sam smith: another adele/emeli sandé or something more interesting?

"debility of talent" was nakhers' introduction, in fact, and I'm interpreting it as a perceived (by me) lack of ability to make classic (loaded, subjective term) pop music when he has all the money he could want to do so - nothing about the song I heard seemed to have anything about it to differentiate it from the throng, or indicate that it could be a major cultural force beyond its imminent moment. these are highly personal projections, of course, but i feel one can comment on 'talent' from an outside perspective as long as you frame it subjectively & accept that some degree of 'talent' does exist, if not to the degree you'd desire

your second point is harder to counter. tim f has already made it very eloquently (in the post I admiringly quoted). my only comeback would be that i really don't hear anything particularly unusual or novel being attempted, which for me bespeaks either pastiche or artistic exploitation, depending on your view. (if you go to a blues bar, you wouldn't accuse the players of exploiting the form, but is not the whole concept a joyful & worthwhile pastiche of the culturally-accepted blues experience as well as an iteration of it?)

yuk @ changing horses from 'one' to 'you' mid-stride there

yeah, that tim post was brilliant, esp the single-sentence 2nd paragraph. boom.

my Clear Channel station played "Latch," 18 months after I first heard it.

A week ago, a DJ on mine said "new from Disclosure, this is 'Latch'!"

Look, they had to cross an ocean.

Look, "Bohemian Rhapsody" went to #2 in 1992.

New from Queen, this is Bohemian Rhapsody (ft. Sam Smith)

Something something Coldplay.

look "white noise" would be an infinitely better crossover than "latch"

maybe that'll happen next

I don't know that Aluna has a vocal that mainstream America is willing to get behind; people will get behind an airy kewpie-doll voice (see: Ciara) but

Dammit

As I was saying, Aluna has a core to her sound that works well on that track but I don't know if it plays well to what US radio is looking for

Ciara's smooth though. Aluna's occasionally jarring.

I would've said the same thing about sam smith's voice though

And though "Body Party" reached #22 in the US, it's not like radio stations are falling over themselves to play Ciara.

Latch is the worst Disclosure song and this guy's flaccid voice is the main reason why, and that Naughty Boy track would not be harmed in the slightest by removing him altogether.

I've not heard his solo stuff but he's such a terrible fit for current UK dance pop that I'm actually glad he's doing whatever else he's doing instead of getting in the way of music I actively listen to.

Admittedly that hasn't stopped producers putting Sande all over everything.

The thing about White Noise is a that it has a massive nagging hook that's nothing to do with the vocals, which Latch conspicuously lacks.

I've no idea what plays well on American radio, mind. Do they even play much massive stadium EDM?

harsh to not give an option stating he's not even nearly as interesting as Adele tbph

lol I just realized I live near a Sam Smith Park ;_;

Good thread.

Also I hadn't realized that "Latch" had become a hit in the U.S.! I think I noticed that it had debuted at #99 but missed its ascendance. Haven't heard it on the radio yet.

The thing about White Noise is a that it has a massive nagging hook that's nothing to do with the vocals, which Latch conspicuously lacks.

I've no idea what plays well on American radio, mind. Do they even play much massive stadium EDM?

― Matt DC, Monday, June 16, 2014 4:20 AM (5 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Lots of big hits in the US in recent years have been those dance tracks where a lot of the hook is a long instrumental riff. I seriously doubt anything from Disclosure would be a pop hit right now if not for Sam Smith's career taking off, though, "Latch" entered the charts here right on the heels of "La La La" and his SNL booking.

"latch" is def riding the sam smith wave to US radio but i think that song helped legitimize him -- even here -- to the point where it could even circle back like that in the first place

also this is a loose anecdotal hypothesis but based on having seen some disclosure and EDM shows, there is more audience crossover than you might think and i think there was a slow groundswell from that base that elevated "latch" in america finally as well

Yeah that def seems true. I think the dance features did a lot to set up his album

It makes zero sense that Ed Sheeran's album is more upbeat, and at times, dancier than Sam Smith's, considering the latter has built up his rep on dance numbers (not incl. "Stay With Me", I guess).

"restart" is incredible, i'm really mad that sam smith isn't trying to be millennial darryl hall or something

Yeah, we got stuck with chromeo dude

Update: Just heard "Latch" on the radio yesterday afternoon.

it's been getting radio play across the country.

Update: Just heard "Latch" on the radio yesterday afternoon.

― jaymc, Monday, June 23, 2014 5:50 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

fascinating and important update in the career of a major label artist

lol

I heard Ed Sheeran yesterday and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

there's some Ed Sheeran song getting play on VH-1 that is an uncanny Timberlake impersonation, it's kind of incredible

fascinating and important update in the career of a major label artist

No, it was an update on my post from Saturday in which I said I hadn't heard it on the radio yet.

good, i was dying for an update on that post

lexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

they def play "latch" on z100 all the time

where would ilm be without americans saying "I heard a thing on the radio"

very true, it's in the board's dna

ya interrupting the other vital work that goes on like

American radio only plays like 5 songs at any one time so it is a big deal when a new one is given the nod -- and noteworthy when one is inducted into the mainstream pop landscape months after its release. Also major label or not, non-Calvin Harris UK dance on the US charts is a new, interesting development, imo. Like what's next, Rudimental?

Anyway thank you for giving me a chance to explain myself on the I Love Music board's Sam Smith thread. Best wishes.

"restart" is incredible, i'm really mad that sam smith isn't trying to be millennial darryl hall or something

― le goon (J0rdan S.),

http://replygif.net/thumbnail/639.gif

where would ilm be without americans saying "I heard a thing on the radio"

I'm more a fan of "I heard this blasting from cars that drive past my place really slowly at night".

just swinging by right quick to say that id like to thank you all for reminding me of the name of the dude from saturday night live that bored the living shit out of me.

vocally he reminds me of antony without the high notes or range

music made by running a regression model on what would sell

I'm more a fan of "I heard this blasting from cars that drive past my place really slowly at night".

― MarkoP, Tuesday, June 24, 2014 10:21 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

"heard 'axel f' from a passing lorry whilst in the loo at halftime of the footy match"

sorry ill get me coat *goes to the back of the queue*

can I join you for a fag?

Tried to give more of this album a proper listen and I had to give up. I think I'm actively repulsed by something in his voice, but that causes more of a reaction in me than whatever else is going on in this mostly boilerplate collection of stately, predictable ballads.