LilacRose v1.0: Lousy Radio and Manufactured Pop Stars

Lousy Radio and Manufactured Pop Stars

I could go on an extended rant about the above subjects but I'll spare you. Instead let me link a couple of good posts on both subjects.

First, Michele at A Small Victory posts about an investigation into radio payola. She sums up the problem with radio this way:

See, the program directors think we, the listening audience, are stupid.

This is why the only radio I listen to these days is talk radio. There are also a lot of good comments on Michele's post.

Next, Jared at Thinklings caught pop star Ashlee Simpson in a "Milli Vanilli moment" on SNL last night. Now, since I don't listen to music radio, I am blissfully unfamiliar with Simpson's music. However, I wish I could have seen this. Of course, she blames the embarrassing incident on her band, which shows her to be a jerk as well as a no-talent.

Posted by Susan B. at 8:04 PM to Music

Comments

Jared

Thanks for the link.

Simpson's biggest radio single, "Pieces of Me," is actually and surprisingly good. It's a dang good pop song, and I say that as a bona fide fan of rock and roll. It's certainly better than anything I've ever heard her sister sing.

But if she can't sing live, she's going to have problems with career longevity. Honestly, I can't believe the Britney mystique has lasted this long given that most folks realize she does not have a good singing voice.
This lip syncing thing, IMHO, is terrible. I've heard all the excuses for it, and I suppose it's acceptable every now and again. But professional vocalists who only have to sing (Simpson does not do choreography or anything like other teen popsters) should be able to sing live.

And you're right -- it was rude and petty of her to blame her band. At the end of the show, she said, "My band started the wrong song." I was thinking, "Um, how does that explain your vocal track playing?"
I felt bad for the band, because they just kept playing along with the track and she left the stage. Poor guys not only had to stay out there and accept the embarrassment, they also had to take the heat for the fiasco at the end of the show.
I imagine there were some heated discussions on the Ashlee Simpson touring bus last night.

Posted on October 24, 2004 at 11:03 PM

Susan B.

Hi Jared,

You're welcome! Drudge linked to a video of the incident and it was even more embarrassing than I imagined. The goofy dancing around made it worse.

I haven't heard the song (except for the little snippet in the video). The only thing I've heard by her sister is the remake of "Take My Breath Away", which I hated the first time around when Berlin did it. I think Britney has just about reached the end of the line as far as her musical career goes. She's going to either fade into obscurity, with a comeback attempt every few years, or she's going to be one of those "famous for being famous" types.

I agree...there's really no excuse for lip-syncing in front of a live audience. I don't accept dancing as an excuse, either. Because, in most cases, all the elaborate dancing and choreography is just to cover up the fact that that the "artist" can't sing that well.

I feel sorry for her backup band. I hope they quit on her.

Posted on October 25, 2004 at 1:03 AM