Not sure where this went wrong...

[RogerG]

Hi all,

I got my instrumental track called "Dance Pop" (real original title I know... ) back today with the infamous Not Master/Broadcast Quality box checked for Instrumental Performance. Also Music was checked. The listing I submitted the track to was this one:

NEW LISTING -- TOP 40 POP INSTRUMENTAL BEDS a la Maroon 5 "Moves Like Jagger," Kelly Clarkson "Mr. Know It All," Cobra Starship "You Make Me Feel " etc., needed by one of the world’s premier Production Music Libraries to push to over 700+ radio and TV affiliates all over the world! They have a constant demand for new material and said "only the best will do!" They are NOT looking for sound-alikes, but need ORIGINAL tracks "inspired by" the artists/genres referenced above. The deal structure is a $1K FLAT FEE rate on a BUY-OUT basis. (They will own the copyright.) Your tracks must be Broadcast Quality, "radio-ready" pieces of music, and must be stylistically CURRENT, relevant, and compatible with today’s hit songs and artists. READ THIS: Music must have a BUTTON ENDING - no fade-outs! Submit 60-SECOND track length ONLY (including any reverb tail). If your tracks are chosen, the company will need stereo mp3 files, with an audio bit rate of 256 kbps, formatted in :15 / :30 / :60 lengths. No need to submit these to the listing but HAVE THEM READY TO GO! Please submit one to three instrumental beds. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Monday, January 2, 2012.
TAXI # Y120102PO

The track can be found here: http://www.taxi.com/rogergilpin

Where is the performance awry? The funk guitar? Or is it just too bright? I can't figure it out. Obviously I was trying for something close to the Maroon 5 song without being a complete rip-off.

Thanks for all help and comments as always. They are appreciated. - Roger

[moomy]

Hi Roger,
I listened to your track and the references. I think they have a little more breathing room. They probably want the mood and sass of the artists too which might require some unexpected interest and a little more chill. Your track may have been too repetitious for them too, but the sound was good. I don't play an instrument so I'm stumbling a little over how to describe this. Sorry

[jonnybutter]

Hey Roger,

Track sounds pretty good to me. I'd say the 'music' citation might be at least partially about the form - the change to the 6 chord is a little random-sounding to me. I'd also say that, melodically, what makes these sorts of listings tough to write for is the fact that there's a fine line between appealingly simple and pedestrian. I struggle with this and I'm sure I'm not alone!

On the production side, the track could sound a little more cohesive and punchy, sonically. And the snare fill was super loud.

Just my opinion. Others here are in a better position to give you feedback, perhaps, but...FWIW. Fresh ears and all that. You are obviously very much on the right track, so don't give up.

[burpo]

I can't guess what the screener was thinking, but to my ears
the track was a little thin and could have used some texture,
some crunch. It had some holes, EQwise, making it sound a
little dated. Hope this helps.

[Mark Crozer]

Hi Roger

I would say there are a few reasons why I would not forward this if I was the screener:

1) The snare fills are really, really loud and overpowering. More like the kind of thing you'd hear in a hardcore club tune than a dance pop piece.

2) I don't think there's enough variation in the melody (even though it's short and there's not much time for development.)

3) I also feel that while the individual instruments themselves are all cool they somehow don't work that well together... The 90s-style piano riff, the big rock drums, the 70s-ish guitar, and then some lighter 80s sounding synthy riffs... they sound like they're all from different eras and - for me at least - they don't really gel.

The production is good though overall (apart from the drums being too loud IMO.)

Hope this is helpful.

Mark

[treesbygb]

Hi Roger,
The feeling that I get from many listings, is that they want something "cool" and "hip", very hard to describe and achieve but unmissable when you hear it!!
Your music, while very competent, is a little too much like a pastiche of early house music (I'm no expert, as it all sounded good at the time, and in context!!)
It lacks the cool groove they are looking for, it's a little too stiff and mechanical. I think that's why music was checked.
As far as broadcast quality goes, that's a tough one, but as stated, the music sounds a little thin and disjointed.
Thanks for posting as hearing what gets returned is invaluable.
All the best
Gary

[RogerG]

Hi all,

Thanks for all of the replies. Other's opinions definitely helped. Long and short I smashed several styles into one thing that didn't quite work together with a melody that was a little too simple to really hold it together (in fact that was the one thing that didn't change ). I worked from the drums up this time. Maybe next time maybe I'll work from the melody down (if that makes any sense, I'm probably rambling a bit as it's getting a little late here...).

Thanks again everyone. - Roger