Modern Blues/Alt track FAIL!

[BradleyHagen]

Track: https://www.taxi.com/members/DVGQpc37Tk ... y-stevens-
Feedback: https://www.taxi.com/members/DVGQpc37Tk ... U8YblaKNIg

LISTING: MODERN BLUES ROCK SONGS with Male Vocals are needed by the CEO of a very active Music Licensing Company whose placements include everything from Hollywood films to binge-worthy TV series and more!

This Company would love to find Mid-To-Uptempo Songs that could be found on a playlist with the following references, which we got directly from the client:

“Maktub” by Gary Clark Jr.

“Poor Boy a Long Way From Home” by The Black Keys

“Don't Owe You A Thang” by Gary Clark Jr.

“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys

Quoting the Company's CEO: "We're currently searching for Songs with great Blues Rock energy. Great vocals are a must, and submissions should include a bluesy, affecting electric guitar, like those of the references."

Please submit Modern Blues Rock Songs with a gritty, soulful sound and plenty of power! This Company is on the hunt for Songs that blend vintage Blues-inspired grit with a modern edge. Submissions should feature strong melodic hooks, dynamic arrangements, well-written lyrics, and vocals with conviction, attitude, and authenticity. Blues-rooted instrumentation with tasteful modern elements could work well (some instrumentation to consider could be overdriven guitars, punchy drum grooves, groovy bass lines, etc.). Expressive MALE VOCALS are essential for this opportunity!

Lyrics should avoid references to specific names, dates, times, places, brands, and profanity to make your song easier to place. Please do NOT copy the referenced artists or Songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

AI ALERT: This company can't accept or sign music that has been lyrically or melodically composed using generative AI, nor will they accept backing tracks, full instrumental tracks, or vocal performances created with AI.

This Company offers both EXCLUSIVE and NON-EXCLUSIVE deals. The specific deal points will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If you’re inclined to do an Exclusive deal, please don’t submit material for this pitch that you've already signed with other libraries or publishers. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit for this opportunity, and you need to be affiliated with a Performing Rights Organization for this company to include your music in their catalog. Time permitting, someone from the Music Licensing Company (who has been trained as a TAXI Screener) may screen some or all of the submissions. Please submit as many Songs as you'd like, online or per CD. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Saturday, June 28th, 2025. TAXI # S250628BR

TAXI # S250628BR

OK....Maybe "too many hard rock elements" i.e., could have gone with some different drum tones, maybe could have lost the metal dude chorus vocals, but is this REALLY that far off from The Black Keys?? Listen to "Lonely Boy," and listen to my track.... Not disagreeing with the return here, but I think the screener is going a bit overboard with this...just my two cents.... Curious to hear your thoughts?

[carlstuck]

Cool song! I gotta disagree with the screener about the drum and guitar groove being what’s wrong for the listing. I think with a fuzz on the guitar and a more baritone topline you’re there. The vocal definitely leans more metal than the refs so maybe that's what they focused on.
I haven’t made it into any libraries yet though so don’t take that as advice.
best to you!

[eeoo]

I agree with the screener on this one, sounds like a metal band doing an indie blues tune. It's so hard sounding authentic when you start exploring new genres, this one is just not quite capturing that elusive authentic vibe.

[RealPickle]

Hey Bradley,

Once again, a cool track, well produced!

My two cents: The two things that take this out of the blues realm for me are your harmonic choices and the vocalist's tone quality.

The basic drum groove with the high syncopated guitar chords works and is very reminiscent of Lonely Boy, imo. But if you listen to that track, all of the lower guitar melodic lines throughout the track make liberal use of the blues scale and really evoke the classic blues sound. Your intro uses a chromatic line that isn't bluesy at all (also with the guitar interlude from 2:15-2:36) Same goes for the chromatic movement in your chorus at :56, 1:54, 2:40. That harmonic language is way, way more metal than blues.

Also, YMMV on this but the vocalist sounds much closer to Steven Tyler or Jerry Cantrell than Muddy Waters. I realize the screener didn't mention the vocals (and in fact that entire critique is a bit unclear to me) but for me these are the things that keep it from sounding bluesy.

[BradleyHagen]

Cool song! I gotta disagree with the screener about the drum and guitar groove being what’s wrong for the listing. I think with a fuzz on the guitar and a more baritone topline you’re there. The vocal definitely leans more metal than the refs so maybe that's what they focused on.
I haven’t made it into any libraries yet though so don’t take that as advice.
best to you!

Thanks for your feedback! Yeah, I put a TON of fuzz on those guitars already, but apparently not enough! And I am starting to think that I should have just cut the vocals myself..... Can't really change the singer's vibe!

[BradleyHagen]

I agree with the screener on this one, sounds like a metal band doing an indie blues tune. It's so hard sounding authentic when you start exploring new genres, this one is just not quite capturing that elusive authentic vibe.

Thanks for the feedback - Yeah, I think the choice of vocalist hurt me on this one for sure.... But as far as the instrumental elements, I feel that I pretty much copied every production thing that the Black Keys did... fuzz guitars, pretty much the same drum parts, saturation on EVERYTHING, and then some more, etc.... Is it fair to say that a more authentic chorus with a different singer would have made all of the difference here?? And while I agree with the "metal band doing an Indie Blues tune"....Aren't Black Keys an alternative rock band trying to be a blues band?? lol!

[BradleyHagen]

Hey Bradley,

Once again, a cool track, well produced!

My two cents: The two things that take this out of the blues realm for me are your harmonic choices and the vocalist's tone quality.

The basic drum groove with the high syncopated guitar chords works and is very reminiscent of Lonely Boy, imo. But if you listen to that track, all of the lower guitar melodic lines throughout the track make liberal use of the blues scale and really evoke the classic blues sound. Your intro uses a chromatic line that isn't bluesy at all (also with the guitar interlude from 2:15-2:36) Same goes for the chromatic movement in your chorus at :56, 1:54, 2:40. That harmonic language is way, way more metal than blues.

Also, YMMV on this but the vocalist sounds much closer to Steven Tyler or Jerry Cantrell than Muddy Waters. I realize the screener didn't mention the vocals (and in fact that entire critique is a bit unclear to me) but for me these are the things that keep it from sounding bluesy.

Thanks for your detailed feedback I really appreciate it! Yeah, the choice of vocalist seems to be a recurring theme..... As far as the guitar scale... Someone else on another forum mentioned that it is too "Secret Agent Man" ..."Too Surfy"...But it is tough, because doing a straight blues scale puts this track in grave danger of flat out ripping off "Lonely Boy" In any case, I will get this into other libraries, so no harm, but it is good to hear feedback from everyone and to be aware of these pitfalls on the next one

[RealPickle]

Hey Bradley,

Once again, a cool track, well produced!

My two cents: The two things that take this out of the blues realm for me are your harmonic choices and the vocalist's tone quality.

The basic drum groove with the high syncopated guitar chords works and is very reminiscent of Lonely Boy, imo. But if you listen to that track, all of the lower guitar melodic lines throughout the track make liberal use of the blues scale and really evoke the classic blues sound. Your intro uses a chromatic line that isn't bluesy at all (also with the guitar interlude from 2:15-2:36) Same goes for the chromatic movement in your chorus at :56, 1:54, 2:40. That harmonic language is way, way more metal than blues.

Also, YMMV on this but the vocalist sounds much closer to Steven Tyler or Jerry Cantrell than Muddy Waters. I realize the screener didn't mention the vocals (and in fact that entire critique is a bit unclear to me) but for me these are the things that keep it from sounding bluesy.

Thanks for your detailed feedback I really appreciate it! Yeah, the choice of vocalist seems to be a recurring theme..... As far as the guitar scale... Someone else on another forum mentioned that it is too "Secret Agent Man" ..."Too Surfy"...But it is tough, because doing a straight blues scale puts this track in grave danger of flat out ripping off "Lonely Boy" In any case, I will get this into other libraries, so no harm, but it is good to hear feedback from everyone and to be aware of these pitfalls on the next one

Secret Agent Man is a good shout actually. And I feel you on the scale thing. I'd just say, there have been thousands of tunes written using those same 6 notes, I bet you could find ways to put in some bluesy licks without it sounding like Lonely Boy (if you wanted to, of course).

[BradleyHagen]

True Dat!!

[Casey H]

I agree with the screener. Your track, especially the vocal (but more) leans metal, not blues rock like the refs. Step away from it for a while, then play yours against the refs again. I think this return is a predictable no-brainer. But, don't sweat it! Your tracks always fit somewhere else!

Best,
Casey