Interesting Music Related Links.

[bloop]

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/main/slices/music/22153-bad-james-cameron-bad

Apparently James Cameron has horrible taste in music.

Bad taste in movies, too.

[murlough23]

Gawd. If I hear "I Gotta Feeling" one more time, I'm gonna feel like shooting somebody.

[bloop]

I get why people drive mediocre cars and buy modest homes to live within their means.  That makes sense.  I will never understand why people abide mediocre music, though, when the good stuff costs the same and, in many cases, a little less.

[murlough23]

I will never understand why people abide mediocre music, though, when the good stuff costs the same and, in many cases, a little less.

A few reasons:

(a) They don't know it's mediocre, or don't accept it when people try to explain this to them. They are either ignorant about alternatives, or simply unwilling to expand their horizons.
(b) You're forgetting that radio is free. What appeals to the lowest common denominator is what will dominate the radio waves, as well as being used on TV shows, in ad spots, in movie soundtracks, etc. most of the time. So I'd wager that many people who like the mediocre stuff aren't actually buying the records it comes from. Obviously some people are, but once a song reaches mass consciousness, it will more or less propagate itself. Which leads me to...
(c) Hear something on the radio, or otherwise in a context where it's clear that it's a hit, enough times and the average person will get the impression that everyone else likes it and that there must be a reason for this.

[bloop]

(b) You're forgetting that radio is free. What appeals to the lowest common denominator is what will dominate the radio waves, as well as being used on TV shows, in ad spots, in movie soundtracks, etc. most of the time.

It wasn't always this way, and it won't always be this way necessarily.  I can hold out a little hope based on the past anyway.

[murlough23]

It wasn't always this way, and it won't always be this way necessarily.  I can hold out a little hope based on the past anyway.

So can I; I'm just saying that's how it is right now. Record labels will also shove "hits" down the general public's throats - this often seeds the process of a bad, annoying song permeating public consciousness to the point where people start to like it because they perceive it as being liked by other people.

[ewok20t3]

Anberlin's new single, "Impossible" can be heard here
http://kroq.radio.com/2010/07/07/new-kroq-music-anberlin-impossible/

[NinjaRob17]

http://pitchfork.com/news/39228-pitchfork-seeks-writers/

[murlough23]

http://pitchfork.com/news/39228-pitchfork-seeks-writers/

They forgot "Candidates should be sufficiently cranky. Rolling Stone writers need not apply."

[Brenden]

I applied because I like writing reviews and why the hell not? I'd class up the place.

[murlough23]

I applied because I like writing reviews and why the hell not? I'd class up the place.

I certainly hope you get it. If I express any skepticism here, it's because of them, not you.

[ewok20t3]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2010-07-19-playlist20_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Anberlin's new single is USA Today's 'Pick of The Week'.

[bloop]

I applied because I like writing reviews and why the hell not? I'd class up the place.

Freelance, eh.  Times must be tough for the 'fork. 

I can be critical of them at times (some of their reviews are more aptly described as stunts, albeit some of those are funny too), but not in an obvious pissy backlash sort of way.  Overall, I still like what they've contributed for the little guy especially.

[murlough23]

I can be critical of them at times (some of their reviews are more aptly described as stunts, albeit some of those are funny too), but not in an obvious pissy backlash sort of way.

Oh, great. Just when I'd finally gotten the image from that Jet review out of my head...

[bloop]

Well, there was that (and it was indeed funny), and there was the "10.0/0.0" they gave that one album.

[murlough23]

Well, there was that (and it was indeed funny), and there was the "10.0/0.0" they gave that one album.

The best one was the In Rainbows review, where you rate it whatever you want.

But yeah, I hate backlash. It's fine to hate the fact that something is popular, if you already think it sucks anyway. But hating it just because it's popular is retarded hipsterism.

[bloop]

The best one was the In Rainbows review, where you rate it whatever you want.

They fixed that one, unfortunately (9.3), and I think some others disappeared magically when they changed server. The Jet one is still there as far as I know, though.

My favorite moment of the site is, of course, still there:  "The experience and emotions tied to listening to Kid A are like witnessing the stillborn birth of a child while simultaneously having the opportunity to see her play in the afterlife on Imax."

[murlough23]

My favorite moment of the site is, of course, still there:  "The experience and emotions tied to listening to Kid A are like witnessing the stillborn birth of a child while simultaneously having the opportunity to see her play in the afterlife on Imax."

I think that's the line that has caused so many people to portray Pitchfork as being ridiculously pretentious. I only go that over-the-top in reviews when I'm trying to be funny, such as this description of a Thrice song:

"...so there's this really odd juxtaposition of resigned sadness and pure terror - it's somewhat like getting your face melted off by standing too close to an open furnace, and then writing a totally emo blog entry about it."

[ewok20t3]

http://sumerianrecords.com/news.php#1585
One of the biggest metal record labels signs...Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. This may not be very interesting to those of you who aren't familiar with Sumerian Records and their artists, but it pretty much blew my mind when I saw that they signed him. Unfortunately though, it looks like he's going the route of having trendy Hot Topic bands singing in his songs.

[ewok20t3]

During the Mae chat last night, they said 'This will be the last tour' and later went on to say 'anything is possible'. They said "we'll see" when asked about recording new music together in the future. (e)vening will be sold during their final tour. I assume they'll sale it on their website, as they have the previous two EP's.

All of that talk of the breakup bummed me out and everything, but then I found this website is back up and people in the know say it is indeed a reunion. http://furtherseemsforever.com/. That made me feel a whole lot better!

[murlough23]

During the Mae chat last night, they said 'This will be the last tour' and later went on to say 'anything is possible'. They said "we'll see" when asked about recording new music together in the future. (e)vening will be sold during their final tour. I assume they'll sale it on their website, as they have the previous two EP's.

I'm definitely going to catch the final tour. Haven't seen them live since a good year before Singularity came out.

[ewok20t3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ayWldcVjpw&feature=player_embedded
Here's the new Linkin Park single. I not sure that they pulled it off, but at least they were going for something different.

[bloop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGqlRtXuJNE

Is there a reason these people want me to lose my drink through my nose?

[ewok20t3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGqlRtXuJNE

Is there a reason these people want me to lose my drink through my nose?

I'm not surprised ICP had something to do with this.
That just proves what I've always thought, all Juggalos should be deported before focus is turned to illegal aliens.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Illegal-immigrants-can-stay-deport-the-juggalos/374713143529?ref=ts

[ewok20t3]

I found this on Craigslist and thought someone here might be interested. It's the sweat towel of Chad Kroeger (Nickelback). The description says it has a few of his hairs on it and smells of his cologne. 
http://lexington.craigslist.org/clt/1881191044.html

[murlough23]

I found this on Craigslist and thought someone here might be interested. It's the sweat towel of Chad Kroeger (Nickelback). The description says it has a few of his hairs on it and smells of his cologne. 
http://lexington.craigslist.org/clt/1881191044.html

I'm glad you told me this the day after I left Canada. I might have committed an act of civil disobedience in protest of them continuing to harbor this fugitive from good taste. But now it's not worth the effort to go back through customs.

[bloop]

I found this on Craigslist and thought someone here might be interested. It's the sweat towel of Chad Kroeger (Nickelback). The description says it has a few of his hairs on it and smells of his cologne.  
http://lexington.craigslist.org/clt/1881191044.html

Oh good, I'm one step closer to cloning Chad Kroeger in an effort to find a use for Chad Kroeger.

[bloop]

http://www.youtube.com/user/BassCausality

I like this guy's covers.

[ewok20t3]

Get Stockholm Syndrome by Derek Webb on vinyl for $2.99.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002H3EU22/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

[bloop]

Free Radiohead concert film for download

and, of course, I can't download it from back-to-school night.  

[ewok20t3]

A new Sufjan Stevens song can be heard at http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/track/too-much.

[bloop]

I liked the kind of craziness featured on the version of "Too Much" I saw on youtube. This is good, though.

Dismemberment Plan reuniting is my welcome music news of the day.

[ewok20t3]

This may be the worst music I've ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaVk4bBW7pE&feature=player_embedded#!



Also, A Perfect Circle are officially back together.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/202990

[ewok20t3]

AOL's 100 worst songs of all-time. I think they pretty much nailed it.
http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/09/11/worst-songs/

[murlough23]

Mambo No. 5! YESSSS!!!!!

Though I have to admit, there was a marginally funny parody once called "Clinton No. 5". "A little bit of Monica on her knees, A little bit of Hilary, she's not pleased..."

Speaking of parodies, "Jenny From the Block" proved to be good fodder for an Alias-themed parody I wrote a few years back.

"Who Let the Dogs Out" is very deserving of its spot near the top. VERY annoying, and I don't think anything but the chorus still registers any more.

I've actually never heard the #1 song.

Songs from this list that I actually kinda like: 
* Cotton-Eye Joe
* (Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection
* How Bizarre
* Breakfast at Tiffany's
* The Bad Touch
* Blue (Da Ba Dee)
* Tubthumping
* Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)
* What's Up?
* Barbie Girl

Songs that I actually LOVE:
* One Week
* With Arms Wide Open

Wow, the novelty hits of the 90's bugged me so much less than the novelty hits of any other decade. I can still see why all of them annoy people.

[ewok20t3]

There were a few songs on the list that I like to hear from time to time, as well. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" and "What's Up" in particular.

I was surprised at how well done the list was. They pretty much got every pop song I've ever heard anyone express disgust in, other than some of the Black Eyed Pea's most recent hits and Nickelback songs. There were a few songs I wasn't familiar with, but overall, I'm pretty impressed. They even managed to sneak a Kevin Federline song on there, even though very few people have ever listened to him.

[murlough23]

There were a few songs on the list that I like to hear from time to time, as well. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" and "What's Up" in particular.

I think "from time to time" is the key there. I've found that earworm choruses which are also repetitive can cause widely varying reactions, and often the song might not be considered that big of a deal the first time, but then it becomes ubiquitous and you can't figure out what the hell everyone else seems to like about it, and your prior ability to filter it out suddenly turns to rage and DIE DIE DIE!!! Even when a bunch of people do like a song, that doesn't mean we need to wallpaper all of popular culture with it. Novelty songs are fun to hear every once in a while. Get the hint, Clear Channel.

Of course, a lot of these songs just outright sucked the first time I heard them, and also the second time, and every subsequent time after that. Repetition didn't make 'em bad; they were just awful from the get-go. The first time I heard the first few bars of "I've Got a Feeling", I knew it was gonna suck.

[ewok20t3]

I've found that earworm choruses which are also repetitive can cause widely varying reactions, and often the song might not be considered that big of a deal the first time, but then it becomes ubiquitous and you can't figure out what the hell everyone else seems to like about it, and your prior ability to filter it out suddenly turns to rage and DIE DIE DIE!!!

I never really thought about it that deeply, but I think that's exactly right now that you pointed it out.

[murlough23]

I never really thought about it that deeply, but I think that's exactly right now that you pointed it out.

It's usually either that or eventually the song breaks you down, and you have to admit you kinda like it. I'm pretty sure most of the folks writing hit hip-hop tracks nowadays* are banking on us having that response to the intentionally obnoxious hooks that they come up with. It's the musical equivalent of a joke that's so stupid, you just have to laugh at it anyway.

(* Note that I don't mean all hip-hop, just the stuff that so obviously wants to be a big hit. I assume they must be going for the lowest level of debasement and debauchery possible, in the hopes that folks who consider themselves above all that will find it so amusingly bad that they'll enjoy dancing to it anyway.)

[ewok20t3]

It's usually either that or eventually the song breaks you down, and you have to admit you kinda like it. I'm pretty sure most of the folks writing hit hip-hop tracks nowadays* are banking on us having that response to the intentionally obnoxious hooks that they come up with. It's the musical equivalent of a joke that's so stupid, you just have to laugh at it anyway.

(* Note that I don't mean all hip-hop, just the stuff that so obviously wants to be a big hit. I assume they must be going for the lowest level of debasement and debauchery possible, in the hopes that folks who consider themselves above all that will find it so amusingly bad that they'll enjoy dancing to it anyway.)

Maybe that's why Flo Rida and Soulja Boy sell a ton of Itunes single downloads, but very few albums. Half of the people who buy the singles are probably casual music fans who don't buy albums to begin with, and the other half probably know it sucks, but still find it amusing and danceable. Makes sense, I suppose.