Overplayed Artists

I think everyone would agree that there are certain artists (no matter how talented) who are constantly overplayed on the radio. Every time I turn on a certain radio station, I hear the same songs over and over again. Certainly we have enough new music coming out of the industry to generate a bit more variety, do we not? And what happens to songs that were popular just a few months ago? Are they relegated to a dark abyss of "outdated" music, never to be seen (or heard in this case) again? Just who is demanding the constant replay of these songs? Record executives? Radio deejays? Radio listeners?

Let me know what you think and be sure to vote in the poll below!

Which singer or group is the most overplayed on radio?
Adele Kelly Clarkson Lady Gaga Katy Perry Rihanna Nikki Minaj LMFAO Other
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Auto-Tune: Why It's Hurting the Music Industry

Before the late 1990s, an average music listener could typically judge a good singer from a bad singer in a matter of minutes. A good singer could hit those far reaching high notes and remain in tune throughout the entire course of the song. A good singer was regarded as an extremely talented and/or well trained vocalist. In contrast, a bad singer would have a cracking or straining voice or remain hopelessly out of tune or off pitch throughout a song.

Now the lines are blurred.

Why?

It all comes down to a single technological invention known commonly as Auto-Tune. Developed in 1996 by Andy Hildebrand, Auto-Tune was once a "trade secret" that producers would utilize in extreme circumstances to correct a few notes here and there, thereby saving time and money by not having to redo studio sessions.

Now, singers and producers virtually abuse Auto-Tune, using it daily to ensure that vocals remain on perfect pitch, rhythm and tone throughout the course of the song. Even more outrageous is the use of Auto-Tune by non-vocalists (i.e. Kim's Zolziak's performance of Tardy for the Party or Kesha's electro-pop remixes).


Can anyone now become a singer? Does vocal talent no longer come in to play? How do we define real musical talent from automated, technically-enhanced "talent?" Is the music industry losing its credibility?

Check out Time's revealing 2009 article Auto-Tune: Why Pop Music Sounds Perfect and let me know what you think!

Auto-Tune

Really...Madonna?

Am I the only person not excited about Madonna's upcoming "come back" performance at the Superbowl Halftime Show? That's really the best producers could do?

What about the network's new commitment to limit racy or controversial material following the Justin Timberlake/Janet Jackson debacle. Is Madonna really the way to go? Nothing controversial there!