Month: August 2020

Broadjam Artist: Kathyjo Varco
Song: A New Day

Reviewer: CWMullins

Positive Comments: Oh man this is a fun track. Sets up a nice groove, moves well, develops, with a bridge! Just a real nice song, and the singer has a really appealing voice. Makes me jealous. A little bit of a Nancy Wilson sound, which dates me but OK! And just as I was thinking, “there should be harmony,” BOOM harmony line came in. Excellent.

Constructive Comments: OK on first listen I couldn’t get the lyric. I didn’t hear “it’s a weekday” at first, my bad hearing, but it confused me, what’s the point about it being a weekday? What’s the connection between “are you just talking” and “world keeps spinning” and “it’s a weekday”? I may be over thinking it but I think the song would have more impact if questions like that didn’t come up. But maybe it’s just me!

Broadjam Artist: Fred Kimmel
Song: ICU

Reviewer: CWMullins

Positive Comments: Such a funky groove. I felt maybe genre is more R&B to start, then the pop/rock elements came in. Fun chorus, got to have that fun chorus on a song like this. Have a feeling it will pop into my head later! Good vocalist, nice how arrangement keep interest up over 4 minutes. Ending won’t be to all tastes but I liked it, added to the fun.

Constructive Comments: I wonder if this group has some other songs with more original lyrics. It’s just a fun song so lyric doesn’t have to be Bob Dylan LOL but still, not exactly original. But fun! And again, I liked the ending but I can imagine some people will be like “get it over already.”

Broadjam Artist: Lostfollicles
Song: Phone Geek

Reviewer: CWMullins

Positive Comments: Fun riff. get a sort of early 80s feel, on the rock side. Solo is really hot, and vocal has exactly right tone for this kind of song. was listening to the lyric, of course. Pick up, I’m calling you, etc. So for title I picked up the last line, which I heard as “if it’s the last thing you do.” Song is a good cross between rock and pop, I feel maybe a bit more rock….

Constructive Comments: I sort of expected a big chorus to pop up after the first verse, and then when the second verse went straight to solo, I realized there’s no chorus. So I would say structurally, the song is a bit simple. If not a chorus, at least a bridge section would add some variety. Some liens that explain more about “if it’s the last thing you do” would be good too. Cuz it sounds kind of ominous for such a fun song!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Reckless Lives

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very smooth story-song with a nice blend on the instruments, and easy-to-follow lyrics. Definitely a Classic Country style. I could hear an artist like Kenny Rogers doing this. While not perfect it has excellent potential.

Constructive Comments: The vocal strains in a couple of places, and while the instruments sound great I marked down recording quality slightly, only because the backing vocals aren’t mixed in line with the lead. I’d almost rather not hear them than hear them way in the background – personal choice for sure, but that’s how it hits me. Overall strong effort though.

Broadjam Artist: Earl Jenkins
Song: Let Me Tell You ‘Bout My Baby

Reviewer: Fred Kimmel

Positive Comments: Great stuff. Bluesy modern piece. Infectious hook.

Constructive Comments: None for today

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: Time To Party (4-track demo)

Reviewer: Fred Kimmel

Positive Comments: Awesome tune. Lead vocalist kicks it out beautifully.

Constructive Comments: The ground buzz on the cuts sounds funny once or twice is almost funny. It’s nasty when you can’t get rid of it.

Broadjam Artist: Michael Patrick Hogan
Song: The Strangers

Reviewer: Fred Kimmel

Positive Comments: Excellent suspenseful composition and arrangement. BRAVO!!

Constructive Comments: None I can think of

Broadjam Artist: Svenson
Song: Alpine magnetizm

Reviewer: Fred Kimmel

Positive Comments: Aggressive Techno Rock piece. Strong arrangement. Quite visual.

Constructive Comments: Can’t think of any