Revolutionary Groundbreakers VS Sycophantic Vampires

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Do you know of any artists who came along and ripped off some band/singer/songwriter of genius who you actually like more than said genius?

For example, I've always preferred Elastica to Wire. I'm perfectly willing to admit Wire are brilliant innovators while E. are plagiarist morons, but for some reason I enjoy the latter more. Maybe it's because the girls have swagger and sex appeal where the boys don't. Maybe it's because I was young and impressionable when E. came out, whereas W. feels a bit like a fossil in the Nu Wave museum. Or maybe it's because E. took a template and *gasp* improved upon it? I don't know.

So, who is it for you? And why?

― tha chzza, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Lilys, who can do EVERY style as good as the foax they copy. Olivia Tremor I listen to, The Beatles I don't. Melanie C's solo is a delightful genre romp. I prefer the appropriation of STP to a good deal of authentic grunge. Every Ducks Deluxe song is a rip of something else, but they do it so well. And, of course, the obvious answer: The Monkees.

― Sterling Clover, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

GAH! You took my thread. Except I was gonna call it "Planet of the Apes". I HATE you. :(

― Melissa W, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Ramones. I really can't stand them. (In principle, yes. But when it comes to listening to an entire album I'd rather do lines of pixie stick off a glass tabletop.) However, I listened to any number of Ramones derivative bands in my youth.

I can see Elastica certainly winning you over on first listen, but part of me just can't imagine that in 20 years "Stutter" (that's the big'un right?) is gonna hold up as well as "I Am The Fly," those art school wankers.

― Jess, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It goes without saying, this is a fun way to tick off a devout fan of said genius. Extra points for genius' rep for integrity and imitation's crassness and superficiality. I used to love mistaking Stone Temple Pilot songs on the radio for Pearl Jam, remarking that it's about time those grunge kings did something semi-listenable.

― Curt, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It goes without saying, this is a fun way to tick off a devout fan of said genius.

Well, this was definitely not what I was trying to do, but, yes, it is interesting to find out whether respect and concern for authenticity and that stuff is important to what people will listen to. Of course, it could work the other way, too. I could say I prefer the High Llamas to the Beach Boys and some irate HL fan will point out Sean O'Hagan's sparkling originality and maintain Brian Wilson ripped off the Four Tops.

― tha chzza, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like that pink album by Flowchart, "Multiple Tabletop Whatsis...", better than the Stereolab they ripped off. (Far cooler ba-ba-ba-ing.) And I like early Stereolab better than Neu And I like Neu quite a lot. But it would be great to discover after all this time that Neu had ripped off some unknown band even more.

― Curt, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The HL only tried to rip the Beach Boys. They came out sounding cold and bubbly, to steal a phrase.

― Sterling Clover, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

They sounded more like Steely Dan in spite of themselves.

― Curt, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Cheap Trick more than the Beatles

― dave q, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Black Nielson way better than Grandaddy. In fact, I only really started listening to Grandaddy (who I previously thought I hated... I think I got them mixed up with some other beardy band) because someone pointed out that BN sound a bit like Grandaddy.

― Kate the Saint, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Great question! I like E.L.O. better than the Beatles. One obvious reason is that I know Beatles songs for so long that they have become meaningless, the musical equivalent of bird sounds, rain falling, you know normal everyday sounds. Although for some reason this never happens with the Stones. But I just like E.L.O. better: more fun, corny moments suddenly morph into unspeakable genius, erm...the use of echo-fx :)

― Omar, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

good question. i nearly always prefer the artists the follow and consolidate rather than the innovative ground breakers. a sense of ease and a lack of burden maybe? i can't actually think of any damn examples now.

also, i often find myself preferring the following singles of an artist rather than the BIG opening single that blasts its way into critical acceptance and/or rapturous public affection. eg: i like all the britney singles way better than baby one more time.

― gareth, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I prefer Tom Barman (dEUS) ripping off Will Oldham more than any Palace record. Willie makes neo country stinky cow pie muzak. (Except "I see a Darkness" which was sublime.)

― nathalie, Wednesday, 8 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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