Pop List: Divisive Bands & Artists

    May 11th, 2009

    This weeks pop list asks and answers the question : Who are some of the greatest bands and artists and why do you hate them so much?

    ani

    10. Ani Difranco

    pros- uncompromising and empowering lyrics, prolific output, aggressive yet highly listenable music.
    cons- Angst-ridden and overwrought, Albums that sound the same, lyrics that seem to be inspired by a hormonally challenged teenager’s journal entries.
    see also: any artist with an acoustic guitar and a “‘Poetry for Dummies” book on their tour bus
    ween1

    9. Ween

    pros- a chameleon-like ability to mimic countless genres and eras, Gene and Dean’s dynamic, hilarity.
    cons- silliness, novelty music isn’t music, a lack of earnestness.
    see also: They Might Be Giants, Dead Milkmen
    jim_morrison2

    8. The Doors

    pros- Jim Morrison
    cons- Jim Morrison
    morrissey

    7. Morrissey

    pros- witty and intelligent lyrics, that indelible Morrissey croon, he was in The god-damn Smiths
    cons- overwrought lyrics, repeated focus on morbid or bleak themes, that excruciating Morrissey croon
    see also: The Cure, Joy Division etc
    kimya-dawson1

    6. Kimya Dawson

    pros- adorably sweet persona, personal and honest songwriting devoid of hubris, classic melodies and chord structures under-produced in contrast with modern overcooked production
    cons- a grating childlike affectation, half-baked songwriting, an apparent lack of any real talent
    jonycage

    5. John Cage

    pros- advanced conceptual and avant-garde music greatly, epitomized the “think outside the box” mentality
    cons- behind his concepts there’s little of substance, more interested in his legacy than his music
    see also: anything that sounds like a three year old playing a piano that your friend tells you is genius
    yes

    4. Yes

    pros- sophisticated compositions as influenced by classical music as rock, virtuosic musicianship
    cons- esoteric songwriting, overindulgence, pretentiousness, silly lyrics
    see also: any given prog rock band
    kanye_west1

    3. Kanye West

    pros- he’s produced dozens of great tracks for other artists, charismatic delivery, a gift for composing infectious songs that transcend the genre
    cons- a repulsively massive ego, vacuous lyrical content, 808′s & Heartbreaks
    see also: any MC with delusions of grandeur
    metallica4

    2. Metallica

    pros- Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …and Justice for All
    cons- The Black Album, Load, Reload, St. Anger, Death Magnetic
    see also: any metal band that’s ever gone mainstream
    An Amazing Likeness

    1. Phish

    pros- virtuosic musicianship, first-rate improvisation, an ability to bring something new to a song each time it is performed, a playfulness bands often lack
    cons- over-indulgent performances, tediousness, mediocre songwriting, annoying fans, interminably long songs, they’ve never put out a good studio album
    see also: Grateful Dead, every Jam band ever

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    Posted by Herb Filed in Lists 8 Comments »

    8 Responses to “Pop List: Divisive Bands & Artists”

    1. 1 Adam Says:
      May 18th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

      Wow, I feel weird about the fact that I almost entirely agree with you on this list. Other than the fact that anybody who doesn’t like Ween is a complete lunatic.

    2. 2 gd Says:
      May 19th, 2009 at 11:57 am

      “behind his concepts there’s little of substance, more interested in his legacy than his music”

      not really sure what you are talking about with this one…there is plenty of substance behind cage’s concepts & cage wasnt really at all interested in his own legacy. in fact, all of his concepts are directly related to the music he wrote.
      a lot of people talk about cage’s ideas/influence or the myth of cage but have absolutely no clue about the actual music he wrote, which was a 50+ year career of compositions in a widely diverse range of styles/sounds.
      most of people’s problems with cage hinge on the fact whether they are willing to accept one of cage’s main premises: that all sounds are and can be music. most people arent willing to go there, but when you do, its a wide open and beautiful world of sound. this is surely the divisive point that you are talking about.

      ….and a 3 year old playing a piano is genius. why not?

    3. 3 chohbot Says:
      June 13th, 2009 at 2:14 am

      I’m not going to lie. I don’t write on forums or responses to websites I stumble on, ever. But this is the best written article I’ve read on music in a long time, and although I may not necessarily agree with everything stated, I find myself unusually content and satisfied with the opinions of the online blogger. This is an awesome list, and has inspired me to begin writing a similar one

    4. 4 James Bong Says:
      June 15th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

      Finally someone isn’t blogging about the fabulous Kanye West. He’s a bore and I hate him.

    5. 5 Rev Says:
      September 17th, 2009 at 4:32 am

      And Amy Lee got left off? She’s had beefs with her manager, with Shaun Morgan of Seether, with the makers of the Narnia films and her own band, as well.

    6. 6 Anonymous Says:
      October 16th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

      YOU ARE ALL NUTS!!!

    7. 7 JB's groupie Says:
      February 17th, 2010 at 11:20 pm

      I’m agree with James Bong. Kanye is an untalented putz with an ego that comes from, I don’t know what or where…the guy has zero talent and his music (using that term loosely), is wretched. Another racist a*shole!

    8. 8 JB's groupie Says:
      February 17th, 2010 at 11:23 pm

      Oh, and I forgot to add…nice job on your praising of The Smiths. The greatest music to come into creation since The Beatles!!! Anyone who says different is a clueless porkchop.

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