Broadjam Pro Song Reviews

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Like A Mountain - Matt Taylor 062815Nice ballad. Love song for your lady?You have a great melodic feel, as usual. And I like hearing songs from the standpoint of rawness, just you and your trusty nylon strings.I need to state at the outset that you have limited your chances of getting it picked up by a publisher just by dint of the fact that it IS a ballad. Most (I dare say ALL that could do you any good) publishers are lousy with ballads. But more on that in a second.Some of these lines are strong and could be left as is. I'll come back to that, too, but first I want to talk about song form.If you are looking to make this song stand on its own, there needs to be some kind of repetitive theme somewhere that is the reason for the whole song. You only have your hook, your title, ONCE in the song. Your second Chorus contains a completely different lyrical content than the first, and my ear found that confusing. If this is a song you want to use in live performance, I would suggest repeating the first chorus in that slot, getting your hook in there again. THEN, maybe take the lyrical content of the second chorus and make it into a bridge instead. Maybe with a whole new melody and chord structure, even.Then, I might consider changing the melody of the verses ever so slightly. For instance. The word "know" ends up as an "E" note. Okay, make the word "grow" turn out to be a G# or a B. Some small variance every other line that eliminates the possibility of monotony.Small suggestions: "loving you it made my life begin," ditch the "it". No extra unnecessary syllables.The line "My love will weather through" could be better as "My love weathers through".The line "like a mountain I go to the sea" bothers me because, for the life of me, I can't recall any reports of mountains suddenly barging into the sea. Mountain STREAMS REACH the sea... Mountains don't "go to the sea". You could try something like "until the mountains sink in the sea," and I might could buy THAT.Okay, so, summarizing:Change the arrangement to be Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, (NEW) BRIDGE, Chorus and out. The Chorus should be the "Like a Mountain" passage, and the Bridge will be the "I'll find you in the sky" passage, with a new musical structure behind it.Some thought should be given to tampering with the melodies in the verses for the sake of variation.Get it so it's worthy of the "by Matt Taylor" statement, and you'll have something to expose to music libraries, like Broadjam, and many others online and see if you can get a "license to use" purchased.I might also suggest to you that you consider becoming your own publisher. You may as well. You're doing everything a publisher does except sign the forms.Las Vegas, huh? Cool.

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor will capture your senses and take them on a nice, smooth ride.

Broadjam Artist: Andy Barlow
Song: The Beauty Inside

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

Pro General Comments: Greetings Andy,Thanks for the opportunity to offer comments on such a beautifully melodic,heartfelt song. The verses are well-constructed by using a personal past/present reality check in the lyric that foreshadows the emotional longing in the hook and chorus,and captures additional imagery within each time it comes around. This form is unusual and effective, especially if used to underscore a visual illustrating inner thoughts.The bridge offers a lovely lyrical chance to pause and reflect on a momentary safe place to go when these feelings are too much to endure.The half chorus #3 is a strong device that builds to the modulation into Chorus #4 and the sensitive vocal performance that supports the final plea.From a recording standpoint,at times the dynamic string/woodwind presence in the first two choruses seems bit much in contrast to the lead singer's airy vocal. Try reducing the volume and balance the low tonalities to the vocal more so that it doesn't get lost. "The Beauty Inside" demonstrates your in-depth knowledge of the marriage between a theatrical song form and a poetic presentation.All best wishes for future success.Tom Bocci

Quote From Pro: "The Beauty Inside" demonstrates your in-depth knowledge of the marriage between a theatrical song form and a poetic presentation.

Broadjam Artist: Ron Wilson
Song: The Guys In Las Vegas

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: First you should know that I do like your song but the instrumental introduction has the bass player playing the wrong notes at this exact meter point 0:03-0:04 which for the listener is a very bad negative point at the beginning of any song. It's more like what a live recording does without any editing control of the final song demo recording. Remember any recording IS your calling card as a songwriter. This is why a good engineer / producer / professional musician would hear these things like bad played notes, timing, or other balance points as I did and correct them for the songwriter or record label before it ever leaves the studio. The back ground musical arrangement and execution in this "The Guys of Las Vegas" demo production (as it is now) is very distracting to the song even as a demo. In my opinion the wrong person did the production & the instrument arrangement on this demo for your song and not good for any songwriter / artist. It would be like putting your beautiful child in, torn and tattered, dirty clothing to send them to their first day at school or on their first prom dance. It would be better as a songwriter to have your "The Guys In Las Vegas" sent to professional demo service. There are some really good ones online at a very reasonable cost. Do this please in the future BEFORE sending "The Guys of Las Vegas" to anyone who is a professional in the music recording business. A demo is still a release or potential recording release for the general public if it's uploaded anywhere online. This is essential to produce demos or recordings well and today it is the best to do for the music & lyrics even with a demo production in my opinion. Good thing is that your song "the Guys in Las Vegas" does have a haunting melody which sticks with the listener. That in itself helps take the first steps towards publishing, marketing, and sales of any song which should be the goal of being a professional songwriter. I listened to this song a few times and that is why I suggest with some good polishing in a demo it would be much better for your craft as a songwriter. It also would be better for any of your original songs to be posted ONLY polished this way online. Remember we all know NOTHING lasts forever but in the music recording business to be known for better than bad demonstrations of your songwriting (music & lyrics) I believe will help you accomplish your goals of which for each of us are achievable.

Quote From Pro: "The Guys of Las Vegas" has a haunting medium tempo melody but as the demo it is it does need some polishing. When that is done it could be a great gem for any listener as we as songwriters need to dress our recordings up a bit as if they were to be seen at the finest events, dressed up with a good and applicable instrumental balances too. At the least we as songwriters need to do the best demos we can afford therefore, I suggest your song "TGLV" now be sent to a professional demo service like many songwriters here on Broadjam have done. In my opinion you might do this before you start posting a lot of your songs even as demo's on your BJ Page in the future or replace them with the polished demos. That way in truth when the professional music or film industry starts searching for your work or when you send your product into the companies looking to license your songs, it will be acceptable rather than rejected. Potential is really there for your song certainly that you submitted to me once you take those suggested steps. Finally, let me thank you for sharing "The Guys in Las Vegas" lyrics & music. There is a message in this song we as listeners can relate to and I look forward to reviewing more of your work in the near future. Thank you.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jim Bruno (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Hi Mike,Another strong song and this one is really different from your previous one but both were well crafted and performed. I categorized the song as R&B mainly for its influences and not for the marketplace.Your vocals and the treatment sounded to my ears a bit like David Bromberg, who's one of my favorites. There's a sincerity that I mentioned in my review of your previous song that I'm hearing hear as well. The recording is very tastefully done. The main thing I liked about it was your restraint. In this era of Pro Tools too many songwriters/ artists feel that since they have endless tracks that they need to fill them up. Don't they realize that music isn't spackle? You didn't make that mistake. I like how every instrument and vocal are clear and discernable. That bridge worked well too. Came at just the right time. The harmonies were absolutely on the money. I always liked the way they were mixed. Too often harmonies are considered background vocals and not mixed hot enough. Regards,Jim

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor writes songs that stick to your ribs. They have very deep roots and definitely stay with you. He's on the way up!

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Gone to Stay Kmix2

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Okay, Matt, usual good feel, usual smooth voice, usual good work. I'm getting used to hearing that from you these days.I think it might be a mistake to entitle this song, "Gone To Stay". You only mention that phrase once in your lyric, and nothing else refers to it. I think the name of your song is "Goodbye".Secondly, you seem to be saying the same thing, conveying the same sentiment in all three verses, and you do that by using a LOT of clichs. For example, "to carry on"? PLEASE. Not unless you're discussing baggage and an aircraft. It's so overused, it's meaningless.None of them would be effective even if they were standing alone, but in groups like this, they get kinda wearying. What makes it that way is you are TELLING the listener how you feel, not SHOWING them. After a while, the casual listener says, "What do *I* care?"Give them images. A lamp to sell in your garage sale. A half-packed suitcase lying on the bed. A pile of wet tissues in the wastebasket next to the door. A UHaul truck parked out front with its ramp down. A fresh "For Sale" sign on the front lawn. Boxes sitting just inside an open garage door. You could almost make this into a powerful song by making a LIST of images like that, images that say, "Goodbye".Images involve the listener in a much more visceral way than expository prose (telling people how you feel).Another thing to keep in mind is the song form I mentioned in my review of "Sometimes You Just Don't See It Coming". Verse, CHORUS, Verse, CHORUS, Bridge, CHORUS?I believe your CHORUS is just the word "Goodbye" (the way you do it here, that is), and that is COOL. It is a fresh take on the word, full of emotion. I'd leave that alone.But the verses need to be shoved back into the recycle bin. Re-write them with IMAGERY. Make me SEE stuff that pertains to "goodbye". Verse 2 cannot be a repetition of verse 1.Remember, you only have to write TWO verses.Then you come up with a simple two line bridge. Something that ties the whole thing together.THEN do the last four "Goodbyes" just like you have them here and fade out...Brings you in at about three minutes. The way you have it here it's north of 4 minutes 35 seconds. That length used to fly back in the 70's and 80's, but this is a new millennium. Three minutes and the attention span of the casual listener begins to wander. You want to be out before that happens, leaving them wanting MORE, you dig?And don't let that pedal steel player too far out of your sight. Sucker's GOOD, and them that are are hard to find.Proud of ya, son. You're doing REALLY good work here.

Quote From Pro: One listen and you will be a fan of Matt Taylor.

Broadjam Artist: Sergio Simone
Song: Partners In Crime

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I don't comment on individual instrumentation- since my specialty is more in the marketing, overall vibe, presentation, lyric, etc..Great title, great vibe. You did it on this song. The vibe doesn't stop- what a feel good song. Arrangements and singer really bring this to life- good selections.Opening has that Joe Cocker vibe- "You can leave your hat on".... With a little mix of Stevie Wonder on the side. Nice influences.Solo is tasteful, works to give the ear a nice break just like it should.I like Partners in Crime for the title however for marketing "Summer of 73" may be a bit better. The song has a retro vibe and Summer of 73 is in the hook therefore more memorable for a music supervisor sifting through music.The hook works like it should- it makes you want to hear it again. There could possibly be a bit more melodic contrast between verse and hook but it works just the same. You don't want too too much going on since the lyric needs a simpler bed to tell its story. Maybe another instrumental bed of some kind in the chorus to give it an extra flavor and signal it has arrived?You're giving me a very hard task to critique this song because its very very good. Your lyrics paint a picture just like they should. We can see these guys and maybe even want to join them on their escapades. You give life to a place in time in a very dynamic way. Lyrics full of action and colorful descriptions. "We love to talk about the good old days Acapulco Gold and Purple Haze"- your description takes us right there.You're smart and work with people who bring out your lyrics. That's the secret of success- just ask Madonna. You may want to pitch this for retro films and tv when you get a good mix on it. It is very specific- but it seems the songs I think are the hardest to place are sometimes the easiest because they're so specific. Niche things can work in your favor.

Quote From Pro: Sergio paints a very colorful picture of the good ole days, bringing you right into his world. Great work.

Broadjam Artist: MoBack
Song: Because Of You - Studio Demo

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Shawn McKenzie (Producer, Artist)

Pro General Comments: Hi Monique, thanks for submitting your music to be reviewed. I only received 2 songs from you, not sure what happened there? I find the song to be a cool laid back song. If that was your goal then you have accomplished that. But if you were trying to establish a smash hit, this is not the song to do it with. I find the verses are tad bit long a bit too wordy. I can only go from these two songs, but in both those songs the choruses are right on the mark, they are catchy and simple which is what people are looking for now when submitting songs. Depending on the demographics that you are trying to hit, this may or may not work. If you are hitting the European market, it may work. But if you are trying to access the US market then you need to have a rewrite of the verse, and as good as a Producer as Andy Whitmore is the music will not cut it to for the US market. In Europe the vibe is more open to different styles and flavours of music. so you have a better shot with that market, not to say that it may be accepted but on the whole Europe is more open to all types of music. My recommendation is to shorten the verses by 4 bars. As writer, it would do you well to have a stronger vocalist to sing when you are pitching music. As a songwriter you want to hit them strong the first time, and not have the performance come out a little weak. As the saying goes, "first impressions, are lasting impressions". You want the person to get the vibe the first time instead of them trying to feel the vibe as you intended it to be. I am giving you this review to help encourage and not to discourage you, put it this way it took Pharrell 9 tries before Happy was accepted. Rework the song a little bit and you just might make everyone happy. Hope this makes you happy.

Quote From Pro: "Cool laid back song, short simple and sweet Chorus"

Broadjam Artist: Andy Barlow
Song: Underneath the Mistletoe

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

Pro General Comments: Hi Andy -Thanks so much for bringing this song to my attention. I have really enjoyed listening to it. I definitely think you're on target here for sure. You don't hear too many "new" Christmas songs, so for that alone, I applaud what you're doing. The song's writing style, arrangement, melody, production, etc. are all very well done and sound excellent. I can tell you've put a lot of work into it.Overall, I feel that this song does have potential to be a Christmas classic as it does have a really great holiday feel to it and does conjure up thoughts of family, Christmastime, exchanging gifts, and celebrating the real meaning of Christmas - especially the chorus.I think that the lead vocals are really great as-is, but wouldn't be adverse to hearing a more contemporary voice as well just for comparison. I like Kevin's voice and vocal performance a lot though, so it would really have to be excellent to be "better" than his vocal work. A determining factor might just be if another artist is willing to record it. If it were an American artist for instance, that would give it a totally different feel (not necessarily better, just different - again, I really like the existing vocal).I'll address some of your questions below...

Quote From Pro: Andy Barlow's "Underneath the Mistletoe" is an excellent, upbeat and unique Christmas song that blends traditional holiday music of the past with a modern touch - and gives the listener a new Christmas classic for the holidays.

Broadjam Artist: Thierry Coupey
Song: Home

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: As an artist we all know once music is set in stone (recorded) the only choice is to cut a new stone if we can do a better job. Recording a song professionally is that cut marble or cut diamond which needs to be polished before offering it to the public or anyone to see or in the case to hear. Now "Home" the selection of your choice of instruments for your song is good. The instruments (music) carry me forward to want to hear more of this "my heart is homeless" "Home" song from the opening to the end. The balance with vocal and the instrumental part let us give a TINY bit of attention. Again, the man you pay to do your vocal demo work is good so don't worry. Let me pin point for you to experiment with somethings my little tiny ears hear. I suggest you try to pull back instrument volume at meter 41 just a little since vocalist 'by my side' lyric was walked over a little by the music... but do not pull back so it's greatly noticed. Ok? Adding the bongo/conga work is a great touch. 2:27-28 there is a doubling thing (syncopation like) on the percussion notes that could distract from hearing words at that point. Then at 3:01 the increased bass volume may distract here a little, so try a pullback of the bass drum / bass guitar track there, but it depends on if you want to keep it that way as it does work up front better later on. Just try and compare doing that and see how it feels.3:20 is a piano type spot (not a negative key stroke form which I understand creatively that could be acceptable or corrected) which that same piano effect seems to continue until 3:23 at the break spot even into the key modulation transition which maybe what you wanted. It is all up to you of course if you like what you have don't change them. I am sticky picky since I can hear maybe more than the average consumer. I think you know NOT to take my opinion as gospel by any means...but do a test for yourself by laying down different track lines of more precise piano notes or conga /bongo at that meter point to see after you compare the first one to the other one and which one will make you FEEL better. In the arts the precise points of perfection are not only what music is about at all. We must never loose the feeling. Music has the passionate element of course we must not forget like loving someone requires! Back to your "Home" 3:34 has a booming bass. Maybe try upping a tiny bit the vocal track here. Start with as much as a grain of salt or lowering the bass track volume instead. 4:21 start to pull back as the vocalist does on his volume. I like the wind sound effects at the lyric point "I made my way And now I go" fits certainly. Oh...trust me, I LOVE doing this pro reviewing for you. Please hang in there as the musical artist you are. Remember too music requires the marketing and promotional budget elements in business which for many artists without such talents discover and this is their way to succeed. To me the success is that you are satisfied making a commercial song for the consumer to purchase or a composition of expression for posterity regardless of acquisition but how it touches the heart...the concern should be the spirits you touch in a crowd of listeners who relate to the healing emotional tool that music really is.

Quote From Pro: Thierry, this composition especially at the bridge & the feeling of the entire piece all the way through sounds like another TC (Thierry Coupey) original... and again the tears came to my eyes as I heard the ending as the lyrics touched me with the feel of the music fade out. It is a GREAT job as your great personal experience expression. Thank you for allowing me the honor to pro review another great Thierry Coupey styled song. I wish you many more songs to come as the artists within us knows there is another one ahead that we strive to make even better than the last.

Broadjam Artist: IamLegendBeatz
Song: Choose w/ Chorus Drums

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

Pro General Comments: Please note I do not rate instrumentation as my expertise lies more in overall presentation, marketing, lyrics, etc.Great track. Your vocals work nicely to promote your song and the arrangements are very tasteful, not too much and not too little- so another words you have a great sense of proportion.It has that deep, poignant delivery overall appropriate for the occasion. Song has a really pleasant groove and the keys and synths work well to support your theme.You set up conflict "that you were never going to fall in love again"- which is good. Songs need conflict to keep interest. Maybe suggest something about them that let you know they were the one? The keeper?You are far ahead of a lot of people and lucky that you can not only write but record your own material- which is a very great advantage in today's market.

Quote From Pro: Track would fit nicely for a TV show about weddings and proposals.