Interesting Quote...

[Birdy]

"The Pixies were not a fucking rock group. Neither are R.E.M. Sonic Youth are not a rock group and neither were Nirvana. We use/have used electric guitars therefore we are a rock group?!"

~ Thom Yorke

... So, what do you think about that one? Is it snobby and pretentious, drawing imaginary lines in the sand, or is there valuable insight there?

Are MBV a rock band?

[Maximo]

I think you're opening up a box that you'll never be able to close again. That question can technically be adjusted to fit any aspect of life.

Personally though, I feel that classifying anything into one genre is impossible to do, unfair even. Except most rap, most rap sucks. (I love Jurassic 5. yay. yay. )

Thom Yorke is awesome though, I respect everything he's said.


I look forward to everyone elses replies :D

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Originally posted by Birdy
Is it snobby and pretentious, drawing imaginary lines in the sand, or is there valuable insight there? Most definitely the former.

[Paul]

Yeah. Snobby and pretentious with idiocy to spare.

Radiohead is a rock band. (That's another shirt I'll make, along with "The true spirit of true indie rock")

[earl grey]

where is this quote from? i'm curious about the context.

[tinobeat]

Thom Yorke? meh...

There's a point where rock stars lose touch with any sense of reality, and I think Radiohead hit that somewhere right after OK computer. Case in point, Thom saying in an interview "we've used every chord progression there is, so we had to look elsewhere."

Please...

I definitely don't dislike Radiohead, but they're a bunch of self-important asses. You're not too cool to be a rock band.

[yovan]

Personally though, I feel that classifying anything into one genre is impossible to do, unfair even. Except most rap, most rap sucks.

Why the exception for rap? Is hip-hop not an acceptable expression of musical talent for you?

I don't listen to death metal but I still recognize it's existence as a musical art form...

[Maximo]

I hate most rap, I can't tell you why-- it's just not on the list of things I enjoy to listen to. From a very simple point of view (an uneducated one as well) there are two types of rap. The pimp your ho, kill your slut rap and the political, intelligent lyrics rap. There's some great rap out there, if you're open to new things check out 'Grammatik' It's Polish rap and it's some of the most intelligent poetry i've ever heard.

The mainstream rap that's sloshed across TV stations worldwide just doesnt hold any appeal to me though. There are the occasional songs, dont get me wrong but most often it's the comical aspect of them that hold my interest.

Death metal... Same for rap I guess, there are always exceptions. Its just not something that my ears enjoy. You're right though, they're just other forms of art and I cant argue with that.

[tinobeat]

The whole "all ______ sucks" is such a childish attitude, no offense. I'm just surprised to hear you say it because you seem a pretty thoughtful person.

I don't listen to much hip hop myself, but I would never write off an entire genre like that. I mean, there's as many douchebaggy rock bands as there are stupid hip hop acts (probably more, come to think...). There's countless variations to hip hop beyond the "pimp your ho, kill your slut rap" and "political, intelligent lyrics rap." Its a rich, rich musical tradition that (along with metal and country) is so easily dismissed by people who don't bother looking into it.

[Maximo]

Coming from New York, the heart of MTV it's hard to look past that. I consider myself very lucky for having heard about Pavement even, which started me on my journey into the real world of music. I took it back though, you're both right. It's not fair to dismiss an entire genre or stereotype it. Drop some recommendations down though, instead of just telling me i'm wrong help me see something different.

I've stated before, my music taste and knowledge is small, i'm only 17. I'm open to almost anything though, if you provide me with something to try i'll give it an honest listen and listen to it without any bias.

Generally, I tend to steer clear of everything but the music i've been posting about. While I love classical music (It was actually the first music I ever listened to, thank you mom) I dont find time for it anymore, it's debilitating I suppose, but my love of Jazz and Rock (or whatever we try to classify it as) tends to override it. The same has been the case for rap, death metal, and i'm sure many other genres. Marilyn Manson had a whole scene going for him that was great for everyone else I guess but seriously flawed my impressions of a whole genre of music.

[Patrick]

Paging Thor...

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by Maximo
Generally, I tend to steer clear of everything but the music i've been posting about. While I love classical music (It was actually the first music I ever listened to, thank you mom) I dont find time for it anymore, it's debilitating I suppose, but my love of Jazz and Rock (or whatever we try to classify it as) tends to override it. The same has been the case for rap, death metal, and i'm sure many other genres. Marilyn Manson had a whole scene going for him that was great for everyone else I guess but seriously flawed my impressions of a whole genre of music.

Understandable, but we should start with the fact that you consider Marilyn Manson "death metal." ;) Manson's like Barbara Streisand compared to death metal.

I used to have the same problem (not wanting to branch out, not Marilyn Manson), but I just started taking baby steps in every direction and then all of a sudden I didn't think of it in terms of "I like this or that kind of music," but "I like such and such artists," and they're scattered all over the spectrum..

[9000]

Originally posted by Maximo

Personally though, I feel that classifying anything into one genre is impossible to do, unfair even. Except most rap, most rap sucks. (I love Jurassic 5. yay. yay. )


can of worms here.

i suggest you listen to some classic rap albums and see if you feel the same way about the entire genre. some suggestions for your schooling:

de la soul - three feet high and rising
public enemy - it takes a nation of millions to hold us back
tribe called quest - any of their first few albums
eric b and rakim - paid in full
nwa - straight outta compton
wu-tang - 36 chambers
biz markie - goin' off
main source - breaking atoms
ultramagnetic - critical beatdown

as for the newer material, i agree that most mainstream rap is played out, but i'm sure there's lots of interesting underground stuff out there if you seek it (i'm not as current these days). def jux seems like a good starting point for someone like yourself.

[yovan]

Just as its unfair to define music into genres (your original argument), then its equally unfair to define rap into two cross-sections...

Here are some of my favorites throughout the years...

Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride
Tribe Called Quest - any of the first three records
DeLa Soul - any damn album, even the latest
WuTang - GZA, Ghostface are the strongest IMO
NAS - the first two
Mobb Deep - The Infamous (my all-time fav)

there are many more... lately I've been listening to:
Kardinal Offshoot
Dizzee Rascal

I'll admit I was worried for the future of Hip-hop around the time the Southern thing started happening... Then I gave it a chance through Outkast - Southernplayillistic, and was blown away. Even the whole Cash Money stuff has some redeeming qualities...

BTW - I didn't mean to create a firestorm with this one. I guess I'm still testy after the Steeler loss last night.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by yovan
BTW - I didn't mean to create a firestorm with this one. I guess I'm still testy after the Steeler loss last night.

Sucka!

Though the pats win bit me in the ass when I found out I'm playing a show on Super Bowl Sunday. Its bad enough no matter who's playing, but to be in Allston when the Pats are in the Super Bowl...
forget it...

[yovan]

Hey DM, what's the usual protocol in Pittsburgh after a big Steeler loss?

It seems the whole city has died...

[tinobeat]

well, if its anything like Boston and its well-worn skill for mourning the Sox until this year, the answer is: Drink.

[Dave]

General stunned sadness will soon give way to monday morning quaterbacking. Expect some rumblings, but in no time there should be lotsa talk about the possiblities of next year. Had the Steelers won it would have been full scale total pandemonium and it would have been fantastic.

Dave

PS My son actually cried.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by Dave
PS My son actually cried.

aww..

how old is your son?

[Dave]

He's 8 and he truly belived that Pittsburgh was going to the Superbowl.

Dave

PS Do you remember how far away "Next year" was when you're 8? Next year didn't console him at all.

PPS I myself was convinced that finding Iron City Beer (in the alluminium bottles no less) at American Beer on Court st. was a sign. Maybe it was a sign that I would feel even worse on Monday morning, but at the timeI was certain it was the Steelers ticket to Jacksonville.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by Dave
PS Do you remember how far away "Next year" was when you're 8? Next year didn't console him at all.

I can imagine. That's the equivalent of 3.5 years for me. poor guy...

[abevigoda]

You can console him that they lost to the greatest American football team of all time. That should help.

In all seriousness it was somewhat moving to see some of the Pittsburgh players actually crying on the sideline. In stark contrast to this was the Kinicks-Bucks game I was flipping back and forth to which featured two teams that didn't play defense, didn't run and just didn't care.

[Birdy]

Originally posted by earl grey
where is this quote from? i'm curious about the context.

The quote is from a Spin interview done around the release of Kid A.

[Thor]

Originally posted by Maximo
Coming from New York, the heart of MTV it's hard to look past that.

I think that mtv is only the heart of new york on the pop surface, in reality new york is the heart of, well, good fucking music. new york is an enviable place to be in at 17 with an open musical mind.

you'll probably find, too, that over time the "i don't like " genre statements will fade away... I used to hate hip hop and country and and now I respect and like both.

All genres have their stinkers and their wonders. Marilyn Manson's problem is that he's contrived, which really is a genre of it's own it's so widespread.

[Funk]

Originally posted by Birdy
The Pixies were not a fucking rock group.

If their performance on Letterman last night (a repeat from last month) is any indication, they certainly aren't (weren't?) an exciting rock group.

[Maximo]

Originally posted by Funk
If their performance on Letterman last night (a repeat from last month) is any indication, they certainly aren't (weren't?) an exciting rock group.

Whoa, I had no idea they played on Letterman.

[earl grey]

Originally posted by Funk
If their performance on Letterman last night (a repeat from last month) is any indication, they certainly aren't (weren't?) an exciting rock group.

TV performances are tough though, especially the talk shows. I always seem to come away from them underwhelmed.

[Paul]

I saw the Pixies in 1992 and, while great, they were far from exciting even then.

[abevigoda]

Originally posted by earl grey
TV performances are tough though, especially the talk shows. I always seem to come away from them underwhelmed.

They are tough. I think partially because the bands are encouraged to stick to playing the song as close to the album as possible. I always thought Pavement did a great job on Leno...Steve acting a little bratty and Bob adding that certain Je ne sais quoi.

[3dsound]

Originally posted by Birdy
"The Pixies were not a fucking rock group. Neither are R.E.M. Sonic Youth are not a rock group and neither were Nirvana. We use/have used electric guitars therefore we are a rock group?!"

~ Thom Yorke

... So, what do you think about that one? Is it snobby and pretentious, drawing imaginary lines in the sand, or is there valuable insight there?

Are MBV a rock band?

I think it should have been followed with the question: what's your definition of a rock group, Tom? with all the tons of labelings I am not sure anybody knows ... If anybody has a definite answer I am curious to hear it. At the end of the day, I am not sure it really matters.

[Elijah]

Thom Yorke likes to say outrageous things to people who interview him. He likes to argue with the interviewer as a way of underscoring the absurdity of the questions they ask. That's his schtick. He does it well. It entertains the fans, it sells magazines, everybody's happy. I'll take a Thom Yorke interview over a Brian Eno interview any day of the week.

The JB's were the greatest rock band ever.