I disagree, screener!!

[Casey H]

Peter
If you feel really STRONGLY that Taxi was wrong here (more than the usual debatable opinion), and your track was solid, on-the-money, on-target, you should contact Taxi and speak to them about it.

They do want the feedback. It's just important that we reserve this for the cases where we really feel the screener was way off base. If you have links to similar commercial tracks in the style the listing asked for that support your case, you could include those when you write Taxi.

Best,
Casey

[PeterD]

Casey,

Just feeling out this section of the forum and curious how the masses feel.

I understand the details in the song and how they could be questionable. Andy pointed out some good ones to me with which I agree ( I don't want to, but I do ).

My library contact listened to it and wants to use it. I may just go that route (even though he's signed a few of my tunes already and hasn't used them yet). Another head scratcher, which I've gotten some good feedback on ... I like answers!!

Thank you sir!

[LittleRedChurch]

I'm sorry, the drums are fine. Easy for us to agree with the screener, in HINDSIGHT. (reminds me of reading the stock market. So clear...in hindsight...) When a screener has 600 songs to go through I think a sense of survival kicks in. I suspect they fixate on a very concise criteria. It would help to ease the emotional toll that screening could take - which I honestly think, can't be easy. Sophie's Choice, comes to mind. My heart goes out to them. By my thinking its less about the screener and more about a company that is flooded with good songs. Returns are the price we pay.

If its any consolation, some times I think no one knows the world of returns like I do. That could just be MY Charlie Brown moment, mind you...

Merry Christmas my very good, artistic, amiable friend!!!

Your song has put me in the mood!!

Graham

[PeterD]

Thanks so much, Graham!!

Sorry I haven't been more active in the forum. This place (and Facebook) can consume LOTS of valuable time if you let them, and I do!! I do agree with you though. Wonder how the new screening process is coming along over there? We shall see ...

Happy belated year end celebrations to you!! I hope they were enjoyable ...

[Len911]

The rimshot was too loud imo, knock, knock,knock. Distracting from an otherwise beautiful Christmas song! Maybe some are more sensitive to it than others?

[jaredlutes]

I don't want to be the only dick on this thread, but I see why the screener mentioned the distracting drums.

The rest of the track is great - with solid performances and dynamics. You have chops! The drums, however, sound like they are in another room - a huge room - and don't jive with the warm, closer-up vibe of the rest of the band. The other reason why the snare seems to stick out is that it seems overly quantized, and with the velocity stuck at max the entire time. In my opinion, it's that unnatural reverb plus the lack of human dynamic that causes the drums to be distracting. It works for EDM, but not for Christmas Jazz. I'd almost like to hear the track without drums, or maybe with just a shaker or jungle bells.

For screeners and higher-ups, drums will make or break a song. I live by the code that, if you must use MIDI drums, keep them SUBTLE and humanize them the best you can!

I really like this piece. Just revisit the drums and you'll have something special !

[funsongs]

partially quoting JL: "...or jungle bells."

Ah-ha!! just in time for that nature Christmas song listing...
starts off a little somtehing like this:

Jungle bells, jungle bells
In the jungle now
If you see Tarzan or Jane ask them
"What's up with the loin cloth, anyhow?!"

(sorry, Jared... musta hit my trick-elbow again).

[Casey H]

I'm sorry, the drums are fine. Easy for us to agree with the screener, in HINDSIGHT. (reminds me of reading the stock market. So clear...in hindsight...) When a screener has 600 songs to go through I think a sense of survival kicks in. I suspect they fixate on a very concise criteria. It would help to ease the emotional toll that screening could take - which I honestly think, can't be easy. Sophie's Choice, comes to mind. My heart goes out to them. By my thinking its less about the screener and more about a company that is flooded with good songs. Returns are the price we pay.

If its any consolation, some times I think no one knows the world of returns like I do. That could just be MY Charlie Brown moment, mind you...

Merry Christmas my very good, artistic, amiable friend!!!

Your song has put me in the mood!!

Graham

Hey Graham
While I agree with you that as humans, it's sometimes hard to be fully objective after reading the screener's comments. Human nature is to look for and find what you just read about.

That being said, I really did feel the drums were distracting and a bit out of place in this tune. So I agree with the screener.

Can I SWEAR as to what my reaction would have been if I never read what the screener said? No, I can't. But I'd like to think I am capable of at least trying as hard as I can to step back and be objective.

Warm regards,
Casey

[PeterD]

haha, Peter!

Definitely good notes, Jared. Thank you!!

The good news is:

This song (in the condition it was in) was picked up by a boutique library, 2 weeks after a Taxi screener rejected it. I asked if he'd be interested, and he said, "Sure! I like what you did there."

Guess he saw something valuable otherwise he wouldn't have? I don't know ... I don't even care anymore, since it was only a public domain cover.