What Music do you Love , that Everyone Hates ?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Ever since I was a kid I enjoyed music that my friends and family hated. In fact to them a lot of my musical choices as a kid made them hate riding with me.


The Monkees : No other band brought me more joy as a kid than...The Monkees. I could play em for hours. I loved the show and music. Kids in my school however had little love for them and my friends begged me to change my tastes. But SCREW EM....its the Monkees.


MC Hammer: I used to be a huge Hammer fan. When everyone turned on him (F-ck em) I stayed and bought his albums. I do question why Hammer changed up and produced "That Funky Headhunter" though. It was a 180 degree turn from who he really was.


Paul McCartney: My folks always question why I'd take his CD's and play them. But he always made me smile with a lot of solo stuff and Wings.

Guns n Roses: My friends and us loved G'n'R. But they have gave up the hope for them. Me..I'll never SAY DIE. I believe Axl and Slash one day will ride again. Thats just me, optimistic.

Creed: Even my pals admit Stapp's an asshole. But thats where it ends. We still enjoy the music and wonder what might have been.


So which artists do you all love that some friends and family hate ? The ones from a kid to now ?

[clayholio]

I love ska, and I don't care who knows it. Not even Jamaican ska, I'm talking about 3rd wave, mid-90's and later ska. Reel Big Fish, baby!

[zombie]

I love Wolf Eyes, Black Dice, Lightning Bolt, and those kinds of bands, and most of my friends not only hate it, but don't even consider it music.

[Dennis K]

The Monkees : No other band brought me more joy as a kid than...The Monkees. I could play em for hours. I loved the show and music. Kids in my school however had little love for them and my friends begged me to change my tastes. But SCREW EM....its the Monkees.


MC Hammer: I used to be a huge Hammer fan. When everyone turned on him (F-ck em) I stayed and bought his albums. I do question why Hammer changed up and produced "That Funky Headhunter" though. It was a 180 degree turn from who he really was.


Paul McCartney: My folks always question why I'd take his CD's and play them. But he always made me smile with a lot of solo stuff and Wings.

Guns n Roses: My friends and us loved G'n'R. But they have gave up the hope for them. Me..I'll never SAY DIE. I believe Axl and Slash one day will ride again. Thats just me, optimistic.

Creed: Even my pals admit Stapp's an asshole. But thats where it ends. We still enjoy the music and wonder what might have been.

The Monkees: Hating the Monkees seems like a big waste of time, being totally apathetic is much more appropiate.

MC Hammer: See the Monkees.

Paul McCartney: I question how many people actually hate McCartney. He may never be considered as cool as Lennon was, but he was a Beatle, he co-wrote some of the best rock songs ever, and he's had tremendous success as both a solo artist and as a member of Wings.

Guns N' Roses: Again, I question how many people hate GNR. They may hate that thing that was calling itself GNR a couple of years back, or they may hate what a dickhead Axl became in ruining the band, but truly hate the band that released Appetite and the Illusions CDs? I doubt it.

Creed: Even Jesus hates Creed, enough said.

[Pepsigirl]

I sprung No New York on an unsuspecting friend of mine the other day. Hehe, the look on her face...

Classic. :D

[Adam Crocker]

I sprung No New York on an unsuspecting friend of mine the other day. Hehe, the look on her face...

Classic. :D

You girl, are awesome.

[elheffe]

I love ska, and I don't care who knows it. Not even Jamaican ska, I'm talking about 3rd wave, mid-90's and later ska. Reel Big Fish, baby!
No Buck O' Nine?

[clayholio]

No Buck O' Nine?
I never got into Buck O Nine. I'm not sure I ever heard much of their stuff. Guess I should dig up a couple of those comps I've got lying around. But I do listen to way more ska than would be considered healthy.

[monkeysweat]

Well... I... I actually liked a lot of N'Sync's singles. Like... a LOT of them.

[Grant]

I like Genesis when Peter Gabriel was the frontman and Steve Hackett was guitarist. I heard there might be reunion tour with the 1970-1975 with Gabriel handling the vocals.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b1/Genesis_PG.jpg

[The Mirrorball Man]

I like all these pretentious jerks that critics hate, you know, like Sting or Ryan Adams.

[Spike-X]

The people I work with hate just about everything I like. If they haven't already heard it a hundred times on the radio, they don't want to know about it.

[Dennis K]

The people I work with hate just about everything I like. If they haven't already heard it a hundred times on the radio, they don't want to know about it.

What, Springsteen gets no airplay where you are?

[Adam Crocker]

I like all these pretentious jerks that critics hate, you know, like Sting or Ryan Adams.

The critics hate Ryan Adams? Odd, because I've never gotten that impression, even when they lambast some of his albums. The feeling seems to be more that they generally regard him as a talented songwriter, but they feel that many of his experiments outside of roots rock feel forced rather than a natural development of his songwriting.

[The Mirrorball Man]

The critics hate Ryan Adams? Odd, because I've never gotten that impression, even when they lambast some of his albums. The feeling seems to be more that they generally regard him as a talented songwriter, but they feel that many of his experiments outside of roots rock feel forced rather than a natural development of his songwriting.
I think it's a little of both. The general agreement is that he's a gifted songwriter who never really managed to record one completely satisfying record (and I can't disagree), but most critics (or music fans in general) seem to treat Ryan Adams with a "who does that annoying little punk think he is?" attitude.

[elheffe]

I never got into Buck O Nine. I'm not sure I ever heard much of their stuff. Guess I should dig up a couple of those comps I've got lying around. But I do listen to way more ska than would be considered healthy.
They're pretty much Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lite.

[Cash Lone]

I like Genesis when Peter Gabriel was the frontman and Steve Hackett was guitarist. I heard there might be reunion tour with the 1970-1975 with Gabriel handling the vocals.

The Genesis reunion isnt happening. There were quotes in recent press articles from Hackett, Collins AND Gabriel who all said that now was a good time - they did a big meeting on Nov. 20th - then afterwards emails went out to fan clubs that the members of Genesis would not be touring anywhere for at least the next 12 months.

which means they decide again at the next annual meeting they have.

[Spike-X]

What, Springsteen gets no airplay where you are?
Very little, unfortunately.

[Ottmeister X]

Creed. You can hate them all you want, but Torn is as solid a rock song as there is.
Nickelback. You can hate them all you want, but One Last Run is as solid a rock song as there is. (Or maybe it's Deep. I have a burned copy and can't remember which track it is, so sue me).
Green Day. At least everyone did up until the point they realized what a great album American Idiot is or have been fortunate enough to see them live lately to understand what a tight band they have become.
Tom Petty. I'm sure it's the voice or the looks that turn some people off, but he is one of the best rock songwriters ever.
Neil Young. Probably the voice again for some people, but another great, great songwriter.
Stone Temple Pilots. Unfairly compared to Pearl Jam as these guys were easily as talented and IMO better. Kicks Velvet Revolver in the ass.
Shania Twain. I really don't care for country all that much and avoid it for the most part, but just something catchy and appealing to me about her songs. Plus she's yummy!

[Buried Alien]

Tom Petty. I'm sure it's the voice or the looks that turn some people off, but he is one of the best rock songwriters ever.
Neil Young. Probably the voice again for some people, but another great, great songwriter.

Hated? How so? Aside from a handful of legends (Beatles, Dylan, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and at least at this forum, Warren Zevon), Tom Petty and Neil Young elicit almost automatic and unqualified respect.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Ottmeister X]

Hated? How so? Aside from a handful of legends (Beatles, Dylan, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and at least at this forum, Warren Zevon), Tom Petty and Neil Young elicit almost automatic and unqualified respect.

Maybe not in this forum. My wife can't stand either, mainly due to their voices. I've heard other people claim not being fond of either. Young is definitely not well-loved in some southern Lynyrd Skynyrd communities.

[Xiroteus]

Edit.........

[Buried Alien]

There is the music that sold millions that no one seems to own.

I've always wondered about that little phenomenon myself. :)


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Dennis K]

Young is definitely not well-loved in some southern Lynyrd Skynyrd communities.


That's funny, especially considering Young once said he was proud to be name-checked by them.

[Ilash]

Well, if we're rederring to music I love that most people I know really don't then most of the stuff I listen to would fit this topic. Bands/ artists I like that aren't by the general critical opinion include:

Paul McCartney. Yup, the fact that people out there hate Paul McCartney yet love John Lennon (on a musical level) confuses the hell out of me. Paul wrote half of the entire Beatles songbook so hating his music basically means that you hate stuff like Let It Be, Hey Jude, Helter Skelter, Blackbird, Can't Buy Me Love and Get Back. As for his solo stuff (specifically in the seventies), he was actually far more consistent than Lennon and he came up with a huge amount of catchy, DARING (seriously, Macca could be freakin' WEIRD when he wants to), brilliantly constructed melodies. In fact, his seventies solo stuff was much closer to what the Beatles did on a musical level than Lennon's solo career ever was. In my opinion anyway.

Eric Clapton. I'm including him specifically for this forum because he often doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves. Sure he is an inconsistent songwriter, to say the least but he is an exceptional guitarist. I recently bought his One More Car One More Rider DVD that captures a concert from his 2001 tour and I can now definitely say that even when the materials not so great, the man's guitar-playing abilities NEVER deserted him. Oh and I do want to make special mention of his Unplugged album, which I absolutely love yet many people here seem to loathe with a fiery hatred. Why?

The non-"Golden Age" Rolling Stones. A weird choice perhaps but the Stones seem to come under constant criticism for just about anything outside of the albums that were released between 1968 and 1972 and a few other select singles. The albums released between Exile and Some Girls seem to be considered to be atrocities against mankind, their pre-Beggars Banquet albums are all but completely ignored and they get more flack for being around today than even the much more offensive Aerosmith! Yeah, they deserved whatever hate they got during the eighties but otherwise... NO WAY!

[Buried Alien]

Well, if we're rederring to music I love that most people I know really don't then most of the stuff I listen to would fit this topic. Bands/ artists I like that aren't by the general critical opinion include:

Paul McCartney. Yup, the fact that people out there hate Paul McCartney yet love John Lennon (on a musical level) confuses the hell out of me.

This used to be the case in the 1970s and 1980s, but ever since the mid-1990s (especially after BEATLES ANTHOLOGY), McCartney has undergone something of a critical rehabilitation. Music critics today are more apt to praise his recent work (and acknowledge his crucial role in the Beatles) rather than dredge up tired old snarky remarks about "Silly Love Songs". Macca has won some latter day respect, I think, although he hasn't been the hippest thing going since the early 1970s, at least.

Eric Clapton. I'm including him specifically for this forum because he often doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves. Sure he is an inconsistent songwriter, to say the least but he is an exceptional guitarist. I recently bought his One More Car One More Rider DVD that captures a concert from his 2001 tour and I can now definitely say that even when the materials not so great, the man's guitar-playing abilities NEVER deserted him. Oh and I do want to make special mention of his Unplugged album, which I absolutely love yet many people here seem to loathe with a fiery hatred. Why?

Eric Clapton's respect trajectory seems to have taken the exact opposite course of Paul McCartney's. Up through the late 1980s, Clapton was still "God" to many rock fans, but ever since "Tears In Heaven," he's been getting the same flak McCartney used to get in the 70s and 80s. I guess Clapton's critics think he's gone soft.

The non-"Golden Age" Rolling Stones. A weird choice perhaps but the Stones seem to come under constant criticism for just about anything outside of the albums that were released between 1968 and 1972 and a few other select singles. The albums released between Exile and Some Girls seem to be considered to be atrocities against mankind, their pre-Beggars Banquet albums are all but completely ignored and they get more flack for being around today than even the much more offensive Aerosmith! Yeah, they deserved whatever hate they got during the eighties but otherwise... NO WAY!

The Stones are the Stones. More recent stuff like BIGGER BANG and VOODOO LOUNGE don't sound all that different from their classic records, for better or worse.



Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Ilash]

This used to be the case in the 1970s and 1980s, but ever since the mid-1990s (especially after BEATLES ANTHOLOGY), McCartney has undergone something of a critical rehabilitation. Music critics today are more apt to praise his recent work (and acknowledge his crucial role in the Beatles) rather than dredge up tired old snarky remarks about "Silly Love Songs". Macca has won some latter day respect, I think, although he hasn't been the hippest thing going since the early 1970s, at least.

Good point but I still notice the old unfair hatred creeping in from time to time. But yes, his new album has revieved a lot of praise (very much deserved in my opinion) even going on to be nominated for three grammies. And just as a side point, Paul had better not loose out to Mariah Freakin' Carey! And yes, he is certainly not hip - has probably never really been anyway. Seriously, Paul McCartney is just not cool, especially by rock standards. I like him far more when he realizes that too because his attempts at hippness are normally incredibly annoying and get worse as he gets older. I do forgive him this though, what with him being, in my definite opinion, the greatest talent that modern popular ever had and probably will ever have. I'm going way off topic, aren't I?



Eric Clapton's respect trajectory seems to have taken the exact opposite course of Paul McCartney's. Up through the late 1980s, Clapton was still "God" to many rock fans, but ever since "Tears In Heaven," he's been getting the same flak McCartney used to get in the 70s and 80s. I guess Clapton's critics think he's gone soft.

And I think his critics have gone soft in the head if that's their reason (excuse the nastiness, it was just too good to pass up). He did follow that up with a hardcore blues album (From the Cradle), did he not? Besides, why is it that the only mode that the man is allowed to be in is "ferocious rocker" ?



The Stones are the Stones. More recent stuff like BIGGER BANG and VOODOO LOUNGE don't sound all that different from their classic records, for better or worse.
Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Which is exactly why I don't get the contempt that these albums receive - especially in relation to a band like Aerosmith who have truly jumped the shark.

[Buried Alien]

And yes, he is certainly not hip - has probably never really been anyway. Seriously, Paul McCartney is just not cool, especially by rock standards.

Paul McCartney was probably the hippest man alive in rock culture from 1964-1969. A number of things we take for granted as part of rock culture today are probably attributable at least in some part to his influence during that era. Macca's hipness quotient has slipped away, however, because he sometimes thinks it's *still* 1964-1969.




And I think his critics have gone soft in the head if that's their reason (excuse the nastiness, it was just too good to pass up). He did follow that up with a hardcore blues album (From the Cradle), did he not? Besides, why is it that the only mode that the man is allowed to be in is "ferocious rocker" ?

Probably. Yes, Clapton has released some pretty solid blues material during the past 15 years. Those critics usually either ignore that or go for the argument that Clapton's rendition of those blues classics are "whitewashed", "sterile", or "artificial"...comparing him unfavorably to the original blues artists from the early 20th Century who inspired him.




Which is exactly why I don't get the contempt that these albums receive - especially in relation to a band like Aerosmith who have truly jumped the shark.

It's a youth-obssessed culture that insists that once you get over a certain age, you're not allowed to be cool anymore.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Ilash]

Paul McCartney was probably the hippest man alive in rock culture from 1964-1969. A number of things we take for granted as part of rock culture today are probably attributable at least in some part to his influence during that era. Macca's hipness quotient has slipped away, however, because he sometimes thinks it's *still* 1964-1969.




Probably. Yes, Clapton has released some pretty solid blues material during the past 15 years. Those critics usually either ignore that or go for the argument that Clapton's rendition of those blues classics are "whitewashed", "sterile", or "artificial"...comparing him unfavorably to the original blues artists from the early 20th Century who inspired him.




It's a youth-obssessed culture that insists that once you get over a certain age, you're not allowed to be cool anymore.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Yup. I do believe I agree with everything you just said. Especially about Paul McCartney.

[Rob Allen]

Getting back to the original question, I don't understand the hatred many people profess for the Grateful Dead. I've been a Deadhead for thirty years now; I love their music. But it gets the strangest reactions from some people.

[Eliot Johnson]

Radiohead gets a lot of odd reactions and so does Sigur Ros

James Kochalka Superstar gets some priceless reactions.

Funnier though is that my roommate won't let me listen to "King of Carrot Flowers Part Two" by Neutral Milk Hotel.

[Pepsigirl]

Funnier though is that my roommate won't let me listen to "King of Carrot Flowers Part Two" by Neutral Milk Hotel.

Why does your roommate hate Jesus?

[Shellhead]

I think it's a little of both. The general agreement is that he's a gifted songwriter who never really managed to record one completely satisfying record (and I can't disagree), but most critics (or music fans in general) seem to treat Ryan Adams with a "who does that annoying little punk think he is?" attitude.

My ex tried to get me hooked on Ryan Adams music. I don't hate his stuff, but most of his songs sound obviously derivative of songs by other people.

[Spike-X]

My ex tried to get me hooked on Ryan Adams music. I don't hate his stuff, but most of his songs sound obviously derivative of songs by other people.
He did go through a period where it seems he desperately wanted to be Paul Westerberg.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Not love, but I like some ska and reggaton (though most of it is pure crap, to be honest).

[Dennis K]

He did go through a period where it seems he desperately wanted to be Paul Westerberg.


Surely he's not the only person guilty of that charge.

[Adam Crocker]

He did go through a period where it seems he desperately wanted to be Paul Westerberg.

Only a period...?

Surely he's not the only person guilty of that charge.

Probably, but he's the first to have Westerberg bust his balls over it. (Even if it was meant to be a lot less serious than Adams took it.)

[Copper]

You're all gonna laugh but...

Blue Oyster Cult.

Yeah they got passed over but I do like a lot of their songs. Inevitably I end up playing Black Blade any time I read Michael Moorcock's books. Harvester of Eyes I found was always a suitably wierd and creepy song, and songs like Veteran of the Psychic wars wraps up a science fiction story into a 4 minute song. Then there were their covers of MC5's Kick Out the Jams and the Animals' We Gotta Get Out of this Place.

:D

[Adam Crocker]

You're all gonna laugh but...

Blue Oyster Cult.

Why? Blue Oyster Cult rock!

(And I discovered them the same way I discovered Hawkwind, Michael Moorcock.)

[Buried Alien]

We're not doing a really good job of sticking with the theme of this thread: half the people/bands we're naming not only aren't hated, but are fairly well-loved/respected. :)

Come on! Someone out there has to like Milli Vanilli or Celine Dion! :D

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Cash Lone]

You're all gonna laugh but...

Blue Oyster Cult.

Yeah they got passed over but I do like a lot of their songs. Inevitably I end up playing Black Blade any time I read Michael Moorcock's books. Harvester of Eyes I found was always a suitably wierd and creepy song, and songs like Veteran of the Psychic wars wraps up a science fiction story into a 4 minute song. Then there were their covers of MC5's Kick Out the Jams and the Animals' We Gotta Get Out of this Place.

:D

Wha? Everyone loves BOC. Metal = RESPECT! Tyranny and Mutation is such a bizarre and evil sounding record. Agents of Fortune with This aint the summer of love? Okay, Spectres suxx but even that has Godzilla.

[Adam Crocker]

We're not doing a really good job of sticking with the theme of this thread: half the people/bands we're naming not only aren't hated, but are fairly well-loved/respected. :)

Oooooohhh...just you wait until I break out my 'Eric Clapton sucks!' post later today Alien. You'll regret those words! http://www.issue9mm.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif

[Adam Crocker]

I like Genesis when Peter Gabriel was the frontman and Steve Hackett was guitarist. I heard there might be reunion tour with the 1970-1975 with Gabriel handling the vocals.

Oddly enough they still don't get nearly as much hate as Phil Collins' Genesis.

[Buried Alien]

Oddly enough they still don't get nearly as much hate as Phil Collins' Genesis.

I can't tell the difference between Collins' Genesis and Collins' solo work during the 80s, can you? Genesis practically was reduced to Phil Collins' backing band during the 1980s.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[CaptMagellan]

You're all gonna laugh but...

Blue Oyster Cult.

Yeah they got passed over but I do like a lot of their songs. Inevitably I end up playing Black Blade any time I read Michael Moorcock's books. Harvester of Eyes I found was always a suitably wierd and creepy song, and songs like Veteran of the Psychic wars wraps up a science fiction story into a 4 minute song. Then there were their covers of MC5's Kick Out the Jams and the Animals' We Gotta Get Out of this Place.

:D

I LOVE BOC. If someone forced me to pick only one favorite band - I'd pick them in a heartbeat.

It's been that way since the first time I saw them live.

Night makes Right.

[CaptMagellan]

We're not doing a really good job of sticking with the theme of this thread: half the people/bands we're naming not only aren't hated, but are fairly well-loved/respected. :)
Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

That's because we all have exceptionally good taste in music. :cool:

[Dennis K]

We're not doing a really good job of sticking with the theme of this thread: half the people/bands we're naming not only aren't hated, but are fairly well-loved/respected.

http://jimmy231980.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/oasis_2009_perou_l.jpg
There, I've done it, happy now?

[ocelotrevs]

Well, there's a band called 'The Music', everyone I know that likes rock and I tell them about it, they just go on about how awful they are.

[Copper]

Why? Blue Oyster Cult rock!

(And I discovered them the same way I discovered Hawkwind, Michael Moorcock.)

Basically around here a band isn't "cool" if they've been around before 1989. *shrugs*

[Eliot Johnson]

Why does your roommate hate Jesus?

haha

He says it makes him "uncomfortable"

That album is incredible though...one of the best albums of our time.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Creed. You can hate them all you want, but Torn is as solid a rock song as there is.
Nickelback. You can hate them all you want, but One Last Run is as solid a rock song as there is. (Or maybe it's Deep. I have a burned copy and can't remember which track it is, so sue me).
Green Day. At least everyone did up until the point they realized what a great album American Idiot is or have been fortunate enough to see them live lately to understand what a tight band they have become.
Tom Petty. I'm sure it's the voice or the looks that turn some people off, but he is one of the best rock songwriters ever.
Neil Young. Probably the voice again for some people, but another great, great songwriter.
Stone Temple Pilots. Unfairly compared to Pearl Jam as these guys were easily as talented and IMO better. Kicks Velvet Revolver in the ass.
Shania Twain. I really don't care for country all that much and avoid it for the most part, but just something catchy and appealing to me about her songs. Plus she's yummy!

What kind of sad excuse for a human being doesn't like Tom Petty and Neil Young?

[Spike-X]

Basically around here a band isn't "cool" if they've been around before 1989. *shrugs*
Do you mean this forum, or where you live?

[GozertheGozarian]

What kind of sad excuse for a human being doesn't like Tom Petty and Neil Young?
I like Tom Petty, but Neil Young really started putting out crap with Crazy Horse. The secondary hair metal bands were pretty cool, but got completely shit on.

[Grant]

I can't tell the difference between Collins' Genesis and Collins' solo work during the 80s, can you? Genesis practically was reduced to Phil Collins' backing band during the 1980s.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Unfortunately I can tell the difference.

THere's Tony Banks distinctive keyboard style in Genesis. And there was a lot less emphasis on drums and less sappy love songs then on the solo Collins records. They still occasionally dabbled in art/prog rock territory. Phil Collins solo stuff usually more emphasis on drums and drum machines, horn sections and reflected his interest in soul and R & B.

I know way too much about this.

[Copper]

Do you mean this forum, or where you live?

Oh, sorry--where I live. Must've listened to the new Green Day album about 10 times now, and I don't even own it! I'm wondering when my neighbor's going to find a new favorite album.

[Valmore]

Genesis practically was reduced to Phil Collins' backing band during the 1980s.[/COLOR]

I doubt the band will complain, considering they probably saw the height of both success and their bank accounts under Collins.

[Lubichev]

........Neil Young really started putting out crap with Crazy Horse.
But Weld is one of the greatest, loudest albums evah!

[Ottmeister X]

What kind of sad excuse for a human being doesn't like Tom Petty and Neil Young?

If you're a male and appreciate rock music whether you adore the artist or not, then probably very few.

If you're female, don't really understand the history of rock, and prefer country music, then you may be hard-pressed to find one that does like Petty and Young.

[Spike-X]

I like Tom Petty, but Neil Young really started putting out crap with Crazy Horse. The secondary hair metal bands were pretty cool, but got completely shit on.
So...Crazy Horse = crap, but hair metal = cool?

Gotcha.

[Ilash]

I just thought of a few more bands that I really, really like that are generally not well recieved. They're all basically pop bands from the sixties and seventies.

The Moody Blues. Probably my favourite of the lot thanks to some incredible melodies and interesting instrumentation/ production/ arrangements. But yeah, the poety sucks.

The Hollies. One of the best pure pop bands ever who are unfairly grouped together with WAY inferior bands like Herman's Hermits.

Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne is very much underrated as a songwriter and again, the melodies are often simply breathtaking.

Procal Harum. These guys even rock occasionally but either way there is much more to them than A Whiter Shade of Pale.

As far as I know, all four of those bands aren't held in the highest esteem and hell if I know why.


P.S. Oh and Crocker, bring on the Clapton hate, it should lead to some pretty heated debate, methinks.

[Adam Crocker]

If you're female, don't really understand the history of rock, and prefer country music, then you may be hard-pressed to find one that does like Petty and Young.

Interesting considering that the album that made Young a star was the heavily countrified Harvest.

[Copper]

Procal Harum. These guys even rock occasionally but either way there is much more to them than A Whiter Shade of Pale.



Well they had Robin Trower. Of course they rock! :D

[Adam Crocker]

P.S. Oh and Crocker, bring on the Clapton hate, it should lead to some pretty heated debate, methinks.

Okay, but you asked for it. ;)


Eric Clapton. I'm including him specifically for this forum because he often doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves.

You're right. He gets far too much of it.

I recently bought his One More Car One More Rider DVD that captures a concert from his 2001 tour and I can now definitely say that even when the materials not so great, the man's guitar-playing abilities NEVER deserted him.

No one's denying that his guitar playing abilities left him. It's that his playing is bloodless. I remember watching some of the Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD at my last guitar lesson. Namely the clips when he was onstage playing with Jimmy Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumelin, and Robert Cray. All rather skilled blues guitarists (though Vaughan's playing technique is amazingly bad for a good player), with Clapton probably having the most chops out of all them. But there was just something about his playing that struck me as lacking, like no matter how many notes he struck it was fundamentally polite and mannered. Not to mention pretty dull.

Similarly, on The Last Waltz there's a number where both Clapton and Robbie Robertson take turns soloing. Clapton demonstrates much more skill Robertson. Much more. But Robertson's playing completely outstripped Clapton in terms of energy and feeling. Clapton's just felt limp and sterile, a simulacrum of energy as opposed to actual energy.

Oh and I do want to make special mention of his Unplugged album, which I absolutely love yet many people here seem to loathe with a fiery hatred. Why?

Personally, I've mostly seen Mark Andrew, Rob (leonaozaki), and myself slag it off. And deservedly so. Never mind the old bues greats. Compare this to acoustic blues tracks by good white blues players like Rory Gallagher ("Banker Blues"), Michael Bloomfield ("Hey, Foreman"), or the great Ry Cooder ("Dark Is the Night"). Clapton's stab at acoustic blues is dry and lifeless. Granted both Bloomfield and Gallagher's voices can be a bit on the weak side, but I have never heard them do everything possible to avoid actually singing with feeling or moving beyond a limp croon. He drains both "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out" and "Layla" of any real emotion. The only tracks that really seem to have any energy "Alberta" and "San Francisco Baby Blues," (while his singing manages a few brief stabs at convincing on "Old Love")...

...and then it sinks right back into his substandard approach, reducing Robert Johnson guitar lines on "Malted Milk" to a kind of twiddling that seems afraid as though briefly upping the Boomers' heart rates would kill them. Or worst. It might be rude to someone, which exactly seems to be the guiding principle of a good part of the Clapton's music for the past thirty years.

[Adam Crocker]

Eric Clapton's respect trajectory seems to have taken the exact opposite course of Paul McCartney's. Up through the late 1980s, Clapton was still "God" to many rock fans...

Well people thought that noodling on the guitar real fast in imitation of EVH was somehow meritous back in the 80s so I guess still regarding Clapton as a god was possible up to 1989.

Mind you, from what I've seen he seems to hold plenty of currency among the British music press. Uncut seemed fairly reverent of him in their interview with him awhile back while Mojo devoted thirty-two pages to him in their blues special, and recommended that awful Unplugged album as well as Pilgrim of all things as "Desert Island Clapton" discs.

...but ever since "Tears In Heaven," he's been getting the same flak McCartney used to get in the 70s and 80s. I guess Clapton's critics think he's gone soft.

And they are right. But they were also off by twenty-two years, give or take.


Probably. Yes, Clapton has released some pretty solid blues material during the past 15 years. Those critics usually either ignore that or go for the argument that Clapton's rendition of those blues classics are "whitewashed", "sterile", or "artificial"...comparing him unfavorably to the original blues artists from the early 20th Century who inspired him.

He has released solid blues material in the past 15 years? Was Fat Possum records a front operation for him?

Can't say I've paid much attention to most reviews, but I listened to parts of his most recent blues foray, Me and Mr. Johnson, on his website. Like Unplugged it pretty much fits into his bloodless blues pop approach he has been following for the past thirty years or so. I'm using his early 60s work as a standard, and it's not that high of a standard for me though. His early stuff, while good, is far from my favourite blues rock or white blues. Even from the sixties.

This Clapton bashing has been brought to you by the Royal Commission on Eric Clapton Sucking, Adam Crocker's Inner Snob, and the letter Q.

[Valmore]

The Hollies. One of the best pure pop bands ever who are unfairly grouped together with WAY inferior bands like Herman's Hermits.

Funny, I've never heard anyone say they hate The Hollies.

[Buried Alien]

Funny, I've never heard anyone say they hate The Hollies.

Me neither. Among younger music fans, however, I often hear that they've never heard of the Hollies.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Ilash]

Crocker:

Wow, I'm actually going to have some problem defending Clapton here. Not really because I think you're right but because I sort of see your argument as very, very subjective. Don't get me wrong, it's very well defined and explained subjectivity but what it seems to me is that your argument is basically that Eric Clapton is a guy who sets out to play a very emotional kind of music but you feel nothing from hearing him play. That's fine. I can see where you're coming from, I just don't agree with you. I personally find Clapton to be one of the more affecting guitarists and singers out there - even on his lesser material (and let's not kid, there is a lot of that). I, for one, don't find Unplugged to be "dry and lifeless" at all and easily consider it to be one of his best post-Derek and the Dominoes albums. But yes, Pilgrim (or what I've heard of it) and a number of his other albums are pathetic pieces of crap - I just prefer to judge him on his best work not his worst. And yes, I am also a big fan of his sixties stuff - Cream are actually one of my all time favourite bands.

I will, however, concede that I have not heard that many of the blues greats just yet but then, it is a genre that I've just recently started to get into so I may well change my mind about Clapton at some point. Right now though, I'm sticking to my opinion.

[Ottmeister X]

Interesting considering that the album that made Young a star was the heavily countrified Harvest.

Doesn't necessarily mean it was the female gender buying that album. I'm not much of a country fan, but I can at least recognize that old country is an acceptable form of music versus today's pop country culture.

[leonaozaki]

Shania Twain. I really don't care for country all that much and avoid it for the most part, but just something catchy and appealing to me about her songs. Plus she's yummy!

Um. Shania Twain is very much not country. She's not even country as defined by the crap pop-country sounds of the moment. She's just pop. Her songs are catchy, but there is no way on God's green earth that she should ever be classified as a country singer.

Rob

[leonaozaki]

Hated? How so? Aside from a handful of legends (Beatles, Dylan, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and at least at this forum, Warren Zevon), Tom Petty and Neil Young elicit almost automatic and unqualified respect.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Um, in the case of Tom Petty, not so much.

http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=2365


I love his stuff, myself, but there's a certain circle of rock journalists that ignore him, and I can sort of see why.

Rob

[leonaozaki]

Eric Clapton's respect trajectory seems to have taken the exact opposite course of Paul McCartney's. Up through the late 1980s, Clapton was still "God" to many rock fans, but ever since "Tears In Heaven," he's been getting the same flak McCartney used to get in the 70s and 80s. I guess Clapton's critics think he's gone soft.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Clapton has been soft, and may God forgive me for this, since he went into detox. Or to put it another way, everything he's done since LAYLA has been utterly forgettable when it hasn't been downright bad.

With one exception.

Remember that atrocious ME AND MR JOHNSON record? A year or so later Clapton put out an outtake version which was rocking and blistering and every other positive 'ing' adjective that ME AND MR JOHNSON wasn't. So somewhere deep in there lurks the old fire. But he's doing his damndest to keep it under wraps.

'Change the World,' indeed. Yikes!

rob

[leonaozaki]

Doesn't necessarily mean it was the female gender buying that album. I'm not much of a country fan, but I can at least recognize that old country is an acceptable form of music versus today's pop country culture.

Go read the relevant portions of SHAKEY. All the young girls looooved Young back in his CSNY-Harvest, country days.

rob

[Adam Crocker]

Remember that atrocious ME AND MR JOHNSON record? A year or so later Clapton put out an outtake version which was rocking and blistering and every other positive 'ing' adjective that ME AND MR JOHNSON wasn't.

He did? Holy crap.

[leonaozaki]

It's called "Sessions for Robert J." and apparently I was mistaken in calling it an outtake album. It's a recording of Clapton and his band rehearsing for their tour supporting ME AND MR JOHNSON. And I've heard some of it; all of what I've heard was light-years better than what was on the album.

Rob

[leonaozaki]

I will, however, concede that I have not heard that many of the blues greats just yet but then, it is a genre that I've just recently started to get into so I may well change my mind about Clapton at some point. Right now though, I'm sticking to my opinion.

Have you listened to Robert Johnson's COMPLETE RECORDINGS yet? Because if you have, and you still think Clapton is so great, then I will be...very surprised. And mistaken. But so it goes.

rob

[Ottmeister X]

Um, in the case of Tom Petty, not so much.

http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=2365


I love his stuff, myself, but there's a certain circle of rock journalists that ignore him, and I can sort of see why.

Rob

One man does not make a circle. Who the hell is that guy anyhow? Just some blogger looking for recognition? His reviews are not even really reviews, just someone trying to be comical with his poor viewpoint. I deem him a circle jerk. Not backlashing out at you for posting it, but it's pretty weak stuff that any of us could post on the Internet. Heck, his grading system is confused with his comments since he gives decent marks for most of the albums but seems cynical to Petty. Dean of American Rock Critics? Um, yeah, all of the rock critics got together and declared him Dean.

[leonaozaki]

One man does not make a circle. Who the hell is that guy anyhow? Just some blogger looking for recognition? His reviews are not even really reviews, just someone trying to be comical with his poor viewpoint. I deem him a circle jerk. Not backlashing out at you for posting it, but it's pretty weak stuff that any of us could post on the Internet. Heck, his grading system is confused with his comments since he gives decent marks for most of the albums but seems cynical to Petty. Dean of American Rock Critics? Um, yeah, all of the rock critics got together and declared him Dean.

If you think Bob Christgau is just a blogger...well, there's nothing much to say to that. I am clearly defeated by your superior logic.

rob

[Adam Crocker]

Who the hell is that guy anyhow?

Robert Christgau, a well known rock critic who has been writing for Village Voice since the late 1960s and has also had work published in Playboy, Rolling Stone, and Creem.

[Ottmeister X]

Um. Shania Twain is very much not country. She's not even country as defined by the crap pop-country sounds of the moment. She's just pop. Her songs are catchy, but there is no way on God's green earth that she should ever be classified as a country singer.

Rob

Funny how she wins all of those country music awards. Funny how the country music world classifies her as country. Funny how her music really isn't that much different than Chesney or Big & Rich or Urban.

[G. Wayne]

Bah. I can beat everyone in this thread in regards to liking a "hated" band with with three words.

Insane
Clown
Posse

:p

C'mon, Clapton? Even though I'm forever indifferent to the guy (his style ain't my thing), he'll go down as one of the all-time greats. Same thing with Neil Young. And didn't Tom Petty just get some lifetime acheivement award or something? /Those/ guys are the best you can come up with for "hated" acts? You're not even trying.

[Ottmeister X]

Robert Christgau, a well known rock critic who has been writing for Village Voice since the late 1960s and has also had work published in Playboy, Rolling Stone, and Creem.

Thanks. I probably read a review of his at some point but didn't log his name into the memory banks. I can see why now.

I'm guessing Petty turned him off at some point and he holds a grudge. Or maybe a difference in politics. Whatever the reason, doesn't make him a very good critic.

[Ottmeister X]

Bah. I can beat everyone in this thread in regards to liking a "hated" band with with three words.

Insane
Clown
Posse

:p

C'mon, Clapton? Even though I'm forever indifferent to the guy (his style ain't my thing), he'll go down as one of the all-time greats. Same thing with Neil Young. And didn't Tom Petty just get some lifetime acheivement award or something? /Those/ guys are the best you can come up with for "hated" acts? You're not even trying.

You like those guys? Sorry. I would jot down Slipknot but I hate 'em.

[G. Wayne]

You like those guys? Sorry. I would jot down Slipknot but I hate 'em.

Haven't listened to the last three or four albums they put out, but yeah, The Amazing Jeckyl Brothers and The Great Milenko are all kinds of amusing.

Slipknot's last album just sucked. Good live show though.