Help! Challenge Taxi or not- return on vocal performance...

[stevereedmusic]

Hi all

This is the first time I've felt compelled to post in the review station about a return because I didn't agree with the decision - not in a taking things for granted way, but because the same song was forwarded to a label/publisher listing in the same genre with a 10/10 for the lead vocal.. how can one screener give me a forward with top marks on the vocal to a label, and another reject it for the vocal on a Y/N listing?? I understand that these are individuals' opinions but come on! Inconsistency in the extreme..??

So my questions are, any issues you can hear with the vocal? If not, should I call Taxi about it? The track is "Go" at http://www.taxi.com/stevereedmusic

Y091127AR
ALT ROCK SONGS - from Mainstream to Indie - a la the full range and wide variety of Muse to Radiohead to Incubus to Arctic Monkeys, etc., are needed by a successful Music Publisher who's had tons of great Film/TV placements for many TAXI members. Male or Female Vocals are okay but must have the Rock vibe of the range of artists referenced above. Universal lyrics are necessary. No instrumentals please! Vocal and instrumental performances must be top-notch! They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal.. etc etc

Thanks in advance for your time
Steve

[Len911]

Steve that was flawless!!! I don't know what any of those groups sound like, so maybe it isn't in the vibe of a muse or monkey,lol! I can't even imagine you not being signed to a label sometime soon. But sure why not call and inquire, I'm certain it is nothing to do with the vocal performance.

[malkimax]

Hi Steve,
For whatever it's worth...
I thought the execution of the vocal was excellent from a technical point of view, but the PERFORMANCE left some room for improvement.
I did not feel as though the vocal was leading the track, but felt more like it was just one of the instruments in the track.
It also did not seem as though you were entirely connected to the words you were singing so excellently (the story telling part of singing a lead).
Make us FEEL it more.
I think that with the amount of talent you so obviously have you could deliver a much more passionate and compelling lead vocal.

M. Allison
Producer

[jefflaplante]

Steve,
While I enjoyed the song, it sounds NOTHING like Radiohead, Muse ore Incubus. Also, you are hitting all of the notes in a very difficult melody (impressive). However, you are doing it without any emotion. Put some power or rasp behind those melodies and make the listener FEEL what you are singing. I am struggling with the same issue and have gotten many returns based on vocal performance. I have discovered that singing with emotion is just as important as accuracy. -Jeff

[shady1]

I agree with the other responses that the vocal is fine, technically. Personally, I really like the way you modulate up in the chorus - it was totally unexpected and a cool surprise!

That said, I also agree that, stylistically, "Go" does not sound like the artists mentioned in the listing - I suspect that's the real reason the song was returned. I had a similar situation on a Y/N listing, where a little box was checked indicating the lead vocal was the reason for the return. Maybe they shouldn't put anything on the Y/N returns to avoid confusing situations like yours.

On a separate note, if you want "Go" to sound more like the referenced artists, maybe you could make it sound less "polite," less quantized. I like the suggestion about getting some rasp in the vocal, something more emotional sounding.

Don't sweat the return - you clearly have some talent, and the songs you produce this year will keep you moving forward!

[Guest]

All these posts are by the same poster,just different names.

[stevereedmusic]

Thanks very much all, that's really helpful
I don't feel like I need to give Taxi a call now lol...

Really appreciate the compliments too.

All the best for the new year
Cheers
Steve