Death by Diva - One

Death by Diva - One of the most irritating trends in pop music in the last 10-15 years is the faux pop "diva". There are women with enough talent as singers to do amazing things with their voices - and not enough musical sense to know how to use that talent.

You know who I mean: the ones who, when the song should go

DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO

instead sing:

DO miremerefla RE la,tiflutter trill whoop ME...

Barbra Streisand is the spiritual godmother of this coven - but I blame Whitney Houston. Before her, the "divas" n music (remember Aretha Franklin Chaka Khan or Patty LaBelle, anyone?) put their chops behind the songs, to support the music. Then came Whitney Houston (and a few years later, Mariah Carey, who was worse). Suddenly, every chorus was an excuse for a dogs-only high note fireworks display; every note of two counts or more, the setting for a flurry of ornamental grace notes that could give epilepsy to the susceptible.

Today, it's everywhere, from the tastelessly formidable (Carey) to the technical and tacky (Christina Aguilera) to the rote and inept (Britney Spears). Woman singer + music = excuse for empty technical flash.

I'm a guitar player. It reminds me of the late eighties and early nineties, when the biggest guitarists were those who could play the mostest notes fastest - all of Eddie Van Halen's skill, none of his musical wit.

So here's a new years wish: May the world get a female pop singer that's studied Aretha's soul, not just her vocal chops.

The Two Blowhards attack this trend.

Posted by Mitch at December 21, 2002 09:51 AM