The Mighty Musical Observations Thread

[Silent Majority]

Had a student chat with me today, and in passing he mentioned that another history prof played Sting and Billy Joel before a couple of his lectures. I couldn't mask my horror. I can't conceive of an acceptable circumstance for playing Billy Joel in a class, except, I dunno, a history of the apocalypse. Sting is only marginally more acceptable.

Aside from the good Police tracks, the only thing I've liked from Sting is that album of John Dowland songs he did about ten years ago.

John Dowland album, eh? I like the sound of that.

It's this one. Surprisingly good—his voice is well-suited for it.

Cool. I'll check it out.

[Dr. Medulla]

Billy Joel has some good songs, it's not even up for debate.

It is very much up for debate, Criscuola. The closest thing I'll say to agreeing is that "Just the Way You Are" could be okay if covered by someone else. But otherwise, he's fucking dreck.

It's Still Rock N Roll To Me is a pretty tasty cut, as are The Longest Time and Tell Her About It.

Very much up for debate. I've heard worse, obviously, but, no, I don't consider those good songs. Not even close. Billy Joel is extremely cheesy pop. Fine if you like that, but it's stuff that precludes a muzak version.

[Heston]

Billy Joel has some good songs, it's not even up for debate.

It is very much up for debate, Criscuola. The closest thing I'll say to agreeing is that "Just the Way You Are" could be okay if covered by someone else. But otherwise, he's fucking dreck.

It's Still Rock N Roll To Me is a pretty tasty cut, as are The Longest Time and Tell Her About It.

Very much up for debate. I've heard worse, obviously, but, no, I don't consider those good songs. Not even close. Billy Joel is extremely cheesy pop. Fine if you like that, but it's stuff that precludes a muzak version.

I don't know, I wouldn't have those down as cheesy pop. ISRNRTM is a New Wave-tinged rock and roll song with a pretty good lyric. The other two are like Four Seasons pastiches with some damn fine singing.

Did Billy's music touch you in a bad place back in the day? I can't think of any other reason for your irrational dislike of this talented man.

[muppet hi fi]

I kinda like "It's Still Rock n' Roll to Me" and "Only the Good Die Young", that's about it.

My brother Sean tells of meeting Billy in a bar; Sean had a red star badge on his motorcycle jacket, and Joel accosted him: "Hey, are you a socialist?". Sean responded in the affirmative, to which Billy responded: "Hey! Me too!" Billy was, so the tale goes, slobbering drunk.

[Kory]

I only like Anthony's Song, and that's really only in a musical arrangement kind of way.

[Dr. Medulla]

Billy Joel has some good songs, it's not even up for debate.

It is very much up for debate, Criscuola. The closest thing I'll say to agreeing is that "Just the Way You Are" could be okay if covered by someone else. But otherwise, he's fucking dreck.

It's Still Rock N Roll To Me is a pretty tasty cut, as are The Longest Time and Tell Her About It.

Very much up for debate. I've heard worse, obviously, but, no, I don't consider those good songs. Not even close. Billy Joel is extremely cheesy pop. Fine if you like that, but it's stuff that precludes a muzak version.

I don't know, I wouldn't have those down as cheesy pop. ISRNRTM is a New Wave-tinged rock and roll song with a pretty good lyric. The other two are like Four Seasons pastiches with some damn fine singing.

Did Billy's music touch you in a bad place back in the day? I can't think of any other reason for your irrational dislike of this talented man.

Back in my Top 40 days, I owned his Innocent Man album. Better appreciating the range of music that's out there, it's very difficult for me now not to see him as a dealer in schlock. He's good at what he does, but it's really toothless. I repeat: there is no need for muzak versions of Billy Joel songs.

[Silent Majority]

I played an album of Joel's recently, it was pretty good all the way through. The one with Scenes From an Italian Restaurant. Not ambitious or illuminating but good melodically.

[Inder]

Hazel Eyes is far and away the best song off of "One Way Ticket..." As good as the better stuff on the first album.

[101Walterton]

I’m not a defender of the system either but I don’t buy in to the theory when applied to the real world.
I want an end domestic violence so that every man woman and child had a safe place. However I am not niaive enough to believe that the world could ever change so that that could happen.
You can become a millionaire from nothing and yes it will take a slice of luck along the way however every day you need a slice of luck not to die or be killed!
We all strive to better our position in life and don’t we all want to make a better life for our children but according to this thread it is only ok to a certain point.
When is that? When is it ok to get a pay rise but at what point is it not ok?
It is ok to get your kids out of the mouldy council house on the crack estate but when do you cross the line, semi detached, bedroom each, grass in the garden?
Is it ok for your kids to go to university if they leave with massive debt but not if you pay for their education?

[eumaas]

I’m not a defender of the system either but I don’t buy in to the theory when applied to the real world.
I want an end domestic violence so that every man woman and child had a safe place. However I am not niaive enough to believe that the world could ever change so that that could happen.
You can become a millionaire from nothing and yes it will take a slice of luck along the way however every day you need a slice of luck not to die or be killed!
We all strive to better our position in life and don’t we all want to make a better life for our children but according to this thread it is only ok to a certain point.
When is that? When is it ok to get a pay rise but at what point is it not ok?
It is ok to get your kids out of the mouldy council house on the crack estate but when do you cross the line, semi detached, bedroom each, grass in the garden?
Is it ok for your kids to go to university if they leave with massive debt but not if you pay for their education?

I believe Inder split the thread. Maybe repost it here: http://clashcity.com/boards/viewtopic.p ... &start=105

edit: I mean that I am certain I and others want to address your post but not in here since the thread was split off.

[Wolter]

This drifted over there, but I think this is the proper thread:

EVERYBODY SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT THAT NONSENSE. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

[Inder]

HAZEL EYES IS FAR AND AWAY THE BEST SONG OFF OF "ONE WAY TICKET..." AS GOOD AS THE BETTER STUFF ON THE FIRST ALBUM.

[Wolter]

HAZEL EYES IS FAR AND AWAY THE BEST SONG OFF OF "ONE WAY TICKET..." AS GOOD AS THE BETTER STUFF ON THE FIRST ALBUM.

INDER AND MY GEODES MUST BOTH BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

[Heston]

HAZEL EYES IS FAR AND AWAY THE BEST SONG OFF OF "ONE WAY TICKET..." AS GOOD AS THE BETTER STUFF ON THE FIRST ALBUM.

Hi Andrew.

[Heston]

This drifted over there, but I think this is the proper thread:

EVERYBODY SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT THAT NONSENSE. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

PLAY IT AT 1:25 SPEED FOR MAXIMUM HILARITY