Joe McElderry Comeback. New album "Classic" out on August 22nd
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Because there is absolutely no objectivity whatsoever in the X-Factor forum when it comes to talking about this guy and every attempt to debate is stifled by uber fans who want nothing less than universal blind adoration, I thought I'd try starting a thread here and see if actual constructive criticism is allowed without being automatically shot down.
I'd like to know what regular music fans think about Joe McElderry's second chance and what they think of him doing classical crossover covers rather than the kind of pop he did on his Wide Away album under Syco.
Hideous album cover aside, I think this is the kind of music he should have been doing all along and I was impressed with what little I saw of him on Popstar to Opera Star. This album is based off his success off the back of him winning that show and although I'm surprised at how fast it's been rushed out, I think it's better to strike while the iron is hot than leave someone sitting on the shelf for years until everyone's forgotten them.
Anyway, I'll be giving the album a listen but what's going to be interesting is seeing what happens to Joe after this album. Some people are suggesting he wants to continue making pop music. I think this will be a massive mistake because in my opinion he's not remotely cut out to be a pop star and that's largely why he bombed when he tried it (that, and lack of promotion).
If anyone from the X-Factor forum does come over here, please remember that this isn't an appreciation thread and objectivity and constructive critique is heavily encouraged. If all you want to do is give Joe glowing praise, the X-Factor forum already has threads full of that.
I'd like to know what regular music fans think about Joe McElderry's second chance and what they think of him doing classical crossover covers rather than the kind of pop he did on his Wide Away album under Syco.
Hideous album cover aside, I think this is the kind of music he should have been doing all along and I was impressed with what little I saw of him on Popstar to Opera Star. This album is based off his success off the back of him winning that show and although I'm surprised at how fast it's been rushed out, I think it's better to strike while the iron is hot than leave someone sitting on the shelf for years until everyone's forgotten them.
Anyway, I'll be giving the album a listen but what's going to be interesting is seeing what happens to Joe after this album. Some people are suggesting he wants to continue making pop music. I think this will be a massive mistake because in my opinion he's not remotely cut out to be a pop star and that's largely why he bombed when he tried it (that, and lack of promotion).
If anyone from the X-Factor forum does come over here, please remember that this isn't an appreciation thread and objectivity and constructive critique is heavily encouraged. If all you want to do is give Joe glowing praise, the X-Factor forum already has threads full of that.
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I've always thought this was Joe's biggest problem along - he has no identity as a music artist/performer. Someone described him as a "voice for hire" and I think that's a perfect description.
Joe is still really young, though, so maybe in time he'll learn more about who he is artistically. He's had some good experience with the realism of the music industry, and maybe after this classical crossover stuff he should go away for a while and work out exactly what kind of artist he is. I think, until then, he's not going to be very credible to many people.
What else would you expect from people who watch X Factor?
He should concerntrate on a career in theatre, he reminds me of someone like Michael ball
Oh, I expect it, but I've never seen ANYONE as adoringly blind as Joe McElderry fans and got so fed up of it I wanted to try and see if it was possible to be objective on another section of the board. Working so far.
Joe McElderry has fans???
Go into any thread about him on the X-Factor forum and the uber fans take over. They're the most defensive, blind fanbase I think I've ever seen. You can't have anything that resembles a proper conversation with any of them.
I hope he'll be a bit more sound and pragmatic than that and use the fact people - and by people I mean mainly those from the Industry rather than the general public - saw a different side to him as a vocalist to play his cards well. I think he should give a go at a career in Musical Theatre. He's got the voice for it and he's reminding me too a bit of Michael Ball.
If he's seriously considering reviving his (pop) music career, he should probably spend some time experimenting with different sounds and perhaps have some things to say before coming back with an album of a brand new material otherwise he might flop again miserably.
in fact, there is an albeit small group of joe fans. that rule by sticking together. anything and i mean anything objective written is jumped on almost immediately.
it is appropriate there is a thread on this release, it is a music album afterall. not so people can mock and make baseless observations. or for it to be a place to bash joe`s `career`. although, everyone is entitled to an opinion and should feel free to post what they want.
if anyone is interested in his new album. the track list is here.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a334727/joe-mcelderry-unveils-classic-album-tracklist.html
But he could have a crossover pop/classical career like michael ball or russell watson can't wait to see what he does.
The best route for Joe would be musical theatre. He'd excel at that.
i agree. although, say that in the x factor forum at your peril! his new album is out next week. i think it is aimed at the fans, so presumably it will do well? however, he is a talented guy and deserves another chance.
I don't know why people over there think that going into theatre is bad. I think it would be an excellent career move. His name is now big enough to draw in the crowds. I think it would be good.
Universal launched a new official website. Very solid from them, and looks great!
http://joemcelderryofficial.com/
On the website, there are 5 long preview tracks.
I am actually surprised at how well the songs are coming across. He sounds fantastic, and loving it.
With this album, Universal is doing a good job with what Joe is about as an artist.
Given what Joe fans have been through, I highly doubt they are "adorably blind". :rolleyes: That is more of other acts.
I agree about Rhydian, who has a truly powerful operatic voice. I'm not saying Joe doesn't have a good voice, he does, especially for musicals in the future, which is where I think he will end up. I feel sad for him though, he is being exploited, not nurtured, in my opinion.
I think Matt Cardle's fans are actually much worse, but agree it was a good move to try a discussion here.
I'm wondering if you think Joe is not cut out to be a pop star based purely on the material on Wide Awake, or is it also to do with his stage presence, audience appeal, etc? Like a couple of other recent posters, I think that release is underrated.
Obviously, many of Joe's X Factor fans didn't care for it. I'm not suggesting it would have been a smash hit even if was promoted better. I suppose as a whole it does have a bit of a feeling of someone trying on an outfit in front of a mirror to see if it fits.
I'd guess there's a good chance you are right that Classic is a better direction for Joe to take career-wise. Music-wise, I don't know. I'm a huge fan of opera and both old and new classical music, as well as pop, urban, and rock. The crossover genre doesn't really appeal to me because it's neither fish nor fowl. I don't know anything about the audience for it—whether it would tend to be fickle or loyal for instance. The best thing for Joe would be to establish a fan base that will stay with him beyond this release.
I just have a suspicion that what he really needs is time to develop himself as an artist, outside the spotlight—but that's impossible due to his X Factor history. Maybe the comment above that he shouldn't be releasing anything right now is the closest to my gut feeling.
I am a Will Young fan and loved it when he sang jazz at Ronnie Scott's a few years ago. Now with his new album he is trying electro/dance (or whatever it's called).
No reason why Joe shouldn't changed genres.
One thing I have heard about his first album was that it was over-produced. Is that true? I haven't actually heard it myself.
I am buying both Will and Joe's albums!
Someone at SYCO gave him a handful of songs for an album that didn't work, now someone at his new label has given him a handful of covers, most already done to death, because they hope to make a few bob for very little outlay.
This is the problem with shows like XFactor, the audience vote for the best voice covering well known tracks and sometimes that just isn't enough. It happened to Shayne too, another guy with a brilliant voice and a nice personality, but just like Joe, no musical identity either.
Who is he as an artist?
What does he have to say?
What sets him apart from other singers?
What's his unique selling point?