GLEE - GENERATION AUTOTUNE

Perhaps one of my biggest issues with this generation of young vocalists is that with rapid advancements in recording technology, all they have to really focus on is putting forth a clean performance. Along with some traces of character and tone I suppose also. The rest can be accentuated with programs such as Melodyne and AutoTune which ensure correct pitch.

Case in point, Fox's brilliant new hour long program Glee is refreshing in an era of reality television overkill. It's the big budget lovechild of American Idol meets Saved By The Bell meets Fame and it fills the musical fix the public is lacking between seasons of Idol perfectly. Thus far, I have enjoyed immensely the cast's renditions of "Don't Stop Believin'" (Journey), "Rehab" (Amy Winehouse), "Take a Bow" (Rihanna) and the wildly awkward "Push It" (Salt-N-Pepa). But seriously, enough of the AutoTune already. These are talented young performers who don't need it. It creates unrealistic expectations of what true singing is with this generation of kids.

In other news, Whitney Houston's comeback can officially be deemed a success with her nabbing the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 200 album chart this week. The final sales tally is in the low 300k range, exceeding expectations. Although I Look To You is far from what we might deem "Classic Whitney", there are many gems on it which work in today's fickle framework and I loved it. Click here to read a review I contributed to one of my favourite blogs, Arjan Writes.

Off to Day One of the Toronto International Film Festival tomorrow. Expect loads of excitement including sexy Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried photographs.