MAB, "Dirt" and "American Kids" are the two I liked. NOT really crazy about "Burnin It Down". For a song that I guess is supposed to be upbeat, fun, and positive, something about that (organ?) and the drum beat don't seem to go together and between the two make it sound like a downer [to me]. But the reason I like the first two are the really alive, clever lyrics. And those really stand out because, like you said, the melodies are really simple. The other thing I would like to point out is, in addition to the melodies really supporting the lyric and story, the placement of certain important, rhyming words within the meter really drives the story home. That is also true with most pro written songs you hear on the radio. A lot of more ameturish SONGS (meaning lyric, rhythm and melody) don't marry the lyrics to the music very well. An area I really struggle with. It is one thing to write a lyric, even a clever one, but a totally different challenge to get it to fit correctly into the correct rhythm and melody for those lyrics and story.
Kevin, I'm not sure what your response to American Kids is, but it sounds like you're talking to someone here on the ramp? You see, you did exactly what the evaluator did. You said v1 of that song is "dated". Why? What sticks out as dated to you? Yes it talks about things that probably happened in the 60's-70's, but the way it is worded is very up-to-date. INCLUDING, "mommy and daddy", because of the context in which it is used. Remember, the singer is talking about what his parrents did. In that context, when he was a kid learning why they were living there, he probably did call his parrents mommy and daddy. Actually, my mom wanted to be called mother, but most kids called there mom, mom.
phil g.