As we celebrate our sixth anniversary this month, the Broadjam team is really grateful for the fabulous music on our site. We’re all passionate musicians and music lovers who are constantly amazed by the wealth of talent coming to us from all over the world. We very much appreciate the opportunity to serve the members of Broadjam. We consider it a privilege and we love what we do.
Speaking of great music, I plan to use this space to focus on songs on the site that catch my attention. We all hear music differently, so I’ll share my “ears” with you and I’d love to hear your opinions as well.
Here are my thoughts on a tune by rock artist Tarsha:
Tarsha is one of the best rockers on Broadjam and anywhere else for that matter. If I were an A & R person, he would be signed to my label before the end of this sentence. His voice is classic and his songwriting is perfect for his genre.
Some notes about Tarsha’s song “You Are Everything” play: A strong vocal performance delivered with passion. Song seems to be written and performed from the heart and that’s probably why it’s so good… Lots of dynamic change and power in this song. Classic song structure A/A/B/A/B/C/BB.
The song opens with tasteful fingerpicking and a soft vocal in the first verse… Love the quiet, rough voice… In the phrase “By my side” at the end of the first verse, the “B” in by seems to drop a little. Competing with the volume of the plucked guitar string or maybe an edit with a slower attack… Cello sound in the second verse is very classy. Great accent, doesn’t get in the way… In the first chorus, at 1:18 on “thing” in the word “everything” there is metallic sound slightly behind the “th” in “thing.” It is there throughout the song. I thought it was a glitch at first, but it is clearly intended to be there. I would lower it in the mix… Drum accents in setup number 2 don’t work for me. Rather than randomly accenting the singer, maybe a more rhythmic build into the chorus… Great chorus, well produced. Powerful guitars supporting a powerful voice and vocal performance… Love the tag “I try to be.” Good hook and tag… Great guitar part in the second half of the third verse, simple and strong. This guitarist clearly knows what to play and “what not to play.” A very good player… The note at 1:34 sounds like it was punched in. Needs to be lower in the mix… The Tag makes a great intro into the bridge… Bridge doesn’t seem to be as strong musically as the verses and chorus, but is still very good… Chorus is powerful at the end.
Pros:
Strong artist, song, singer and a good production… This song is perfect for radio. Note that he is in the third verse at 1:30 into the song, this is perfect for radio… As I said in the opening, he should be signed. I have listened to a lot of Tarsha’s material and most of his songs are of this quality or better.
Cons:
Drum sounds are weak. Drum replacements are needed. Good drummer, just need to replace the sounds with an editor… Drum hit at 3:01 is starting to get closer. Sounds like that one was punched in compared to the other sounds. The snare could use some more high end to remove the “cardboard” like sound… Also, I would add about 200 ms of verb and let it ring a little. It’s a little dry… On a small set of speakers, the kick is almost inaudible as well.
So, those are my thoughts for now. Please let me know what you think about Tarsha’s song or any other subject relating to Broadjam or the music industry.
Warmly,
Roy
Posted by Broadjam on Sep 12, 2005 in Broadjam Blog
SORRYNFOR THE CAPS…MY LOWER CASE IS TEMPORARILY ON THE BLINK
Dec 21, 2006/8:07 pmThanks for all your thoughts and please keep them coming. I took Jim’s recommendation and listened to Halie Loren’s “They Ought To Write A Song About That” last night. Her voice is very stylistic, pitch is right on and the phrasing reminds me of Dr. John. I am familiar with Greg Armstrong’s work. His song “Drift Away” is a strong pop ballad. Very good vocalist on this one as well.
One other note: If you have any suggestions or comments relating to issues outside of the context of this blog or suggestions for another blog, please let me know. I can be reached at customerservice@broadjam.com. Roy
Sep 21, 2005/6:01 pmTarsha´s track discussed here was one of the first tracks I reviewed on joining Broadjam in May this year. It still remains one of my favourites. This track exudes a raw energy from Tarsha´s tonsils (rare even in this type of ´modern rock´genre) supplemented by subtle, tight guitar work. I agree - this is a very professional performance.
However, what has pleasantly surprised me about this and other Broadjam artists I have reviewed (over 250 now since I joined) is how serious the vast majority of these artists are about making their best presentation of their material. Recording quality (and more importantly, listening equipment of the reviewer aside) most of the stuff I have critiqued is very good. The bar is high in Broadjam. Listening to what´s out there has certainly made me make every effort to improve my songwriting, playing and presentation skills.
So for what it´s worth, out of the 250+ tracks I´ve reviewed, here´s my ´top ten´- the one´s that made the most impression on me:
1 Halie Loren - They oughta write a song about that (jazz)
Vince Constantino - Terrible Twos (unique)
2 Derrick Harris - Send me on my way (rock)
3 Tarsha - You are everything (rock)
4 Verona - The loom (folk)
5 Greg Armstrong - Drifting Away (pop)
6 John Young - Significance (live) (new age)
7) Bird & Tines - Rodeo Dust (country)
9 Milinda Allan - Unspoken love (folk)
10 Radigan - 50 Kisses (pop)
What about your ´reviewed´top ten´s, fellow artists? Jim Ferrie, Portugal
Sep 20, 2005/10:26 pmYou know, no matter how many reviews any of us get, or what the industry expects, or if this is your type of music or not. The man can sing. The review was really good. Carry on Tarsha. Your spot is out there. A&R reps seem to look for cookie cutter acts. Stand true Tarsha. gwbigfish, your love is coming. Peace 2 all.
Sep 20, 2005/9:06 pmSounds like commercial alternative rock to me, but I wouldn’t sign them. It sounds like a 100 other bands out there, but hey, people like that stuff so what are ya gonna do? Nice review Roy, I wish I got those kinds of reviews too.
Sep 20, 2005/7:05 pmSeems to me Tarsha has already had some success - record deal and a band with well known rockers.
Sep 20, 2005/4:00 pmGreat song and performance. Sounds a bit like Lifehouse who had a hit a couple of years ago.As previously said: nothing really new about it.
That’s the funny part about this business. A&R-people and record companies always seem to look for something unique and special. Then when it comes out of the radio, everything seems to sound the same… Where does that leave unsigned bands and writers?
Perhaps that would be something to explore in a future blog?
The Founders Blog is a great idea. Quite a review on Tarsha. It took a few listens but finally managed to tag the pros, and cons. Conclusion: the Founder has very good ears.
Sep 20, 2005/12:15 pmI have a question for you all. how many reviews have you completed in the last month and how many times has your music been reviewed in return. I have completed more than 60 reviews since Aug 1 and received only two reviews of my music in return. A cool 30 to 1 ratio. I joined this site to have my music reviewed. Why pay if all you want to do is review songs. You can do that for free. I don’t understand the review process but it is obviously skewed in some way.
Sep 20, 2005/8:40 amloads of talent as a musician and performer ,but what a load of rubbish re content.is nt there too many different musical styles in here ,Thats because it is thought the listener ,and thereby the performer,thought people can only sustain 3 seconds of anything,re instant pap.Oh dear,is this where music is today?Regards,,THE ROCKIN RABBIxxx
Sep 20, 2005/3:07 amThis is a great voice travelling a well worn road. However, let’s not kid ourselves, the airwaves are filled with songs that don’t break new ground. Instantly familar songs don’t challenge programers or, for that matter, record companies.
Sep 20, 2005/1:13 amWhile the cardboard drums comment is valid (sorry Tarsha), the power and committment of the artist are undeniable.
To fly in the face of some of Roy’s thoughtful and highly professional comments, (no disprespect intended), I’d prefer the recording to be rawer — less clean. The finger style guitar sounds far too clean for me — like the whole track had been put through a grunge filter and cleaned up for general consumption.
The right song, the right vibe and ‘dirtier’ sound coupled with all that power and they’ll be leaping in the mosh pit.
I highly recommend silverchair to you as point of reference.
But, hey, what would I know, I’m a folk/pop/melodic writer at heart. I don’t even own an Aerosmith CD!
Good luck guys! John Hanlon
Roy - what a fabulous review! Thorough, and both soulful and technical. I would bet that this review is extremely useful to the artist, acknowledging the great work that they have done, so far, while also guiding them in the direction of even better work, for the future! Really great stuff!
Sep 19, 2005/10:42 pmI agree with Petermac, it is in the same vain as everything else you hear today however, the vocalist is all that you say he is. Very powerful, very demanding, very subtle as well as persuasive. I’m positive there’s a niche out there for him. Something that singles him out from the rest of the bunch. Damn good job Tarsha. Great review Roy.
Sep 19, 2005/9:58 pmI listened to the track, and if I’m honest, would say that it doesn’t sound “fresh” as an overall song. However, the singing is as the genre demands and is on the money. With a bit of luck this artist will get somewhere - but it would largely depend on that elusive hit song, something special, which ain’t easy, but it ain’t impossible either.
Sep 19, 2005/7:30 pmI really enjoyed listening to it.Rock is not my favorite genre but i did liked his song.
Sep 18, 2005/1:06 amWow…Roy !
Sep 14, 2005/4:16 amIt seems like you know your stuff in the sound and mix area.
Give us some more …
(Great Song and singer)