General Music Chat

Ok...If you listened to two artists originals songs, and had to pick a winner...what would you be looking for? What metrics would you apply (if any) to make the best choice?

Thanks

Myself it would be based on only two criterion.

First is lyrical content ... I've live long enough and heard enough negative lyrical content to last me the rest of my life.
So if either or both of the songs in question contain negative lyrical content
( that which glorifies the coackroach lifestyle )

Secondly is the energy contained therein.
The song that meets the first criteria and makes me move the most, wins.

Myself it would be based on only two criterion.

First is lyrical content ... I've live long enough and heard enough negative lyrical content to last me the rest of my life.
So if either or both of the songs in question contain negative lyrical content
( that which glorifies the coackroach lifestyle )

Secondly is the energy contained therein.
The song that meets the first criteria and makes me move the most, wins.

Sans these are excellent responses... and definately I shall use these criteria in my contest

Keep em coming Ineed other possible suggestions..things to look for...

I just look for songs that seem to connect with some sort of emotion, I hope that makes sense, so I tend to lean toward the rawer type material that hasnt been over produced.

For me if I write a song, I really need to record it quickly because over time it just gets mechanical sounding. my own originals I ussually record the vocals in the first three takes and then add some more voices, when Ive sang something over and over it loses something, same with guitar parts.

I cant really define what genre I really like, cause I bounce around a lot these days in listening, one day may be jazz, the next blues and believe it or not I listen to country quite a bit just for something different. But what Im getting at, if Im judging two songs side by side they need to be in the same genre, cause if they arent I will gravitate toward the one that suits my tastes better whether its better or not.

For my cover band it seems the first time we run thru a new song its the best it ever is, LOL.

to me its not something i actually think about , more react to like food put it in is it good ?

I will listen to a song up to at least a verse and chorus. If the recording is poor quality or poorly produced it gets the ax. The music MUST complement the vocals, combine tremendous feel for melody with lyrics that deal with genuine positive emotions.

Any song with the F word gets the ax in a second "don't care what anyone thinks obout that...its my choice"

Some of the best songs I have ever listened to are at least 8 min+

I just look for songs that seem to connect with some sort of emotion, I hope that makes sense, so I tend to lean toward the rawer type material that hasnt been over produced.

For me if I write a song, I really need to record it quickly because over time it just gets mechanical sounding. my own originals I ussually record the vocals in the first three takes and then add some more voices, when Ive sang something over and over it loses something, same with guitar parts.

I cant really define what genre I really like, cause I bounce around a lot these days in listening, one day may be jazz, the next blues and believe it or not I listen to country quite a bit just for something different. But what Im getting at, if Im judging two songs side by side they need to be in the same genre, cause if they arent I will gravitate toward the one that suits my tastes better whether its better or not.

For my cover band it seems the first time we run thru a new song its the best it ever is, LOL.

You have some good points. The judges Panel That I have been trying to assemble, will be expected to exercise some objectivity. The Org I'm creating plans to do a 5 week series (each week is a different specified genre) plus 6th week (Best Song out of the 5 genre winners)

The panel will be comprised of pro musicians on the circuit (I have secured 2 very top dogs, so far).. Trying to get two 1950's R 'n R veterans in also, Plus asking a university Music Dept faculty member to jump in. Even thinking of getting a local promoter in (to cover presentation/performance factor)

There will also be a measure of audience-reaction to factor in.

With all these factors, I'm less concerned about the recording, since they would be asked to actually perform at the location and then be judged on site.

to me its not something i actually think about , more react to like food put it in is it good ?

Exactly, hence the audience responses are a factor. At the end of the night, did the songs resonate with you or not... And the one that did resonate...did it meet some of the more tacit qualities , i,e pattern, Structure..was the lyric solid or weak...etc.

I will listen to a song up to at least a verse and chorus. If the recording is poor quality or poorly produced it gets the ax. The music MUST complement the vocals, combine tremendous feel for melody with lyrics that deal with genuine positive emotions.

Any song with the F word gets the ax in a second "don't care what anyone thinks obout that...its my choice"

Some of the best songs I have ever listened to are at least 8 min+

We might impose a length -of-time rule, That's only to ensure the clock doesn't run out at our venue. Its a maybe... As for F words... I'm not gonna lie...If the song blows the hair off my head... and rocks the house...I'm probably gonna overlook the verbal discrepancy, since I'm focusing more on the energy factor, resonance over all, etc.. On the other hand, I'm thinking of getting a Gong symbol <Grin> just in case we get a few butt heads...

I'm in agreement with jw.

If it's a recording, you have to listen through technical limitations to find the passion in cases where it's a cheap recording.

If you are talking about a live situation, then it would also have to be judged on passion...how the song/performer connected with the audience.

Lyrics should convey passion. Clever words should count for something, but I wouldn't judge a performer/song totally by them. There are other things like melody and rhythm which influence lyrical form.



I am the walrus, koo-koo catchoo.

Really?

Live can be very misleading to me, some bands Ive seen smoke live and its not thier music its thier presence, but later you hear a band that was lame on stage and they have just great songs, hooks melodys.

I didnt understand the question from the first post, of course im a live player, there aint no Steely Dan in me, its more AC/DC, LOL.

Good Luck with your panel, that would be interesting.

Just an afterthought on your question, Dog!

I basically agree with all the comments yod has some superlative recordings & great songs . but I feel like a great song is a great song , a bad song cant be helped by arrangement or recording

I'm in agreement with jw.

If it's a recording, you have to listen through technical limitations to find the passion in cases where it's a cheap recording.

If you are talking about a live situation, then it would also have to be judged on passion...how the song/performer connected with the audience.

Lyrics should convey passion. Clever words should count for something, but I wouldn't judge a performer/song totally by them. There are other things like melody and rhythm which influence lyrical form.



I am the walrus, koo-koo catchoo.

Really?

I agree that technical limitation can be an impediment to the listening experience. Likewise, Passion in a live performance can also be destroyed by technical limitations...especially when a sound system craps out.

I'm not inclined to judge lyrics on how 'clever' they are... I cant tell you what constitutes clever lyrics... If I could, It doesn't necessarily mean others would agree and find them clever. But I can tell you this.. I would judge on honesty in the lyrics... There are songs out there, that you just know are blowing smoke up everybody's ass and then they try to pass it off as something greater than it really was...

Should lyrics convey passion? Not always. Should they be delivered with passion...always...(Thats a function of theatrics and drama). Remember that fun ol song "Put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up.? No passion being conveyed, but the comedy was rich cause they ham-boned it up (delivered) ..made it commercially viable.

This probably isn't going to help but...
I watch a lot of College Football. I go by the eyeball test early on in a season before i look at stats.
I kind of do the same thing when it comes to music. Until I know an artist, I simply go by my ears.
But If I'm evaluating (2nd -3rd listen) then I critique
Is it pleasing? Is it clever, do the parts (lyric, melody, subject) work together, is the message coming through, does it make me want to participate by singing along or moving me hands and feet, does it make sense?
Is there an intro, story, conclusion resolve within the music and lyric?
Music is Language from Elementary to Masters. Does the song communicate to me?
But yeah... initially my ears tell me a whole lot.

From what I've seen in American bars it's more about what scale the person dancing, (If that's what you call it?) is on your Richter scale?