Songland

Honestly, I don't think Songland will do very well at all, but it's a great concept for a show! Shows like American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent, etc. always get flak for being too overproduced, exploiting some of their acts, and even accusations of fixed results. However, this show is extremely laid back and just shows the process of aspiring songwriters trying to make the next big hit. Nothing more to it than that. I'm not one of those people whose whole life revolves around music (and I DEFINITELY don't write songs), but even I was interested in seeing the process of how hit songs are written and edited until they're just right. If you want to be a songwriter or are just a fan of music in general, this is absolutely the show for you. That said, I think people that aren't super musical should also give this a watch. It's a lot more intriguing than you'd expect.

It's a great sure, a first of its kind and I love all the little chatter throughout. I do agree with a lot of the others in how much they change the original songs. I do get it, the producers have to change it specifically for that artist, but most of the songs I wish they'd just do some minor tweaks to make it perfect, not tear it apart and use pieces of it.

The producers are great though, I always love the minor tweaks they make right after the first time performing it and they're really coming in with some really decent songs.

So far, so good. It's pretty cool listening to the before and afters.

This show is ostensibly a competition between songwriters. Four of them come on the show and perform their original songs for a panel consisting of an established recording artist and three "producers". The end result will be that one song will be chosen by the recording artist for inclusion on its next album.

But first, the four-person panel offers feedback, constructive criticism, and notes about how each song might be improved or made more in the style of that week's recording artist. Three of the four songs are chosen to be workshopped by individual producers who shepherd the songs through further analysis and fine-tuning.

In the end, one song is chosen and a "final version" is presented at the end of the episode.

This process requires that the songwriters check their egos at the door, and most seem grateful for the attention their creations are given, despite the fact that the final versions might not sound much like the originals. Because the panels are comprised of respected and proven industry talents, the show seems instructive and inspirational for songwriters.

I think the show would be more enjoyable if the actual "prizes"---that is, the monetary rewards given to the winners---were detailed. And I am not sure everyone wants to watch "the sausage being made"; some might prefer just to hear the final results without knowing about the work process.

Still, good songs are about inspiration and this show illustrates that inspiration can take place at many points in the creative and production processes.

What a great chance to see this side if the music industry and hear music from multiple genres.

Great balance.