I've been on a minor John Cale kick recently, and it occurred to me that I'd have no idea how to describe his overall "vibe" to someone: musical, image-wise, historical significance, cultural impact, etc. This being as a 54 year old, but I'd have the same dilemma as a 16 year old talking to my peers (and no - "he rocks!" just doesn't cut it).
So, how would you lot describe a fave or select band/artist in roughly a paragraph or two? What they mean to you and might/ought to mean to the culture at large? Maybe consider and write it as though you were writing to spec for an album's liner notes, a major story for Uncut or Mojo, etc., or even the New York Times. Not interested in ironic piss-takes here, and am genuinely interested in how, say, Doc might present Swans or Heston Kiss (just by way of example, lads. Not meaning to pick on either of you fine chaps in the least here. I'd be a pretty easy target meself ...).
So if music, and individual bands and artists, are important to you, mightn't you be able to say why? (hoping this can be fun and illuminating for all. Hey, let's all play "Serious" music journo for a day!).
Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
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muppet hi fi
- Unknown Immortal
- Posts: 5190
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 1:10pm
Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
Strong shoes is what we got and when they're hot they're hot!
- Marky Dread and his fabulous Screaming Blue Messiahs
- Marky Dread and his fabulous Screaming Blue Messiahs
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
I am a terrible writer, but this is what I would say about Depeche Mode:
First of all, Dave Gahan is one of music's greatest front men. He has such a beautiful voice and he makes me forget that he is not the primary songwriter in the band. On the few songs that Martin sings, even ones that I count as among my favorite DM songs (Home, The Things You Said), I find myself missing Dave's voice. Plus, in his day, he was *smoking* hot. He's not conventionally attractive, but he's sexy as hell and remains so even though he know closely resembles the crypt keeper.
Martin Gore is a tremendous songwriter. When you think of the direction the band has gone since Vince Clark left, it's pretty damn jarring. I kind of shudder to think how they would have sounded had Vince stayed - well, they would have sounded like Erasure. Which is fine. But not great.
A major factor in their greatness is Anton Corbijn's videos. His visuals are stunning.
They are still touring and they still sound incredible live. They have influenced countless bands in countless genres. Even metal.Their music is unsettling. I like unsettling.
What else...they got me through a lot of adolescent angst. They are up there with the Clash for me.
First of all, Dave Gahan is one of music's greatest front men. He has such a beautiful voice and he makes me forget that he is not the primary songwriter in the band. On the few songs that Martin sings, even ones that I count as among my favorite DM songs (Home, The Things You Said), I find myself missing Dave's voice. Plus, in his day, he was *smoking* hot. He's not conventionally attractive, but he's sexy as hell and remains so even though he know closely resembles the crypt keeper.
Martin Gore is a tremendous songwriter. When you think of the direction the band has gone since Vince Clark left, it's pretty damn jarring. I kind of shudder to think how they would have sounded had Vince stayed - well, they would have sounded like Erasure. Which is fine. But not great.
A major factor in their greatness is Anton Corbijn's videos. His visuals are stunning.
They are still touring and they still sound incredible live. They have influenced countless bands in countless genres. Even metal.Their music is unsettling. I like unsettling.
What else...they got me through a lot of adolescent angst. They are up there with the Clash for me.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
- Posts: 59059
- Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
The Clash - They rock and then they roll.
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia
- Heston
- God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
- Posts: 38371
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 4:07pm
- Location: North of Watford Junction
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
I love how I get lumped in with KISS even though there are loads more credible bands I like!
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116730
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
Curiously, I can't think of a one.
"Ain't no party like an S Club party!'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Heston
- God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
- Posts: 38371
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 4:07pm
- Location: North of Watford Junction
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
- Posts: 59059
- Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am
Re: Synopsis' of fave bands/artists
Simply moved one word.
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia