Originally posted by ericg75: Because they don't mean a goddamn thing. I could pick up a magnetic poetry set and write more poignant lyrics.
I stopped thinking meaningless, abstract lyrics were cool shortly after I graduated from high school.
The bottom line is that you are a fanboy and are suffering from major 'fanboyism' for this band. So what if people like Animal Collective? That doesn't mean that you have to put down people that do like them, implying that they "think meaningless lyrics are cool"--whatever that means. Chill out you fanatic.
----- If you don't love me, I'm sorry.
Posts: 6046 | Location: Texas | Registered: 27 December 2005
First of all, calling me a fanboy everytime I mention the Hold Steady is getting old. Yes, I like them. You win. Get a new argument.
What I said was in response to CBA's post about the Hold Steady's "awful" lyrics. But, if someone honestly thinks Animal Collective writes good lyrics, the Hold Steady probably isn't their cup of tea. As for me, I like my lyrics to have some substance. Call it pedestrian or whatever, I don't really care.
----- People claim I'm possessed by the devil, but mama, I know I'm possessed by your daughter.
Posts: 5514 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
All joking aside, Animal Collective is an incredible band, their lyrics are perfect for the music
Now there is the real explanation. Do I think AC writes better lyrics then Craig Finn? Hell no! But Finn's lyrics in an Animal Collective song would sound very out of place. Imagine a Hold Steady song with silly lyrics written by Avey Tare. That would be something awful. While I agree AC's lyrics are pretty much indiscernible, they do quite fit the music. In the same vain as Radiohead or Liars, the lyrics are not really a focal point the way they are with The Hold Steady. Nearly impossible to compare the two. Still, it's funny to see the two styles side-by-side, eric.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: Oh and I got a good laugh thinking about Craig Finn flailing his Parkinson's hands and hooting about ducking out to find the swimming poooooooooooool.
Wow way to be insensitive to those who actually have Parkinson's. A close relative of mine does actually. So thanks.
I really like both bands. If someone came up to me and said you can only listen to either THS or AC, not both, I would choose AC. If lyrics were the most important thing to me, I'd put on instrumental music while reading poetry.
Call AC whimsical, call them silly, I will call them one of my favourite bands. You know, the Beatles didn't always write "important" lyrics, but I don't hear anyone calling them on it.
How about Piggies, Everybody's Got Something to Hide 'Cept for Me and My Monkey, Octopus' Garden, Strawberry Fields Forever, Yellow Submarine, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, I am the Walrus, etc?
Are you going to say that you stopped listening to the Beatles after high school? Are you going to say that the Hold Steady are a better band?
Anyway, it's all good EG, I like the Hold Steady, but you shouldn't be insulting folks for liking Animal Collective. Last time I checked, taste is subjective.
Edit to Add ------
It could also be argued that while Craig Finn is possibly the best lyricist working, that Avey Tare and Panda Bear are two of the best working vocalists. Their voices always remind me of the Beach Boys...that's a big compliment. I also think it could be argued that Finn's voice is as bad as the AC's lyrics. There's pros and cons for both bands, but EG, you are throwing some pretty serious insults at people who like Animal Collective. Isn't that why you don't post here much anymore? "Hello kettle, it's pot...you're black."
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Il Mago,
Posts: 751 | Location: Nova Scotia | Registered: 31 May 2006
I should note that I'm only talking about their lyrics though, and I'm not commenting on their music or singing ability. For the record, there are artists I like quite a bit that I think write pretty terrible lyrics - Nirvana and Radiohead are a couple biggies.
The only reason I brought up the whole lyrics thing is that's what CBA chose to pick on. Personally, I would've stuck with Craig Finn's singing...that's an easier argument to win.
----- People claim I'm possessed by the devil, but mama, I know I'm possessed by your daughter.
Posts: 5514 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
Originally posted by Il Mago: I really like both bands. If someone came up to me and said you can only listen to either THS or AC, not both, I would choose AC. If lyrics were the most important thing to me, I'd put on instrumental music while reading poetry.
Call AC whimsical, call them silly, I will call them one of my favourite bands. You know, the Beatles didn't always write "important" lyrics, but I don't hear anyone calling them on it.
How about Piggies, Everybody's Got Something to Hide 'Cept for Me and My Monkey, Octopus' Garden, Strawberry Fields Forever, Yellow Submarine, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, I am the Walrus, etc?
Are you going to say that you stopped listening to the Beatles after high school? Are you going to say that the Hold Steady are a better band?
Anyway, it's all good EG, I like the Hold Steady, but you shouldn't be insulting folks for liking Animal Collective. Last time I checked, taste is subjective.
Edit to Add ------
It could also be argued that while Craig Finn is possibly the best lyricist working, that Avey Tare and Panda Bear are two of the best working vocalists. Their voices always remind me of the Beach Boys...that's a big compliment. I also think it could be argued that Finn's voice is as bad as the AC's lyrics. There's pros and cons for both bands, but EG, you are throwing some pretty serious insults at people who like Animal Collective. Isn't that why you don't post here much anymore? "Hello kettle, it's pot...you're black."
Well Strawberry Fields Forever definately has a lot of meaning behind it... and I Am the Walrus is not nonsensical either. The others I can't say for sure, they do seem to have lyrics that just focus on the sound and not necessarily the meanings, but yeah. Thought I'd clear that up.
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: Oh and I got a good laugh thinking about Craig Finn flailing his Parkinson's hands and hooting about ducking out to find the swimming poooooooooooool.
Wow way to be insensitive to those who actually have Parkinson's. A close relative of mine does actually. So thanks.
All hail the PC nazi!
And to add to the discussion: I really don't mind Finn's voice after hearing it so much. I don't think being unable to sing well is necessarily detrimental to a band, and you all know how many horrible singers fronted great bands. I think he is moving towards a more varied delivery in the sense that he actually attempts to sing sometimes. You think we will be treated to some double-tracking Finn on Finn vocal harmonies next time?
Originally posted by CouldBAnyone: Oh and I got a good laugh thinking about Craig Finn flailing his Parkinson's hands and hooting about ducking out to find the swimming poooooooooooool.
Wow way to be insensitive to those who actually have Parkinson's. A close relative of mine does actually. So thanks.
All hail the PC nazi!
And to add to the discussion: I really don't mind Finn's voice after hearing it so much. I don't think being unable to sing well is necessarily detrimental to a band, and you all know how many horrible singers fronted great bands. I think he is moving towards a more varied delivery in the sense that he actually attempts to sing sometimes. You think we will be treated to some double-tracking Finn on Finn vocal harmonies next time?
...shudder...
This discussion was pretty damn pointless from the start, one person's dislike of a fairly popular indie band opening up a whole discussion in which I saw that band comtrasted to Animal Collective in both lyrical and musical content. Seriously let's not talk about adding to a discussion. And I take offense when a disease that I've seen seriously hurt my family is used in such a light-hearted way. It's not a matter of political-correctness, it's a matter of being human. So thanks again!
I think you should lighten up, BE. He didn't mean anything by it. It was just a joke, and an innocent one at that. I'm sure you've said something insensitive without really thinking about it before, right?
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
Originally posted by less_success: I think you should lighten up, BE. He didn't mean anything by it. It was just a joke, and an innocent one at that. I'm sure you've said something insensitive without really thinking about it before, right?
Oh I definitely have. But when it's pointed out that what I've said is insensitive to other people, I don't strike back by calling the person who pointed it out "A PC NAZI." I apologize. Which is probably the right thing to do. Now I'm not asking CouldBAnyone to apologize, seeing how this is the internet, that's a bit ridiculous. But I am asking him to perhaps be a bit more sensitive to other people's circumstances. And I was pointing out that it has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness. If my relative didn't have Parkinson's I wouldn't have even noticed. And once he read my response back to his original comment, he could've ignored it. But instead he struck back with an insult. So I think I have a bit of a right to respond back less than amicably, don't you think?
But when it's pointed out that what I've said is insensitive to other people, I don't strike back by calling the person who pointed it out "A PC NAZI." I apologize. Which is probably the right thing to do.
Point taken.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
Originally posted by less_success: I think you should lighten up, BE. He didn't mean anything by it. It was just a joke, and an innocent one at that. I'm sure you've said something insensitive without really thinking about it before, right?
Oh I definitely have. But when it's pointed out that what I've said is insensitive to other people, I don't strike back by calling the person who pointed it out "A PC NAZI." I apologize. Which is probably the right thing to do. Now I'm not asking CouldBAnyone to apologize, seeing how this is the internet, that's a bit ridiculous. But I am asking him to perhaps be a bit more sensitive to other people's circumstances. And I was pointing out that it has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness. If my relative didn't have Parkinson's I wouldn't have even noticed. And once he read my response back to his original comment, he could've ignored it. But instead he struck back with an insult. So I think I have a bit of a right to respond back less than amicably, don't you think?
I'd love to start handing out apologies, mailing apologies, emailing apologies, sending apologies by way of carrier pidgeon and mentally willing my thoughts (in the form of apologies) to anyone and everyone that might possibly be offended by any and all statements made by myself, my family, my pet boa constrictor, Robin Williams, and the imaginary apparition of Percy Shelley that haunts my room at night....
I looked into The Hold Steady about a year ago. I agree with the notion that this band gets better with time and definitely with age. I'd say that I now officially hold them as one of my personal favorites. The obvious intelligence that Finn portrays is refreshing and unique. I can also see how his voice would turn first time listeners off, but I would only beg them to give him another chance or simply come back to the music at a later date with free time to spare. It will be a rewarding experience. As for my favorite tracks....
"How a Resurrection Really Feels" "Cattle and the Creeping Things" "First Night" "Hot Soft Light" and "Killer Parties"
I understand now what Eric has been saying all along about these guys. They are truly amazing. Your love of this band speaks volumes about your taste in music, Eric, and I don't think I have ever agreed with you more.
Posts: 1206 | Location: Hunting in the Korengal | Registered: 04 January 2006
I just saw The Hold Steady this weekend with The Thermals (who were also really good), and I have to agree with pretty much all the feeback I've heard about them. They're a very good live band. Craig Finn's got charisma and magnetism that not many frontmen have. The band was spot on during pretty much every song. Their experience shows immensely . Even if you're a mild Hold Steady fan, check them out live if you get a chance. I can pretty much guarantee an entertaining show.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
