Hot Take/ Musical Confession Thread!

[CrazyDiamond84]

I would just like someone to explain the critical acclaim heaped upon them [Big Thief / Beach House]. Maybe I need to spend more time with them to understand.

They seem to be putting out pretty solidly listenable releases within the sphere of their individual micro-genres covered by the "indie" umbrella (BT: indie rock/folk; BH: indie dream pop/shoegaze) - if that's the sound you are in to.

But I haven't heard something equivalent to Pretty Hate Machine in 1989, the Chronic in 1992, Kid A in 2000, etc. Something that's capable of pushing through to the culture at large or worthy of garnering the kind of "you gotta listen to this!" reactions coming at me from everywhere.

But then again, I'm not a genius like Kanye. I'm just Annie in Miranda Priestly's office watching as everyone chooses which color blue I'm going to wear.

I mean, not everything can be on the level of 'Evil Urges.'

 

[bettim84]

I think a big reason I've liked Big Thief so much from the start is more than just the music. I was addicted with the whole quirky vibe of the band since I first saw their video for 'Masterpiece.' They became one of those bands where I just dove into everything I could find on YouTube. Their tiny desk from back then is still one of my favorites. They just seem like such dorky, fun people. I love raspy voices as well so I took to Adrianne pretty easily.

That “quirky vibe” is polarizing, though. I don’t like Lenker’s voice but most of all I’m put off because I think their aesthetic is trash.

They wouldn’t be the first hip indie act I dislike, so maybe someday their music will click for me. For now, I don’t get it.

 

[Viking Dan]

I mean, not everything can be on the level of 'Evil Urges.'

 

[scotthilk]

I think a big reason I've liked Big Thief so much from the start is more than just the music. I was addicted with the whole quirky vibe of the band since I first saw their video for 'Masterpiece.' They became one of those bands where I just dove into everything I could find on YouTube. Their tiny desk from back then is still one of my favorites. They just seem like such dorky, fun people. I love raspy voices as well so I took to Adrianne pretty easily.

I haven't listened to a second of Big Thief. What album should I peep?

 

[avecigrec]

I haven't listened to a second of Big Thief. What album should I peep?

As someone who has never cared much for their stuff before the new one made my top 9 for February, so I'd say that one.

 

[Viking Dan]

I love raspy voices as well so I took to Adrianne pretty easily.

Of those currently alive and eligible for "best non-death metal raspy voice"

Frances Quinlan > Brian Johnson > Joan Jett> Tom Waits > Rod Stewart> Axl Rose > Bryan Adams > Steven Tyler > Adrianne Lenker

 

[CrazyDiamond84]

Of those currently alive and eligible for "best non-death metal raspy voice"

Frances Quinlan > Brian Johnson > Joan Jett> Tom Waits > Rod Stewart> Axl Rose > Bryan Adams > Steven Tyler > Adrianne Lenker

Where does Waxahatchee, Conor Oberst, and Eddie Vedder fall in that list?

 

[CrazyDiamond84]

I haven't listened to a second of Big Thief. What album should I peep?

Seems pretty universal that their latest album, 'Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You' is their best yet.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

Of those currently alive and eligible for "best non-death metal raspy voice"

Frances Quinlan > Brian Johnson > Joan Jett> Tom Waits > Rod Stewart> Axl Rose > Bryan Adams > Steven Tyler > Adrianne Lenker

I don't think of Frances Quinlan, Axl Rose, or Adrianne Lenker’s voices as raspy maybe warbly? Also, Waits is more gravelly than raspy but I guess maybe their is some rasp there also but it wouldn’t be my for choice in adjectives.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

Where does Waxahatchee, Conor Oberst, and Eddie Vedder fall in that list?

I don’t think of any of these as raspy. Maybe Vedder. I love Kate Crutchfield’s vocals though.

When I think of raspy I think of a voice that sounds parched when they are singing. Brian Johnson and Bryan Adam’s we’re both good examples of what aI think of when I think of raspy.

 

[Viking Dan]

Where does Waxahatchee, Conor Oberst, and Eddie Vedder fall in that list?

Is Eddie raspy?
Or just Baritone with a tendency to scream.

I mean if were putting Vedder in the list - Grohl has to be on it too.

I guess I don't consider Obrest as much raspy as a morose warble.

Waxahatchee? Really? Hmmmmm

 

[CrazyDiamond84]

I don’t think of any of these as raspy. Maybe Vedder. I love Kate Crutchfield’s vocals though.

When I think of raspy I think of a voice that sounds parched when they are singing. Brian Johnson and Bryan Adam’s we’re both good examples of what aI think of when I think of raspy.

Raspy may not be the right word. Maybe just not technically proficient voices. Like Bob Dylan. Either way, I love them all.

 

[gaporter]

I think with Beach House and Big Thief both, I can enjoy an individual song by them fine, but committing to a full length album is kind of daunting because a lot of their music just sort of melds together for me.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

I think with Beach House and Big Thief both, I can enjoy an individual song by them fine, but committing to a full length album is kind of daunting because a lot of their music just sort of melds together for me.

I don’t know if you have given the new Big Thief album a go yet but This one is much less samey than their previous albums.

 

[Viking Dan]

I don't think of Frances Quinlan... as raspy maybe warbly?

This is not a warble.



But maybe not raspy either - gravely?

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

This is not a warble.



But maybe not raspy either - gravely?

I hear some vocal strain when she really pushes her vocals but In comparison, Bryan Adams sounds like he is shredding his vocal cords when he whispers. I love Francis’s voice and it’s super unique I just wouldn’t describe it as raspy.

I may just have a narrower definition of raspy than others.

 

[CrazyDiamond84]

I hear some vocal strain when she really pushes her voices but In comparison, Bryan Adams sounds like he is shredding his vocal cords when he whispers. I love Francis’s voice and it’s super unique I just wouldn’t describe it as raspy.

I may just have a narrower definition of raspy than others.

Janis Joplin is the first singer I think about when I hear raspy. At least that's what her voice was always described as. So anything close to her style of singing I just assume is raspy.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

Janis Joplin is the first singer I think about when I hear raspy. At least that's what her voice was always described as. So anything close to her style of singing I just assume is raspy.

I agree with Janis. Raspy is an apt description.

 

[gaporter]

I don’t know if you have given the new Big Thief album a go yet but This one is much less samey than their previous albums.

I keep wanting to give it a chance but I admit that the runtime keeps scaring me away. I'm not necessarily against long albums, but given my post above, I feel like I need to prepare myself for 80 straight minutes of Big Thief.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

I keep wanting to give it a chance but I admit that the runtime keeps scaring me away. I'm not necessarily against long albums, but given my post above, I feel like I need to prepare myself for 80 straight minutes of Big Thief.

It’s a swift 80 minutes.