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Post by tragedy on Dec 27, 2005 15:15:39 GMT -5
Can someone tell me why Annie is so popular? Her voice isn't particularly strong or appealing, she seems fairly personality-free (not that I have read any interviews she's done) and her songs are nothing special. I have to admit I have only heard 3 songs of hers: Chewing Gum was cute but quickly got annoying; Heartbeat is totally forgettable and Me Plus One is eh.
All in all, I find she's a fairly mediocre pop star. So why does virtually everyone go crazy over her? Is it a case of the Emperor's new clothes?
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Post by gazbo on Dec 27, 2005 16:43:15 GMT -5
OK, I'll concede that she has a technically pretty weak voice, but I happen to think that it works very well with the songs; I've never heard a strong singer doing a version of Heartbeat, but I imagine it'd not work so well.
The three songs you mentioned are definitely good examples of Annie songs (if not representative of her whole gamut of styles) so I can't really use the normal excuse that you've not heard the good tracks. But if you can honestly listen to Heartbeat and think it's forgettable rather than a beautiful disco-ballad(?!), or listen to Chewing gum and not find it one of the bounciest, most hook-laden pop songs of the year, then our tastes in music must be really irreconcilably different.
Of course, given the sales performance (and it can't all be blamed on publicity, sadly) you can take comfort in knowing you're far from alone.
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Post by azura on Dec 27, 2005 23:45:36 GMT -5
Chewing Gum was the other way round for me. I hated it at first, but then I adored it.
I think she's decent but not fantastic. She's a good pop star, but not an amazing one. I reckon she's one of those who is overrated because she isn't well known. If she was a mainstream star she'd likely get torn apart as much as anyone. I actually agree that a lot of her songs other than Chewing Gum are forgettable.
All that said, from interviews she's done I really like her, she seems a lovely charming girl. She has more personality than Rachel Stevens (then again, a glass of tap water has more personality than Rachel Stevens). Annie's very pretty I like her voice a lot. A word I'd use to describe her would be 'sparkly'. I just like her.
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Post by gatoinfeliz on Dec 28, 2005 0:45:59 GMT -5
No Easy Love is the best song she has on the album, shame she didn't release it. I absolutely love Greatest Hit, great use of a Madonna sample. I love her music because it may be pop but it's not typical pop songs she sings. Sort of like Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
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klee
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Post by klee on Dec 28, 2005 9:32:02 GMT -5
Last time I checked Annie wasn't all that popular. She's very a la mode among a certain cadre of pop fans, but that hasn't translated into sales. She is meant to be shifting a fair number of units in the US though, so maybe time will tell.
I'd ask how many times you've heard Heartbeat, tragedy. It's a certified grower, and gets steadily lovelier every time you hear it. It's been on steady rotation for me for most of this year, and it's one of those songs I must have passed on to dozens of people.
The main trouble with Annie is that one side-effect of pop music fragmenting into sub-genres is that artists can fall between two stools. Annie's never going to be another Kylie - she's simply not glossy enough, too unassuming. But then again, her music's too poppy and delicated to appeal to the die-hard electro / indie crowd. Of course it would never occur to the programmers at Radio 1 that something like Heartbeat could be both poppy and cool. Result: the world won't listen.
Personally I think she'll continue releasing records which are brilliant yet rarely or never translate into mainstream success, but she will be influential. Another Spaks, if you will.
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Post by Outroductive on Dec 28, 2005 11:27:35 GMT -5
I'd say the album is a different sort of disco-pop - no one else has done anything like it. The album is a real grower. I was really unsure initially, but grew to really like it. There are some very weighty pop songs on "Anniemal".
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Post by crazyboy on Dec 28, 2005 12:04:41 GMT -5
When i first downloaded 'Chewing Gum' after a friend recommended that i did, i wasn't all that impressed, but to my joy, my speakers were rubbish. I heard it in a club in Birmingham with full bass and it sounded amazing.
I need new speakers.
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Post by stalin on Dec 28, 2005 13:01:25 GMT -5
I love her album, its definitely a grower but I think her best track is the Mylo remix of Chewing Gum which unfortunately isn't on it.
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Kirkland
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Post by Kirkland on Dec 29, 2005 5:57:20 GMT -5
Can someone tell me why Annie is so popular? Her voice isn't particularly strong or appealing, she seems fairly personality-free (not that I have read any interviews she's done) and her songs are nothing special. I have to admit I have only heard 3 songs of hers: Chewing Gum was cute but quickly got annoying; Heartbeat is totally forgettable and Me Plus One is eh. All in all, I find she's a fairly mediocre pop star. So why does virtually everyone go crazy over her? Is it a case of the Emperor's new clothes? Let me explain... Annie is essentially a DJ with pop star pretentions. She's on an indie label but she wants to have the glamour of pop wrapped around her and with all the cutting edge technology (and creativity) at her disposal she released quite possibly the purest, most perfect pop album of the year. Chewing Gum is brilliant and it remains Richard X's finest moment. It's so simple and wonderful I can't understand your dislike of it. Me Plus One succeeds in being a bitchy song without sounding unpleasant or confrontational. That takes skill. No personality? My fave Annie picture reads like a shorthand for her whole persona, it's the picture that was used in the NME where she is sticking her tongue out and has a little sugar heart sweet with the words FUCK YOU on it. Plus the love of her life died and Annie still managed to make her album a happy pop experience. You should worship her like I do. I think she's great. |
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Post by Kirkland on Dec 29, 2005 6:01:28 GMT -5
Anniemal is the best album title of the year and Anniemal also mauls LAMB to death!
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Post by diamond doggie bag on Dec 29, 2005 6:14:36 GMT -5
Me Plus One is the perfect pop song. I think it pisses on Gum from a great height (and given the brilliance of Gum that's no small achievement).
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Post by azura on Dec 29, 2005 10:55:08 GMT -5
I love her album, its definitely a grower but I think her best track is the Mylo remix of Chewing Gum which unfortunately isn't on it. I agree, it is excellent. |
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Maureen
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Post by Maureen on Dec 29, 2005 12:36:11 GMT -5
I will love her for ever thanks to 'Greatest Hit', but although she's got some good songs, her voice isn't too great. Critics and journos like her, but they don't buy records. I think the public don't really get her and while 'Chewing Gum' was great, it needed an artist with a bit more of a media presence and a slightly less death-laden backstory to make it a huge hit, I think.
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Post by Cathal on Dec 30, 2005 13:55:02 GMT -5
I don't really like the album but Heartbeat is absolutely magical.
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Post by HeartGoesBoom on Jan 1, 2006 15:35:16 GMT -5
I love Annie. Her album is amazing.
Heartbeat still sends chills down my spine.
I love Greatest Hit...No Easy Love...Me Plus One.
Its cute electro pop with an edge.
I felt so sad when i read about her boyfriend. I always think of that when i hear the beginning of Come Together
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Kirkland
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Post by Kirkland on Jan 13, 2006 7:48:29 GMT -5
I've just got Annie's DJ Kicks album and it is nothing short of brilliant. The Wedding is already the most played song on my MP3 player. It's sexy, sleazy and it just confirms to me the genius of Annie.
I need to see her do The Wedding live.
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Post by Federline! on Jan 13, 2006 13:27:00 GMT -5
My sister suggested I buy Anniemal about 6 months before all the album's press started in America (it got quite a bit, all things considered), as it was heralded as a pop masterpiece.
I really don't care for it. It surprises me that so many pop-heads love it so much...it strikes me as "indie-rock in sheep's clothing." Just because there are drum machines and beeps does not make it dance-pop, just as presence of guitar (Breakaway, Never Gone) does not mean it's rock.
Her voice grates, and none of the songs have enough of a hook for me to really sink my teeth into. Different strokes, different folks.
Here's hoping Mr. X works with Britters.
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Post by Showtime on Jan 14, 2006 11:31:37 GMT -5
I've just got Annie's DJ Kicks album and it is nothing short of brilliant. The Wedding is already the most played song on my MP3 player. It's sexy, sleazy and it just confirms to me the genius of Annie. I need to see her do The Wedding live. She points at people during I dp, I do, I do. She points, I tell you. And oh yes, I have been pointed at. |
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Post by Kirkland on Jan 16, 2006 9:15:16 GMT -5
Lucky shit!
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Post by HeartGoesBoom on Jan 17, 2006 4:45:04 GMT -5
I didn't realise Dj kicks are out yet. Will order it today  |
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beNcooKe
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Post by beNcooKe on Jan 18, 2006 21:09:01 GMT -5
Her voice is thin but she's able to sing very very well. The texture of her sort of voice makes her sound vunerable in some songs which is a good quality with some of the lyrics. She is intelligent pop with though and not just fantasy songs about dating boys after school.
For me though I love the track anniemal as it reminds me of the Human League's Do or Die from Dare.
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Kirkland
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Post by Kirkland on Jan 19, 2006 4:12:04 GMT -5
I think her accent is gorgeous too.
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Post by Adem on Jan 22, 2006 7:58:26 GMT -5
I met Annie last week while she was down in Melbourne for her gig at Honky Tonks.
Track selection was unbelievable and the flicker of a grin sent the crowd wild. I was quite surprised at how many actual fans were there.
She was amazing. Sweet, cute, her accent IS gorgeous and she really cares for her fans. We spoke for a while and it is probably up there as one of the most awesome evenings i've ever had. She loved my t-shirt (Annie logo on it) and I'm still quite amazed at the whole evening.
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