G4/Il Divo

[jas]

What does everybody think of these crappy awful rubbish bands? Not that I'm trying to influence anyone's opinions or anything...
I think they're HORRIFIC! They ruin perfectly good music under the guise of "high art," just because they sing in an operatic way. It's cheesy (listen to the background music if the singing itself isn't bad enough) and drives me up the wall. They're no less of a cheesy pop group than any other. Moreso, in fact. They teamed up with Cliff Richard! G4, that is. The reality TV group. I don't know anything about Il Divo beyond the fact that they're equally crap.
Why are they so popular? Do people think they're listening to good music, just because it sounds like opera? 

Rant, rant, rave, rave.

Jas

[stealsoul]

Personally I've never liked any opera.  I could never stand the way of singing.
It's either for marketing or they like it. (I suppose the 1st one)
But hey, why waste time of your life talking about things you don't like?

There are many bands that are extremly technical/difficult and have non-opera singers.
If you want to have some names let me know.

[stevie]

i agree that they are cheesy, but they arent terrible, and sometimes their arrangements are entertaining.

they sing pop songs in a bel canto voice, sinmple as that, the basic premise isnt bad at all, just depends on whther you like bel canto or not, and whether you like the arrangements...

one of my favourite bands, nightwish, are a metal band with a 'bel canto' lead female vocalist, and it works incredibly well.

https://nightwish.com/english/mp3.html

one of the best bands in the world right now, IMO

[jas]

But hey, why waste time of your life talking about things you don't like?

Just because I wanted a rant!

they sing pop songs in a bel canto voice, sinmple as that, the basic premise isnt bad at all, just depends on whther you like bel canto or not, and whether you like the arrangements...

Mmmmm, true, I suppose. But they sound so awful!
I think what bothers me most about them is how sucked in people are. They're marketed as being "musical," as a sort of alternative to more traditional pop music, but they're just the same. And they're worse, because they've mixed together two incompatible genres. Or if they're not completely incompatible, then these bands have just done it badly.

Grrrrrr.



Jas

[stevie]

they havent mixed genres at all, its just a different kind of singing, other than that its just normal pop music.

but i do understand what you mean, it is very annoying when ignorant people think that by listening to these bands they are listening to something classical, when theyre not.

[Jacey1973]

they havent mixed genres at all, its just a different kind of singing, other than that its just normal pop music.

but i do understand what you mean, it is very annoying when ignorant people think that by listening to these bands they are listening to something classical, when theyre not.

Yeah i quite agree with what u said last.

I heard that G4 trained at Guildhall music college - i was thinking the other day, i don't blame them from doing what they do - hopefully they are earning alot. Which means for them they can pay off their student loans and earn a good deal whilst they're still young.

Perhaps they plan to get back to singing proper music when they've made all the money they can? However...they must enjoy doing the arrangements they do i guess to have entered the X factor as a band to begin with...

Il Divo are managed by Simon Cowel aren't they?

[stevie]

i dont see anything wrong with what they do at all, actually, its pretty unique, its new, and some people like it.

pop music is as legitimate an art form as classical music, its just different.

as i said before, the thing i dont like...is the general ignorance of the musical population, that someone would think this music is 'classical' in any way..even in the slightest, is just stupid.

reminds me of things i read about a band called 'apocalyptica', a group of 4 cellists who transcribe and play heavy metal on cellos.

notice reviews for their albums, somehow the people assume that its classical music just because its played on cello...its the same notes that were played on guitar, etc...but on cello.....and that makes it classical? hahaha WRONG

its this kind of thing that annoys me.

[arensky]

i dont see anything wrong with what they do at all, actually, its pretty unique, its new, and some people like it.

pop music is as legitimate an art form as classical music, its just different.

as i said before, the thing i dont like...is the general ignorance of the musical population, that someone would think this music is 'classical' in any way..even in the slightest, is just stupid.

reminds me of things i read about a band called 'apocalyptica', a group of 4 cellists who transcribe and play heavy metal on cellos.

notice reviews for their albums, somehow the people assume that its classical music just because its played on cello...its the same notes that were played on guitar, etc...but on cello.....and that makes it classical? hahaha WRONG

its this kind of thing that annoys me.

Of course pop music is legitimate! It's music, some of it is good and bad and innovative and boring and mindless and ingenious and masterful and cheesy and profound and everything else that "classical" music is.

I have not heard of this G4 or Il divo, I will go browsing and report back later. "Apocalyptica" is great, they are like the Kronos Quartet (string quartet who created a stir about 15-20 years ago with their rendition of "Purple Haze")) but less cheesy, and with more conviction. They create quite a sound, multiple cellos are wonderful they can create a broader palate of sounds than multiple violins, for instance.

Now, IS Apocalyptica "classical" music? Probably not IMO, but I believe they are not improvising, i.e. their renditions of King Crimson/Zeppelin etc. are arranged. If these arrangements were published and performed by other cello groups "en conservatoire" would they be classical music? possibly...

I understand your annoyance, though. What annoys me more is the opposite; classical musicians who latch onto the Kronos Quartet's "Purple Haze" and congratulate themselves on how open minded, innovative and "hip" they are. Nothing against Kronos or Apocalyptica; if anything they are improving the image of the string quartet (right now it is "stuffy") and turning the ignorant masses on to the sound of acoustic classical string instruments. ANYTHING to get new audience members, nowadays. And who cares if it's a  hybrid, as long as it's good?

Beware the snobbery....

[arensky]

Il Divo is just Italian pop, and they sing itquite well. G4 is a little different, they sing pop classically. I am not convinced by this approach but if it floats someone elses boat, that's fine; well produced well sung ephemera. Not profound but not worth getting upset over, IMO....

[stevie]

hahaha, G4 came out of the 1st series of the biritish show the 'X Factor'

it was hilarious and a bit novelty to see what they did

their first audition was queen's bohemian rhapsody, and it was really funking good, just those 4 singers without accompinament.
they were nice guys, and they came 2nd place in the show...

il divo arent just 'italian pop', i think they do some originally composed pop songs, but ive heard them sing rewritten pop ballads, translated into italian.
that might be what fools you, if you recognise the tune but not the words

[arensky]

il divo arent just 'italian pop', i think they do some originally composed pop songs, but ive heard them sing rewritten pop ballads, translated into italian.
that might be what fools you, if you recognise the tune but not the words

They are just like those 1950's tenor and string orchestra records, Mario Lanza and like that; sure it's a little updated but the basic sonic imprint is the same, Italian tenor with strings, with the three(now four) tenors gimmick chucked in. However their repertoire and arrangements are a bit more modern...nice to listen to, but I probably wouldn't spend money on it

[stevie]

https://s48.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=010AO69J3FG4D2WNR5ERZFXJXV

this is a random song i really like, by the swedish band 'therion'

love the hypnotic style of the vocals

randomly listen

true

[arensky]

https://s48.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=010AO69J3FG4D2WNR5ERZFXJXV

this is a random song i really like, by the swedish band 'therion'

love the hypnotic style of the vocals

randomly listen

true

Randomly, that is great! Funny how most music betrays it's nationality; I 'd like to put my finger on exactly what makes that sound Scandanavian....thanks for putting that up...i might use it in class next semester (Music "Appreciation", which I call "History") to let the "children" hear what's going on outside of Fitty Cent and Coldplay...after we get through Bartok, of course.....

[stealsoul]

Randomly, that is great! Funny how most music betrays it's nationality; I 'd like to put my finger on exactly what makes that sound Scandanavian....thanks for putting that up...i might use it in class next semester (Music "Appreciation", which I call "History") to let the "children" hear what's going on outside of Fitty Cent and Coldplay...after we get through Bartok, of course.....

Here is some more insight in not famous music

Here are some clips>
https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6903405308893996584&q=shawn+lane
https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4361950700544015447&q=steve+vai

Here is some busy music>
https://www.symphonyx.com/media/inferno_(unleash_the_fire).mp3
https://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?link=tbpkzakwiyyka7zjhnmbrel&r=64.asx
https://www.adagio-online.com/_mp3/niflheim.mp3
https://www.evergrey.net/downloads/Evergrey_04_Recreation_Day.zip(swedish)
https://www.painofsalvation.com/samples/used.mp3(swedish, strange bit progressive rock band)

btw, if there's any guys in class that like korn or slipknot or any bands alike, let them here some meshuggah  (swedish)
https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8852505797224708874&q=meshuggah
It's very progressive rythms (much polyrythms and so), but either you like it or hate it

[stevie]

great music of course, thatnks but the thing i find interesting (and what this topic is more about) is the merging of different ways of making music.

therion did a cover of the abba song 'summer night city', im not sure if you know it, the original is great, and the therion version is completely different sounding, but just as great.

its very interesting to compare what can be done with the same harmonies and melodies, when just the instrumentation and texture is changed.

[leahcim]

as i said before, the thing i dont like...is the general ignorance of the musical population, that someone would think this music is 'classical' in any way..even in the slightest, is just stupid.

Well, here's a track listing of one of G4's releases

   1. Bohemian Rhapsody (6.09)
   2. Nessun Dorma (2.54)
   3. Everybody Hurts (4.08)
   4. Circle Of Life (3.34)
   5. Creep (3.17)
   6. To Where You Are (3.58)
   7. Life On Mars (3.48)
   8. Flower Duet (From Lakme) (3.23)
   9. Broken Vow (4.28)
  10. Jerusalem (2.36)
  11. You'll Never Walk Alone (3.08)
  12. My Way (2.56)

I'd say,stupidly and ignorantly along with the unwashed masses that some of those songs aren't pop YMMV.

But they butcher most of the rock / pop songs they sing. OTOH most people butcher Queen's songs often at Brian May's request, so I can't see any harm. If you leave their CD in your car it'll morph into Queen's first greatest hits CD just like the others do.

[jas]

If you leave their CD in your car it'll morph into Queen's first greatest hits CD just like the others do.

Have you been reading Good Omens?

Jas

[gruffalo]

i dont really listen to G4 and that stuff, but i am from UK and i folllowed the show. i have to say they are very talented singers and i thing they are saving the pop industry from being over crowded by people that cant actually sing. its the public's tastes that are spoiling it too. people like 50 cent should not be idolised.

[leahcim]

Have you been reading Good Omens?

Indeed