(no subject)
Ok, quick, random entry.
I recently discovered that No Doubt had two albums prior to their major 3, one being self-titled, and the other called "The Beacon St. Collection". I never knew this, maybe I'm a bad fan. The point, though, is that my current 2 favorite No Doubt songs are from these albums. One is called "Brand New Day" from the self-titled, and the other is called "Open the Gate" from BSC. I highly recommend listening to them, especially if you're a ska fan. Frankly, it almost tops Save Ferris in sheer amazingness. Gwen Stefani has the most amazing voice, and she uses it in the most interesting ways that I have NEVER heard a musician do before. This then raises two questions:
1) Why are these albums not more popular/well known?
2) WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH GWEN?!?!?! As in, what the fuck happened that could have convinced her to release such pure crap as L.A.M.B.? She started at the top, and then just steadily worked her way down. It is one of the most tragic things I've ever encountered. The idea that she has forever moved on from the music she used to make is devastating. I know it shouldn't bother me so much, but I have never witnessed a more drastic degradation of taste. And I apologize if you like her new stuff, but listen to the songs I mentioned above, and tell me that she hasn't fallen.
What's worse, though, is the inverse level of popularity that's followed her career. The original No Doubt was incredible, but was over-shadowed by the grunge era, which didn't allow for the happier, bouncier ska style. ok, I don't agree, but I understand. Then came their mainstream stuff, not AS good, I would argue, but still very high quality, these being Tragic Kingdom and Return of Saturn. And these enjoyed an equally high level of popularity, not quite as high as that of the pop stars, but certainly enjoying their share of radio play. Finally, however, came the downfall of No Doubt in the album "Rock Steady", and then the tragedy that is her solo album, and people went nuts! Songs from both those albums topped the charts for weeks. Is there no discrimination whatsoever in the mass music market?
I maintained, for a while, that Gwen was making a statement with Love.Angel.Music.Baby. It was a deliberate message to show that absolutely empty fluff with no merit other than a strong beat and a beautiful face behind it would top the charts, because yes, American's have no taste in music (and might I add that from what I've seen and heard, neither do Europeans or Asians). And by Americans I mean the mainstream music market, or pop culture as it were. Gwen had shown us in the past that she, in fact, had much better taste, and was rather pissed that she was being overshadowed by crap. My recent awareness of her past work, however, has changed my mind. This was not a sudden drop in the quality and style of her music. She's been progressing more and more towards generic pop trash, and I think finally she went past the point where the rest of the band would follow her. And then given free reign...
Not only that, but she's married, and happily so, I infer, to one of the greatest post-grunge, teen-angsty singers there is, Gavin Rosdale of "Bush". How does he feel about this? Their music, at this point, operates at opposite ends of the spectrum, one which I feel is not so easily bridged (pardon the mixed metaphor). I truly don't understand.
My faith in music is dying. I worry that we'll lose the truly wonderful stuff to mass-produced kitsch within the span of my lifetime. *sigh*
Wow, this was supposed to be a short little entry, somehow it turned into a massive rant. Sorry guys.
I recently discovered that No Doubt had two albums prior to their major 3, one being self-titled, and the other called "The Beacon St. Collection". I never knew this, maybe I'm a bad fan. The point, though, is that my current 2 favorite No Doubt songs are from these albums. One is called "Brand New Day" from the self-titled, and the other is called "Open the Gate" from BSC. I highly recommend listening to them, especially if you're a ska fan. Frankly, it almost tops Save Ferris in sheer amazingness. Gwen Stefani has the most amazing voice, and she uses it in the most interesting ways that I have NEVER heard a musician do before. This then raises two questions:
1) Why are these albums not more popular/well known?
2) WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH GWEN?!?!?! As in, what the fuck happened that could have convinced her to release such pure crap as L.A.M.B.? She started at the top, and then just steadily worked her way down. It is one of the most tragic things I've ever encountered. The idea that she has forever moved on from the music she used to make is devastating. I know it shouldn't bother me so much, but I have never witnessed a more drastic degradation of taste. And I apologize if you like her new stuff, but listen to the songs I mentioned above, and tell me that she hasn't fallen.
What's worse, though, is the inverse level of popularity that's followed her career. The original No Doubt was incredible, but was over-shadowed by the grunge era, which didn't allow for the happier, bouncier ska style. ok, I don't agree, but I understand. Then came their mainstream stuff, not AS good, I would argue, but still very high quality, these being Tragic Kingdom and Return of Saturn. And these enjoyed an equally high level of popularity, not quite as high as that of the pop stars, but certainly enjoying their share of radio play. Finally, however, came the downfall of No Doubt in the album "Rock Steady", and then the tragedy that is her solo album, and people went nuts! Songs from both those albums topped the charts for weeks. Is there no discrimination whatsoever in the mass music market?
I maintained, for a while, that Gwen was making a statement with Love.Angel.Music.Baby. It was a deliberate message to show that absolutely empty fluff with no merit other than a strong beat and a beautiful face behind it would top the charts, because yes, American's have no taste in music (and might I add that from what I've seen and heard, neither do Europeans or Asians). And by Americans I mean the mainstream music market, or pop culture as it were. Gwen had shown us in the past that she, in fact, had much better taste, and was rather pissed that she was being overshadowed by crap. My recent awareness of her past work, however, has changed my mind. This was not a sudden drop in the quality and style of her music. She's been progressing more and more towards generic pop trash, and I think finally she went past the point where the rest of the band would follow her. And then given free reign...
Not only that, but she's married, and happily so, I infer, to one of the greatest post-grunge, teen-angsty singers there is, Gavin Rosdale of "Bush". How does he feel about this? Their music, at this point, operates at opposite ends of the spectrum, one which I feel is not so easily bridged (pardon the mixed metaphor). I truly don't understand.
My faith in music is dying. I worry that we'll lose the truly wonderful stuff to mass-produced kitsch within the span of my lifetime. *sigh*
Wow, this was supposed to be a short little entry, somehow it turned into a massive rant. Sorry guys.