Comments on a review of "UP!"

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 19 Nov 2002 1:28 pm

I was reading a review of Shania's "UP!", which I have no intention of buying, but I would like to hear all 3 discs once.

"Her last album, "Come On over" has sold more than 14 million copies in the U.S., he biggest seller by any artist in the last decade.

...On the country disc, fiddles and steel guitars are featured prominantly on key tracks, while the pop versions have been detwanged, with harder-edged guitars and strings sometimes dominant.
...Both discs were produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who also oversaw a world music disc of the same songs that will be included with the pop-rock version in copies of "UP!" sold outside North America. (Presumeably because the rest of the world dislikes fiddles, steel guitars and country music)

..."We talked about putting out two separate albums here, one with the country disc and one with the pop disc, but we thought that could be confusing." said Luke Lewis, the chairman of Mercury, MCA Nashville and Lost Highway Records. "People might hear the pop or country version on the radio and go into the store and buy the wrong album. I thought the best solution was to put them both in the same album."
...Lewis stessed that the decision-which cost the label less than $1 per copy for the extra disc- was driven by the music rather than by marketing. (In case you were wondering why CDs are so expensive)

"Twain...doesn't have a lot of character as a singer. That makes her more appealing on the country disc, where the instrumentation adds traces of personality and warmth. (That would be us, the fiddle and steel guitar community, the reviewer is referring to). The pop-rock backing is more generic, leaving her voice colorless at times." (Keep in mind that her last two albums have sold $600 million worth of product.)

What I think is interesting, about this approach is the corporate concept of "multiple platforms". The music was seemingly written from a generic "one size fits all, something for everybody" perspective, (remember the old Ed Sullivan Show) and while this makes perfect sense from a business/consumer stand point, it grates on my musician/composer sensibilities. I am also very aware that I don't represent the targeted demographic for this release and that they couldn't care less about what I think.

What I dislike is, I perceive this as musical dillettantism, where the focus is on creating disposable, easily forgettable product. (Perhaps if I was on the recieving end of all that money I might have a different perspective). As it is, we are constantly barraged by what seems to be an endless stream of mindless programming and meaningless media products, music, film, advertising etc.. and as we become more immune to the advertising, it means that the advertisers have to become more aggressive and relentless. I, for one, don't like it, and while it isn't Shania's fault, I see the probable success of this album as contributing to the barrage and promoting more of the same.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 19 Nov 2002 1:35 pm

Interesting. I've never before heard a producer say that his best-selling artist "doesn't have much character as a singer" and that the arrangements were made deliberately generic so that she would sound even more bland. Ya gotta give this guy an "A" for candor! He's sayin' what we're sayin'!

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 19 Nov 2002 2:35 pm

Jim,

Are you sure those quotes are attributed to Mutt? Seems like that came from the reviewer. Then again, I've been editing vocals all day, and the screen is getting blurry...

(actually, I'm intrigued enough that I am going to buy this on the way home today...)[This message was edited by John Macy on 19 November 2002 at 02:36 PM.]

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 19 Nov 2002 3:15 pm

Hey Chas,

I perceive this as musical dillettantism, where the focus is on creating disposable, easily forgettable product

welcome the real world... Most of the charts consists of this kind of music (I think). Though I must say that I hold dilettantism in high esteem.

I happen to know two people who wrote big hits for generic pop-groups in Germany and these people studied music, so they knew exactly what they did. Sell music, sell screws, sell health-insurances - it's the same job.

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martin abend Pedal-Steel in Germany
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 | Regal RD45 | fender hotrod deluxe

[This message was edited by Martin Abend on 19 November 2002 at 03:16 PM.]

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 19 Nov 2002 3:31 pm

"Sell music, sell screws, sell health-insurances - it's the same job

Though if I had the choice, I think I know which one I would choose...