New to Taxi and could use a look

[kristisnoise]

I am new to this whole Taxi thing. It seems like a great idea. I just got my membership a week ago and have submitted for a few listings. Now that I am waiting for a response I am growing anxious. I think it would be great to get some feedback from my peers while I am waiting.I have 2 songs that I would to get feedback for. They are along the lines of Pop, adult contemporary. Any thoughts or critiques will be appreciated.The songs are "Leaving California" and "Baited". They are on my Myspace page.myspace.com/kristisnoiseThanks for anybody that listens and/or repliesKristi

[dgolding]

Hi Kristi and welcome.I listened to 'Baited' (I couldn't find the other one).Nice feel, nice song. My comments will be about the production.First thing that struck me was that the whole track sounds a bit 'wooly'. Maybe it's just the compression for Myspace?There's not too many instruments in there, but the mix needs to be tweaked. The vocal is too buried. To me, it should be the prominent focal point. Some compression wouldn't hurt either. The most effective part of the song is at the end when the instrumentation drops out.The bass guitar is a little out of tune, especially noticable at the start of the track.There are couple of timing issues in the song. Now, having endeared myself to you with critisism , let me say that I really like the song, and the style of singing. With some production tweaks, and maybe a different approach to the bass, it could sound terrific.

[jeffe]

Not a bad song and voice. You need to invest in a pop filter. Or if you've already got one. A decent pop filter.

[kristisnoise]

Sorry, I posted the wrong song title. I have been toying with which title to use. The myspace page has the title as "Goodby to Arcadia" not "Leaving California".Thanks for the critiques

[mikehelms]

Hey KristiIs this a Studio Live recording cause it really sounds kinda like that.If not you really have some Engineering Issues.. not to dis on anyone but the Drums really sound either too compressed or the Mic placement was not right... Maybe the pillow in the bass drum took to much resonance out..maybe the head is dead or not the right kind of Mic.s for the work your doing there... and the mix could use some work...Your voice is very cool and up front enough probably but again the mix detracts from the overall makeup. I listened to your other stuff and the best mix is 'love for loan'(although it could use some love too).. but I like ' Baited' best good lyric work and again your voice is very cool!!!You've got some good Ideas here and some good structure not bad for an Intro...but you could use an experienced voice (or more Experienced) in the Engineering Dept... Keep on Keepin on Laters, PeaceMichael

[emusic]

Hi Kristi. I´m a newcomer too. Listened right now.Baited...Nice verse. A high soaring and catchy chorus would make this a great song. Its a bit hard for me to find the hook. Good voice.Speaking mixing I find the bass/guitar/piano to be too little separated. In my ears they fight for frequencies, wich kills definition in the mix/arrangement. Not much going on in the panorama either. The guitar could be slightly panned (more?) or be treated with an effect that gets it off the dead centre (if thats where it is. I would also go for much more high end in the snare, and also the toms.There is also a couple of playing glitches and timing issues in the bass that should have been removed. All and all a good song, but if forwarding is your goal; make a more hooky chorus. imo.Goodbye to Arcadia...Not a bad song but speaking mix/production you have miles to travel, and gaining ground in the timing and mixing department will make your songs stand out a lot more. Again a fairly great verse and this time I have no trouble seeing the hook in the chorus. Not a bad hook either. Pro production and arrangement here would make this song shine a lot more. Again the snare lacks high end and has bottom - a great trick if used correctly and for a reason (Kyrie(Mr.Mister) but here I feel the snare sounds as it sounds due to mick problems or lack of EQ fantasy.You obviously have the creativity for melody. Work on your hooks and your production.Keep it up.

[kontakt]

i listened to both of them. Baited sounded like it was trying to find a chorus but couldn't quite get there. I liked Goodbye to Arcadia. Nice verse and hook. Though, I would have liked a better solo for the piano. Nice job.

[emusic]

When Kontakt mentioned a better piano solo I have to mention a great trick for improving piano. Go midi. If you cant play a proper piano solo on the fly without timing issues like that - midi is your best friend. I have a feeling you record to a standard 8 track digital portable recorder/mixer or something. Going midi gives you options to cut out flaws and fix the timing. And add/take off some eq for definition.Here is a 3 hander piano sketch done by midi by me. There is no way I could play this tight. Its totally quantized 1/16 though, something that sometimes kills the groove.http://www.emaker.no/music/charlie.mp3