High Energy POP/ROCK SONG return

[bigbluebarry]

High Energy POP/ROCK SONGS with FEMALE VOCALS a la "Perfect Day" by Hoku (the main theme of "Legally Blonde") are needed by the Music Supervisor for an Independent Feature Film. She's looking for an extremely energetic and exciting sonic vibe, with positive lyrics about adventure and searching. A fresh, current sound is a must - be imaginative and hip! The story revolves around a Beverly Hills debutante who finds love and herself in the midst of a high-energy/adventurous drama. Broadcast quality is a must, as they won't be re-recording your material. Think comedy-romance-adventure in terms of the overall tone of the underlying soundtrack. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Mar. 18, 2008. TAXI # S080318POHere's a link to the song:Find My Way - http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=1and the lyrics...It’s just another, another ordinary dayI need a change of paceSomeone to take my placeI feel like it's time to make my moveI got nothing left to proveHope you don’t disapproveBut…I'll find my wayNo time to wasteYesterday's behind meI’m focusing inside meI'll find my wayI'll be okayLooking for adventureThe kind that we’ll rememberWhere ever it may leadI'm gonna find my wayI’m not just another annoying pretty faceA skirt for you to chaseNot nearly that clichéI'm feeling the wind blow through my hairI set the stereo to blareC’mon and catch me if you dareBut…I'll find my wayNo time to wasteYesterday's behind meI’m focusing inside meI'll find my wayI'll be okayLooking for adventureThe kind that we’ll rememberWhere ever it may leadI'm gonna find my wayAnd finally, the critique...Music 9Lyrics 8Marketability 7Arrangement 8Production 8Engineering 8Musicianship 8Lead Vocal 8"This is definitely the kind of lyric they're looking for here, Barry. Good melody too but it's lacking the sonic adventurousness they're looking for. Methinks they're looking for a hit to help this movie along. Not that this isn't a solid track - it is - but we're looking for some unusual touches here - some sonic nuance - texture - something we haven't heard before that makes it more of a radio record than a demo."Style: On target for this listingStylistically right.Overall Comments:Barry, you're on the right track with this. The production/arrangement just needs more nuance and creativity to put it in the league where it could be a hit single or a film theme. I'd rethink this and play with it a bit more. Probably too late for this but just in general, for this artist. Experiment with some string textures and create some new sounds.The main reason(s) you were or were not forwarded for this listing is:Not an adventurous enough production.I have no complaints with the critique. But I did have a question that maybe some of you could help me with. In the Overall Comments, he mentions experimenting with some string textures to create some new sounds. I'm a drummer/guitarist and when I write generally don't "hear" string, or keys/pads for that matter, type stuff. Could someone point me to some songs in this style that use string textures so I can get an idea of what he's talking about? Any help would be greatly appreciated.thanks,Big Blue

[simonparker]

I don't think you're gonna find something that has the string section and high octane/energy guitar riffs combined. If I were to "translate" this screener's suggestion, I would think you could take a listen to a unique string section such as Britney Spear's "Toxic" and incorporate it as fill ins in lieu of the guitar parts you put on this demo. A more current song that uses a great string section would be Jordin Spark's "Tattoo". Of course, it's not a high octane song for this type of listing, but does show the kind of sound that works in today's songs.This is a good song by the way.

[alm]

Hey Big Blue!I think your song is great! I think you will find very very helpful if you listen to "all cause of you" by "The88", the way the songs "play" with the piano and the guitars is fantastic. I don't think your song needs "strings" especifically. In this song i mentioned, the piano and the "playful" guitars do the "trick" and "hits" exactly what yours needs. Hope you find it helpful.

[bigbluebarry]

Thanks for the encouragement Simon and Alex... Alex, I LOVE the song that you mentioned. There was another listing that used that song as an "a la" that I submitted a different song to. It was also returned. Here's the thread that I started about it:http://taxi.proboards27.com/index.cgi?a ... 1207662849

[wodinlord]

Your basic song is really good. IMHO The thing that really keeps it from fitting the listing is "Broadcast quality needed". To be frank, this recording is not even close. Calm down, I am honestly meaning to be helpful here. The drums are tiny, the guitar is nasal and thin and the bass can't even be heard. Take a listen to a band like Paramore or someone else current and then listen to this mix. I think you will see that it is not up to that level. When the end client is looking for "broadcast quality" is has to be at least close to the sound you hear on the radio. It really is helpful to do an A/B with a track or "ala" that is in the genre you are shooting for and work to make yours sound as high quality as those do. I know it is diificult to do, given most peoples limited access to pro equipment, but clients that ask for "broadcast quality" are going to be very insistent on having super quality production that sounds like what you hear on the radio. I have been a full-time producer/engineer for 30 years and I wish I could give you an easy fix, but high quality takes a lot of time and experience. Just keep at it and hold yourself to the highest standard you can. With these kinds of listings, you are up against others who have great studios and are able to sound like the big boys, so do all you can to match them. Good luck and keep trying.Wodinlord

[bigbluebarry]

wodinlord... no worries, no need for me to calm down. I completely agree that it's nowhere near broadcast quality. It's a lot easier to discern that fact after you spend some time away from the song for awhile, as I have. Since the time I submitted that song, I've went to a couple of seminars, picked up some books and instructional DVD's and some more gear. I'm still a ways off but I know where I want to go and now, I feel like I know how to get there. Just gonna take some patience, which I have no shortage of, and time, which I can never seem to find enough of! Thanks for your honesty and your helpfulness.