Month: January 2017

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Bun in the Oven

Reviewer: Floyd Kelly

Positive Comments: I stumbled across this musical piece in the Unique – Unclassified genre and, having listened to this I say we upgrade this to perhaps New Age or Classical well, because it’s deserving of better recognition. Although, just very skilled guitarists, that’s all that is needed and this short easy listening number is perfect for relaxation.

Constructive Comments: We gave the Official Complaint and Negative Comments Department the week off. So, there is nothing to see here. Please keep moving.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: A Life In Question / Soundtrack

Reviewer: Floyd Kelly

Positive Comments: I’m grooving to a unique musical piece and enjoying the guitar driving this smooth, almost a cross between rock and jazz… Our family enjoyed this. Thank you!

Constructive Comments: Something happened at 2:26 a skip of some kind. Dunno if it was intentional or not but it broke the groove. There were a few spots where the upper frequency range of the guitar bit a little. On the second play-through of this the beat seemed like it could use a little more changeup. And the string that seems to be on-going became noticeable. Please remember, in these reviews, we have never heard this before and know nothing about the artist, the creators or the environment it was created. This sounds really nice, but also, at the same time seemed a little bit lacking in instrumentation, the guitar was good – mostly the beat and strings used seem to be the things we noticed. We hope you have a great new year.

Broadjam Artist: Dave Haddad (CenterPeace)
Song: Jagged Edge

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: Like the synathized intro. Good heavy riffs. This would make a good sound track for tv.

Constructive Comments: Becomes very repetative, but if its background music for a show then you nailed it.

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: Johnny Can’t Be

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: Great attitude. Good song structure. like the lyrics. Sounds like the kind of thing you would hear at CBGBs. Kinda that era. like it

Constructive Comments: Fake drums stick out. Mine are fake too. Song becomes repettive after a bit.

Broadjam Artist: Clark Ford
Song: I’m Not a Bad Guy

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: What a great arrangement and song lyrics. Good instrumentation and the mix is great. I really like the chord structure. Nice work

Constructive Comments: Song needs an ending. In the chorus, there is a missing chord change. Ill try to explain. Directly after the line Im a bad guy. You need another chord change during the line “I just don’t want to play the game”. Start with the chord you have and then add two additional changes during that verse, ending with the word “Game”. Im not sure but as I listened to that verse, it was just what my brain wanted to hear. two more changes and then pick up where you were. Hey, what do I know. Im just a critic.

Broadjam Artist: Douglas Branson aka dB+1
Song: Your Boyfriend is a Dick (Alternative Rock Version)

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: Good standard instrumentation. Sounds like blink 182 or about a thousand other teen pop rock singles. you got the makings of a good band or artist. Good guitar work on the chorus. Your song structure is good and you grasp the understanding of what is marketable.

Constructive Comments: However. Your lyrics are not good to my ear. the line “boyfriend” is repeated way to often, and the rest is adolecent and not clever. Its not your tone on vocals and style. thats fine. its that tongue in cheek teenager angst that grates on me. Your lead guitar needs work as well. Didn’t like the tones or what you were playing. Nothing about it stands out. It doesn’t have to be great, just stand out.Sorry guys. My suggestion is back to formula. Makings of a good band, its just that you need to write music for yourself and no-one else. Stop caring if the rest of the world will like this. if you don’t write for yourself, you end up coming off as phony.

Broadjam Artist: Black Valentine
Song: The Devil’s Son

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: Love the riffs, song writing. kind of old school metal. Maybe a better version of Alice Cooper. thats what came to mind. This would go over great in a road house with lots of beer and cheap women.

Constructive Comments: I would like to hear a change up in the middle somewhere with maybe some leads or different vocal structure. just to break up the pattern. Thats just my taste n might not be your thing. Figuring out a clever way to end a song is tough. I struggle with that one. Otherwise this song is pretty standard for the style you have. Ive heard this song before many times. take chances, write for yourselves alone, think more outside the box. Hell, I’m just a reviewer. what do I know

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: A Lesser Friend / Heavy Metal

Reviewer: The Amerikills

Positive Comments: Mix is ok. Like the guitar riffs. sort of ambient background music

Constructive Comments: Nothing really wrong with what you’re doing. If this is suppose to be theme music to sell to a tv show that needs background music, then this would fit. I f you are going to write songs then there is an easy way to get going on structure. Pick your favorite kind of song, copy the song structure and just change the notes. Intro. verse, chorus, verse, chorus, lead, chorus, end. Thats what I do.

Broadjam Artist: Smokin Joe Pilloud
Song: Blink of an Eye

Reviewer: Jeff Maguire

Positive Comments: Very evocative piece of music, love the line, ” you don’t know what you need till you’re gone “, very well done.

Constructive Comments: I suppose the drums are a little static, but the voice is super, guitar playing is tasty with a great tone. Goes on a little long for what the lyrics actually say but the mood seems very identifiable, so if the idea is to get it placed I’d say you have a very good chance. I’d probably consider eliminating that sax solo, comes out of nowhere and doesn’t really say much.

Broadjam Artist: N.Jones, Music Designer (Protilius Productions)
Song: Genesis EXE (2015 ComicCon edit)

Reviewer: Floyd Kelly

Positive Comments: The next time me and my sister get into a food fight – I want this music playing – with it’s constant changing cadence and various raucous instruments and intensity – it’s perfect for food fights! I can definitely imagine scones flying through the air, or a throw of tomato sauce or perhaps a tossing of calamari I’m thinking this Bavarian Creme Pie would look nice on you. Let’s go!

Constructive Comments: It is important to remember that these reviews are random and not every piece of music is – perfect. There’s always good music and the “not so good” – just a fact of life. In my opinion only, I think this track needs some work. I think more focus needs to be made in the composition to make the journey more emotional. With this track, it seems to go nowhere, just a bunch of breaks, differing instruments, clever mixing – it doesn’t really lead to anything meaningful. Later in this track, with all the instruments playing it seems a big sound mess to me, lacking some musical clarity to tell us what point you are making. And, after listening to the entire track, there’s a big let-down with an ending that should have taken me aback – after all, with all those drums and wild strings going on – it’s time to bring it all home, right? – but it doesn’t happen. Towards the end, a crescendo occurs with everything going – but still doesn’t do the job. I think this has big potential, but for some reason is lost. Please remember, until now, our family has never heard this music before and we know nothing about the artist or how it was created. Best wishes to you in 2017!