Did anyone else see this singer on “The Voice” and feel really, really betrayed by the judges?
They claim that this is a completely new sound, but if you heard (and were annoyed by) Macy Gray in 1999, Erin Martin’s voice shouldn’t seem the least bit exciting to you. And they, the music professionals, should recognize that. Instead, they pressed their buttons in awe, they stood up in their seats, they said things like, “THAT is cool!” She has foot-high hair, a foot-long skirt, and a headband on her forehead. Not. Impressed.
Now, I actually like “different” voices. I love being able to recognize a vocalist. Jack White, Chris Cornell, Andrew Bird, Thom Yorke, Rufus Wainwright, Neil Young, Beck, David Bowie, and of course Adam Levine—these are voices you know in an instant no matter what they’re singing, and I love them all.
Last season on “The Voice”, Dia Frampton was a huge hit with her whispery vocals, and I thought she should’ve won:
The difference is that Dia’s voice sounds genuine. I get really tired of voices that sound “put on”. Like, I can sound exactly like Macy Gray and Erin Martin if I try. By forcing myself to sing with a baby voice while purposely mispronouncing letters.
It’s the same thing with Duffy, Eddie Vedder (although I think I like Pearl Jam because they got to me at an age when I was still an innocent non-hater), and basically every single person who auditioned for “American Idol” this year after of the success of vocal-weirdos Haley Reinhart and Megan Joy Corkrey.
I know different people have different tastes and that Erin Martin will probably do well on “The Voice”, but I wish the judges would just call a baby-voiced spade a spade.
Secret-wish-to-be-a-rockstar-fueled rant complete.
9 Comments
Surely you meant to add Tom Waits to that list of people whose weird vocal quality you love. Surely.
I despise Macy Gray and this woman, too, makes me want to rip my ears off. Nothing could have made me happier than watching Adam Levine’s reaction at the end of that clip where he just sorta shook his head and was like, “Pfffft. As if.”
I was so confused when I heard that first clip. I don’t like it. Like at all. You’re right about Macy Grey.
Are you watching American Idol this year? There are a lot of those “different” voices, but there are several power singers too. That Jessica girl rocked it Tuesday… or maybe I just like her name.
Wow. I mean, if she actually calmed down, she could perhaps sound good. But it was like she was on the verge of crying the entire time. Wow.
you just said practically everything i say to my boyfriend every week. tired of the weird pronounciations and put on voices, where is originality??
Pretty girl…weird hair and outfit though and while I thought her voice was cute, nothing amazing. She seems like the type of person who would sing with a ukulele.
I think you should start another blog called “Katie Judges Things.”
I just can’t get in to any of those shows. Especially when you have to listen to terrible people. And even more especially when the judges think they’re wonderful. I haven’t watched American Idol in years, but I caught a little bit of a performance my grandma was watching, and it was totally a give-me-my-miss-america-crown-now performance. Of course the judges loved it. Why?!?!
Deep in my heart, I truly believe that if you and I were allowed to judge all things, the world would be a beautiful, sparkly, unicorn-poop- and nerdy-boy-filled place. With lots of books. And no jeggings.
Holy Lord, can you imagine what the Food Guide Pyramid would look like?! The deeper I get into this fantasy, the more I think it’s the best idea I’ve ever had.
I can admit it… Pearl Jam is one of my top 10 favorites (at least).
And my voice sounds like a cross between Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell.
Either that or a stuck pig.
I’ll leave it up to you to guess which of those is the more accurate description.