Chucktshoes
Well-Known Member
Robbie is such a cool kid.
Hot Take/ Musical Confession Thread!
- Thread starter Count_Vader
- Start date
Count_Vader
Well-Known Member
Most music festivals aren't about the music anymore
T
TheMythOfSisyphus
Guest
TL;DR version: hot takes are awesome; your favorite musician sucks; and eternity is but a mere moment, just long enough for a joke
Not a hot take but some ruminations/rants esp re: "understanding" something, liking it, and the cross section of musicianship/talent and "goodness".
(Below artists are interchangeable and placeholders)
I remember thinking this around the time Lady Gaga first started becoming popular because she has such a rabid fanbase (not unprecedented). A lot of arguments would be that if you don't like her then you do not understand her; or, conversely, that if you understand her then you would surely like her. However, this is a false dilemma if I've ever seen one. That you couldn't possibly both understand exactly what Lady Gaga is/was doing and still not like her is rubbish. She isn't some esoteric pop star plying the arcane magic of melody. In fact, she wasn't without forebearers so seeing lineage and the progression of the art/artists that became her's is not difficult if you like to nerd out about stuff like that. Also, I'm not saying I do or do not like her - simply that I hate that forced either/or false dilemma that is a weak counter-argument; and you see that where there is any diehard fandom. In fact, you shouldn't really need to argue about whether an artist is good or not; it's super subjective and if your sense of self worth is tied into that of a musical artist then you should reevalutate your self (although that's mostly just me being a harsh ass).
Then there is this idea of talent and good, and the respect you can have for even the things you do not like. I don't like a lot of popular pop. Oh, I like pop music but not necessarily the charting stuff. For example, I do not like Backstreet Boys (I'm out of date with what would be their modern equivalent). I've probably uttered the words "The Backstreet Boys suck". But you better believe that I respect them. I respect that they grind and work and produce something that entertains someone. It may not have the depth or sound or perspective that I enjoy, but I can't help but respect them - even if I don't think they are good. So, damn right, they're talented. Musicianship? Meh. But talented - hell yes!
Likewise: Yngwie Malmsteen - talented? Yes! Musicianship? Dude is one of the most technically gifted guitarists of all time! Do I want to listen to him...like ever? Hell no! But I respect the levels to which he has brought his talent and can be impressed by it.
I guess what I'm saying is you can be talented, too, and not good. Because good is not a static thing or a thing that can be captured. Good is the cud you chew over and over.
In closing, I like Radiohead. But Trent Reznor is the most influential musician of the last 30 years and the most iconoclastic auteur. Kanye West is one of the greatest hip hop producers ever but a mediocre lyricist; and, while I'm usually not phased by the braggadocio of rappers since it's embedded in the art form, Kanye comes off as a punk I'd like to put over my knee. Taylor Swift is a mayonnaise and cucumber sandwich.
The Prince evals aren’t wrong. I love Prince. The single artist I’ve collected the most of. But yea the mid 90s on...ooph! I also listen to N.E.W.S. and Rainbow Children. Really, the Prince evals are wrong.
Not a hot take but some ruminations/rants esp re: "understanding" something, liking it, and the cross section of musicianship/talent and "goodness".
(Below artists are interchangeable and placeholders)
I remember thinking this around the time Lady Gaga first started becoming popular because she has such a rabid fanbase (not unprecedented). A lot of arguments would be that if you don't like her then you do not understand her; or, conversely, that if you understand her then you would surely like her. However, this is a false dilemma if I've ever seen one. That you couldn't possibly both understand exactly what Lady Gaga is/was doing and still not like her is rubbish. She isn't some esoteric pop star plying the arcane magic of melody. In fact, she wasn't without forebearers so seeing lineage and the progression of the art/artists that became her's is not difficult if you like to nerd out about stuff like that. Also, I'm not saying I do or do not like her - simply that I hate that forced either/or false dilemma that is a weak counter-argument; and you see that where there is any diehard fandom. In fact, you shouldn't really need to argue about whether an artist is good or not; it's super subjective and if your sense of self worth is tied into that of a musical artist then you should reevalutate your self (although that's mostly just me being a harsh ass).
Then there is this idea of talent and good, and the respect you can have for even the things you do not like. I don't like a lot of popular pop. Oh, I like pop music but not necessarily the charting stuff. For example, I do not like Backstreet Boys (I'm out of date with what would be their modern equivalent). I've probably uttered the words "The Backstreet Boys suck". But you better believe that I respect them. I respect that they grind and work and produce something that entertains someone. It may not have the depth or sound or perspective that I enjoy, but I can't help but respect them - even if I don't think they are good. So, damn right, they're talented. Musicianship? Meh. But talented - hell yes!
Likewise: Yngwie Malmsteen - talented? Yes! Musicianship? Dude is one of the most technically gifted guitarists of all time! Do I want to listen to him...like ever? Hell no! But I respect the levels to which he has brought his talent and can be impressed by it.
I guess what I'm saying is you can be talented, too, and not good. Because good is not a static thing or a thing that can be captured. Good is the cud you chew over and over.
In closing, I like Radiohead. But Trent Reznor is the most influential musician of the last 30 years and the most iconoclastic auteur. Kanye West is one of the greatest hip hop producers ever but a mediocre lyricist; and, while I'm usually not phased by the braggadocio of rappers since it's embedded in the art form, Kanye comes off as a punk I'd like to put over my knee. Taylor Swift is a mayonnaise and cucumber sandwich.
The Prince evals aren’t wrong. I love Prince. The single artist I’ve collected the most of. But yea the mid 90s on...ooph! I also listen to N.E.W.S. and Rainbow Children. Really, the Prince evals are wrong.
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Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
The best ones always did transcend the music and offer so much more too...
Count_Vader
Well-Known Member
I mean the people who go just to post on social that they went. And don't actually care for the music. It's like the modern yuppie thing to do.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I meant more like Glastonbury which is a huge arts and weirdness festival that just happens to be a music festival too. It’s so much fun and has such a good atmosphere!
Chucktshoes
Well-Known Member
Music festivals are just unpleasant experiences at this point.
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I could do it in small controlled doses but all day from morning to super late at night, not anymore.
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
The new Big Thief album is the least good album they’ve made. I am genuinely dumbfounded and confused at how much critical acclaim it’s receiving. Musically all of the songs sound the same and lyrically it’s not as strong or interesting as their other releases.
I just don’t get it.
I just don’t get it.
Clint Howard
Well-Known Member
Man, this place turned into a serious salt mine while I was gone. Also .. can't remember who said it but that argument of 'you just don't understand [insert artist name here]' might be the most pretentious statement possible in music. There's lots of critical artists I fully get and still think they suck. Likewise, I'm sure there's artists I love that a lot of you think suck.. I don't think you just don't get them.
Having said that, Taylor Swift is a terrible person but 1989 might be my favorite pop record of the last decade plus. Or maybe Heroine?
Also on a sidenote, to the person who talked about hip-hop's 'homophobia'.. I think you really need to re-examine the early hip-hop scene and how hand in hand it went with the gay club scene in NYC.
Having said that, Taylor Swift is a terrible person but 1989 might be my favorite pop record of the last decade plus. Or maybe Heroine?
Also on a sidenote, to the person who talked about hip-hop's 'homophobia'.. I think you really need to re-examine the early hip-hop scene and how hand in hand it went with the gay club scene in NYC.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I couldn’t do the big corporate ones anymore but if I have my way I’ll be at Glastonbury as an old man lol!
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I think also, depending on who you’re seeing, the setlists are also shorter than a regular headlining gig. I guess it’s good for bands who you don’t care too much about and would want to see casually but if I want to see one of my favorites I want a full setlist not just 7 or 8 songs.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I suppose that never bothered me so much lol!
Aron
Well-Known Member
This is a biggie for me.
Bohnjaggs
Well-Known Member
This is why we always do weekend 2 of Coachella... Weekend 1 is for the people who just want to GO and be seen there. They "do it for the 'Gram" basically. Weekend 2 is much more laid back, better organized, and crowds are there to see the artists.
My wife will probably drop out at some point but I don't see myself quitting Coachella anytime soon
Bohnjaggs
Well-Known Member
Me either. If you give the artist a shorter set, they're just going to make it as tight as possible... with hardly any filler
duke86fan
Well-Known Member
i dont care about the loudness war
i like loud music because it gives a ton of intensity to music.. hearing a loud guitar feels like there is more sound coming through, much more texture to it. listening to some albums at a quieter volume just sounds horrible. and dynamics aren't a big deal for me as long as the sound of the music is great
i like loud music because it gives a ton of intensity to music.. hearing a loud guitar feels like there is more sound coming through, much more texture to it. listening to some albums at a quieter volume just sounds horrible. and dynamics aren't a big deal for me as long as the sound of the music is great
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
This and it’s a festival so shorter sets = more acts seen and if you don’t fancy anyone on at a given time a nice, but not too long, time spent wandering soaking in the rest of the stuff the festival has to offer!
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I suppose the difference between the two is that with brickwalled music everything is LOUD and there is no subtlety there. If you like loud music you can achieve that on a properly mastered record by cranking your volume up louder and you still have dynamics.