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Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Also, I hope my recent surge in Karma means that someone has designs on me. And I'd like to know the answer to the above so that I can narrow down who I should start hitting on. I'd like to not spread myself too thin here.
Somebody is going to reap a mighty reward with this sort of dedication.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
Eh, not really. If expressing a political point of view that isn't "OBAMA!" or "ALL POLITICAL PARTIES ARE EVIL THIRD PARTY SYSTEM WE NEED TO BRING WASHINGTON FAT CATS DOWN" is "trolling," then something is really wrong here.
When you do it, it's trolling. Don't play games about it.
Eh, not really. If expressing a political point of view that isn't "OBAMA!" or "ALL POLITICAL PARTIES ARE EVIL THIRD PARTY SYSTEM WE NEED TO BRING WASHINGTON FAT CATS DOWN" is "trolling," then something is really wrong here.
Also I really do think that the Avett Brothers are overrated and not that great and dont' understand why people around here get all creamy about them (and about the majority of the mediocre semi-Americana that's really popular here, see also groups like Dawes, Delta Spirit, Deer Tick, Dr. Dog, and why do all these groups start with "D"?).
Also I really do think that the Avett Brothers are overrated and not that great and dont' understand why people around here get all creamy about them (and about the majority of the mediocre semi-Americana that's really popular here, see also groups like Dawes, Delta Spirit, Deer Tick, Dr. Dog, and why do all these groups start with "D"?).
So...basically you think I have terrible taste in music lol
For me, it's personal connection. I've gone through some shit and was in a bad place for a bit and music from some of these acts have helped me. There are some Avett songs about heartbreak and also about positivity and self-reflection that I really enjoyed and their live show is extremely fun everytime I've seen them.
Delta Spirit and Deer Tick for me are bands I discovered when they were no-name opening acts and I've watched them get better and better, both in the studio and live. I love the old school rock and roll feel of Deer Tick and Delta Spirit's debut album was big for me and a lot of friends so when I saw them live and they blew me away I was a fan for life.
Dawes are good but I lost a lot of interest in them since I initially heard them. Solid live though. Dr. Dog hooked me with Fate and I like a lot of their psychedelic pop material and think they're an all-around good band.
Most of these bands gained popularity from their sets at Bonnaroo which is one reason a lot of people on here know/like them. For me, most of these acts have come into my life and helped get me through some tough times so I have a soft spot for them. Just because I don't understand your love of some metal acts doesn't mean that I don't think they are any good.
Let's talk music in the grievance thread! This is wonderful.
Whatever. It's the off season. There's only like 30 of us that are on here daily.
I don't know what it is, but I find myself endlessly bored by all the "Americana" out there these days. I find nothing truly remarkable about it. That's not to say there aren't some bands that don't do that kind of thing at a transcendant level (I'd argue that Wilco and My Morning Jacket are examples of this), but I feel like the large majority just make "okay" music.
Delta Spirit has been evolving their sound and adding different studio effects/techniques. Their latest album sounds quite a bit different from their first and I wouldn't call them Americana. Their live show is anything but Americana (which I would definitely still lump Dawes in).
Deer Tick and Dr. Dog are not Americana....to me anyway. Deer Tick started off that way (folky/americana sound) but it's a much more full rock band sound now. How much of their albums have you listened to and have you seen them live in the past year or two? They're much more "Rock and Roll" than Americana for sure. The first album or two when it was mainly a one-man show with a backing band I can see but since they've added the better lead guitarist and piano/sax player they have changed drastically. Dr. Dog are like psychedelic pop....I can't remember someone comparing them to Americana bands.
No one is jumping to defend Avett's, so can we go ahead and mark them down in the "overrated" category and call it a day?
I think they're overrated by most but I also think they're an awesome live band with a collection of some great songs. But when I tell people who don't know anything about them who I'm going to see I say "this band that is pretty good that I like but they're kinda girly and a lot of girls like their love songs. BUT THEY HAVE HIGH ENERGY!".
I think they and Mumford are overrated by a majority but I still think they're great bands. Just not the best things ever like people treat them.
OK...so what exactly IS good musical taste, anyway?
In that college radio thread I tried to start I took some (good-natured) ribbing for confessing that I played a lot of Jesus Jones back in the early 90s, and I've been thinking about that question ever since. Do you have to be a more educated listener who conforms his listening habits to a group consensus to have good taste, or can you be somebody who enjoys what he enjoys and doesn't give a damn what anybody else thinks? Or is the answer somewhere in between?
Edit: or perhaps the more educated listeners LEAD the group consensus, but to my mind that comes down to much the same thing depending on where you are in the adoption curve.
Last Edit: Nov 1, 2012 12:32:20 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by itrainmonkeys on Nov 1, 2012 12:33:42 GMT -5
I think the answer is somewhere inbetween. I like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons but I also get annoyed when people talk and boast about them like they are the new Jimi Hendrix of banjo songs. I think they are very good and deserve recognition but sometimes it gets tough to see who is an actual fan of the music and who is just in on the fad and just want to be hip.
I like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons but I also get annoyed when people talk and boast about them like they are the new Jimi Hendrix of banjo songs.
When in fact they are the Dave Matthews Band(s) of banjocana.
It's definitely a better comparison. Some of my friends treat Mumford and Sons like the Beatles and what really annoys me is I was trying to show them this band a few years ago to increase their popularity/exposure (I should have just waited lol). At the time they didn't didn't care and ignored them. Now that they're bigger it's all "OH MAN....CAN THIS BAND DO ANYTHING WRONG? THEY'RE SO AMAZING!". I have friends telling me I need to listen to this awesome new band.....these same friends who I showed M&S to over 2 years ago that just shrugged it off.
Glad somebody brought up this Americana is boring thing. Generally I agree, I respect Avetts and their ilks talent but take issue with the songs themselves, which I tend not to connect emotionally with. Same with a lot of more indie bands, like Dr. Dog.
I think it has something to do with my love for Ryan Adams. After you've delved into his brand of Americana, everything else feels weak.
Recently I have been delving deeper into indie with an open mind, and have found some bands I enjoy. Not exactly Americana, but bands like Cloud Nothings and Tame Impala definitely have something to offer.
Also excited to see punk rearing its indie head. Back to save rock n roll, again! Been really digging the new Swearin record.
Having said that, someone recommend me an indie americana band with half the sheer authenticity of NY&CH and I'll buy you a creme filled from Krispy Kreme.
Dr Dog. Fantastic albums, great live show. Used to be completely americana now less so. They really range a huge number of genres depending on the show and the song.
Mumford and Sons. Pretty good albums and pretty good shows. They are poppy britamericana. Because I refuse to call someone from the UK americana.
PS my definition of Modern Americana is basically "any band that lists The Band near the top of their influences".
My grievance is that the weird dude who posts a bunch of stupid animated gifs shouldn't be allowed to use the name "scut farkus" and drag my good friend boothead's name through the dirt
My grievance is that the weird dude who posts a bunch of stupid animated gifs shouldn't be allowed to use the name "scut farkus" and drag my good friend boothead's name through the dirt
Cory Chisel. AA Bondy. I think there's a lot of "Americana" type music out there that is quality stuff. I tend to go for the singer/songwriter type stuff myself.
OK...so what exactly IS good musical taste, anyway?
Mine. It's more curse than blessin' to have the absolute pinnacle in taste of music, knowin' and havin' to deal with everyone else on the planet and their sub-par ideas of what constitutes good music.
- Dawes to me is folk, not Americana. - although Deer Tick's earlier albums were very folk/Americana and that bleeds a little into Divine Providence, the show I saw was not at all Americana. Punk rock all the way (complete with john playing the guitar with his dong)