"This band takes itself too seriously."

[KevShmev]

I occasionally see someone dismiss or criticize a band by throwing that statement out there.  I never get that.  It is like a band should be thought of poorly for being serious about their craft.  Now, I get that some mean it in the sense of being too serious and not having enough fun with it, which is what music should be, but I see it said about bands where it simply makes zero sense.

Thoughts?

[Arcaeus]

It's just an alternate way of saying "they're pretentious" for people who have no idea they're talking about.

For curiosity's sake, I'd like to hear a few bands that that gets said about, though. I'm in need of some laughs. 

[ariich]

I think it's generally said in relation to the musician rather than the music, which I guess makes sense although it's still based on how the person making the remark thinks things should be done, and so is pretty much irrelevant. It works the other way as well, where people will have a go at musicians for not being serious enough.

Musicians can be as serious or unserious as they damn well please.

[Dr. DTVT]

I'm with you on this one Kev...I don't understand it either.  It's the bands art and message, and how they wish to convey their art should be in a manner in which the band is comfortable or think is appropriate.  It shouldn't be used as a critism, just a descriptor.

[bout to crash]

I agree with most of this, but I still can't help laughing when I see emo band guys trying to look serious/badass, flipping their hair and thinking they look all cool/sexy. I'm sure their fans appreciate the seriousness of it all...

[Perpetual Change]

A criticism that's become a bit hackneyed but still valid nonetheless. How else do you describe the musical career of Scott Stapp?

[Global Laziness]

I think it's largely a way for people to criticize bands about whom they know very little.

[Jakartabassplayer]

I'm with you on this one Kev...I don't understand it either.  It's the bands art and message, and how they wish to convey their art should be in a manner in which the band is comfortable or think is appropriate.  It shouldn't be used as a critism, just a descriptor.

this

[Gorille85]

I heard this critique about PoS before...never really understood the point.

[antigoon]

Pain of Salvation.

[Adami]

Pain of Salvation.

Based solely on Scarsick and RS1, they don't take themselves seriously at all.

[antigoon]

I realize it's kind of a dickish, holier-than-thou thing to say about a band, but I don't mean it to be. I just don't think their music is good enough for the heavy concepts. I feel the same way about most prog bands, PoS is just the most popular offender, in my opinion.

[ariich]

That makes no sense, PoS don't take themselves remotely seriously.

[KevShmev]

It's just an alternate way of saying "they're pretentious" for people who have no idea they're talking about.

Agreed.

For curiosity's sake, I'd like to hear a few bands that that gets said about, though. I'm in need of some laughs. 

In addition to Pain of Salvation, I have also seen that said about bands like Rush, U2, Radiohead, and even Arcade Fire.  Basically, if your music sounds like any intelligence was put into it, some lamebrain* out there is gonna use this line as a silly reason to criticize it.

*not referring to antigoon.  I am speaking in general terms.

[King Postwhore]

Any writer in Rolling Stone is far more pretentious then any band. As a matter of fact, RS is the definition of pretentiousness.

[lonestar]

Any writer in Rolling Stone is far more pretentious then any band. As a matter of fact, RS is the definition of pretentiousness.

I didn't realize people still read that colorful package of ass wipers.

[Sigz]

Any writer in Rolling Stone is far more pretentious then any band. As a matter of fact, RS is the definition of pretentiousness.

I didn't realize people still read that colorful package of ass wipers.

My aunt actually got me a subscription to it for christmas last year. I have no idea why.


When I think of a band that takes themselves too seriously I'm usually not thinking about pretentious prog or something, but usually ridiculous black and power metal bands who are completely dead serious about their image/lyrics/music. Like in Headbanger's Journey, the interview with Mayhem where the guy is like "we're the best fucking band in the world and anyone who doesn't think so can fucking die".

[Arcaeus]

When I think of a band that takes themselves too seriously I'm usually not thinking about pretentious prog or something, but usually ridiculous black and power metal bands who are completely dead serious about their image/lyrics/music. Like in Headbanger's Journey, the interview with Mayhem where the guy is like "we're the best fucking band in the world and anyone who doesn't think so can fucking die".

Yeah, that's the only time I wouldn't argue with someone calling a band too serious. Provided they band themselves are actually being serious (they rarely are).

People who say Pain of Salvation take themselves too seriously haven't heard Disco Queen, Sleeping Under The Stars, or, god forbid, Bonus Track B. Even in Be, the most ridiculous, over-the-top album ever, the Mr. Money parts seem very tongue-in-cheek (until Iter Impius). And when it's just aimed at Daniel Gildenlow, I don't know, while he can come off as an arrogant prick from time to time, I don't think he takes himself too seriously, he's just confident in his music, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[Sigz]

Provided they're actually being serious (they're rarely are).

True.

[antigoon]

It's just the impression I get with Pain of Salvation; I've heard most of their stuff. I dunno, I guess I just hate prog metal

[bout to crash]

Well, it's not one person's judgment to make whether a band is "good enough" to to have heavy concepts because that's subjective... I personally think PoS generally does a great job with those concepts... but I also don't think the fact that they have some ridiculous songs means they don't take themselves seriously. For every "Disco Queen" there's a "Perfect Element" that can sometimes be over-the-top in its seriousness. I'm not saying this is a bad thing because I love those songs, I'm just saying I don't think that argument checks out too well (and I can totally understand why that doesn't appeal to people because even I have to be in the mood for it).

[antigoon]

Well, it's not one person's judgment to make whether a band is "good enough" to to have heavy concepts because that's subjective...

Right, which is why I'm not going to say it anymore 'cause it just makes you sound like a dick!

[bout to crash]

Yeah, ya dick! 

[Adami]

You're such a dick that jack just became a lesbian.

[bout to crash]

Yeah, he just made me hate dick so much I had to turn to the dark side. Sorry guyz.

[Adami]

Axl Rose takes himself too seriously. Which is odd since no one else takes him seriously in the slightest bit.

[Arcaeus]

I can't argue with that.

[antigoon]

You're such a dick that jack just became a lesbian.

Well, fuck.

[Adami]

You're such a dick that jack just became a lesbian.

Well, fuck.

Just kidding, you didn't make jack a lesbian, it was her intense love of tuna.

[Sigz]

You're such a dick that jack just became a lesbian.

Well, fuck.

Just kidding, you didn't make jack a lesbian, it was her intense love of tuna.

And plaid.

[ZBomber]

My aunt actually got me a subscription to it for christmas last year. I have no idea why.

They actually give them out for "free" when you buy a ticket/livenation through ticketmaster I think. Thats how bad they are.

[bout to crash]

You're such a dick that jack just became a lesbian.

Well, fuck.

Just kidding, you didn't make jack a lesbian, it was her intense love of tuna.

And plaid.

Oh god yes keep going

(on topic: I agree about Axl.. is he still alive??)

[Adami]

I think he is. Of course you wouldn't guess that going to any of his shows.

[The King in Crimson]

I think he is. Of course you wouldn't guess that going to any of his shows.

I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping him alive is his ego 'insisting' that he is truly too good to die.

And I liked Chinese Democracy...

[Perpetual Change]

I used to think PoS took themselves a wee bit too seriously. Now, I wish they would.