X Factor. The yearly Simon Cowell induced singing competition loved by many, loathed by possibly many more. Being a lover of all things “alternative” I guess I should be one of those in the loathing category, but I’m afraid I’m an avid X Factor viewer. I’ve never voted before, I’ve never bought any winners songs, but yes, I watch it regularly. This year has been the first time I’ve had a favourite contestant from day one, and I have to say, it’s made the show that much more enjoyable. I may love anything with a great guitar riff and some fantastic drumming, but I’m also a sucker for a male vocal that can give me goosebumps, and Essex boy Matt Cardle done that for me in X Factor this year.
A credible artist who showcased not only his vocal talent, but guitar playing skills throughout the competition, Matt started the year with folk-rock band Seven Summers, releasing their debut album back in January. Since his audition was shown on X Factor, Matt adopted a huge and fast-growing following on the show. In the voting polls released after Sundays final, the results showed that from week 2 until the final, Matt topped the public vote every single week.
For the first time, the finalists each had a different “winners single”. These were designed to suit their own styles, with Matt’s being a cover of the beautifully gorgeous ‘Many Of Horror’ by Scottish heavyweights Biffy Clyro, a song only released in January of this year. Having been a fan of Biffy since the first time I saw them in 2003, you’d be forgiven for assuming that I would detest this years’ winners single from our 2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle, but to shock you again, I actually like it. The production and arrangement on the single has meant that it hasn’t strayed very far from the original, and for me that can only be a good thing. Changing it too much would’ve completely ruined it for me, but Matt’s managed to bring a bit of himself to what is finally a credible and current winners song. His voice really does suit the style of the song, and he’s done a great job of keeping the heart and soul in it that Simon Neil quite clearly poured into it during the writing.
The only downside in my opinion is the change in title, with Matt’s version being renamed ‘When We Collide’, taken from the first line of the chorus. I guess the word “horror” wasn’t mainstream enough for someone signed to Cowell’s record label, and it’s a shame that the original title couldn’t remain, but I guess in these situations, sacrifices have to be made.
Usually I’d be calling it blasphemous that such a fantastic song has been covered by an X Factor winner, but the fact that the winner has such a great voice, and has an appeal that transcends a poppy reality show, I think we can let this one go. Last year I was one of the ones urging everyone to download Rage Against The Machine to stop Cowells’ corporate train ruining yet another Christmas Number One, but this year I’ll be buying Matt’s debut single in the hopes it’ll make the top spot. Let’s be honest, who’d have thought there would be a possibility that a Biffy Clyro song could be this years Christmas Number One?!
In my mind, Matt covering ‘Many Of Horror’ can only be a good thing. It’s a sign that last years’ ‘Killing In The Name’ triumph scared Cowell into finally realising he can’t cover any old shite and get to Number One, Matt is credible enough and talented enough to respect the original and not reduce the song to pop rubbish, and if people get to know Biffy Clyro through this, then Mon The Biff indeed!
‘When We Collide’ is available to download now, with the CD available from Wednesday 15th December. Feel free to check out the original though, Biffy Clyro’s ‘Many of Horror’ which is available to download too.
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