Just General non band specific Music Chat Thread !

[DoctorAction]

In rock and metal music, lots of riffs get repeated without any variation whatsoever.
Green Day's entire discography is built on three chords.
Bob Dylan's too.
Metallica's riffs all sound the same (or at least similar).
Hotel California uses the same chord progression throughout the entire song and switches it around on the chorus.
In the rock-'n-roll age everybody was doing the 12 bar blues progression (and lots of people still do).
Sex Machine by James Brown uses just two chords.
Some terrible rap track I heard last week featured the same three-note keyboard melody looped throughout the entire track.

There are only so many ideas, right? Sure, Sheeran's dull but arguably not as samey as Metallica or Testament?

[Stadler]

it's like - his song The A Team could be literally ANYBODY at an open mic night anywhere. It's so generic and obvious.

Yet nobody did until Ed Sheeran recorded that track and it became popular.

I meant singer songwriters at open mic nights. All their songs are the same 4 chord generic cookie cutter song as The A Team. Yet Sheeran is a signed artist.

I think that's a shade simplistic.  By that light, Bruce Springsteen is a "singer songwriter".  Again, I'm no Ed Sheeran fan, but I also know my wife saw him open for Taylor Swift, and he stood there in front of a stadium, no backing band, just his guitar and one of those loop boxes and entertained 60,000 people for an hour.   That's not "singer songwriters at an open mic night".   You're also just talking about one song (which I hate, by the way). 

I know some of you are going to latch onto the "counting sales" part, but that would be missing the forest for the trees:  this is a great article on why you know Ed Sheeran.   If any of you have seen the Springsteen on Broadway show, you know that this is a similar story.   He just wanted it more.

[Ben_Jamin]

it's like - his song The A Team could be literally ANYBODY at an open mic night anywhere. It's so generic and obvious.

Yet nobody did until Ed Sheeran recorded that track and it became popular.

I meant singer songwriters at open mic nights. All their songs are the same 4 chord generic cookie cutter song as The A Team. Yet Sheeran is a signed artist.

I think that's a shade simplistic.  By that light, Bruce Springsteen is a "singer songwriter".  Again, I'm no Ed Sheeran fan, but I also know my wife saw him open for Taylor Swift, and he stood there in front of a stadium, no backing band, just his guitar and one of those loop boxes and entertained 60,000 people for an hour.   That's not "singer songwriters at an open mic night".   You're also just talking about one song (which I hate, by the way). 

I know some of you are going to latch onto the "counting sales" part, but that would be missing the forest for the trees:  this is a great article on why you know Ed Sheeran.   If any of you have seen the Springsteen on Broadway show, you know that this is a similar story.   He just wanted it more.

That just sounds like he's stuck in a really strict record contract, in order for him to able to be that famous and able to go onto those talk shows, and those big tv events. There is a reason why you always see those big names at those events. And why, these teen stars get so famous. His parents just weren't the type like the other parents were who pushed their child star into a mental breakdown.

And my does that person have a hard on for Ed Sheeran. 

I am sure, there are band members whom would gladly tell you stories of record contracts they got offered and gladly declined, and what was on those contracts.

Neal Morse started Radiant Records, his own label, also for this very reason of the Major Labels and their insane contracts.

[hefdaddy42]

There are definitely talentless hacks making pop music, but Ed Sheeran isn't one of them.

[Kotowboy]

And Drake definitely is one of them.

I was in a shop and there was a track on the radio which was so banal I had to google the lyrics and it was " God's Plan " by Drake.

Dear me.

[Stadler]

I'm not suggesting that anyone should spend even a minute with music they don't like - there's too much good stuff out there - but my daughter and I have a rule:  if one of us asks the other to listen to a song, we commit to it.  As a result, she's a huge Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Kiss and Beatles fan, and I'm proud to say that her "80's playlist" would fit right in with most of the people here, judging by the various threads I read/participate in.   

In that process, I've committed to listening to Ed Sheeran (didn't do anything for me), Taylor Swift (she's like U2; what I like I REALLY like, but there's a lot I could skip), One Direction (more on this in a minute) and Harry Styles (who I like, and have seen live once and will go again).

And here's the point:  I can play you five songs from 1D and you'd all be (rightly) like "wow, does that suck hard".   Banal wouldn't be the word.   Here's the deal, though:  they have five albums, and they are not puppets or Milli Vanilli.  They all wanted to be musicians as well as popstars, and while you can say they "sold out", every album has a couple songs buried deep that aren't sugary pap.   "Once In A Lifetime" makes me cry almost every time I hear it.  Beautiful song.   I'm not saying everyone has to love every band - I don't - but I think reserving judgment on one song, or even just the radio hits might sometimes not give the full picture.   There are well-respected rock and pop and prog acts that have sold out just as badly as some of these pop stars, they just didn't get the pot of gold at the end of the tunnel.   

[Ben_Jamin]

I'm not suggesting that anyone should spend even a minute with music they don't like - there's too much good stuff out there - but my daughter and I have a rule:  if one of us asks the other to listen to a song, we commit to it.  As a result, she's a huge Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Kiss and Beatles fan, and I'm proud to say that her "80's playlist" would fit right in with most of the people here, judging by the various threads I read/participate in.   

In that process, I've committed to listening to Ed Sheeran (didn't do anything for me), Taylor Swift (she's like U2; what I like I REALLY like, but there's a lot I could skip), One Direction (more on this in a minute) and Harry Styles (who I like, and have seen live once and will go again).

And here's the point:  I can play you five songs from 1D and you'd all be (rightly) like "wow, does that suck hard".   Banal wouldn't be the word.   Here's the deal, though:  they have five albums, and they are not puppets or Milli Vanilli.  They all wanted to be musicians as well as popstars, and while you can say they "sold out", every album has a couple songs buried deep that aren't sugary pap.   "Once In A Lifetime" makes me cry almost every time I hear it.  Beautiful song.   I'm not saying everyone has to love every band - I don't - but I think reserving judgment on one song, or even just the radio hits might sometimes not give the full picture.   There are well-respected rock and pop and prog acts that have sold out just as badly as some of these pop stars, they just didn't get the pot of gold at the end of the tunnel.

That's the beauty of buying the full albums and not just the singles, or listening to the singles only and not the album only songs.

I do this with a lot of bands. I actually will listen to an entire album first, if I can find it on streaming, if not I'll just buy the album. And sometimes, I like only one songs, but it's one that is so good I come back to it a lot.

[hefdaddy42]

I'm not suggesting that anyone should spend even a minute with music they don't like - there's too much good stuff out there - but my daughter and I have a rule:  if one of us asks the other to listen to a song, we commit to it. 

That's me and my kid, as well.

I have been exposed to AWOLNation this way.  Not my favorite, but not bad at all.

[Kotowboy]

My Dad dislikes pop - but his new wife and their 3 boys all love it - so anytime they're all in the car it's pop.

oh well 

Oh - and Dad HATES guitar distortion - unless it's like Dire Straits or some jazz fusion etc. Nothing overly heavy. But he says he'd much rather listen to Metal than Pop. 

[Elite]

'Pop' is probably the most useless genre denominator ever, since it's literally an abbreviation for 'popular'. Anything can be 'pop' and history has proven that really.

[Kwyjibo]

Yeah, and pop is so broad, that to dismiss it on principle is just silly. Sure, there's a lot of 'stupid' or 'banal' music out there, but that isn't limited to pop.

[Kotowboy]

So Marilyn Manson has been accused of physical and mental abuse by several people dating back years.

I AM SHOCKED I TELL YOU SHOCKED

[Kotowboy]

He's definitely going to put one of those " please don't cancel me " half-arsed " Meh it happened - sowwwwwy you guys. I'm getting help please don't cancel me buy my new album sowwwy "

type statements.

Funny how people like that never "seek help" until they're found out...

Like Kevin Spacey with his " Meh - I may have molested a teenager - i was probably drunk anyway - sowwwwwyyyyy im gay btw "

[Kotowboy]

  New Smashing Pumpkins CYR is their worst album by miles.

Soooo dull. Boring. Every song sounds the same. WAY too long.

[Anguyen92]

So I'm taking a relistening to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.  I didn't watch the movie that the soundtrack is in, but as far as pop albums go nowadays, this is a good one.  All the vocalists involved did a good job in their roles, especially Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Show and From Now On.

[Zook]

The Offspring released a new song. It's terrible. Their new album will have a re-recorded version of Gone Away. Their last album had Dirty Magic. It was ok for a remake I guess. What happened to this band? It's bad when Splinter is better than anything they've done in almost 20 years. Splinter actually isn't really that bad. Why did I get rid of it? I think I'm gonna listen to it. My biggest complaint was that it was short even by their standards.

[Kotowboy]

^ Agree 100%. Dexters voice is buried and smothered in FX. The whole track sounds like a demo for some reason.

It sounds like a monitor mix. There's no OOMPH to it. You're just waiting for the song to start the whole time.

The new Green Day song may sound like Green Day by numbers ( it was just written for a hockey game ) - but it's catchy as hell and

sounds PRODUCED.

Green Day : Here Comes The Shock

[Cool Chris]

So I'm taking a relistening to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.  I didn't watch the movie that the soundtrack is in, but as far as pop albums go nowadays, this is a good one.  All the vocalists involved did a good job in their roles, especially Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Show and From Now On.

My daughter loved this movie so we bought her the soundtrack. It is enjoyable; one of the few CDs of hers I won't tune out when she plays it.

[wolfking]

The Offspring released a new song. It's terrible. Their new album will have a re-recorded version of Gone Away. Their last album had Dirty Magic. It was ok for a remake I guess. What happened to this band? It's bad when Splinter is better than anything they've done in almost 20 years. Splinter actually isn't really that bad. Why did I get rid of it? I think I'm gonna listen to it. My biggest complaint was that it was short even by their standards.

I was always quite surprised at the hate Splinter got.  I think it was a great album.

I don't want to listen to their new song though lol.

[Kotowboy]

Don't bother it's dire.

[wolfking]

I'll try and resist.

[Ben_Jamin]

I just came in to post that these 4 songs are four of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard...

Pain of Salvation - Vocari Dei
Dirty Heads - End of The World
Arch Echo - Measure of A Life
Haken - Bound By Gravity


These songs just invoke in me an uplifting, joyous, exuberant vibe and mood. Whenever I feel down, I put on these songs, they let me know that things are ok and there is more to living.

Just thought I'd share that with you guys.

I actually made a playlist with these songs in this order and they blend together so, so good.

[twosuitsluke]

I'm not that big on Bound by Gravity, it's fine but I don't love it like others do. I get the feeling you are describing, when I listej to Earthrise though. It's beautiful.

Random thoughts for today:

"Eroded by Lizzard is rapidly moving up my album of the year list. It's absolutely killer".

"Cyberfunk! by Mother's Cake may be the best mix of prog and funk that I've ever heard".

"I really like the song Bat Out of Hell. I may pick up some Meatloaf vinyl".

[ReaperKK]

There are definitely talentless hacks making pop music, but Ed Sheeran isn't one of them.

My wife is a huge fan and for her birthday I took her to see him a while back. I was blown away by how good a performer and guitar player he is. Truly a great artist.

[hefdaddy42]

There are definitely talentless hacks making pop music, but Ed Sheeran isn't one of them.

My wife is a huge fan and for her birthday I took her to see him a while back. I was blown away by how good a performer and guitar player he is. Truly a great artist.

Nice. 

[Ben_Jamin]

Pyramaze - The Time Traveller

Now this is how you make a lyric video.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

So Metal Archives changed all the Artist pictures to cat pictures for April Fools. I thought it was amusing. 

[Evermind]

So Metal Archives changed all the Artist pictures to cat pictures for April Fools. I thought it was amusing. 

Look at the Iced Earth thread

[TAC]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

[HOF]

I think this is a fantastic pop song from the 90s and Kelly Clarkson may have ripped it off a little with Since You’ve Been Gone.

Dionne Farris - I Know

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fqng9NDqKB8

[twosuitsluke]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

I'd say I'm the opposite. I'm not a particularly huge fan of the first two, but after hearing two of the singles, I'm actually looking forward to it!

Thoughts for today:

"I've just fallen in love with Untouchable Parts 1&2, by Anathema" 

"I need to do a run through all of Alkaline Trio's albums, they really are such an underrated punk band".

"I really need to pick up Terraformer, by Thank You Scientist, and the Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack on vinyl".

[Zydar]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

I'm the same, but with older LTE as well. I just can't get into instrumental music, I lose interest quickly. I need vocals.

[DTA]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

Same. I get Raw Dog vibes from the songs I've heard, and it's just not anything I can get excited about anymore. I'm actually way more curious as to what the jam tracks sound like and will probably be more interested in those

[romdrums]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

I'm the same, but with older LTE as well. I just can't get into instrumental music, I lose interest quickly. I need vocals.

I'm not that excited about the new LTE either, but I've found that I'm really getting into more and more instrumental music.  I actually find it to be more interesting without the vocals.  Tastes, right? 

[hefdaddy42]

I must say that I don't have the slightest bit of interest in the new LTE. I just cannot get excited about it.

Understandable.  After all, it was produced after 1988.