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| Industry Review of Light on the Other Side - Reviewed By: Orphaneddie | ||
| Category | IRB Review | Score |
Music: |
I like parts of your verse melody and parts of your chorus melody, but don’t feel you resolve either in the optimal way. More specifically, on the verse, I wanted to hear the second part raise up a notch, heightening the dynamic tension and building it up a step towards the chorus. On the chorus I liked your first line, but wasn’t crazy about your answer lines (lines 2 and 4). I felt those could have been a bit more spirited and less predictable (you did some of this at the end of the second chorus – want more of that). On your ride-out section (the ending) I really like the harmonies, but feel you carry it on too long without adding significantly to the excitement (the lead guitar there could be doing a lot more). I feel you could have really built it, bar-by-bar, to a fever pitch and then ended. | 7 |
Lyrics: |
Lyrically I liked the concept of “The Light On the Other Side” but thought you could have told more of a story and painted more visuals for us. You imply some interesting ideas on the ride-out (“you’ve got the light…please give it back to me…”) but you don’t give enough info and they come too late in the song to pique the listener’s interest. | 6 |
Arrangement & |
The production was not great but not bad. You got a nice, fat drum sound. I thought the use of that filter on the lead voice for the verses was overused and is overused in general these days. It’s sort of the “effect-of-the-month.” In this case it sounds to me like you’re trying to cover up a less-than-inspired lead vocal performance. | 6 |
Lead Vocal: |
I hear a lot of potential in this lead singer, but you need a lot more work. You have a kind of ‘60s garage punk quality that is quite charming and that you could turn to your advantage if you exaggerated the intensity a bit. Listen to early recordings of Them with a young, nasal and untrained Van Morrison singing songs like “Gloria” or “Here Comes The Night.” | 6 |
Musicianship: |
The rhythm section sounded good and tight, but I found the lead vocals and the lead guitar “technically challenged.” This is not necessarily a bad thing. If you’re inventive enough you don’t really need technique. In fact, sometimes too much technique can be a curse, ‘cause then you don’t have to really think about what you’re playing. I say – especially to the lead guitarist – don’t worry about technique, just put as much feeling and truth into each note as you possibly can – but you need to push yourself a bit harder to find this. | 5 |
Originality: |
I know you consider yourselves “Brit Pop,” but I don’t hear that. The bands you compare yourselves with are very polished. You’re not. And you shouldn’t be. I hear more of those uncouth youths of the ‘60s garage psychedelia movement – with a twist. I’d say you’re quite original in today’s pop music scene. | 8 |
Marketability: |
I don’t think you guys are to the stage yet where you have a marketable product. It sounds to me like you need more work. Not refinement. I don’t think refinement or technique are the keys to success for you. I think it’s getting in touch with your core passion and conveying that intensity and reality to the audience. |
5
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