01 September, 2010

X-Factor Autotune Debacle...


Reading this back the whole thing now seems a bit pointless as it happened about 2 weeks ago. Still, I took the time venting so I’m posting it.

NOTE: I have just uploaded the X-Factor logo to this post. I never realised just how "90's" it looked until now. God that's awful!

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So, it seems autotune was used in this weeks X-Factor. Since the bosses of the show have admitted its use, the media have been dry humping the story like a horny greyhound. The thing is, why is anyone at all surprised? This method of smoothing over vocal inaccuracies in contemporary pop music is absolutely normal. Surely we expect it. If you listen to any pop song you can hear the singers glide over an array of notes and key changes like a robotic Pavarotti. If you turned it off however, it would be like listening to a Basenji howl through a drainpipe.

Actually, I think I’d prefer that…

I think what has gnarled the public the most is that the vast majority are unaware of Autotune’s presence until now. They actually believe that these pop stars can sing (I’m not possibly suggesting they are merely around because of their looks, honest), which is not only sad for humanity but for music in general. Does it matter with this type of music? Probably not, it is as disposable as it comes. Once an act has a number one single, they are forgotten in months. It isn’t intended to be revered and cherished as a great piece of music and celebrated in years to come, these acts are never expected to last or have a lengthy career. This has always and will always be the case.

The X-Factor guest acts such as Cheryl Cole, Beyonce and Britney have been using autotune (or miming) on their guest slots and own shows for years. Even the final contestants have a little help from the autotune software. Its only because they are seen as seasoned professionals and ‘amazing’ singers they have got away with it. The moment you use it to enhance an amateurs voice it becomes even more noticeable, which is exactly what has happened. This has set a rather ugly precedent for the entire show.

Initially I was concerned about my enjoyment of the X-Factor. I don’t make a habit out of watching it. Certainly after week 3 or 4 after all of the nutcases have gone I don’t bother. This is the best bit! If you autotune all of the weirdo’s you are effectively ruining the only bit people enjoy. The public want to hear a spotty nerd holler his way through “you’re the one that I want”. It is TV Gold.
If you let people through that have used auto-tune (and lets say, some that haven’t), surely you are ‘fixing’ the show by having several contestants still in the competition who shouldn’t be there in the first place. You know they cannot win, or this would render the entire show false. But imagine if an autotune contestant actually won the competition, especially if they were absolutely gorgeous. Further admitting that pop stars are only around for good looks and not actual talent. I know there is an exception to this rule, some popstars are talented to some degree, but I think they are in the minority.

Ultimately, my issue with this whole debacle is that’s the X-Factor is a talent show. How can someone who has used autotune go through the next round and someone who hasn’t goes home. Its like a band that get a record deal when they can’t write songs or play any instruments. It makes the entire X-Factor competition utterly pointless. Bit like this rant, now it’s two weeks late and no one will bother reading it anyway…

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