derivative = boring?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

no. as far as i'm concerned, big star SUX, but teenage fanclub (bandwagonesque) is good. is it what came first, or what you hear first (specifically re-processed and made for your times) that is the best? is the original necessarily more authentic than the copy?

― minna, Monday, 1 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Agree on certain bands (Cf MBV with Lift To Experience) but disagree with others (Cf. Slint/Rodan with Mogwai/All The Other Pissers).

― powertonevolume, Monday, 1 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Whatever you like best is what matters, and that can change over time. Going around saying TFC are uniquely original is something else (which you're obviously not doing), but then again it's hard to say that about any band.

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 1 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Truly resisting urge to mention the uber-derivative Strokes.

I think it really depends on how it manifests itself. If a band/artist is shamelessly derivative to the point of basically xeroxing and diluting another's sound, personally speaking, it hampers my enjoyment of the finished product. Then, of course, the argument can be made that the second artist is *IMPROVING* on the sound of the first, or continuing it where the first left off (a friend of mine used to make this argument about Rancid's Clash/Specials sound, i.e. "well, it's not like either of those bands are doin' it anymore.")

I think it's more about how the second, arguably derivative artist carries himself and/or presents the work.

Then, of course there's newjack John Mayer, so derivative of Dave Matthews that it boggles the mind. In this case, however, *BOTH* Mayer and Matthews are tepid bags of pungent filth that it's a moot point.

― Alex in NYC, Monday, 1 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Boring doesn't necessarily equal derivative and everyone steals from other bands. TFC happen to steal in very boring and obvious ways. That album is the Scottish Slanted and Enchanted with Big Star and Neil Young references replacing the Fall and Sonic Youth references.

― Alex in SF, Monday, 1 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Enjoyment is what matters. No-one is going to stop playing an album full of great songs with witty lyrics because it isn't original. Grand Prix, Definitely Maybe, Elastica, Suede. Not an original note or idea, but what splendid, enjoyable music.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 4 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.