I don't understand the dismissal of the Beatles around here. I don't own any of their CDs, so it's not like I listen to them anymore, but no pop group has been more imfluential.
Jackson Browne is a real jerk in his personal life, as it's been told to me, but a few songs way, waaaay back were pretty good. Coldplay certainly ape U2, but I enjoy some of their songs--it's no more complicated than that. Similarly, The Who did things a lot of others copy, and they have some good songs.
I don't bring my politics to my enjoyment of art. I'm not saying I don't judge the artist or their work based on politics, only that my ENJOYMENT is unrestricted--I can't force myself not to like something by someone whose politics I loathe. I have thousands of LPs and thousands of CDs, and offhand I can't think of any musician whose politics reflect mine.
Not trying to argue with you, it's just that I'm fascinated by people's reactions to music, so thanks for sharing your position. Certainly I find drum solos across the board more offenseive than most guitar solos. :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoF-7VMMihA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKn6h2x5IcY&feature=related
Watch these two.
Forget the tempo. Listen to the dissonant thirds, the double melody line (as opposed to melody/harmony) and the stage presentation (two on a single mic.)
But perhaps I’m being too esoteric.
It’s a gross injustice that Jackson Browne is still sucking air while Laura Nyro and Krista Paffgen are gone.
Speaking of which, here are what I consider two great pieces of music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnTxC8i9lf0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKK9vUh3h58
(A totally original cover of the Morrison classic!)
.....and if you don’t agree, well, it’s always a pleasure talking to you!