2/2 return from screener 226 ( possible refund? )
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:25 am
I got a return for the following listing *see below review*. First off, he says in the review that it wasnt in the style of the bands mentioned in the listing. Yet...the listing didnt ask for songs in that style of music but it asked for songs with VOCALS a la Lykke Li etc etc. and to have beach boy harmonies and retro influences such as 60's jangly guitars. Thats what I have...60's jangly guitars and beach boy harmonies. But the 60's jangly guitars were designed to sound current which he didnt feel they did.
I dont know how he thinks the sound quality was not great or current because it was and was mixed and mastered to be current in sound quality by a 7 time grammy nominated engineer. He says nothing screams 2011 in the songs and yet Fleet foxes are 2011 with retro hints? Plus the lyrics dont scream the ''now?'' huh? I mean...I could take a modern song from Arcade fire. Take those lyrics and put them to almost any tune from any era but they still are the ''now'' lyrics because they were not obviously written by me in the 60's.
I think the screener was lazy at reading the listing or it's me thats missing the listings requirements and his points said with great intentions. I think that a possible refund is in order. What do you think?
She Blew Me Away: Good, upbeat vibe and feel. The first verse works well. The second verse could be shortened to keep the energy moving forward more. After the second chorus a new bridge/middle 8 could take us away from the already established chord structures and melodies instead of the solo section, which "retells" the verse - this new bridge could keep the listener engaged more.
Busy With my Own Dreams Cool feel and groove throughout the song. Good verse melodies. The chorus kicks in well and is memorable and the central message is related in a personable way.
One could think about shortening the solo section and/or last verse, but overall, the song flows.
Style:The songs feature many elements of classic rock and classic SInger/Songwriter songs (60's and 70's). We were looking for more contemporary, offbeat indie rock in the vein of the artists mentioned in the listing, for example, Lykke Li, Foster the People and Coconut Records. *note*: Screener 226 did not tick any box under ''style'' but decided to leave a comment instead. is that permitted?
Overall Comments: Hey Stephen, in a way it is quite amazing that these songs are songs that were recorded now, because almost nothing here says: "2011". Neither the sounds used, melodies, instrumentation, arrangements, or lyrics hint at the "now".
In general, I don't see that as a bad thing, but this particular listing was looking for possible retro "hints", not full-on retro production and songs. To make the songs more viable for more contemporary listings, I feel the aforementioned elements could be revised and modernized.
I wish you good luck with everything.
OFFBEAT, PLAYFUL, INVENTIVE INDIE ROCK SONGS with VOCALS a la Lykke Li, Foster the People and Coconut Records needed by eclectic Film/TV Publisher servicing youth-oriented TV series and advertising. Your hooky songs must generate a feel-good, upbeat vibe with an underlying 'Lo-Fi' coolness. This doesn't mean muffled or distorted recording quality, but is more a creative approach that connotes a certain innocence, a wry optimism and a happy-go-lucky tone. Please listen to the references! Keep your Male or Female vocals friendly and distinctive. Arrangements should be inventive and can contain retro hints (Beach Boy-style harmonies, psychedelic Nico lead vocals, 60s jangly guitars) but should most definitely be CURRENT, with clever, thoughtful lyrics that appeal to today's positive but reticent young adults. Minimal synths, if any please. Broadcast quality only (good home recordings are fine). You must own 100% of your master recording and composition. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2011. TAXI #S111123IR
I dont know how he thinks the sound quality was not great or current because it was and was mixed and mastered to be current in sound quality by a 7 time grammy nominated engineer. He says nothing screams 2011 in the songs and yet Fleet foxes are 2011 with retro hints? Plus the lyrics dont scream the ''now?'' huh? I mean...I could take a modern song from Arcade fire. Take those lyrics and put them to almost any tune from any era but they still are the ''now'' lyrics because they were not obviously written by me in the 60's.
I think the screener was lazy at reading the listing or it's me thats missing the listings requirements and his points said with great intentions. I think that a possible refund is in order. What do you think?
She Blew Me Away: Good, upbeat vibe and feel. The first verse works well. The second verse could be shortened to keep the energy moving forward more. After the second chorus a new bridge/middle 8 could take us away from the already established chord structures and melodies instead of the solo section, which "retells" the verse - this new bridge could keep the listener engaged more.
Busy With my Own Dreams Cool feel and groove throughout the song. Good verse melodies. The chorus kicks in well and is memorable and the central message is related in a personable way.
One could think about shortening the solo section and/or last verse, but overall, the song flows.
Style:The songs feature many elements of classic rock and classic SInger/Songwriter songs (60's and 70's). We were looking for more contemporary, offbeat indie rock in the vein of the artists mentioned in the listing, for example, Lykke Li, Foster the People and Coconut Records. *note*: Screener 226 did not tick any box under ''style'' but decided to leave a comment instead. is that permitted?
Overall Comments: Hey Stephen, in a way it is quite amazing that these songs are songs that were recorded now, because almost nothing here says: "2011". Neither the sounds used, melodies, instrumentation, arrangements, or lyrics hint at the "now".
In general, I don't see that as a bad thing, but this particular listing was looking for possible retro "hints", not full-on retro production and songs. To make the songs more viable for more contemporary listings, I feel the aforementioned elements could be revised and modernized.
I wish you good luck with everything.
OFFBEAT, PLAYFUL, INVENTIVE INDIE ROCK SONGS with VOCALS a la Lykke Li, Foster the People and Coconut Records needed by eclectic Film/TV Publisher servicing youth-oriented TV series and advertising. Your hooky songs must generate a feel-good, upbeat vibe with an underlying 'Lo-Fi' coolness. This doesn't mean muffled or distorted recording quality, but is more a creative approach that connotes a certain innocence, a wry optimism and a happy-go-lucky tone. Please listen to the references! Keep your Male or Female vocals friendly and distinctive. Arrangements should be inventive and can contain retro hints (Beach Boy-style harmonies, psychedelic Nico lead vocals, 60s jangly guitars) but should most definitely be CURRENT, with clever, thoughtful lyrics that appeal to today's positive but reticent young adults. Minimal synths, if any please. Broadcast quality only (good home recordings are fine). You must own 100% of your master recording and composition. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2011. TAXI #S111123IR