Music discussion thread

[Uppercut]

[Ikki]

Totally agree with those re the subjectivity of music. I listen to a ****load of music, from Sufjan Stevens to Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares to Drake. I like different things about each kind of music/artist.

Oh, and Nickelback > Radiohead.

[Monk]

Originally Posted by Ikki

Totally agree with those re the subjectivity of music. I listen to a ****load of music, from Sufjan Stevens to Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares to Drake. I like different things about each kind of music/artist.

Oh, and Nickelback > Radiohead.

Jesus wept.

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

[BoyBrumby]

The voice is an instrument too; I wouldn't be happy if (say) Eric Clapton mimed his guitar solos at gigs, so why should the singer get a free pass?

One of the many reasons why I wub New Order is that back in the day on Top of the Pops where more or less everyone mimed, Barney Sumner, a man not possessed of the strongest singing voice, always sung live.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

****ing spot on. Anyone that adds musical histrionics into anthems or age old standards can burn in the flaming fires of hell as far as I'm concerned.

It's one of the reasons I think that so called "talent shows" are anathema to my eardrums.

[Howe_zat]

Muse miming

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

The voice is an instrument too; I wouldn't be happy if (say) Eric Clapton mimed his guitar solos at gigs, so why should the singer get a free pass?

More things can go wrong with one's voice and people are less forgiving if someone's pitch is **** or they crack because it's cold. Guitar, short of all fingers being broken, can get away with murder, really.

That said, the difficulty of doing it shouldn't totally excuse her. If it was her own concert, HTFU and blow your goddamn voice out if you have to but since it was more important not to have something take attention away from the ceremony, I can give her a pass (just).

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

One of the many reasons why I wub New Order is that back in the day on Top of the Pops where more or less everyone mimed, Barney Sumner, a man not possessed of the strongest singing voice, always sung live.

On technical ability required, hardly think singing NO's rep compares to singing the US national anthem!

[BoyBrumby]

That's undoubtedly true, but even his best friend wouldn't say Bernard has a technically great voice and (I'm willing bet, being an exemplar of the same) the average New Order doesn't go to watch them for his perfect pitch, yet he was still putting his chops out there even in an environment where there's no real need to.

With Beyonce her voice is more integral to the whole point as, without it, she's just a fit bird with a nice arse and a facility for dancing in heels.

[Top_Cat]

Disagree a lot.

I get that but it's still just a harder thing to do, to sing that style than New Order's, we don't bag quicks for taking shorter spells in Bangalore than Lords (although we do praise them if they push through, of course). I prefer it if someone takes a risk and goes live and part of me does think she wussed out, personally. But I can also see it was more important for the purposes of the ceremony that things go flawlessly than be authentic. I mean, srsly, the whole inauguration ceremony is a massive exercise in ra ra bull****, it's no surprise the performances would follow suit.

As it was, info I have now suggests she did sing it live along with the backing track but only the backing track was broadcast. Still a puss out but.....less so.

[mightymariner]

Originally Posted by Howe_zat

Muse miming

Haha, was just thinking about that whilst reading this whole thing.

[nick-o]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but tonight I had the chance to see Patti Smith live in Tokyo. Utterly mindblowing. I was half expecting her to recite some poetry and maybe do a few acoustic numbers, but for two hours she let rip like it was still 1976. She's 66 now but her voice is stronger than ever -- I couldn't believe it, it was Patti Smith tearing the house down! "Outside of society -- that's where I wanna be!" she's been there and she means what she's saying. And when she delivers the punch line -- "not mine" - unbelievable. Life changing. Not so much a live show as a religious experience. If you ever get the chance to see her, don't miss it.

[Burgey]

A quick browse of this page reaffirms why I seldom look in the music thread.

Something for which both the thread contributors and me can be grateful.

[Top_Cat]

As Music Streaming Grows, Royalties Slow to a Trickle - New York Times

Yep.

Pretty much why bands tour, it's literally the only way to make any $ without massive advertising deals (such as with YT). It's why we're seeing every 90's band with a minor hit on the road, as long as they cover costs they're doing okay, they'll get a nice royalty boost from the tour and maybe make some money of merchandise. It's hard to make a living trying to sell something no-one wants to pay for any more. You're also fighting against the perception from people that musicians should make nothing, good music only comes from suffering, etc. and, considering the scads of indie beige from white middle-class iMusos out there, there's probably quite a bit of truth in that.....

Me, I've always assumed music would do nothing but cost me money so I can record without fear of a record company dictating stuff*. Yes it feels liberating. But, by the same token, how many bands have recorded their best albums when they've a faith injection in the form of some revenue and the relative security of a contract? "You there, Band X, we love you/think you'll make us serious bank, here's 50 hours of studio time and your living expenses covered for the next year. Make us some hits." = confidence and freedom. Plus there's the added issue of not every member of the band being on-board with the whole 'meh, if we make money, bonus' attitude, maintaining interest in the project becomes problematic even when you're playing live to great rooms but no-one's making a cent.

Anyway, speaking of my band**, here's a sampler of the new album we'll be putting out to glorious fanfare very soon. A perfect example of an independently recorded release with no input from anyone but the band. Please consider.

https://soundcloud.com/thecolourphon...-kung-fu-album

*Yes, Colourphonics have a record company but they have no input into the music. Besides, they're looking a bit shaky like many independent record companies.....

**Yes, shameless. All the kids are doing it.

[wellAlbidarned]

If you're still trying to charge upwards of $10 for a digital download then suck it up it's no wonder no-one wants to buy that ****. If I listen to a band and like them I'll chuck 'em a fiver via Bandcamp though, or more for a physical release. I've seen little to suggest that people aren't still willing to help out good musicians who they want to hear more of, but the pricing needs to get real. Fast.

Btw TC, how much to send a copy of your album further down under? Wouldn't mind splashing out for one if it's not too much.