Music What exactly is technically "off" with this rendition?

[Swamp Thing]

This is a cover of James South's "Games People Play".

By no means do I have a finely trained ear, but it felt like the singing was a bit off key. On playing it a second and third time (because I am currently riding a hobby horse regarding vocal pitch control) it began to grow on me and sound more OK. But after listening to the original and coming back, it sounded off again.

Is the singing off key, or is it something else like the instrument(s) being out of tune? Or --- is it technically OK, but just missing that extra something that comes with exceptional talent?

How would a trained musician analyze the flaws if any, and suggest how someone could address them? (Apart from years of diligent practice)

 

[pinball1970]

This is a cover of James South's "Games People Play".

By no means do I have a finely trained ear, but it felt like the singing was a bit off key. On playing it a second and third time (because I am currently riding a hobby horse regarding vocal pitch control) it began to grow on me and sound more OK. But after listening to the original and coming back, it sounded off again.

Is the singing off key, or is it something else like the instrument(s) being out of tune? Or --- is it technically OK, but just missing that extra something that comes with exceptional talent?

How would a trained musician analyze the flaws if any, and suggest how someone could address them? (Apart from years of diligent practice)

Arrgggh. Pitch!

He is going for a note and not quite getting there. More obvious when it's just him. 45 seconds in.

 

[pinball1970]

"Flowers" 51 seconds in. You hear that? They tend to be the highest notes so far.

 

[pinball1970]

I have heard this many times before. He is not flat all the time so you notice it more when it happens.
He sounds better as the track goes on.

There is a musician on YouTube called "Wings of Pegasus" he does analysis pieces using pitch software. Really interesting. Shows how accurate various classic singers are and how the little idiosyncrasies in their voices gives them their unique sound.
Sometimes being a little bit below the note, slightly flat, on phrases gives the melody character.
He also exposes the use of pitch correction, auto tune and lip syncing.

 

[Swamp Thing]

Arrgggh. Pitch!

At first I thought it was some "sus" chords