One of my such favorites is OneRepublic; I've always wanted to see them on stage. Until yesterday. They performed on the Today Show, and while "Good Life" is still one of my absolute favorite songs (have you noticed the title of my blog?), I was extremely disappointed with their performance of it. So I YouTubed some of their live shows, and yep, my suspicions were confirmed. I don't think they can sing live well at all. Neither, for that matter, can Madonna. And Pat Monahan? If you can't hit the high notes, either sing in a lower key or sit down and shut up.
Take Ashley Simpson, Milli Vanilli, and others who have been caught lip-synching. Does this mean they cannot sing? Maybe not, but if they can't hold a tune without having to rely on technology to sound good, why are we supporting them and lifting them up as celebrities? Anyone can sing a song then use auto-tuning to make it radio worthy. I don't understand how this is acceptable.
I'm not saying that I think that we should cut out half of who we hear on Sirius Radio, I just wish that when you heard an individual or group perform live, they were actually as good or better than they are on the radio. I've seen several of these: P!nk, Elton John, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion to name a few who are, in my opinion, better in person than they are on their albums.
Another who I just saw perform this morning on the Today Show (are we seeing a pattern in my TV watching?) was Gavin DeGraw. I'm not entirely familiar with his music, but I've heard his newest song "Not Over You" several times. Let me tell you, he rocked it out. I can't say I was surprised; because after all, shouldn't they always rock it out? But i enjoyed it with a big smile on my face. It's so nice to see - and hear - talent.
While all this is disappointing, will I stop feeding OneRepublic to my CD player? Nope. Will Gavin DeGraw get more speaker time? Probably. But I still wish that we would actually support musicians who are actually talented enough to make it a cappella, without computers and synthesizers and overproduced music to "give them a boost."
So what's the point? Nothing. I just wanted the world to know how disappointed I am in Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic.
Remind me to never see them live!!! I don't want to have my illusions ruined :)
ReplyDeleteYou introduce some very good insights into your post. I struggle with this as well. Earlier this year, I was becoming increasingly disappointed with my musical choices. I felt like there HAD to be more out there. I mean, I'm over 30 and when people asked me who my favorite musicians were, I was almost ashamed.
ReplyDeleteNot that I don't think BritBrit and company aren't fabulous anymore, but I don't think I would call her a musician . . . she is a performer and I respect that, but I realized I was looking for more out of my musical experiences.
Heidi STILL makes fun of me (playfully) for this but I dedicated this past summer to "broadening my musical horizons." This summer, I texted everyone I knew and asked them to reply back with the first musician or band that came to mind. I got many interesting responses, some good and some bad, but I can honestly say that my outlook and choice in music has COMPLETELY changed in just a matter of months.
I use the following phrase without hesitation: it was LIFE CHANGING.
Now, do I still throw on some BritBrit or Tupac when I am getting ready to go out or I feel like dancing??? Hell yes I do.
But I have also learned to appreciate extreme talent a whole lot more . . . ANYONE that can use just their VOICE and a GUITAR to sound amazing is okay in my book. Just saying.
Thanks to Van Morrison, Bobby Long, Sam Bradley, & Adele for making the summer of 2011 all about soul.
Steph, I think you hit the nail on the head. Much of what we hear today is performers, not musicians. Thanks for the input!
ReplyDeleteEeeks, I realized that I left out my always reliable and go-to favorite. I think we briefly touched on them the other night, but I have to show some love for Adam Levine & Maroon 5.
ReplyDeleteHe/They are insanely talented and after seeing them perform in Nashville last month, I can attest that they sound just as good, if not better, live.
It's a no frill show. No dancers. No sets. Nothing fancy. Just Adam, his band, his electric guitar, his sexiness, and his voice. Seriously, for anyone who hasn't watched them live, I strongly urge you to do so.
At the concert, they turned the lights down, it was completely silent, and Adam just started bee-boppin around and showing his range for a couple of minutes. Everyone just kind of like looked around and was like, "okaaayyy, he is even more bad ass than we thought!!!"
p.s. Today's blog entry has offered me a brief, although much needed, retreat from the homework that I am doing. Thanks!!!
You crack me up... And I am amazed by the depth of your ponderings!! Love it and love ya!!
ReplyDeleteMissie greenwell