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| AMEG |
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Partial CD Assessment
Report |
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Sample | |
Thank you for submitting your demo recording to
Allure Media Entertainment Group, Inc. for review, evaluation,
and assessment.
Our evaluations are based upon the record and
publishing company’s consensus and criteria used to determine
sign-ability of a performing artist or potential publishing of
a songwriter’s material.
The record and publishing industry have stringent
perimeters by which they judge artists. Our staff and
associates are trained to evaluate your material in the same
strict manner as these companies would. Our reviews are the
opinion of one informed individual experienced in the
evaluation of Artist & Repertoire. There can be many
varied informed opinions of any given work. They are meant to help
you improve on any low points and hopefully provide you with
the information you need to improve your overall career
strategies. Any
feedback that may appear negative is not necessarily so, but
is offered only as constructive criticism and we hope you
accept it as such.
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#1: Song
Title: “16
AGAIN” |
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Overall
Rating:
(Five stars
being the best)
Strength of
Material :
This song
has a good beat and nice riff. I Like the Back-vocal
arrangements. The theme is a tad clichés but still has
obvious unique qualities. There is a good
transition between the verses and chorus. The hook and
post chorus sections are very bouncy and catchy. By far the
chorus melody is memorable. The halftime
break in the verse is very unique and could help you to
create a signature sound if ideas like these are
expanded upon in your future material. The song has
strength within its particular genre.
Performance:
This song
works very well within the pop genre and the style will
appeal to the younger teen pop crowd. Although you
talk about being 16 again I
believe that’s the demographic to which this will
appeal.
This is not necessarily a bad thing but you
should be careful here. The teenagers
are the ones who buy the records and downloads. Your performance
is seasoned and very professional. It’s strong and
produced well.
The rhythm section is tight. Not much else to say
due to the simplicity of the parts; however the feel is
preserved by the rhythmic soundness of the background
tracks.
Music
Production:
I like the
back-vocal arrangements a lot in this one. It’s mixed very
well. The
vocal delay and reverb effects might be a bit
dated.
However it does define the style a bit, so it
works with this song. Over all, the
instrumentation and placement of parts in the mix is
very professional for a pop song. The use of the
siren effect in the last chorus, along with the other
various editing techniques add a lot to the performance
and keep the energy up. Utilize this
sparingly though, understanding that only very bouncy
playful songs like this one lend themselves to these
sounds and effects.
Quality of
Recording:
Sounds very
professional.
Mixed very well. Dynamics
are good and the mastering quality is evident in this
song.
Overall for a home recording it’s very good.
Arrangement:
I like the
back-vocal arrangements in this song a lot. Very
pop-like.
They work very well with the other important
elements of the track. The vocal opening
is a bit dry and does not come in with enough
force.
While the idea is clever, I think that beginning
this song with an instrumental hook or riff might fit
better. The end of the second verse is a refreshing
change and is something to utilize more often in the
composition of material. Transitions are
performed smoothly and the chord structure flows well
through each part. The bridge that comes at 30 seconds
in is a great break in the motion and cuts down on
stereotypical mapping. You might try
using this part as a pre-chorus later in the song
instead of breaking up both verses with it.
Instrumentation:
The guitar
is solid and the bass plays its role well. The guitar solo
is simplistic yet energetic and well thought out. The drum part is
logical for this song and the verse riff played by the
rhythm guitar and bass gives the verse power and
motion.
Always keep motion in mind when writing an upbeat
song like this.
Any specific riffs or patterns you can base a
section off of will help make the song more memorable,
marketable, and can make familiar chord changes
interesting.
Commercial
Appeal:
The topic of
the song is a little weak, but the nostalgic hook is
okay.
Remember your target audience when writing. If you plan on
having teenagers listen to your music, they may not be
able to relate to the thoughts portrayed in this
song.
Marketability:
Not quite
radio material in my opinion, but very close. The key elements
are in place for the most part with the hook and
verse.
However, you must be careful with guitar solos in
top 40 singles.
This one is going in the right direction, but the
lyrics hold back the melodies full potential. Also, the verse
melody does not necessarily capture the audience. While a verse
should work as a tension builder to the chorus, don’t be
afraid to write a catchy hook-like verse melody or
lyrical arrangement that will also be remembered by the
listener.
Songwriting
Technique &
Lyric
Critique:
Referencing
the hook for the title is always a safe bet. The subject
matter of the song is a little weak for mainstream
music.
Although most pop music has very literal lyrics
that are easily interpreted, it would never hurt to
explore bigger topics and different lyrical
concepts.
Also, don’t be afraid to write words with more
attitude and finesse. Remember, as a
pop star, your fans will want clever and witty lyrics to
sing along to.
A unique lyrical style is also a why to make
yourself stand out amongst other artist when presenting
your music to major labels and publishing
companies.
A word or phrase that is slightly out of the norm
might help someone remember the song the first time they
hear it.
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#2: Song
Title: “MY
ROMEO” |
|
Overall
Rating:
(Five stars
being the best) Overall …I really like this
song!
Strength of
Material:
The chorus
is well written, and makes good use of melodic
repetition.
The vocal performance is strong and dead on with
pitch, which is an obvious must for this genre. The production
is also what makes this song come alive. The wall of
background lends itself very well to the overall
effect.
Performance:
The vocals
sound good, but don’t be afraid to break out of the box
in some spots.
It sounds like you have a lot more to offer,
especially in a very intimate style such as this
one. Make
it personal, and express yourself. Also, developing
your vocal improvisation will make it easier to hear
good melody changes in the studio.
Music
Production:
Although the
drums belong in the background for this type of ballad,
I believe bringing them up a bit would add a great deal
of power to the climax points. The backing vocals are
extremely smooth and layout a light blanket of harmony
for the melody to lie on top of. This is an
important concept to understand in recording pop music
and it seems evident that the producer knows
this.
Quality of
Recording:
Piano is recorded
wonderfully.
But the beginning has a quiet hiss. Not too
noticeable, except at a loud volume. The vocals are
very present yet slightly ambient. This creates a
very powerful tone and adds to the song greatly.
Arrangement:
The intro is
well written and sets out the vibe for the rest of the
song. This
is an important function of the intro. The going
straight into to the chorus from there works well for
this song.
The structure builds well, just like a pop ballad
of this nature should. It is always
good to understand what role each song on the album
plays and how to write accordingly. In this case,
this song would be showcasing your ability to write and
perform a gentle yet power-packed
song
Instrumentation:
The strings
are a very nice touch for a ballad like this one. The bass drum
and guitar parts are structured well. I like the drum
sound implemented very much. The fuzz guitar solo in the
bridge is very epic and a good choice for this
genre.
Using the piano as the tonal foundation of a
piece is often difficult to master, but this song is
very close.
Try adding a small noticeable line or counter
melody in the piano arrangement to give the listener an
even more memorable verse. That will also
prevent the song from sounding too
generic.
Commercial
Appeal:
Due to the
nature of the lyrics, as I discussed previously, I do
not believe this song is quite there for major radio
airplay.
But, it serves as a wonderful album track that
fans will love.
With that said, I would not place this song in
the number two slot on your record. Somewhere deeper
in around the sixth or seventh track would probably be
best, in order to give the listener more time to get a
general feel for what you normally do as an artist. This also
involves the flow of a record, which should always be a
topic of discussion with your producer and mastering
engineer.
Marketability:
This song
does a great job of showcasing you, the artist. This is your
chance to define yourself as a person, songwriter, and
performer.
Make use of a powerful song like this one to
boost the image and lifestyle you are selling to the
public.
Songwriting
Technique &
Lyric Critique:
The “You’re
my Romeo” tag is a great songwriting tool to bridge
sections together.
However, once again, the lyrics are what I like
to call “bubble-gummy,” meaning they are almost too
over-the-top mainstream. Fans will
appreciate slightly abstract wording that gives them
something to think about but still has the same message.
Overall
though I must say I think the story you are telling and
how you portray it in your words is very strong. A great story
put well into song lyrics.
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#3: Song
Title: “TREASURE IN MY
BACKYARD” |
|
Overall
Rating:
(Five stars
being the best)
Strength of
Material:
The intro to
this song is very powerful and strong. Nice riff. I like the
repeated use of the riff through out. The chorus is
okay, but sort of lacks the “sing-back” factor, when a
listener can sing the chorus back after only hearing the
song once.
This is a good tool to use when testing out new
material. There are a lot of different things going on
in this track.
Maybe a few too many. I think maybe
limiting the number of bridge changes, etc. and
simplifying somewhat may better suit the overall
commercial effect.
Performance:
The vocal
performance is not as strong as on some of the other
songs. But
still very good. The lead
vocal in the middle of the chorus seems somewhat dry and
dole.
However, as the song goes on, the vocal
performance gains energy and sounds better.
Music
Production:
Vocal panning
gets carried away in a few spots, but the idea is good.
Lead vocal does not sound as natural in some parts. In the mix, the
vocals are too loud, bass too low in spots. Guitars sound a
bit too thin and can sound shrill at higher
volumes.
The lead guitar riff in the beginning has trouble
sinking into the mix smoothly. Melody in chorus
needs more direct support, as the lead vocal can sound
unconfident on some notes. Over, use more
animation in your voice to bring out the excitement of
the music.
Quality of
Recording:
The bass
tone is a little too edgy. A few notes pop
out and that could easily be fixed with automation. Overall, the
tonal signal is good and the use of professional
equipment is evident.
Arrangement:
When the chorus
comes in after the intro, it is not apparent that that
is in fact the chorus. I would suggest
putting the chorus first or just doing away with the
first chorus all together, as it can be a bit
misleading.
Also, the instrumental hook does not need to come
after the first chorus as well. This is a little
too repetitive. The ending is not powerful enough in my
view. The
song sounds like it should end at 3:23, before the extended end. While this part
sounds very nice, it is too much of a random idea
because it has not been established earlier in the
song. Think
of the ending to a song like the conclusion to a
well-written essay: It should sum up
the most important ideas touched upon in the
introduction and body of the text.
Instrumentation:
The basic
rhythm section holds up the song well, but the
horn/synth effects are unneeded. Let the melody
and voice stand on a more natural backdrop. I think that
would help the song take on a new appeal. For the most
part, they just take up space in the mix. The synth lines
over the verse and chorus should either be brought up a
bit or taken away completely. Try using that
part as another catchy counter melody that the listener
can sing to when it comes in.
Commercial
Appeal:
Some of the
instrumental sections are catchy and fun, but maybe a
bit over-the-top (especially the end). Extended
derivatives from the main ideas of song are looked down
upon for radio hits. They should be
used sparingly, and should never last too long unless it
is the emphasis of the song.
Marketability:
The hook is
not quite strong enough lyrically or melodically for a
break-through single. It would also be
hard for a listener to define the genre or style you are
going for if they listened to this song
first.
Songwriting
Technique &
Lyric Critique:
The lyrics
speak well with the music. Matching up the
mode of a song with the right lyrics is a skill that is
hard to master.
The use of the word “ass” is usually a turn off
for a listener in this genre. It is much
unexpected and does not fit your image. However, if you
are going to use this, make sure you mean it, and give
your image a more aggressive look and feel. That way, the
use of these words will not contradict the vibe your
listeners receive.
|
|
#4: Song
Title: “SO IN LOVE (With
You)” |
|
Five star
scoring system:
(Five
being the best)
Strength of
Material:
The bridge ties
every thing together very nicely for this one. It creates just
the right amount of tension and spaciousness before
finishing it out with the hook again. The vibe that
this song has is special, and you should work to make
more of you material stand out like this one. By “special” I
mean it is also very convincing to the listener. It does not
sound like you are trying to take off of other pop songs
or mix up the vibes of other radio hits to make your
own. This
sounds to me like it is your signature sound coming
through, and that is something you should always think
about when writing.
Performance:
Vocal falsettos
are very well done and add a great texture to the
melody.
Drums and bass are in the pocket and groove well
together.
Music
Production:
The
production creates a very unique atmosphere for this
song. It
plays an important role in making it sound
convincing.
The one thing that should be looked into is the
definition of the chord changes. They are good
ones, and could be brought up with the rhythm guitar and
the bass volume and equalization. The reverb and
delays are used a lot better in this song. They create a
naturally smooth sound that fits the context of the
music, without masking the singer’s original
tone.
Quality of
Recording:
The
recording is crisp and has a full, warm sound. No other
suggestions on this one.
Arrangement:
The
distorted chord in the beginning has nothing to do with
the vibe of the song and should be taken out in my
opinion.
The song would probably sound best just extending
the fade into the verse using more ambient yet tonally
centered effects in the key of the chorus. The different
feel that each section has gives the track a wonderful
sense of flow.
It also helps keep each part fresh when it comes
around again.
The bridge is placed perfectly between choruses.
Getting back into the chorus from a bridge is hard to do
well, and this song does a good job of sliding back in,
instead of trying to snap back into a wall of
sound.
Instrumentation:
The synth
effects are perfect for a song like this one. The parts are
well written and well placed. The bass part in
the verse seems a little exposed, and could possibly be
due to the method with which it is being played. A bass part for
an arrangement like this one should be fingered not
picked. If
it was picked, then it just needs to be equalized
smoother for less fret noise.
Commercial
Appeal:
While this
song will probably not become a top 40 hit single, it
can gain you recognition from industry bigwigs. Record companies
want to hear something that sounds familiar, even when
they have never heard it before. Unfortunately,
this song lacks an unforgettable
hook.
Marketability: The
presence your voice has in this song is a huge step up
from some of the other tunes. Realistically,
you sound more comfortable in this type of song, and
listeners and Record companies alike can pick up on
that.
Songwriting
Technique &
Lyric Critique:
The chord
structure for this song creates a solid foundation. While the
sections are common, the transition chords turnarounds,
and inversions created by the bass part are nice
variations to traditionally generic chords. The lyrics fit
the music well once again. They paint a
nice picture and tell a story, which are two very good
things.
They are still a bit dry and bubble-gummy at
times, but better overall. Also keep in
mind that the title of a song does not always have to
come from a line in the chorus. You can you a
word or phrase from the verse or bridge if you feel it
captures the emotion of the song in a different
light.
Especially for a song that you do not plan on
pushing as your single, this would be a great
opportunity to dig deep for some abstract
ideas.
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#5: Song
Title: “DONE
LISTENING” |
|
Five star
scoring system:
(Five
being the best)
Strength of
Material:
The song has
nice transitional changes but they can at times confuse
the listener.
I think there is a bit too much going on. Slightly
overproduced.
I’m not sure that this song quite gets a point
across.
It’s definitely not as strong as many others on
the album.
Performance:
The vocal
performance is calm and even. It tells a story
well, which is the point of a song like this. The vocals in
the bridge, although buried in the mix a bit, are very
aggressive and show a brighter side of the
vocalist.
Take that energy and put it into all the other up
beat numbers to boost your vocal authority. You are a solo
artist and you need to take command of each song you
perform and make it your own.
Music
Production:
I think more
could have been done with the post-production of the
intro. It
seems very thin and does not establish a vibe off the
bat. That
is the purpose of an intro and this one does not do the
rest of the song justice. The harmonies
are right on, helping with the transitions and impact
points.
They also provide a comfortable cushion of
harmony to support the lead vocal. The bridge is a
little muddy and unrecognizable. There is too
much going on, and the mix is detrimental to the writing
in this cast.
The bass needs to be automated better in the
intro, and will overwhelm the listener in headphones at
a loud volume.
The rest of the song is better with bass. The rhythm can
get lost in vocal heavy parts, mostly because background
vocals can be too loud at times. The general
stereo placement of parts in good though. The ambient
instrument tracks are used well on this track. Lastly, the
bridge needs to have a louder vocal hook to it. It is difficult
to focus on the singer in that passage as it
stands.
Quality of
Recording:
The acoustic
guitar does not sound as full as in other songs, and
there is a lot of high-end noise in the verse
section.
However, this is probably due to the part it is
playing.
The drums sound unnatural, but you can get away
with it until the bridge, when it becomes noticeably
affected.
The vocals sound professional, and give the song
some clout.
Arrangement:
The verse
leads well into the pre-chorus. The pre-chorus
is a great tonal setup for the chorus. The first half
of the first chorus where the bottom drops out is very
different and catches the listener’s attention. Writing more
variations like this keeps people intrigued, but does
not loss their attention with an abundance of different
thoughts. The bridge is a great idea, but needs some
instrumentation and melodic work. The riff is very
confusing to the ear, and hard to base a catchy vocal
on. The
soft out chorus sounds like it should lead to another
chorus.
This might be the place for an instrumental
fade.
Instrumentation:
The intro
and verse instrumentation leave the song sounding very
thin and open.
This does not set up the bridge well, making it
seem out of place for this song. The piano lick
at the pre-chorus is a nice touch, and ties the hook
together well.
The extra rhythm guitars crowd the mix in the
hook, but that may be a matter of levels.
Commercial
Appeal:
Because the
vocal is to low and ambient in the chorus and bridge, a
direct hook cannot stand out. Obviously,
without a direct hook, there can be no single. This song also
lacks a musical hook of any sort besides the piano lick
deep in the background
Marketability:
Between the
bridge and verse, one can almost hear two different
songs/vibes.
This makes a song hard to sell. Once again, you
must decide what images you wish to portray with your
songs keep with that throughout the entire
song.
Songwriting
Technique &
Lyric Critique:
The chord
structure for the bridge is slightly unappealing upon
first listen.
For a pop artist, it is not a good idea to write
in such a manner often, seeing how you may only have
three minutes and thirty seconds to win over a new fan.
The lyrics are better for this song, but unfortunately
they do not have an undeniable melody to ride on. Try using
different rhyme schemes other than standard line-
to-line rhyme.
This may be something that takes a while, but it
could help your writing process down the
line. | | |
