06 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by rbmorrisBy what criteria are they stupid? Boring is a subjective thing and I can well see why you and millions of others are put off. But stupid? Maybe ridiculous, again subjective, acceptable. No skin off my nose.
Finally...someone else who finds them (Jethro Tull) stupid and boring.
Zeppelin incorporated a lot of that stuff into their songs, but managed to pull it off.
But stupid? To my mind Mr Anderson, in spite of his more embarrassing insistence on standing on one leg (just because in 1968 it became something by which the band became defined in a one-off newpaper article - not at all a trait admired by fans) and some of the smutty videos, is the greatest genius ever to put words to music.
The difference between him and a wordsmith like Bob Dylan is that his lyrics did not bring people together at a time of social change, rather by their intricate nature led fans to make personal interpretations and keep them private. OK, many Tull fans are introspective people. Bob Dylan helped change the world, Ian Anderson helped many millions of people understand their own role in this.
The other thing about him is that his sell by date is by no means past. Does Bob Dylan still write lyrics as powerful as once upon a time? Ian Anderson still produces poetry, forty years into his career, fit to put bricks in anybody's wall.
If they listen.
Of course, there's no reason anybody should.
But for those who don't even entertain the thought, he might have this to say:
Brain-storming habit-forming battle-warning weary
winsome actor spewing spineless chilling lines ---
the critics falling over to tell themselves he's boring
and really not an awful lot of fun.
Well who the hell can he be when he's never had V.D.,
and he doesn't even sit on toilet seats?
Court-jesting, never-resting --- he must be very cunning
to assume an air of dignity
and bless us all, with his oratory prowess,
his lame-brained antics and his jumping in the air.
And every night his act's the same
and so it must be all a game of chess he's playing ---
``But you're wrong, Steve: you see, it's only solitaire.''
06 Jun 07
The best rock band ever was probably never heard of. Just a couple guys who were amazingly talented, playing in a garage or basement somewhere, and never had the testicular fortitude to do anything with it.
But this is one of those questions you could have at least ten answers to, mostly all of them coming from before 1980. But there have a few bands that qualify as great since then 😉
06 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by PocketKingsI (somewhat) agree with the first statement: "The best rock band ever was probably never heard of."
The best rock band ever was probably never heard of. Just a couple guys who were amazingly talented, playing in a garage or basement somewhere, and never had the testicular fortitude to do anything with it.
I doubt it's a question of "testicular fortitude" though. The most interesting and inventive stuff usually isn't gobbled up by the masses.
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by PocketKingsThe greatest lost track of all time:
The best rock band ever was probably never heard of. Just a couple guys who were amazingly talented, playing in a garage or basement somewhere, and never had the testicular fortitude to do anything with it.
But this is one of those questions you could have at least ten answers to, mostly all of them coming from before 1980. But there have a few bands that qualify as great since then 😉
The Late Greats' "Turpentine"
You can't hear it on the radio
You can't hear it anywhere you go
The best band will never get signed
K-Settes starring Butcher's Blind
Are so good, you won't ever know
They never even played a show
You can't hear 'em on the radio
The best song will never get sung
The best life never leaves your lungs
So good, you won't ever know
I never hear it on the radio
Can't hear it on the radio
- The Late Greats by Wilco
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisAnd that's what makes this decade and, to an extent, the 90's, so great, especially for gormanizers like myself. The internet has brought all these incredibly talented artists and their misunderstood creations to those who seek them out. It's a brilliant age. It's too bad that people still waste their time on MTV and other such twaddle. They don't know what they're missing.
I (somewhat) agree with the first statement: "The best rock band ever was probably never heard of."
I doubt it's a question of "testicular fortitude" though. The most interesting and inventive stuff usually isn't gobbled up by the masses.
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by darvlayTrue. The only problem is that with the ability to download single songs, people often overlook a band's greater body of work. When I like a song, I try to download the entire album and give it an honest shot. Unfortunately, I don't think most people do. Still I agree, it's a great era for music. There's really a lot of incredible stuff out there and it's available to anyone who is willing to put forth the time and effort to take it in.
And that's what makes this decade and, to an extent, the 90's, so great, especially for gormanizers like myself. The internet has brought all these incredibly talented artists and their misunderstood creations to those who seek them out. It's a brilliant age. It's too bad that people still waste their time on MTV and other such twaddle. They don't know what they're missing.
06 Jun 07
2 edits
Originally posted by rbmorrisI'm pretty sure most people are the same way. Just look at soulseek. A quick browse of any user's files will show that full albums are preferred by most. Also, torrents are almost all exclusively full albums.
True. The only problem is that with the ability to download single songs, people often overlook a band's greater body of work. When I like a song, I try to download the entire album and give it an honest shot. Unfortunately, I don't think most people do. Still I agree, it's a great era for music. There's really a lot of incredible stuff out there and it's available to anyone who is willing to put forth the time and effort to take it in.
Here's the real question though - if you like the album after you download it, do you go out and buy it or are you content just to have it on your iPod or a burned CD?
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisI've recently been checking out some of the music you guys have been posting in the 'what are you listening to' thread. I've been downloading the albums and finding similar stuff on pandora too. cheers!
True. The only problem is that with the ability to download single songs, people often overlook a band's greater body of work. When I like a song, I try to download the entire album and give it an honest shot. Unfortunately, I don't think most people do. Still I agree, it's a great era for music. There's really a lot of incredible stuff out there and it's available to anyone who is willing to put forth the time and effort to take it in.
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by darvlaypersonally i like to own the 'real' album but moneys tight so i'm content with a burned copy for now
I'm pretty sure most people are the same way. Just look at soulseek. A quick browse of any user's files will show that full albums are preferred by most. Also, torrents are almost all exclusively full albums.
Here's the real question though - if you like the album after you download it, do you go out and buy it or are you content just to have it on your iPod or a burned CD?
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by darvlayActually, no. I should buy the album after I like it, but I admit that I usually don't. If I really enjoy an album, I'll usually pay for other works by the band though. I do try to (financially) support the best bands.
I'm pretty sure most people are the same way. Just look at soulseek. A quick browse of any user's files will show that full albums are preferred by most. Also, torrents are almost all exclusively full albums.
Here's the real question though - if you like the album after you download it, do you go out and buy it or are you content just to have it on your iPod or a burned CD?
I was actually thinking yesterday about buying B&S's The Life Pursuit, even though I already have it in e-format.
06 Jun 07
Originally posted by darvlayMTV doesn't even play music anymore 😉
And that's what makes this decade and, to an extent, the 90's, so great, especially for gormanizers like myself. The internet has brought all these incredibly talented artists and their misunderstood creations to those who seek them out. It's a brilliant age. It's too bad that people still waste their time on MTV and other such twaddle. They don't know what they're missing.
But thanks for agreeing with my previous statement. There are more than a couple local bads here in Philly who blow away 90% of the garbage playing on the radio, and they will probably never see airtime on the radio.
But the internet certainly does make them more accessible.