Musicians past their prime, Part 1

fractalign · 05-11-2014, 01:31 AM

Madonna, She had a colourful career pushing the envelope of pop music and indeed pop culture. Never afraid to move with the times, Madonna was always open to working with up and coming producers and musicians to push her sound into new territories.

Through out the eighties and nineties, she could do no wrong, always quick to embrace the latest trends and create a few along the way, she quickly became a style icon for millions of fans around the world.

Never afraid to court controversy whether it was upsetting the catholic church with songs such as "Like a Virgin" or "like a Prayer", Madonna also become a symbol of female empowerment. Anthems like "Papa Don't Preach" and "Express yourself" showed her young female fans that women could really express them selves, be it on stage, in the board room and indeed in the bedroom in the case of "Justify My Love".

As a new decade dawned Madonna had lost none of her drive, creativity or indeed controversy, in the case of her "Erotica Album" and "Sex" Book in 1992.

Always the astute business women, she formed the aptly titled multi media company "Maverick" that same year, signing up artists including: Allanis Morrisett and the Prodigy along the way.

Collaberating with such Iconic producers as Shep Pettibone and William Orbit insured Madonna's music was on heavy rotation in the pop charts and dance floors around the globe. William Orbit was responsible for helping create the critically acclaimed "Ray of Light" in 1997.

Arguably the high point of Madonna's recording career, the album fused, trip hop, drum and bass, techno, ambient and other electronic styles with more traditional pop and even some rock elements.

The album collected four Grammy awards and it's sound marked a rapid shift away from Madonna's earlier works both musically and vocally. "Ray of light" was an album that had some how managed to fuse underground credibility with mainstream success.

With "Ray of Light"Madonna had finally mover away from her traditional house and disco based sound into a more instrumentally driven electronic sound, maturing as an artist as a result.

Fast forward to 2014 and contrast her earlier work with her recent output. Lets see......................this is a tough one, I am sure I will think of something of significance,.................oh there was her collaboration with MIA and Nikki Manaj on her cheekily titled "MDNA" album.

One thing I should ad is that I have a tremendous amount of respect for M.I.A. She not only talks the talk but walks the walk as well, so I can hardly blame Madonna for wanting to work with her.

But at the same time, I think its kind of sad, I mean Madonna is trying to recapture that energy she once had by once again working with cutting edge producers and performers and not only that but by dressing like them as well.
The album may have received good reviews but it will never compare with her earlier works.

The latest I read is that she wants to work with global trance producer Avicci on her next album. I can't help but wonder what keeps Madonna going,

I mean it's not like she can't retire, I am sure she has enough money, so it can't be that. Its not fame driven either, she acquired that nearly thirty years ago.

When it all boils down to it Madonna just can't accept the fact that she is a middle aged women. She could continue to create and perform music relative to her age, i mean why be ashamed of who you really are. Instead she continues to cling to the title of the World's oldest teenager.

The irony is that the very teenagers she is trying to win over have probably never heard of her because they are too caught up in the trivialities of the Mileys and Bebos of this world to care about anything else. Working with the biggest trance producers, dub step producers or whoever else she thinks is cutting edge won't change that fact.

Its time for Madonna to stop re inventing herself and start accepting who she is.
She should sit back have a nice cup of tea and consider a dignified retirement while its still possible.

ladyislingering · 05-11-2014, 01:41 AM

tl;dr: Madonna is an old hag.

I think it's time for KISS to give it a rest, personally.

fractalign · 05-11-2014, 02:18 AM

Guns and Roses. What can I say about these guys other than they would have been a great band had they not had that ego as a singer a certain Mr Axel Rose.

Axel Rose is to Hard Rock what Michel Jackson was to pop, an eccentric recluse who only comes alive on stage, the rest of the time choosing to live in an alternate reality the likes of which makes "Alice in Wonderland" look like a tax auditors convention !

While Jacko's ego was huge, he tended not harbour bitterness and hatred, instead, and many would argue some what controversially, to surround himself with the love of animals and in particular, children. It was these strange hobbies that would bring his ego crashing down once certain allegations were raised.

For Axel Rose though, there are no such checks and balances, so his ego is free to soar.

What was the most expensive album ever recorded ? You guessed it "Chinese Democracy". It took a little while to record too. 15 Years between releases is a long time for any musician but for Axel Rose, expect nothing less.

Clearly he is a born control freak, who else would by their very nature drive all the original members of their band out and continue the band anyway. The funny thing is that the likes of Slash, Duff and Matt have managed to move on with their careers while Axel still clings to his past.

Guns and Roses should have ended when Slash, Duff and Matt left but Axel's ego wouldn't let it. Either Axel swallows his pride and begs the guys to come back into the band or he does the honourable thing and accepts that with it them its just the Axel Rose Band and retires. I can't see him doing either.

Paul Smeenus · 05-11-2014, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

tl;dr: Madonna is an old hag.

I'm 7 months older than Madonna.

Ninetales · 05-11-2014, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

I think it's time for KISS to give it a rest, personally.

40 years too late

djchameleon · 05-11-2014, 03:21 AM

Any time the Super Bowl decides to invite old rockers. I'm like no they need to give it a rest.

U2, The Who, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney when he showed up in 05. Terrible performance.

**Frownland** · 05-11-2014, 10:27 AM

G n R was at their best before they released Apprtite for Destruction. The era before they started playing shows was good too.

~~hate paper doll~~ · 05-11-2014, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Any time the Super Bowl decides to invite old rockers. I'm like no they need to give it a rest.

U2, The Who, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney when he showed up in 05. Terrible performance.

Ugggghhh, U2. Totally.

Psy-Fi · 05-11-2014, 12:23 PM

As much as I love B.B. King, and as much as I hate to say it, he should probably call it a day at this point and retire from touring. Some of his recent performances have been rather painful to watch and listen to.

Black Francis · 05-11-2014, 02:42 PM

I definitely agree with Madonna, Kiss and the rolling stones..

I would like to add Red hot chilli peppers and Pharrel..

More will come to mind later.. OH, Bruce springsteen too.

05-11-2014, 01:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
fractalign Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 42	Musicians past their prime, Part 1 Madonna, She had a colourful career pushing the envelope of pop music and indeed pop culture. Never afraid to move with the times, Madonna was always open to working with up and coming producers and musicians to push her sound into new territories. Through out the eighties and nineties, she could do no wrong, always quick to embrace the latest trends and create a few along the way, she quickly became a style icon for millions of fans around the world. Never afraid to court controversy whether it was upsetting the catholic church with songs such as "Like a Virgin" or "like a Prayer", Madonna also become a symbol of female empowerment. Anthems like "Papa Don't Preach" and "Express yourself" showed her young female fans that women could really express them selves, be it on stage, in the board room and indeed in the bedroom in the case of "Justify My Love". As a new decade dawned Madonna had lost none of her drive, creativity or indeed controversy, in the case of her "Erotica Album" and "Sex" Book in 1992. Always the astute business women, she formed the aptly titled multi media company "Maverick" that same year, signing up artists including: Allanis Morrisett and the Prodigy along the way. Collaberating with such Iconic producers as Shep Pettibone and William Orbit insured Madonna's music was on heavy rotation in the pop charts and dance floors around the globe. William Orbit was responsible for helping create the critically acclaimed "Ray of Light" in 1997. Arguably the high point of Madonna's recording career, the album fused, trip hop, drum and bass, techno, ambient and other electronic styles with more traditional pop and even some rock elements. The album collected four Grammy awards and it's sound marked a rapid shift away from Madonna's earlier works both musically and vocally. "Ray of light" was an album that had some how managed to fuse underground credibility with mainstream success. With "Ray of Light"Madonna had finally mover away from her traditional house and disco based sound into a more instrumentally driven electronic sound, maturing as an artist as a result. Fast forward to 2014 and contrast her earlier work with her recent output. Lets see......................this is a tough one, I am sure I will think of something of significance,.................oh there was her collaboration with MIA and Nikki Manaj on her cheekily titled "MDNA" album. One thing I should ad is that I have a tremendous amount of respect for M.I.A. She not only talks the talk but walks the walk as well, so I can hardly blame Madonna for wanting to work with her. But at the same time, I think its kind of sad, I mean Madonna is trying to recapture that energy she once had by once again working with cutting edge producers and performers and not only that but by dressing like them as well. The album may have received good reviews but it will never compare with her earlier works. The latest I read is that she wants to work with global trance producer Avicci on her next album. I can't help but wonder what keeps Madonna going, I mean it's not like she can't retire, I am sure she has enough money, so it can't be that. Its not fame driven either, she acquired that nearly thirty years ago. When it all boils down to it Madonna just can't accept the fact that she is a middle aged women. She could continue to create and perform music relative to her age, i mean why be ashamed of who you really are. Instead she continues to cling to the title of the World's oldest teenager. The irony is that the very teenagers she is trying to win over have probably never heard of her because they are too caught up in the trivialities of the Mileys and Bebos of this world to care about anything else. Working with the biggest trance producers, dub step producers or whoever else she thinks is cutting edge won't change that fact. Its time for Madonna to stop re inventing herself and start accepting who she is. She should sit back have a nice cup of tea and consider a dignified retirement while its still possible. Last edited by fractalign; 05-29-2014 at 03:35 AM.
$fractalign is offline$

05-11-2014, 01:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	tl;dr: Madonna is an old hag. I think it's time for KISS to give it a rest, personally. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.

05-11-2014, 02:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
fractalign Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 42	Musicians past their prime. Part 2. Guns and Roses. What can I say about these guys other than they would have been a great band had they not had that ego as a singer a certain Mr Axel Rose. Axel Rose is to Hard Rock what Michel Jackson was to pop, an eccentric recluse who only comes alive on stage, the rest of the time choosing to live in an alternate reality the likes of which makes "Alice in Wonderland" look like a tax auditors convention ! While Jacko's ego was huge, he tended not harbour bitterness and hatred, instead, and many would argue some what controversially, to surround himself with the love of animals and in particular, children. It was these strange hobbies that would bring his ego crashing down once certain allegations were raised. For Axel Rose though, there are no such checks and balances, so his ego is free to soar. What was the most expensive album ever recorded ? You guessed it "Chinese Democracy". It took a little while to record too. 15 Years between releases is a long time for any musician but for Axel Rose, expect nothing less. Clearly he is a born control freak, who else would by their very nature drive all the original members of their band out and continue the band anyway. The funny thing is that the likes of Slash, Duff and Matt have managed to move on with their careers while Axel still clings to his past. Guns and Roses should have ended when Slash, Duff and Matt left but Axel's ego wouldn't let it. Either Axel swallows his pride and begs the guys to come back into the band or he does the honourable thing and accepts that with it them its just the Axel Rose Band and retires. I can't see him doing either. Last edited by fractalign; 05-11-2014 at 02:29 AM.
$fractalign is offline$

05-11-2014, 10:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	G n R was at their best before they released Apprtite for Destruction. The era before they started playing shows was good too. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

05-11-2014, 02:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	I definitely agree with Madonna, Kiss and the rolling stones.. I would like to add Red hot chilli peppers and Pharrel.. More will come to mind later.. OH, Bruce springsteen too. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A