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Faith vs. Shania
COMMENTARY
David Reese
Features Editor
The media’s infatuation between the dueling female country
superstars, Faith Hill and Shania Twain, has become a little disgusting
over the past six months. Every time, some entertainment show like
“Access Hollywood” or “Entertainment Tonight”
tells a story about one of the two women, there is something about
the other one as well.
Is
there not enough room in people’s CD players for both female
superstars?
And why does it always seem when two women are popular in a genre
of music, the media conjures up some type of competition?
Think about it: When Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera entered
the music scene in 1999, stories were aflutter with comparisons
between the women. Even today when it is evident both women have
gone in different directions, the media creates stories about Aguilera
stealing Spears’ ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake.
The idea of the dueling divas is no new thing. A few years before
Aguilera and Spears, it was Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. And
even before them, it was Madonna and Janet Jackson.
Is this attraction to dueling women the media’s fault? Or does
the true reason for competition stem from society?
The society has a definite part in it. Don’t forget that they
are the group that, over the past 10 years, has made hits of such
cutthroat shows like “Survivor,” “The Bachelor”
and “The Real World.”
Don’t get me wrong, the media is the one that creates these
situations but if the society didn’t watch the television shows
or buy the magazines then this sensational side of journalism might
not be as strong.
As for the actual debate between both Hill and Twain’s music,
I have a few comments. First, I have to say I am a huge fan of both
women. I have recently purchased Hill’s album, “Cry,“
and Twain’s “Up!”
What
I have found is that both artists are very different in almost every
way. Not to mention their physical differences, the women have very
distinct music styles. Hill’s album is much more soulful with
a lot of influence from rhythm and blues, gospel and rock genres.
Twain has a definite stronghold over pop and rock with a barely
visible country twang.
It can be said that neither woman is keeping too strict to her country
roots but both have an appeal. In my opinion, Hill’s recent
album is much better. She has made progress in the business in the
last decade. The difference between her first album and the most
recent is quite substantial.
On the other hand, Twain keeps to her same beat. The difference
between “Up!” and her previous album, “Come On Over”…
well, give me a second, there is not too many differences. Her musical
evolution has been less than that of Hill’s.
Either way, if the media wants to compare their music, feel free
… but who cares about anything else?
David
Reese
d.w.reese@tcu.edu
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