Jimi Michiel

I hate to complain, but tonight is one night I really wish I had cable. If I hear another lame pop tune in 4/4, I think the TV is going out the window. I don't understand how there is an entire industry that is dedicated to producing such shallow, vapid "art".... Ignorance is bliss, I guess...
-Jimi

PS Mariah Carey!!! Thats the last straw!!! Watch out below!!!

mrfabulous963

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Solar Bell

Just got home from rehearsal and they are on.

WAS THAT CLARENCE PLAYING TRUMPET WITH SLY STONE???

-cw-

Jimi Michiel

I dunno if it was Clarence, but it looked to me like they weren't really playing, just awkwardly swaying back and forth...

mrfabulous963

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trickg

On one hand, I might agree with you, but when you really think about it, does music have to be complex to entertain or move you, and does the fact they are in 4/4 make them lame? I do agree that the industry seems to be churning out formulaic pop tunes, particularly among the female artists, but some of my favorite tunes are basic backbeat 4/4:

Twist and Shout
Louie Louie
Wild Thing
Back in Black
Shoot to Thrill
Voodoo Chile
Little Wing
(and many more, too numerous to list)

It's pretty tough to call Hendrix/Vaughan, AC/DC, or the Beatles lame.

Jimi Michiel

Yes Patrick,
You're right. 4/4 doesn't categorically preclude a song from being interesting, but when you're being force fed crap, the simplicity of the composition is a good point to start. What do you think if Kelly Clarkson had to sing something in 5/8? I'll tell you what would happen: CHAOS!!!!

I do have to admit, however, that the duet between Herbie and Christina Aguilera was really good. Herbie is still Herbie, and I really think Christina has the best chops out of all the younger pop singers... (and she even managed to pick out a really CLASSY dress, unlike most of her "colleagues")

-Jimi

trickg

I don't know - I personally believe that Kelly Clarkson could handle something in 5/8 - she doesn't pick the songs, her producers do and I think she's got more talent than what they really use because they really aren't looking to showcase her talent. They are looking for hits.

But on the subject of Christina Aguilera, initially I wasn't impressed with her because initially the only thing from her I had heard was "Genie In a Bottle" - more producer picked crap for the sake of getting a hit. Then one night I saw her on some live show where she was doing a gospel type tune backed by a gospel type choir and I about fell out of my chair. I had no idea she had chops like that and I agree that she's among the more talented of the current crop.

Someone whom I have been disappointed with, not because of her ability, but because of what the radio and entertainment industry has chosen to give us from her is Alicia Keyes. She's loaded to the brim with talent and ability, but most of what we've heard from her on the radio is what we've been spoon fed in order to make money and produce hits.

Jessica and Ashley Simpson? You can have them - I'm not impressed.

Eclipsehornplayer

Patrick,

I'd have to agree with you whole-heartedly...

Christina kind of let me down when she did the whole, I'm no longer a teen I must dress like a tramp now thing. Hopefully she'll get back to the music.

I was impressed from jump street with her, her vocal talents are just shy of stratospheric.

She's also bi-lingual I have one of her spanish albums Mi Refligo (My reflection) It's just great.

Of course my wife just thinks that I like her because she's young, blond, and very attractive. These are true statements, but I like her talent more then anything else believe it or not!

trickg

As terrible as this is going to sound, I really like the video of "Lady Marmalade" from Moulin Rouge that Christina did with Pink, Mya, and Lil Convict...I mean Lil Kim! Aside from the fact that the girls are all dressed in lingerie, the tune really rocks and they do a good job of showing what the girls can do vocally. Of that group Christina is far and above the one with the most talent and ability.

As long as Christina can manage to keep her head on right, she's going to be a major player for quite some time.