Jimmy Iovine was cool when he dated Stevie
 

Trail of Dead Dumps Interscope
posted by Dave Splash

Austin, Texas band ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead has dumped Interscope Records. Yes, you read that correctly. The band dumped the label. Five years or so ago, Trail of Dead made the jump to the major label, and it seemed like things were going fine. However, despite constant touring and critically acclaimed albums, TOD's record sales have been declining. So, the band decided to get rid of the big corporate label that was (apparently) holding them back. On their Interscope blog, band leader Conrad Keely let forth this comedic attack on his former employers:

So as has already been announced, ...Trail of Dead has once again made history, this time being the first band to drop Interscope. OK, we're not the first. Actually, Trent Reznor beat us to it. Let's just say we're the first rock band to do so... this year. Ever since label head Jimmy Iovine started dating the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls it became impossible to get him on the phone, so that was a first bad sign. Then their idea of marketing became keeping it a secret that we'd released a record. The industry is in a strange place these days, and the only way they can make money is to sell urban pop music. Which is what I thought we were writing, but apparently I was wrong.

That's not saying the label didn't do great things for us. At the expense of a massive debt to them of half a million dollars, they really helped us to grow. They've taught us about the worthlessness of A&R people, how to yell at idiots running an art department, and how to shake hands with smiling retailers who have no idea who you are. And I love Jimmy Iovine for having worked with John Lennon and Phil Spector on the Rock and Roll sessions. I mean, that was thirty years ago, and the Rock and Roll sessions sound pretty bad over all, and John Lennon is now dead and Phil Spector has murdered people since then, but hey, that was really cool that Jimmy did that, thirty years ago, back then, and dated Stevie Nicks. He's had a great dating record, he just won't have the next TOD record.

http://www.thedarkstuff.com/2007/11/...nterscope.html

That comment by the singer is very "in your face", but basically, he's right as far as the label industry is concerned. I'm surprised that Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records is now in the downward spiral, too.

From the articles I’ve read it just seems like Jimmy is more about making money these days and less about artistic expression and creativity. I remember him saying something about Nelly (Furtado) and the fact that she needed to go this “other” route in order for her to make an impact. Her 2nd CD didn’t do anything (at least here in the US), so he guided her in a new direction – urban pop. It seems like you can’t have a hit in the US unless you bring a rapper in tow. Even though Nelly F. and Gwen are doing well, they have basically sold out.

:nod: and I blame Mariah Carey. :laugh:

and I love them both. sometimes though I wonder if I'm being too harsh and they're just exploring other sides of their musical tastes and trying different things.

Hey JF!

I think you're just kidding but actually, I don't think Mariah sold out at all, the style she is doing now is really her and she loves it. I think Gwen and Nelly F were pushed in this direction.

exactly. I was just saying Mariah started it all. as much as most of the people I know hate her (Ledgies included), I love everything breath Mariah breathes. lol.

I just meant she started a pattern that other singers seem to be pushed into emulating because the "formula" worked.

I have a lot of respect for Jimmy Iovine. His work ethic and production skills have always impressed me. I wonder sometimes what Rock a Little, which is kind of a mess, would have sounded like had he stayed on board.

I have nothing against Mariah Carey either. While she epitomizes the classic, high-maintenance diva, she has the talent to back up the persona. From what I've read, former Sony CEO Tommy Mottola had complete creative control of her career, so that's why she became the pop ballad queen. But her roots have always been in R&B. Her last album, The Emanicipation of Mimi, is actually fantastic from beginning to end.

agreed on all accounts.

not to get off topic, but have you noticed that Mariah's actual singing voice has changed over the years? speculation is that all of her "whisper singing" has ruined her ability to have control over her chest voice. I think she has her whistle register and her whispery vocals, but that's about all that's left (aside from the studio recordings, of course).

looking back at some of her performances just blows me away. it's kind of like Stevie and what Rhiannon did to her voice. we got lots of years of unreal performances, but they take a toll. and I think Mariah's voice is very fragile to begin with. I saw her sing Emotion last year or the year before and she pulled what we dog Stevie for. she had lowered it, slowed it down and didn't even attempt the full, chest voice belts. :(

That's what the press writes about her. But the change in singing style has more to do with the transition to hip hop soul, which is a different style of singing. The booming, over-the-top vocal is less emphasized in favor of fast, syncopated phrasing.

So I don't really agree with the press when they make that assessment of her voice. To me, she's just singing a different style of song. Her voice probably isn't as powerful as it once was, but has it changed so drastically to warrant all the criticism? I'd say no if you listen to tracks like "You Could Be Mine," "I Wish You Knew," and "Fly Like a Bird" from this past album, which are full-bodied, full-throttle vocals. Those songs could have been recorded in the 90s, based on how they are sung.

As for Stevie, it wasn't over/misuse that drastically changed her voice. That might account for a slight lower register over time, which comes naturally with aging. It's the drugs (coke, pot, cigs) that worked it over for good. That's the single worst thing a singer to do to her voice, her instrument.