Spinner

The Temptations Turn to Auto-Tune on New Album

There's the old stereotype that as people age, they get a bit stuck in your ways -- musicians included. But for the Temptations -- who just released their 49th studio album, the appropriately titled 'Still Here' -- know adapting is part of the key to their longevity. For example, the song 'First Kiss' is brimming with Auto-Tune. Yes, you read that right: the Temptations have gone the T-Pain route.

"We're trying to let our fans know that we're in the here and now, but still know where we came from," Temptations founding member Otis Williams explains to Spinner. "I'm very analytical about everything. I sit and listen over and over. The Temptations, for what we're known for, we try to stay in character. We know we're not rappers and hip-hop, but we want to stay on the cutting edge. The kids nowadays, they like what we do but its good to try and give them a taste of what the sound is like today."



Of course, the Temptations have always been a group interested in keeping things fresh over the years, and even as they enter into their fifth decade of recording, Williams still has an affinity for the days when he and the other founding four members recorded with Motown master Berry Gordy at Detroit's Hitsville, U.S.A.

"Back in the day, it was a heck of a trip as far as the way we recorded back then. When we walk into a studio now, it's like walking into a command center," he says. "I got back to Hitsville and studio A, I looked at the old modules we used to record on. It's so archaic, but at the same time, it had some great sounds that came about. We try not to get too trippy with the technology. The main thing about the Tempations has been that we've had great songs. It comes down to, 'you got all this fanciness but can you sing?'"

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BLACKFORCE1

ALL U NAY SAYERS WHO DON'T TRULY, RESPECT, LOVE & FOLLOW THE BEST MALE VOCAL GROUP OF "ALL" TIME, YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO WHAT YOU LOVE "BOY GEORGE", CROSS YOUR LEGS AS YOU SIT THERE IN YOUR TOOTOO. LEAVE GOOD MUSIC TO THOSE TRULY LIKE IT & FOLLOW IT RELIGOUSLY. A "TEMP" FAN FOREVER. OTIS SORRY BOUT ALI, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHO LEFT THIS COMMENT, AS I KNOW YOU ALL...... DON'T STOP NOW CAUSE YOU ALL "STILL HERE".. MUCHO LOVE MAN (THE SIXTH TEMPTATION)

June 01 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
beatledonny

how shamefull to live off the dead..come on they havent had a hit since..Papa was A Rolling Stone!! hang it up oitis willams should really call it a DAY!!!!!

May 06 2010 at 7:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nealae5509

This would be like if Ringo toured and called his band The Beatles.

May 06 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cavin Scott

I seen them in concert,they are still great.

May 05 2010 at 10:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ilovemusic924

that's a damn shame.

May 05 2010 at 10:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
raybirrd

Without David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks there are no temptations these guys are more or less a cover band

May 05 2010 at 9:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to raybirrd's comment
Isaac J, Perry,

Perhaps you may be right, there will never be replacements for the originals, but if you are atrue Temptations fan as myself, you accept the group as is and what there trying to keep alive. Istill go to the shows and they never let me down.

June 05 2010 at 11:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Craig

Otis and the guys are legends. I saw them in concert 5 years ago and it was amazing. The have and always will be a vocal group. They can really sing. They don't rely on backing tracks or other gimics when they perform live. Also, they don't do medleys of their hits. They perform the entire songs. If they are updating their sound it can only be great. Otis don't ever die. Music needs you.

May 05 2010 at 8:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply