Re: [bomp] Re: More thoughts on the new crop

[blairb@xxxxxxx]

Deena wrote:
> > Am I a crochety '60s garage or '70s punk purist?  Possibly but I
> > honestly
> > think I'm more open-minded than that.

Don replied:
> It's not enough to think you're open-minded...you have to *be*
> open-minded.

    In my opinion, that's an unfair statement.  You're talking about how
music hits someone.  It's a personal taste thing.  The very fact that
someone's willing to listen in the first place says there's an open mind
there.  The fact that Deena's willing to really listen again and again to
try and hear what she knows some people on this very list are hearing gives
further proof.

Don continued:
> Those are three very different bands. PJ is a great band--one of rock's
> most important bands ever, and not just for their music.
    I can't get behind you on the musical side.  I've never liked Vedder's
voice and the songs never did much for me.  However, I give them tons of
credit for coming out against Ticketmaster.

 Korn isn't my
> cup o' tea, but there's a seriously rockin' noise band.
    While they do make a ton of noise, that hardly makes them something
worth listening to.  They're not my cup of tea, either.  And I've probably
been forced to listen to more of their stuff than many people on this list.

> Creed is just a
> ball-free commercial version of a complete misunderstanding of Pearl Jam.
    <grin>

> > and that it's good to see kids digging decent guitar-based music again.
>
> Yes, it is.
    I'm pretty happy about it, too.  It's so great seeing kids in the school
I teach at walking around with a Hives tee or talking about the White
Stripes.

> > But there's undefinable *something* missing in it all to me.
>
> It's that you're old. You wouldn't say that if you were 15.
    While I've got many students who like The White Stripes and The Hives
(The Vines, too), I've got a good number who simply couldn't give a crap
about them.  Some would prefer to listen to lighter stuff.  Others don't
want to touch anything that's not classic rock.

> >   Passion?
>
> Ever see The Vines play?
    No.  In fact, I haven't heard every song they do, either.  I've only
heard a few and I *didn't* like those.  But I have to ask, do you go out and
see every band that comes to town? Do you listen to every song by a band to
figure out if you like them? How much time does someone have to put in
before they're allowed to state they don't like a band?  Remember, most
people in the world at large judge a band by the songs they hear on the
radio.  The radio, in turn, might play a song or two off a record.  (More if
they're doing really well, but only once the last heavily promoted one has
run its  course.  Example, I've heard K-Rock in NYC start to play "Hotel
Yorba" and "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" from _White Blood Cells_.)

> > Memorable tunes?
>
> Hate To Say I Told You So? Last Nite? Autumn Shade? You Look Pretty Good
> For A Girl? What Ever Happened To My Rock 'n' Roll?
    I'm a big fan of a few of those, especially "You're Pretty Good Looking
For A Girl".  Of course, that was on _De Stijl_, so it'll probably never
have a chance to be a hit.

Deena:
> >   I cannot
> > tell.  I want to like it, I really do.

Don:
> That's funny. I just *do* like it. I didn't have to put any effort into
> it. I was only half-way through Main Offender before I was completely
> sold on The Hives...Why me?

    You're not the only one.  I'm a big fan of The Hives, The White Stripes,
The Mooney Suzuki, and some others.  The Vines, as I've said, have yet to
thrill me.  The Strokes I'm just so-so on, although I think "Last Nite" is a
fantastic pop/rock song. (It's not garage - not to my ears - but who cares?
It's a damn good song.)
    Why you?  Simple answer:  personal taste.

> > that phenomenon reminded me of the late '70s when Cheap Trick &
> > the Knack ruled the airwaves.
>
> You don't like Creed, but you like The Knack? Explanation, please.
    As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need an explanation.  (Personal
taste.)  However, here's mine: I find The Knack to be far more catchy and
light-hearted.  And I  love Cheap Trick.
   To go beyond that, however, I think Deena's talking more about the fact
that fun guitar-based rocking pop music was being listened to by kids.

Deena:
> >  I'd love to see a similar takeover today--but
> > I'd just prefer to see the kids digging something better.  (Admittedly,
> > I'm
> > yearning for acceptance of sounds that would fit my own personal
> > standards
> > of "better"--YMMV.)

Don:
> That's for sure. I think these new bands are as good as anything I've
> heard.
    Personally, I like The White Stripes and The Hives more than I ever
liked Nirvana.  I know that's not a popular opinion with some of you, but
it's mine.  I just didn't think they were all that great.  They had some
good songs, but it was too much of a stormy day sound.  Green Day, on the
other hand, I like.  They're poppier and grab me.  And I like The White
Stripes and The Hives better than them, too.

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