Month: July 2016

Broadjam Artist: Bob Hutson
Song: Run Til I'm Free

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Hi Bob: As you probably know- Please note I don't rate individual instrumentation since my expertise lies more in marketability, lyric, melody, and overall performance.You have an interesting idea of mixing a rock-ish style with a gospel- type vocal. I could possibly hear a few more bluesy licks in there to really fuse the two together. They are two very rich styles that have the potential to really merge in interesting ways.My first initial instinct after reading the lyric says you have a powerful idea/concept. It's simple and focussed which is good. You don't always need overly clever or poetic lines. Just ask Adelle's "Hello it's me Again" or the Beatles "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". Simple and direct can be powerful and your lines ring with a good urgency. The visuals of chained hands and feet paint a vivid picture.However when the music first came in- it sounded pretty but I was waiting/hoping for a bit more emotion, a bit more tension in the melody/arrangement. It's a full 30 seconds before the verse and vocal comes in. This is an eternity in today's music- people are very used to short intros- (as opposed to the 80's). It's different if you are doing your own record and are not worried about selling it to another artist- in a pitch. But unfortunately people have short attention spans so cut to the meat of the song pretty quickly whenever possible. The vocal feels a bit buried in the track- the singer has a nice timbre so you want to showcase that. Also the guitar line might want to get a bit more sparse in the verse- it feels a bit like it's competing with the vocal. That guitar riff is also feeling a bit repetitive, can you change it up a bit?

Quote From Pro: A lot of heart in this song.

Broadjam Artist: Cindy Tuttle
Song: Did Ya Know

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Cindy,Thanks for the opportunity to review another lovely song of yours. Your natural ability with melody and a catchy hook is alive and well again in this tune. Your lead vocal has a surprisingly soulful, bluesy color to it that serves as an interesting counterpoint to the positive message of the lyric.Your tendency to start with a chorus works especially well here, because it's always a good idea to begin with an opening question so that you can develop a number of multi-faceted answers within the rest of the song's story. Well done!In the second section of the first verse you might want to try singing the word vanish instead of push to see how it feels without it changing your intended meaning. Also the structure starts to fall apart in the second verse. Suggest you drop "new" before "hope", it sounds awkward and end the second verse with "look deep and you'll be glad" by deleting the "Taking One Step..." half verse. Then go directly back to repeating the chorus one last time. The ending/outro in my opinion would be much more effective using a slow fade by singing the line, "See the Light Within, See the Light of Love" three times. This leaves the listener with the memory of your main overall message, and sounds more organic than the abrupt ending that is there now. It's also why I think the title should be "See The Light". Your instrumental partner's musical tracks and arrangements are major assets to these demos and I encourage you to work together more on tighter structures that enhance your style of writing.

Quote From Pro: Your natural ability with melody and a catchy hook is alive and well again in this tune.Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: Maxim Senin
Song: Murder Ballad

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
John Anderson (Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Hey Maxim,We'll I like to think you're asking the right guy, I'm a big fan of the Murder Ballad genre. I had the privilege of working Nick Cave's catalog for a decade and know his work well. It's quality song all around. My overall impression is quite positive, you've managed to truly capture a dark solemn feeling. Made my also think of the Bob Dylan song "Death Is Not The End" as well as the band The Pogues and their song "Fairytale of New York". Easily crosses the Singer Songwriter, Indie Rock, World Music genres, incredibly universal. Could also work as a Duet or for a solo artist with prominent backing vocals, Male or Female leads. Big Celtic influence. Scottish or Irish sounding. The Lyrics form a great narrative and pulls you into the story.I recommend self-releasing with you as the artist but I'm sure there are song publishers out there that would be proud to submit "Murder Ballad" for a major label or independent artist to record or cover crossing several genres.The demo recording and production quality is superior to what I typically hear. Solid production, instrumentation with lovely backing vocals. GREAT! It a timeless sounding record.I personally focus my efforts on film/television/ad placement for artists. It does strike me as a song that would fit nicely into a film or TV show and really enhance the emotion of the scene as well. Relaxing and evocative, well done!

Quote From Pro: Murder Ballads (The Hangman, the Chariot a Queen of Hearts) tells a dark engaging story that takes you on a man's journey through time that leads to a violent end. Hunnypot Approved!

Broadjam Artist: Cindy Tuttle
Song: Someday

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Cindy,Thanks for the opportunity to review your song. "Someday" is very straightforward with its hopeful message of letting the still small voice inside be the guiding light for overcoming life's challenges. It also is a positive reminder that living without a connection and commitment to love in the form of another person or perhaps The Source of love itself, is the best approach one can take for a full existence on Earth.Your "spoken/sung" vocal captures an innocence that sounds heartfelt with good intentions, but the overall construction would be stronger with the inclusion of a brief lyrical bridge that would come after the instrumental, just before the last verse. Some of your other tunes have a similar format of CH/V1/CH/V2/CH/V3 WITH AN INSTRUMENTAL SECTION. Suggest you try including a bridge, when appropriate, that would further the story lyrically and break up the same musical pattern throughout so the listener hears variety and depth.

Quote From Pro: "Someday" is very straightforward with its hopeful message of letting the still small voice inside be the guiding light for overcoming life's challenges.Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: John Hazlett
Song: No Longer Home

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
David Weiss (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: John, thanks for submitting "No Longer Home." I thought this was a stronger track than "I'm So Lonely Without You," primarily because I think the chorus has a good, strong hook. I like the way it has a motivational feel to it, like something or someone continuing to drive on in the night. That would be a good scene choice for this song, BTW -- someone or something that has to keep on going. Again, your instrumentation/arrangements need some work. There's not enough going on to maintain listener interest throughout the song. It seems to wander again in the verse sections, but again the chorus is a nice strong hook. It reminded me, in a good way, of Giorgio Moroder's sounds in "Scarface," which is a great soundtrack. The military inspiration of your work makes this a good match for themes of battle/war. I could also see it being used for montage scenes, where they have to show a lot of progress being made to build/rebuild a vehicle or something similar. This song shows more of your potential as a songwriter. Keep it up!

Quote From Pro: A moving and motivational track.

Broadjam Artist: TJ Doyle Band
Song: We Are Here

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
A.J. Gundell (Songwriter, Composer, Music Supervisor, Producer)

Pro General Comments: "We Are Here" is an emotionally gripping and effectively evocative classic rock protest song. The subject matter--a generation's promise to bring about social change, its successes and disappointments--is a refreshing change from so much of what makes the charts and trends on the socials these days. TJ and the Band absolutely crush the performances, sonics, and the recording. The guitar-centric band slams with heartfelt intensity and totally sells the messages that the song intends to convey.The chorus sings, "We Are Here, We Are Here.... Raise your arms into the air." We can see an entire arena of fans, and possibly a whole world of followers, following along. Feelin' it, guys. Right on.

Quote From Pro: "We Are Here" is an emotionally gripping and effectively evocative classic rock protest song. The subject matter--a generation's promise to bring about social change, its successes and disappointments--is a refreshing change from so much of what makes the charts and trends on the socials these days. The chorus sings, "We Are Here, We Are Here.... Raise your arms into the air." We can see an entire arena of fans, and possibly a whole world of followers, following along. Feelin' it, guys. Right on.

Broadjam Artist: jdsoundworx
Song: Rocks in my head

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Hi James:Please note I don't rate individual instrumentation since my expertise lies more in marketability, lyric, melody, and overall performance.Hello, good energetic performance. Definitely Romantics- What I Like About You vibe- but also you may be curious to check this little "hit ditty" out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz-2jckjeHo (The Monkees- Little Bit Me, Little Bit You)- reminds me of the melody a bit... (not in a bad way/legal way).. in the jangly part.It's got a fun title- definitely not boring. You want a title to evoke a mood and your title suits your song. A bored music supervisor sifting through a ton of tracks would definitely pick this to listen to over "track thirty six metal" as a title. And if you can add a little bit of humor into the title- all the better.The thing that may be hindering the song/instrumental from getting cut for one are the voices. I actually like the voices but if someone was to use the song for an action sequence- the voices would seem to come out of nowhere and distract. Do you have a mix without?It's kind of like when people put people clapping in the beginning- it limits the songs usage (for a lazy editor). Sure they can edit around it- but some can't be bothered and just go on to the next track.

Quote From Pro: Energetic 80's flavored track.

Broadjam Artist: Coach Fox
Song: Coach Fox (feat. Rudiger) Soldiers of Love

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Please note I don't rate individual instrumentation since my expertise lies more in marketability, lyric, melody, and overall performance.I'm going to mention some things to think about- always to consider- but the general consensus is that you wrote a pretty good little song and I wouldn't change too much! Great work!That is a voice that begs to be listened to. Smart and tasteful choice of vocalist. Really, really good. The vocal and track go together very well. When that hook comes in- the vocal really sells it.Your arrangements are very colorful, tasteful and intriguing- they never get stale- good going. Arrangements build nicely.Your hook resonates- just like it should. It feels like "Maybe" you should have some kinda lyric over the percussive part- doesn't have to be much- but something that is a call back to the soldiers of love....? On second thought- the space might be nice there. Just something to consider.Maybe when the second percussive part comes in- you could have an additional instrument- to add another dynamic- (would be nice)- but not absolutely necessary. For eg- a bit of strings to build some tension? Maybe have some loud hand claps to increase the intensity of the percussion?

Quote From Pro: Soldiers of Love bursts with heart, good song.

Broadjam Artist: John Hazlett
Song: I'm So Lonely Without You

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
David Weiss (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: John,Thank you for submitting your work to me. Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in reviewing your submission -- thank you for your patience.I like the emotion that you convey in this song. I know it has a sad title, but I heard a lot of positivity here, and hopeful/optimistic music. It sounds like you have a good ear for music, and I hope you continue to compose and record. As you see from my scores, I do believe you have some additional work to do. The biggest thing that stands out is that "I'm so Lonely Without You" sounds like many MIDI instruments recorded in a computer, or from a MIDI keyboard/synth. If you are gunning for synch placements on TV, film, etc... I believe you'll need to make your sounds more realistic, since many of your competitors have mastered the art of MIDI orchestration to make highly realistic sounds. The progressions are nice, but they feel like they meander to me -- the song should have more changes of some sort, to take the listener on a deeper journey. Does that make sense?

Quote From Pro: Atmospheric and pleasingly ambient.

Broadjam Artist: COSTA / Costa Ioannides
Song: Looking at Me

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Malik Williams (Producer, Artist, Engineer, Composer)

Pro General Comments: Costa,You've really locked in on this track. Looking At Me is a really great commercial dance song.. super catchy... classic! This is also.. by far my favorite song style from you thus far. I really like the opening line "Guess who's been bleeding blue now they've lost it?" It made me wonder where the song would go. The lyrical melody flows nicely and is very easy to sing along with... and I think if it wasn't for the love of music, we'd all love our minds! So many people can relate to that. The song concept is pretty universal and I really like the vocal performance. Good idea to create the video as well. Using the disgruntled employee concept was brilliant. The video really supports the concept of the song and really fun to watch. (For those that haven't seen it, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irXulC5I6iA)Solid music and vocal arrangement! I like the breaks and the background and ad-lib vocal parts flying in and out. The production quality is pretty tight overall as well. One again, I really appreciate your drum programming and on this one, the bass sound you chose is really edgy and fat. The base line itself is also really good and it's cutting right though the track.. really cool!The song has a lot of energy and movement just with the bass and drums. That's the foundation you need with this kind of dance track. You definitely nailed that. The mix on this song is really clear and tight and with so much going and all the instrument parts, that can be a difficult task!Very good low-end and pretty crisp high-end. You are a very talented songwriter and producer! Keep up the good work.. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your music!

Quote From Pro: Looking At Me is a really great commercial dance song.. super catchy... classic!