Best Ever Albums

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

KevDoesTheAstro — Sat, 24 May 2014 13:02:44 GMT

Author: KevDoesTheAstro

Posted: 05/24/2014 17:02

Not a frequent user, so my 2 cents probably doesn't matter all that much, but having said that:
Skinny makes a great point, although I personally have a hard on for VW (not unlike Mercury). Space Tiger also makes a valid point.

Since I know Mercury IRL, and I have been listening to his rant about this thread for the last day and a half I felt the need to contribute.

VW makes great music and they're not pretending to be something they're not (which is more than can be said for a lot of other artists). They're stuff communicates to a very specific audience (awesome people who love good music).

But Red (Mercury), I think it's a bit harsh to start name-calling simply because someone doesn't agree with your taste. Opinions are like assholes: everyone has one and they usually stink... and if you get all up in someone else's and try to rip it appart you're likely to get shit on.

My opinion: VW is awesome 😎

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Anonymous — Sat, 24 May 2014 11:26:18 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2014 15:26

Secondsoul wrote:

Ha Ha, some post there. God, it's so good to have you back!!

Agreed.

However, I don't think economic privilege really has much to do with a person's ability to write about sadness, frustration, etc. Brian Wilson had all the money in the world when he wrote Pet Sounds, but it didn't change the fact that he felt sad and alone. Working in academia, most of the people I encounter come from privileged backgrounds, but rest assured, there are a lot of tortured souls in their ranks.

And hardship is relative, too. Even African Americans who are in the bottom 10% of the US tax bracket are still richer than most of the world. One could easily say that all popular music is just self-satisfied garbage when you look at the struggles of the rural poor in central Africa.

But to some extent, lethal's still right, because he's just explaining his perspective. Perspectives aren't always rational and we can't help the way we respond to music. So yeah, the only asshole here is Defago. We would do well to remember that.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Mercury — Sat, 24 May 2014 11:20:41 GMT

Author: Mercury

Posted: 05/24/2014 15:20

@skinny

I see your point of view on the Ivy League background, and I can also hear that background shines through on the music. There isn't much grit or struggle in their music. But I do feel there is emotion and really solid songwriting, amazing melodies and harmonies and excellent hooks and ENERGY. I love how much intense energy comes from their albums. And as for their privileged upbringing, when they mention this in their songs I at least know they're being honest. I can't stand it if a songwriter completely ignores or skews how they really live. So, in a way I feel Ezra Koenig is at least not shying away from what he knows. So, when he writes a bouncy song about an Oxford comma, it's because he has some personal gripe and experience dealing with English classes, etc. I just mean there is to that degree honesty in their music.

And can I honestly say I've lived a struggle-filled life? Have I overcome poverty? Not really. I came up in the lower middle class. And I almost never had to worry about food or shelter or being mugged walking to school. So, I can relate to VW in that regard - they just lived with much more privilege than me. There was a time when I was very young and I lived in a pretty bad neighborhood and my parents were struggling, so I have those 3 years between 6 and 9 to remember to (mildly - SUPER mildly) relate to an artist like Nas when he communicates about his world. The point is I think a lot of what makes music connect is a relatability factor. And I suppose I can totally relate or at leat see where Vampire Weekend are coming from. And I love their music and energy and sounds as well. So here we are.

Also, this whole point of background and being well-off or being real has so many blurred lines. Case in point is Mobb Deep. The guys who made one of the greatest, grittiest hip hop albums ever, chronicling the street life in all it's rugged and ragged edges. They met at art school! They were brought up middle class suburbia. So, what is "honest" in music or in artists? Belle and Sebastian, while not as rich or well off as VW, met in college, they're also very suburban. They also had a very similar air of intellectualism, literate songwriting, pop leanings, they openly spoke of what was real to them, and all that. Yet they are adored and never called out as being uppity, smarmy, rich kids. I don't fully understand all the double standards in this area. Just because someone comes from a rich household, why should we resent that? Whatever. It's neither here nor there.

We just have a disagreement on this band, I guess. And yes, I apologized for using cretin and asshole against another user. I think both of us have had experience in getting a bit out of line in a misguided attempt to defend our favorite musicians.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Secondsoul — Sat, 24 May 2014 10:55:25 GMT

Author: Secondsoul

Posted: 05/24/2014 14:55

Skinny wrote:

You're comparing two different types of self-satisfaction, from two entirely different places. Even though I find it an uncomfortable trait (although Stewart Lee's stand-up proves that smugness can be critical to an artist's work), I have less of an issue with self-satisfaction that comes from people who are quite understandably satisfied with their own path to riches after overcoming hardship. I'm glad Vampire Weekend are so satisfied with overcoming an Ivy League education. Yay them. They just sound like boat shoes to me. And I'll readily admit I listen to some pretty privileged musicians (Eno, anybody?), but none of them appear to parade their privilege quite as proudly as VW, to my ears anyway. (I also hate Graceland, so they were never going to be an easy match for me.)

But, on the whole, I don't hate Vampire Weekend. They're OK. (Their debut is actually really fun, and their latest is pleasant enough. Contra is fucking dogshit though.) I also understand getting overly defensive when somebody attacks your favourite artists, knowingly or not. I thought you were being a douche in this thread, and so I decided to fan the flames. The point is that there are plenty of valid criticisms that can be thrown at Vampire Weekend, one being that they sound a bit like The Feelies but not as good, and that airing these criticisms doesn't make somebody an "asshole" or a "cretin". Nor, for that matter, are one-sentence critiques any less valid than four-page critiques. If you can say what you mean succinctly, it's often far more illuminating than a painstakingly crafted essay. I've heard everything Vampire Weekend have done, and I feel like I can sum up in a sentence or two why I don't like them. It doesn't have to be something you agree with, but the biggest reason I don't like Vampire Weekend is that they call to mind a certain image that just doesn't resonate with me. They are wet flannels, damp squibs, The Great Gatsby. They are Paul Simon's patronising cultural appropriation packaged into pastel shades and skinny jeans, to be sold to NME readers. Does it mean that I think they aren't capable of writing a great song? No. Does it mean I think that, overall, they're pretty shit? Damn straight.

Ha Ha, some post there. God, it's so good to have you back!!

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Skinny — Sat, 24 May 2014 10:23:49 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 05/24/2014 14:23

Mercury wrote:

Yeah good point wouldn't want to listen to self satisfied musicians. Only struggling and insecure ones. You sold me on this. Lets all go listen to Jay-Z and Beyonce. Forget these damn rich people!

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

drakonium — Sat, 24 May 2014 10:14:15 GMT

Author: drakonium

Posted: 05/24/2014 14:14

Wow, Mercury is unleashing the fury right now.

This album never clicked, etc, I'm not original. Seeing so many comments about how it needs more listens makes we want to give it another chance soon, though.

Also, VW may be self-satisfied or whatever, but their debut literally contains some of the best pop songwriting of its decade.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Mercury — Sat, 24 May 2014 10:02:56 GMT

Author: Mercury

Posted: 05/24/2014 14:02

Skinny wrote:

Yeah good point wouldn't want to listen to self satisfied musicians. Only struggling and insecure ones. You sold me on this. Lets all go listen to Jay-Z and Beyonce. Forget these damn rich people!

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Secondsoul — Sat, 24 May 2014 09:01:46 GMT

Author: Secondsoul

Posted: 05/24/2014 13:01

Mercury wrote:

Okay, I do apologize for using the word cretin and implying you were being one. I also think asshole would be the wrong working and I apologize for that as well.

I will say that saying a band is shit is come really pointless and not illuminating at all. I mean like that is just not a very useful and very antagonistic communication. Would you expect a nice, unantagonostic response to it from VW fans? Probably not.

But again I'm sorry for the mean words. And I like your moving avatar. I wish I had one too.

Apology accepted. I'm sorry if I appeared to be condescending which I wasn't and shouldn't really have even mentioned VW as this thread is not about them. I didn't bring up that band on this thread and as you can see a few other people have no great love for them either. Please don't insult someone if they don't like a band that you love. If someone says a band that I love are crap, well they are entitled to their opinion. I'm not going to turn round and say they are assholes because they don't have the same musical taste as myself. I don't know you and didn't realise that you were a fan of VW so my comment on that band was not some sort of jibe at you for liking them. So I apologise if there has been some sort of misunderstanding here!

Anyway, back on topic. Crazy Rhythms deserves another listen. I'm gonna stick this on my ipod when I'm travelling home later.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Norman Bates — Sat, 24 May 2014 08:52:30 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 05/24/2014 12:52

creator wrote:

The CD version contains a cover of "Paint it Black" that was recorded years after the album was released.

Oh, OK. Thanks.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

creator — Sat, 24 May 2014 08:47:31 GMT

Author: creator

Posted: 05/24/2014 12:47

Norman Bates wrote:

:-k

The CD version contains a cover of "Paint it Black" that was recorded years after the album was released.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

SuedeSwede — Sat, 24 May 2014 07:54:47 GMT

Author: SuedeSwede

Posted: 05/24/2014 11:54

Yeah, I'll just echo what's been said previously. It's good, but it's never clicked with me.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Skinny — Sat, 24 May 2014 07:10:02 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 05/24/2014 11:10

WindowAbove wrote:

But does their image affect the quality of the music?

I was talking about their music. Vampire Weekend sound like a smoked salmon bagel with white privilege aeoli. They're fun and catchy (sometimes), but ultimately just far too self-satisfied for my liking. However, my initial comment was admittedly just intended to fan the flames after I spotted Mercury's mask slipping and saw his Napoleon syndrome peeking out.

As for The Feelies, I'm with SilverWalrus - they're a band I like but don't love. Clearly dope, but for whatever reason just not something that's ever resonated with me. I think purple once said that whilst he doesn't like Public Enemy, he still respects the tastes of those who do; that's pretty much where I sit with The Feelies.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

NickVolos — Sat, 24 May 2014 04:23:55 GMT

Author: NickVolos

Posted: 05/24/2014 08:23

Time is the ultimate judge of all things and 34 years after its release, time has indeed favored this one. It sounds as fresh as it did back then - not a claim you can attach to many. Let's hope that after 34 years from now, c. 2048, some of today's music will be looked upon as we are now looking this one: Influential. Then, maybe we can reconvene - whoever still breaths, to continue this Crazy Rhythms vs VW discussion... 😄

Edit: Ah...the good thing about this thread, personally, is that it directed me to their 2011 release, so there is purpose after all...

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

newbands1 — Sat, 24 May 2014 04:15:05 GMT

Author: newbands1

Posted: 05/24/2014 08:15

Generally adding tracks do more harm than good.The Paint it black cover wasn't even from the same period it was recorded in 1990.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Anonymous — Sat, 24 May 2014 03:44:24 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2014 07:44

VAMPIRE WEEKEND WERE RICH GROWING UP! THEY WENT TO COLLEGE-- IN MANHATTAN! THEY WEAR SUNGLASSES! MAYBE RAY-BAND SUNGLASSES! THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T BUY THEIR CLOTHES SECOND HAND! THERE MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE IT'S INFLUENCED FROM OTHER MUSIC! GRRRRRRR! (im not actually a VW fan or hater, asshole's honor)

Anyways this album is truly wonderful but takes a few listens to really sink in- proof the fun is in the shakin', not the fizz on top

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Necharsian — Sat, 24 May 2014 03:36:28 GMT

Author: Necharsian

Posted: 05/24/2014 07:36

bongritsu wrote:

im assuming its some kind of parody album though?

No that came later

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Weezer (The Blue Album) by Weezer

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Norman Bates — Sat, 24 May 2014 03:35:03 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 05/24/2014 07:35

creator wrote:

(not including the Rolling Stones cover)

🤔

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

bongritsu — Sat, 24 May 2014 03:32:08 GMT

Author: bongritsu

Posted: 05/24/2014 07:32

ehemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ill throw my hat in the ring for this one i guess

Never listened to it,

im assuming its some kind of parody album though?

ask me anything

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Anonymous — Fri, 23 May 2014 23:57:26 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2014 03:57

Alright, just finished the album and it's definetly better than I used to give it credit for. Still not something I'm in love with, but it blends the kind of frantic Talking Heads-esque witticism with more jangly Television-esque guitars. The strongest tracks are definitely the opener and closer, both were pretty great. Loved how hard the rhythm pushed the song forward in the title track. I guess I'll probably come back to this again in another couple months and hopefully like it more again.

Re: User Pick of the Day (#65): Crazy Rhythms (CellarDoor)

Anonymous — Fri, 23 May 2014 23:26:41 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2014 03:26

Skinny wrote:

But that second-hand, Graceland-appropriation, white privilege, wet flannel shit is pretty unbearable much of the time.

Every artist appropriates. The fact that Vampire Weekend appropriated Graceland and infused it with some of the most infectious indie pop since The Violent Femmes debut made them an incredibly exciting new face and one of the best live acts of 2008. But they didn't stay pat and the evolution in their sound as evidenced on MVOTC is impressive. Vampire Weekend are easily one of the most exciting indie rock bands right now.

It's sad that this thread has devolved to this because "Crazy Rhythms" deserves better. It's one of those utterly novel albums that doesn't immediately click and takes 3- 4 spins until the lightbulb goes off. And once it clicks, it gets better with EVERY single spin. Essential in every way and even 30 plus years later sounds fresh and like nothing else. Truly rarified air!