"...voice can be viewed as another instrument. As with any other instrument, an individual can refine his skill at that instrument through practice, though he might run up against natural limitations"
Yes, it a fair criticism. Some people like Billy Corgan, whom you referred to in your review, take away with its mediocre vocal abilities and poor voice, because he could back them very often with great music and give the music a very distinct personality and intention that defined the Pumpkins overall sound. Arguably, the songs could have reached a higher lever of impact and realization, on a pure technical and stylistical aspect, but we would be talking of a complete different band altogether. Some people took it for the better, others thought the opposite. Personally, I think he has ruined a lot of songs, but most of the time he does good enough, specially on some acoustics ones (hard to believe, eh?)
However, sometimes the singer's limitations can get in the way of artistic expression and realization, and then you think " is it not possible for he/she to hand vocal duties to someone who can actually sing and let the song blossom, without sacrificing its soul/message?" It must be hard for a songwriter to realize he may not be best vehicle to express his own vision, and that probably it would be for the best to take a back seat, and simply enjoy creating. The songwriter concept allows for many abuses, and autorizes many people to think, that, whatever bad/mediocre their vocal abilites may be, they still should sing, all for the sake of "genuineness". No doubt, there will be people who prefer it this way.
The criticism is fair, stated clearly and reasonably. Very nice read.
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@robertsona - I was just saying a creative work can be objectively analyzed since it utilizes some sort of composition and a thought process to produce. Whereas, vocals are just the sound the vocalists vocal chords produce - hence not a creative piece of the overall work, and the appreciation of them being mostly subjective. (I know this isn't true 100% of the time)
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