Critique and listing help

[amweiss]

Hi Everyone
I'm new to Taxi and I'm trying to see if one of my recent songs might fit this listing, TAXI #U120814SS, where they ask for MID-to-UPTEMPO acoustic pieces that have a BRIGHT, UPLIFTING or POSITIVE vibe..and are contemporary. Below is the lyric and a rough cut of the song (You've Always Been There) is here:

http://soundcloud.com/allenweiss/youve- ... been-there

Basically I'm trying to see if this is in the ballpark before spending much more time on production (which now is voice, guitar and snare drum).

I could have cried
Enough tears to fill the night
You came along to make things right
In this world that seldom cares
You've always been there

I couldn't laugh
At myself, like I do now
You were there to show me how
You're the answer to my prayer
You've always been there

I could have broke into a thousand pieces
You're still the one I've always needed

I couldn't love
As deeply, as I do now
You were there to show me how
In this world that seldom cares
You've always been there

I could have broke into a thousand pieces
You're still the one that I've always needed

I couldn't see
The joy that fills my heart
Or feel the yearning when we're apart
Now I feel it, no matter where
You've always been there

Thanks for helping me out.

[Casey H]

Hi Allen
A few thoughts....

I assume this is a work tape and you are going to apply full production to it. I would check out some contemporary singer songwriters and try use a similar arrangement and production approach to one.

Your song would most likely need to have an overall upbeat, bouncy vibe for this listing. Make it have "movement" with a happier tone. You might want to focus lyrically less on the negatives (cried, tears, broken, pieces, etc) and more on the positive that she's always been there.

The repititious bass notes and drum in the worktape here are a little distracting. Looking forward to the next version.

Best,
Casey

Post-edit... I just found the listing and see they gave reference 'a la' tracks...

Alexander "A Million Years" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUnXgucl748

A Fine Frenzy "What I Wouldn't Do" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrJA5eDhh9I

Wilco "Whole Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly_dbVEXoWI

Bahamas "Already Yours" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A65BbJMCyA4

[amweiss]

Thanks Casey...that's kind of what I thought...lyrically, that would be a completely different song, but one worth thinking about.

[Casey H]

Thanks Casey...that's kind of what I thought...lyrically, that would be a completely different song, but one worth thinking about.

I just edited my post with the 'a la' track list Taxi gave in the listing. Those are big clues to what they are looking for.

Good luck
Casey

[feaker66]

Hi

Nice to meet you.

Your voice is pleasant. When You come down to the lower notes it gets flat. Such as second line "night" and third line "things right". No biggie

Acoustic guitar is nice and clean.

Good luck man

Paul

[amweiss]

Hey thanks...that's what happens when I'm just trying to see if the idea is working (I'm not really a singer, just a songwriter). The original song was actually done in a finger picking style - but I don't hear too much of that these days in songs so I'm not sure it's a contemporary sound (assuming I rewrite the lyrics per Casey's comments).

[amweiss]

Hi All
Maybe you can answer this one...in the listing it says no synths or drums (like they only want piano or guitar) but the reference tracks all have drums, bass, electric guitars and other instruments (in fact, most of the reference tracks I wouldn't even call acoustic). How have you handled these types of apparent contradictions in the past? Do you just go our and hire a drummer, etc?

Thanks,
Allen

[Casey H]

Hi All
Maybe you can answer this one...in the listing it says no synths or drums (like they only want piano or guitar) but the reference tracks all have drums, bass, electric guitars and other instruments (in fact, most of the reference tracks I wouldn't even call acoustic). How have you handled these types of apparent contradictions in the past? Do you just go our and hire a drummer, etc?

Thanks,
Allen

Allen
The way I read this listing is they are not saying acoustic ONLY, they are saying “acoustic based”. So, the use of other instruments is fine, you just want the acoustic – piano or guitar to be the instrument that dominates and certainly don’t give it an electric guitar sound. The reference to not using drum machines is telling you that they want real drums or at least very realistic sounding drum tracks.

Casey

TAXI is preparing a COMPILATION of ACOUSTIC GUITAR or PIANO-based SINGER-SONGWRITER SONGS to send DIRECTLY to a MUSIC SUPERVISOR on NETWORK TV SHOW that has used lots of TAXI Members' music. We need MID-to-UPTEMPO pieces that have a BRIGHT, UPLIFTING or POSITIVE vibe a la:

Alexander "A Million Years" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUnXgucl748

A Fine Frenzy "What I Wouldn't Do" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrJA5eDhh9I

Wilco "Whole Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly_dbVEXoWI

Bahamas "Already Yours" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A65BbJMCyA4

MALE or FEMALE vocals are BOTH welcome. Like these SONGS above, feel free to interweave other instruments into your PIANO or GUITAR-based creations. We need CONTEMPORARY-SOUNDING SONGS with an ORGANIC and AUTHENTIC sound that touches the heart and gets toes tapping. We're looking for SINCERE performances that let your EMOTION shine through. Synthesizers and drum machines are not recommended. Keep your lyric themes UNIVERSAL. In other words, avoid city names, people's names, foul language and other specifics that would limit the types of scenes in which your SONG can work. All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality but shouldn't be too overproduced and slick. (No Autotune!) Forwards will be sent DIRECTLY to the MUSIC SUPERVISOR. YOU WILL KEEP 100% of the ultimate fee, and you will NOT give up ANY of your Master, Publishing and Writer's share! You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights to submit for this listing. As always, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or their songs in any way, shape, or form! Please submit one to three songs online. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS. NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. ALL submissions must be received no later than Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 12:30PM PDT. TAXI #U120814SS

[rnrmachine]

You're VERY good. I enjoyed the song quite a bit. I agree with Casey in every way... so that is what it is...

I want to add in that I tend to like repetitive things in a mix so other things can go off. SO... if ya make changes to the bass line, no need for anything big or obvious. Just small stuff which I am sure Casey meant. I just thought I would add something in.. other than I just... I agree with him.

Vocals are quite good, pleasant voice, sell-able imho.

[amweiss]

Thanks Casey and John...very helpful...I'll work on this and hopefully will post updated lyrics and music soon. Thanks again.