I'm not accusing him of grand larceny or anything! I'm just asking his opinion. After all, we are on the "Mediocre Bands..." thread.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
How about this, or is it too anecdotal?

yep, that will do.

I think Cobain was mediocre, but I think my belief cuts across the grain. If I really think about it, all the years I have listened to music I will be that at least half of it was mediocre, but again that is subjective.

Good bands produce mediocre stuff, and mediocre bands produce good stuff. It happens sometimes.

Yes, it happens. But, why with some groups and not others. there is an arbitrary factor in all of this. Methinks it has much to do with the label hotshots.

I had the misfortune of catching Maroon 5 on TV the other day who admitted to hating their new single. They only released it because their record company thought it would sell.

What band does that?! You souless, mirthless, creatively bankrupt, odious little band.

Needless to say they dropped even more in my estimation.

There's a fascinating article in the New York Times from a few weeks ago about making a bestseller book, which is probably about as difficult to predict as a bestselling album. Perhaps the tricks of the book trade could be used to predict what albums will be hits and what albums will be flops?

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Bunchy Pants:
I had the misfortune of catching Maroon 5 on TV the other day who admitted to hating their new single. They only released it because their record company thought it would sell.

What band does that?! You souless, mirthless, creatively bankrupt, odious little band.

Needless to say they dropped even more in my estimation.

Even the mention of that band sends shivers down my spine. Is there a more slapable band on the face of the planet? Once their new album comes out, I'll have to avoid getting a lift in any of my female friends cars for about 6 months or so. Never mind, I could do with the exercise.

Good call.

Unfortunately, credit where credit's due, what they do they do well. It's faceless coffee table music. It'll nestle nicely next to James Blunt, Coldplay and the Cold Feet soundtrack on the Ikea shelves of 30-somethings who buy their music at Sainsburys.

Here's to hoping that they adverts don't pick up on it, like they did Play. Then there will be no escaping.

God help us all.

I came into this thread with one name, and that name is Liz. Technically she's made good music outside Exile, (the Girlysound demos) but eh, it's debatable whether that counts or not since most of it has never officially been released (and what has is "official bootleg" status). She's interesting in that I have the idea she's not REALLY mediocre, but makes mediocre music because she thinks it'll sell better. Which would make her an intellectual whore as well as a literal whore.

I'm really tempted to say Les Savy Fav, but again I'm not sure they count since their one really, really good release (Inches) was a compilation of sorts, with the songs scattered throughout the years. But man I could not get into their other stuff at all.

OH! Know who I'll say? Interpol. Now, I've listened to a lot of them outside Turn On The Bright Lights and Antics too, older fairly hard to find stuff. And a friend tells me his brother tracked down a pretty hard to find 7 inch and it was godawful. He attests they're an awful band who pumped out one good album because "someone was telling them what to do" and while I'm not sure how valid that is, Bright Lights outshines (PUN!) all their other stuff, and all their other stuff is not very good. They're coming out with a new one soon, if it's remotely close to Antics I'll consider myself reaffirmed.

I really like Interpol. In Bright Lights and Antics, they've produced 2 excellent albums.

Me too. Interpol are a great band. Bright Lights is one of my favourite albums of the last 10 years, and Antics is quality. A lot of people I've spoken to actually think Antics is the better album.

If anyone contradicts me, I'll stick my fingers in my ears and go "la-la-la". Unfortunately I'll still be able to read what they've written though.

Here's a few:
Nada Surf-Let go
The Cardigans-First Band on the Moon
Starsailor-Love is Here
Everclear-Sparkle and Fade

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:

The Cardigans-First Band on the Moon
-----
Everclear-Sparkle and Fade

First Band on the Moon was great, but if you listen to everything they have done since, it has all been solid. I especially like Long Gone Before Daylight.

I have to agree with you on Everclear though. I have enjoyed all of their albums, but they have all just been mediocre ever since Sparkle and Fade. It's cool how much momentum that one album gave them.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:

The Cardigans-First Band on the Moon

First Band on the Moon was great, but if you listen to everything they have done since, it has all been solid. I especially like Long Gone Before Daylight.

Gran Turismo has always been underrated, IMO.

Keane's debut album "Hopes and Fears" was full of great singalong songs. It was a guilty pleasure, but undeniably a pleasure. Truly a mediocre band. Now, please, go away.

In the same vein, Travis's "The Man Who". Their first album had a few good songs, and "The Man Who" was consistently fun in the same way as Keane -- ya just couldn't help singin' along. Since then, their medioocre colours have shone thru.

quote:

Originally posted by Peewee:
Keane's debut album "Hopes and Fears" was full of great singalong songs. It was a guilty pleasure, but undeniably a pleasure. Truly a mediocre band. Now, please, go away.

I agree with you there, Mr. Herman. I also thought their debut was a guilty pleasure but since then, blech. I do like the opener from their second album though, I think it’s called “Atlantic.”

quote:

Originally posted by Sideshow Bob:

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:

The Cardigans-First Band on the Moon

First Band on the Moon was great, but if you listen to everything they have done since, it has all been solid. I especially like Long Gone Before Daylight.

Gran Turismo has always been underrated, IMO.

I always really liked Gran Turismo. Something about her voice is very nice.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Sideshow Bob:

quote:
Originally posted by Shadrach:

quote:
Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:

The Cardigans-First Band on the Moon



First Band on the Moon was great, but if you listen to everything they have done since, it has all been solid. I especially like Long Gone Before Daylight.


Gran Turismo has always been underrated, IMO.


I always really liked Gran Turismo. Something about her voice is very nice.

I'll be honest, I don't know Gran Turismo that well. I'll check it out though. Everyone is saying they like these other albums, but I'm curious do you like them as much as First Band...

Also, for those who like First Band... is anyone with me that the cover of IronMan is one of the best (along with most intersting) covers of all time?

Oh, call me sleepy, but I actually was thinking about Gran Turismo when you mentioned First Band on the Moon. I just assumed it was their masterpiece that was the standard the rest of their music was judged by.

Definitely check it out if you have not. Turismo and Daylight are both amazing, but completely different from First on the Moon. They reinvented themselves and got as far away from "Lovefool" as they could. Daylight actually has almost a western feel, and Turismo is a cold, dark and dangerous electronic bike ride through the city at night. I think they were just trying to prove they could make great music in many different styles.

Their latest, called Super Extra Gravity was a slight disapointment, but the non album B-side "Give Me Your Eyes" shows that they are still making their best music.