Trollheart's Room 101 (Music Version) is open for business!

[Trollheart]

You know the deal with the show: you choose something that really gets under your skin and if the host agrees it's forever banished to Room 101, symbolically removing it from the world forever. Course, it doesn't do anything really (if only we had that power!) but it's a bit of fun.

So I'd like to try it with music as the only required criterion.

Outside of that, it can be a band you hate, an artist, a song, an album, a style or genre of music, a producer, a trend in music, anything music or music related, and there are only a few loose rules.

1. Each specific thing can only be successful once, ie if someone sends Westlife into Room 101, they can't be chosen again. Neither, in fairness, can any of the members, though specific music by them can. Think of it as the band is in Room 101 but their music is still out there (god help us!). Additionally, you could vote for something related to Westlife, for instance, like boybands in general, or Louis Walsh, or bands trying to play swing or jazz etc. But again, once a specific thing, person, idea or whatever is in Room 101 it can't be put in there again, which should really be obvious.

2. You can't really just say "I hate Motorhead" or "All jazz is crap": you need to have a reasonably considered argument, as, if this gets enough interest, I will pit three choices against each other, with only one getting the chance to send their chosen item to Room 101. Of course, anyone failing can always try again. Be creative: remember, you are trying to convince me, and as with the show, the final word is mine.

I guess that's it really, just the two rules. If this gets popular I'll post a regular "inventory" of what's in Room 101, so newcomers will know what they should or can not pick. Also, no fighting, though debate, conducted in a civilised way and with a clear head by all, is as always welcomed. You can sort of jockey for position, as it were, trying to convince me why your item is better than his or hers, but no glib put-downs please. Any nastiness will result in your item being summarily ejected, and quite possibly your own future choices ignored. As in all things, it's fun so play nice.

To nominate something, simply post and wait to see when I reply. If you haven't quite convinced me I'll tell you, and give you a chance to do so, or if I have any questions or concerns about your choice that'll be in my reply post(s) too.

So, Room 101 is open for business: who's first through the door?

[jackhammer]

Great idea. I will surely contribute soon

[Janszoon]

Here's what I would like banished to room 101: the notion that subdued acoustic music is somehow more honest, more emotional or more "real" than other music. This concept has to be one of the most annoying ideas in all of music. It's not that subdued acoustic music can't be great—it certainly can—but it's not more or less inherently "honest" than other types of music, it's simply one way among many of producing sounds. The problem is that so many people buy into this concept that musicians of this variety are inclined toward disappearing up their own assholess, thus creating a sizable chunk of music that not just shallow but also mind-numbingly boring.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

I'd like to banish all those decrepit 70s classic rock fans with their whole 'Disco Sucks' attitude.

I remember one such guy coming here and saying that he used his Ted Nugent albums to cover up his girlfriends disco albums so he wasn't embarrassed about them being there or something.

Well, Nile Rodgers has more talent in one fingernail than Ted Nugent has in his entire body, so f*ck you.

And another thing.

I Was Made For Loving You was the best song Kiss ever wrote.

[Neapolitan]

"Beth" was Kiss best song because of the string arrangement for some reason there is so much more honesty, feeling and depth in acoustic instruments like violins and stuff.

[Mojo]

QUEEN
A band that very much has an unmistakeable, distinctive sound and I hate absolutely everything about it. It makes me cringe just to think about it.

A band with flamboyance, charisma and a knack for producing catchy, infectious stadium rock anthems. Personally all I hear is music I cannot possibly take seriously as all I hear is novelty, comedy rock that draws absolutely zero emotion from me of any kind whatsoever. I find it impossible to connect with Queens music on any level at all and am baffled by anyone who can find anything in there to love so much - something that baffles me even more when you consider the massive amount of hardcore fans who will tell you that Queen are the absolutely epitome of rock music. The greatest band to ever live.

Overly dramatic, theatric nonsense with zero substance whatsoever.

[Trollheart]

Morning guys, thanks for getting this started.

I have a lot to think about now, with your --- I must say, considered and eloquent --- selections.

They're great ideas, but I will probably not be mojopinuk's biggest fan when I say that I won't be considering Queen. Whether you like or hate them --- I just like them, I have their greatest hits and one or two other albums and that's about it --- there's no denying that they brought a particular flair to rock music and have legions of fans. Should this latter exclude them from being thrown into Room 101 on its own? Obviously not, otherwise virtually no-one could be considered, even (spit!) Daniel O'Donnell!

But after my writeup on "Who wants to live forever" in my journal, I feel it's impossible to consider Queen: who would then play at my funeral? As for their songs not eliciting emotion? Surely the likes of "The show must go on", "Days of our lives" and the above move you, especially given the circumstances of Freddie Mercury's death?

You're free to argue your point further, mojo, but I really don't think I can be convinced on this.

I'll make a decision on the others shortly and I'll let you guys know.

Thanx guys!

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

I think Queen is a great shout.

I can't think of any other rock band that put out so many average albums out in succession. Every single Queen album is packed with filler tracks & novelty songs. Even the album that is considered their masterpiece A Night At The Opera has loads of filler and novelty songs (Bohemian Rhapsody being the biggest novelty song on there).

And there's also the one thing that Queen fans always like to sweep under the carpet when you mentioned it. For all their so-called greatness they never cracked the American market. Yeah they toured there, yeah they may have sold out a few gigs there but they never became big stars over there.

Let's face it, a movie with 4 guys headbanging in a car did more for Queen's popularity in the States than their whole discography & touring there ever did.

I'd like to second Queen going in.

[Trollheart]

Personally, I think the sight of however-many-thousand fans all clapping in basic rhythm to "Radio gaga" at LiveAid says a lot more about Queen than their albums ever did. Sorry guys but though you may not like them, I still think they contributed a lot to music history and I can't sanction their being sent to Room 101 (plus, my sister would kill me!)

I'll have a decision in the next hour or so...

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Personally, I think the sight of however-many-thousand fans all clapping in basic rhythm to "Radio gaga" at LiveAid says a lot more about Queen than their albums ever did. Sorry guys but though you may not like them, I still think they contributed a lot to music history and I can't sanction their being sent to Room 101 (plus, my sister would kill me!)

I'll have a decision in the next hour or so...

As said Queen would be a great choice, a whole load of average albums highlighted by a couple of decent tracks, they're Room 101 material.