Month: November 2017

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: L.A. Waltz

Reviewer: SRJ

Positive Comments: *This track has the fundamentals of a potentially interesting track… but

Constructive Comments: *The timing is all over the place. Although I imagine that experimental electronic tracks take you away from your ‘middle-of-the-road’ songs, they still need to fit within the mechanics of music.

Broadjam Artist: Powerklash
Song: Lamplight

Reviewer: Ante Novaselic

Positive Comments: Interesting song. I think I heard a little Beatles influence as well as some 80’s metal particularly with that blistering guitar solo that came out of left field. I wasn’t expecting that on this song. But the solo was played very well.

Constructive Comments: There is a good song hiding within that song. I feel like it has an identity crisis. The guitar solo as well as it was played and it was played very well in my opinion but I feel like this wasn’t the right song to do that type of solo. Style wise it just doesn’t click with the sound of the song. What came to mind was that old musician cliche saying that goes “Less is more” and I feel that hold true for this song. But like I already mentioned. There is a good song hiding in this version somewhere

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: The Art Is What We Hear

Reviewer: Randy Steward

Positive Comments: Catchy beat and melody! Definite “classic” folk group feel ie: Brother’s Four, Kingston Trio.Clever lyrics tell a good story. Good smooth guitar work right on the money beat wise. Lead vocal voice very appealing and easy to listen to. Newer than only the classic old style, moves toward “new folk!”

Constructive Comments: I’d have liked to hear a bridge in there. maybe between the 2nd and 3rd verses. Female/background singers need to be more pronounced, add harmony not just unison. make sure to elaborate since the lyrics are the important thing here. It needs to be easily understood. I had to listen to it more than once to get the entire story clear. Congrats, nice work!

Broadjam Artist: Bobby Caputo
Song: Where You Are

Reviewer: Randy Steward

Positive Comments: In my opinion, the lyric, vocals and singer’s voice are reminiscent of Dylan. Certainly NOT a bad way to be! Really enjoyed the bridge change of tempo and meter of lyrics. It took a bit to interpret NYU, hoping we got that right! Clever idea and presentation.

Constructive Comments: I thought the lyrics, though different in usage, were a bit”‘simple?” I dont want to say trite but I think they could be a bit more originality to them. Quality of recording was average and with some more instrumentation and mixing changes you’d have a sharper tune.

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: Little Gina

Reviewer: Bob Bentley

Positive Comments: Has a sound going back to the 70s/80s rock in the UK, a little bit of Free’s Alright Now. Works very well. Good vocal with a strong hook. Straightforward rock backing of keyboard, drums bass and guitar(s) which worked very well to create that feel. I like it a lot.

Constructive Comments: Can’t really comment much as the song does what it does well. The guitar chords are occasionally not quite on the beat – but that’s being picky.I really do like it, good luck with the song.

Broadjam Artist: Gladstone Avenue
Song: DARK EYES (country)

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Love the vocal quality here. The lyrics, melody, and phrasing are working so well here. This has a 60’s Pop vibe with the harpsichord like sound of the keys. The strong back beat really anchors this, and the hints of banjo & accordion are really nice. This is more like a European Pop song than Country, and that’s just fine. Nice work.

Constructive Comments: I’d come in with beat first then keys rather than vice-versa. I really think you need something other than just “goodbye dark eyes” — add a B line that compliments that. I’d remove the faux sax. There’s a killer tune lurking here.

Broadjam Artist: Trinity
Song: Pulse

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: I like the husky, mature sound of the female vocals. It reminds me of Buffy Saint Marie and Debbie Harry. The four on the floor beat really drives this and gives a sense of urgency. I can’t hear the lyrics as clearly as I’d like but there’s a sense of importance here. I think there’s a good song here but an even better one just a few edits away…

Constructive Comments: I think you need to build a bit more intro to lead in–it kinda jumps in the middle of things at the start. The keys aren’t quite as full as they could be with a fatter sound and more stereo imaging. Also maybe more of a change up in the chord structures?

Broadjam Artist: Jimmy Michaels
Song: Ernest Kohl – Hot Beat (Nu-Disco Version)

Reviewer: Nigel Barrett

Positive Comments: Dan Hartman eat your heart out! Reminded me of so many disco tracks from the 70’s and 80’s.

Constructive Comments: I was desperate for a key change to kick in after the first minute or so. Some great little tweaks in the arrangement in there.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Truth Is

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: A really solid tune in the Poco vein of late 70’s Country Rock. And also pretty close to what the Jayhawks are doing right now. The arrangement and performances are all ace. This would have been a hit in ’78. The lyrics, melody, and phrasing are lesson quality for songwriters–everything flows perfectly. Great IV major to minor change that works so well with the melody. Tasty pedal steel work.

Constructive Comments: There’s a bit of reediness / phasing in the vocals–was this transferred from tape?

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: Summer in the Islands

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: The cruise ship just pulled up and there’s a band in the cafe. Nice relaxed feel and the arrangement is very solid. The vocals are tight and have a good pitch.

Constructive Comments: The vocals are a bit mousy–I think you need a bit more umph in the performance. I’d say don’t do the modulation–the arrangement is already a bit “band in a box” as it is, and that just emphasizes that impression.