Broadjam Pro Song Reviews

Broadjam Artist: Christian Taylor Michaels
Song: Prison

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.Got that nice 80's Pat Benetar, Patty Smyth type vibe. Good choice of vocalist and the guitar licks are tasty. Structurally really sound, you know your way around a song. Arrangements rise and fall like they should, building and releasing.Good opening gives us conflict, drama to draw us in from the get go.Maybe use of some stacked harmonies to add some depth and dimension would be nice. Not necessary but might be nice. I also could hear some cool bluesy guitar licks to give a more current edge. You may have some back in the mix? Let you "in, in" or "eye, eye" sounds a little contrived and makes it sound a little more like a demo- in terms of being made aware of vocalist instead of just listening to song. Same goes with the rhyme screaming at the "air" sounds like an over easy use of rhyme which in the 80's was more acceptable but stands out more today in use of "close/less than perfect" rhymes.Good use of structure, your songs has a good flow to it and you know how to make your hook give us the pay off. Breakdown/vocal part gives the song a bit of space which is smart arranging. You understand the basics which is the main thing in songwriting and can be transferred to other styles/genres. Not everyone has a strong song structural sense, so good work.

Quote From Pro: Solid songwriting chops, knows how to structure a song and deliver the pay off hooks.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

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

Pro General Comments: Greetings Matt,Appreciate having you submit two more songs for review.Your signature high lonesome vocal performance does the heavy lifting on this "bare bones" singer-songwriter demo.It interprets the heartfelt sentiment and imagery in the lyrics to offer a balance of questioning life's mysteries with the comfort of knowing a loving relationship as the ultimate truth. In the songs I've heard so far, your unique intimacy in delivery and presentation sets you apart, so having someone else belting it out theatrically seems counter-productive, especially in "Like A Mountain". You might consider changing the lyric in the B section of the first verse to, 'beats faster when you're near, like pure fresh water need to drink you in'. My production advice would be to repair the pitchy vocal, add some string pads and BG harmony to the hook, and end on a dominant chord that resolves and reflects completion of your good mind moment.

Quote From Pro: "Your musical intimacy in structure and presentation sets your songs and production apart from the pack".Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: Mary Segato
Song: Wishing

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Chris Keaton (Music Publisher, Artist Manager, Song Plugger)

Pro General Comments: What a wonderful song. The lyric is poignant and moving and really tugs at ones heart strings. With the right artist, I could hear this translating into a big hit. The melody is memorable, singable and pleasing to my ears. The signature theme in the intro makes me want to hear the song...it really welcomes the listener and invites him/her into the story. The vocalist really brings it..the emotion in her voice is honest and elegant. Just the right amount of variance in the vocals in the verses and the chorus. The lyric flows easily and allows the story to unfold in an honest manner. Instrumentally, the track builds in a wonderful manner...just enough tension and when the new instruments appear it builds the listener's interest. Sonically the textures are lush without being sappy. The track really works well. I keep going back to the vocalist...WOW! It's like she's sitting here and relating this story to me...one on one. To me, that really makes this song and demo special...the intimacy. Lyrically the story is told on a way that allows the listener to feel like they are connected and not just a bystander, but an invited guest. I feel like I'm gushing, but this song works for me on all levels. Great lyric, great melody, great track, great vocal, great delivery!

Quote From Pro: "Wishing" is an incredibly special song. From the instrumental signature opening to the last note, it invites the listener to be an integral part of the story as it unfolds. I'll be humming this all day!

Broadjam Artist: Eva King
Song: Instrument Of Pleasure

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Shawn McKenzie (Producer, Artist)

Pro General Comments: Thanks Eva, for submitting this song. I apologize for the lateness of this review.You have a great song on your hands. It has a dramatic essence. Dramatic, inspiring, sensual song that makes you want to listen on repeat! Truly enjoyable.If I had to nitpick I would say lose the rapper its not necessary and does not help the song. The song has so much presence and body on its own. It does not help the vibe of the song.What you wrote is a great piece of work and it stands alone without the rapper, in face the rapper takes away from the vibe. You had me at the beginning and you lost me at the rapper. The song is a little lengthy, i would bring it down to maximum 4:20 and that's pushing it.I could see plenty of movie opportunities for this song. Or a dramatic opening for a commercial launching a new product. Reminds of when Apple launch their first product, has a total drama vibe. There was no choice from drama when making the selection of vibe of song. My choice would be dramatic/passion. I had to choose Loveable/Engaging as my closest choice.

Quote From Pro: Dramatic, inspiring, sensual song that makes you want to listen on repeat! Truly enjoyable.

Broadjam Artist: J.P. Grelet
Song: It Came Like Starlings

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Brian Rasner (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Thank you for a second submission, I can further understand your musical voice. I immediately gravitated more to this song 'It came Like Starlings' Great title! I immediately knew I could expect a spacey beautiful composition that could easily be placed in a contemplative celestial scene. I can see it in a montage where we see character setting out to accomplish or change directions. Again your Melody is the standout. The strings work great too. I would experiment more with your percussion. The intro drums are a bit aggressive and fast. What if you half timed them? what if you used the pretty strings to slowly build into melody?

Quote From Pro: Instant transformation and mood changer here! Prepare to be taken on a voyage...

Broadjam Artist: The Skylift
Song: Raindrops

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

Pro General Comments: Very pretty melody overall and uplifting type of a central melodic theme. The track builds towards the end and then comes down in dynamics, which gives it a nice tension and release type feel. Most of the keyboard sounds and acoustic piano samples sound pretty authentic and organic. I would try and always update the synth string sounds whenever possible in general and in particular for this song, the lower cello sample and the higher end violin sound, both of which sound a bit synthetic and synth sounding. The cue overall has a positive and uplifting feel that makes it a nice calling card for any type of music scoring opportunities that you may have a chance to bid for.

Quote From Pro: Solid orchestrated arrangement that gives the listener a positive and uplifting feeling.

Broadjam Artist: Tim Sharp
Song: Jose Cuervo on the way

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Tim,I don't think your "Jose Cuervo" reference is limiting at all. Anybody who's ever had a shot of tequila know what you're talking about.However, there is a big time producer here in Nashville who says if he hears another beach/tequila song, he will throw the CD like a frisbee through the drywall in his office. After "Five 'O Clock Somewhere", and "Some Beach", and many others, Music Row has been inundated with submissions along those lines. And, Tim, I'm talking literally tens of thousands of them. Having said that, I have to refer you to what I said about "I Call Her Fred" re marketability.But this time, you asked me about the writing, and this time, I'm going to address that.First of all, I would suggest you be very wary of saying anything like "everyone loves the song. Many folks tell me it's the favorite one they listen to over and over".There is only one person that it matters whether or not the song effects them in a positive way. I call him TCL, which stands for "The Casual Listener".You have never met this person. He/she has no idea who you are. The only contact they have with you is the 3 minutes they give you to listen to your song. They are predisposed NOT to like it, because they hear a lot of other music, and they already think they know what they like.If you can turn THEIR heads, you've got something.It's very easy to allow yourself to be seduced by the compliments to your stuff that your friends, family, and everybody who you are face-to-face with is going to lay on you. Each one may be worth 99 cents.But if you can get TCL to like your song, be he a publisher, a producer, a music supervisor, what-have-you, THAT can put a significant piece of change in your pocket while it also puts you on a worldwide musical map.When I hear someone say, "Everybody loves this song", I cringe. I don't give a rat's patootie what "everybody" loves. I have heard some of the most horrible crap played for me after that little line has been uttered. Just sayin'.In this song, I have to say that it shows talent way above the usual tripe I have to listen to as part of what I do. You have potential to write a million dollar song, no question. But there are some tools, RULES, if you will, that I might suggest you consider.For instance:You DO use imagery, and you use it well. Your lyric puts me in the spot I want to be, because you SHOW me pictures of it instead of telling me. This is excellent work. You would be amazed at how many people do NOT get this. That one is already in your toolbox, which puts you way ahead.But then you go and stick your hook in the last line of your VERSE.This really takes the punch out of the hook. The only spot it should be in, in this song particularly, is in the CHORUS. You have it there, but it's already lost its steam because of its appearance as the last phrase of the verse.(Continued in "Question" section)

Quote From Pro: Tim Sharp is ON KEY!

Broadjam Artist: Tim Sharp
Song: I Call Her Fred

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: This is good work. My only objection, and in this case it's small, is that I can't in good conscience give you a critique on your writing. The reason is that you have already gotten this thing produced, and if I said that, for instance, you needed to rethink your arrangement, it's too late. It's already produced, and you're not going to change that.I recommend to all my kids that they send me a guitar/voice demo that is a work tape. Then I can tear apart what they have, and show them tips how to make it more commercially viable.But this song, to coin a phrase, is what it is. And that really ain't too bad, my friend.

Quote From Pro: Tim's music will bring a toothy smile to your lovely face!

Broadjam Artist: J.P. Grelet
Song: Takin to Corners

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Brian Rasner (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Thank you for your submission. Overall I really like what you did there. Your guitar parts and melody really stood out and are excellent, especially the guitar phrasing and leading, teasing into hook and melody. Since there are no vocals I would suggest careful name choices..really let the name stand for your emotion you are capturing. This will help with music supervisor browsing and meta data.It seems to be like you are contemplating, looking ahead, searching, new frontiers etc

Quote From Pro: Introspective Melodies and engaging Guitars that immediately has you pondering your existence and otherwise..I look forward to whats next

Broadjam Artist: J.J. McGuigan
Song: Desperate Eyes

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

Pro General Comments: J.J. I was unable to hear the lyrics...The bass, percussion, guitar and sound effects drowned out your vocal and without a lyric sheet i was unable to make out what you were saying...I want to hear this again so please after you do a re-mix and bring up the vocal and lower the instruments to a level where i can hear every word send it to me at my3kidsmusic@comcast.net and i'll do another evaluation for free...What I did hear sounded dark and alternative which i think is what you intended. Your musicianship is not in question. Instrumentally the track was very good...very professional...The mix was sub par especially if you pitch this to a music supervisor for a lyric specific spot in a movie or television show...in this instance the lyrics are very important and need to be heard

Quote From Pro: J.J. McGuigan is proving that he has the capabilities to write competitive music in any genre. He is not afraid to dare to be different and break the rules.