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The Temptations Use Auto-Tune on New Album

pointmanpointman 1,042 Posts
edited May 2010 in Strut Central
Via: http://www.spinner.ca/2010/05/05/the-tempations-new-album-still-here-auto-tune/
The Temptations Turn to Auto-Tune on New Album * Posted on May 5th 2010 11:00AM by Michael D. AyersThere's the old stereotype that as people age, they get a bit stuck in your ways -- musicians included. But for the Temptations -- who just released their 49th studio album, the appropriately titled 'Still Here' -- know adapting is part of the key to their longevity. For example, the song 'First Kiss' is brimming with Auto-Tune. Yes, you read that right: the Temptations have gone the T-Pain route."We're trying to let our fans know that we're in the here and now, but still know where we came from," Temptations founding member Otis Williams explains to Spinner. "I'm very analytical about everything. I sit and listen over and over. The Temptations, for what we're known for, we try to stay in character. We know we're not rappers and hip-hop, but we want to stay on the cutting edge. The kids nowadays, they like what we do but its good to try and give them a taste of what the sound is like today."Of course, the Temptations have always been a group interested in keeping things fresh over the years, and even as they enter into their fifth decade of recording, Williams still has an affinity for the days when he and the other founding four members recorded with Motown master Berry Gordy at Detroit's Hitsville, U.S.A."Back in the day, it was a heck of a trip as far as the way we recorded back then. When we walk into a studio now, it's like walking into a command center," he says. "I got back to Hitsville and studio A, I looked at the old modules we used to record on. It's so archaic, but at the same time, it had some great sounds that came about. We try not to get too trippy with the technology. The main thing about the Tempations has been that we've had great songs. It comes down to, 'you got all this fanciness but can you sing?'"

  Comments

  • Lucious_FoxLucious_Fox 2,479 Posts
    I dont see any problem w/ the Temps stayin' current.

    They caught the late boat w/ Auto-tune, but do you expect them to be stagnant?

    I definitely dont see them goin' the Isley Brothers route by creating a Mr. Biggs persona. Shit worked well for the R.Kelly generation. And they were fortunate to get laced by the R during heat run.
  • pickwick33pickwick33 8,946 Posts
    I thought Autotune was for artists who couldn't sing in the first place.

    The Temptations needing Autotune is like Ernie Isley needing Guitar Hero.
  • Lucious_FoxLucious_Fox 2,479 Posts
    Yeah - but at this point Auto-Tune is like putting Scratching on your record. Just another Pop signifier.
  • G_BalliandoG_Balliando 3,916 Posts
    I thought Autotune was for artists who couldn't sing in the first place.

    The Temptations needing Autotune is like Ernie Isley needing Guitar Hero.

    While I agree with you, I fear that auto tune is now more for listeners who don't know how to listen than it is singers who don't know how to sing.
  • fishmongerfunkfishmongerfunk 4,154 Posts
    lol at the "temptations" shameless ploy to try and relate to the youth. at this point, how can they be anything more than a casino type, oldies revue? i guess we'll find out.
  • Lucious_FoxLucious_Fox 2,479 Posts
  • CosmoCosmo 9,768 Posts
    I dont see any problem w/ the Temps stayin' current.

    They caught the late boat w/ Auto-tune, but do you expect them to be stagnant?

    I definitely dont see them goin' the Isley Brothers route by creating a Mr. Biggs persona. Shit worked well for the R.Kelly generation. And they were fortunate to get laced by the R during heat run.

    I'm with this. Much respect to these dudes who can stay DOING THIS in general for 10 years much less in 6 decades (or in the case of the Isleys, if they come out with anything this decade which I bet you they will - 7 decades.)

    As an aside on the note of older artists coming out with songs that have a relevant sound, this song came out a few months ago and I think it's great, but flew under the radar of most people. It's the latest from Charlie Wilson, called "Zoom."





    It sounds like a new R&B song. And it sounds like a Charlie Wilson song. Can't go wrong.
  • CosmoCosmo 9,768 Posts
    Yeah - but at this point Auto-Tune is like putting Scratching on your record. Just another Pop signifier.

    This.

    (Like it or not, and I'm not an Auto-Tune fan, but it is what it is.)
  • bobtheorangebobtheorange 432 Posts
  • batmonbatmon 27,574 Posts
    I dont see any problem w/ the Temps stayin' current.

    They caught the late boat w/ Auto-tune, but do you expect them to be stagnant?

    I definitely dont see them goin' the Isley Brothers route by creating a Mr. Biggs persona. Shit worked well for the R.Kelly generation. And they were fortunate to get laced by the R during heat run.

    I'm with this. Much respect to these dudes who can stay DOING THIS in general for 10 years much less in 6 decades (or in the case of the Isleys, if they come out with anything this decade which I bet you they will - 7 decades.)

    As an aside on the note of older artists coming out with songs that have a relevant sound, this song came out a few months ago and I think it's great, but flew under the radar of most people. It's the latest from Charlie Wilson, called "Zoom."





    It sounds like a new R&B song. And it sounds like a Charlie Wilson song. Can't go wrong.

    I copped the previous album. It had an ok cover of Guy - Let's Chill.
    Just him reclaiming Aaron Hall's steez.
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