My gag reflex has caused me to throw up a little. Why you ask?
I was reading a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly where they were reviewing the latest Carrie Underwood album. You may remember Carrie from her rise to fame via American Idol. The review talks all about “slick production” and “glossy latest”. Personally, those terms tend to turn me off of the music they’re referencing, but Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+ rating. OK…
Here’s the line that did me in (and really made me wonder why I’m still reading this magazine):
“Underwood is touting Carnival, several tracks of which she co-wrote, as her return to country roots.”
OK, maybe this will make me sound like the old guy at the end of the street yelling at the kids to “get off my lawn!”, but… remember the days when musicians were embarrassed by the fact that they didn’t write their own material? Sure, some amount of music has always been “manufactured”, but when did it become a claim to fame that you actually co-wrote several tracks of your own CDs?
Mathew Patterson
November 24th, 2007 13:48
True, but I think we also forget that some of the most loved singers ever are famous for singing songs other people wrote, and nobody thinks worse of them for that.
Mathew Patterson
November 24th, 2007 15:48
True, but I think we also forget that some of the most loved singers ever are famous for singing songs other people wrote, and nobody thinks worse of them for that.
Jenn
November 24th, 2007 17:56
To be fair to the article as well as Carrie, I don't think the quote is intended as bragging rights. My guess is that it's about respect. Having came about fame through an overly produced and commercialized TV show, I think it's only fair that the writer note that she possesses more than just a good voice.
Jake McKee
November 24th, 2007 18:02
Matthew and Jenn,
Good points, both. I guess I'm on hyper alert these days when people start talking about how great a "musician" is... like Britney, for example. These folks are performers. Perhaps great performers, but not musicians.
Matthew, I'm not sure exactly who the people you refer to in your comment are, but I assume they're some of the same people I'd call performers too. Great, world-class performers, but performers nonetheless.
But you're both right, I'm probably being a bit harsh on the individuals, Carrie specifically.
Jenn
November 24th, 2007 19:56
To be fair to the article as well as Carrie, I don't think the quote is intended as bragging rights. My guess is that it's about respect. Having came about fame through an overly produced and commercialized TV show, I think it's only fair that the writer note that she possesses more than just a good voice.
Jake McKee
November 24th, 2007 20:02
Matthew and Jenn, Good points, both. I guess I'm on hyper alert these days when people start talking about how great a "musician" is... like Britney, for example. These folks are performers. Perhaps great performers, but not musicians. Matthew, I'm not sure exactly who the people you refer to in your comment are, but I assume they're some of the same people I'd call performers too. Great, world-class performers, but performers nonetheless. But you're both right, I'm probably being a bit harsh on the individuals, Carrie specifically.
Michele
November 25th, 2007 11:20
I once heard Chris Botti in concert and he spoke about how much he hated American Idol and its ilk because it makes young people believe that success happens overnight: all you have to do is audition for a ridiculous show and you're a superstar. But those superstars often have no staying power. Anyone heard from Taylor What's-his-name of late? I think the true innately-talented musicians who are fortunate to find the limelight through the show will endure. (By the way, does AI even have a level of competition where the singers perform their own work? Gee ... wonder why not?)
Michele
November 25th, 2007 13:20
I once heard Chris Botti in concert and he spoke about how much he hated American Idol and its ilk because it makes young people believe that success happens overnight: all you have to do is audition for a ridiculous show and you're a superstar. But those superstars often have no staying power. Anyone heard from Taylor What's-his-name of late? I think the true innately-talented musicians who are fortunate to find the limelight through the show will endure. (By the way, does AI even have a level of competition where the singers perform their own work? Gee ... wonder why not?)
jen_chan, writer MemberSpeed.c
November 27th, 2007 16:41
It's not just Carrie Underwood though. It's been going on for quite a long time now. And honestly, some of the more manufactured songs do sound better. What if the singer can belt out a good tune and yet have no decent lyrics anyway? Or what if you write great songs and yet can't sing a tune? It has to be a combination of both. It really doesn't matter where one comes from either. It's the end result that matters.
jen_chan, writer MemberSpeed.com
November 27th, 2007 18:41
It's not just Carrie Underwood though. It's been going on for quite a long time now. And honestly, some of the more manufactured songs do sound better. What if the singer can belt out a good tune and yet have no decent lyrics anyway? Or what if you write great songs and yet can't sing a tune? It has to be a combination of both. It really doesn't matter where one comes from either. It's the end result that matters.