Most Underrated/Overrated Artists

Maribel · 09-16-2010, 07:37 PM

To be fair, I haven't heard any of those bands' stuff in a long time. At the time it all seemed fairly boring and samey to me and I guess I just never looked back.

clutnuckle · 09-16-2010, 07:47 PM

Fair enough I suppose.

Overrated: Talking Heads

Can somebody please explain the appeal of them to me? I'm willing to give them another chance (on top of 4-5 other chances); I've heard 3 of their albums (those being Remain In Light, Fear of Music and 77), and they all sound so ordinary. It sounds like a conglomerate of musicians trying to sound really quirky and dynamic in both fashion and music. Their music has never been bad for me, but some of the reviews I've read, and the things they laud onto the band just confuse me. Some people believe that world music didn't exist pre-RIL. They claim it's very 'funky', as if a somewhat-swung drumline is all you need to get hips shaking.

Like I said, I don't hate their music. I just think that some of the ratings/thoughts people have on them are seriously blown out of proportion. It's a shame, because years before I listened to them, I always loved their cover arts, their thoughts on music, and their approach. If I can carve myself a niche in their fanbase, I would be more than happy to.

debaserr · 09-16-2010, 08:48 PM

^ their best album is The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads, a double live album.

**Janszoon** · 09-16-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutnuckle

Can somebody please explain the appeal of them to me? I'm willing to give them another chance (on top of 4-5 other chances); I've heard 3 of their albums (those being Remain In Light, Fear of Music and 77), and they all sound so ordinary.

I think the fact that they sound so "ordinary" to you is actually a testament to how influential they are.

clutnuckle · 09-16-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I think the fact that they sound so "ordinary" to you is actually a testament to how influential they are.

That's possible. But if they are heralded as this unique/quirky/whatnot band, shouldn't they still differentiate from the bands they influenced in some way that makes them good for coming back to? I guess it isn't inherited, but if their sound is that imitatable, then is there really anything to write home about?

Then again I suppose that would make them not overrated as being 'overrated' doesn't inherit any skill at all, just grossly disproportionate claims. If they were influential (something which I still don't fully agree on), I'll give them that. Why I call them overrated is because people staple on all of these attributes to them such as 'appropriators of world music', 'funky', 'soul-inclusive' (somebody once referred to them as '****ing zany'), when really, they sound very lukewarm. Even if back in 1980 they did sound that way, it just never stood the test of time and really can't be given to them anymore.

I've been meaning to check out that live album, I suppose I'll get on it.

**Janszoon** · 09-16-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutnuckle

That's possible. But if they are heralded as this unique/quirky/whatnot band, shouldn't they still differentiate from the bands they influenced in some way that makes them good for coming back to? I guess it isn't inherited, but if their sound is that imitatable, then is there really anything to write home about?

Then again I suppose that would make them not overrated as being 'overrated' doesn't inherit any skill at all, just grossly disproportionate claims. If they were influential (something which I still don't fully agree on), I'll give them that.

I've been meaning to check out that live album, I suppose I'll get on it.

I don't know. I love them and think they are a great band, but I also formed my opinions about them back when they were a current band still putting out new music. So you and I are certainly approaching them with two very different points of reference.

clutnuckle · 09-16-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I don't know. I love them and think they are a great band, but I also formed my opinions about them back when they were a current band still putting out new music. So you and I are certainly approaching them with two very different points of reference.

Yeah, perhaps I'm just missing the boat here. Although upon reading a couple of reviews about that live album, it sort of seems like everything I look for... I don't exactly know how hearing the same songs live is going to change my opinion on the band but I can always hope, can't I?

debaserr · 09-16-2010, 09:32 PM

in so many cases they are so much better. especially the songs from 77.

uedamasa · 09-17-2010, 01:38 AM

Underrated : Jeff Buckley

debaserr · 09-17-2010, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uedamasa

Underrated : Jeff Buckley

grossly overrated

09-16-2010, 08:48 PM	#223 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	^ their best album is The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads, a double live album. __________________ Last.FM

09-16-2010, 09:32 PM	#228 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	in so many cases they are so much better. especially the songs from 77. __________________ Last.FM

09-16-2010, 07:37 PM	#221 (permalink)
Maribel Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: la la land! Posts: 30	To be fair, I haven't heard any of those bands' stuff in a long time. At the time it all seemed fairly boring and samey to me and I guess I just never looked back.

09-16-2010, 07:47 PM	#222 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	Fair enough I suppose. Overrated: Talking Heads Can somebody please explain the appeal of them to me? I'm willing to give them another chance (on top of 4-5 other chances); I've heard 3 of their albums (those being Remain In Light, Fear of Music and 77), and they all sound so ordinary. It sounds like a conglomerate of musicians trying to sound really quirky and dynamic in both fashion and music. Their music has never been bad for me, but some of the reviews I've read, and the things they laud onto the band just confuse me. Some people believe that world music didn't exist pre-RIL. They claim it's very 'funky', as if a somewhat-swung drumline is all you need to get hips shaking. Like I said, I don't hate their music. I just think that some of the ratings/thoughts people have on them are seriously blown out of proportion. It's a shame, because years before I listened to them, I always loved their cover arts, their thoughts on music, and their approach. If I can carve myself a niche in their fanbase, I would be more than happy to.

09-17-2010, 01:38 AM	#229 (permalink)
uedamasa Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2	Underrated : Jeff Buckley