SAMPLE CRITIQUE
* Critiques may vary on coloring depending on the reviewer

 

The following information is a critique of a single piece of material you have submitted to Song of the Year for review. The opinions stated are from an experienced professional in the music, entertainment, or media industries. Your views may differ greatly from their views of the material since music and lyrics are a subjective art form. Please be mindful that the comments made about your material will be critical only to encourage your songwriting ability and help develop your skill.

 

DISCLAIMER: The categories reviewed in this critique do NOT follow the same guidelines for songs submitted into the Song of the Year contest. The Song of the Year Critique Staff works independently and autonomously of the Song of the Year contest. None of the professionals completing critiques are on the judging panel for the Song of the Year songwriting contest. The opinions expressed in this critique will not affect any songs you have submitted to the Song of the Year contest. The information contained herein is purely for your benefit as an artist and songwriter. While reviewing professionals have been chosen based upon their knowledge and skills pertaining to the songwriting and marketing process, the views and opinions of the reviewing professional do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Song of the Year, its owners, staff, and all other members and representatives.

 

SONG WRITER
NAME OF SONG

Chris Montreaux

Taste Of Pain
REVIEWER ID
REVIEWER PROFESSION

R01234S

Recording Engineer

 

EMOTIONAL IMPACT:

LYRICS: impact of words and phrasing; clarity of content; structural and grammatical.

Weak

Average

Strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

MUSIC: emotional impact of the musical score; originality.

Weak

Average

Strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

TITLE: ability to attract listener attention; pertinence to the song.

Weak

Average

Strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

OVERALL EMOTIONAL IMPACT

Weak

Average

Strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

COMMENTS ON EMOTIONAL IMPACT

In reading your lyrics, I discovered a distinct emotional draw that is well represented by your wording. Your cool, biting sarcasm sets the stage for a dark dialogue about betrayal and love gone astray. Your phrasing is marked with cliché one-liners that weaken the overall impact and make this song feel like something that has been heard before. But your presentation is effective. Your musical composition has a strong, haunting melody but felt a bit formulaic and lacking in any standout instrumental performance. The title has a catchy feel.

 

 

TECHNICAL EVALUATION:

VOCALS: vocal acuity, tone quality, and compatibility with musical style.

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

MUSIC: Composition, originality, musicianship, and general melodic and rhythmic flow.

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

MELODIES: originality, creativity, and coherence.

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

STRUCTURE: composition elements and arrangement.

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

PRODUCTION: sound quality, mix, dynamics, and finishing.

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

COMMENTS ON TECHNICAL EVALUATION:

Your vocal acuity is solid and on key, if not outstanding. Your musicianship shows skill and a clean presentation. However, none of the trademark “solo” instruments are given the chance to shine, resulting in a good performance, but not an outstanding one. The melodies are somewhat simple but suitable for this song on an emotional level. You have a very formulaic structure and arrangement for this song that doesn’t allow for intricate changeups but does maintain a steady flow. The production should be suitable for a demo for the purpose of selling the song to another performer. However, if this song is intended to represent your potential to become a recording artist, you will want to work more on your vocal mix and sound quality, especially on your guitar and bass tracks. Though the Song of the Year songwriting contest DOES NOT take production quality into consideration, a record label may be a bit more critical.

 

MARKETABILITY:

MARKETABILITY

Poor

Average

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

COMMENTS ON MARKETABILITY:

Your song has a favorable lyrical topic that, for the most part, is well presented. You might want to reword the second line of your chorus and your third verse to give it a fresher, less cliché sound. Heed the comments concerning your instrumentation and production quality, especially if you are selling yourself and not the song. This song currently has fair potential to attract a buyer, but also has much room for improvement.