Month: April 2020

Broadjam Artist: Daniel
Song: This Feeling

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jonathan Stone (Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Very good contemporary pop song that I feel would work well for covers and sync use. "This Feeling" is a pop ballad that reminds me a little of "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins although not as "heavy". It's simply a love song about a boy and his feelings. Its not really treading on any new territory here it is however very well done all the way around. Production, songwriting and performance. I also feel this song would be very well suited for sync uses as it does not get too specific lyrically. It just talks a lot about"This Feeling" which is actually perfect for film and tv use. In the sync world many times if a lyric gets too specific it will take the song out of contention for many opportunities. Many or your most licensed songs in this area are designed to be vague lyrically so as not to get corned in to just certain uses. Well this doesn't do that and therefore I have little doubt that if the artist here goes after it he will succeed in getting this song and track used many times over for sync use. Good luck!

Quote From Pro: Daniels version of "This Feeling" gets high marks for production, performance, and writing. It's a contemporary pop song in the vein of a Harry Styles or Justin Bieber and is definitely worthy of your attention. Love it!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: I Wish You Love For Christmas

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Robert Dellaposta (Writer, A&R, Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Bob, It's very difficult to mix religious content and secular content...most of your first verse is a loving wish of one person wishing love to another but then you end the verse by bringing God into the story...yes he is the reason for the season but my advice is choose between secular and religious...write two versions if necessary but I would not mix the two worlds. Just my preference and opinion...the form/structure is alternative meaning it doesn't follow a standard popular form/structure...if it's chorus/verse/chorus/verse/chorus...the problem here is the lyric changes in all three choruses...you could look at this form as verse/bridge/verse/bridge/verse but in this form the bridge lyric is repeated...either way this is not consistent with standard form/structure...does it need to be...no if you are the writing this for yourself to sing and promote...i would also prefer the hook be used in the last line of the song...first chorus is about love...2nd chorus is about world peace and the birth of Jesus...last chorus repeats the first chorus and ends with the singer being glad they are still with the person they love to start another year...there's nothing overtly wrong with any of this but i honestly believe mixing secular and religious is not a great idea if you want a major pop or country artist to cut this...the first verse or bridge is very secular...repeating a chorus or a bridge is helpful if you want your listener to remember the words and music...this song is unpredictable which also makes it interesting...good solo section...good vocal...this would be ok to pitch

Quote From Pro: Bob Birthisel's vocals are smooth and free flowing Ala Michael Buble and his delivery is emotional and uplifting. His melodies are well crafted and memorable and his lyrics are conversational and from the heart.

Broadjam Artist: Alan Lee Carpenter
Song: Reading Between the Lines - Female

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: I don't love this. The singer sounds more like a 70s/80s disco pop singer, rather than anything current, which leaves the songs sounding generally outdated more with this version than the male. Once again, your production qualities are top notch. The songwriting is good, but the melody also feels outdated (I'm not sure why it hits me harder with her singing, but it takes it back a few decades). That said, it's a big, moving ballad which is always a good pitch for tv and film. That's my best suggestion for this version. I'm not sure there are any current pop or country stars (female) that are doing this style right now. The male vocalist has such a fantastic vocal ability that he really transcends time on things for me. This girl is good, but not current. I would suggest you focus mostly on the male pitch for this one unless you see the right match on a pitch sheet. Again, solid writing, far above notch production skills, just not a performance that knocks me out like so many of your other songs do. And as I always say, it's important for you to start finding your sweet spot as a writer/producer. There's a consistency in a lot of your other submissions that is already defining it, whereas this version of the song seems like an outlier. Melodically, this plays up some of your retro tendencies and the track is more a straight homage to those rather than slightly inventive, which I feel you do well. Keep going the indie rock / unique path, I feel it really holds a lot of great opportunities for your skills.

Quote From Pro: Big '80s style pop ballad delivered with intense vocals, great drama for your sync needs.

Broadjam Artist: Reform Through Music
Song: If I Would Have Known

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

Pro General Comments: As you may know I do not comment on individual instrumentation as my expertise lies more in the overall song composition, lyric, marketing and so on. This is the first song you have written?! Are you serious? Wow. I mean wow. I'll tell you -trust your instincts- they are working. Whoever you linked up with - really brought your lyrics to life. This is not always as easy as you think, to find someone who gets you. If this is beginner's luck- then be mindful of this. You are on the right track. Keep doing what you are doing. Music composers can take words and make them sound trite. These composers made your words shine.Good visual language flows well. It isn't that clear who the singer is? A family member, a friend a lover? That could be a bit clearer. Also was the person killed? It could be a bit clearer what actually happened to them? It doesn't have to be spelled out entirely - but it is an important detail. You know something as simple as saying they were a neighbourhood friend who was worried, but now they realize what was going on. It would give it a bit more dimension.The singer was a great choice. She draws the emotion out of your words in a way that really works. She is believable and that is half the battle. So you are drawn into the song effortlessly. Great melodic opening, sets the listener up and pays off. Build to chorus transitions work beautifully as well. Bg vocals do their part to raise the emotion. The arrangement is sparse and not too overdone- just the right amount of instrumentation to carry your words. Also the arrangement of your song won't sound dated as you go forth, as a vocal, piano song can last for a long time without getting dated."Blinders on" while appropriate stands out as a too perfect a phrase- a bit of a clunky (clich) phrase. Not a big deal but something to think about. Always best in this type of song to strive for a conversational tone, as the rest does. Your lyrics overall are working well in this song. Not too much and not too little- a good tone.If I Would Have Known is a great catch phrase. It has a lot of meaning behind it. Good hook line. Great choice. It sums up the pain and regret and volatile emotion that the people who are left behind have to deal with.The bridge works well too. It does its job and takes the listener away for a bit. Overall fantastic work. Keep at it.

Quote From Pro: This is a heartfelt tribute to those who are dealing with domestic abuse and deserves to be heard.

Broadjam Artist: Alan Lee Carpenter
Song: Who Will You Love Now - Sax

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: This song overall is really good - it does remind me of George Michael, Robbie Williams, etc. with your own spin on it. I don't love the female backing vocals (maybe they could come down a little in the mix). The melody is fantastic, the production is super strong. This song would be a contender for me for songs you should release. I'm a big fan of your writing, production and vocals - my only criticism is that you're falling between genres often which makes commercial pitches hard. I can't reitterate enough the need to focus on one particular style to get in the door. Get 100 percent great at one genre, then once the doors start to open you already have the background in other genres you can use to expand your career. Keep writing, keep pitching - you've got something special. Your strengths are your tracks, vocals and melodies. Your lyrics are cool and just obscure enough to keep the listener's ear - but overall the genre does escape me a little - you may hear "what are we going to do with you?". Let them know EXACTLY what to do with you. Clarity in your mission will be key to get the industry doors to open. Consider trips to LA to write with pop artists, if you're producing these tracks, most pop artists prefer to have a producer in the room which gives you a higher chance of getting cuts with that artist.

Quote From Pro: Groovy, uptempo number about longing. Expertly sung and produced.

Broadjam Artist: Alan Lee Carpenter
Song: Romance Chance - Sax

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: I believe I have reviewed this song before, and feel it just has a few drawbacks to really being a commercial pitchable song. One, it's just not falling in a genre that is popular right now. It's kind of jazzy, kind of Carribean, and kind of throwback lyric that won't be an easy pitch. That said, it's well written, well produced and of course you know I think your vocals are some of the best I have ever reviewed. The best outlet for this remains in the television and film synch world, where they may need dance/background music with an upbeat feel. You have master quality and a super strong vocal that will help you place songs that way. I strongly encourage pitching to the companies you can find online and see what kind of feedback you get. It's really good stuff. This song is not my favorite of yours but it does have a happy feel which can go a very long way in getting syncs. For me, knowing more about your goals in the industry will really help me direct my criticism and compliments in a constructive way to help you move forward. But regardless I highly suggest releasing a group of 4-6 of your songs under an artist name on the streaming services if you haven't already so you can built the tv/film sync "rep" they like to see online.

Quote From Pro: An upbeat, marvelously produced and sung song begging a love interest to take a chance. How can they resist this sulty vocal and fun, jazz-inspired track?

Broadjam Artist: Andre Kerek
Song: Heart In Vain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jonathan Weiss (Music Supervisor, A&R)

Pro General Comments: Andre, I really enjoyed listening to this song, it's readily apparent how much time you took to put together this memorable lead melody, arrangement and overall performance. While I doubt most composers and songwriters would ever admit to writing the "perfect song," as you suggest, most would probably think of aspects that they'd like to change after the fact, however, most would not spend too much time looking back, but to keep moving forward and continuing to write and get better as a composer and arranger. Obviously it's difficult to write in a vacuum so to speak, in other words without a specific project, (film, tv show) to write for, but it is very important to continue to write to get better and evolve in your craft. The fact that you did put this together in the first place without a specific project shows the commitment and passion you have for writing. It's a memorable lead melody you've written for the piano, which is nicely supplemented by organic and natural sounding strings samples with solid counter melodies from different instrumentation throughout the piece. The song continues to build upon the main melody, as most pieces do in longer film cues. I could hear this melody as being a main theme for a film that could recur throughout the project. While this piece evokes more of the emotional dramas that were written in the 60's and 70's, there are still some films (thought not many unfortunately anymore) that have this kind of storyline and emotion throughout. With all of the Marvel super hero movies and other low brow comedies that are being produced, there is still a small window of dedicated artists to tell great stories, so there is still hope.

Quote From Pro: The instrumental cue, "Heart in Vain" demonstrates the composer's ability to create a simple, yet memorable lead melodic theme and build it up throughout the arrangement with an arrangement that continues to build with organic sounding instrumentation that is able to create a palpable emotion within and throughout the cue.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Reidy
Song: Talk to the wind

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Robert Dellaposta (Writer, A&R, Publisher)

Pro General Comments: In my opinion this song will be a very limited pitch if you are looking for a publisher or an artist. This song is about sexual abuse happening to a child which is a very sad heartbreaking subject. This might work if you find an artist associated with an organization dedicated to preventing and stopping child sexual abuse.The girl is pleading for help but the listener is unable to come to her defense. It's disturbing. She never says who is abusing her so that leaves it up to your listener to guess. Is it her dad and her mom or other family members or friends? It's more than one person because you say them. There is no ray of hope for this girl. There is no ending to this story. She is trapped to be abused over and over again. As the listener I found it hard to get through because I have two sons and a daughter. I felt powerless and angry that someone was hurting this little girl and i couldn't stop them. The vocal was very pitchy but I know this is only a rough version and you have a female vocalist in mind. The song is almost 4:00 long which is pushing the time restraints of radio.

Quote From Pro: Paul Reidy isn't afraid to tackle one of the most heartbreaking subjects in today's society...sexual child abuse. This song will make you angry and cry at the same time and hopefully think of a way to help.