Conflicting Reviews

[jerryjennings]

I have this tune I've done several re-writes on, called Makeup Kisses. I'm going for the mainstream country market. About three weeks ago I submitted it to about 7 country listings, and the reviews have been rolling in. The second to last review was that my chorus was not a killer idea and the verses had something going for them. And the last review I've gotten was that the verses could use some work but the chorus was strong. I'm wondering if there's a possibility that when a screener hears a song that they are sure they've heard before, they might get to the first line of the chorus and say, "yep. same old chorus" and start typing a review. I've gotten all my rewrite ideas from taxi listings and the books they've recommended, and they've all been great. When I got the favorable review on the choruses, that matched my expectations. I had followed more of the "rules" of the modern country model, and it was feeling really good to me. But now I've started another re-write based on having a couple of reviewers say the chorus was lacking. Anyway the song is at my page www.taxi.com/jerryjennings and here are the two reviews I mentioned. If you want to know what the old chorus sounds like, just listen past the solo. For the out chorus it felt cool to leave it, and sustain a whole note chord.


#1 "The tracks here are pretty solid but the vocal is not quite as strong and polished as I believe it needs to be in order to be considered "competitive with songs being pitched on Music Row", per the listing's request. The verse melody is pretty cool but the chorus melody is pretty stock to me. I like your basic structure but I will say that the "pre-choruses" run long in my opinion."

#2 "Jerry - I especially like the chorus. It has a nice payoff. While it could be good to go into slightly more detail in the verses, I thought the voice on the track had kind of a rougher "alt" quality when compared with the smooth and polished twang of a Luke Bryan and/or Tim McGraw."


I do share the thought of the longer B section needing to be shortened, and am putting that into effect. Thoughts yall? Thanks, J

[Casey H]

Hi Jerry
Reviews are opinions and yes, they can be very different. It's usually best not to jump into a re-write based on an opinion unless you've heard the comment from multiple qualified sources.

Sometimes when you get conflicted reviews but none of them indicate that the song is a winner, it's just not grabbing people and it's hard to put a finger on it.

As you know, the mainstream country market is about the toughest one to crack. Your song really has to walk on water.

One suggestion would be to pick ONE professional critique service focused on the Nashville market and stick with re-writes per their suggestions. You could also do custom critiques with Taxi asking for the same reviewer each time. Some of the best pro-critique-ers out there are also Taxi screeners.

Anyway, best of luck!!
Casey

[funsongs]

Hi Jerry
Reviews are opinions and yes, they can be very different. It's usually best not to jump into a re-write based on an opinion unless you've heard the comment from multiple qualified sources.

Sometimes when you get conflicted reviews but none of them indicate that the song is a winner, it's just not grabbing people and it's hard to put a finger on it.

As you know, the mainstream country market is about the toughest one to crack. Your song really has to walk on water.

One suggestion would be to pick ONE professional critique service focused on the Nashville market and stick with re-writes per their suggestions. You could also do custom critiques with Taxi asking for the same reviewer each time. Some of the best pro-critique-ers out there are also Taxi screeners.

Anyway, best of luck!!
Casey

Hmmm... you know, this thread is making me wonder if Michael would be open to doing a Monday TAXI-TV show where he takes this specific genre: bring in a guest screener adept and focused for that market... and do on-air critique/re-write suggestions for lyrics and structure. Possibly this has already been done, and I missed it; in which case I'd be up for a rePete!!

Wuddyathink?
Cheers,
Peter

[funsongs]

#1 "The tracks here are pretty solid but the vocal is not quite as strong and polished as I believe it needs to be in order to be considered "competitive with songs being pitched on Music Row", per the listing's request. The verse melody is pretty cool but the chorus melody is pretty stock to me. I like your basic structure but I will say that the "pre-choruses" run long in my opinion."

#2 "Jerry - I especially like the chorus. It has a nice payoff. While it could be good to go into slightly more detail in the verses, I thought the voice on the track had kind of a rougher "alt" quality when compared with the smooth and polished twang of a Luke Bryan and/or Tim McGraw."

Thoughts yall? Thanks, J

Ok... my ramblin' fwiw-review:
the vocal sounds more Tom Petty-ish to me. So, in addressing those 2 critiques, I'd opt for getting a Nashville demo singer to do the vocal tracks... strictly on the basis of pitching to that market.
I can suggest Jon Statham, or Joe Sins, either of whom (just to name two) I think could bring that country-life to this. If you are at all willing and/or seriously interested in going that route, I'd be glad to send you contact info; or you can probably Google or You Tube search them for yourself.

hth, cheers.
Peter

[jerryjennings]

Hey thanks both of you. And I think I will take that contact info, but I want to make sure I'm done in the re-write department before I call them.
J

[funsongs]

Hey thanks both of you. And I think I will take that contact info, but I want to make sure I'm done in the re-write department before I call them.
J

While there are lots of 'name' Nashville demo singers you could find out about and team up with, I'm only giving names of the 2 with whom I've had some correspondence:

Jon Statham
jonstatham.com (310) 882-1967
(note: Jon posts this number publicly on his website and via Google).
Jon is my first recommendation. While vocal tones and tastes can be a very personal-choice thing,
I think you'll find his range, chops, and harmony sensibilities to be top-shelf.
And... if you're into Beach Boys or Brian Wilson... Jon does them/him spot on!!

Joe Sins
http://nashvillesongwriterdemos.com/
Argh... I ran out of funds for a project I'd wanted to do with Joe; he's got some good 'twang' going on with his vocals. It's been awhile since I contacted him, but would work with him/them in a heartbeat if I could.

hth; good luck.
Peter

[singer1]

I think I may know a guy here in town that might be able to help. lol D.B.M.

... the only race we're in, is the human race... D.B.M.

www.taxi.com/davidbradleymau
www.reverbnation.com/davidbradleymau
www.airplaydirect.com/davidbradleymau