I do jump into threads frequently and defend Taxi despite my short time with them so far, and that will certainly continue because with every critique so far I have understood why I haven't been forwarded (even if not immediately - but eventually either by taking a day and re-reading or with help from you guys, thank you...), but this one will take some serious assistance for my understanding because I'm baffled!! I figure this is one screener opinion I'm going to be calling about on Monday, unless anyone can give me a serious insight into something I'm missing...
The track is 'This Boy' at http://www.taxi.com/stevereedmusic
Y091210AC
ADULT CONTEMPORARY SONGS - from Soft A/C to Hot A/C - a la the full range of David Gray to Natasha Bedingfield to Jason Mraz to Celine Dion, etc., are needed by a successful Music Publisher who's had tons of great Film/TV placements for many TAXI members. Universal lyrics are necessary. No instrumentals please! Vocal and instrumental performances must be top-notch! They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal - you keep your original copyrights. Broadcast quality needed (great home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Thursday, December 10, 2009. TAXI #Y091210AC
I understand listing specific rejections, but this is a rejection based in part on a fundamental - vocal pitch. The other part is on me using a contemporary lyric.
Before I go on, here are some other screeners' comments about the same song:
"fine vocal performance."
#25
"You've got a great voice, and you wisely take advantage of your impressive range."
(Also, general comments: "A standout element is your solid vocal abilities and the emotion you put into the performances- keep that up!")
#221
"In all the songs you give an emotionally honest and expressive vocal performance"
#300
I seriously hate whining, please believe this, and with every other screener I understand where they're coming from - but honestly would appreciate some peer perspective before I call Taxi for this one. Here are the comments of screener #27 for this track:
"soulful feel ... ' this boy as your boo ' ? is that what you said ? check vocal pitch, the intro is a bit unsteady.."
1) Why has no other screener noticed/mentioned any problem with vocal pitch? (quite the opposite from their comments). Does one screener have bad ears, or do three other screeners have bad ears?? Do I and the engineer I paid to record this for me have bad ears; is the intro off pitch?
2) " 'this boy as your boo ' ? is that what you said ?" - yes, you should know that's exactly what I said, since you have the lyric sheet in front of you..??
This is a 'contemporary' listing and that is a contemporary lyric (another comment on a return for this song on an 'original' listing by screener #178 was: "Lyric has contemporary reference which wouldn't be workable ("If you walk on in with this boy as your boo")." and one from #287 on a forward: "This song has a retro feel that is tempered nicely by some modern sounding instrumentation and lyrics"
Why screen a contemporary listing if you don't understand contemporary language? If as a critic you didn't understand the lyric, Google it - don't ask me "is that what you said?" like I've made a mistake with my own lyric or I was speaking Vulcan.
With point 2, fine if the screener knows the requesting party will not understand or appreciate the lyric, then return it based on that and tell me so... but this does not seem to be the case.
Rant over, apologies for boring you with it but I had to get it off my chest. Feel better for that at least, and thank you if you're still reading

Cheers
Steve