Hi guys,

I am doing my final University dissertation on why the music press build up bands only to knock them down. I was wondering if anyone (hopefully some journalists) has an opinion on the matter for inclusion in my project.

Also, does anyone know of any websites I can research this further? I appreciate any help.

Thanks. Simon

This definitely happens in the world of music criticism, but I really don't think it's intentional. Most of the writers I know, including myself, just call them like we see them. It isn't like all of us know each other and collectively plan to rip an album apart or praise it in separate reviews to create some sort of media frenzy or backlash, etc. I think you're going to have a hard time doing anything much with the topic besides talking about its occurence. Every now and then you get a sort of snowball effect, where someone will read a review of something that is very positive or negative and want to hear the album themselves and write a review reflecting their own opinion. Sometimes writers from the same print source or website have opposing views regarding an album and when you see one of your peers praising or criticizing a release you feel strongly about, I think you then become more likely to want to try and write a review for that group/band's next record that reflects your own opinion. This can result in an effect that looks like the group being built up to be cut down later on.

I don't know if this helps you much, but there you go.

You might want to consider The Strokes, Interpol, or The Libertines as examples.

study NME for more details!

quote:

y

I think certain critics attach romanticism to certain bands calling them the saviours of this and best band of the year, building them to achieve the same level of success and quality with each album while updating their sound but not enough to alienate people...which is a ridiculous expectation....

Some critics are passionate about the music nothing hurts more than watch a band you loved and cherished limp on making music that falls way short of past glorious....

some critics have their own agendas, oh I wouldn't hype that band up cos I want to be different... I 'll be cool and get street cred if I diss them,

I mean Britney Spears could record an amazing brilliant album (theoretically speaking) but
all the hip mags would never give it a 5 star rating because its Britney.

I think there is a certain snobbery and elitism among critics of any art form.

quote:

Originally posted by BigMouth:
study NME for more details!

NME only builds bands up to knock them down. There's your paper.

While there are definitely trends in music criticism, not all critics have the same opinions, so therefore, you can't make a blanket statement about them as such.

Personally, I thought the Strokes were a weak band from the get-go, whereas Interpol really had a great first couple of albums, but glossier production without the aid of better songs (and Paul Banks' awful lyrics sounding that much worse) made their third album a disappointment.

I really think it's that not every artist can be consistently amazing. That's just how it is. I mean, I can probably name a bunch of artists that have never let me down, but that's still a minority.

quote:

Paul Banks' awful lyrics sounding that much worse) made their third album a disappointment.

lyrics on Antics are pretty good.....

I always get scared when a band gets the hype machine behind them. There really is no way to go but down after that. Look at Vampire Weekend right now. Their album was hugely hyped. And you know it's a decent album but there is no way that the boys are going to be able to follow it up.

Do the press build bands up and knock them down?

No, they just build them up way too high. And the band subsequently come crumbling down, for the most part. There are indeed some exceptions like Interpol. Antics was an amazing follow-up album but then they lost it after that.

quote:

Originally posted by eggtweedyegg:
lyrics on Antics are pretty good.....

Actually, yeah, most of them are pretty good. You're right. But he tends to throw in some really awkward phrases, like the whole 'semi-erotic' thing in "Evil." Not that it ruins the song, probably my favorite of theirs overall.

I'm sure we are off topic here but I consider Interpol's lyrics to be some of the best around. I don't know where I saw it but someone asked something like, "Which current indie band's lyrics are so strong and deep that they are practically poetry? Interpol." And I really do agree with that.

Their catalog (yes, even last year's album) is tremendous as well.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
I'm sure we are off topic here but I consider Interpol's lyrics to be some of the best around. I don't know where I saw it but someone asked something like, "Which current indie band's lyrics are so strong and deep that they are practically poetry? Interpol." And I really do agree with that.

Their catalog (yes, even last year's album) is tremendous as well.

FKA, I like you so I'll be gentle. These are not good lyrics.

"Her stories are boring and stuff. She's always calling my bluff."

I like Interpol, though. I can get past the bad lyrics.

Hey Hop, I appreciate your gentleness, I am a weakling, if only so many others were as gentle.

Anyways, yeah you're right, those lyrics you posted are not too great but they rhyme! Another band with really beautiful lyrics are The National. Besides being four albums in and not a bad one mind you, their lyrics begged to be examined, really good.

But here are some gorgeous lyrics from Interpol:

"So much for make believe, I'm not sold
So much of pain's deceit, I'm not prepared to know
Your heart makes me feel
Your heart makes me bold
For always and ever
I'll never let go
Always concealed
Safe and inside -- alive"

Like Hophead, I love ya fraggie, so I too will be gentle.
Those lyrics are awful; I thought I was reading something by Bon Jovi.

Remember...I love ya, ya weakling.

As for the music press, I find little evidence of strategies to hype with a plan to kill off. And I was once a subscriber to the NME!!!; those bastards are too drunk over their keyboards to see past next weeks issue..

There is a big difference between critics hypeing something from out of the blue and getting people to "listen to it and realize it's good" and getting people to "listen to it and force themselves to think it's good".

I don't adhere to 'Pitchfork as a Religion', so don't burn me as a heritic, but they were the first publication to bring a lot of good bands to my attention (Example: Clap Your Hands, The Wrens, Sufjan). I think their backing of the group helped in it's popularitiy because people like me trust them and will listen to what they promote. This doesn't necessarily mean the group became popular because of the publications opinions directly.

P.S. I also kindof like Interpol's lyrics. You can't actually take them seriously all the time, but they are very stylized, and consistent to that style.

The National do have really good lyrics, I'm just not sure if that's the best example. Not necessarily bad though.

FKA, this is an oldie but goodie, in case you haven't seen it before.

Top Ten Worst Lines on Interpol’s First Album

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
FKA, this is an oldie but goodie, in case you haven't seen it before.

Top Ten Worst Lines on Interpol’s First Album

Yeah, those are definitely some bad lines. I will concede that maybe they don't have the best lyrics but I still like them. Yes, even the, "Her stories are boring and stuff. She's always calling my bluff" one!

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
FKA, this is an oldie but goodie, in case you haven't seen it before.

Top Ten Worst Lines on Interpol’s First Album

Yeah, those are definitely some bad lines. I will concede that maybe they don't have the best lyrics but I still like them. Yes, even the, "Her stories are boring and stuff. She's always calling my bluff" one!

Believe me, I'm with you. I love their first two albums.

I gotta get over to the Sacrilege thread and declare how awful Interpol are!! It stuns me that people see value in them.

Why aren't the muzak press tearing those guys down.?...sheesh..