2019 NHC Winter Music Showdown VOTING THREAD (RESULTS)

Smiling Politely

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Welcome to the 2019 Winter music showdown! I hope everyone is ready to listen to some new tunes. We have seventeen people entered with 64 songs total (you can see the entry thread here). Each round will last about three days. Please feel welcome to vote regardless of whether you have songs entered.

These are our original sign ups (including those who were unable to submit tracks in time):
1. [MENTION=49962]Smiling Politely[/MENTION]
2. [MENTION=66897]Mr. Teenie[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=32807]justice4screamapillar[/MENTION]
4. [MENTION=32798]Bart's treehouse[/MENTION]
5. [MENTION=20302]Shaunbadia[/MENTION]
6. [MENTION=45949]The Spruce Moose[/MENTION]
7. [MENTION=38730]foose[/MENTION]
8. @gamer girl pee
9. [MENTION=62459]pilcrow[/MENTION]
10. [MENTION=13089]jim[/MENTION]
11. [MENTION=14077]box elder[/MENTION]
12. [MENTION=56353]deadname[/MENTION]
13. [MENTION=46441]Insomnia[/MENTION]
14. [MENTION=69013]bias[/MENTION]
15. [MENTION=46458]The Thompsons[/MENTION]
16. [MENTION=73806]Exordium[/MENTION]
17. [MENTION=46658]zach[/MENTION]
18. [MENTION=65804]ThatsAPaddlin[/MENTION]

Happy listening, folks! :jam:



Round 1A
Round will end at approximately 10pm eastern time on Sunday, January 20.

1.
Purity Ring - Fineshrine
vs
The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me

2.
The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
vs
Rare Candy - As Told By Ginger

3.
Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy
vs
Alisha - Kiss Me Quick

4.
Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua
vs
George Benson – 20/20

5.
Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
vs
Ghostpoet - Many Moods at Midnight

6.
Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
vs
Slugbug - Computers Again

7.
DJ Koze - Lord Knows
vs
FKA Twigs - Lights On

8.
Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
vs
Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees
 
1. Purity Ring - Fineshrine
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping (Easy choice here.)
3. Alisha - Kiss Me Quick (I just can't deny a good tune.)
4. Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua (Would be happy if the results for this one went either way.)
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees (Wasn't really into the other song, so I guess this wins.)
 
Getting my votes in now in case I don't have time to write up reviews. Will edit if I have the time or energy (travelling a bit tomorrow)

1. Purity Ring - Fineshrine

2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping

3. Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy

4. George Benson – 20/20 (I think this one has more staying power for me)

5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire

6. Slugbug - Computers Again (this was another strong match but Slugbug won my heart)

7. FKA Twigs - Lights On

8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
Last edited:
1. The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
3. Alisha - Kiss Me Quick
4. George Benson – 20/20
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
1. Purity Ring - "Fineshrine"
2. The Mo-Dettes - "Dark Park Creeping"
3. Azizaa – "Voodoo Pussy"
4. George Benson – "20/20"
5. Jane Weaver - "Mission Desire"
6. Junko Ohashi - "A Love Affair"
7. FKA Twigs - "Lights On"
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – "Takhabot" feat Ghassan Halwani
 
1. Purity Ring - Fineshrine
2. The Mo-Dettes - "Dark Park Creeping"
3. Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy
4. George Benson – 20/20
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
Last edited:
1. The Astors - Just Enough to Hurt Me
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
3. Azizaa - Voodoo Pussy
4. Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh - Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
1. The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
3. Alisha - Kiss Me Quick
4. George Benson – 20/20 (this matchup made me mad)
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. DJ Koze - Lord Knows
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
1.The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me (Both sooo good)
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping (ehhhh)
3.Alisha - Kiss Me Quick
4.George Benson – 20/20 (😬😬)
5.Jane Weaver - Mission Desire ( bad Match)
6.Slugbug - Computers Again (omg what is this???)
7.DJ Koze - Lord Knows
8.Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees (eh)
 
the astors
mo dettes
alisha
george benson
jane weaver
slugbug
dj koze
tamer abu ghazeleh
 
1. Purity Ring - Fineshrine (tossup)
2. Rare Candy - As Told By Ginger (@Alex Wieringa you owe me 5 dollars)
3. Alisha - Kiss Me Quick (Azizaa obvs the more interesting track but Alisha already going on playlists)
4. George Benson – 20/20 (match of the showdown)
5. Ghostpoet - Many Moods at Midnight (eugh)
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair (I wish I nommed this)
7. DJ Koze - Lord Knows (Avalanches vibes. and you know how I feel about that)
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani (I can do peak 80s pop over a smiling pick but not Fleetwood Mac)
 
1. Purity Ring - Fineshrine
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
3. Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy
4. George Benson – 20/20
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani
 
1. The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping
3. Alisha - Kiss Me Quick
4. Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On
8. Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees
 
winners in bold, accompanied by some clumsily written half reviews

Purity Ring v The Astors

Purity Ring sounds very fresh and cool, quite like the juxtaposition of light synth and abstract lyrics. The Astors is a pre decent soul tune, the sort of thing that coulda made it into an early scorsese flick. Not bowled over by it though. Feel like Purity Ring is slightly better.

Modettes v Rare Candy

Well I'm a massive post-punk head and Modettes seem to mould punk and 60s soul into one weird sound. Have heard them before and yeah i sorta did. That garage rock sound could easily have come out of 2011 but its almost 40 years old. This is real cool. Rare Candy is an agreeable folky song, not big on the big vocals riding so much over the soft twanging of the guitar. I do like that transition at around 1:30, its ok. Modettes wins comfortably tho

Azizaa v Alisha

I don't really have the words to describe voodoo pussy. It kinda grated at the beginning but after a while I found it quite catchy and rhythmic. Alisha is a solid early 90s pop tune, its ok. I feel I'm not taken with either song, but I suppose I found voodoo pussy more fascinating, even though i do like the chorus to kiss me quick. Azizaa

Oran Juice Jones v George Benson

I am familiar with "the rain" which is cool 80s r'n'b tune, this one has the new jack swing to it. Its danceable for sure. 20.20 is a little bit more tuneful, a bit more vibrant. Win for George Benson


Jane Weaver v Ghostpoet

Ok mission desire is lit, love this weird portishead vibe - i've quickly fallen in love with this one. Ghostpoet built up my expectations with that opening but it didn't seem to go anywhere, a tense, anxious sound to this. Its ok, but Jane Weaver wins hands down


Junko Ohashi v Slugbug

Ok a love affair is sleek and funky af, everything about this is cool. Computers again is fucking hilarious, like a millenial suburban kraftwerk. I really liked the industrial breakdown at around 1:45. Quite a close one this - I'll have to give this one to Junko Ohashi


DJ Koze v FKA Twigs

Lord Knows - well theres some good vocal samples. Love the d'n'b sound, but unfortunately a bit repetitive. This track sort of comes alive when the female vocals slowly force their way into the song. Its nice. Lights on - man I love those opening soulful vocals, a very minimalist sound, and then all of a sudden an ocean of sound bursts in just after the minute mark. Really love the weird horn sounds that come in at the end of the chorus. Really good - FKA Twigs wins


Tamer Abu Ghazaleh v Fleetwood Mac

ooooh is first song is cool, i'm not 100% sure what instrument is playing all over the time, but I do enjoy it, also love the pitch and loudness constantly fluctuating in the vocals. There is a chaos about this song, inflamed by the cooky video accompanying it. Ok so Fleetwood Mac are one of the fathers of classic rock, some of their stuff I'm bowled over by, other stuff not so much. But this is kinda hooky, really enjoying the bass riff which gives way to a great rhythm riff about 1:30 in. this definitely seems like one of their more experimental songs after the recent departure of peter green. This choice is a toughy, as I feel like picking Mac is the easier choice- agh this is tough. While it may not be a popular choice gotta give it to Fleetwood Mac

overall an interesting round
 
1. The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me (damn)
2. The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping (heh)
3. Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy (the other is more my thing in general but I’ll toss this a vote)
4. George Benson – 20/20 (damn)
5. Jane Weaver - Mission Desire (I had high hopes for the other with a title like that)
6. Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair (damn)
7. FKA Twigs - Lights On (damn)
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani (that is not a great FM song)
 
1. The Astors
2. The Mo-dettes
3. Alisha
4. George Benson
5. Jane Weaver(I guess)
6. Slugbug
7. DJ Koze
8. Tamer Abu Ghazaleh
 
Still need complete votes from the following folks. There's about 20 hours remaining. [MENTION=45949]The Spruce Moose[/MENTION] [MENTION=78359]cam[/MENTION] [MENTION=56353]deadname[/MENTION] [MENTION=46441]Insomnia[/MENTION] [MENTION=69013]bias[/MENTION] [MENTION=73806]Exordium[/MENTION] [MENTION=46658]zach[/MENTION]
 
1. Just Enough to Hurt Me
2. As Told by Ginger
3. Voodoo Pussy
4. 20/20
5. Many Moods at Midnight
6. Computers Again
7. Lord Knows
8. Takhabot
 
Sorry for the delays folks, I had serious technical issues, and I slept while I ran some repairs.

ROUND 1A IS OVER. Stay tuned for results and 1B.
 
Round 1A Results

1.
Purity Ring - Fineshrine (8)
vs
The Astors – Just Enough to Hurt Me (9)

Eliminated: Purity Ring - Fineshrine (Nominated by: [MENTION=62459]pilcrow[/MENTION])


2.
The Mo-Dettes - Dark Park Creeping (15)
vs
Rare Candy - As Told By Ginger (2)

Eliminated: Rare Candy - As Told By Ginger (Nominated by: [MENTION=69013]bias[/MENTION])


3.
Azizaa – Voodoo Pussy (9)
vs
Alisha - Kiss Me Quick (8)

Eliminated: Alisha - Kiss Me Quick (Nominated by: [MENTION=46658]zach[/MENTION])


4.
Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua (3)
vs
George Benson – 20/20 (14)

Eliminated: Oran "Juice" Jones - Shaniqua (Nominated by: [MENTION=46658]zach[/MENTION])


5.
Jane Weaver - Mission Desire (15)
vs
Ghostpoet - Many Moods at Midnight (2)

Eliminated: Ghostpoet - Many Moods at Midnight (Nominated by: [MENTION=46441]Insomnia[/MENTION])


6.
Junko Ohashi - A Love Affair (12)
vs
Slugbug - Computers Again (5)

Eliminated: Slugbug - Computers Again (Nominated by: [MENTION=73806]Exordium[/MENTION])


7.
DJ Koze - Lord Knows (6)
vs
FKA Twigs - Lights On (11)

Eliminated: DJ Koze - Lord Knows (Nominated by: [MENTION=62459]pilcrow[/MENTION])


8.
Tamer Abu Ghazaleh – Takhabot feat Ghassan Halwani (13)
vs
Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees (4)

Eliminated: Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees (Nominated by: [MENTION=46458]The Thompsons[/MENTION])
 
1. Akua Naru feat. Eric Benét - Made It (Another easy choice here.)
2. Thought Gang - Logic and Common Sense (Man this song is wild. Which I guess is what you'd expect from David Lynch.)
3. Yung Lean - Muddy Sea
4. The Riptides – The Tomorrow Tears (I like this a lot better than the last track so it gets my vote)
5. Forêt de Vin - Lifeline (I really like the other song too. But I just can't deny a good tune. Wish both could go through though.)
6. Alyssa Milano - New Sensation (Another easy vote. This song is my jam.)
7. Pine*Am – Mackerel Sky (The other song was better than I expected for being so short.)
8. The Space Lady - I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night (Space Lady has the benefit of being more unique I guess)
 
All subject to change until the voting deadline, will edit comments later

1. Akua Naru feat. Eric Benét - Made It (though I have to say I started to dig the 90s REM/HATBF thing the other one had going on in a way)

2. Thought Gang - Logic and Common Sense (David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti are just aural bliss)

3. Ted Hawkins - Biloxi (Yung Lean is alright but it's something I need to be in the mood/headspace for)

4. The Riptides – The Tomorrow Tears (I will pretty much always vote for anything with a surf rock influence, love this)

5. Forêt de Vin - Lifeline (Would be happy if Phonte won too, but this is the scent of dressing up in my mom's floral fuchsia lipstick and one of my dad's white dress shirts, set to music)

6. Alyssa Milano - New Sensation (so much nostalgia for this one!)

7. Pine*Am – Mackerel Sky (I dig the breathy vocals over the bright synth notes)

8. The Space Lady - I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night (This is such a beautiful piece of outisider music. She takes a mostly forgettable piece of 60s psychedelic rock, strips it down, and just elevates it into something so alien and almost spiritual)
 
Last edited:
1. Akua Naru feat. Eric Benét - Made It
2. Homecomings - Songbirds
3. Ted Hawkins - Biloxi
4. The Riptides – The Tomorrow Tears
5. Phonte - Find That Love Again
6. Alyssa Milano - New Sensation
7. Pine*Am – Mackerel Sky
8. The Space Lady - I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night
 
1. Akua Naru feat. Eric Benét - Made It (my pick doesn't have a hope in hell, why fight it?)
2. Thought Gang - Logic and Common Sense
3. Ted Hawkins - Biloxi
4. The Riptides – The Tomorrow Tears
5. Forêt de Vin - Lifeline
6. Fun 100 - Hygeine Boy
7. Alan Hawkshaw - Roving Reporter
8. Unrest - Disco Majick
 
1. Akua Naru feat. Eric Benét - Made It
2. Homecomings - Songbirds
3. Ted Hawkins - Biloxi
4. The Riptides – The Tomorrow Tears
5. Phonte - Find That Love Again
6. Alyssa Milano - New Sensation
7. Pine*Am – Mackerel Sky
8. The Space Lady - I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night
 
1. Akua Naru
2. Homecomings
3. Yung Lean
4. The Riptides
5. Foret de vin
6. Fun 100
7. Alan Hackshaw
8. Unrest
 
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