Month: June 2020

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Everyone Crazy

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

Pro General Comments: Dear Bob: First off thank you so much for your comments, I've always felt the kindest thing is to be as honest as you can, as that is the only way you learn. I used to hate people saying something was good when it wasn't. I think that is cruel, it doesn't give a songwriter the ability to grow with this type of feedback. There is no shame in making mistakes. So again, thank you - I appreciate your note. And "Almost Canadian" eh? That is funny. Perhaps you are, as Canadians really like their comedy.As you probably know I don't comment on instrumentation, my forte is hook, melody, lyrics, marketing, etc.You have an interesting title to work with. It's almost country-ish, and for some reason, it feels like this song could also be arranged country and made to work if you were so inclined. I like your use of humour, it is not easy to put humour into a song and you pull this off with your description. You easily paint a picture with your choice of imaginative words. You use good examples. You are wise enough to know your market and to find a singer who can nail the genre you are going for. You really nailed the Katy Perry vibe - great work. Having an understanding of your market is key in this competitive world. You capture that fun, flippant tone that this world is often known for.The hook melodically works but might improve with just a little extra oomph. Perhaps just a slight arrangement adjustment of bells and whistles. It takes off, but it feels like it could take off just a little more to really make it ear candy. It works, but I can't help but feel just a little more attention to it, could really grab your listener. You want them to walk away singing it... When going for a Katy Perry sound, make sure if you didn't already, analyze the guitar tones and other arrangement tricks she uses, so all your sounds are as contemporary as hers are. These things can change so quickly from year to year.

Quote From Pro: If you need a fun Katy Perry-esque song, look no further.

Broadjam Artist: Phil Bouldry
Song: I Think It's Time

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Hi Phil, there's a lot of good stuff here and a lot that needs to be worked on. Your basically structure is good, and the upbeat, fun nature of the song (even though it's about heartbreak) is awesome. It feels hopeful, which is a good thing to have in a song , especially right now. That said, the song feels more like an 80s rock tune a la the Cars or Huey Lewis than country. It has none of the current country recording elements or lyrical elements needed to pitch on Music Row in Nashville. Today's country is very pop and has specific lyric "cues" we use to tie it to an artists' "thing". This feels more like a song for you as a band/artist. Nothing wrong with that though! If you do want to write country, it's important to study the Billboard Top 30 in current country and see the type of language and production being used. I also want to see this chorus expand more, it feels like one line, and while that's hooky I kept excepting more out of it lyrically. Your mix isn't bad, but could use some fine tuning, and the vocal could use just a little "kiss" of autotune to make it smoother. Overall this song has a bar band vibe, which is great live but could use some wizardy on the recording to make it stand out in pitches. Overall it shows you can write a song well, but aren't up to current "sounds" in your approach. Making a choice to chase current sounds for pitching is up to you, anyone can do it, it takes a lot of practicing, writing and studying.

Quote From Pro: A feel-good heartbreak song that feels like a long-lost '80s bar band romp!

Broadjam Artist: Randall Mark
Song: Little Bird

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi Randall -Good to hear from you again. "Little Bird" is to me, a very traditional-sounding Folk song that sounds like it has firm roots in the 1960's. Original / unique concept for a song idea, and the lyrics seem to fit the idea of what you're trying to convey in the title. It almost has a period-sound to it as well that might pass for a '60s Folk song being performed on-screen in the exact, right sync situation (of course finding that would be difficult). I think that one of the places where this song shines is the instrumental track bed. I would certainly have an instrumental mix available of this song so that you can pitch that to TV/Film given the right circumstances. Think something like what "Forest Gump" did with '60s music, used all the way through it.I like the meter on this one and it seems to not be "drifty" like one other song I heard previously, so kudos there. Maybe the electric keys in this song helps to lock that in better. I really like the string arrangement. It works well within the song, I think. I like the acoustic guitar too, both its tone and what it's playing. Good song structure and it builds nicely from the beginning's sparse sound, to later on with more things being introduced. Nice arrangement overall. Good work.Now, what to work on... the main thing I'm hearing is that I don't feel like the vocals are strong enough. I feel like they're just a little strained at times, not quite reaching the note here or there (just in places). I'd consider having a studio vocalist sing this one. One thing I do like is that when you're singing in Verse 3 where you're almost talking - I like that. I think that adds an unexpected element to the vocal in a nice way. It makes me wonder what the whole song would sound like if read as a poem... ?? Hmm. Just an idea. I do feel like the vocals need a little more work though, not just pitch-correction issues, but the performance in general. The singer seems a little unsure of himself somehow. And I'd like to hear more emotion versus just the story being told, if that makes sense. I need to be able to feel what the singer's feeling and I don't right now as it currently sits. Lyrically, in a few places, I feel like some minor changes might need to occur. There are a couple spots where the lyric seems a little trite or too "noob songwriter". Does that make sense? A place or two where some polishing up and tweaking of the words might make it that much better. This line seems too wordy to me for instance: "destined to fall deep into the abyss below". Maybe something like this instead: "destined to fall, 'to the abyss below". One other suggestion: "The canary stuck in THE coal mine". Too many "the's" in that line... could be something like this: "like a canary stuck in that coal mine". Just a idea. You might think of something better. A few lyric tweaks like that might be the difference it would take to make it even more appealing to someone doing sync licensing. You don't want to ever sound like a beginning songwriter. Never give folks a reason to say "no". You know?The vocals are the main issue though, so address that and I do think you'll have a winner here for sure. At least it would be something that *could* appeal to the right sync scenario where the period-sounding track fits perfectly with what's happening on-screen and the story of the film, TV show, etc. Have that instrumental ready too.Overall, nice job. Good, solid demo and excellent instrumental performances and arrangements. Work on those few issues perhaps and I think it will be even better than it is.Hope that all makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.Best,Doug

Quote From Pro: "Little Bird" is a unique blend of 1960's era Folk music, combined with a more modern-sounding musical arrangement that might work really well in a period film, documentary, or in television in the exact, right sync situation.

Broadjam Artist: Stoneman
Song: Get It Girl

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

Pro General Comments: Hi Stoneman, This is a very high energy EDM European style club dance with a touch of old school disco. This genre is evolving daily and if you want to be competitive you'll need to listen to as many current EDM songs from around the world as you can. (use google and you tube to see what's out there) I'm not saying copy other singles but i am recommending you compare your song to the latest releases especially the drum track...just my opinion but this sounds a little retro and dated to my ear. If you have auto pitch correct use it...the background doubling was very out of tune and distracted me from enjoying the groove. The lead vocal was also pitchy but auto tuning would fix that. Repetition is common in this genre and you certainly drive home the hook. I can't can't stop hearing it and that's a good thing. My only question is does the singer ever dance with her? The song ends with him watching her and telling her get it get it get it girl. she's got it goin' on and he wants to get it on...lyrically the song doesn't break any new ground as far as saying something original. It's a pretty common idea...in this genre the sound,beat, groove, tempo is more important than the lyrics. If the instrumental is competitive and sounds broadcast ready it can be used in movie and television background, phone hold music and commercial advertising. A strong lyric with that would increase your chances of success. The sax solo at the end was cool...it added another layer with some jazz improvisation.

Quote From Pro: Stoneman is stone cold talented. I love the energy and enthusiasm that he puts in his music. I'm hoping we all hear more of his talent sooner than later.

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: COLD LONELY HOUSE

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi MGB -Thanks for letting me know about "Cold Lonely House". I can't recall a song written about the loss of someone and the empty space that person leaves in another's life. A very unique idea. I applaud you for the creative aspect of the approach it takes in dealing with the issue. After hearing this song several times, all I can say is 'Wow, that is HEAVY'. But it is... and only in a good way from a songwriting standpoint. I really love this song. From my perspective the man singing just lost his wife to a disease/illness (based on the lyric in the Bridge - "And I know they did all they could do"). Heavy. Heart-wrenching. Sad. Distraught. Life. This may be the best song I've heard that portrays the helplessness and loss one would feel in that situation. Absolutely unfathomable how sad it is - and it happens everyday... where literally all you can do is hit your knees and pray to God nothing else would fill the void.For the subject matter and creativity, I'd give this song an A+. Same for the lyrics and the singer's ability to render it in a way that feels REAL. A+ for production value and all performances too. Crystal-clear sound and is mixed very well. Somehow, in all of that heartache, you've still managed to write a memorable main melody / hook too, which is amazing.Even though, I personally have not gone through this scenario in life, I can imagine how I would feel if I lost my wife - and this song NAILS IT.Unbelievably good job overall. Nothing to add or take away from my perspective. I would say this song is ready to go and would be a perfect heavy-hitter for the right scene in a film or television show - bringing the audience to tears. It's ready... finding that 'right fit' is VERY DIFFICULT from a music supervision standpoint, so having this song in the right catalog or with the right publisher would be key in my opinion. Radio would probably like this song too - because so many people have gone through exactly what this song speaks to.Very well done and congrats on what might be a perfect song about loss and the feelings it would no doubt bring to those left behind.I will try to keep it in mind in my future music sync placement endeavors in case I ever run across the perfect fit for it. It is highly specific, but because of that the perfect sync spot does exist, it's just a matter of holding out until is shows.Thanks and great work!Best,Doug

Quote From Pro: "Cold Lonely House" might be the perfect song you hope you NEVER have to identify with: the loss of a loved one - and the emptiness one would feel thereafter. Excellent vocals, lyrics, production, and melody creates a one-of-a-kind, very unique song that is dripping with detail, describing exactly what it must feel like to lose someone close to you where every mundane detail in life - is now dreadful - because that person is gone. Well done. A+ overall.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Reidy
Song: Maybe Tomorrow

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

Pro General Comments: Beautiful heartfelt song about a little girl with cancer wanting to know when she can go home. The mother fears the worst but tries her best to give her daughter hope and says maybe tomorrow. nice imagery in the verses especially verse 2 which i feel makes a better verse 1...the current first verse isn't as strong visually in my opinion. the rhyme and phrasing are unpredictable and caught me off guard in a few places...the meter felt forced in spots. I would have preferred a more natural flow. The melodies are good it's the rhyme meter and phrasing i'm concerned with especially if you want your listener to remember the words and music. Your prosody is good. Childhood cancer is a very sad and serious subject matter and finding a major artist who would feel comfortable singing in first person about their daughter with cancer might be difficult at best. songs like this are usually stronger in third person where the singer is telling the story of the little girl and her mom. just a suggestion. This type of song might be used in a St. Jude Hospital promotion or in a documentary about childhood cancer. Because of the length and subject matter I'm not hearing this song as a radio friendly song. I absolutely love the guitar work...beautifully done. The vocal is also strong.

Quote From Pro: Paul Reidy's "Maybe Tomorrow" is a truly beautiful touching, heartfelt and inspirational song dealing with childhood cancer and a mother doing her best to give her daughter hope for tomorrow.