I highlighted the parts I can agree with you on there, MP. The Adele comparison for me is strictly the sound. My views on pop create the following categories:MovingPictures07 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:17 pmI wouldn't even say that Adele is untalented; I just don't like her. I certainly wasn't trying to imply that about Woodkid either, just so it's clear.nutella wrote: ↑Sat Oct 21, 2017 3:29 am I don't understand (/am surprised/rather baffled by) the Adele comparison. Can you guys explain what you mean by that? Where's the similarity, other than that they're both very talented singers with unique voices? Does it have to do with the orchestral/"epic" sound of many of the tracks?
I find Woodkid's music to be quite unique and really beautiful, and I'm curious what you guys found boring or irritating about it.
The comparison doesn't arise necessarily due to the music itself or anything, just more so having a vocalist singing with somewhat similar delivery with "huge" sounding orchestration. Adele and Woodkid both have the same problem, at least in my mind -- the contrast between their vocals and the orchestration and the attempt to sound majestic sounds over the top for the sake of sounding over the top, yet comes off as incredibly contrived and substance-less.
The songs all blended together to me, and it all felt ridiculously disengaging to the point of being actively distracting. And unfortunately I really don't like his voice or delivery at all. His delivery sounded like he was trying to come across as passionate but I heard the opposite. I've found that some chamber pop and indie pop are more likely to come across to me like this than some other genres, uninteresting at best and with irritating unconvincing faux-passion at its worst. At times it was almost cringe-worthy, but not quite that irritating throughout thankfully.
That's all just me though. I only elaborate because you were curious. None of this is meant at all as a slight on anyone else enjoying it. I don't even like when I take negatively to any music; I wish I liked it. But certainly there's music out there I don't like. Hell, maybe I'm just an elitist.
Conventional Pop: modern-day, overproduced music and vocals that forces as many natural and computer-generated elements in as possible
Bubblegum Pop: simple instrumentation based around an upbeat riff or beat
Traditional Pop: Michael Bublé, Harry Connick, Jr., and everyone else who patterns themselves after Sinatra, Crosby, Bennett and all the other 40s and 50s lounge lizards, and sometimes bordering on soft jazz
Dramatic Pop: Taking the classical instruments from Traditional Pop and mixing it with a dash or more of the overproduction of Conventional Pop to create a grand, sweeping, concert-hall-filling sound
My problem with Dramatic Pop, which both Adele and Woodkid fall into, is that it takes the orchestral flourishes that can take a song in almost any genre to the next level and stretches out that flourish and make it the entirety of the sound. It's all grand. It's all epic. It's all sweeping ear candy. But it's also exhausting after a while and can come across as showy and pretentious because after a while it sounds like the artist takes his or herself too seriously.
I don't agree with much of the other stuff MP posted. I can hear a love of music and a dedication to craftsmanship in Woodkid's music. I can tell it's there but Woodkid himself doesn't convey it well for me. His somber voice stays within (what my non-classically-trained ears perceive) a very narrow range. His voice is always quite even keel, which makes him sound a little flat against his lush orchestrated backdrop. He may love what he's doing but it never sounds (to me) like he digs down in and goes for it.
The singer for The Family Crest belts it out, which suits the dramatic scope of the music. I think Woodkid is too measured. He needs to belt it out at times for emphasis. He doesn't though, which is why some of the tracks feel samey and/or boring vocally.
If the point is to maintain a mood, then I would argue that the album is more successful than we give it credit for. I'm listening for what I'm listening for though, and I like a little more fun and zest than what Woodkid delivers. But I am a fan of what's one step beyond Dramatic Pop- Rock Opera, so that bias is hard to overcome.