The hype machine doesn't always get it right.

[axver]

Every so often, an album or band comes along that seems to grab prominence amongst your more elite, non-mainstream music fans. We're not talking about mainstream hype like U2 or Coldplay, but nor are we talking about some obscure band whose releases are in batches of 100 and are hyped up by a couple of people who saw them live. Now, I'm mainly

Comments

[axver]

See, it just does nothing for me. It got to the point where I just didn't want to listen to the rest of the album because it was too boring for me. Maybe I'll give some of the other tracks a whirl later though.

[hard2explain8]

I hate to say it, but as a self proclaimed music elitist, this post made me want to cry. :(

I LOVE Sufjan Stevens. And I saw Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire live, and they were amazing. I love their studio work. Esp. since they have lovely ladies like Feist (who sings with Kings of Convenience) and Emily Haines of Metric.

And oh man. OK Computer? Definitely in no way overrated (ACHTUNG BABY?? Shut your face, man!!)

Well, I guess not everyone can agree on what good music is. We'd be a much more peaceful planet!

Have a good one.

[axver]

As a self-proclaimed hyper-elitist, your "elitism" makes me cry. ;)

(Joke. I don't consider myself a hyper-elitist, but I expect a hell of a lot from my music.)

I've never understood why Achtung Baby is rated so high. Songs like One, WGRYWH, and Ultra Violet have no features of note (I consider One to be a fading shadow of WOWY at best), and I've always disliked So Cruel and TTTYAATW, though I'll concede So Cruel has good lyrics. It seems there's a tendency for people who prefer U2's nineties output to rate Achtung Baby and OK Computer as two of the best albums ever, and as I am far, far more in favour of U2's eighties output (Unforgettable Fire, anyone?), I guess it's no shock that I have a contrary view.

I've heard many, many good things about Arcade Fire's live shows though, even from people who weren't so thrilled with Funeral. They certainly sound like they put on an energetic and entertaining gig. And their cover of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart with U2 was simply stunning.

[dysprosium]

Oh dear, you've named most of my favourite artists

[axver]

'Oh dear, you've named most of my favourite artists.'I know. :( But as I said, I appreciate some of what Radiohead and Arcade Fire have made; I just think a lot of it is over-rated or not worthy of the high praise it receives. When Radiohead get it right, they churn out some quality music. When they don't, though, it just sounds to me like they're trying to recreate Passengers. And just like The Joshua Tree's one of a kind, no-one's ever going to recreate Passengers with any success

[dysprosium]

I'm not so sure if Radiohead have ever tried to recreate Passengers. Maybe a tiny little bit on Kid A, but a lot of that album was inspired by the very early computer-generated music from the 70s. The main organ-sounding melody on Idioteque is actually a sample from a piece Paul Lansky wrote in 1973.

I wasn't impressed with BSS initially, but I've warmed up to their instrumentation. I still think the male singer sounds like shit, but I like their production on their songs. The bass and drums sound really good on songs like Cause=Time and Stars And Sons.

I don't think Waters needs the female backups either, but I guess he thinks it's one way to get around his voice. Either that or he just likes them, heh. I think the gravelly sound to his voice sounds quite nice, actually. It works quite well for certain songs. He did adapt his singing style too, particularly on Amused To Death. It's more "talking" than singing, save for a few songs.

[axver]

To me, Passengers sounds like the ideal album Radiohead wish they could make. Now, when I listen to their post-Bends music, I think "Passengers is better". But I'm one of these bizarre people who ranks Passengers high. It's made it into my top four U2 albums of all time lately. UF, JT, Passengers, Boy.

Hmm. Maybe I'll have to give Broken Social Scene another try. The problem is their female singers. I know that sounds awful, but I find I rarely get hooked on music with female vocalists. Bizarrely, though, I'll get hooked on male vocalists who sing so high that they could be mistaken for female by those not "in the know". Though, of course, there's exceptions: Bic Runga's good, and the backing female vocals in the chorus of Anathema's Don't Look Too Far give the song the push it needs to be a classic.

[screendoor3]

I'm going to listen to Illinoise and see if I agree with you.

[axver]

I'd expect you to like it more than I did.

[screendoor3]

I think I will as well.

[axver]

It strikes me as a bit of an "American" album. I remember you've suggested that as a possible reason why I haven't enjoyed other albums as much as you, so maybe it's the same case here.

[anonymous]

THe entire rock/pop scene is in shambles right now.

Tu quote Larry Mullen:
"I had one thing to say to Bono. When he's finished dealing with the world's problems, the third world's problems maybe he could do something with the music industry. I think it needs a little bit of help."

[dysprosium]

Larry Mullen's musical taste is in shambles.

[axver]

That quote was remarkably unexpected, though. It almost seemed sane!

Maybe he hasn't totally lost the plot after all.

[dysprosium]

I'm not sure I like the thought of what he'd propose to do about the music industry, hehe. He's right that there's problems there, but I think he might just add to them if he gets his way.