Vocal Economy from WNYC's Soundcheck by listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio)

2010 ended with a most audible of shifts, and it came from the throats of Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Lady Gaga. All three pop stars have at least one thing in common: they stay away from the trilling vocal effect known as melisma. Music journalist and author David Browne joins us to explain why the overpowering oooh has gone out of style.