The Mighty Musical Observations Thread

[Dr. Medulla]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

[WestwayKid]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

Sometimes they get it right.

[WestwayKid]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

I think there should be a 4th stage when bands "return" to their classic sound, but it's no longer cutting edge. Like U2 making All That You Can't Leave Behind.

[Dr. Medulla]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

Sometimes they get it right.

Blind squirrels don't immediately starve to death, no.

[gkbill]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

Sometimes they get it right.

Blind squirrels don't immediately starve to death, no.

Hello,

I think Elvis Costello is the exception to this path (I was going to say progression but these phases aren't a progression in the developmental or artistic fashion). Be aware I am a big Elvis Costello fan. He has done some things I didn't care for but the majority of his work has been quality.

[Dr. Medulla]

Part of the formula or arc or whatever requires an artist seek and achieve mass success. My two favourite artists, Wire and Swans, don't fit that pattern because, I'd argue, they never bothered trying to appeal. So there might be a "vital stage" but there is no "catch-up" or "old fart" stages because the need to feel relevant, something measured in sales numbers, doesn't factor in.

[Marky Dread]

This is great. Taken from Pitchfork

These two phrases, side by side, normally do not work well together.

I think there should be a 4th stage when bands "return" to their classic sound, but it's no longer cutting edge. Like U2 making All That You Can't Leave Behind.

I don't think being "cutting edge" is ever relevant to rock n roll music.

Little Richard and Bo Diddley were cutting edge. Technology rarely improves attitude or passion. Over inflated ego's and the idea that you're so great you can do no wrong is the biggest downfall. Should we expect artists to remain relevant or simply good at what they do.

[Marky Dread]

Part of the formula or arc or whatever requires an artist seek and achieve mass success. My two favourite artists, Wire and Swans, don't fit that pattern because, I'd argue, they never bothered trying to appeal. So there might be a "vital stage" but there is no "catch-up" or "old fart" stages because the need to feel relevant, something measured in sales numbers, doesn't factor in.

This is exactly how I feel about certain artists. Other artists become completely stifled and tainted by the requirements of being successful.

[Flex]

Part of the formula or arc or whatever requires an artist seek and achieve mass success. My two favourite artists, Wire and Swans, don't fit that pattern because, I'd argue, they never bothered trying to appeal. So there might be a "vital stage" but there is no "catch-up" or "old fart" stages because the need to feel relevant, something measured in sales numbers, doesn't factor in.

As always with the disclaimer that I'm not recommending his music per se, Dylan's a great example of the pattern but the catch up/old fart thing happened in the 80s/early 90s and then I think he pivoted to a Wire-esque "fuck you I'll do what I want" mode to (mostly) solid success for the last couple decades (his releasing three Sinatra covers albums in a row more or less proving that he is truly not playing for mass appeal anymore).

[Kory]

Part of the formula or arc or whatever requires an artist seek and achieve mass success. My two favourite artists, Wire and Swans, don't fit that pattern because, I'd argue, they never bothered trying to appeal. So there might be a "vital stage" but there is no "catch-up" or "old fart" stages because the need to feel relevant, something measured in sales numbers, doesn't factor in.

This is exactly how I feel about certain artists. Other artists become completely stifled and tainted by the requirements of being successful.

See: Tonight

[Kory]

Biography of John McGeoch soon: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/ ... xsie-sioux

Preordered.

This line from the article is stupid though:

The flanger – normally a foot pedal, used to bend the notes of a guitar – was customised by McGeoch. He adapted it to be attached to a mic stand and controlled by hand allowing greater control and resulting in a ringing, icy sound that had both cinematic scope and a fierce crunch.

His only adaptation was the mic stand attachment. The MXR flanger has the same knobs as any other flanger, basically. He manipulated it with his hands the same way anyone would if they crouched to use it instead of having it at standing level.

[Marky Dread]

Part of the formula or arc or whatever requires an artist seek and achieve mass success. My two favourite artists, Wire and Swans, don't fit that pattern because, I'd argue, they never bothered trying to appeal. So there might be a "vital stage" but there is no "catch-up" or "old fart" stages because the need to feel relevant, something measured in sales numbers, doesn't factor in.

This is exactly how I feel about certain artists. Other artists become completely stifled and tainted by the requirements of being successful.

See: Tonight

Ahh you mean the Bowie album. Yes!

[drowninghere]

Love me some Up (and also the slow stuff on Green). Up starts terribly but Hope, Sad Professor, Walk Unafraid, Why Not Smile, Day Sleeper, Diminished, Falls to Climb all so good, and a breath of fresh air after the rock band pose of much of Monster and New Adventures.

Life Rich Pageant and few notable exceptions aside, REM for me were always at their best when they were distinctly not trying to rock (think Perfect Circle, Wendell Gee, King of Birds, The Wrong Child, Find the River, etc.), and much of Up is very much is that spirit and brings the tunes (unlike Reveal).

[JennyB]

REM needs to go back to playing music like this:

Was going to include in my next pack of 3s but this is just too good to sit on any longer

That band had better be careful around Adele.

[revbob]

REM needs to go back to playing music like this:

Was going to include in my next pack of 3s but this is just too good to sit on any longer

That band had better be careful around Adele.

Her two favorite things.