Novs said:
elvor0 said:
Using autotune isnt the same as a guitar effect, a guitar effect will merely overlay a sound over the top (with the exception of a Wah pedal which you have to manage yourself), you still have to be cabable of playing the instrument. Kanye however, cannot sing. Given he uses it ALL the time in that song, he's not using it for effect, he's using it because he cant sing. If you can't sing, either invent/use a style that works for you (ala punk, death metal, rapping, scat, etc), Or don't sing. Autotune is the equivilent of a band that's incapable of playing just going in and editing their studio stuff to make it sound like they can play, or using Guitar Pro 5 sampling, which leads to them being incapable of playing it the same as the studio album live,(or at least to the degree you'd expect when seeing a live band) which everyone would call them out on.
Except he more of a rapper than a singer, and it doesnt sound bad at all, its not amazing, but there is nothing bad about it. He is using the autotune as a voice effect here, and it sounds good, so whats wrong with it?
You say he cant sing because you hate mainstream and your edgy and your just being a sheep after you learned of the dreaded autotune.
Also in regards to him making it to the top: Marketing, and being a total dick. It's worked for many a bands over the years, controversy or a well marketed plan is a surefire way to get to the top, at least for a little while.
By that logic Burzum should be the most popular artist ever, because he stabbed someone and burned a church, and then put the picture of the burnt church onto the album cover.
Kanye West does have a mainstream sound which makes it easier for him to get to the top, but hey his music isnt that bad, and this is coming from someone who hates alot of things coming out the mainstream.
No, I dont like it because I dont like the sound it produces and I see it as cheating. It is possible to have your own opinions because you happen not to like something personally you know, I hate it when people say that others are just trying to be edgy because they don't like something, when in fact I don't like it because I dont like it. To me it sounds lifeless and robs the singer of emotion, because it's digitized and robotic, and that's why I dont like it.
By your logic anyone that decides they dont like something is a sheep because there are a large amount of people dislike. I assume by that logic anyone that likes something is a sheep also because there will be a large collective that like it, therefore everyone is a sheep because you are never the only one that has a certain view on something. In fact I could say you were trying to be edgy and a sheep because you yourself said you dont like a lot of mainstream stuff, and I'm pretty sure you would contest it as I am. I decide whether or not I like something based on my own personal views and nothing else.
I'm quite happy to respect, accept or judge mainstream (or anything) albums objectivly, even if I don't like them to listen to, I'll gladly say "Yes this has musical technicality or decency or whatever", ie Gorillas, Eminem, Cyprus Hill, I would never listen to them out of choice, but I respect them musically.
Small Waves said:
TestECull said:
It has enabled talentless hacks like Kanye to get immensely popular, something impossible before Autotune became popular.
Kanye West didn't even use Autotune until his forth LP (808s & Heartbreak), and he was using it for emotional effect rather than cleaning up mistakes, and he used it on MBDTF in the same fashion and used it so much on Runaway's outro that his voice is completely distorted. He's the only mainstream artist who actually uses it as instrument rather than a tool to make himself sound better.
elvor0 said:
Also in regards to him making it to the top: Marketing, and being a total dick. It's worked for many a bands over the years, controversy or a well marketed plan is a surefire way to get to the top, at least for a little while.
You do realize that he was turned down by A LOT of labels, right? Kanye West worked his ass off and climbed his way to the top while going against the popular conventions of the genre he worked in at the time. He is accredited as being one of the artists who ushered in the rebirth of mainstream alternative hip-hop along with OutKast and Gorillaz. Even without the ego he would still be popular and acclaimed.
I hate screaming in music when the vocalist is obviously holding back. The growls, shouts, and howls come out dry and flaccid, like a really bad actor trying to emote while being mindful of the people taking a nap. Screaming is supposed to represent anger, frustration, rage, and instability. When you hold back, it's unconvincing, dull, and emotionally hollow.
Oh I wasn't saying it as if he was a constructed persona put out by a record company (ala boy bands or the like), I know he did it himself, and I don't hold the whole being egotistical thing against him, I mean sure he can be a bit of a dick, but so is Axl Rose(actually he's a massive ****, but I digress) it is a very good method of helping yourself become famous: Cause Controversy and people will check you out, then see what music you play and bam! Fame.
God knows if I had the chance, I would adpot the pre-madonna, trash talking, drunken rock star personality in a flash. I have nothing against him personally, I just find it difficult to respect singers who prop themselves up with autotune, fair enough if he used it for certain sections (ie electronic voice at the start of Black Sabbaths Iron Man), or if it serves a purpose for the music, but using it all the time just irks me.
And I wholy agree with you about sissy screamers.
