Musicians You Like Whose Taste Sucks

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Do you ever read an interview with a band or artist you like, and they are prompted for a comment on some other music, and you just hold your head in your hands in horror at how wrong they are? Now is your chance to name the guilty parties. Unsurprisingly this thread was kind of sparked in my brain by the Smiths one.

― Tom, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Easy. Stephin Merritt is the only person who both likes the Magnetic Fields and thinks that the Divine Comedy are comparable to them. Everyone else who likes Merritt knows that Hannon is in the Beezer Homes League by comparison.

― the pinefox, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Stepping into *this* particular minefield with relish ;-) -- having heard the Divine Comedy cover of "Love is Lighter Than Air" first before the original, I can see where the two might be more equitable than some would allow. Same goes for the DC's "Motorway to Damascus."

As for the question in general -- no particular band/person leaps to mind, but I'm always annoyed when somebody I like clearly has 'stopped listening,' or doesn't really mention anybody in terms of newer artists that haven't had a big promo push from a major label behind them. It tells me they're not taking chances on what might be out there anymore.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ned, you're comments about artists that have stopped digging for musical inspiration reminded me of that Kevin Shields interview you did where he listed Oasis as music he'd been listening to recently.. is that what you had in mind in your last post?

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oasis? *scratches head, revisits interview at http:// www.expectdelay.com/mbv/articles/interview9.html.

...don't see him mentioning them at all in that one. Perhaps he said that in another interview, but I have to say that would seem pretty unlikely. When I talked to him, he mentioned things like jungle or Dusty Springfield. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm always pleased when someone I liked has clearly 'stopped listening'. It means I have one more thing in common with them.

― the pinefox, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Judging by output, surely Kev's recent influences are purely nonmusical?

I would have to say the only recent influence on him is pies. Lots and lots of pies, to be exact.

― Nicole, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

*munch munch* He and Dave Baker are starting to become identical twins, except in the eyes. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm always annoyed when somebody I like clearly has 'stopped listening,' or doesn't really mention anybody in terms of newer artists that haven't had a big promo push from a major label behind them. It tells me they're not taking chances on what might be out there anymore.

I know exactly the syndrome you're talking about - where the artist may be relying on recommendations/freebies from labels or journalists. However I should emphasise that a lot of musicians don't necessarily listen to as much music as people on this forum. Obviously there are plenty that do, but there *is* a certain musician's mindset that involves staying slightly insulated from too many outside influences. And of course there's an issue with overload - musicians spend a lot of time working on music so they may not find it relaxing to listen to more music when they've finished working.

― David, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Back when I still took the Manics seriously, I felt deeply depressed when Nicky Wire started saying nice things about Oasis (the usual "educated proles vs. ostentatious stupidity" thing). I'm embarrassed that I cared now, as I'm embarrassed about anything to do with MSP.

I think some of Momus's favourite music (J-Pop, in particular) sucks big time, though I didn't always.

― Robin Carmody, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Really Robin? You don't like J-pop? Whyever not? I mean, I admit a LOT of is just too gooey to be eaten without stomach upset, but some J-pop stars, like Chara ("mature" the same way the BSBs are) and Tomoe Shinohara (out of her noggin), rock on out.

― Michael Daddino, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am the queen of liking artists with awful taste: Richey Edwards said in at least two interviews that he liked Jamiroquai, and fucking Madonna - she saw fit to bring Alanis to us all, and don't get me started on that one British band she just loved and kept walking around saying like a parrot, "They're, like, waaay better than Oasis!"

I don't listen to one recommendation that bands I like make, based solely on those two instances, cos really they screwed me over. I want my money back for those CDs. Except I never bought Alanis. It just showed up at my house, which was weird.

― Ally, Monday, 19 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Kid Rock and his whole little "American Bad Ass" thing he has going. Hes no bullshit, pretty straight up, and a pure personality. Problem is, I don't feel to inclined to buy one of his records. Although he seems like he has a little more than the other rap rock clowns.

― Luptune Pitman, Tuesday, 20 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There's heaps...but 1 time I read that Bob Dylan thought that the only singer who did his songs better'n him himself was Joe Cocker. Also whenever you read a interview with any old-time rock star whose music you like & they ask 'em what they think is the good stuff of right now, they always say something like...actually I can't even think of anything stupid enough.

― Duane Zarakov, Tuesday, 20 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What really bugs me are artists who stop listening, and then start up again a couple of years later with ostentatiously up-to-date tastes, but usually only listing the biggest alternative crossover albums of that year (eg. Eminem, Radiohead, Moby, Travis, Macy Gray, Beck) and saying stuff like "it reminds me of what we were doing in 71/81/91". This sort of behaviour falls into two camps: the "desperate to maintain relevance in the face of changing styles" faction (President: Madonna) and the "I invented the future, you know" faction (President: Madonna - she gets around).

― Tim, Tuesday, 20 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Funnily enough, most of the people that Tim 'Albert' Finney cites *suck*, in a very 'contemporary' sort of way. I think that makes them well-selected specimens.

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 20 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Radiohead. Sigur Ros? Forget it.

― Greg Ferguson, Tuesday, 20 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Mike:

"Really Robin? You don't like J-pop? Whyever not?"

Well, I'll admit I never went *that* much further into it that the obvious dilletante's choices like Cornelius, who I'd still stand up for. It was just that I told myself more and more I *should* like it until I realised that a lot of it was hung up on an idea of what wonderful pop music *should* sound rather than creating new ideas for how it *could* sound.

― Robin Carmody, Wednesday, 21 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Stephin Merritt and Divine Comedy. If I had to choose between them I'd probably take Divine Comedy.

― Audrey, Thursday, 22 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I would like to nominate Kurt Cobain, legendary for his bad taste in general but specifically Killing Joke.

― DG, Thursday, 22 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Lloyd Cole venerates Leonard Cohen and Patti Smith, but is more vivid and compelling than either can ever be.

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 27 March 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Kelis was on telly a while ago giving maximum respect to Whitney Houston.

I'm not sure how much I like Ice-T, but I thought it was quite funny when some TV programme (the Word?) did an interview at his house and he picked up his copy of a Phil Collins CD and eulogised about how Phil was the man. I'm sure many old skool hip hop stars' collections are laden with AOR records.

― Nick, Wednesday, 28 March 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

yeah but if yr a maker of sample-based music it's probably legit to have lots of shitty records around just for the snare drum sound or something...

― D.Zarakov, Tuesday, 3 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three years pass...

Revive

― Masked Gazza, Thursday, 24 March 2005 01:54 (twenty years ago)

I would like to nominate Kurt Cobain, legendary for his bad taste in general but specifically Killing Joke.

Uh-oh. (Closes up shop)

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Thursday, 24 March 2005 01:57 (twenty years ago)

Liam Gallagher loves hip-hop.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 24 March 2005 02:00 (twenty years ago)

Kurt had great taste in music!!!!

― Dr. Eldon Tyrell (ex machina), Thursday, 24 March 2005 02:01 (twenty years ago)

Agreed. Kurt in fact liked a lot of really great stuff, such as Beach Boys, Cheap Trick and Big Star.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 24 March 2005 02:34 (twenty years ago)

KANYE KANYE KANYE KANYE KANYE KANYE

― Shmool McShmool (shmuel), Thursday, 24 March 2005 02:37 (twenty years ago)

Kurt had great, hugely broad taste in music. He got kind of narrow later, but back in the day, wow. He even dug Celtic Frost! In fact Krist & Dave had pretty stellar taste too. IMHO.

― VegemiteGrrl (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 24 March 2005 06:09 (twenty years ago)

gary numan -- he likes nu-metal and marilyn manson, and dislikes eminem.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 24 March 2005 06:11 (twenty years ago)

jay-z w/ common talib etc, not that they're terrible, just ...

― jake b. (cerybut), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:10 (twenty years ago)

Say what you will about Nirvana as a musical phenom, but damn, they cannot be faulted in the least as far as stuff they liked. Cobain got the damn Raincoats reissued! And the Vaselines! Come on here! And fuckin' Flipper! FLIPPER! (Technically due to Rubin & Rollins, I know - but only after Cobain's homemade t-shirt made the rounds) I don't want to live in a universe where that constitutes bad taste.

― Zack Richardson (teenagequiet), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:29 (twenty years ago)

I'd respect Cobain more if he'd championed The Slits instead of The Raincoats.

― Momus (Momus), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:40 (twenty years ago)

jay-z w/ common talib etc, not that they're terrible, just ...

is this serious? I've come to accept a lot of anti-talib sentiment, but I don't unnerstand how you can really like jay-z and poop on common.

― Remy (x Jeremy), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:42 (twenty years ago)

I'd respect Cobain more if he'd championed The Slits instead of The Raincoats.

but momus, no-one knew the raincoats before cobain ... or at least, I didn't.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:45 (twenty years ago)

and while we're at it, i really don't quite get yer love for gainsbourg or jacques brel. then again, i don't like leonard cohen and bob dylan either so maybe that explains it!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:46 (twenty years ago)

Didn't Cobain like listen exclusively to punk and punk-derived rock?

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:49 (twenty years ago)

I'd respect Cobain more if he'd championed The Slits instead of The Raincoats.

um, why?

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:50 (twenty years ago)

You don't like Gainsbourg, Brel, Dylan or Cohen? If you're a musician then I nominate you for the sucky taste.

― walter kranz (walterkranz), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:51 (twenty years ago)

Didn't Cobain like listen exclusively to punk and punk-derived rock?

cobain sometimes said his favorite performer was leadbelly. so, no.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:51 (twenty years ago)

And Cobain did sorta champion the Slits...see Melody Maker, Aug 29, 1992, in reference to the Clash:

"But at least they took their girlfriends on tour with them (The Slits). Their [the Clash's] music was terrible, though."

Right and right. Good taste further confirmed.

― Zack Richardson (teenagequiet), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:52 (twenty years ago)

You don't like Gainsbourg, Brel, Dylan or Cohen? If you're a musician then I nominate you for the sucky taste.

well there you are then (though i am not a musician!)

actually, i only dislike dylan and cohen. gainsbourg and brel are OK, but a little too melodramatic and schmaltzy for my tastes -- i'm more puzzled by them than inspired to dislike them.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:53 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that cover! I guess he liked to lots of classic rock too. I just remember seeing some list of his favourite albums ever and it just seemed so narrow in scope. (To be fair, it might seem different if I actually knew more old punk records.)

2xpost

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:54 (twenty years ago)

I guess I define bad taste more through omission than inclusion. Everyone loves some artist of dubious worth and has a few stinkers in the collection. Narrow minded tastes are more difficult to overlook.

― walter kranz (walterkranz), Thursday, 24 March 2005 07:57 (twenty years ago)

(x x post) Speaking of Gainsbourg, who is not unlike a G*d to me, his taste in the 80's was awful. Example: Why on Earth did he think that hack New Jersey band he got to work with him in the early (middle?) part of the decade was worth his attention? They were some sub-Asbury Jukes shit.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Thursday, 24 March 2005 08:54 (twenty years ago)

jay-z w/ common talib etc, not that they're terrible, just ...

Jay-Z is of course way better than common but common is way better than recent jay-z champions coldplay and john mayer. (I could understand an argument for coldplay > common, though not agree with it at this moment.)

― deej., Thursday, 24 March 2005 08:56 (twenty years ago)

The obvious answer here is John Lennon. Grew up listening to nothing but boring American 12 bar/3 chord crap, and yet, he ended up writing some of the greatest songs ever, and helped define a geniune English popular music style.

See also Paul McCartney, although he did at least have a somewhat more varied musical upbringing.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 24 March 2005 19:24 (twenty years ago)

-- Zack Richardson (teenagequie...), March 24th, 2005.

OTFM! how else would a suburban putz like me find out about the Vaselines?

― latebloomer: damn cheapskate satanists (latebloomer), Thursday, 24 March 2005 19:47 (twenty years ago)

There's a local band called Northvia who sound like the local answer ot Dif Juz but listen to Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, and Tool. It surprises me...it seems like they'd know their 4AD.

― What we want? Sex with T.V. stars! What you want? Ian Riese-Moraine! (Eastern Ma, Thursday, 24 March 2005 21:22 (twenty years ago)

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