Returns on Audioslave style tracks

[bigbluebarry]

Here's the listing:ROCK SONGS and INSTRUMENTALS in the wide variety of U2, Daughtry, Audioslave, etc., are wanted by the Director of Music at an L.A.based Music Library/Publisher with current MAJOR film and TV placements (e.g. Film: Twilight, I Love You, Man, He's Just Not That Into You, Television: Ugly Betty, True Blood, Beverly Hills 90210, and many more). He is only looking for "record label quality music" meaning that the bar is very high on this one. You must own 100% of your song. Make sure your songs are sample free and clean -- no profanity. Broadcast quality is needed [great sounding home recordings are OK]. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics (if applicable). Photo and bio are optional but it's a good idea to include them in the submission because the company does feature the artists they use on their web site. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, May 13, 2009. TAXI #Y090513RK1) Whipping Boy - http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... ream=true2) This Is How We Roll - http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=trueThe reason given for the return on the first song was that vocal performance was not broadcast quality. The reason for the second song was that the instrumental performance was not broadcast quality.I'm too "close" to them at the moment to find the issues that they mentioned. I see in the listing that the bar was very high on this one so maybe they were being extra picky? Anyways, if anyone listens to either of the 2 songs that got returned and has any feedback on the screeners comments, constructive feedback is appreciated The songs are also on my profile page if those links above don't work - http://www.taxi.com/bigbluebarryThanks!- Big Blue

[rld]

Hey Barry,I've been a victim of the "broadcast quality" return myself and it seems quite hard to figure out what the screener is hearing on some of these returns.That being said, I notice quite a few pitch correction artifacts in "Whipping Boy"...I can only assume that you guys left them in intentionally as I know you have good ears...maybe the screener didn't dig them. Vocal mix isn't as clear as others from you."This is how we roll"...the only thing I hear is the lick after the chords in the main figure sounds a tad tentative and might need a more aggressive attack.Really just guessing here...I don't like the fact that "broadcast quality" seems to be subjective. I think I know it when I hear it, but I've been scratching my head a bit on some of these.

[matthoggard]

Hey Blue,Being a SoundGarden, RAM, Cornell, Audioslave lover I feel qualified to comment here."Whipping boy" was a little too hardcore musically. Your vocalist is awesome. He gets my vote for sure but Audioslave is alot more groove based and the vocals are almost bluesy in nature.This track is too reminiscent of Soundgarden mixed with Rage."This is how we roll" is more Tom Morello sounding but more from the Rage days. Im guessing for the listing, a good track to emulate would be "Like a stone" or "Shadow on the sun".Id buy an album of yalls tracks though!! I may be writing country but thats the stuff I pull out when I want to JAM!!!Tell your vocalist he's got a great voice for this stuff!

[bigbluebarry]

hey RLD... I was hoping you'd chime in on this one... Yep, there were a couple spots where we left those in for effect, guess the screener didn't like 'em. And I agree, this isn't the best job I've done on a mix. For some reason, this song was just a pain to mix. I'm considering re-tracking it, but then again, I did just get some new "toys" that I might have to try out on this one. Maybe I'll do that first and see if that makes it easier to mix. hey Matt... thanks for chiming in here... Neither of the songs were returned for being off target though. Style-wise they were considered on target for the listing... I agree that Whipping Boy is a bit more Soundgarden and less Audioslave. The inspiration for "how we roll" came from "Show Me How To Live" off of the first Audioslave album... Thanks for the comments on the vocals, I'll be sure to pass them along to Logan. And speaking of album, we are actually working on one. We're using TAXI listings as the driving force for most of the song ideas. We've got a couple songs that are DONE, but there are several that are close to being done, but we're still tweaking them. Don't know how long it'll be before we're done, but I hope we can have it done by the Rally (though I haven't mentioned that to Logan yet, so if you're reading this buddy, now ya know!) Thanks guys,- Big Blue

[matthoggard]

That was Logan?Hes more versatile than I thought!!Great stuff Logan! You to Barry!

[fusilierb]

Can't wait for that album. You guys got your first sale here! Always great to hear you two's collab's!! As far as broadcast quality, since I can't engineer myself out of a wet paper bag, I can't say. But they sounded REALLY good to me. I own and listen to many albums that aren't as well recorded as these. Soldier on guys!B

[markjsmith]

Hey Barry, I have to agree with Matt, I think the tune that was most suited to the listing got forwarded! The others were very freakin' cool though! I think they may have been a little heavy for what they wanted. As always, your stuff is totally ROCKIN'!!! Mark

[teleblaster]

First of all, these are great tracks. My guess is that you can find a home for them as is.Ya, the only thing I can think on the first one is that they didn't get that the pitch correct artifacts were intentionalLow end might be a bit hyped to my ears on the 2nd cut. There are some spots where the bass feels a bit loose and overpowering -- but not a huge thing. Some of the gritty distortion on the gits (which I like BTW), might be mistaken for digital clipping. But honestly, I've gotten songs forwarded that had more problems than this in terms of broadcast quality.You always do great work, these are no exception. This stuff is hard to figger out sometimes. Best of luck on these!ErichTake a listen to my post on this board for 'Spend a Little Time With Me' when you get a minute or 2. I could really use some help with this from folks like you

[bigbluebarry]

Thanks for the comments fellas... Bryan... the album is gonna be a reality. We're in the process of determining all the logistics, ie. physical CD vs. Digital only, # of tracks, which tracks, etc... I can say for certain though that "Won't Go Back Again" WILL be on the album, and I'm 95% sure that "Not With Me" will be as well. Other than that, I don't know... We are planning to have it done before the Rally though. I'll be sure to keep you updated.Erich... I thought the bass might be a bit loose as well, glad to get a 2nd vote on that. Well, not really glad... you know what I mean I'll go check out your song in a couple of minutes.- Big Blue

[bacanador]

Hey Big BlueListening to your tunes, I've told you before I like your style. But it is hard sometimes to understand what the reviewer hears.The first tune sounds great to me, I hear the pitch correction in some places like at 1:34 and 1:36, but it seems intentional I don't dislike it, chorus sounds great , it really stands out, the vocal in the verses seems just seems to have a little reverb in the verses but that is the audioslave sound, sometimes on a critique I've been sent to listen to songs from other artists to find out that my mix was probably the issue. Maybe doubling the vocal or something that makes the vocal sound bigger (the verses only as I can't think of anything you can do to make the chorus better, it is perfect for me as it is)The other thing might be that the mix sounds a little boomy, at least through my system, or maybe it is my ears.The second tune, guitars are a little dry, I like dry guitars as well, but when I've been referred to other artist I always find the guitar sound they are looking for is over produced to my taste, but that is what they wanted to hear, maybe something you could try.Again my friend I like your tunes, just trying to understand what the screener heardCheersJose