thanks matt hirt

[robrich]

Hey peeps all over the world... Howzit!So at the Rally, Matt Hirt said, "Wanna know the truth about your songs? Post them and people will tell you." And Michael Laskow (we love him) said 30% of the value of a Taxi membership is in the forums...Here goes... This stuff is going to be on our (Platoon's) debut album, releasing in May '08. I want every song to go through the Taxi "baptism of fire" before we release, so don't hold your punches...www.myspace.com/robrichardsmusicThanks. Taxi rocks - and so do you.

[aimusic]

Dude you could only be south african with the HOWZIT thing... I had a laugh at it, you shoulda put, Howzit bru's/ous and chicks.. HA HA HA!!!!

[ciskokidd]

Hey robrich!!I listened to your stuff and the first thing I have to say is that I totally dig your voice. It has a very beautiful tone to it especially when you let it soar.I liked the first song better melodically and it could be a great dance tune if it was amped up with some more current sounds. Dance music style moves really quickly, even though it's still pretty much four on the floor with the kick the rest of the elements change all the time. New synth sounds and some Stylus could get you in the ballpark quickly.You have a good knack for pop writing and hooks especially, but you need to work a little on structure and lyrics. I think that with a little re-writing and re-work these tunes could get polished and ready for pitches. That's my two cents worth on first listen. I'm sure others will chime in and give you some more opinions.Best regards,Cisco

[robrich]

Cisco!!Dude, thank you SO much for taking time out of your schedule to listen to my stuff. It is worth far more than two cents, and I really appreciate it. Also, thank you for the positive and constructive feedback. I will pass it onto the producer we work with and see what we can do with it... It really is most helpful.If I can ever return the favour, please drop me a line anytime - either via here or at myspace. Stay cool, and thanks again.Ciao

[robrich]

For Brad (aimusic)?Ja my ou, lekker, kif and schweeeet all rolled into one! Hope you freeze your butt of while I enjoy some nosh on the braai here in Jozi!Now go put on that Springbok rugby jersey you've got tucked away in your cupboard and do your country proud! Show the Poms how it's done...Thanks for the reply man. Have fun in London.Ciao

[aimusic]

SHAWWEEEET CHINA!!! Yeah I was actually in ol'e joey's 2 weeks ago.... I ate myself into a coma, nothing like a good ole braai.... I bought a rugby jersey for my cousin over here, but sadly I do not have one, but I would definately wear it if I did. My girl has one and she wears it around if that makes up for anything...? HA HA HA HA !!!!Alright here's my 2pence of the track, bear in mind that I am listening to them through really really shyte headphones....Could this be love : The string in the background, cannot something be done with it besides one note for such a duration. In the chorus, I think you sing " I just don't know what or when to do"? the way the word "do" is sung, doesn't seem to work with the song (kind of sounds like a high capetonian accent, you know what I mean... hopefully). Really sick bass line (very cool). I agree with ciscokidd... try and incorporate some more newer sounding synth, the song sounds a little like 90's pop/dance (talking about the instrumentals, not the vibe). Might be the crappy headphones I'm listening through, but it sounds like at some points you're over-doing the vibrato on your voice, not sure if that's the sound your going for.I hope I could share some insight into your stuff.. Best of luck dude, and chow some major biltong and vleis for me!

[matto]

Hey Rob!I preferred the second song, I think the production on it was more "pro sounding" than on the dance song, and to me you sing it with more conviction. I think the melody is a tad monotonous, there could be a few more surprises and the contrast between your verse, pre and chorus needs to be bigger. As a result the chorus really doesn't "hit" me...I think the singing on that is really nice, and the world music leaning vibe really just does it for me, I'm a sucker for this type of stuff.The dance song definitely needs much better and more current production, it really needs to be slammin with contemporary sounds, the groove needs to be more pumping and engaging. I also felt the singing on that was a bit shaky in spots, particularly at the modulations/key changes where it sometimes seems like you're not 100% sure of what the notes are and therefore the vocal entrances are pitchy and tentative. I also honestly think your voice is not as well suited to the dance style as it is to more crossoverr world-pop.Or at least you don't seem to sing it with much conviction.So, if you want my honest opinion, I think you'll have a better shot with world pop, but the songs need to be irresistible and much catchier melodically. Either way, hone your melody writing, paying particular attention to sectional contrast, that's a big one.And marketing-wise, you're going to have a problem if you have songs that are as stylistically different from one another as these two on the same album. Best of luck!Matt

[robrich]

For BradHowzit China!!!!Listen bru, just wanna say a big thanks for your input, oke. I really appreciate it! Thanks for taking time out of your biltong-eating, tube-riding, music-making day to give me some real feedback. It means a lot!!!I will cut & paste your responses into an email for my producer, and I'm sure we can use the info to improve the songs. Thanks dude.So anyways bru! Have a kif time in London - and think of us - Zuma might become president!!!! AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!Ciao

[robrich]

Hey MattThank you SO much for your excellent, really professional, and most helpful input. It means a lot coming from you. I learnt so much from you at the Rally, and your comments on the panel got me switched onto the forums.Thanks for your honest feedback. You have no idea how much what you wrote concurs with what others have said, but the way you put it gives me definite direction as to what needs to be fixed. I will cut & paste your response into an email for my producer and we will get working on making improvements.Thanks again buddy. Keep well.Rob

[gwenknittweis]

Hi Robrich,I really enjoyed your songs. I was shy about posting a "critique" but decided to after the melody of your first song was still in my head 10 minutes later as I'm surfing other threads- definitely a good sign as far as "hookiness" goes!!I'm little intimidated about critiquing technical details of others' music with so many pros and 1000+ message forks on here, but in my humble opinion, the production on the first track sounded dated (80s maybe) and would benefit from fresher sounds like one of the other reviewers said. Hook is definitely catchy (it better quite down in my head in a few minutes though because I need to get some sleep )The production of the second song sounds more current and pro. The tracks are very different in style (genre, is guess), but I like them equally.I'm new to these forums too- got the word at TAXI as well- and have found them extremely wonderful -lots of fine folks. Good luck with your songs and your CD release! LM