Feedback confuses me

[douglasricketts]

The listing:

Lots of ELECTRONIC POP/ROCK INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a great Music Library with International Distribution and lots of success in Film and TV placements.

This Library is searching for Instrumentals in the general stylistic ballpark of the following references:

"Home" by Depeche Mode

"Loverman" by Martin Gore

"Dirty Sticky Floors" by Dave Gahan

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only!

NOTE: We know the references here are a bit dated, but this Library is looking for current-sounding material! Use the references to get yourself in the general ballpark of the sound and vibe they are looking for, but make sure your submissions are up to date with current trends and production techniques.

Please submit original Instrumentals with a nice blend of electronic and Pop/Rock elements! Your submissions should have memorable motifs, engaging rhythms, and dynamic arrangements with plenty of development throughout. Aim for a sound that captures an atmospheric, slightly moody edge while maintaining an infectious groove. Instrumentation in the general wheelhouse of the references will work best, such as synths, electronic drums, guitars, bass, etc. Please ensure that any virtual instruments or samples you use are high-quality and not dated-sounding.

Scope Notes: We think this Library would be open to a range of emotional contexts here, so anything from the darker, more melancholy side to the more energetic/exciting side could potentially work. (We don't think they're looking for anything too "happy" or "cheery" though!) The important thing here is making sure you get a good blend of the electronic side with some of the Pop/Rock-type elements heard in the references!

All submissions should be about 2 to 4 minutes long (give or take) with non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, texture, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

AI ALERT: This company does not accept or sign music that has been melodically composed using generative AI, nor does it accept backing tracks or full instrumental tracks created with AI.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal. You’ll split any upfront sync fees 50/50. They’ll get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll get 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control 100% of your Master and Copyright. Since this is an EXCLUSIVE deal, please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with other Libraries or Catalogs. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Monday, December 9th, 2024. TAXI # S241209EC

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The feedback:

Feedback for "The Lazy Hazy 80s Daze"
S241209EC
Share Your Feedback
What I like most about this song
I appreciate the production creativity on this tune, Douglas.

I think you could improve this song by
A lively electro pop/rock energy is a thought to rival the approach found in the reference tracks. Note the makeup of "Home" by Depeche Mode for review. Next, the title could better reflect the tone of the song.

I returned or forwarded this song because
The song leans composer driven over sounding in line with electro pop/rock bands like Depeche Mode.

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Feedback for "I Don't Know Where I'm Going To"
S241209EC
Share Your Feedback
What I like most about this song
I appreciate the investigative tone and all around effort on this cue, Douglas.

I think you could improve this song by
The song could ring a little less composer driven for this electro pop/rock pitch. An energy and styling closer to "Home" by Depeche Mode is a thought for this one.

I returned or forwarded this song because
The song could be styled closer to the reference tracks for this request. You may have better luck with investigative type cue requests.

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Feedback for "Going to Where We Don't Belong"
S241209EC
Share Your Feedback
What I like most about this song
I appreciate the progression idea and creativity on this track, Douglas.

I think you could improve this song by
Bringing more excitement and liveliness to the cue is a thought to tie closer to the reference tracks. The current approach leans a little static in nature.

I returned or forwarded this song because
The cue could be more dynamic and lively for this request. General style could tie closer to songs like "Home" by Depeche Mode.

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My tracks:

The Lazy Hazy Daze: https://1drv.ms/u/c/a71b8fb4a16c77b5/EV ... g?e=dreIvb

I Don't Know Where I'm Going To: https://1drv.ms/u/c/a71b8fb4a16c77b5/Eb ... Q?e=Tnhnf7

Going to Where We Don't Belong: https://1drv.ms/u/c/a71b8fb4a16c77b5/Ee ... A?e=CvngDU

[telefunkin]

Is there some particular aspect of the feedback that you are you confused about?

The listing stresses "this Library is looking for current-sounding material! Use the references to get yourself in the general ballpark of the sound and vibe they are looking for, but make sure your submissions are up to date with current trends and production techniques."

IMHO the submission compositions are good, but the sounds and production are not there. The synth and drum sounds are very dated and the tracks don't have the the lush production of the ref tracks (if you A/B one set of tracks against the other there is a stark difference, particularly with the first submission). However, the request is for more current sounding material than the refs and the submissions don't have either. Perhaps that's why the screener felt the submissions were more like investigative tracks than electronic pop/rock instrumentals. Finally, I'd have to agree that the title of the first submission suggests a laid back summer reminisce than dark electro pop.

[cosmicdolphin]

Lazy Haze was quite wide of the mark...much too dated sounding and not really the same vibe as the refs. If I had to guess I'd say it wan't made for this brief.

I Don't Know Where I'm Going To....This seems influenced by Dirty Sticky Floors but much slower and more laboured. It's a bit too trad sounding and a bit too dated on the synths for me. The ref song is about Dave Gahan's drug additction but I don't get that vibe here. It's not sleazy enough.

Going To Where We Don't Belong ....This is much better than Lazy Haze and much more on target. I actually think you've done a good job on the composition here but it misses the bar in terms of production and as a long term fan of the band and having studied "Home" when I used to have singing lessons ( as well as being a fan of producer Tim Simenon AKA Bomb The Bass ) I can hear the simliarities. If it was 20-30% better produced I think this would have stood a good chance but it's a bit overly long and indulgent too which is what I think the screener was on about. I enjoyed the listen but ultimately it comes across as a slightly more dated vibe than the reference rather than a more modern one.

Mark

[douglasricketts]

Thank you Telefunkin and Cosmic Dolphin. You've given me some great feedback to think about.

[davidagates]

I tried this, biiiig Depeche Mode fan and I didn't get a forward with mine. I can only hear the first track, but it's mid 80s sounding. This era of Mode was more industrial. Think a more melodic NIN.

Tbh I'd be interested to hear someone who got it forwarded, I'd be intrigued as to what they did

[douglasricketts]

I'd be interested to hear someone who got it forwarded

Hey, so would I! Completely forgot about it and just took a pass thru all the forwards for last month. I don't see any related to this listing, maybe I missed them?