2010
Now, I don't particularly care for the song itself, which is pretty thin. And she's obviously nervous as hell, being her first time on TV and all. But there are some interesting things about this performance that are worth noting. Chief among these is that this is an actual girl, that can actually sing and dance, performing an actual song, with an actual band that can actually play.
It's really sad that this is worth noting, since this was the norm not so very long ago. But when you've received a decade-long barrage of nasal-voiced scale princesses with backing tracks and indie rock shoe-gazes that look down on any aspect of virtuosity and performance in favor of some hazy concept of "independence," this is really quite a relief.
So, apparently Sean Combs has decided to save us from ourselves. Well, more power to him, I say.
That being said, I'm TREMENDOUSLY encouraged that the industry is excited about an inspired musical kook who is a young black woman. A young black woman who seems to be skating left of stereotypes. This truly could not make me happier.
So I'm on her side. I will buy the record. I will hope for the best.
As an addendum to this, I will say "hazy concept of 'independence'" is too kind. The self-congraulating indie-rock hacks you're referring to don't have a concept, hazy or otherwise, and they don't aspire to or cherish independence.
- c
posted June 6, 2010 by beauty pill
But like I said, it's sad that something like this, which would be a one-hit-wonder in 1965, is such a relief to see nowadays. This chick is great and all, but she couldn't carry Carla Thomas' garment bag. R&B being what it is (very lemming-like), we'll hopefully see a whole crop of Stax/Volt/Motown/Atco ripoffs in the next couple years. Now, _that_ is something I can get behind.
-CR
posted June 6, 2010 by Chris Randall
give me hope...
posted June 6, 2010 by bleen
- c
posted June 6, 2010 by beauty pill
anyway - it's funny but i saw that Justin Bieber kid on letterman some time ago and my first thought was.. "he's singing.. and there's a live element to the music.. but he's singing!" then i had to drink 64 ounces of water to stave off the saccharin over dose that leads to dehydration when hearing such bubblegum pop music.
posted June 6, 2010 by boobs
posted June 6, 2010 by puffer
and rightly so, this women is a genius. The archandroid is a brilliant, BRILLIANT album. And yeah, she can sing like a motherfucker. Problem is, do any of the above artists fit into the mainstream these days? not really but... it almost doesn't matter. The arcandroid is damn near an innovation in and of itself as a body of work. I highly suggest any musician wishing to expand their horizons to pick it up. and, her previous work.
posted June 6, 2010 by jmob
btw, Diane Birch had a great band on SNL with three bone players.
Not saying I care much for either of them but seing great players play live on TV again can't be a bad sign.
k
posted June 6, 2010 by klemen
posted June 6, 2010 by DL White
I've been thinking for a while that the stage is set for someone kick-ass to completely take over the music scene. The early 80s scene was pretty lame then Michael Jackson came in and killed it. Same with Nirvana in the 90s.
posted June 6, 2010 by synthetic