Update at 4:41 p.m.: My blog bro, Show Patrol, chatted up GMA's stupidity a bit more, so check it on out.
Aren't you tired of talking about Glambert?
Yes, he used a dancer's face to...um...press his pants onstage and he damn near dragged another one to death.
But now it's time to get over it. Shame on "Good Morning America" for nixing his Wednesday interview out of fear it might be too early in the morning for similar shenanigans. I wasn't aware he was going to do the same shtick. I'm guessing those two dancers had no plans of reprising their roles.
Come on. It was an AMA performance, after all, not your kids' 3rd birthday party. What did you expect? They wanted ratings, and it seems like they got them. Like you've never seen such antics before (Xtina/Madge/Britney kiss-off, anyone?)
Moving on....
Let's look at what REALLY was one of the most important take-aways from the AMAs.
A lot of the people we call singers can't sing. It was so bad, I think they need to take the "M" and that last "A" out of the show title.
Rihanna, in an apparent homage to Dr. Seuss and Edward Scissorhands, sounded like a cat yowling into a tin can. J-Lo was focused more on her faux boxing routine/dance than vocals. (At least, before she fell anyway.)
Credit: AP/Evan Agostini
Of the performers, Lady GaGa was one of the few who brought it vocally. Say what you will about the odd onstage antics, but she kept up her operatic sound even while lying flat on the ground.
Impressive!
What happened to the singers of the world? Are they extinct?
I think not. I am given hope by those who can carry a tune in a bucket.
As for the others, I've got a solution for these non-singers, ugly-sounding spectors brought upon us by slick marketing, even slicker production and an addiction to Auto-Tune. Find out what it is after the jump, and feel free to add your own.
21 Comments
Ryan Kiefer said:
There's a lovely device in the music world today called an Auto-Tune. It's completely changed the face of pop music. Makes every voice, no matter how bad, sound perfect. I think it's killing good music. Also, Auto-Tunes aren't generally seen in concert, which is why performers who sound great on record (aka Glambert, BEP) can really fall flat when in concert.
And yeah, I completely agree with you on Lady Gaga. She can sing really, really well. She doesn't even need her voice adjusted by the above device. Though it is, you can totally tell.
Call FOX now.
Kyra Kyles said:
Yes, yes, Auto-Tune has done much of this, but a lot of it is that we now judge people so much on the way they look and dance. I do believe, to Steph's point below, we want to see a performance. But just as we may be bored by someone who can only sing (and not dance), I'm not overjoyed with those who can only dance, strut around and show videos, but can't sing. It doesn't make any sense!
Steph Yiu said:
I really, totally completely agree with the that there isn't enough singing--- but I do think that performance is also a huge part of a singer... that's why I love Lady Gaga so much.
But -- we will always be able to call people out on not being good singer. Like Glambert on Sunday. That was not good singing.
Kyra Kyles said:
Yeah, Steph, and I addressed your point above, but at the same time, Lady GaGa can sing. I'll bet you might not like her as much if she were just screeching. And Glambert wasn't very good either, but I think because he was too busy stomping around....You have to be experienced to do all that marching and still sing up to par.
Jamesha said:
Ryan, it's not only auto-tune, but the production process itself is less on enhancing the sound of a proficient vocalist, but, moreso on masking the sound of one horrible. I stopped watching the AMAs when Shakira came on because it was nothing but flashing lights and dancing. And on top of that, it's kind of a shame that ABC couldn't fork over more money to get more artists that perform better live.
However, this competition Kyra is a great idea, even for the current Idol.
Kyra Kyles said:
Yeah, Jamesha! Let's go take this to the executives and get my show on the air! :)
Ryan Kiefer said:
That's exactly what auto-tune does: enhancing the voice of someone who otherwise wasn't exactly on key. But Kyra and you are right, it's just as much about appearances nowadays as actual talent.
Underdog said:
I Agree. Real singing is definitely a lost art as far as artist today are concerned. I was more distracted by Adam Lambert's singing than his (in the voice of Lionel Rihcie) OUTRAGEOUS performance. To quote Randy "It was a bit pitchy towards the end dog." I stopped watching the AMA’s years ago because this generation of performers lacks something that I just can’t quite put my finger on. My highlight I would have to say as I cringe was Lady Ga Ga. The more I dislike her crazy performances, the more she impresses me with her vocals. She did the same with her SNL performance.
With that being said, I definitely like the judging idea for American Idol.
Kyra Kyles said:
Glambert did sound crazy. He may need more seasoning before he can stomp about like that while trying to hit his notes. I think I've stopped seeing live performances BECAUSE the artists sound better in my headphones. Why pay to see some awful singing and crazy videos?
silkysoul said:
Speaking primarily on your suggestion, I would say that this approach is way too practical. No ad agency would take you up on it. Unfortunately, in this "microwave / digital society", the average consumer wants almost everything with minimal quality control and maximum fluff. Many want it for free over the Net, which erodes quality even more.
Actually, your suggestion has it's roots in Detroit at Motown. That's what Berry, Smokey and their crew used to do: play the record and vote it up or down based on the merit of the vocals mixing with instruments. Rih-rih wouldn't have snowball's chance in you-know-where at the Motown of long ago...at least, not for several years. The Temptations spent years getting their singles shot down by their peers before "My Girl" was released.
I couldn't watch the AMAs, either. I'm slowly slipping out of the target demographic for that show. Being an amateur singer, I love true vocal artists: Jazmine Sullivan; Chrissette Michelle; Ne-Yo; Musiq; ...basically all the current artists that WEREN'T on the show.
Kyra Kyles said:
Silky Soul, I like the Motown method, but we need to bring this before the people. Maybe it would make a better radio show? Satellite radio or perhaps Internet...I know the terrestrial radio won't help us destroy these money-makers. Thanks for weighing in.
Jackie said:
I agree...American Idol could go radio....no need for looks or fancy videos. Ryan Seacrest already has a radio show so....
emailemale said:
Let me help everyone:
Adam Lambert's performance wasn't that impressive or shocking. At all. He kissed a guy and shoved his crotch in people's faces. Has anyone heard of Madonna? His vocals, however, were impressive. It's like the return of Queen.
Rihanna was amazing insofar as her baller status. To elaborate, she knows she isn't the greatest vocalist (or anything, really); but what she did was rock out the best way she knows how. She had a full band blazing behind her, and she had fun. Wouldn't you want to be her for that moment on stage?
Black Eyed Peas showed that even though they are the biggest sellouts known to music, they still have as much if not more music savvy as some of the greats.
Janet and her lack of vocal trying were perfect.
My favorite lipstick lesbian Alicia Keys really brought the "real" music to the stage with an all-around theatrical and moving rendition "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart".
Let's talk about Shakira. Although her background singers sang her song (as they should), did anyone notice Shakira's crew? It's all black girls. It's like she took every background dancer from Beyonce's Sasha Fierce era and made them hers. Basically, every girl wants to be a Black girl at some point, and Shakira, backed by these Sasha Fierce dancers, took her awkward White boy moves and turned them into something digestible and cool.
Lady Gaga was the best performance of the night (and it was tough competition). Her vocals. Her symbolic dancing. Her flaming rendition of "Speechless". Gaga is a mogul - not just for music, but in all aspects of an "artist". Props.
Any oppositions?
Underdog said:
I agree with almost everything except for the comparison of Lambert to the great Freddie Mercury. In no way is he in that league. Perhaps after many years, yes. But now nope.
Kyra Kyles said:
Underdog, yessir, Glambert has potential but needs some work.
Kyra Kyles said:
I thought Rihanna did a terrible job. I'm glad she had fun up there, if she did, but honestly, it wasn't fun to watch. I feel you on the Glambert part. I think he can sing, but maybe isn't seasoned enough to pull it off. He sounded a bit crazy up there. Janet looked like Daniel Boone up there. Still smh over that performance. Shakira, awkward? On that, I beg to differ. That girl can really move. Look up "Wherever/Whenever" on YouTube and get back to me. I definitely think GaGa can both sing, perform and challenge you with her artistic touches, but I'm not a fan. But I do respect her. Thanks for weighing in, Emailemale.
Papa MaC said:
I don't follow awards shows or cheesy Hollywood talent shows; but following the topic of 'Where have all the singers gone?' I will say this. Talent takes a back seat to sexy and/or sell-ability any day of the week.
Cadillac, BMW and Mercedes of today are no more reliable than a Toyota; that doesn't mean they are any less in demand. With plastic imitation-chrome accents, laminate wood-grain and parts being held together with plastic clips they only look luxurious; but are no better than any other car of half the sticker price with all the same options.
If it looks like something special, it might as well be something special in this society.
Wendell Tucker said:
SHOTS FIRED!!! I am loving this soooo much right now. I say we do the same thing for Rappers. Make it all Cypher style ala the BET HipHop Awards Cypher (coincidentally the only thing they did right.) Honestly, the industry has turned into a less satisfying version of Jimmy Johns. Snatch an "artist" up and deliver them as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not they are prepared.
and one last thing. DIDN'T ADAM LAMBERT LOSE??? WTF IS HE EVEN DOING THERE?
Kyra Kyles said:
100% agreed on the rap version. Cypher time! And we definitely need to stop the Jimmy John deliveries. (Now, Wendell, you know winning "Idol" kind of puts you at more risk. Look at past "winners" (or is it losers?) Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks. Guess it's about who makes the most of their exposure.
Alex Rohoman said:
I hate to say this but in ways I agree and disagree. I saw Adam in concert he is really really good its just with all the dancing and stuff you have to know how to breath so that you can dance adn sing at the same time. The AMA performance I am also tired of talking about he is not the only one in the world to do moves "things" like that on stage they are just focusing on him because he is gay and did it. The homophobia man that sucks. I love Adam. His album is really good. I cant wait to see him live again. This wasnt his performance and he just need to pace hiself or not do to much of the glam and the glitz so he can actually sing. I also love Lady Gaga hes great as well I thought he performance was fun but crazy I love her outfits. They are also so crazy lol. Anyways like I said Adam CAN really sing and he just had a slip up with the singing onthe AMA performace if you watch him on the early show and on david letterman he did so much better so check that out even though he is singing a differrent song. Loves to all dont hate me for my opinions
Kyra Kyles said:
Hey Alex:
No hate allowed here. We have respectful discussions, and you are always welcome to express yourself. Thanks for commenting. I think that Adam was among the better vocal performers, but could use work-- and that's just probably his relative newness to performing. I do believe much of the "outrage" at his performance, which is much like many other prior acts by beloved artists, comes from a place of homophobia. That's wrong. However, some of his moves were quite awkward and not because of whom they were with...floor drag, really? And that dancer who got buried in his pantaloons looked as appalled as I felt. :) Lady GaGa did bring it. Loved the fiery piano. And love to you. Do come back with more thoughts on future issues.
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