Whenever I think about what's wrong with music these days, I always focus on how nobody can PLAY like they used to: How nobody can do guitar like Mark Knopfler, or blend genres like The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. There are great bands, sure, but they're holdouts from earlier generations of rockers (like Aerosmyth, Pearl Jam, and U2). There are great solo artists still - like Christina Aguilera, Tori Amos, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan - but pop never changes.
The basis of solo artistry is still one voice with a guitar. With a group you need the right blend of talent and personality. Synergy. You can't have a band based on one person's talent...or no talent.
So Chrissa and I were in the car a few days ago and she threw in a Cure CD. It'd been so long since I'd heard them, I'd forgotten what a great band they are.
"You know what?" I said, "I never think I like The Cure, but I really like The Cure."
Chris' said: "I love The Cure. Nobody writes abstract lyrics like they do. Everyone writes crappy lyrics like 'I love you, you love me, show me your grill.'"
So I thought about it. And it's true. I typically think only about musical technique and guitar-playing and I forget about the poetry and composition. The Cure has incredible lyrics, Depeche Mode has really good lyrics...but not just that. The lyrics and the music perfectly compliment each other. When the music stops the lyrics are there and vice versa. Like an incantation, more than a song.
When I listen to great groups I'm transported.
That's the way music should be.
8 years ago
3 comments:
There are a few great Indie artists who have some aspects of The Cure and Depeche Mode: like Devotchka and The Decembrists, and Radiohead.
Dan and Shasta, don't freak out, but I don't think those bands have the same compositional quality to their music. They have the haunted sound and the depth of lyrics but their songs are kind of flat and...well...undynamic.
my burner is broken, but Shaun just got a laptop so i'd LOVE to burn you a mix cd or something. the world is brimming with innovative music. it's just lurking underground i guess, and i have a few good ideas already that stream in the vein you've described.
I'd LOVE to hear them! Still waiting on my prof for an answer on that artist I mentioned...
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