Originally posted by ericg75: I will say that his voice isn't what it used to be, but he's had a 30 year career. I'd listen to any of his '70s output before you write him off as toneless.
I have tried: it's just really not my cup of tea. And as for voices changing, Paul McC can still sing most of his songs and sound like himself. Guy's what, 65, and his good songs are years behind him.
All I'm saying is that Costello seems like a lot of original-indie smoke being blown in my face, and the fire just doesn't seem to be big enough for the amount of smoke.
I don't mean to offend, though. I appreciate what he's done and listen to a lot of music that's like his.
'but then again maybe this life is like a sleeping mountain waking up to shape the land'
I would also recommend checking out the songs "beyond belief," "watching the detectives," "Radio Radio" and "(I don't want to go to) Chelsea" before you write Costello off.
...or "What's So Funny ('Bout Peace Love and Understanding)", "Watch Your Step", "Pump it Up", "I Want You", "Oliver's Army"... we could go on all day.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5470 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I guess I'm somewhat with EmilyPlays on Costello. I love quite a few of his songs, but once I started listening to Armed Forces, I was underwhelmed by his album work. This Year's Model was pretty rad, though. He probably just needs to grow on me.
Also, Conor Oberst IS overrated. He can turn a good phrase, sure, and his songwriting skill is decent. It's just that he cannot sing, and while that is something I'm willing to overlook in someone like Bob, Conor has a voice that is like nails on the chalkboard of your soul. God forbid he tries to sound emotional and starts shrieking. Add that into lyrics that are a little too overwrought for the folk he's trying to create, and... yeah.
His voice kind of works in Desaparecidos, though.
------ Aren't there any girls out their who like good music? I need to and want to meet them. My favorite bands are Overkill River, The Nife, Songs:Ohio, and Nuetral Milk Hotel. Please let me know if your into indy music and like to go to show's and drink beer's and makeout.
Posts: 2305 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
Originally posted by Chamberk: I guess I'm somewhat with EmilyPlays on Costello. I love quite a few of his songs, but once I started listening to Armed Forces, I was underwhelmed by his album work. This Year's Model was pretty rad, though. He probably just needs to grow on me.
I can kind of see that point. I'd probably say that I too enjoy Elvis Costello's singles more than I enjoy his albums, but like the Beatles, he's released so many classic songs, it's tough to call him overrated.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5470 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
This is a very open topic everyone has there own taste in music as for myself I think all music is worth giving a chance (besides pop) and nothing to me is over rated even if they did blow up and I dont like the music.
Hey, even some pop is worthwhile, if it's just to move your ass to.
------ Aren't there any girls out their who like good music? I need to and want to meet them. My favorite bands are Overkill River, The Nife, Songs:Ohio, and Nuetral Milk Hotel. Please let me know if your into indy music and like to go to show's and drink beer's and makeout.
Posts: 2305 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
Yeah, Conor Oberst. He does have a way with words. If he was in my morning jacket as a lyricist/guitarist, he'd do pretty well I reckon. I like when he did the thing with M.Ward and Jim James. He's a good musician with eclectic tastes, but yeah he just can't sing. And he's waaay to much of a sad sack. Overrated? Agreed.
Rolling Stones. They just get by on past successes. They haven't recorded anything worthwhile this side of the 70's. I love their old stuff, but man oh man, how can they be the biggest band in the world these days??? Ugh.
Posts: 751 | Location: Nova Scotia | Registered: 31 May 2006
Elvis Costello has had his highs and lows, but his highs, in my opinion, are much higher than most. And Conor Oberst, you know, he's got some good songs. I think it's just his posturing that bothers me most. Anybody who feels the need to address music writers in his songs and call them out for reasons that make no sense (aren't most critics fawning over the guy?). Whatta jerk.
The Beatles are a slight bit overrated, I'll agree, but I love them anyway. I can't say I'd ever put the Hold Steady in the same echelon as them, unless in ten years the Hold Steady are releasing groundbreaking music that takes my breath away.
Oh, and at least he's saying something besides a two-word reply, like some new folk are doing.
------ Aren't there any girls out their who like good music? I need to and want to meet them. My favorite bands are Overkill River, The Nife, Songs:Ohio, and Nuetral Milk Hotel. Please let me know if your into indy music and like to go to show's and drink beer's and makeout.
Posts: 2305 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
It's hard to say the Beatles are overrated unless you were listening to them way back when. Their music may not stand up to the best of todays music by itself, but I think it's difficult to overrate their impact. I have always thought that the Hold Steady were rated higher than they should be - even when trying to look at them objectively.
Originally posted by PinkFlag: i think the beatles are the most overrated band of all time.
the hold steady are much MUCH better.
That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. Is this an attempt at being a shit disturber? Honestly, it's hard to even get mad at the statement, it's that crazy.
Please try and back up that idea
Markf, please comment.
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I fell in love with the first cute girl that I met.
Posts: 751 | Location: Nova Scotia | Registered: 31 May 2006
Originally posted by PinkFlag: i think the beatles are the most overrated band of all time.
the hold steady are much MUCH better.
I wonder what The Hold Steady would sound like without The Beatles' influence. That's just so aggravating. Listen to Abbey Road all the way through and try to say that again.
What do you think of Costello's "Alison", "Accidents Will Happen" and "New Amsterdam"?
