Broadjam Pro Song Reviews

Broadjam Artist: sharon gosler
Song: This is life

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

Pro General Comments: As a music supervisor and music library owner/creator, I like to say I'm always on the lookout for material that gets what I call 'the holy trinity' (no religion required -): song, singer, and record. All three are needed for successful, professional, broadcast/release-ready work. There is so much to love about Sharon Gosler's "This is life" and almost nothing that comes up short. She's captured the holy trinity. "This is life" is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful song, with some really unexpected but effective turns of phrase lyrically and developments harmonically. Sharon's vocal is pitch perfect: not just technically, but in the way she weaves and sells the emotion of a somewhat philosophical topic she feels it, so as listeners we do too. The recording is world-class: absolutely undeniable performances and sonic textures from all players and programming beautifully arranged and developed as the record builds a perfect mix, setting, and approach for the pop/AC genre of the song and Sharon's vocal.As I say, the musical 'holy trinity' doesn't require any religion. But in "This is life," Sharon makes me a believer--and she'll make you one too.

Quote From Pro: As a music supervisor and music library owner/creator, I like to say I'm always on the lookout for material that gets what I call 'the holy trinity' (no religion required -): song, singer, and record. All three are needed for successful, professional, broadcast/release-ready work. There is so much to love about Sharon Gosler's "This is life" and almost nothing that comes up short. She's captured the holy trinity. And even though there's no religion required, in "This is life," Sharon makes me a believer--and she'll make you one too.

Broadjam Artist: Bill Zeffiro
Song: Universal Truth

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I do not comment on instrumentation since my expertise lies in marketing, lyric, melody, overall presentation, etc..Hi Bill- Good concept. It may be a hard sell to an artist though- universal truth- most artists want songs that portray them as virile, competent and a winner. It can be an uphill battle to sell a song where they call themselves a schmuck. This is the age of false beauty- where everyone edits their image until it's six pack, no wrinkles, etc etc. It would take an artist who has been on top for quite a while, with a great sense of humor to undertake such a song.It is perfect for theatre though where an audience can listen along and empathize. For some reason we love actors to look like schmucks because we can see ourselves in their shoes and feel less silly about our own foibles. However in music - its usually a more sexy thing- and the preening peacock artist rarely submits themselves to ridicule no matter how warranted. Sense of humor alas seems to be a rare quality in the music biz..You may want to decide on a sexier title- Universal truth can bring to mind some religious leader about to lecture us on the perils of sin (lol). You want a title that is going to bite and make us curious- so we just have to know more. "Just Another Schmuck in Love" for eg - gives us the tone of the song- we know its going to be funny.You have a great way with lyrics. Maybe you could research comedians that sing- a lot of comedy records are done and see who is working on an album. Adam Sandler? Steve Martin? Some who sing: Jimmy Fallon, Tom Lehrer, and Steve Martin.

Quote From Pro: Bill has a great flair for comedy.

Broadjam Artist: Jim Reeder
Song: I Believe

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

Pro General Comments: Greetings Jim,Thanks for submitting this inspirational cover song written in 1953 after the outbreak of the Korean War as a source of hope and faith for people still suffering from the effects of World War II. By using your dramatic background and lovely, clear tenor voice with a slightly different arrangement and production approach, you have the unique opportunity to remake this classic your own for today's media.A suggestion would be to make the song more of a Folk/Hymn by slowing the tempo and finding the "pocket" so that the lyrics can be sung with deeply interpreted,inspiring emotion. Using the acoustic guitar finger-picking by itself in the first verse is a good idea, but without any background harmony. Then in the second verse use harmonies to emphasize important lyrics or phrases especially in the build to the ending.As it stands now, there's way too much overall "reverb" in the mix. Try pulling it back to where it acts as an intimate shadow to your vocal rather than a distracting effect.Also experiment with different bass note inversions to the ones already there that aren't always complimentary. Keep it simple and beautiful. Feel it in your heart and produce it that way.It could be a timely remake for our current troubled world all over again.

Quote From Pro: By using your dramatic background and lovely, clear tenor voice with a slightly different arrangement and production approach, you have the unique opportunity to remake this classic your own for today's media.It could be a timely cover for our current troubled world all over again.

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: matt taylor
Song: It Doesn't Matter Now Kmix3

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Okay, Matt,Just to be right up front, I really like your stuff. The music is great, I love the feel. Shows unlimited potential. REALLY.Also, to be a up front, I have written a song called "As If It Matters", which my co-writer and I have been considering changing to "It Doesn't Matter". This is to give you a heads up on the title. I didn't steal it from you, I stole it from someone else many years ago. (Joke!)The bad news is that the better I like your stuff, the harder I have to be on you. Because you are cruising around the rim of writing an unforgettable, I'm going to have to give you some SEROUS criticism to get you there. Note: CL=Casual Listener. This is someone who doesn't know you, someone who's never HEARD of you, who is hearing your song for the first time. It is his/her perception that is most important to you, the songwriter. Your lyrics show flashes of brilliance. There is an almost poetic feel to your conversation. But you are still making rookie mistakes.You are saying pretty much the same thing in all your verses, just with a different set of words. It's all to express the ennui. Yet you don't have a set of circumstances you have shown the CL to cause the CL to care, especially after you've told him/her your feelings in the first verse.You should REALLY consider giving the CL some specific information about why you feel the way this song says you do. If not in the first verse (I would strive to get it in there somehow, maybe a few IMAGES?) then at least have the second verse dedicated to it.So you have to make the CL listen and become involved in your CHORUS. Let's take a look.but it doesn't matter now [I like the sound and the feel of the way you did the hook here]with all the time that's past [but I'm none too crazy about THIS lyric. It's a serious clich, right where you can't have a clich (in the chorus). The CL doesn't know what happened to cause this ennui, so can't possibly identify the amount of time that's PASSED (note spelling), or what that MEANS---hence, the CL is not getting involved emotionally.]It doesn't matter now [Still like the hook here. Kinda sorta background]those dreams were never meant to last [WHAT? How 80's. You can do better than THIS, Matt.]It doesn't matter now [I'll still believe the hook here, but you MIGHT be able to come up with something just to change up the flow the third time around ("Lives are scattered now", for example)]It's all working out for the best with all that life has put me thru it's put me to the test [This is garbage. You're using "it's working out", which is an utterly meaningless clich, in about three different places in this song. And EVERYBODY's life has put them to the test. Cliches. Poisonous].Continued in Artist's Question section

Quote From Pro: This guy has universal potential. Like, NO doubt.

Broadjam Artist: Tony DeSimone
Song: Stay Beautiful

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jonathan Stone (Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Really good all the way around. Reminds me a little of U2. I think this will have great opportunity for film and TV use as well. Its clear that the author/artist is experienced and professional. This is a perfect example of writing an idea that has practical application to many visuals which is great for sync opportunities. The lyric never really gets to specific and they bring forth a very positive message "Stay Beautiful" inside. Don't know if this was the author's intent but never the less it opens up a wide variety of potential uses by doing same. I often get songs pitched to me and the artist wants to get syncs, which all tracks have potential for such, but as soon as you go off into subject matter that is too specific like "my pet butterfly flew away" your song can only be pitched for projects about pet butterflies. You get the point. It could be that the artist here just wrote from his heart and out came the perfect "sync" song. I hope thats the case, so much the better. Or perhaps we have a wiley craftsman here who intended to write a song just for sync ops. Doesn't really matter. Regardless, he has one here and he would be well served to get this out to as many film and Tv libraries as he can that accept outside "songs" and see what happens.

Quote From Pro: Tony DeSimone nails it with "Stay Beautiful". Great track, message and performance! Check it out!

Broadjam Artist: Ian Lee
Song: Runaway with me

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

Pro General Comments: Hey Ian,First off.. I really like the diversity I'm hearing in your music so far. I listened to this one a bunch of times and there's a ton of potential for this song.This is a cool grove with a sing-along chorus. This song sounds like a true story for sure. Most listeners can probably relate to a story about the knight in shining armor that tries to save the helpless little girl, take her to a far far away and live happily ever after! Good job with that! I like the vocal style, attitude and tone, although I think the verse performance could be a little tighter and in the pocket. I like the big chorus vocals and you did a pretty good job layering those parts. Especially at the end of the song. I like the big chorus vocals and you did a pretty good job layering those too and I can really hear the "voices" well in the mix.The instruments were very well produced. The drum execution and arrangement caught my attention for sure. You bass is simple and holding down the groove and the guitar parts and the sound is pretty retro. Nice stereo imaging with the guitars too! Overall, I really do think this song has a lot of commercial appeal.

Quote From Pro: This is a cool grove with a sing-along chorus!

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.

Broadjam Artist: Ian Lee
Song: Lonely nights

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

Pro General Comments: Lonely Nights is very catchy and smooth! Out of the three songs, this one is my favorite and I like the intro a lot. It's simple but it sets the mood. This song's instrumentation reminds me of The Script but the more I listen to your vocal tone, I hear the same voice texture of Bruce Hornsby and Christopher Cross (I mentioned him before). I couldn't figure that out at first but... I really mean that as a compliment! This song style is very different from Runaway With Me and Rainbows Without Rain. It makes me appreciate you more as a songwriter. Diversity is good, especially considering the music licensing and song placement route. Nice arrangement on this song as well. My only constructive comment is in the chorus vocals. I feel that the backing vocal under your lead lines could be a bit tighter but it's not super critical if you're not able to go back to edit. Intonation and timing is something to pay attention to anyway. Spreading or panning the vocals out can remedy this as well. Just treat the voices like another acoustic instrument to have fun with. It helps to have another set of trusted ears in the room too. The overall production and mix of this song is really good. It seems that you have a recording formula that works well. The guitar mix, tremolo effects and stereo imaging of your guitars sound pretty full and interesting. You should definitely stick to this recording and engineering methods. It's definitely working for you!Very easy listening and the market is definitely there for you as an artist, for film and tv placements or even to pitch for other signed artist looking for songs.

Quote From Pro: Very easy listening and the market is definitely there for you as an artist, for film and tv placements or even to pitch for other signed artist looking for songs.

Broadjam Artist: PYSONGS
Song: SKYLIGHTS

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

Pro General Comments: This song has some well put together, yet familiar sounding chord changes. At some points it sounds like the changes could be something like an early Sheryl Crow song, with horn and synth arrangements that sounds like its from the 70s. Overall the song and production sounds very retro to me. That's not always necessarily a negative thing, however in this case, I felt the chordal structure was inventive and something you don't hear a lot of these days in contemporary pop music. Structurally, the song took quite a while to develop. To kick off the song, it sounded like a stripped down rhythm section and evenutally at 0:51 a full horn and background vocal arrangement came in. It wasn't until after 1 minute in, that the full rhythm section came in. This is a long time to develop for a pop song. In order to grab the listener's attention right off the bat, I would have come in right at the top with a full compliment of the arrangement and instruments, then have the breakdown come in the middle of the song. Pretty inventive background vocal arrangements throughout and a full sounding wall of sound type arrangement once the song gets going. Perhaps with a bit of a restructure, the sectional contrast of the song would work better and have more potential commercially.

Quote From Pro: An inventive retro wall of sound type sound that is reminiscent of an early Sheryl Crow arrangement.