"It's a singing competition"?

RhythmNative

RhythmNative

It shouldn’t be at all surprising that often the best pop star is also the best vocalist.

Strong, reliable vocalists have an advantage in that they don’t have to worry about proving their vocal ability. They can take more risks, do more with the staging and choreography because the voice (hopefully) remains a constant. This was very much the case with Shayne, Alexandra and Joe. The strength of their voices made it easier for them to display their versatility as performers and relax into those challenges – i.e. be the best pop stars.

The problem was that while Leona was a deserving winner, in order to guarantee her win the show had to change it’s tone and focus. I think that for various reasons the X Factor team were aware that if Leona was pushed out of her comfort zone something didn’t feel right. It wasn’t that the voice suffered; but her command of the stage dropped when she was required to move. So Simon made it all about the vocals. But that series is now the exception, not the rule. A means to an ends, if you like, to make sure that the right person won.

It’s also why X Factor 2008 – the Alexandra, JLS, Diana Vickers and Ruth Lorenzo spawning series – is the definitive series.
 
mump boy

mump boy

stuart2626 said:
Even last year would you not argue that Rachel Adediji (spelling?) or Lucie Jones had the best voices? Rachel blew me away on her last week with 'One' (better than TreyC's perfomance IMO) and Lucie Jones week 3 with 'My Bloody Valentine' was sensational. Joe always gave note perfect performances but I personally thought Rachel and Lucie were better vocalists.
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Joe can sing rings round Rachel or Lucie and while Alexandra is my favourite X factor winner i would argue that on pure vocals he is better than her as well. Leona, for me, is the best singer but has no versatility, stage presents or personality
 
I

IotV

I really wish people would educate themselves, and watch some recent performances of Leona during her tour where she sang live and danced...
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Re Joe vs Rachel/Lucie: female voices are simply more capable than male ones. It's a fact: they can belt higher, have a larger range, and can (generally, and with proper technique) overpower (most) male vocalists.
 
B

benm

IotV said:
I really wish people would educate themselves, and watch some recent performances of Leona during her tour where she sang live and danced...
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Re Joe vs Rachel/Lucie: female voices are simply more capable than male ones. It's a fact: they can belt higher, have a larger range, and can (generally, and with proper technique) overpower (most) male vocalists.
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I disagree I think the best voice to come out of X-factor-technical ability, range, tone is Rhydian by a mile.I think Joe more than holds his own but only with songs suited to his voice. I do not think he is as versatile as the female winners.
 
I

IotV

Rhydian? For the style of music he attempts to sing (opera) he's very poor.
 
D

dmc

Nice to see you again IotV!

As for my thoughts, X Factor is all about the full package first and foremost. However, that does not mean you are allowed to be shit vocally, no matter how different you are. I don't remember Leona's year that well but I believe that she won because her voice was that good despite being a, well, beige performer.
 
Knightr634

Knightr634

june said:
OhYeah said:
I think Harry Hill hits the nail on the head with his opinion

http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/202095-the-x-factor-is-a-sitcom-says-harry-hill/
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Yes he does, but it was not always like that. In the beginning I think they genuinely wanted to find a new singing star, but since Cheryl has joined the panel it is more about the judges than the contestants.
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Have you forgotten all the past furore with judges. Like Sharron throwing water at Louis, Sharon having a vendetta against Dannii, Sharon storming "I'm leaving the show" when her contestants were in the bottom two on week 1. Oh and Sharon having a fit in the first series when they found out they would have to choose who would be going home out of a bottom two. Oh and her blast at Steve Brookstein saying how much she hated him on the final show which ultimately gave him the win instaead of G4

Then there's Louis and his constant bitching at Dannii, his constant bitching at Same Difference, sending home Mariah instead of the Conway Sisters, liking anyone who is Irsh - despite if they have talent or not. And the whole Louis' been sacked, now his back on the programme

And the whole 7 years of Simon.

Face it - X Factor has and always will be about the judges - it became that as soon as it was judge against judge. They are the constant in the show.
 
Bobby Tables

Bobby Tables

I see the judges as more of a sideshow to the actual show, which is to find the best pop performer (not just singer though). They add a bit of extra fun but they aren't what I'm mainly interested in.
 
citoig

citoig

I think Knightr634 has hit it on the head. The judges have always made it about themselves. Hell, from the very beginning, whenever they show the numbers to call to vote during the performance, who's face is next to it? Not the performer. The judge.
 
Knightr634

Knightr634

citoig said:
I think Knightr634 has hit it on the head. The judges have always made it about themselves. Hell, from the very beginning, whenever they show the numbers to call to vote during the performance, who's face is next to it? Not the performer. The judge.
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Thank you - the comment about Cheryl that since she's joined it became about the judges really rallied me because there seems to be a lot of "blame Cheryl" at the moment even when it's not her fault. I think either some people have short memories or were too young to remember the first few series of The X Factor.

I think the only time these type of shows has been totally about finding talent was the first series of Popstars and Pop Idol - both Nigel and SImon became immensly popular because of their judging style and once that was known it became the repitore of judging - X Factor gave a bigger role to the judges as they're not just judging, but "mentoring" (I use that loosly)
 
S

sparkle_miss

Anybody know the level of mentoring involved? Do the contestants actually get much time with their mentor? Or is it a case that the mentors pick the songs and show up at rehearsal?
 
Knightr634

Knightr634

sparkle_miss said:
Anybody know the level of mentoring involved? Do the contestants actually get much time with their mentor? Or is it a case that the mentors pick the songs and show up at rehearsal?
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I read and hear alot that Dannii is fully involved with her acts, I think Cheryl sort of is as well. Don't know much about Louis but I think Simon just picks a song and lets them get on with it (and if rumours are true, he's not having anything to do with Diva Fever and Sinitta is doing it for him!)
 
O

OhYeah

sparkle_miss said:
Anybody know the level of mentoring involved? Do the contestants actually get much time with their mentor? Or is it a case that the mentors pick the songs and show up at rehearsal?
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Considering Louis still can't pronounce Wagner's name I'd say little to none.
 
J

JadeFan

I think that's just Louis's elocution though... like he said "You're through to live show." to someone instead of "You're through to the live shows."
 
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