Tim: The Voice UK kicked off this weekend, to the excitement of precisely no-one, because it’s The Voice UK.
Tom: To be fair, it does decent numbers for the BBC, and the format’s not bad. It’s just that it’s not going to change anyone’s life, and part of the appeal of reality competitions is at least maintaining the illusion that it might.
Tim: The Voice Finland, on the other hand, has been known to provide some talent, as this former contestant demonstrates.
Tim: You see, if the BBC could get the winners, or even any of the contestants, singing stuff like that, I’d be actually interested on watching it. It’s a really very good ballad, with just the right formula of quiet start, build up for a decent first chorus, bring something interesting in to beef up the second verse, have a great second chorus, lovely middle eight and repeat that great chorus for one last time.
Tom: And let’s have a few words for that synth line (it might actually be real strings, but I doubt it) that’s humming in the background through most of it.
Tim: As with our last good ballad, it could easily be spiced up with a key change, though it actually doesn’t need it. And you know, now I think about it, that’s possibly one of the highest compliments I can pay a ballad.
Tom: I agree it could use something more, although I don’t know what. We both know I’m generally less enthusiastic about new tracks than you (I gave Uptown Funk a mediocre review last week, and now I can’t get it out my head) — but this one just doesn’t seem to stand out from all the rest.
Tim: Well done to everyone involved, and can we forward this to the BBC?