Monday, 1 January 2018

[OPEN THREAD] Happy New Years Ya'll!!!

2017 was a very, very strange year... I ended up not getting a single personal goal accomplished and just being along for the ride. On that same note, it was one hell of a ride that has introduced me to good people, good food and a world of different cultures.

So how will 2018 be different? It won't... I probably still won't even get ten percent of my personal goals accomplished. I probably will become more of a alcoholic. And I probably will continue this dark and abusive love-hate relationship with food... It's totally worth it.

I will state this much though: Expect a few album reviews this year, more vocal profiles, more information packed articles and more open forum posts!

As always, the rules for the open forum:

  • Try not to get too perverted- this site needs to basically be "safe for work". 
  • If somebody starts a rather controversial subject, try keeping it civil when dealing with it. If things get out of hand please flag the conversation. 
  • It would be nice if it stuck to music, but it's not a requirement! Pop culture is extremely relevant to this blog so bring it!. 
  • No nasty comments aimed at other users.

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Does Mariah Carey Artificilaly Create her Studio Vocals?


Post by: Diva Devotee
The Elusive Chanteuse was a great album, regardless of the bleak sales. But something about some of the tunes on the LP always got my Spidey senses tingling. It was definitely Mariah Carey but the voice had a Splenda quality to it in parts, if ya get what I mean.

Mariah's voice is of course subject to change and has done so with each release- there's an article or video in that. So I reconciled this unease with an adapted technique, namely shedding weight and taking a more nasal attack, to hit the higher notes.

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

When the Rasp is Right! Kelly Clarskson @ AMAs 2017



Post by: Diva Devotee
Kelly Clarkson has got raspy as hell lately, but I love It.

Why the love for her edge, and not Ms. Aguilera's? Quite simply, Christina sounds strained AF, losing volume, fullness and support when attacking her notes. All poor choices that could end up with the voice cracking. It makes watching her sing live anxiety inducing. And i have enough reasons to be anxious without Xtina adding to them.

Pink Slays Erryone @ 2017 American Music Awards


Post by: Diva Devotee
Pink is awesome.

Long time fan, almost everything the Diva has released has got a hand waving in the air 'yaaaaas!'. However, Beautiful Trauma's lead single, What About Us, surprisingly failed to land with me. Empowering lyrics, rousing vocals and a building production, it should have been a win, hyping me up for the new album. The opposite in fact happened- I could not care less about the upcoming era.

Monday, 20 November 2017

Christina Aguilera Has An Ugly Tone. There, I said it.



Post by: Diva Devotee
Can we finally admit that Christina Aguilera manufactured, Kermit tone is ugly? I've always known it, and I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a preference for her natural voice. However I don't think I've explicitly called it ugly before. So there you are, cards on the table.

What am I talking about, exactly? Let's use yesterday's (not the best) tribute to the glorious Whitney Houston at the American Music Awards to illustrate. The Voice I'm alluding to rears its fat head during the first verse of I Will Always Love You. Prior to that, though pitchy and not keeping time with the instrumentation*- both issues continue throughout- her voice was more naturally placed. The tone here was beautiful, lighter, youthful and sweet. It only made the off-putting sound that followed more startling. And to those who think this Kermit tone is not produced through dubious methods, note the spoken parts she interjects the medleys with. They are of a lighter timbre that is much more akin to her true voice.

Friday, 10 November 2017

JOJO - Fuller Soprano or Higher Mezzo-Soprano?


Post by: Montrez Rambo

Jojo is one of those singers that comes along and makes people turn their heads, Not only are untrained ears piqued by her vocals, but those with a vocal background also fawn over her abilities. She has a bright and coppery timbre, robust lower register, sizeable lower middle, bright and sheer upper middle and a rich upper register.

But what is her voice class though? Soprano has been tossed around as many a time as mezzo-soprano has. There's one performance that is tell-tale... Who's Loving you, Smokie Robinson tribute.

Kimbra - Everybody Knows


Post by: Montrez Rambo

Kimbra's releasing new music again! That meant I had to stop whatever I was doing and pay attention to see what was released. And Everybody Knows is interesting.

The music video is simple, Kimbra standing in a field being choked out by a California king sized top sheet for a bed... cool, she's weird like that. She looked gorgeous while doing it though. I'll have to watch the behind the scenes to get it because the meaning went completely over my head.