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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:11:17 GMT -5
Aargghh! I had a response all ready to post in the dead thread, and then managed somehow to delete it. I'll try to remember what I said. I had to listen with my eyes closed, because the expressions and the out-of-sync voice were very distracting. While the voice isn't bad, it just didn't connect with me emotionally. In the very beginning, it sounds like he is more concerned with copying pronunciation than in expressing emotion. And at 39: and 1:45, "if I wanted to go, I'd have left ..." he sounded more angry than pleading/repentant. The mood changes seemed abrupt rather than progressive. My 2¢ Thanks for sharing. Interesting that you didn't connect emotionally to it as much as Adam's version. Do you think that is because of Adam's phrasing, or because the tone of Adam's voice touches you more deeply? I agree with your last point that the other guy's version doesn't build like Adam's does. |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:18:09 GMT -5
Hi Cassie, I too had to close my eyes while listening (mostly due to eye strain from reading all the BTIKM news, plus I work on the computer for a living  ), and here is the image that came to my mind while checking out the audio: Imagine an NBA basketball field. Now imagine a 7 feet tall giant professional player slamming ball after ball through the hoop. That would be Adam. Now enters a 5 feet tall guys and tries to do the exactly same moves. He has skills, especially in the dribbling, but lacks god-given height. He strains and it shows. He reaches for the hoop and gets angry in the process, although his ball still goes through nearly each time...but with lots of effort. That's that YT guy. Lowering the key (and the baskteball board) significantly would have helped him express more feelings on his own playing field. The verses were ok, but the chorus was just too high for him to be comfortable, IMVHO. I really like your analogy. I think it explains why some folks admit that Adam is a great singer, but still don't care for him. Of course if you are 7feet tall you can slam dunk the basketball every time. But, that little pip squeak represents triumph over adversity. We want to see someone ordinary do the extraordinary. We want to see the effort, the attempts, and the final achievement. Hey, if he can do it, maybe I can do it, too. Adam makes it sound too easy, too effortless. Unless you have some background and training in voice so you know how much effort goes into learning to sing effortlessly. |
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Post by justkaren on Dec 21, 2011 12:26:55 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing. Interesting that you didn't connect emotionally to it as my ch as Adam's version. Do you think that is because of Adam's phrasing, or because the tone of Adam's voice touches you more deeply? I agree with your last point that the other guy's version doesn't build like Adam's does. We can often tell if an apology is sincere or not by the tone of voice ... you can tell if someone is pleading for forgiveness or just mouthing the words ... it felt to me like the cover guy was just mouthing the words but didn't really mean them. Adam inhabits every song he sings so his words ring true. Does that make any sense? |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:27:14 GMT -5
If I hadn't heard Adam sing it, I probably would have thought it was great! BUT.... The tone of voice is completely different - the only way I can think to describe it is that his voice is more "trebley" sounding, whereas Adam has far more depth and resonance. It did prove to me that I do actually love the song itself - he certainly wasn't unpleasant to listen to, but nowhere in Adam's league. Again, it just goes to show what an incredible vocalist Adam is- every single syllable he sings has feeling.....reaches into your soul - can't explain it, and have given up trying!! ;D I hope to make more regular contributions to this board - keep meaning to make myself known here! I have a background in music with some singing training - I am a very average singer (not being modest, just realistic  ) But I do have a good "musical ear" with relevant pitch and I LOVE LOVE LOVE harmonies and harmonising. Have worked out harmonies for many of Adam's songs including Mad World, Broken Open, Outlaws of Love.... So you can probably imagine how much I adore this song with all its fantastic vocal layerings.....the 2nd half of the bridge is just perfection. Actually not that complex harmonies - quite formulaic actually, but they just sound divine!!! Adam singing a trio with himself - what could be better?!!! ;D As for those wanting to hear Adam sing more classical - opera or musical theatre, that is my dream too. I grew up around opera (Dad is/was a very good operatic bass) and I have played "CTMBTM" several times to his singer friends- obviously they have been totally impressed each time! Not convinced they'd like the rock/pop stuff so much tho! Sorry for the long post, but hope to comment here more often - can never get enough discussion about the voice of the most amazing singer I have ever heard! So glad you decided to post! I agree that I hear a treble-y, kinda tinny sound in this guy's voice, whereas Adam's is richer and rounder. And that resonance touches me more, emotionally. Like you, I enjoy hearing Adam harmonize with himself. Was chatting with Angelina about that the other day. I was wondering if Adam might have backing singers on the next tour to handle the harmonies, and she said she didn't think it would sound as good with others on the harmony. It's that richness thing again. I, too, play CTMBTM for Amy more classically minded friends and family. It always impresses. They wouldn't "get" the more pop/rock tuff. My 85 yr old dad listens to satellite radio on his TV. Mostly the Stqndards channels. He recently wondered why "that guy you like" wasn't featured on that channel. Hahaha |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:33:30 GMT -5
Oh, dear. Well, I've already stated elsewhere that I don't like BTIKM for all the same reasons catz gave. It hurts my ears, which is also why I can't listen to Can't Let You Go (also for all the reasons catz gave!) : I just can't listen to it = it's almost like nails on a chalkboard. And I have analyzed this phenomenon ad nauseum, and have decided it's the high, sort of strident chorus that makes me wince... And the wincing comes from the repetitive high pitch of it, then an extra wince comes from that extra high note at the end of the chorus on "myseeeeeeeelf..." Here's the thing: I timed the various sections of the song. If you eliminate the 12-second instrumental intro, and the 12-second ending, there's about 3:13 minutes of actual singing time = 193 seconds. And of that 193 seconds, approx. 100 seconds is chorus = more than half the song. (each chorus is about 25 seconds, and it's repeated four times during the song) And the ear-rattling chorus is what makes my brain cells whimper and my ears cringe. So, basically, I can't listen to the song because it hurts. Sigh. And, Cassie... the cover song is interesting. The guy's voice is not too shabby. I found I could listen to the chorus a teensy weensy bit longer than I can Adam's version, but I think that's because the cover guy doesn't have the same power so he can't belt out the repetitive high-pitched chorus at the same decibels as Adam. LOL Yeah, I'm pathetic, but there you go. ETA: and I was just thinking.... I can take Adam's amazing rock wails, where he goes way higher than the chorus of BTIKM. In fact, those rock wails that head up into the stratosphere are one of the things that made me fall madly in love with him in the first place. Go figure. It's just the chorus of BTIKM that my ears and brain are rebelling against. It's a mystery to me. Very interesting. I am guessing it has something to do with the secondary harmonics that build in Adam's voice on this and CLYG. The exact thing that I love about his voice compared to the other guy's, is the thing that sets your teeth on edge. I don't think it is just a matter of style preference, but, rather, how your ear hears and processes those harmonic frequencies. The rock wails tend to have a more gruff sound that comes from lower harmonics. They don't have that ringing quality that would set off your teeth. Your reaction is probably why some people complain that Adam screams. They hear it differently than I do. Thanks for sharing that insight. |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:45:46 GMT -5
I listened to the cover only once (almost the whole length - did not hear the last 40 secs)... My reaction: - had to close my eyes as well :-[ (I am very visual and wanted to concentrate on the sound only). - the voice is too "narrow" , does not have the fullness/roundness/depth of Adam's voice , it is too "sharp" for my ear... in other words - all the reasons why I don't enjoy non-classical singing is present and that is why I could not make it thru the whole song (but, hey, I made it past my usual 20 seconds mark ) Back to Adam: I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR THE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE! CAN"T WAIT! Having said that - I downloaded from AO, and I was blown away by the vast difference in tone, clarity, harmonies and the "hearbeat"-thumping as compared to the "leaked" versions... IMO, anyone who says that this is the "same" commercial stuff playing on the radio needs to listen a few times more to appreciate... I hear you, nica. Your adjectives "narrow" vs. "rich, round" describe just what I hear as well. I wonder if others who haven't been exposed to the more classical, resonant tone understand those descriptors. Which is why I keep trying to think of analogies to explain what I hear in Adam's voice. How about this? The other guy's voice is like skim or 2% milk. Adam's is like cream. Same nutrients, same source, but the former is thin and watery, whereas Adam's is richer, smoother, more unctuous, more velvet-y. I love it, but, for some, it may be too rich for their palette, and they prefer the lighter, lo fat milk. |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:51:14 GMT -5
I am gonna to give my first attempt on this thread, this is based on someone listen to Pop all the time. What I like about the YTguy is the interpretation of the song and he can sing in tune. I like the OTT angst tone which drive me more into the lyric as English is not my first language. His voice is thinner and I also feel some part he try too hard to reach the high note in the chorus. The impact of Adam's BTIKM does not have the same strength to me as FYE and WWFM. I choose song base on great catchy melody and tone of the voice. I don't like Britney/Rihanna type because their voices sound like machine even I like their songs. So when I am more into the BTIKM lyric, Adam's voice has a very calm soothing effect like he's talking directly to me.  The chorus is catchy but does not show case his unique voice like CLYG to me. Then when I get into the instrumentation and backing vocal, the song start to build on me a lot. That's why I really question his existing band if they can deliver this at all. I like Bruno and Adele because both have good band to support them even their voice can't be comparable to Adam's and they have good catchy songs. I also love Adam's wailing but I don't see how he can incorporate into this song. Maybe he won't. ETA: I have to to take the instrumentation and backing vocal because this is what make the song sound great to me. Adam's voice always the best to me but with good support he can make this into complete master piece of art that is different from others So glad tht you ventured onto this thread. Your comment about responding to the angsty tone rather than the oysters because they are not in your native language makes a lot of sense. Certainly when I listen to singers performing in another language, I have to get the emotion from their tone, their style, t heir phrasing, rather than their words. Adam' richer, rounder tone is more soothing, for us re. But in being so, the interpretation is less angsty or anguished. Which may be why some folks think of this as a sad song, while others think of it as a wonderful, positive love song. Thanks for pointing these things out. Hope you post some more. |
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Post by cassie on Dec 21, 2011 12:54:39 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing. Interesting that you didn't connect emotionally to it as my ch as Adam's version. Do you think that is because of Adam's phrasing, or because the tone of Adam's voice touches you more deeply? I agree with your last point that the other guy's version doesn't build like Adam's does. We can often tell if an apology is sincere or not by the tone of voice ... you can tell if someone is pleading for forgiveness or just mouthing the words ... it felt to me like the cover guy was just mouthing the words but didn't really mean them. Adam inhabits every song he sings so his words ring true. Does that make any sense? Totally. Thanks. |
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Post by rihannsu on Dec 22, 2011 0:07:44 GMT -5
I am gonna to give my first attempt on this thread, this is based on someone listen to Pop all the time. What I like about the YTguy is the interpretation of the song and he can sing in tune. I like the OTT angst tone which drive me more into the lyric as English is not my first language. His voice is thinner and I also feel some part he try too hard to reach the high note in the chorus. The impact of Adam's BTIKM does not have the same strength to me as FYE and WWFM. I choose song base on great catchy melody and tone of the voice. I don't like Britney/Rihanna type because their voices sound like machine even I like their songs. So when I am more into the BTIKM lyric, Adam's voice has a very calm soothing effect like he's talking directly to me. The chorus is catchy but does not show case his unique voice like CLYG to me. Then when I get into the instrumentation and backing vocal, the song start to build on me a lot. That's why I really question his existing band if they can deliver this at all. I like Bruno and Adele because both have good band to support them even their voice can't be comparable to Adam's and they have good catchy songs. I also love Adam's wailing but I don't see how he can incorporate into this song. Maybe he won't. ETA: I have to to take the instrumentation and backing vocal because this is what make the song sound great to me. Adam's voice always the best to me but with good support he can make this into complete master piece of art that is different from others So glad tht you ventured onto this thread. Your comment about responding to the angsty tone rather than the oysters because they are not in your native language makes a lot of sense. Certainly when I listen to singers performing in another language, I have to get the emotion from their tone, their style, t heir phrasing, rather than their words. Adam' richer, rounder tone is more soothing, for us re. But in being so, the interpretation is less angsty or anguished. Which may be why some folks think of this as a sad song, while others think of it as a wonderful, positive love song. Thanks for pointing these things out. Hope you post some more. "rather than the oysters?" Were you posting from your phone? I can't figure out what word you really meant here. LOL |
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Post by Catzmadam on Dec 22, 2011 1:47:23 GMT -5
Oh, dear. Well, I've already stated elsewhere that I don't like BTIKM for all the same reasons catz gave. It hurts my ears, which is also why I can't listen to Can't Let You Go (also for all the reasons catz gave!) : I just can't listen to it = it's almost like nails on a chalkboard. And I have analyzed this phenomenon ad nauseum, and have decided it's the high, sort of strident chorus that makes me wince... And the wincing comes from the repetitive high pitch of it, then an extra wince comes from that extra high note at the end of the chorus on "myseeeeeeeelf..." Here's the thing: I timed the various sections of the song. If you eliminate the 12-second instrumental intro, and the 12-second ending, there's about 3:13 minutes of actual singing time = 193 seconds. And of that 193 seconds, approx. 100 seconds is chorus = more than half the song. (each chorus is about 25 seconds, and it's repeated four times during the song) And the ear-rattling chorus is what makes my brain cells whimper and my ears cringe. So, basically, I can't listen to the song because it hurts. Sigh. And, Cassie... the cover song is interesting. The guy's voice is not too shabby. I found I could listen to the chorus a teensy weensy bit longer than I can Adam's version, but I think that's because the cover guy doesn't have the same power so he can't belt out the repetitive high-pitched chorus at the same decibels as Adam. LOL Yeah, I'm pathetic, but there you go. ETA: and I was just thinking.... I can take Adam's amazing rock wails, where he goes way higher than the chorus of BTIKM. In fact, those rock wails that head up into the stratosphere are one of the things that made me fall madly in love with him in the first place. Go figure. It's just the chorus of BTIKM that my ears and brain are rebelling against. It's a mystery to me. yup! we are sooooo... on the same wavelength here - for realz. Our eardrums match \o/ how way cool is that ! *high fives ya* I cannot iterate enough that I adore Adam's voice on BTIKM & GLYG - BUT ONLY in the verses. When the musical production wall of sound and the high notes simultaneously kick in to some sort of 'noisy' extravaganza on the choruses - then that is when my eardrums go 'ouch'. Sorry , but for me it is not music anymore, but just a cacophony of sound for the mere sake of it because if it's big and bombastic, then hey, shit it must be good. Ergo ~ more is betterer and I, personally, just don't get it. YMMV and all But, I can listen to the Queen medley ad infinitum.... and not because it is Queen music, but because I adore Adam's rendition of 3 famous songs. Yes, he wails - gloriously, I might add - but, for me, it is not shrill, which is what I hear in BTIKM AND GLYG. *digs hole and jumps head first into it with seoulmate* PS: I so love the diversity of Adam's fandom and how we all hear and experience his voice on different levels. Lurve ya all  |
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), and here is the image that came to my mind while checking out the audio:
) But I do have a good "musical ear" with relevant pitch and I LOVE LOVE LOVE harmonies and harmonising. Have worked out harmonies for many of Adam's songs including Mad World, Broken Open, Outlaws of Love....
