I am so excited to be involved in yet another amazing musical event on steemit, this first week of entries has been simply unbelieveable.
The sheer talent of the entries is phenomenal, I mean for the very first week of running this challenge showed how high the bar is being set.
I so enjoyed listening to every single entry this week, you guys should be so proud of the calibre of work you're producing - this was more than ever could have been expected.
My judging for the Open Mic Songwriters Challenge will be very similar to how I judge Open mic, but with a few extra significant focal points.
I will focus on not only the performance and entertainment value of the song, the skills in playing and singing - but more importantly in this contest the song comes first.
I will take special note of structure of both the lyrics, the melody and music in general, I will focus on the language used and the complexity of that language, I will analyse the quality of the story being told and the influence of that weeks theme on its design and I will chose those that meet all of these requirements and more.
I try to make judging as emotionless as possible, I am going after the songs that take me on a journey, show me a side of yourself before unseen, explore the themes each week and show us what you can make - you're all doing amazing so far!
Without further delays, here are the songs I just had to share this week:
This week's top 5:
1st Place - @lucybanks - Broken Mirror
The very first chords of the song set up the feel and tone throughout, the melody felt natural on a second listen through I was following along with it instinctively.
The lyrics are both beautiful and sad, they tell a story full of emotion, pain and struggle, the language used flows well and includes complex elements scattered throughout - balancing the story with the music, so neither outweighed the other.
The chorus is perfection, I love the way it flows and ties the whole song together and of course uses this weeks theme perfectly - not to mention how it evolves through each repetition, again helping the story to progress.
Now as for the melody, yet again another amazing element of this song - I absolutely love how you captured the emotion through its execution.
The range isn't huge but this song doesn't need fancy over embellished vocal gymnastics, the lyric is the focus and melody is used to highlight this to great effect.
I absolutely loved this entry and I am super excited to see what you have for us next week, you're doing great!
2nd Place - @melavie - Broken Mirrors
Within the first few seconds I was intrigued and then I heard that voice, the haunting beauty of it sent shivers down my spine - this song is just amazing!
It's not just the vocals the whole song's composition works so well, again the vocals and guitar are perfectly balanced and create an amazing sound with a haunted tone.
The lyrics are structured so you feel the maximum emotion possible, I just love your choices here - the whole song includes elements of this week's theme used brilliantly.
By far my favorite element is the melody you have chosen, it not only highlights your amazing vocal abilities and captures my attention immediately - I could listen to this song on repeat for hours.
3rd Place - @onetruebrother - Broken Mirror
The moment you start I can feel the rhythm and feel of the song and it works just so well, the language used is complex both in structure and nature and used to tell the story so brilliantly.
The melody has a beautiful flow and works so well with the lyrics, the layout and build worked all in your favour and I absolutely loved the finished product - even if it was take 500 (I feel your pain here, whenever I record I lose count) the result was perfect.
You captured this week's theme and used a variety of elements to pull this song together into something amazing, I really look forward to seeing what you give us next week.
4th Place - @basilmarples - 7 years bad luck
Well this song just has everything, it tells a story, it's funny, it has a moral message, it's structure is complex using language to maximum potential - there's just something about it, everytime I hear it I find myself chuckling along as it goes.
You took this weeks theme to a beautiful amusingly literal level and it worked so well, the language and music where complex in structure and execution - they match the story perfectly.
After a lot of sadder toned songs it was an enjoyable change to hear a comical entry, your performance sells the song I feel as though you could have lived this experience and it was highly amusing and enjoyable.
My personal highlight -
I have heard tell that this thing was worth 100 grand
it as going so well until the bloody thing slipped out of my hand
To come here and steal it and sell it was my cunning plan
And now caught red-handed Im stranded like fish on the sand
I just love this section, it really shows of your true talents both in composition and vocal ability (even if embellished for hilarious effect) - all in all it was just a great performance and a really well written song.
I loved it and can't wait to see what you can create for this week's theme, also the outro message was brilliant!
5th Place - @jaybird - Broken Mirrors
Every song you write has an awesome hook, yours ties in this week's theme beautifully - I love the chorus and how the words create new meaning.
You performed the song brilliantly, providing perfect emotion and passion throughout - the melody is beautiful and helps create the slightly sad sound.
I really enjoyed your choices with the music, despite being somewhat of a sadder song - the tempo is upbeat and there is an anger or frustration conveyed through the melody of the song.
I like the style you have chosen, rather than going too sad you tapped into the passion and emotion behind the meaning of the song.
This was a great entry and I can't wait to see what you come up with, for this weeks new theme.
Honourable Mentions:
@joseacabrerav - Espejos rotos
@luisferchav - Broken mirror
@pechichemena - La Rambla
@g10a - Scars
@soykatonline - Espejo Roto
@fitzgibbon - Broken Mirror
@chrisroberts - Act My Age
Wow for a first week the quality was just phenomenal, I absolutely enjoyed every entry - the variety and unique songs created this week are a testament to the skill you all possess.
With the second week already underway, I know a lot of you are probably working incredibly hard to write another new song this week - just know you guys are amazing us with the sheer brilliance we've seen so far.
I hope you all try to keep with it, I know 8 weeks is a big ask - but from what I've seen this challenge, it is going to be just that for the judges too!
I am super excited to see the entries we get with this new weeks theme "Lost and Found", hopefully the theme we have chosen will spark the creativity in you and inspire more amazing entries like last week.
This is honestly a massive honour and I feel so lucky not only to be judging, but just knowing I am one of the first people to hear these amazing songs - I want to share them with the world!
So it is even extra awesome that I get to show of this week's judges top five selections, on the new msp-waves radio show - more details to follow soon, but as always one lucky entrant will win 20 sbd chosen by the live audience!
On another somewhat cryptic note, we have another new amazing project coming soon - so I will continue to donate all the liquid funds from my weekly, Open Mic Songwriters Top 5 posts to go towards funding it!
More details will come soon and I think the Open Mic family are really going to love this one, so keep your eyes peeled for further announcements soon!
I would also like to thank @meno for having this brilliant idea, bringing the team together and of course providing this amazing prize - mate your an absolute legend and a brilliant musician, love what you do.
As well of course the amazing OG of Open Mic @luzcypher without you none of this would be possible, so thanks for all you do.
And to my fellow judge @passion-ground, you have a great energy and bring so much to round out our little group - keep doing what you're doing man.
On that note I will leave you for now, so until next week guys have a good one.
Which was your favourite entry this week?
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