Best Ever Albums

Re: Rock is dead?

Anonymous — Sun, 29 May 2016 11:03:18 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/29/2016 15:03

Perhaps it is not as vicious to dismiss the expressions of those with privilege, but it is equally clumsy.

Re: Rock is dead?

adriagc96 — Sun, 29 May 2016 10:32:56 GMT

Author: adriagc96

Posted: 05/29/2016 14:32

boyd94 wrote:

Yeh, looking at mainstream rock these days is fucking depressing.

It's a shame, because I don't think the genre has been exhausted, it just needs a couple of artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar who have the artistic vision and ambition combined with no fear of the public eye.

You look at a lot of modern rock acts and they're populated by the whitest, most emasculated, neurotic, socially-awkward, angsty middle-class men that a college education could possibly produce. They seem almost embarrassed to be making music and apologetic for any mainstream success they might achieve. It's no surprise to me that mainstream music is being conquered by black and female artists who've had a bit of adversity to overcome, have a chip on their shoulder and aren't ashamed to tell everyone that they're the shit.

Arcade Fire are probably the one exception, Reflektor had a swagger and confidence to it (no doubt helped by James Murphy, who I don't really consider a 'rock' act) but still it wasn't a truly great album and they need to bring one out with their next release before they're consigned to living off past glories.

Didn't know your life had to be shit to make good music...The greatest rock bands were formed by white middle-class boys.
Let me tell you, the only thing you need is to be musically talented (and a little lucky).

Re: Rock is dead?

denmarkman — Sun, 29 May 2016 10:10:50 GMT

Author: denmarkman

Posted: 05/29/2016 14:10

Skinny wrote:

But surely the two go hand in hand. Rock can only be dead if other genres are proving more vibrant, vital, and relevant.

Nah, all music is dead.

Re: Rock is dead?

boyd94 — Sun, 29 May 2016 04:39:23 GMT

Author: boyd94

Posted: 05/29/2016 08:39

Yeh, looking at mainstream rock these days is fucking depressing.

It's a shame, because I don't think the genre has been exhausted, it just needs a couple of artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar who have the artistic vision and ambition combined with no fear of the public eye.

You look at a lot of modern rock acts and they're populated by the whitest, most emasculated, neurotic, socially-awkward, angsty middle-class men that a college education could possibly produce. They seem almost embarrassed to be making music and apologetic for any mainstream success they might achieve. It's no surprise to me that mainstream music is being conquered by black and female artists who've had a bit of adversity to overcome, have a chip on their shoulder and aren't ashamed to tell everyone that they're the shit.

Arcade Fire are probably the one exception, Reflektor had a swagger and confidence to it (no doubt helped by James Murphy, who I don't really consider a 'rock' act) but still it wasn't a truly great album and they need to bring one out with their next release before they're consigned to living off past glories.

Re: Rock is dead?

CA Dreamin — Fri, 27 May 2016 13:44:28 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 05/27/2016 17:44

jhuik wrote:

People have said "rock is dead" a gazillion times before. The only thing that's new is that Flea said it, so it's dead for Flea and people who believe him. As I've argued elsewhere, "rock" transcends any consideration of genre.

I agree word for word with what Ice Cube says at NWA's induction into the R&R HoF, "The question is, 'Are we rock 'n' roll?' And I say — you goddamn right we rock 'n' roll. Rock 'n' roll is not an instrument. It's not even a style of music. It's a spirit that's been going on since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock 'n' roll, R&B, heavy metal, punk rock, and yes, hip-hop. Rock 'n' roll is not conforming to the people who came before you, but creating your own path in music and life. That is rock 'n' roll and that is us."

In my opinion, is Kendrick rock and roll? You go-damn right he is.

I agree with Ice Cube that rock is a spirit, but I don't agree that rock isn't a style of music. Gene Simmons said in response: 'Respect NWA. But when Led Zeppelin gets in the Rap Hall of Fame, I will agree with your point.' I kind of agree with Simmons. NWA is undoubtedly an important artist, but their style/genre of music isn't rock in many people's minds. Same with Kendrick Lamar. If you consider Lamar, Kanye, and Drake rock, then sure rock is alive and well. But if you think of rock in the traditional sense like Flea, it is sort of dead...in the mainstream anyway.

Re: Rock is dead?

jhuik — Fri, 27 May 2016 10:51:02 GMT

Author: jhuik

Posted: 05/27/2016 14:51

People have said "rock is dead" a gazillion times before. The only thing that's new is that Flea said it, so it's dead for Flea and people who believe him. Rock and roll can never die, there's more to the picture than meets the eye, said some other guy (echoed by a gazillion other people throughout the ages). As I've argued elsewhere, "rock" transcends any consideration of genre. When you say "that really rocks" about anything, you are implying that rock is not dead.

I agree word for word with what Ice Cube says at NWA's induction into the R&R HoF, "The question is, 'Are we rock 'n' roll?' And I say — you goddamn right we rock 'n' roll. Rock 'n' roll is not an instrument. It's not even a style of music. It's a spirit that's been going on since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, rock 'n' roll, R&B, heavy metal, punk rock, and yes, hip-hop. Rock 'n' roll is not conforming to the people who came before you, but creating your own path in music and life. That is rock 'n' roll and that is us."

In my opinion, is Kendrick rock and roll? You go-damn right he is. King Kunta rocks! And way better than anything on the last RHCP album, all due respect and love to their formidable previous output.

Re: Rock is dead?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 May 2016 14:09:46 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/26/2016 18:09

Skinny wrote:

What about skiffle?

Would The Carolina Chocolate Drops fit the bill?

Re: Rock is dead?

Skinny — Thu, 26 May 2016 12:00:42 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 05/26/2016 16:00

stangetzaway wrote:

Whilst human memory exists rock cannot die.

What about skiffle?

Re: Rock is dead?

stangetzaway — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:34:58 GMT

Author: stangetzaway

Posted: 05/26/2016 06:34

Whilst human memory exists rock cannot die.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Tue, 24 May 2016 23:11:37 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/25/2016 03:11

Allabaster wrote:

He who confuses the fox for the possum is better able to bear long winters.

I don't get it.

Re: Rock is dead?

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:44:31 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/24/2016 10:44

He who confuses the fox for the possum is better able to bear long winters.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:43:54 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/24/2016 02:43

MrFrogger wrote:

sethmadsen wrote:

Interesting to note their decline of sales. Curious if that is due to streaming or due to their decline of music worth purchasing. I am leaning towards their decline of music, but don't know.

You're correct, it's the latter, or at least a decline in people in caring about their music. Music "sales" have actually gone up in the streaming era(I use "sales" loosly, as only a fraction of songs streamed amount for 1 record sold, which really shows how much people stream, and how much streaming as done for album sales)

If the words were changed from sales to listening... I for myself would have to agree.

Without streaming... I'd probably still be listening to no more than a total of 500 almost in the past 20 years (totally made that up, but sounds about right considering I only had about 250 albums that I owned, but then I'd borrow from friends).

So yes, streaming has EXPLODED my music exposure.

It also has given me a reason not to buy a mediocre album.

Re: Rock is dead?

MrFrogger — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:23:11 GMT

Author: MrFrogger

Posted: 05/24/2016 02:23

sethmadsen wrote:

Interesting to note their decline of sales. Curious if that is due to streaming or due to their decline of music worth purchasing. I am leaning towards their decline of music, but don't know.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:19:52 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/24/2016 02:19

MrFrogger wrote:

sethmadsen wrote:

One thing I do respect about Coldplay is they still sell albums. And they sold A LOT of albums all in an era where it's claimed nobody buys albums anymore.

Yes, but this also isn't true, last year was a huge year for album sales. Also, in the grand scheme of things, Coldplay didn't sell a ton of records for a major artist. Looking at the top selling albums from last year, they didn't even break the top 10.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6835248/adele-25-top-album-of-2015-in-us

Also notice the numbers for those top selling albums. Adele's 25 sold 8 million records. 8 million! She also sold almost 5 million more records than the second place album, 1989.

I said it was "claimed" to be an era when nobodies buys albums anymore.

I completely agree that Adele and Taylor Swift sell lots of records. I didn't say there aren't albums sales.

Also these are the statistics I'm talking about from Coldplay:
Parachutes - 10 million
A Rush of Blood to the Head - 20,200,000
X&Y - 16,600,000
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - 11,000,000
Mylo Xyloto - 8,070,000
Ghost Stories - 4,500,000
A Head Full of Dreams - 1,900,000

Interesting to note their decline of sales. Curious if that is due to streaming or due to their decline of music worth purchasing. I am leaning towards their decline of music, but don't know.

Also when you said 2nd place, 1989 I thought the second place selling album in 1989 and then quickly remembered the Taylor Switft album. ahahhaha.

What's funny is I bet a bunch of the older generation with money bought the Adele album... giving more fuel to the fire that old people buy more music.

Interesting article comparing 2014 and 1994: http://www.billboard.com/articles/6259342/1994-vs-2014-top-selling-albums-comparison

My google skills failed me as I was trying to find the year of the most music sales since that kind of was brought up.

Re: Rock is dead?

MrFrogger — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:01:06 GMT

Author: MrFrogger

Posted: 05/24/2016 02:01

sethmadsen wrote:

One thing I do respect about Coldplay is they still sell albums. And they sold A LOT of albums all in an era where it's claimed nobody buys albums anymore.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:59:16 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/24/2016 01:59

alelsupreme wrote:

If people will still honestly listen to Eric Clapton albums in 2016 I'm sure someone will be listening to Radiohead in 2030.

hehehehe.

Something tells me you don't really like either?

Those two artists... like them or not... they probably will be something people remember 50 years from now... but 200... well probably only Radiohead as Eric Clapton I feel has too many peers (whatever that means)... well what it means is history has to simplify reality, which is really complex, so Clapton get's simplified probably to the Beatles, but Radiohead probably will be on par with The Beatles as far as history is concerned.

Conjecture of course.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:55:20 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/24/2016 01:55

[quote="RichardSauce"][quote="sethmadsen"]

MrFrogger wrote:

sethmadsen wrote:

But it is album sales... and it kind of says something if albums from the 60s/70s are out selling.

If this is just based on album sales, all this might say is that older people are more willing to actually pay for music.

There are several possible explanations, only one of which is that people as a whole find more value in old music.

Likely there's a combination at play, older generations buying music, and the fact that most of the albums being bought are classics. Every kid is going to seek out the Beatles or Pink Floyd at some point. It's part of musical history, and generally agreed upon that you should listen to it.

Yup, I thought that too.

I was just explaining that I have yet to purchase anything post 2010.

One thing I do respect about Coldplay is they still sell albums. And they sold A LOT of albums all in an era where it's claimed nobody buys albums anymore.

Album sales kind of don't mean anything other than people bought something... just to be clear, it's not like I think the statistic means anything more than that.

White lies, damned lies, and statistics, right?

I think Bono said the only people that buy records anymore are 14 year old girls and old people.

That of course is false, but funny.

Re: Rock is dead?

RichardSauce — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:51:18 GMT

Author: RichardSauce

Posted: 05/24/2016 01:51

[quote="sethmadsen"][quote="MrFrogger"]

sethmadsen wrote:

But it is album sales... and it kind of says something if albums from the 60s/70s are out selling.

Re: Rock is dead?

alelsupreme — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:49:10 GMT

Author: alelsupreme

Posted: 05/24/2016 01:49

If people will still honestly listen to Eric Clapton albums in 2016 I'm sure someone will be listening to Radiohead in 2030.

Re: Rock is dead?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:44:00 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/24/2016 01:44

SuedeSwede wrote:

the good ol' argument 60s/70s music fans use to invalidate today's pop music but then also complain that conformity/adherence of others' "giving shits" is inherently awful

i'm also not sure what you're saying overall. interpol are different but not good?

I also feel this way about the 50s, 80s, 90s, and 00s... so uh... don't pigeon hole me. Seek understanding first.