I liked it. Sorry Mr. Burton.

Ugh, don't call me Mr. please, makes me feel physically ill.

Fair enough on your opinion of the song though, its not for everyone I suppose.

Reberetta · 28-03-2020 6:02pm

Billy Boyd The Last Goodbye

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

Billy Boyd is a Scottish thespian whose acting career has not come to my notice.

Subdued strings with a gentle strumming guitar throughout and elegiac musings with a choral accompaniment delivered in a heroic, lofty style. I've never seen The Hobbit, but I can envision someone being filmed singing this on the bow of a pirate ship by panning cameras high above. This is a song for a cinematic hero, not a hobbit. Not bad.

What I would do if this was played at a funeral: Jump onto the coffin and perform a singalong with grandiose gestures.

Score: 6/10

11th place:

Pretzill

Reberetta's Walrus Reveal AKA Reberrus!

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