Written by
Brian. Posted at 6:27 pm on November 2nd, 2009
Things I’ve done around the internet on November 2nd
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“Juxtaposed with U” – Super Furry Animals (Words/music: Super Furry Animals, available on Rings Around the World, Epic 2001)
So I haven’t really been thinking too much about 2009 in its historical context, but I’m sure someone will make a case for it (or the last couple years even) as the year of auto tune. From T-Pain’s iPhone application to the brilliant Auto-Tune the News to the overuse in every other pop single, Auto-Tune earned plenty of detractors. What was once a way to make tuneless starlets into passable pop singers (remember the ‘90s?!), Auto-Tune became the space age effect that everyone wanted on their single. Like many other things Auto-Tune is neither inherently evil (nor inherently good, to be fair). Instead, it’s the abuse of Auto-Tune that makes it so deplorable. As an aesthetic effect (I won’t comment on its use as a pitch corrector, as someone who can’t even come close to holding a tune), it works well when used properly.
My best evidence (at least off the top of my head) is “Juxtaposed with U.” Super Furry Animals use a vocoder (which, unless I’m mistake, is the same thing Auto-Tune uses, right?) to create a distinctive vocal effect. Then, they juxtapose this mechanized voice with the sweet strings behind it. Then, when Gruff Rhys sings the pre-chorus unadorned by the vocoder, the melodic qualities of his voice (which lead me to think of his first name as a sort of juxtaposition) stand out more. It’s a unique way of setting apart the hook from the verse, and as a deliberate aesthetic choice (as opposed mindless bandwagon jumping), it accomplishes the task. I’m not sure it makes up for the forthcoming Lil’ Wayne Auto-Tune/rock album, but it’s a useful card when trying to convince a “vocal purist” that technology can help make a pretty cool song.
More on Super Furry Animals: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm
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Maybe I shouldn’t have written off corporate America as a career path…
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My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-11-1):
Guided by Voices (26)
R.E.M. (15)
Jay-Z (5)
Stars (2)
The Beach Boys (2)
Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz
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