Got a return with some very vague reasoning

[Kevm]

I stopped caring about the returns a while ago for taxi as I've come to realize my stuff does not fit at all with taxi for whatever reason, this was my first year which runs out in a couple of weeks and I won't be returning but this sort of epitomizes why;

Y120213IP

CONTEMPORARY INDIE-POP SONGS and INTRUMENTAL TRACKS needed by a Film and TV Music Company that has signed more than 100 TAXI members as composers for a PREVIOUS catalog, which has generated tens of thousands of placements. They're looking for new material to feed another existing catalog, and possibly for a new business model as well. Referenced artists and songs they need are:"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The Peoplehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ"Walking On A Dream" by Empire Of The Sunhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eimgRedLkkU "Paris Is Burning" by Ladyhawkehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOet73N8lc "That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tingshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI As always, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or songs. Use them ONLY as a guide for tempo, texture, and style! HOT, CURRENT-sounding, college-radio type tracks with CREATIVE instrumentation, and a DISTINCTIVE yet ACCESSIBLE sound is what will get you noticed! If you submit songs with lyrics, please make sure your lyrics are UNIVERSAL and don't include names, places, dates, detailed storylines, etc. Please include LYRICS if applicable. This music company insists on vocals that are CLEAR and EASY TO UNDERSTAND, so make sure your enunciation is spot on and the mix is well-balanced! MALE or FEMALE VOCALS OK! You must own or control 100% of the copyright and master recording to pitch for this listing. All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three songs and/or instrumentals online or per CD, include lyrics (if applicable). ALL submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - No full critiques from TAXI Ð and must be received no later than Monday, February 13, 2012. TAXI# Y120213IP

A month after the listing closed I get the return with the Other box checked and simply this;
"The melodies cross creating off notes. Great theme though"

Is it me? Is that just really half-assed? I mean, that's only during the prechorus and it's obviously meant to be that way aside from the backing vocals not hitting every note cleanly which hardly takes away from the track IMO..

I'm not really trying to complain I'm really just being honest before my membership runs out, to me the listings are just way too narrow unless you are pandering to listings (which is great if that's what you're doing.. I'm not, and I was led to believe taxi was also for people who aren't doing that) but maybe I'm off-base I had submitted to this listing after posting in peer to peer or something a while back and someone specifically saying they thought this listing could work for that song too, so I wasn't just crap shooting.

Edit; should probably put that it was the track "Dirty Swing"

[Casey H]

...I mean, that's only during the prechorus and it's obviously meant to be that way aside from the backing vocals not hitting every note cleanly which hardly takes away from the track IMO...

Kev
Didn't you just answer your own question? You are saying you know the backing vocals are not hitting notes cleanly. You need to submit your best work. If something is off and you know it, you have to address it. That's your responsibilty. Why would a film/TV music company want to hire someone who knowingly lets tracks out with that sort of problem? Like I said on another thread... You are going to a job interview. Dress your best or don't get the job.

Best of luck,
Casey

[Kevm]

...I mean, that's only during the prechorus and it's obviously meant to be that way aside from the backing vocals not hitting every note cleanly which hardly takes away from the track IMO...

Kev
Didn't you just answer your own question? You are saying you know the backing vocals are not hitting notes cleanly. You need to submit your best work. If something is off and you know it, you have to address it. That's your responsibilty. Why would a film/TV music company want to hire someone who knowingly lets tracks out with that sort of problem? Like I said on another thread... You are going to a job interview. Dress your best or don't get the job.

Best of luck,
Casey

I answered my own answer too though IMO it doesn't take away from it (cleanly != better in my world haha, whatever that says about me), the reason I left it was because it's basically not noticeable and I liked the sound, it's maybe 1-2 of 8-10 notes. Even if it was the correct choice to fix those (which I simply don't agree that it is) I don't think that is the difference between forwarding it, but it's all good this isn't my end-all-be-all it's merely my opinion after a short amount of time with taxi, I definitely don't consider mine to be the best opinion.

[cardell]

I've had worse critiques than that, especially in my first year.

Listening to your track, it sounds like your well on your way. You're actually doing great, much better than I did in my first year!! Now it's just a mater of persistence & gradual improvement...

Stuart

[simonparker]

...I mean, that's only during the prechorus and it's obviously meant to be that way aside from the backing vocals not hitting every note cleanly which hardly takes away from the track IMO...

Kev
Didn't you just answer your own question? You are saying you know the backing vocals are not hitting notes cleanly. You need to submit your best work. If something is off and you know it, you have to address it. That's your responsibilty. Why would a film/TV music company want to hire someone who knowingly lets tracks out with that sort of problem? Like I said on another thread... You are going to a job interview. Dress your best or don't get the job.

Best of luck,
Casey

This isn't even the job interview, it's the resume submission for the job!

Really, view Taxi as the agency that sends resumes to the companies looking to hire. From those resumes, the company listens to your music. That's the interview. If you're a fit, you get the job.

So that said, would you take someone who's resume is not fully polished, might have spelling mistakes, is off-target for the job? No, you reject them. That's what Taxi's listings do. They take those whose resume best meet the job requirements, and from there, it's up to the company to move forward with the candidate!

[jazzstan]

Simon ... I really like your "resume" analogy. Makes total sense. Thanks for the "new view" of the submission process.

In past day jobs, I've looked at several thousand resumes. My first review was not about who would be a good candidate for the job, but if there was a good reason to STOP reading this particular resume and move on to the next one. So you are absolutely right about the quality being vitally important.

Two of the folks I did not call in for job interviews had the following in their resumes:

1) the cover letter spoke of "... my attention to detials..."
2) the chap whose address included the phrase "... under the water tower...."

[DesireInspires]

Dude, you definitely need to sign up with Taxi for another year. Taxi doesn't work miracles, but they have more connections than you do. They can help you to learn and improve your music. Don't be a big baby crying about a return.

I got 92 returns in the two years I was with Taxi. Get to work.

[peeyo]

The listing clearly states that it will be screened on a yes/no basis - no full critiques. So that's what they gave you, a short critique.
If this is not your end all be all, what is? If you're just wanting to dabble in music, that's cool. I say save your money, because you're not gonna get very far in this biz if you dabble.

[rnrmachine]

I wanted to listen to your song, "Dirty Swing" but there is no link to it. So I just have to go with what is said.

It's a yes/no listing. You're lucky ya got anything written as to why... I can show you a bunch of mine where they didn't say sh+t... and they are supposed to.

If you hear something in your own music... and you think it's not very noticeable... maybe to you it isn't, but to others who have no vestment in the song what so ever, stuff sticks out like sore thumbs when it's not right. That statement "Melodies cross creating off notes..." tells me it needs a fix. BUT I can't say if I would agree with you or the screener since I have no link to your song...

On your comment about your backing vocals... In my experience, Lead vocals can be off from time to time, when it works. But in my experience, backing vocals have to nail it.

[Kelil]

Hey Kev. It was a Y Listing. screeners commenting on those is rare. I think the fact that you had a comment really does say a lot about the potential the screener saw in your song. I've recently written a blog post of this subject of criticism, I think you might get something out of it you can find it at: www.stephenmcelligott.wordpress.com it's the first from the top.

I feel your pain. But if, like I say in my blog post, if you view criticism as a gift and an opportunity to become better at your engineering skills or songwriting, you will easily overcome the rejection. And beleive me its something we all struggle with. I have a number of venting posts floating around here somewhere so I too get bitten by this bug.

Stephen