Why hasn’t Alex Gardner taken off yet? His first single, the FABULOUS “I’m Not Mad” peaked at #44 on the UK Singles Chart and #20 in his native Scotland. Alex Gardner is fresh-faced and mega-talented. I can’t help but wonder if this whole dance/pop direction just isn’t working for him? As versatile as his voice may be, Jamie Cullum-style pop/rock/jazz seems to be more his strongsuit. He’s being called the next George Michael for God’s sake! Sure, he has the pop powerhouse production team that is Xenomania (Kylie Minogue, Sugababes, Girls Aloud) behind him but listen to his voice! He’s INSANELY good!
It seems like he’s being primed for dance/pop chart success but this formula clearly isn’t working, one single in, anyway. His voice shouldn’t be covered up by all of this production. I feel like “I’m Not Mad” was sort of straddling a line but NEW single, “Feeling Fine” (due out September 27th in the UK) crosses into OVERPRODUCED territory, bordering on blatant musical trickery! Auto tune? WHY is that necessary? That being said, when Gardner’s voice DOES come through it sounds great. I honestly just think this is a case of a label forcing a singer to sing the wrong genre of music. Here’s hoping “Feeling Fine” charts better than his previous effort. Alex Gardner more than enough talent to become a house hold name.
