Oh No. I feel really good about this submission

[Casey H]

Sorry it didn't get the nod... Can you post the screener's comments and reasons? Casey

[mcanty]

Sure, here you go:Name Mark Canty Listing # S081211TVTitle: I'm Comin' HomeN/A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (10=best) Music Lyrics Marketability Arrangement Production Engineering Musicianship Lead VocalThere's a nice bit of attitude and swagger, to the song. Although,I don't feel like I'm quite hearing the exact combination of stylisticelements, that this exec is looking for .... I hear classic rock, yetI'm not hearing a seamless fit, for fast paced Vegas scene changes-Status: Forward ReturnStyleOn target for this listingHard to classifyNot close enough to what listing asked forNot "current" soundingStyle not consistent enough from song to song for an artist pitchI'm not hearing as much of a Southern, Classic or Country Rockblend, as this executive is seeking.Overall CommentsGreetings Mark,Thanks for submitting "I'm comin' home," for this listing's consideration. I hear a lot of conviction to the vocal, yetI don't feel like I'm hearing a lead vocal that's competitivewith the likes of Skynyrd, 38 Special, Black Crowes, etc.This very particular music supervisor is looking for thevocal, music and production to spell timeless, as well astimely. I'm just not hearing the right approach or executionat this time.... Best of luck -Sound QualityWell-recordedNot great, but clean enough for this listingToo much distortionDrums/percussion sound stiff and/or mechanicalInstrumentation sounds too synthetic (see below)Performance elements and material come across just fine -The main reason(s) you were or were not forwarded for this listing is:I'm not hearing a lead vocal or melody that nails the criteria'sneed for "the pulsing mood and energy of downtown LasVegas."Listener ID # 95

[mcanty]

I guess I need to spend some time in downtown Las Vegas to get the feel, LOL.I'm just in a bad mood today so ignore me

[mcanty]

This particular return has me a little annoyed. It was for a TV and Film listing. I got extremely high marks on the song but...........here are the screener's comments:"hey there mark -- there is often a gap between a song being great and necessarily being suitable for a listing that is about tv and film placement. it is very different being just a pure listening experience. i think that VOICES is a great song & the things about the arrangement that make it a tough fit for this listing. are things that would actually enhance the song in that pure listening experience. as for STAY CALM, when i heard VOICES i figured out where the emotional disconnect was for me. it's the performance, which is not bad by any means. but, the weight is so heavily on the performance in that song that the song stands or falls based on it. and, that is always a lot to ask. and, sometimes the writer isn't up to it. but, when i heard VOICES, it became obvious that you are. "My personal opinion is that if you like the material, then send it along and don't try to read the music supervisor's mind. But, I guess this is what the screeners are paid to do so..........I'm just bitchy today

[billg]

Jan 6, 2009, 1:06pm, mcanty wrote:This particular return has me a little annoyed. It was for a TV and Film listing. I got extremely high marks on the song but...........here are the screener's comments:"hey there mark -- there is often a gap between a song being great and necessarily being suitable for a listing that is about tv and film placement. it is very different being just a pure listening experience. i think that VOICES is a great song & the things about the arrangement that make it a tough fit for this listing. are things that would actually enhance the song in that pure listening experience. as for STAY CALM, when i heard VOICES i figured out where the emotional disconnect was for me. it's the performance, which is not bad by any means. but, the weight is so heavily on the performance in that song that the song stands or falls based on it. and, that is always a lot to ask. and, sometimes the writer isn't up to it. but, when i heard VOICES, it became obvious that you are. "My personal opinion is that if you like the material, then send it along and don't try to read the music supervisor's mind. But, I guess this is what the screeners are paid to do so..........I'm just bitchy todayI'm with you 100%. I said a while back that it appeared as if sometimes the Taxi screeners were looking hard for the shortcomings of a track, it comes across as looking for reasons NOT to forward something. I think once a song reaches the point of "this is a good song, I like it, it fits the listing" it should be the screeners job to forward it, I mean after a certain point it's all subjective anyway and there's always a good chance that the person needing the song would like it.

[michael11]

I really like this!!!I can understand your disappointment with not getting a forward on it but looking at it objectively as I am I hope.I don't think this song is, musical wallpaper.It demands to be listened to and maybe that,s the problem.Is it too good?It sounds to me like it is a hit song I haven't heard!It is very very good and deserves a lot of time and energy to promote it in it's own right.HTHMichael.

[Casey H]

Hi MarkI think it's a really cool song. Interestingly the one thing that concerned me the first time I listened was whether or not the lead vocal was strong enough. That's tough stuff to pull off. I thought it might be OK enough to get the forward (disappointed for you) but I guess not. I DID think it was on-target with the vibe.Hang in there. You have a lot of talent. Try to figure out objectively what stands between you and those forwards and then use the powers of this forum and the folks here to attack the issues. For me, 2009 is a year of re-write as well as writing. I'm coming to grip with the weaknesses of songs that are good but not good enough and attacking them. I'm taking in all that I learned about what makes tracks more film/TV pitch-worthy... taking the knowledge gained here along with collaboration and hiring production folks so as to make it work.Best! Casey

[mcanty]

bill - my sentiments exactlyMichael - thank you!Casey- maybe I needed to get ticked off a little bit. Sometimes it's the motivation to succeed. Good luck and thanks for the encouragement.

[Casey H]

Jan 6, 2009, 6:37pm, mcanty wrote:bill - my sentiments exactlyMichael - thank you!Casey- maybe I needed to get ticked off a little bit. Sometimes it's the motivation to succeed. Good luck and thanks for the encouragement.I didn't mention this but I submitted for this listing. The track I submitted was off-target and I shouldn't have submitted. I had no problem with the return. However, the screener's comments on the lyrics had me super ticked-off. They made no sense at all. I thought I'd mention that I know that ticked-off feeling- we all get it whether it's due to a taxi screener or other industry person. Casey

[kitz]

Mark,I hear southern rock all over this! Reminds me of older Eagles. The vocal is strong but there may be a little pitchyness going on in the lead vocal. Mostly, and consistently on the word "Stay". Since everyone is using pitch correction on vocals nowdays - the industry is spoiled and misses out on the character of a real voice... Listen to Robert Earle Keene before he started using pitch correction and you'll see what I mean - that was most of the charm. Anyhow, you might want to pitch shift that one word - it is about the most powerful word in the song.Cool tune - don't give up!!Kitz