Another from Nov of 05. I still find it amusing though.
Alright time to piss people off. New music sucks. I said it. I'm tired of listening to B97 in the weight room. I really want to get into better shape, but since my mp3 player is not functioning properly right now, I feel like stabbing myself in the eardrums with ice picks after about 5 minutes of being there listening to solid crap. What ever happened to real music played by real musicians, and meaningful song lyrics by people who could actually lend feeling to the song? The acoustic guitar and harmonica are practically gone in popular music, replaced by computer beats and other random noise.
My only conclusion I can come to is people are stupid. I can understand if some people like to dance and like a few rap songs because of that. Personally I hate it, but then again I don't like to dance. I like to wear my cowboy hat, drink beer and listen to dumb country songs because that's what I do, but I realize they aren't the best songs in the world, just good to drink to. So if someone likes that music to dance to, but still appreciates good stuff then no complaints from me (as long as I don't have to hear it), but some people actually like only bad music. This baffles me. Not to mention the actual musicianship and vocals (which can't be done very well over the net without audio) here are some examples of just what is wrong with lyrics. I understand many rappers and pop singers want to get laid, which is admirable, but at least write some good lyrics or at very least make sexual play on words like they did in the 80's.
Note: I actually listened to these songs on Rhapsody to make sure they were bad so I had some merit for criticizing them. I found a few songs that were actually decent enough (not good, but decent) to not be included in this study.
Example #1 Run It by Chris Brown (currently #2 on the charts)
I got friends, and you got friends
They hop out, and you hop in I look fly, and they jockin
The way you drop, drop makes me wanna pop
The way you drop, drop makes me wanna pop
Is he dropping a deuce? Does this excite him? I have no idea what's going on so let's review a better set of lyrics
Across The Universe (J. Lennon)
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe
Ah full of similes and imagery. It's almost poetic. The only way it could be better is if he mentioned how the images were "jockin'"
Example #2 My Humps - Black Eyed Peas (currently #3 on the Top 40)
What you gonna do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk?
I’m a get, get, get, get, you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little lumps. (Check it out)
I know when I am trying to pick up a woman, I tell her how I'm going to get her drunk, talk about her fat ass, and hump her. That's very romantic.
Let's see how Mr. Neil Young writes
Like A Hurricane
You are like a hurricane
There’s calm in your eye.
And I’m gettin’ blown away
To somewhere safer where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but I’m getting blown away.
Hmmm..again similes and imagery. The double meaning of the word eye. Great lyrics.Alright one more
Example #3 Holla back girl by Gwen Stefani
A few times I've been around that track
So it's not just goin' to happen like that
'Cause I ain't no holla back girl I ain't no holla back girl
ooh, this my shit , this my shit
Wow, people actually like this music. No, seriously. Are we supposed to be attracted to Gwen Stefani's feces? Again I'm confused.
Love and a .45 (Chris Knight)
Parole number fourteen two
Stands on the corner like she used to do
She's been away awhile so she's a little afraid
And the judge said he didn't want to see her again
But she's got no money she's got no rent
The money she had is already spent
Cause a couple of weeks ago she learned her lesson
Went and brought herself a little Smith and Wesson
Love and a 45 Are all you need to get thru the night
One'll kill you one'll keep you alive Love and a 45
Wow a song that tells a story. And a chorus where it gives the two subject matters the opposite connotation of their usual associations. Bravo Mr. Knight. That his shit! That his shit!
Hmmm...I rather like making sarcastic comments about bad songs. Perhaps I shall do it more often. I hope it amuses my readers as much as it does me:)
Friday, December 19, 2008
From the archives
An entry I posted in my live journal a few years ago. A little outdated, but a lot is still relevant.
"Country music sucks" -spoken by countless people I've heard.
Obviously I disagree with this statement, but if my only knowledge of country music came from listening to Nashville music I would probably agree. Popular country music for the most part isn't actually country music. It's pop music with a steel guitar thrown in. Artists are made to produce money and catchy hooks, actual music quality and craftsmanship be damned.
I don't want trite love songs sung by voices with no soul in them. To paraphrase David Allan Coe, it ain't a real country song unless you mention mamas...or trucks...or trains...or prison....or getting drunk. To update it a bit any references to cowboys, gospel or other artists or songs is also acceptable.
There's a reason I hate emo music. I really don't want to hear some depressing song about how your daddy didn't love you enough when were growing up. Music is supposed to be fun, not make me want to kill myself.
In that mode, in a country song I don't want to hear about how someone you loved died (unless you killed them) or how somebody you don't really even seem to know has cancer. If you are going to write a depressing song, at least make sure the singer sounds rugged or fits the song (i.e. Monday Morning Church, anything by Cash).
Country & Western music is Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc. When I think of those names I think of country music. Even most "country-haters" like the real country music. On the other hand, when I think of Keith Urban's music or new Rascal Flatts it makes me want to throw up in my mouth. How is this classified as country at all?
Real country music still exists, only it's found in "Texas Country" which never gets played on the radio. These songs are real, not just a way to make a quick dollar. Pick up some Cross Canadian Ragweed, Shooter Jennings, Reckless Kelly, or Drive By Truckers and you'll see what real country music is about.
Now to finally get to what inspired this post I listened to Big & Rich's new album in full today. Pure and complete crap! It's amazing how on one album a new group can show promise and make me look forward to the next album, only to totally turn country pop and make horrible music a year later. While really only known for Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy, their first album contained many true country songs about cowboys, outlaws, God and lots of other stuff that sounds like good country. The new album sounds like everything else crappy on the radio now. I don't think I've been this disappointed in a new album since...umm...last year when Kenny decided to turn totally crappy. At least there were some warning signs there as most of his early career stuff was crappy. Big & Rich just turned overnight.
When I first thought of this, it struck me as odd that perhaps one of country's biggest names and one of the first pioneers (well of modern times anyway) to successfully cross over with country music into the pop stream is one of my favorite artists. Garth definitely made country cool to listen to again and led into this new country. It seemed odd to me I still love most of Garth's stuff, but dislike a majority of the pop country stuff that floods the airwaves now.
After analyzing it though it makes sense. It takes a greater talent to cross into a new territory than to follow into that same place. The first artists to do something new have the talent to do it, and then once it becomes mainstream all the knock-offs with lesser talent come. I like The Sex Pistols and the Ramones, but don't like a whole lot of punk. I loved Nirvana and Pearl Jam, but I hate most of the grunge stuff that is on the radio now. It's not Nirvana, Pearl Jam and to a slightly lesser degree Neil Young's fault they created a new grunge sound and newer lesser talented bands copied them.
I guess everything goes in cycles. Hopefully someday good music will actually be the stuff that's popular as well. Maybe another Johnny Cash, Beatles, Zeppelin, Nirvana, etc. will come around and give music a kick in the butt, but until then I get my rants:)
"Country music sucks" -spoken by countless people I've heard.
Obviously I disagree with this statement, but if my only knowledge of country music came from listening to Nashville music I would probably agree. Popular country music for the most part isn't actually country music. It's pop music with a steel guitar thrown in. Artists are made to produce money and catchy hooks, actual music quality and craftsmanship be damned.
I don't want trite love songs sung by voices with no soul in them. To paraphrase David Allan Coe, it ain't a real country song unless you mention mamas...or trucks...or trains...or prison....or getting drunk. To update it a bit any references to cowboys, gospel or other artists or songs is also acceptable.
There's a reason I hate emo music. I really don't want to hear some depressing song about how your daddy didn't love you enough when were growing up. Music is supposed to be fun, not make me want to kill myself.
In that mode, in a country song I don't want to hear about how someone you loved died (unless you killed them) or how somebody you don't really even seem to know has cancer. If you are going to write a depressing song, at least make sure the singer sounds rugged or fits the song (i.e. Monday Morning Church, anything by Cash).
Country & Western music is Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc. When I think of those names I think of country music. Even most "country-haters" like the real country music. On the other hand, when I think of Keith Urban's music or new Rascal Flatts it makes me want to throw up in my mouth. How is this classified as country at all?
Real country music still exists, only it's found in "Texas Country" which never gets played on the radio. These songs are real, not just a way to make a quick dollar. Pick up some Cross Canadian Ragweed, Shooter Jennings, Reckless Kelly, or Drive By Truckers and you'll see what real country music is about.
Now to finally get to what inspired this post I listened to Big & Rich's new album in full today. Pure and complete crap! It's amazing how on one album a new group can show promise and make me look forward to the next album, only to totally turn country pop and make horrible music a year later. While really only known for Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy, their first album contained many true country songs about cowboys, outlaws, God and lots of other stuff that sounds like good country. The new album sounds like everything else crappy on the radio now. I don't think I've been this disappointed in a new album since...umm...last year when Kenny decided to turn totally crappy. At least there were some warning signs there as most of his early career stuff was crappy. Big & Rich just turned overnight.
When I first thought of this, it struck me as odd that perhaps one of country's biggest names and one of the first pioneers (well of modern times anyway) to successfully cross over with country music into the pop stream is one of my favorite artists. Garth definitely made country cool to listen to again and led into this new country. It seemed odd to me I still love most of Garth's stuff, but dislike a majority of the pop country stuff that floods the airwaves now.
After analyzing it though it makes sense. It takes a greater talent to cross into a new territory than to follow into that same place. The first artists to do something new have the talent to do it, and then once it becomes mainstream all the knock-offs with lesser talent come. I like The Sex Pistols and the Ramones, but don't like a whole lot of punk. I loved Nirvana and Pearl Jam, but I hate most of the grunge stuff that is on the radio now. It's not Nirvana, Pearl Jam and to a slightly lesser degree Neil Young's fault they created a new grunge sound and newer lesser talented bands copied them.
I guess everything goes in cycles. Hopefully someday good music will actually be the stuff that's popular as well. Maybe another Johnny Cash, Beatles, Zeppelin, Nirvana, etc. will come around and give music a kick in the butt, but until then I get my rants:)
Pot, Kettle, Black
"So kids: Start rock bands. Set down the 'Guitar Hero,' learn how to play an actual guitar and start a band, because it's hard to find more bands to put a solid rock-and-roll package together, to get out there."
-Chad Kroeger (MTV Interview)
When Guitar Hero games first came out, it was all the rage of actual musicians to deride playing a game on a little plastic controller. Over the past few years, more and more bands have gotten involved with Rock Band and Guitar Hero and been eager in licensing songs. Lesser known bands who have had songs included on games have grown a small following that would probably not exist otherwise (Bang Camaro rocks!) Additionally many kids who had never heard classic rock before are getting introduced to the likes of The Who and Rush which can only be a good thing going forward.
On a tangent, playing the Rock Band 2 set up at Best Buy made me have one of the few "I'm old" moments in my nearly 27 years. While playing with two teens, I gutted it through some of their crappy metal music and then when they offered to let me pick a song, I asked them if they'd ever heard of Pearl Jam since Alive is one of my all time favorites and I was really looking forward to it being on the disc. One kid shook his head and the other said, "I don't know that song, but I've heard of Pearl Jam"
ANYWAY, little plastic guitars and plastic drums don't musicians make, but it sure doesn't hurt. How many people have mastered the game and decided to go out and buy real instruments and learn for real? Would these same people have taken up this interest without the game? Highly unlikely.
I personally very rarely play the guitar on these games. I can play guitar in real life. Playing on a plastic controller has never appealed to me and often times I would become frustrated with the charting of a particular song and just shut off the game and pick up a real guitar and play it anyway. But to someone who has no musical background it can be a good gateway. Now that I've learned lots of basic drumming lessons, I would love to try a real drum set to see how well the skills translate.
Saying that Rock Band/Guitar Hero ruin music is one of the most inaccurate statements I've heard in a while. You know what ruins music? Crappy no-talent bands who are bland across the board. Bands who hit it big 8 years ago with a semi-good single whose entire catalog sounds like that one song with different lyrics. You know, bands like Nickelback.
So Chad Kroeger, STFU. I'll pluck some string on my Martin and then I'll sit in front of my plastic drum set and rock out to all my favorite music and maybe even discover a great new band in the process. Luckily, it doesn't appear my Rock Band will ever be ruined with a Nickelback song.
-Chad Kroeger (MTV Interview)
When Guitar Hero games first came out, it was all the rage of actual musicians to deride playing a game on a little plastic controller. Over the past few years, more and more bands have gotten involved with Rock Band and Guitar Hero and been eager in licensing songs. Lesser known bands who have had songs included on games have grown a small following that would probably not exist otherwise (Bang Camaro rocks!) Additionally many kids who had never heard classic rock before are getting introduced to the likes of The Who and Rush which can only be a good thing going forward.
On a tangent, playing the Rock Band 2 set up at Best Buy made me have one of the few "I'm old" moments in my nearly 27 years. While playing with two teens, I gutted it through some of their crappy metal music and then when they offered to let me pick a song, I asked them if they'd ever heard of Pearl Jam since Alive is one of my all time favorites and I was really looking forward to it being on the disc. One kid shook his head and the other said, "I don't know that song, but I've heard of Pearl Jam"
ANYWAY, little plastic guitars and plastic drums don't musicians make, but it sure doesn't hurt. How many people have mastered the game and decided to go out and buy real instruments and learn for real? Would these same people have taken up this interest without the game? Highly unlikely.
I personally very rarely play the guitar on these games. I can play guitar in real life. Playing on a plastic controller has never appealed to me and often times I would become frustrated with the charting of a particular song and just shut off the game and pick up a real guitar and play it anyway. But to someone who has no musical background it can be a good gateway. Now that I've learned lots of basic drumming lessons, I would love to try a real drum set to see how well the skills translate.
Saying that Rock Band/Guitar Hero ruin music is one of the most inaccurate statements I've heard in a while. You know what ruins music? Crappy no-talent bands who are bland across the board. Bands who hit it big 8 years ago with a semi-good single whose entire catalog sounds like that one song with different lyrics. You know, bands like Nickelback.
So Chad Kroeger, STFU. I'll pluck some string on my Martin and then I'll sit in front of my plastic drum set and rock out to all my favorite music and maybe even discover a great new band in the process. Luckily, it doesn't appear my Rock Band will ever be ruined with a Nickelback song.
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