TAXI.com

First let me say that I understand this is a VERY high bar listing and I didn't have high expectations for a forward because there are many variables that have to be just right.

But I was really shocked that the return came with the "Recording" box checked. If it was Stylistically Off Target or Music, I would have just said, "oh well, didn't fit". But this track has always gotten high marks for production and engineering as well as some forwards (one to that ultra selective library many of you know). The times it wasn't forward were a matter of style and the screener usually noted that it was quite solid as far as performance and production.

It could simply be that the bar was SO high... But I'm still scratching my head a little.

The track is "NYC Instrumental" at http://www.taxi.com/caseyh ...

The listing:
TOP NOTCH PUBLISHER needs (quoting them here) ,"Stripped down ROCK like the Black Keys, Dead Weather, etc., but we are certainly open to others," for a Leading AD AGENCY to market an International MOTORCYCLE Brand. CONTEMPORARY, UPTEMPO, HARD-DRIVING, EDGEY, MEMORABLE SONGS that make you want to get on your bike and kick some ass would likely work well here. Male vocals recommended, but they will entertain PHENOMENAL INSTRUMENTALS or Songs with Hard-Edged Female vocals. We'd put our bets on TOUGH SOUNDING/RASPY Male Vocals. Swallow some gravel and Jack before you singÂ-make the listener smell the grease and sweat. If chosen, your song/track will be used for "Internet, Broadcast, and Industrial use," and they'll eventually need :60, :30, and :25/:5 edits, but not for this submission-full songs are fine. You MUST CONTROL ALL PUBLISHING and MASTER rights. This would be a VERY HIGH-PROFILE PLACEMENT if you land it, and the money is rumored to be in the $10,000-$12,000 range. Broadcast Quality (great home recordings) are needed. The company has requested that we don't give out their company name. If you ARE chosen, they will contact you. THE PRODUCTION COMPANY AND AGENCY WILL NOTIFY US OF ANY MEMBERS WHO CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY, AND YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Submit up to (3) tracks on line or via CD; include lyrics if your song has vocals. Your music will be considered on a YES/NO basis; there will be NO TAXI CRITIQUES. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 10am PST. TAXI #Y101208RK

Thanks
Casey

Casey, both of my submissions also got returned with the "Recording" box checked. ("Let Them Eat Dust" and "A Six-Pack of Whup-Ass - motorcycle mix".) If the recording really was the problem, then the bar was so high that they were looking for master quality rather than broadcast quality - but I think it's more likely that it was simply "not exactly what we're looking for" but there's no box to check for that!

wickedsmaht wrote:Casey, both of my submissions also got returned with the "Recording" box checked. ("Let Them Eat Dust" and "A Six-Pack of Whup-Ass - motorcycle mix".) If the recording really was the problem, then the bar was so high that they were looking for master quality rather than broadcast quality - but I think it's more likely that it was simply "not exactly what we're looking for" but there's no box to check for that!

The boxes "Music" and/or "Stylistically Off Target" should be used for that.

It could just be that the Recording bar was ultra-ultra high here such that even tracks that previously got excellent reviews might not be good enough.

Casey

Hi Casey,

I also submitted and had the same box checked. And I feel like my production is pretty decent. You can check it out on my taxi page "Rockin the AC". I am not complaining either because I understand the bar is really high.

Brandon

Casey - Sounds great man. I'd be scratching my head in your situation as well.

I'm thinking they must have wanted something different musically. Or maybe the 'production' style wasn't what they were looking for, so that while they said 'production' was the issue it was really the 'type' of production, not the quality?????

Either way, this track rocks!

Hey Casey,
Yeah, I don't hear production problems with your song at all. This bar must have been ridiculously high! After L\listening to Black Keys stuff, maybe your tune sounds too good Maybe what they were looking for is a lo-fi style recording with no bass guitar!
My tune "One Track Man" was returned as well with the "vocal performance" box checked as the reason. I thought for sure the reason mine would be returned would either be production quality or the fact that it might be a little too repetitive. Who knows. I wrote and recorded mine in a short period of time, so this is the first real feedback I've had on the tune.

Good luck with the tune on future listings.
Cheers,
Paul

Casey - It sounded great to me. I really wish the reviewers in cases like this would add just a couple of explanatory words - e.g. "drums weak" or "too much low end" etc. - just to provide a hint as to what the problem was. Otherwise, what lesson for improvement have you learned?

I listened to this at work with cheap earphones, and it still sounded good to me, so I'm trying to guess at any possible problem. Maybe it was a little dry and needed a bit of reverb? Who knows?

I liked it a lot, and it sure seemed to fit the listing description.

Richard

I got the stylistically off ticked & I totally agree with them so I believe that the bar is truly extremely super duper truper high for this one yea!

Awesome Trk here BTW!

KO