There's been a lot of criticism and comments saying that Shania is no more than a "one hit wonder" like Milli Vanilli. That she is a "manufactured superstar" said somebody, this eternal debate about Shania's place superstardom is not going to end until she releases a few more quality albums the standard of WIM. In my opinion, that would be very hard to do.
The main reason is that WIM was written mostly from songs from the past which Shania had written long ago. As most song writers will tell you, songs mature with time like fine wine, it takes quite a while for them to develop. Inevitably, these songs, plus the combined talents of Shania and Mutt Lange had made them super hits. Now, after the release of the album. Even if she is not touring, with all the appearances she now have to do. I think she is going to have problem writing twelve more absolutely wonderful songs for the simple reason that the time is not there anymore. All of the material in WIM was written by Shania and Mutt. Also, due to the fact that they do not and will not take songs from other people, it is going to be a tough act to follow.
However, I could be wrong. WIM was released for about a year and a half now, the fact that she is not touring could mean that she can spend a lot more time writing songs. Think about it, how much time can a TV appearance or a shopping mall appearance take? In the past, she must have written a truck load of songs, in fact, if I recall, she and Bob Kasner had a publishing company running manager the songs they've written. As you probably know, Shania have a very flexible song writing system. She and her husband write songs any time and any where, Shania could be in the tub and Mutt could be hearing her singing and contributing to the song. With such a long time (1.5 years), all these little moments could just add up!
Well, that didn't answer the crux of the question. Is Shania a "one hit wonder". We have to see why these criticisms have come about. Shania is a beautiful woman who is unafraid to flaunt her physicality, this is not serious you might say. Actually it is, the general consensus is that "beauty and talent don't mix". Well, in Shania's case, it DID! That had made Shania a few enemies for the simple reason of jealousy. Her style of music had also a lot to do with it, the problem (well, for the critics anyway!) is that the music had break out of traditional country music and labeled itself in the Rock/Pop hinterland. However, it isn't that different enough from country to deserve a fully fledged Rock/Pop label. The result? An album which none of the "hard line" genre buyers would admit they like it because it is not country/pop/rock. Also, if you notice, these are the people with the loudest month and the greatest voice. Their opinion certainly couldn't reflect everybody's opinion, just look at the sales figures (9 millions), it seems that the casual buyer who dig Hootie and the Blowfish and Sheryl Crow had also embraced Shania's music head on, attracting new customers with her unique style.
So what do you think? Drop me an mail
Reply from Jim R. Morgan - dolphin@ntmail.nll.net
I do agree that Shania has worked hard to get where she is. Heck, she grew up dirt poor taking baths in rivers! Hence, you mentioned how she wrote those songs a long time ago, yet, Mutt constructed the songs and how they were to be sung. If those songs are in her first album w/o that producer they sound different and probably not as good.
True, but in the end, isn't that what a producer is for? This also bring up the point, also if the songs were not up to scratch. Then doesn't the GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) factor applies?
I think you mentioned her voice being beautiful which I thought was quite funny. Man, Mariah Carey, Leann Rymes, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless they have beautiful voices. "Slutnia", as I call her, has given some of the worst vocal performances I've ever heard. Every video she has had focused on her sexuality except for this last video, which was much better. (It told a life story)! Mutt Lange could have taken Brandi Brandt the playboy playmate and sold even more albums.
Apart from "You Win My Love", I don't think any of her video really focused on her sexuality.
It doesn't matter if I, you, Shania or Mutt write the songs as the public is only interested if it sounds good and the words sound good. Mutt Lange was writing songs and producing the likes of Def Leppard and AC-DC while Shania was taking baths in rivers. Mutt had the "final" say in this entire album. She admitted w/out him she's a borderline artist.
I have her album and bought it because of the sound Mutt Lange mixed and produced. I would never see someone as vocally poor as Shania at a concert. Anyone can talk their way through a song. Someone like Mariah Carey I could pay to see. As far as your statement of some being jealous remember this. These people probably have her album and are helping her succeed. The public controls her destiny and will ultimately decide her fate, not her. It's funny, Faith Hill, Chely Wright and Terri Clark are all very attractive women and I never hear the negative comments about them like I do Shania. They tease with their sexuality as Shania more or less has to rely on it. Again, Jenny McCarthy isn't afraid to show off her sexuality and guys go nuts over her. Man, millions of women are gorgeous and can profit hard off superficial guys. Someone like Jenny wouldn't have to know how to sing. I just heavily respect those that I know can. That's "performance talent".
That I found contradictory. In order for it to "sound good", the producer alone can't do all the work. The artist herself must have talent and energy into it. Are you trying to tell me that Shania haven't had a significant input into the album? I don't think so. Also, at the end of the day, aren't we just looking for someone who "sound good" to put in our CD player and enjoy their music?