At some point she got better at singing. Now, I don’t mean she was ever bad, just that older songs like Holiday, have a more amateurish singing style than something off Confessions on a Dancefloor for example.
I’m no expert but I feel like she changed up her style to suit emerging trends with each record while also enlisting the help of REALLY good producers and sound mixers. I found myself listening to some songs multiple times today from Hard Candy. Although I think her best album is Ray of Light.
I’ve been going through Yes’s divisive (to prog fans) late 70s-80s catalogue, even Big Generator which I’m only finally listening to for the first time after 15 years of being a fan.
Say what you will about Yes’s turn to pop, and the beginning of “over-produced” music, that world class production by Trevor Horn which defined the 80s is what elevated Yes over other contemporary prog or ex-prog acts IMO (Genesis, and even, I’m sorry to say, Rush).
And I don’t mean because it made their sound catchy and radio friendly, but because it brought out the unquestionably outstanding skills of the band, and the tracks would’ve sounded sick even if it was a rehash of a 2 hour long 70s prog brick. Slick production isn’t always the commercially bland conformist evil thing some people make it out to be…
Been reviewing Madonna’s entire catalogue today. Some real bangers in there. Forgot about that. Some very slick production as well.
At some point she got better at singing. Now, I don’t mean she was ever bad, just that older songs like Holiday, have a more amateurish singing style than something off Confessions on a Dancefloor for example.
I’m no expert but I feel like she changed up her style to suit emerging trends with each record while also enlisting the help of REALLY good producers and sound mixers. I found myself listening to some songs multiple times today from Hard Candy. Although I think her best album is Ray of Light.
She got better then sort of got worse again. Any live performance recently sounds absolutely horrendous. I’m sorry but it’s true.
She’s put out some great songs but if we are going to be honest you’d have to say that while she’s not tone deaf she’s far from a gifted singer.
I’ve been going through Yes’s divisive (to prog fans) late 70s-80s catalogue, even Big Generator which I’m only finally listening to for the first time after 15 years of being a fan.
Say what you will about Yes’s turn to pop, and the beginning of “over-produced” music, that world class production by Trevor Horn which defined the 80s is what elevated Yes over other contemporary prog or ex-prog acts IMO (Genesis, and even, I’m sorry to say, Rush).
And I don’t mean because it made their sound catchy and radio friendly, but because it brought out the unquestionably outstanding skills of the band, and the tracks would’ve sounded sick even if it was a rehash of a 2 hour long 70s prog brick. Slick production isn’t always the commercially bland conformist evil thing some people make it out to be…
/unrelated rant over.
Can’t argue anything there. Prog rock bands NEED someone who knows what they’re doing behind the mixing boards. I love the 90125 album.
I used to hate it, but that’s changed now - renewed appreciation for Hearts and Leave It. And Cinema is of course a masterpiece
I sometimes delve back. She’s had some good tunes.