STEELY DAN VS MY BLOODY VALENTINE

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Poll Results

OptionVotes
My Bloody Valentine 77
Steely Dan 66


Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:13 (seventeen years ago)

Um.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:19 (seventeen years ago)

why

100 tons of hardrofl beyond zings (Just got offed), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:20 (seventeen years ago)

gay dad

thereminimum chips (electricsound), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:20 (seventeen years ago)

steely suggest ban

Annoying Display Name (blueski), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:21 (seventeen years ago)

What next, Pussy Galore vs The Beach Boys? Captain Beefheart vs Aaron Neville?
Steely Dan by a mile.

Vision, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:27 (seventeen years ago)

Dan easily.

Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:40 (seventeen years ago)

ugh

Kevin Keller, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:45 (seventeen years ago)

Kevin clearly a Steely Dan fan.

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:46 (seventeen years ago)

Steely Dan by a zillion landslides.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 23:47 (seventeen years ago)

The total number of classic Steely Dan songs > number of classic songs on Loveless != all the songs on Loveless

Therefore, Steely Dan.
QED

ablaeser, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 00:42 (seventeen years ago)

i'd say MBV had the better "great song" density, though. at least on their LPs

Kevin Keller, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 00:47 (seventeen years ago)

Nate Dogg

Carrie Bradshaw Layfield (The stickman from the hilarious 'xkcd' comics), Wednesday, 22 October 2008 00:59 (seventeen years ago)

Its a pretty absurd match. I chose not so much on the artist's corpus of work, but on the influence they had. Steely Dan is pretty singular in pop music, in the sense that younger bands recognized that they could not compete in that field, but MBV has inspired lesser bands for 20 years.

derelict, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 01:30 (seventeen years ago)

by the same token, you could say that their followers' collective failure to recreate what made them great make MBV great.
that was a terrible sentence, sorry.

Kevin Keller, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 01:32 (seventeen years ago)

I used to call the Lily's debut "In the Presence of MBV". The current victor is the Fleeting Joy's "Despondant Transponder". MBV's sound is easier to emulate. You need listen closely, but you don't need tens of thousands for superb jazzbo musicians, or Fagen's ground to an edge cynicism. MBV is easier to copy.

On the other hand, if one of the purposes of music is to transport us to emotional states that would be unavailable without its assistance, MBV is clearly capable of that sort of transcendance, while the Dan comfort of in well crafted evocations of our bitter memories.

derelict, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 01:40 (seventeen years ago)

er comfort US in well blah blah.

derelict, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 01:47 (seventeen years ago)

at least the lilys remembered to write some tunes, something the fleeting joys are barely able to cope with

thereminimum chips (electricsound), Wednesday, 22 October 2008 01:48 (seventeen years ago)

Fleeting Joys are more hit and miss. Granted. But they have the sound absolutely DOWN. The following would fit seamlessly on any MBV release from 1990 on:

derelict, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 02:01 (seventeen years ago)

oh man. that's so...blatant.

provincial rube (negotiable), Wednesday, 22 October 2008 02:40 (seventeen years ago)

Yeah. I posted that as just an illustration. The Fleeting Joys, with all due respect to any members/fans that may read this, provided one of many fixes for my MBV habit, and I hope they incorporate some other ideas in the future.

I'm more enamored by bands that have have taken the JAMC/MBV restructuring of rock priorities and migrated elsewhere from there. Seefeel, Sweet Trip, and more recently A Sunny Day in Glasgow are doing interesting hybridizations with electronica. The important thing is that MBV (and the other 1st generation 'gazers) could potentially be considered a sort of year 0 (like '77 punk). '77 punk was a negation of instrumental virtuosity that made the riff primarary, permitting a flowering of naive creativity (I think most here would consider 79-82 or so an extraordinary period for pop and bubbling under musics). Shoegaze was a negation of the riff, making texture primary. Its sort of a stillborn promise, as the listening public and the bands themselves became indifferent/exhausted, and overreverent followers just reiterated the discoveries. But I think shoegaze/wall of riffless effected guitar remains, potentially, a pretty fertile field.

Steely Dan, on the other hand, is more sui generis. I can't hear it without hearing a context that won't return - post-sexual revolution, embittered former hippies living in LA. Its a microscope on that world, those characters, and the albums they listened to. I can't really say if its a aesthetic dead end. But the chronological progression in Steely Dan albums is to more considered, more 'tasteful', more pure. A music in which ever smaller gestures are weighted down with greater import.

So, maybe I choose MBV over Steely Dan because MBV spawned a sound that is incomplete. Steely Dan reached a sort of apex, in which any adulteration is a contamination.

derelict, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 05:16 (seventeen years ago)

great post

Kevin Keller, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 05:19 (seventeen years ago)

MBV because Steely Dan are to me the audio equivalent of being molested by your drunken dad in your double-wide trailer while you're sleeping

Dog/Face/Chain (res), Wednesday, 22 October 2008 05:23 (seventeen years ago)

Dan vs. Din. Dan wins.

Phil Will, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 09:02 (seventeen years ago)

this should be in no way a fair fight - din for ever.

however, the dan will inevitably triumph. and their victory will be creepy and wrong.

m the g, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 09:46 (seventeen years ago)

Dan.

Arghn, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 12:20 (seventeen years ago)

actually, judging by the pictures here this is a tough one.

sonderangerbot, Wednesday, 22 October 2008 12:58 (seventeen years ago)

Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg over Soon/Peg mshup

Annoying Display Name (blueski), Wednesday, 22 October 2008 13:23 (seventeen years ago)

Steely Dan can suck cock.

Roasted Ghost (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Thursday, 23 October 2008 09:00 (seventeen years ago)

I mean even Dan Fogelberg can stomp all over Steely Dan. Come on!!!

Roasted Ghost (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Thursday, 23 October 2008 09:03 (seventeen years ago)

Steely Dan is pretty singular in pop music, in the sense that younger bands recognized that they could not compete in that field

Among those who tried - at least to some extent - are Toto, David + David, Deacon Blue and Danny Wilson.

Geir Hongro, Thursday, 23 October 2008 14:33 (seventeen years ago)

... and failed miserably.

Steely Dan by the largest margin yet in one of these stupid Blah vs. Blah polls.

Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 23 October 2008 14:35 (seventeen years ago)

fuck Steely Dan!

Goofus vs. Gallant (Drugs A. Money), Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:47 (seventeen years ago)

i think there's only one band that would beat steely dan in one of these polls for me

it's not mbv

ciderpress, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:13 (seventeen years ago)

i'd say MBV had the better "great song" density, though. at least on their LPs

― Kevin Keller, Wednesday, October 22, 2008 12:47 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

no way.

ian, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:18 (seventeen years ago)

steely dan >>> mbv

omar little, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:35 (seventeen years ago)

i've never got into steely dan, got any recommendations?

Dave from Norwich, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:50 (seventeen years ago)

Yes, start with Citizen Steely Dan.

Kevin John Bozelka, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:52 (seventeen years ago)

Can't Buy a Thrill is my favorite

Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 23 October 2008 19:00 (seventeen years ago)

Mine too!

Kevin John Bozelka, Thursday, 23 October 2008 19:01 (seventeen years ago)

If you just want a single album to try, you could do a lot worse than Katy Lied, which comes square in the middle of their career (or at least the original 1972-80 phase) -- it's a little smoother than some of the early rock stuff but not as offputting, perhaps, as the slick jazz sound on the later albums. (NB: I like pretty much everything the band's done, but I can see how someone might run away from them upon hearing a song like "Aja").

jaymc, Thursday, 23 October 2008 19:06 (seventeen years ago)

Royal Scam is tops for me. Way smarter than Loveless. Though I like that too.

Nate Carson, Thursday, 23 October 2008 23:34 (seventeen years ago)

Listen to jaymc and not Nate. I love Steely Dan, but I think the least of The Royal Scam. Katy Lied, yes, a thousand times.

del (dell), Friday, 24 October 2008 00:03 (seventeen years ago)

MBV because Steely Dan are to me the audio equivalent of being molested by your drunken dad in your double-wide trailer while you're sleeping

So true.

ilxor, Friday, 24 October 2008 01:02 (seventeen years ago)

fuck i just actually voted in this shit-for-brains poll

shoot me now

100 tons of hardrofl beyond zings (Just got offed), Friday, 24 October 2008 01:05 (seventeen years ago)

if only..

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Friday, 24 October 2008 01:06 (seventeen years ago)

Fuck a MBV with their *one* good album and tinnitis-inducing static.

calstars, Friday, 24 October 2008 01:26 (seventeen years ago)

Steely Dan by a zillion landslides.

― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, October 21, 2008 6:47 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

joe 40oz (deej), Friday, 24 October 2008 02:38 (seventeen years ago)

stupid poll

I'm glad the chihuahua beat it this wkend (latebloomer), Friday, 24 October 2008 02:43 (seventeen years ago)

i love you too latebloomer

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 October 2008 23:38 (seventeen years ago)

ok srsly fuck ILM

Black Seinfeld (HI DERE), Friday, 31 October 2008 00:05 (seventeen years ago)

jesus christ can this board not go five minutes without mentioning steely dan

thereminimum chips (electricsound), Friday, 31 October 2008 00:07 (seventeen years ago)

yeah and this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

restraint and blindness (Just got offed), Friday, 31 October 2008 00:09 (seventeen years ago)

obligatory new Steely Dan thread

Black Seinfeld (HI DERE), Friday, 31 October 2008 00:13 (seventeen years ago)

WTF i voted for steely dan like 5 times in this poll.

ok srsly fuck ILM

― Black Seinfeld (HI DERE), Friday, 31 October 2008 11:05 (9 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

jabba hands, Friday, 31 October 2008 00:16 (seventeen years ago)

yeah but jagger voted for mbv about fifteen times

omar little, Friday, 31 October 2008 00:18 (seventeen years ago)

lol i voted once, it was a reflex action, and i felt filthy

i mean this is just stupid whichever way you look at it tbh

restraint and blindness (Just got offed), Friday, 31 October 2008 00:23 (seventeen years ago)

it's so bizarre and dissonant to me that that slick-ass, tuneless mid-70s Doobie Brothers-sounding youtube video is something that ILMers don't belly-laugh to

Dog/Face/Chain (res), Friday, 31 October 2008 01:07 (seventeen years ago)

T|S ILX's Bizarre Fixation with Steely Dan V. ILX's Bizarre Fixation with Kenan Thompson

Mordy, Friday, 31 October 2008 01:11 (seventeen years ago)

― Dog/Face/Chain (res)

^^^suggest ban 4 life

omar little, Friday, 31 October 2008 01:14 (seventeen years ago)

Tuneless? Your ears must be blocked.

Oh no, Guadalajara won't do. (Kate.), Friday, 31 October 2008 01:15 (seventeen years ago)

^^^suggest ban 4 life

I like how people on this board use the word "ban" like Sarah Palin uses the word "terrorist"; recklessly, and with an intent to silence criticism.

Dog/Face/Chain (res), Friday, 31 October 2008 01:31 (seventeen years ago)

this is the greatest day of my life!

goofus vs. gallant (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 31 October 2008 01:31 (seventeen years ago)

I like how people on this board use the word "ban" like Sarah Palin uses the word "terrorist"; recklessly, and with an intent to silence criticism.

― Dog/Face/Chain (res)

^^^suggest ban 4 life

omar little, Friday, 31 October 2008 01:33 (seventeen years ago)

banning is scary...

goofus vs. gallant (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 31 October 2008 01:35 (seventeen years ago)

^^^ suggest Palin 4 life

Mordy, Friday, 31 October 2008 01:35 (seventeen years ago)

the important thing to remember about mbv is how great it was when we were all young

J0hn D., Friday, 31 October 2008 01:44 (seventeen years ago)

Sundar, Friday, 31 October 2008 02:15 (seventeen years ago)

lol

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Friday, 31 October 2008 09:48 (seventeen years ago)

YES!!

YesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesYES!!!!

Flag waving yes!

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 09:51 (seventeen years ago)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/MarkGrout/festivalb.jpg

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 09:53 (seventeen years ago)

fuck an ilm

baaderonixx, Friday, 31 October 2008 09:53 (seventeen years ago)

let's have a recount poll

baaderonixx, Friday, 31 October 2008 09:53 (seventeen years ago)

don't be a bad loser...

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 09:59 (seventeen years ago)

I think they should do a split 7" where they cover each other's songs.

I voted Dan btw.

Nate Carson, Friday, 31 October 2008 10:13 (seventeen years ago)

*snort of delirious victory*

m the g, Friday, 31 October 2008 10:19 (seventeen years ago)

I like both bands, but this is funny.

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Friday, 31 October 2008 10:28 (seventeen years ago)

Are people really angry that SD lost?

I voted for them, and even thought they may win. But I don't think it's a really big deal either way.

I don't understand why this thread would generate so much animosity - different people like different things.

Moodles, Friday, 31 October 2008 14:11 (seventeen years ago)

(ppl are comedy-angry that Steely Dan lost)

Black Seinfeld (HI DERE), Friday, 31 October 2008 15:08 (seventeen years ago)

I'm just serious-happy MBV won.

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:08 (seventeen years ago)

FUCK THIS.

what U cry 4 (jim), Friday, 31 October 2008 15:09 (seventeen years ago)

fuck what? I can't see anything...

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:10 (seventeen years ago)

http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/9/4/3/9/9099349-9099352-slarge.jpg

did you realize
that you were
a champion
in their eyes?

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:30 (seventeen years ago)

Victory For Indie!

Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Friday, 31 October 2008 15:31 (seventeen years ago)

they made me realise!!!

Mark G, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:39 (seventeen years ago)

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/music/artists/fagen.jpg

Look in my eyes
Can't you see the core is frozen?
You can't ask me to access the
dreams I don't have now
Sadly for us
Our little talk is over
So together we'll endure the
tyranny of the disallowed

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:48 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/img/DonaldFagen.jpg

From their boats of iron
They looked upon the promised land
Where surely life was sweet
On the rising tide
To new york city
Did they ride into the street
See the glory
Of the royal scam

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:50 (seventeen years ago)

http://blog.mojo4music.com/blog/281x211.jpg

It's nothing you can do about
It was there where you came out
Its a special lack of grace
I can see it in your face

I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:51 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.puredrdot.com/star1/star288n.jpg

You can try to run
but you cant hide
from what's inside of you

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:53 (seventeen years ago)

the Dan

gabbneb, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:54 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/steely-dan-seventies.gif

No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:54 (seventeen years ago)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh90/dcspeed1/Music%20Movie/steely_dan_1.jpg

I know this super highway
This bright familiar sun
I guess that I'm the lucky one
Who wrote that tired sea song
Set on this peaceful shore
You think you've heard this one before

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 15:56 (seventeen years ago)

Who are these children
Who scheme and run wild?
Who speak with their wings
And the way that they smile

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 31 October 2008 16:10 (seventeen years ago)

and thus ilm is torn asunder

ciderpress, Friday, 31 October 2008 16:14 (seventeen years ago)

now imagine the upset when RATM wins over Steely Dan

sonderangerbot, Friday, 31 October 2008 16:22 (seventeen years ago)

well, that would actually be an upset.

Kevin Keller, Friday, 31 October 2008 16:59 (seventeen years ago)

Steely Dan are one of those ILM canon bands that I really don't get the insane love for.

I know, right?, Friday, 31 October 2008 17:06 (seventeen years ago)

that's the point

Kevin Keller, Friday, 31 October 2008 17:08 (seventeen years ago)

I just spent way too long searching for the Dokaka cover of "Peg." I don't think it's online anymore.

jaymc, Friday, 31 October 2008 17:09 (seventeen years ago)

it's a glamour profession

ciderpress, Friday, 31 October 2008 17:12 (seventeen years ago)


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