Newbie just received first custom critique
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:35 pm
Hi All-
New member here.... I sent one of my better Modern Rock Tracks in for a Customer Critique, and just heard back.....
Here is the track..... https://www.taxi.com/members/DVGQpc37Tk ... he-calling
And here is the critique:
Style
The song is pop/rock with elements of emo and punk. The riff and rhythm section reminds me a little of bands like Bad Religion, although, the top line could be finessed to deliver a more raw energy (to tie closer to those types of bands).
Melody
Good base melodic idea in your verses. Lines come through catchy and well paced. I like the PRE idea, but could hear a more transitional energy heading out of part. I could also hear the first pass halved. Chorus melody tends to deliver a bit of weight/density based on the stacked up vocal approach. Overall, I'm left wanting a little more lift/break out qualities on the top line (in chorus).
Structure
The song is in good shape structurally as the song falls into a classic INTRO, VERSE, PRE, CHORUS, VERSE, PRE, CHORUS, SOLO, CHORUS format. Just a couple thoughts. The intro leans a little drawn out. A thought would be to fine tune the idea ever so slightly. Finally, a suggestion would be to offer a touch more closure to wrap the tune.
Lyrics and Title
The verse storyline connects well.. Pre-chorus ties into this idea as well. The chorus comes through slightly disconnected, though. The actual content is well done, but I could hear more cohesion with everything else (in chorus). Paying off the verse idea a little stronger is a thought.
Production
The drums, bass and guitar sound well recorded and mixed. Bringing a more raw energy to the top line vocal and soloing element is a thought for added punch. This does sound Broadcast Quality, but keep in mind, production quality vs what gets forwarded depends more on your consistency with whatever references are in a given listing (how they are produced etc).
The vocal, for instance, loses some steam in chorus with the stacked up approach. The singular vocal sounds a little sterile.. Would try for a less perfect sounding aesthetic.
Overall Comments
Hi Bradley,
Welcome to TAXI!!
I'll go through your track offering thoughts/suggestions.
INTRO: The intro feels a little extended out. The parts are good, but left feeling this could be fine tuned. The part just prior to verse leans better setup in my opinion. Perhaps you could streamline this idea ever so slightly?
V1: The melodic pacing is good. Tempo feels solid and forward moving. A thought would be a little more raw expression on the top line to liven up the part. Current delivery leans a little sterile, although, I dig the effort. Lyrics connect well on this first sequence.
PC: I like the subtle shift from verse, but would suggest halving this part. I would also suggest
going up in note range on "scars." This to me would have the part functioning more as short jumping off point to actual chorus over the extended out feel currently in place.
C1: I appreciate the vocal arrangement idea, but could hear a less processed top line, more cut in this sequence. An additional thought would be more break out qualities melodically from the pre for added distinction.
V2: I like the continuation of the storyline from verse 1. I could hear a minor tweak to the final line, omitting the second usage of "favors." This would streamline the phrasing ever so slightly.
PC2: I like the length of this one. What I'm hearing is the front end delivery of "Scars" being the same, but the "rrrs" part of the word could shift up into high range to offer more compelling setup to chorus.
C2: Based on the writing style (again) I would suggest a more raw, less processed approach on the top line. The energy tends to shift downward melodically in current form. Working with vocal treatment and melody is a thought to lift this part up. There is certainly some nice drive instrumentally, though.
SOLO: Good call to offer a break from your vocal melody. Based on the heavy riff idea, a thought would be a more raw, expressive guitar solo. over the synthetic energy currently coming through. Length of part feels good.
C3: Good way to wrap, although, I could hear a little more closure/resolve at the end. You could finesse the final melodic line to deliver a touch more wrap to this tune.
OVERALL: I think you do a solid job here overall. Main thoughts.. Deliver a little more expression/raw energy on the top line and in the soloing element. Try for a more transitional energy heading out of PRE into CHORUS. Experiment with chorus melody to see if something more break out/lifted presents itself. I feel marketability would be enhanced with a little more instant catchiness in the chorus sequence.
I hope my thoughts have been helpful. I enjoyed listening and wish you the best with your tune.
N/A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 = Highest
Melody
Lyrics
Marketability
Song Structure
Production
Engineering
Vocal Performance
(Scores varied from 7 to 8 out of 10....Is this bad??)
Listener ID: 374
I found this to be EXTREMELY insightful, and while I do not agree with everything, the screener did take the time to really go through this track, and is much appreciated!
If anyone else would like to add to the screener's comments, I am all ears and NO Ego as a Newbie on here, and appreciate it in advance Thanks!
New member here.... I sent one of my better Modern Rock Tracks in for a Customer Critique, and just heard back.....
Here is the track..... https://www.taxi.com/members/DVGQpc37Tk ... he-calling
And here is the critique:
Style
The song is pop/rock with elements of emo and punk. The riff and rhythm section reminds me a little of bands like Bad Religion, although, the top line could be finessed to deliver a more raw energy (to tie closer to those types of bands).
Melody
Good base melodic idea in your verses. Lines come through catchy and well paced. I like the PRE idea, but could hear a more transitional energy heading out of part. I could also hear the first pass halved. Chorus melody tends to deliver a bit of weight/density based on the stacked up vocal approach. Overall, I'm left wanting a little more lift/break out qualities on the top line (in chorus).
Structure
The song is in good shape structurally as the song falls into a classic INTRO, VERSE, PRE, CHORUS, VERSE, PRE, CHORUS, SOLO, CHORUS format. Just a couple thoughts. The intro leans a little drawn out. A thought would be to fine tune the idea ever so slightly. Finally, a suggestion would be to offer a touch more closure to wrap the tune.
Lyrics and Title
The verse storyline connects well.. Pre-chorus ties into this idea as well. The chorus comes through slightly disconnected, though. The actual content is well done, but I could hear more cohesion with everything else (in chorus). Paying off the verse idea a little stronger is a thought.
Production
The drums, bass and guitar sound well recorded and mixed. Bringing a more raw energy to the top line vocal and soloing element is a thought for added punch. This does sound Broadcast Quality, but keep in mind, production quality vs what gets forwarded depends more on your consistency with whatever references are in a given listing (how they are produced etc).
The vocal, for instance, loses some steam in chorus with the stacked up approach. The singular vocal sounds a little sterile.. Would try for a less perfect sounding aesthetic.
Overall Comments
Hi Bradley,
Welcome to TAXI!!
I'll go through your track offering thoughts/suggestions.
INTRO: The intro feels a little extended out. The parts are good, but left feeling this could be fine tuned. The part just prior to verse leans better setup in my opinion. Perhaps you could streamline this idea ever so slightly?
V1: The melodic pacing is good. Tempo feels solid and forward moving. A thought would be a little more raw expression on the top line to liven up the part. Current delivery leans a little sterile, although, I dig the effort. Lyrics connect well on this first sequence.
PC: I like the subtle shift from verse, but would suggest halving this part. I would also suggest
going up in note range on "scars." This to me would have the part functioning more as short jumping off point to actual chorus over the extended out feel currently in place.
C1: I appreciate the vocal arrangement idea, but could hear a less processed top line, more cut in this sequence. An additional thought would be more break out qualities melodically from the pre for added distinction.
V2: I like the continuation of the storyline from verse 1. I could hear a minor tweak to the final line, omitting the second usage of "favors." This would streamline the phrasing ever so slightly.
PC2: I like the length of this one. What I'm hearing is the front end delivery of "Scars" being the same, but the "rrrs" part of the word could shift up into high range to offer more compelling setup to chorus.
C2: Based on the writing style (again) I would suggest a more raw, less processed approach on the top line. The energy tends to shift downward melodically in current form. Working with vocal treatment and melody is a thought to lift this part up. There is certainly some nice drive instrumentally, though.
SOLO: Good call to offer a break from your vocal melody. Based on the heavy riff idea, a thought would be a more raw, expressive guitar solo. over the synthetic energy currently coming through. Length of part feels good.
C3: Good way to wrap, although, I could hear a little more closure/resolve at the end. You could finesse the final melodic line to deliver a touch more wrap to this tune.
OVERALL: I think you do a solid job here overall. Main thoughts.. Deliver a little more expression/raw energy on the top line and in the soloing element. Try for a more transitional energy heading out of PRE into CHORUS. Experiment with chorus melody to see if something more break out/lifted presents itself. I feel marketability would be enhanced with a little more instant catchiness in the chorus sequence.
I hope my thoughts have been helpful. I enjoyed listening and wish you the best with your tune.
N/A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 = Highest
Melody
Lyrics
Marketability
Song Structure
Production
Engineering
Vocal Performance
(Scores varied from 7 to 8 out of 10....Is this bad??)
Listener ID: 374
I found this to be EXTREMELY insightful, and while I do not agree with everything, the screener did take the time to really go through this track, and is much appreciated!
If anyone else would like to add to the screener's comments, I am all ears and NO Ego as a Newbie on here, and appreciate it in advance Thanks!
razzin' ya, Graham).
Casey