Piano Pop Ballad Return
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:51 am
Hi guys.
I was expecting a potential return on this one, because my mixer guy had a lost computer and so I had to do the mix/master myself and it's not my strong point, so I thought it may not be demo quality and that could be why it would get returned. Alas, it was returned for a completely different reason. Here's the listing:
Y190404CA
A STRIPPED-DOWN PIANO-Based POP BALLAD with Female Vocals is needed by the Head of A&R at a Major Publishing Company for a Major Label Artist that’s working on a new album.
Please submit Down-to-Mid-Tempo Songs that are in the general stylistic ballpark of the following reference we got from them:
“Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
Please submit intimate Pop Ballads with great lyrics, emotionally moving melodies, and a big, infectious chorus. Please make sure your vocal performance is strong, heartfelt, honest, and believable.
Your production and recording quality needs to be clean, clear, well balanced, and good enough to represent your song well. Please submit as many Songs as you’d like, online or per CD, and include lyrics. All submissions will be reviewed by a TAXI Screener that was handpicked by the Music Publisher. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT) on Thursday, April 4th, 2019. TAXI #Y190404CA
I submitted my song Powerful, which can be found at https://www.taxi.com/shalee
this was my return feedback from my best friend screener 309:
"Lyrically and melodically the direction and style of your song are a little too dated for me to forward. Your song structure and arrangements are solid but they need to be top 40 competitive in order for me to forward."
What's baffling me about this, is the comment of it being too dated, when the reference song is over 17 years old. So if I'm drawing reference from someone, especially someone like Christina, there are certain melodies and vibes that are going to be present to fit into her stylistic ballpark. And it was the only reference to give stylistic ideas, and those stylistic ideas are 17 years old. If that song is the only reference the a and r person has given, then wouldn't they want songs that capture the essence, even if what makes that song great are not exactly what is current in a trap pop oriented industry (which is what we have right now)?
I wouldn't even bat an eyelid at a critique like this if the reference was like some of the others ATM (for example, 7 rings by Ariana, you better see me in a crown by Billie Eilish, etc etc.) that is actually modern. It's not exactly a horrible critique, I'm just a bit confused.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe because I use the concept of a phoenix rising that could have fizzed it because phoenix metaphors may not be cool enough for 2019.
So, I'd like to know, if you were in my shoes and had to rewrite this track to be current (if you agree with the screener) what would you change? What would you write about instead of the concept of strength in vulnerability is no longer relevant? Or do you disagree with the screener and think it hit the brief?
I doubt many people will reply to this but if you do, thanks in advance. I really like this track, so if there's a chance to get it to a competitive level I want to get it there.
I was expecting a potential return on this one, because my mixer guy had a lost computer and so I had to do the mix/master myself and it's not my strong point, so I thought it may not be demo quality and that could be why it would get returned. Alas, it was returned for a completely different reason. Here's the listing:
Y190404CA
A STRIPPED-DOWN PIANO-Based POP BALLAD with Female Vocals is needed by the Head of A&R at a Major Publishing Company for a Major Label Artist that’s working on a new album.
Please submit Down-to-Mid-Tempo Songs that are in the general stylistic ballpark of the following reference we got from them:
“Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
Please submit intimate Pop Ballads with great lyrics, emotionally moving melodies, and a big, infectious chorus. Please make sure your vocal performance is strong, heartfelt, honest, and believable.
Your production and recording quality needs to be clean, clear, well balanced, and good enough to represent your song well. Please submit as many Songs as you’d like, online or per CD, and include lyrics. All submissions will be reviewed by a TAXI Screener that was handpicked by the Music Publisher. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT) on Thursday, April 4th, 2019. TAXI #Y190404CA
I submitted my song Powerful, which can be found at https://www.taxi.com/shalee
this was my return feedback from my best friend screener 309:
"Lyrically and melodically the direction and style of your song are a little too dated for me to forward. Your song structure and arrangements are solid but they need to be top 40 competitive in order for me to forward."
What's baffling me about this, is the comment of it being too dated, when the reference song is over 17 years old. So if I'm drawing reference from someone, especially someone like Christina, there are certain melodies and vibes that are going to be present to fit into her stylistic ballpark. And it was the only reference to give stylistic ideas, and those stylistic ideas are 17 years old. If that song is the only reference the a and r person has given, then wouldn't they want songs that capture the essence, even if what makes that song great are not exactly what is current in a trap pop oriented industry (which is what we have right now)?
I wouldn't even bat an eyelid at a critique like this if the reference was like some of the others ATM (for example, 7 rings by Ariana, you better see me in a crown by Billie Eilish, etc etc.) that is actually modern. It's not exactly a horrible critique, I'm just a bit confused.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe because I use the concept of a phoenix rising that could have fizzed it because phoenix metaphors may not be cool enough for 2019.
So, I'd like to know, if you were in my shoes and had to rewrite this track to be current (if you agree with the screener) what would you change? What would you write about instead of the concept of strength in vulnerability is no longer relevant? Or do you disagree with the screener and think it hit the brief?
I doubt many people will reply to this but if you do, thanks in advance. I really like this track, so if there's a chance to get it to a competitive level I want to get it there.