Midnight Sons

[blakegrif]

Hello all, I'm brand new to TAXI. I've only posted two of my songs so far, but I would love to know what you think. The songs are "I Wanna Feel The Rain" & "18". 18 isn't as commercial in my opinion so I won't post those lyrics, but I would still love to know what you think about it. This music leans more on the country side. Let me know what you think! Thanks! Blakewww.taxi.com/blakegriffithwww.myspace.com/themidnightsonslawww.myspace.com/blakegriffith"I Wanna Feel The Rain"Blake Griffith & Jordan JohnsonBlake Griffith - Vocals (Verses, Bridge), GuitarsJordan Johnson - Vocals (Chorus), Drums, BassKyle Roop - Pedal Steel Verse 1I took a drive down an old dirt roadWhere we used to go to get away from the worldLike my dreams it's turned to dustYeah just like us this place is a faded memoryPre ChorusA storm is coming, winds are from the southMaybe there's a thunder cloud ChorusI wanna feel the rainPouring down on meI'm drowning in the whiskeyBut I still feel the painLet it wash away the memoriesAnd everything that's left in meI wanna feel the rain Verse 2It's been a while since I've seen your faceSince I've felt the way your lips felt against mineIt took some time to understand Why I'm not your manPRE chorusAnd it's killing me inside ChorusI wanna feel the rainPouring down on meI'm drowning in the whiskeyBut I still feel the painLet it wash away the memoriesAnd everything that's left in meI wanna feel the rainBridgeWhile I lie awake in bedCause I wanna wake with you in my arms

[djb]

Very nice. Strong sound. I like this alot. Production sounds just fine. Best of luck to you guys.

[derekmcfarland]

Very nice!The drums are kinda harsh at the beginning (especially for country), but were OK after I settled into the groove.I think the melody is very cool and has a lot of pop/rock crossover appeal. Has a youthful sound about it... so much so, that the "whisky" line stuck out a bit. Think about that (sorta cliche anyway). In fact, I think this song could be pitched to young pop/rock acts without that line.I liked the mod at the end. It was a nice surprise. It would have been more of a surprise if your pickup notes could somehow follow the old key until the last possible moment.Anyway, thanks for sharing. I listened twice.Hope this helps,Derek

[jwebbinspired]

Blake, I'm critiquing this based on you wanting to pitch this as a commerical country song. I really like "I Wanna Feel the Rain" a lot. I agree that the drums seem a little harsh in the beginning. Even if you're going for a Jason Aldean sound he's still not that hard sounding. Production-wise it's not top-notch, but good. Overall, you sold me production-wise and I don't think a creative director would turn it down based on production. Good job. My problem is lyrically. It seems your hook isn't related to the verses? It seems that the verses should be reminiscent of a time with rain, or use better adjectives like "dried up" and "desert" and "thirsty" in your verse (especially the 1st verse) and then we'll understand why you wanna feel the rain. You see what I mean? I think defining what you were missing in the verse will make your hook much, much stronger. Your pre-chorus and chorus are good. "Whisky" seemed almost thrown in there, and not really on topic. Your melody is strong. Vocals sound great. I'm really digging' this. I seriously think if you support your hook better you've got a very pitchable song here to some top Nashville artists.Andy

[tuite]

Hey Blake,Welcome to TAXI! I listend to "Wanna feel the rain". I liked it! Solid production, good voice, well played and recorded. The song is good but I would experiment with the timing and phrasing of some of the vocals. I think some lines could flow into others better.Also, the short guitar solo after the first chorus doesn't suit the song. I know it's hard to fight temptation, but when writing a smash hit pop song....stay away form the dusty end of the neck! You submitting as an artist or pitching to artists? Or Film/TV?Colm.

[ceedub]

The verses are concise and have interesting details. The chorus is big and catchy. I agree that whisky stood out somehow. (I like whisky; don't get me wrong.)I think the guitar interlude does a great job of bringing the energy down from the big chorus to the verse. Verse 2 doesn't start until almost 2:00, which probably exceeds a pop music time limit. I like it though.I was done after the second chorus. I don't think the bridge brings much to the party. And I must have had a bad childhood experience with modulations.Derek's idea that this might be pitchable to a young pop/rock act makes sense to me. There's a simplicity and innocence about the lyrics. I like it as an artist track too. Good tune!Cheers.

[blakegrif]

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!Blake

[k o star]

hi Blake,Listening to 18 now... I can tell the Black Crowes influence there yea... Sounds cool to me...I love the use of slide guitars & organ... nice guitar lead there... The mix may not be super clean but that makes it sounds like a very full band & I like that kinda sound, if U know what I mean.Listening to the other track now...I think the drums at the intro are over compressed... I think...Nice guitar intro melody... good vox too...Hey the Chorus... very good... I like the melody... very catchy. Good feeling...I Wanna Feel The Rain is very strong indeed.U guys make a good team man...-Kel

[ideascapes]

Blake,I listened to "Rain"--sounds like a band, which is good. I do hear what Kel is saying about the drums (intro was a bit long). And I get Andy's point about the hook's relation to the verses. The chorus is plenty catchy, though.I might be overcritical (I'm listening closely, obviously), but the vocal sounded slightly thin to me. If you've EQ'd, you might try opening it up a bit more.Good luck with the band and gigs!Vince

[carlosgomez]

I think that overall both turned out well. Solid