fiercerealities wrote:
I don't know that I would compare everything to the Beatles, Stones, Dylan and the Kinks, but they all made incredible runs and it's very difficult to find artists who are that consistent in making good albums. I would argue to some extent on the Kinks though. Terrific songs, shitty production. Shel Talmy should've been fired. I'd like to know who's idiotic idea it was to make the tambourine as loud as every fucking thing else on those early remasters?

I would also argue that there are very few albums that are good all the way through. I can honestly count about 40 out of my collection of over 800 that I would recommend to anyone, and most of them are fairly mainstream artists. I'm not necessarily defending him, but if you want an in depth review that covers more than just personal ranting and banter and maybe mentions one sentence about the album, then go there.

Sure it's tempting to think that only 60's/70's bands did anything worthwhile (and don't get me wrong, those bands mentioned absolutely wrote a lot of amazing material). However, music progresses. Retreading other bands (or even your own) past glories is not a healthy thing. In fact most songwriters realise this, get writers block and give up. That's if they even make it to a second record...or even a first for that matter. You can count me in the latter category there. Not that I consider myself a "songwriter" lol.

Modern bands (e.g. Post-70's that have a great track record and many albums that are great throughout):

- Sonic Youth (80's period..at least: Confusion Is Sex, Evol, Sister, Daydream Nation....plus the next few Geffen releases.)
- Fugazi (89 to 2001...I think every single one is a classic)
- Pixies (admittedly the band only lasted 5 years, but it's on par with that mid-late 60's kinks period in terms of creativity)

Those are just a few. Sure they may not be songsmiths in the traditional sense, but that's really the point! They were pushing songwriting to new levels. If you're trying to constantly find a new Beatles or Stones then you are inevitably going to be dissapointed (mainly because the only bands that do that are one hit/album wonders/hacks.....hello most of 90's Britpop!)

Personally Sonic Youth have always been "my" Rolling Stones....in that they keep touring, but rather than just churn out the same old thing, they actually put out decent albums. Kim Gordan's in her mid 50's yknow?!!

p.s. anyone who thinks those bands are not worthy of a mention needs to go back and have another listen. For example, I once thought the Kinks were just a "singles" band.



"You're a very nosy fellow, kitty cat. Huh? You know what happens to nosy fellows? Huh? No? Wanna guess? Huh? No? Okay. They lose their noses."
Edited 1 time by thecrikster Apr 19 11 1:57 PM.