Disheartening

[Robertj64]

That could be for some of the songs but also that there are cases where a consistency is lacking and how criteria can be changed when deciding whether to accept or reject a song.

But each listing is has different criteria, and not every screener is going to agree with each other - It's never going to be consistent because it's subjective, all you can hope for is broad consensus

I was referring to the Road Rally listings but I think we can agree here on your point. The process is subjective and it will to some degree be left to the whimsy of the screener reviewing the music.

[Robertj64]

This has been going on for some time now and not just with one screener. I have several critiques I received where "not contemporary enough" or "samples are of inferior quality" is used. There is a pattern emerging here and it doesn't look good.

I have noticed that pattern in peer-to-peer, as well.
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At least when it concerns my tracks.

It depends, Tom. How old is the software you use? Are you in need of an upgrade?

[hummingbird]

Yes, it's folks inability to handle rejection, hear their own work objectively and decode briefs

The point here is that a trusted TAXI screener Forwarded the track with words of high praise when the next trusted TAXI screener says the track is total crap.

Your point of view is that the screener who forwarded the track was wrong. OK, so my track is crap and I need to work on it. I can accept that..

Reviewing tracks is always going to be a bit subjective.

OK.

But should they be this extreme? I count on TAXI screeners to at least indicate whether there are issues with the production values when reviewing my tracks. If I'm off target, ok. If I'm off target and the production sucks, then tell me. If you forward me, I have to trust that you forwarded me having heard the production values, concluding that a music library could use the track as is.

[Robertj64]

Yes, it's folks inability to handle rejection, hear their own work objectively and decode briefs

The point here is that a trusted TAXI screener Forwarded the track with words of high praise when the next trusted TAXI screener says the track is total crap.

Your point of view is that the screener who forwarded the track was wrong. OK, so my track is crap and I need to work on it. I can accept that..

Reviewing tracks is always going to be a bit subjective.

OK.

But should they be this extreme? I count on TAXI screeners to at least indicate whether there are issues with the production values when reviewing my tracks. If I'm off target, ok. If I'm off target and the production sucks, then tell me. If you forward me, I have to trust that you forwarded me having heard the production values, concluding that a music library could use the track as is.

Hey Hummingbird
How long ago did that first screener praise your track? I could see Cosmic Dolphin's point if it was past three years because trends can change on a dime. I don't think they change that quick normally but if there is a new sound, everyone tends to jump on it. However, in general terms of a genre, I think that change can be more gradual and less noticeable if it is about a year or two.

[cosmicdolphin]

Your point of view is that the screener who forwarded the track was wrong. OK, so my track is crap and I need to work on it. I can accept that..

I haven't seen the original listing so I'm only judging it against tracks I hear in Libraries or the references they may send

But should they be this extreme? I count on TAXI screeners to at least indicate whether there are issues with the production values when reviewing my tracks. If I'm off target, ok. If I'm off target and the production sucks, then tell me. If you forward me, I have to trust that you forwarded me having heard the production values, concluding that a music library could use the track as is.

Well I guess it's really a question for the Head Screener. All I can tell you is for me I wouldn't forward this cue to a Library, but that's just one guy's opinion.

Mark

[JohnDroese]

My 2 cents..... If I was looking for a reason to forward that track there were many.... The rhythm, most of the sounds used, structure, build and tension built...... and if I was looking for a reason to pass on this track there were a few as well.... some of the sounds used, it was very stylized and this would limit number of placement opportunities..... So it just depends how each screener was approaching his task was he looking for reasons to forward? or reasons to pass? either way he found what he was looking for

On a side note there is a whole world of tv and movies out there and foreign media would 100% use that track..... Find a library with overseas sub publishers

[Tunesmith]

Well, I just got my return from screener 416 for the RR submission S201026SS. And checked was "Not contemporary as requested." And there is no contemporary request in the listing. Then 416 listed many books to aid me, 2 of which I have read written by an author we most know and have taken an extensive songwriting course by the author, and actually had this song reviewed by the author who sad it was excellent writing/recording, ready to pitch.
416 Also said "This needs a stronger and more contemporary groove, a stronger vocal delivery, more distinction between your sections, and a stronger chorus."
And then: 'I would check out some of the books below or hit YouTube and find Michaels Taxi TV episodes. This would be difficult for a music supervisor to place as it sits now, it needs more overall commercial viability."

I wrote this for a listing request with a library for a movie about un-expectantly stumbling onto love when unexpected after a unsuccessful previous marriage. Just a short, background song for a scene. It was one of the songs selected but not chosen for the film.

It is not meant to be a commercial hit if that is what 416 was implying. Here the track: https://www.taxi.com/members/RFOLdOKxTV ... a-s-cullum

Last year I had a song returned for a RR submission that was signed right after the Rally by a well known prominent library. So when I got that return, it had already been exclusively signed.

But reviewing my legacy submissions today, I found a return with a critique from 416 that was very helpful (I am assuming it is the same screener or are screener numbers reassigned?)
"Other" was checked with "Pleasure listening to your music today, nice way to start my day. Nice keys and guitar work. This is right on the cusp of something really versatile and usable, but its short of what a client would need for an uplifting instrumental cue. The writing and duration are really strong, but it's really lacking some dynamic and developmental arc. A cue like this should really build from start to finish and you need more layers than what's here, especially towards the end. The ending needs to be bigger and more dramatic. Everything you have is good, but I'd say add some more to what's already here."

Here is that track and now that I have read this I think I'll buff it up (I forgot about it..you know..(I wrote,submitted, forgot, repeated.) https://www.taxi.com/members/RFOLdOKxTV ... gh-spirits

Anyway, I guess take it as they come..I've had good input and not so good...I'm not going to rewrite/record the 1 st one, but I will the 2nd one.

Don't get too disheartened. And believe me I have been! And most likely will again....Just keep writing and recording!

And best to you all!
Linda C

[Funkyfreddy]

[quote Don't get too disheartened. And believe me I have been! And most likely will again....Just keep writing and recording!

And best to you all!
Linda C
[/quote]

I will always be writing and recording!

But I'm pretty disheartened with TAXI at this point and doubt I will be renewing in 2021

[gitanosoy]

I finally got my result to from the RR submission.. yeah, I sent my composition "The never healing heart" but forgot that it was already forwarded and didn't see it since it was in the old "view legacy critique " list before they did Taxi website. Yes I got a return by #416 to a composition that was already a forward. It's all good for me, my other one "Above the clouds" which was retuned got forwarded live on the RR panel so all good.

Just happy and appreciative of what Taxi has done and does regardless of all the ups and downs, great company, great staff and CEO.

Just write more, submit, specially these days with no gigs and the lock downs.

[Robertj64]

I finally got my result to from the RR submission.. yeah, I sent my composition "The never healing heart" but forgot that it was already forwarded and didn't see it since it was in the old "view legacy critique " list before they did Taxi website. Yes I got a return by #416 to a composition that was already a forward. It's all good for me, my other one "Above the clouds" which was retuned got forwarded live on the RR panel so all good.

Just happy and appreciative of what Taxi has done and does regardless of all the ups and downs, great company, great staff and CEO.

Just write more, submit, specially these days with no gigs and the lock downs.

I look at it slightly different than you. The screener returned a track that was previously had forwarded. Then you were lucky to get a track on the panel which was accepted (nothing to do with screeners) but previously was rejected by a screener. Enough said.