Pet Shop Boys Community

This is really strange... Last night I watched X-factor here in Holland and one of the jury members said that Neil tennant can't sing at all... He may not be the best singer but I think that is so not true... What do you guys think>

Totally incorrect. Whilst Neil isn't the world's best vocalist, if that really were the case they wouldn't have survived.

The moral of the story? Don't watch X-Factor.


StevePSB

^^ yeah!

Was Neil voted off?

Neil's voice is a colour I can't imagine pop music without anymore. The criteria to evaluate art always emerge from each piece of art itself. In the case of Neil's voice: recognisable, convincing and fitting perfectly the music PSB make. They survived for so long. This should be proof enough that he can sing indeed.
Anyone who says Neil can't sing is applying different/wrong criteria. Maybe those of a concertmaster.

The X-factor is a television show where 'stars' are born. Millions of people watch it, go out to buy the debut single and album of the winner. Two years later, that same winner is totally forgotten.

I didn't see it, but we can be 100% sure that the comment was made by someone who had a less successful career in music than Pet Shop Boys.

Don Juan wrote:This is really strange... Last night I watched X-factor here in Holland and one of the jury members said that Neil tennant can't sing at all... He may not be the best singer but I think that is so not true... What do you guys think>

I've never watched X-factor, but if it's anything like American Idol and other such shows in the States, the style of singing that too often scores points with the judges and audiences is actually "over-singing": over-the-top, histrionic, exhibitionistic vocal athleticism, where it's all about the singer instead of the song. From that sort of perspective, then, no, Neil wouldn't qualify as someone who can "sing."

But if you want someone with a gentle, pleasing voice who can really put forth a lyric -- where it's about the song, not the singer -- then Neil is a very good (if not great) singer.

http://www.rtl.nl/shows/xfactor/solisten26/

Click on "Een nieuwe Pet Shop Boy" In the middle at the bottum

click on "Bekijk de auditie van Ian"

Henk Temming says Neil can't sing but in his additional remarks it's obvious he has respect for what he's done. I disagree about the singing though.

very right words about Neil`s voice were said in Live in Pop Documentary

Oh and cover your ears when Ian starts singing

Well, to be fair Neil has very limited range and is often terrible live. He can sing, but he's a very weak singer and I don't think he would disagree. Careers in music have very little to do with vocal talent (hello Madonna) and thankfully PSB have enough "character" to enjoy continued success.

Neils voice for me is what makes it all so good.

thank you for your replies! I feel much better already! It was Neil's voice what I first noticed and liked very much about their music.

Singing perfectly is overrated by some...listening to the likes of Neil and Madonna trying their best is more entertaining than hearing Celine Dion.

I think those xfactor and american idol shows do tend to have a high bar for singing abilities,ie people who can just belt out a song live and sound awesome. so to them I imagine neil would be considered a tad underpar.

but then again I'm not sure someone like john lennon would have made it either by their standards.those 2 show sometimes an adverage singer with distinctive voices can make it big though.