criticisms of pop or R&B albums, for instance, often turn on a "too many ballads" claim I recognise myself in this comment up to a point (I also like Low quite a bit). But w.r.t. R&B I've noticed a sea change* in recent years, roughly beginning with Brandy's Full Moon LP (and the last Aaliyah LP, although I didn't hear that in full until a year ago) where the ballads suddenly started clicking and becoming my favourite tracks. Now, I'd much rather listen to e.g. Beyonce's vocal stylings on a ballad than on a banger.
*don't now if it's me that's changed or the ballads just got less boring!
Slightly different story with solo white male singers: I've always liked Elton John's 70s ballads. George Michael's at his best on songs like "Careless Whisper", "Jesus To A Child" and, especially "You Have Been Loved" (I'm far less enamoured of his sex jams). Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not The One" was in my top 5 songs of 2002 ('though his later attempts to repeat the success of this song fell flat). Robbie Williams is also at his best being sensitive: "Angels", "Strong", "Feel", "She's The One".
Can't stand boyband ballads however, except "Mandy" (and prefer B. Manilow version anyway). But then I can't stand boybands at any speed as you've probably worked out by now.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-10-03 01:13 pm (UTC)I recognise myself in this comment up to a point (I also like Low quite a bit). But w.r.t. R&B I've noticed a sea change* in recent years, roughly beginning with Brandy's Full Moon LP (and the last Aaliyah LP, although I didn't hear that in full until a year ago) where the ballads suddenly started clicking and becoming my favourite tracks. Now, I'd much rather listen to e.g. Beyonce's vocal stylings on a ballad than on a banger.
*don't now if it's me that's changed or the ballads just got less boring!
Slightly different story with solo white male singers: I've always liked Elton John's 70s ballads. George Michael's at his best on songs like "Careless Whisper", "Jesus To A Child" and, especially "You Have Been Loved" (I'm far less enamoured of his sex jams). Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not The One" was in my top 5 songs of 2002 ('though his later attempts to repeat the success of this song fell flat). Robbie Williams is also at his best being sensitive: "Angels", "Strong", "Feel", "She's The One".
Can't stand boyband ballads however, except "Mandy" (and prefer B. Manilow version anyway). But then I can't stand boybands at any speed as you've probably worked out by now.