Soul to Rock: Guy Sebastian's new sound
October 28th 2006 10:36
Guy Sebastian, the first winner of Network Ten’s Australian Idol, has not lived up to expectations.
Well, maybe he has. His first album went six times platinum, but that does not take away from the fact that the first RUNNER-UP of Australian Idol, Shannon Noll, has enjoyed more commercial success.
Sebastian’s mix of R&B, soul and funk seemed to grant him many fans on the TV series, though that did not translate into record sales in Australia.
This harks back to the notion that Australia is, and always will be, a rock nation. I personally believe things can change, though the talent-less, throat cancerous Shannon Noll reaffirms Australia’s musical love for everything grainy and distorted.
So what does Sebastian do to combat this? He releases a live, rocky, poppy album. His third album, ‘Closer to the Sun’, is apparently a very raw sounding record.
Let me lay down the gauntlet and say I haven’t heard the album; so this is, by no means, an album review, but more a rant than anything else.
What I’m concerned with is the reaffirmation of rock music in Australia, and the faint stain that urban music leaves behind.
Guy’s first single, on the new album, is ‘Taller, Stronger, Better’. It’s Guy going back to his roots. Can anyone say angels brought me here? No I’d say angels brought themselves back in a taller, stronger and better incarnation.
No rock music here right? What about the next single, ‘Elevator Love’? It sounds to me like Shannon Noll with some Malaysian soul.
Here's a clip of him performing 'Elevator Love' on Dancing with the Stars.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. To tell you the truth, I think ‘Elevator Love’ is far better than any song he’s released as a single. That’s the hypocrite in me I guess.
But hey, I’m Aussie, I love my rock right?
Take care and peace out…
Well, maybe he has. His first album went six times platinum, but that does not take away from the fact that the first RUNNER-UP of Australian Idol, Shannon Noll, has enjoyed more commercial success.
Sebastian’s mix of R&B, soul and funk seemed to grant him many fans on the TV series, though that did not translate into record sales in Australia.
Guy Sebastian doing the good, Christian (so to speak) thing in Uganda and Rwanda.
This harks back to the notion that Australia is, and always will be, a rock nation. I personally believe things can change, though the talent-less, throat cancerous Shannon Noll reaffirms Australia’s musical love for everything grainy and distorted.
So what does Sebastian do to combat this? He releases a live, rocky, poppy album. His third album, ‘Closer to the Sun’, is apparently a very raw sounding record.
Let me lay down the gauntlet and say I haven’t heard the album; so this is, by no means, an album review, but more a rant than anything else.
What I’m concerned with is the reaffirmation of rock music in Australia, and the faint stain that urban music leaves behind.
Guy’s first single, on the new album, is ‘Taller, Stronger, Better’. It’s Guy going back to his roots. Can anyone say angels brought me here? No I’d say angels brought themselves back in a taller, stronger and better incarnation.
No rock music here right? What about the next single, ‘Elevator Love’? It sounds to me like Shannon Noll with some Malaysian soul.
Here's a clip of him performing 'Elevator Love' on Dancing with the Stars.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. To tell you the truth, I think ‘Elevator Love’ is far better than any song he’s released as a single. That’s the hypocrite in me I guess.
But hey, I’m Aussie, I love my rock right?
Take care and peace out…
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Comment by Anonymous
Shannon on the other hand...his debut went 5 times platinum, and his second album has also been certified 2x platinum....guy has sold at lease 100,000 albums more than Shannon....
Shannon has had more top 20 hits than Guy....but Shannon has released more singles....AND guy has still had more No.1's than Shannon.....
omg....I can't believe I just spent 5 minutes defending Guy Sebastian, I barely like the guy. but I hate it when people have their facts wrong....
sorry
Comment by Anonymous
I think in the short term Guy may sell more records to the younger generation but Shannon will have longevity like Farnsy and Barnsy. The grit is the attraction. Shannons tones vary from gritty to sweet and everything in between. Guys voice does not vary too much in tonality. Shannon is a real bloke, and that may just be his appeal.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
His memphis album was so successful in aus that it is going to be released in the USA next year! Shannon is already doing a greatest hits album lol what does that say about his career....
Guy is going from strength to strength. Even though he may not have as much acclaim in aus as shannon may have, he has quite a few legendary soul music friends in the usa like steve cropper and duck dunn! I bet shannon doesnt have that!!!