Might be a long shot…

[marcblack30]

but I thought I’d give this listing a try. NEW LISTING -- INDIE ROCK SONGS and INSTRUMENTALS a la The Airborne Toxic Event, The Boxer Rebellion, Carolina Liar, etc. are wanted by the Director of Music at an L.A. based Music Library/Publisher with current MAJOR film and TV placements (e.g. Film: Twilight, I Love You, Man, He's Just Not That Into You, Television: Ugly Betty, True Blood, Beverly Hills 90210, and many more). He is only looking for "record label quality music" meaning that the bar is very high on this one. You must own 100% of your song. Make sure your songs are sample free and clean -- no profanity. Broadcast quality needed [great sounding home recordings are OK]. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics (if applicable). Photo and bio are optional but it's a good idea to include them in the submission because the company does feature the artists they use on their web site. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Thursday, May 14, 2009. Alwayshttp://marcblackwellmusic.com/MusicTestDrive.htmlOne problem I may run into is that the chord progression is the same as U2’s “With or Without You”, do you think this will be a problem?Words with a different melody would help, but I don’t have any.All comments and suggestions welcome.Thanks,marc

[bigbluebarry]

Hey Marc,I really enjoyed this tune. If you plan on leaving it as an instrumental then I would suggest you change up the chord progression during the verse. If you hadn't mentioned the U2 reference I would have thought you were trying to do a U2 cover when listening to the first verse. But as for the rest of the song, it didn't really make me think of "with or without you." I could hear similarities, but it sounded more like you were influenced by them, instead of trying to cover them, like the verses sounded.I'm not completely familiar with the "a la's" in this listing, other than Carolina Liar, but I think you're on target. But I would definitely consider changing up the chord progression in the verses. I think the other reason it sounds so similar is that the instrumentation and "build" that your song does is similar as well. Maybe swap out the 2nd and 3rd chords in the progresssion?One other note... your drums in the intro/verse feel a little stiff to me.HTH,- Big Blue

[marcblack30]

thanks barry, i think you're right about changing the progression up, i may be able to simply flip flop the 2nd and 3rd chord, not sure if that's what you were saying but it might work. once the chorus hits it does kind of take on a life of its own.carolina liar is a great band, i really dig them.the intro drums are a little stiff, maybe some brushes would work better.great feedback and suggestions barry,much appreciated!marc

[matthoggard]

Hey Marc,I was just thinking about you yesterday. WIERD!!I hear the U2 But like Barry I hear more influence than anything.Are you going to leave this as an instrumental? I can hear a melody that coincides with the higher guitar part in the chorus section. Problem would be staying away from a U2 melody with the progression as is.I like how this sounds and feels. Very introspective.Matt

[marcblack30]

That is weird Matt! jk.I'd love to put lyrics to it, not sure what i'm gonna do yet.the progression is so ingrained in my head its hard to change it.i tried to loosen up the drums on the intro a bit and added some stylus snare.one of my favorite parts is after the first chorus (1:26) when the acoustic part comes in, it's a small part but i recorded it with my new Gauge mic, no EQ and dry, sounds gorgeous! oh and there's a little acoustic part in the 2nd verse as well.

[derekmcfarland]

I like it.I think the bass line is TOO close to "With or Without You"You could keep the same chord progression and change the bass line so it doesn't channel U2, right?Good luck!Derek

[marcblack30]

thanks derek, i may explore a different bass line, that's a good idea.i posted second version with the 3rd note changed, i think it might work better this way.

[eokamura]

Nice Marc, very anthemic, effectively so. It is quite close to With or Without You in the verse bits. Don't know how you're gonna remedy that. For me it was the combination of that two note piano figure with eighth note bass groove that makes it so similar. Maybe as simple as changing one of those two elements? Enjoyed the listen though. eo.

[solrax]

Apr 24, 2009, 1:02pm, derekmcfarland wrote:I like it.I think the bass line is TOO close to "With or Without You"You could keep the same chord progression and change the bass line so it doesn't channel U2, right?Good luck!DerekI agree here. The only thing that reminded me of "With or Without You" was the bass line. Everything else in my opinion was great. I enjoyed the listen

[heinsite]

hey marc, i love this, and i also want the lyrical version!!! and if you wouldn't have mention u2, i wouldn't have and don't find it a problem....but i can hear this as a stronger overall piece with a great vocal/lyric out front. ah, if only that would be easy, but you have a damn good start for that man....strong!warren