This one took the wind out of my sails...

[sgs4u]

Wow, that was just the most amazing clarity. I feel like such a noob. That was frikking awesome.You really need to run for president, Matto.

[jh]

"Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.... Thomas Edison"Quote:"Sorry if I'm brutally honest here. It's tough to hear stuff like the above. But...I'm secretly thankful to that publisher from Sony (still remember his name even though this was probably close to 15 years ago) because that one painful experience he caused me taught me what I really needed to know. And it was one of those pivotal moments that sent me off on my way to eventual success." Well... About 4 years ago one publisher said to me that "everybody is good at something, and you´ve just not found it yet". And that´s a "soft version" of what he actually told me...There´s no words to describe how I really felt. I could´ve just stop doing music like he recommended me to do, but I did just the opposite. I joined taxi and 4 years later Taxi screener is saying: "I can definitely hear that you are extremely talented.". So "talent" is not necessarily something you´re born with, apparently you can become talented if you work hard. So if there´s no wind in your sails, there´s only one person who can change that. Anyway, I´m thankful to that publisher too because after that phone call 4 years ago, there´s no such feedback or critique that could get me down, or even hurt my feelings. That way the feedback is so much more helpful for me, because all I can see in it, is "what to improve", and not something else that´s not there. That one phone call was so "brutal" that probably nothing is going to top that. The more it hurts, the more it helps if you can use it to your benefit. - JH

[clonsberry]

Quote:Please remember that a positive custom critique is no gurantee for subsequent forwards. For one thing a custom isn't done in context of a listing and has no bar...and this listing had a REALLY high bar...doesn't get much higher than this.Understood. I would never expect a guarantee. That's just not realistic.Quote:Sorry if I'm brutally honest here. It's tough to hear stuff like the above.No need to apologize at all. All I ever want is an honest assessment. And I very much appreciate your time and response.

[avillaronga]

Quote:"Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.... Thomas Edison"I don't know if this is true or not but I once heard Mike Myers say that at NASA they never use the word failure, the call that "early attempts at success". So for Larry and Chris, take this as your early attempt at success, keep at it, there will be other opps.Antonio

[mixopenta]

I'm no expert in surf pop, although I have a couple of Beach Boys album in my record collection. if that counts for something? To me the song sounds defintely pro in every ascpect, with a couple of exeptions that I'm hearing.1. The recording is to my ears of broadcast quality, though there is something with the drums that doesn't stand out. They sound perfectly ok, but that's about it. They sound a bit lame and although they are in time they don't deliver the "groove" - i.e. a bit too perfect in time, maybe.2. There's a short organ solo, that perhaps should be a VOX or a Farfisa, but is (or at least sounds like), a cheap synth. A minor detail, but anyway. The devil is in the detail.3. Most importantly, although I don't hear any weaknesses in the lead vocal performance technically, it might fail in delivering the content of the lyrics. I don't know, but isn't a surf pop song supposed to be joyful and cheering? To me it sounds as though the vocalist is singing while concentrating to read the lyrics off the sheet.These are my thoughts on why the screener decided to pass, but as I said, - I'm absolutely no expert in this genre.. I'm very impressed by both the song, performance as well as the production, and I don't know if I had noticed these things if I hadn't concentrated on finding flaws.

[ljweber70]

I appreciate the listen and the comments as always. Additionally, the compliments and words of encouragement are soothing. Matto, please note that I did not say anything about quitting. My statment was that my optimism with Taxi was significantly deflated after I got the email. I was sure this one would be forwarded based on my previous forwards. I had expectations. Therein lies the lesson: "don't have expectations. period. Keep producing and keep submitting." It's tough when you send what you think is your best player up to bat and he strikes out. (I know that most of you are probably saying "the guy just joined in July --geez!" I have high expectations for myself. I'm a dreamer ) I'm not one to complain and therefore would not call Taxi for a 2nd try. The screener made his decision and it is what it is. I think I will pay $20 bucks for a custom critique on the song and ask for specifics as to what I need to change. Aub, as far as the lyric comment -- it is my opionion that the old Beach Boy lyrics and Jan and Dean lyrics weren't what you would call "remarkable." Don't get me wrong, I love the Beach Boys' music. I'm a big fan and will always be. It was perfect for the time and it worked. (IE: "I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes, giddiup, giddiup 409" / "Surfin' is the only life, the only way for me, Now come on pretty baby and surf with me") --- those lyrics wouldnt stand a chance today,would they?For the music library submissions, how important are the lyrics? Am I wrong to assume that style and production are more important than the lyrical content? Is it possible that a song that otherwise met the criteria for a library listing could be rejected because a few lines in the lyrics were "not strong enough" similar to a high-bar Nashville listing? Anyway, I appreciate the forum and it feels good to vent Larry

[ljweber70]

Quote:I'm no expert in surf pop, although I have a couple of Beach Boys album in my record collection. if that counts for something? I'm very impressed by both the song, performance as well as the production, and I don't know if I had noticed these things if I hadn't concentrated on finding flaws.Thanks, U Larry

[crs7string]

Larry,I know the feeling you are feeling when you think you are right on target and there is a return.On the other hand, two of the tracks I've licensed in the last two months were returned by TAXI. One was returned twice. I took time to listen more critically to the tracks, polished up the timing on one, changed some of the sounds (I had upgraded my orchestral sounds that made a substantial improvement on one track.) One of the tracks opened the door to a library and I've signed nine more tracks!!All of this to say that if you step back, absorb some of the comments from folks who have posted feedback and resubmit down the road, this track may end up being forwarded and placed. Another thought that occurs to me on occasion is that if this was a forward for you and you posted that success, the feedback on your track could possibly be "glowing". There is a natural tendency to look for the good in a success and look for the bad in a failure. (I don't mean to say you or your track is a failure)All of this has to be filtered to keep a clear head and stay in the game.Chuck

[ljweber70]

Hey, Chuck, good advice and encouragement. This is the first big let down in my young Taxi tenure and I felt like I needed to find out from seasoned members whether or not I'm out of line to have expected a forward on this one. Although its a "return" thread, I'm encouraged by the compliments and feedback that indicate this is a worthy track to pursue.So, I just paid the 20 bucks to get a custom critique on the song and I look forward to the comments from a screener. Larry

[matto]

Quote:Am I wrong to assume that style and production are more important than the lyrical content? Is it possible that a song that otherwise met the criteria for a library listing could be rejected because a few lines in the lyrics were "not strong enough" similar to a high-bar Nashville listing? Larry, you're correct, a screener should normally not reject a song for a library listing because of a few less than stellar lines, unless 1) the library asked to be picky lyric wise (which would usually be mentioned in the listing) or 2) those lines limit the song/s potential for library applictions (specific names, profanity etc).On the other hand you can never go wrong improving a song...