Month: April 2020

Broadjam Artist: Soul Bind
Song: Skeletons

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: I really enjoyed the overall feel and vocal on this song. Solid playing and the lead vocal suits the tune completely. Instrumentation sounds great and when the lead guitar kicks in it comes in with a hammer. Nice.

Constructive Comments: Couldn’t get past the lyrics. If there was a back-story EXPLAINING why the singer has all these skeletons, it would make sense. Just saying they’re there is the difference between an “A” scary movie or a “B” scary movie, if that makes sense.

Broadjam Artist: Jay Gross
Song: Transamerica

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: This is definitely way more Classic Pop than Classic Rock, but it has solid playing and vocals. The hook stands out for sure.

Constructive Comments: Man this sounds like a very, very old recording. Like Partridge Family old and unfortunately it sounds like from a tape that’s not particularly clean. I’m extremely picky so some may enjoy the happy vibe, but to me it simply sounded like 1972. I do think you’d benefit from moving this to a POP category rather than rock. 1972 Rock would be Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Yes and The Allman Brothers.

Broadjam Artist: Charlie Shock
Song: IT DON’T MEAN NOTHING

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: I wish this could be re-classified as just Indie or General Rock. Having the “lo fi” attached fails to do justice. When I think lo fi, it usually means “Can’t sing, can’t play, so we’ll cover it up with overdriven junk”. NOT the case here! This is a nice, catchy tune with a pinch of overdrive but mostly excellent playing and a vocal that matches the timbre of the song. Well done, and I love the changes in dynamic level. Personally I’d re-categorize this if it were mine.

Constructive Comments: If I were going to re-mix this, I’d completely take the overdrive and edge off the guitar – it’s not needed! The song already has a modern sound and eventually people are going to get super-tired of distorted guitars and people singing through megaphones. Hell, I was tired of it after about 3 songs, but this tune will stand the test of time better with some clarity in my opinion.

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: 7xMorgenrot

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: I liked the feel of the song, and could see this being licensed as background for a TV film scene. The instruments were clean and pretty well balanced. Nice east listen.

Constructive Comments: As a professional drummer for over 20 years, I simply could not get past the fact that the drums were out of time on a bunch of fills. Way too distracting or this would have been a significantly-higher score from me. I’d have the drums re-tracked with a metronome or different player altogether.

Broadjam Artist: Bill Dake
Song: SAME OLD

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: This is a sweet sophisticated piece. The singing and playing are both soulful and the arrangement is beautiful. Wonderful job!

Constructive Comments: I wouldn’t change a thing, personally.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: Walkin (Gospel Rock Shuffle) – INSTRUMENTAL EDIT

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Super bad groove! The players are all first class and the production is spot on excellent. Nothing like musicians who are seasoned! Can’t say enough how cool this is. Keep it up!

Constructive Comments: I can’t improve on what you did with any suggestions! Great job!

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Porch Swing Sonata / Blues Rock

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Interesting showcase for guitar and drums.

Constructive Comments: This recording feels unfinished. Needs some focus. The drums don’t carry it for the guitar.

Broadjam Artist: StarburstRecords
Song: Snowdance

Reviewer: Davide Salvan

Positive Comments: I’ve listened to the song several times and I find it convincing and interesting. It’s a good track!

Constructive Comments: Usually I don’t like to listen to tracks with this kind of contrasts between sections but I must admit that is really well made. The chorus seems out of context but it’s catchy and I think it can work. Nice electronic sounds. Best, Davide

Broadjam Artist: Earl.C.Webb
Song: ROUTE 66

Reviewer: Groove Fondue

Positive Comments: A classic song that’s nicely done. The instrumentation and the arrangement is well done, well played. The soulful vocal works really well here, brings it all together for a great sound. Very enjoyable to listen to!

Constructive Comments: Other than adding some harmonies (which makes every tune better for me) I wouldn’t change a thing, you guys nailed it!

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: missing you

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: What a smooth listen. Really well done, and the chord progression kept my interest behind the lead. Nice dynamics, clear and clean production too. This is excellent work from start to finish.

Constructive Comments: I loved the slight overdrive sound around 0:20 seconds in, and when the “fuzz” guitar entered at 0:46 it caught me off-guard as maybe too much fuzz for my taste, but that’s a personal thing. I would have preferred that passage to be the cleaner overdrive and not the more artificial box/pedal. Overall a great job though!