I hate all three in different ways, with occasional leverage for Damien Rice. Mayer, for example, has plainly attempted to get his music on the radio repeatedly, which is the Official Mark of Shit. He's also a chode.
For varying reasons, I dig me some Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, David Gray, Ryan Adams, Jesse Malin, Joseph Arthur, Richard Buckner, Howie Day, and Glen Phillips. Mind you, I'm not putting them all in the same category of talent or influence...it's just a list of singer/songwriter types who still have talent, influence, cred, what-have-you.
Never heard Damien Rice, but atleast these guys right their own songs and have real talent when it comes to playing their instruments. I'm glad to see artists that aren't just picking the same damn chords over and over again and putting up songs that any person with half a brain and any musicianship can play. Also I wouldn't really put John Mayer and Gavin Degraw in the same category. John Mayer is rock/blues (if you have ever seen his live shows, or heard a live CD you would know that he plays blues that are up there with some of the top blues players that I have heard), where Gavin Degraw is kind of more of a lounge/pop kind of thing. I'll admit the Gavin Degraw CD is kind of one sided when it comes to style and lyrics, his are mostly the slow lounge style. Atleast John Mayer changes his up from slow to fast; blues to rock. But either way I guess you have to be a musician to appreciate the things like instrumental talent.
Not really an elitist per say, more just coming from the side of a musician where it's crap that people bash musicians like John Mayer, David Gray, Gavin DeGraw (mind you I do agree that his lyrics are a little poppish, but that's what you get when you have a lounge kind of styled player), and haven't really heard their true range of skill. Now I am a little biased because I like blues and John Mayer's live concerts and albums are usually very blues oriented. I'm just tired of people bashing John Mayer and other artists that have awesome instrumental talent and then turning around and putting in their Gwen Steffani album ( in reference to her new one ). By the way, if there was ever an artist that ripped off every 80's beat known to man, she just took the cake for that last CD. I don't know call me wierd, but I just enjoy a CD where not every song on the CD has the same 3 chords (*Cough* Greenday, New Found Glory, and unfortunetly alot of the last Bowling for Soup album) Grant it, I have songs from all of those bands, and I like
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True, they may be very talented musicians. I will give them that, but it still doesn't mean that their music has become "trendy." The only reason these guys even became popular is directly related to the "hop-a-board bitches" that worshiped Dave Matthews back in the day. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones that called him Dave like they knew him like a brother, or the ones that claimed to love his music and then suddenly don't listen to him anymore. They are also the ones that will suddenly not care about all the musicians listed here as soon as they're not "cool."
I, personally, don't listen to their music because I just don't really find it to be very interesting. Some of their songs are good, granted, but eh. I'll stick with my boys Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish.
ooh and if attempting to get your music on the radio is so bad, then damn that must have just shot down about 3/4 of the musicians out there that are trying to get started. David Gray does rock, his head bobbing cracks me up when he is playing. I dont know Howie Day, but my buddy that I am getting ready to start playing gig's with from boston does. From what he says, sounds like a pretty cool guy. Ooh and John Mayer isn't a chode in real life :P or atleast that's what my friend Gaba says.
I'm with the paisly wizard on this one. I understand your disdain for these musicians, however I think you've lumped them together a bit too drastically. The main point I'd like to make is that you seem to be judging them solely on the recent work that you've only heard on the radio. I'll admit, Mayer has gone to the pop crap well pretty often lately. However, like the houndstooth mage stated, he has very heavy blues influences, and is a phenominal blues guitarist. See if you can't find "Man on the Side" and "Why Did You Mess With Forever?" I think you'll find some excellent blues singing, writing, playing, and, dare I say it? emotion.
Just remember (especially you, King), that while pop bubblegum crap music is "trendy" and therefore pathetic, it's just as trendy and pathetic to blasting any artist who tends to at least partially populate that genre without having any real knowledge of their actual abilities.
"Just remember (especially you, King), that while pop bubblegum crap music is "trendy" and therefore pathetic, it's just as trendy and pathetic to blasting any artist who tends to at least partially populate that genre without having any real knowledge of their actual abilities."
beldurin = wtfsammyd316December 10 2004, 05:37:07 UTC
wow. meaningless. "pop bubblegum crap." no idea.
Mouse, The Killers were on The OC last week. (i didn't like them. they reminded me of every other indie rock band that The OC has on. Boring to me. But hey, I like Damien Rice, so what can I tell you)
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I hate all three in different ways, with occasional leverage for Damien Rice. Mayer, for example, has plainly attempted to get his music on the radio repeatedly, which is the Official Mark of Shit. He's also a chode.
For varying reasons, I dig me some Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, David Gray, Ryan Adams, Jesse Malin, Joseph Arthur, Richard Buckner, Howie Day, and Glen Phillips. Mind you, I'm not putting them all in the same category of talent or influence...it's just a list of singer/songwriter types who still have talent, influence, cred, what-have-you.
I can tape them for you.
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And now for the ultimate thumbs up!
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An elitist John Mayer fan. That's new.
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I, personally, don't listen to their music because I just don't really find it to be very interesting. Some of their songs are good, granted, but eh. I'll stick with my boys Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish.
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Just remember (especially you, King), that while pop bubblegum crap music is "trendy" and therefore pathetic, it's just as trendy and pathetic to blasting any artist who tends to at least partially populate that genre without having any real knowledge of their actual abilities.
Or I could just be full of shit.
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I have no idea what you just said.
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Mouse, The Killers were on The OC last week. (i didn't like them. they reminded me of every other indie rock band that The OC has on. Boring to me. But hey, I like Damien Rice, so what can I tell you)
Good day, sirs.
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