I guess I should breakdown on how I'm looking to score the songs. Songs will be out of ten, but instead of just sticking a number between 1 and 10 on it, I feel the songs should have some criteria that it should be ranked on. So there will be 5 things I will be rating on;
Appeal of style - Everyone can see from my list on my preferred styles. This will be a mark out of 10, where shouldn't really be a great variety in scores unless something goes really wrong. A 1-4 would be someone sending me Celine Dion or Toby Keith. 5-6 would be something out of my style but had elements I would find interesting enough. 7-10 would obviously be bands that are like on my list.
Instrumentation and vox - Being a guitarist, this is one area I look at closely. This is a general score of the appeal of the music, it's execution and style of vox. What I think of the vox would probably have a big part of the score and of course the ability and musicianship also.
Songwriting and structure - This basically means if it holds my interest. The length, how each section flows and the score would be affected if some sections worked better than others, or if sections were repeated too much, or sections or the song itself overstaying its welcome. Melodies may come into it.
Replay value - Does this song get stuck in my head? Do I want to go back and listen to this song again or check out more from the band? I think this is a big thing. Does this song have enough depth, chops and the songwriting to make me want to play it again? Melodies obviously would have a big part of this.
Would I purchase the album based on the song - This has become a big thing over the last couple of year. I use to buy everything and anything I could get my hands on, but as you get older times change and priorities change. So these days, I'm pretty picky and have resorted to online listening before purchasing. I still purchase a bit but nothing like I use to. So that's something I want to rate on. 1-3 means I wouldn't bother wasting money on it, 4-6 would probably mean it's not on my radar but if I saw it in the clearance bin, I'd give it a go. 7-9 would mean I would probably put it on the list and purchase it. A 7 would mean if I saw it instore I'd pick it up, whereas a 9 would probably have me ordering it. A 10 would mean I have already ordered the album before posting.
That gives a score out of 50, where then I can divide by 5 and get a score out of ten. So scores, could go betwee the full and half marks. for example;
Style - 7
Instrumentation and vox - 8
Songwriting and Structure - 6.5
Replay value - 7
Would I purchase - 7
35.5/50 which equates to 7.1/10.