Thats a rhetorical question for sure but sometimes I wonder, am I wrong for having such disdain for the music of today? I think not. I could write a whole column on how the music of today is substandard in every way but I am reminded of something very simple: What may sound like garbage to one set of ears, sounds magical to another.
That is very true. I may not think Beyonce has any talent but there are enough people out there that do, so her and Jay Z are billionaires because of it. Good for her, but, she is not my cup of tea and while she may sell a lot of records, she really is only just a mediocre talent at best. Taylor Swift is another artist that I just don’t get. She is a very cool person and she knows her power in the entertainment industry and has decided that she is going to control her destiny. Good for her, but is she really a talented singer or songwriter? That’s debatable but then again, she sells a lot of records.
My question is not so much about the music of today but about certain artists I just don’t get.
Let’s start with The Dave Matthews Band. To begin with, they are very talented musicians and Dave Matthews is a very cool guy but I would say that as a lead singer, he leaves a lot to be desired. I have an incredibly hard time understanding anything he is singing and if it weren’t for Apple Music’s Lyrics function on my IPhone, I would not know one word of any of his songs. Not to compare the two but is the there one Sinatra song that you can’t understand? No. I know that is part of his appeal but maybe I am a simpleton, I would like to understand what a singer is singing.
I might be wrong but I think the day of the self indulgent artist is over. I will give you three examples.
One, I saw Van Morrison over the weekend with my girls and to say we were disappointed is an understatement. While his band was great and Morrisons voice was perfect, his selection of music was not what we expected. There were maybe three or familiar songs and he was done in an hour and ten minutes. Lots of bluesy and jazzy numbers , a few covers and two duets with Tom Jones (Who knew what everyone came to hear by the way). We knew going in that Morrison played by his own rules and expecting “Moondance”,”Astral Weeks” or “Into the Mystic” might have been too much to ask for. I know a lot of his fans love the fact that he has an incredible catalog of music, but really.
Not that this artist should matter but am I wrong in thinking enough with the street cred BS, you have a 10 million dollar home in Gross Point Michigan. Eminem gets me in ways I can’t describe. Ok, you had a crappy childhood. Great you got away from 8 Mile in Detroit but why at 50 are you still so angry? Get over it. You have made close to 100 million dollars in your career and you rap about what? Certainly not the exorbitant state income tax in Michigan or why you hate going to the Range Rover dealership every year to get a new ride. I think artists that sing about things they are so far removed from is hypocritical and this guy is the epitome of hypocrisy.
Am I wrong but shouldn’t Dave Grohl just shut up and play music? This guy has all the talent in the World and he certainly is a great example of a true rock and roll icon, no doubt. I am not a Foo Fighters fan but their performance of Nikki (Princes legendary ode to ???) at the Grammy’s two years ago was nothing short of phenomenal. My complaint is not of his music, it’s the fact that he talks so much on stage that it almost kills the mood his band has created. Why do artist like Grohl, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Graham Nash have to talk soo much. If people wanted to hear what they have to say, they would be on the TED Talks circuit. Shut up and play “Cowgirl in the Sand”, no one cares how a transplanted Canadian hates Donald Trump. Or Springsteen putting down the upper middle class in this country, which by the way are the only people who can afford to see any of your shows.
Maybe I am just grumpy in my old age but I really just want to listen to the music and I could care less about your political views. This isn’t just directed at liberals, it’s also conservative as well. You have a talent, you have earned the money I am willing to put down to see you play, but you haven’t earned the right to lecture me.
Come to think of it, maybe Van Morrison wasn’t so bad after all. He didn’t say one word between songs.
Thanks so much for starting my Friday with a big ole smile and a hearty laugh at the end. Just love your music reviews, oh, and they are spot on!