(https://beeimg.com/images/i78788842072.jpg)
I suppose we all - or most of us - have a hate list, music we really don't like and would or will probably never listen to. I'm not ignorant enough (at least, not any more) to say something is shit just because I don't like it, and I generally like to be able to speak on some small authority on a subject - music very definitely included - before I can render an opinion which I feel should be considered. Some genres just don't resonate with me, though I have made efforts to listen to and understand, and even get into them, various ways. But that's not what this is about.
This is about artists. Bands, singers, groups I have always hated but never really heard, either nothing at all or beyond their hit singles. So why am I listening to music I freely admit I hate? Am I a masochist? An idiot? Do I have too much time on my hands? Well, probably a little from column A, a little from column B and quite a lot from column C, as it were. In the last few years I've tried to challenge my own preconceptions of music, both through gaining a better understanding of it through people's recommendations and through deliberately straying off the beaten path and into unfamiliar territory, just to see what it's like.
It seems unfair that I should discount an artist solely on either a) my own prejudices or b) the general opinion against them. So the idea here is to listen to music I hate, or think I hate, or have formed a prejudice against, and see if I was right all along, or if I am being unfair to the artists in question. After all, you really can't say you hate something if you've not explored it in enough depth to be able to make that determination and stand by it. Frownland showed me that with Trout Mask Replica, and while I still don't like the album, after three listens I've already ameliorated my opinion of it. Slightly. So anything is possible if you open your ears, put aside your preconceived notions and just close your eyes and take a running jump off that metaphorical cliff. I said meta - oops. Oh well.
Let it be fully understood: these will NOT be reviews. Not at all. While I will be pushing myself to listen to all - or a selection from - of each artist's discography, I will not be talking at length about the album or the tracks. I may mention something that stands out to me, as good or bad, but in general I'll be giving an overall impression of what the albums sounded like to me and how they affected me - if at all - and at the end deciding whether or not I was right to hate this artist, whether I have changed my mind or had my opinion confirmed.
Next up:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Taylor_Swift_at_the_2023_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_%283%29.png/440px-Taylor_Swift_at_the_2023_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_%283%29.png)
Trollheart's Hate List
I'm just going to add artists to this as I think of them. So much hate...
:shycouch:
Note: Red indicates hate (duh) and green not hate (also duh)
Ed Sheeran
Adele
Taylor Swift
Ellie Goulding
Morrisey
Mariah Carey
Justin Bieber
Jonas Brothers
One Direction
Daniel O'Donnell (if you're Irish, you'll know)
Before we start, let's just get this out of the way. Yes, I know: how dare I hate any artist when I have the shit music taste that I have? Yes, yes, I wouldn't know good music if it came up to me and asked me how to get to Carnegie Hall (lady, you gotta - no? Fair enough I suppose). But as I noted in the OP, everyone hates particular artists, and everyone's entitled to, regardless of their perceived taste in music by others. And you may also say, sure you like bands like Bon Jovi and Marillion and Genesis and Dan Fogelberg, and spit when you say that, and that's fine: you hate those bands, more power to you. Make your own thread and rant on about how shit they are. This is my Hate List, not yours, so suck it.
Besides, the aim here is not necessarily just to shit on an artist I hate, but to face the fact that in the case of most of those artists I have arbitrarily decided to hate them based on very little or very specific information, without knowing their full deal. This will be my chance to redress that, to immerse myself in their music, learn about who and what they are, and see if it's fair that I still hate them afterwards.
So the most important question to ask about any of these artists, is why do I hate them? Is it their music or is it something about them personally, or a combination of the two? Or is it in fact something else? Well, in the case of Ed Sheeran, it's really not the music, as I have not heard very much of it. I believe I may have listened to one of his albums as part of another review thread; can't recall hating it, can't recall being overly impressed by it. But it wouldn't be fair to damn an artist on the strength of just one album, so no, it's not the music, at least not yet.
I think the thing that bugs me most about him, other than him being, what we call over here a "ginger tosser" (which in fairness isn't his fault, but I hate him for it anyway) is the way he's always in the news. You hear about him everywhere, and somewhat like Adele (who will also be on my list) he seems almost the default artist for people who really aren't that much into music. This was illustrated to an annoying degree when I was watching the Irish news at one point and he was playing, and yes, it was a news story. They interviewed people either coming from or going to the concert (can't remember which and I don't care) and asked them that age-old, searching journalistic question: why do you like his music so much?
Now, you or I or anyone here, when asked this about our own favourite artist, would have a ready-made answer: points about lyrics, themes, how their music is different to the mainstream, how you've followed them for x years, how this person plays the guitar or that the keyboards, or the way the music makes you feel, and so on and so on. We know our artists, we know why we like them. But these brainless sheep, to a man, woman or child (you can forgive children of course, but adults should be able to formulate more intelligent replies surely) simpered and mouthed platitudes such as "oh I just love his music", or "oh everything he does is great."
FUCK. OFF.
If you like an artist, you should know WHY you like him, her or them. You shouldn't be stuck for words, and even given that perhaps the interviews were sudden and unexpected, this is your chance to have your say, so fucking have it. Don't end up looking like some bashful teenager afraid to say what you think of the girl/boy you fancy. Watching the news, a vision flashed into my mind of a certain someone chewing gum and recommending we all support the president. Uh, yeah.
So you might say that my problem isn't so much with Sheeran as with his fans, and maybe you'd be right. Still, it certainly colours your perception of the man when his followers are such dumb, inarticulate cunts. But then, look at the guy! He has a half-smile, half-smirk on his face that seems to say "I make more money in a day than you will in all your life." That's fine; he probably does and will, but does he have to look so fucking smug about it? People can make money without rubbing your nose in it - class acts like Prince, Springsteen, George Michael, even Jackson all just got on with it and never made you feel they were sneering at you. I see the same look on McCartney's face, and I hate the fucker for it.
But that's just me, and perhaps not a fair reason to hate him. And you know, maybe I don't hate him, but I do wonder what the fuck all the hype is about? I mean, people (and I don't just mean fans; critics too) go on about him as if he's the second coming. Is he that good? Or is he just a singer who has happened to capture the imagination of a certain time? Is he, in other words, the male version of Adele?
Naturally, I have to research him, and as I do my heart softens a little, as I learn he is self-taught on guitar and comes from a musical family. This is good: I can't stand those stars who get where they are through talent shows or even YouTube viewings. I'm an old dinosaur, and I know the world no longer works this way, but to me the way to make it is still the old gigging circuit, and anyone who circumvents that is, to my mind, cheating slightly. Ah, it's a new world, but I remember how hard the bands now regarded as classic had to fight to make it, and the fact that there's an easy path to success for musicians these days rankles a little with me. What can I say? I'm an old curmudgeon.
You probably all know I'm a great hater of pretension, and what can be more pretentious than naming your albums after mathematical symbols? I mean, yes, changing your NAME to a symbol is pretentious beyond belief, but at least Prince had the talent to back up that move. I mean, could Sheeran not come up with better titles for his albums? Or was it all just a marketing ploy, like (again) Adele titling her albums with the age she was when she recorded them? Let's hope we never hear 45!
I also read he played four gigs in one day, one held outside the venue, to ensure nobody missed out, which I have to admit is nice behaviour if not done for publicity value. He seems to be involved in a lot of charity work, which you have to give him praise for, but then I never said he was a monster, and I'm sure at heart he's a nice person. Doesn't mean I have to like his music. Speaking of...
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3f/Ed_Sheeran_%2B_cover.png)
Plus Year: 2011
Right. Even the title of his fucking debut screws up my review, as my word processor thinks I'm trying to start a list. I am, Google Docs: a hate list! But anyway, halfway through the album now and it's had its decent points but there's nothing here that really wows me or makes me rethink my position on him, this time through the lens of listening to his music. The combination of a semi-rap style with acoustic folk/pop is different, yes, but is it different enough for this guy to be hailed as almost the saviour of pop music? He does write his own stuff, which is always a plus (hah!) with me, and he can play, but does he not just sound like a slightly younger, wimpier version of James Blunt?
His yearning, crooning voice does wear thin after a while, and while there are yet five tracks to go, it's all been pretty laid-back for most of it, and I wouldn't mind (if I have to listen) hearing something a bit more uptempo and less, well, whiny? I guess "The City" gets there a little, but it's still very indulgent and moany. His attempts at rap are annoying - either rap or don't, dude: singing fast doesn't give you a middle ground, you know. At least "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" has a little energy, but I still don't like it.
End result: couldn't say that I hate the album but I certainly don't love it. I don't hear anything here that would make me a) listen to it again b)listen to another of his (though I have to for this thread) or c) proclaim him the new pop messiah. Bah.
On to the next one then I guess...
And it's called
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/X_cover.png)
Multiply I have to use the spelled-out version otherwise the system doesn't recognise it, not that you or I care - Year: 2014
Starts the same as the previous one but then he goes all soul/funk and it's just embarrassing. Add in some sub-hip-hop on "Don't" and I just want to jump off a tall building, or even better, push him off one. If only he had taken the advice he gives himself in the title! This album almost makes me appreciate the debut. Man it's awful. Well, "Photograph" is all right I guess, and "Bloodstream" is not without its charm, but "Tenerife Sea" is my favourite, not because it's a good song (it isn't) but due to the lyric: "Say the word and I'll disappear into the wilderness." Off you go then, Sheerhan: the word is given. :rolleyes: Yeah, this is bloody woeful. How did this get to number one and sell over two million copies in the UK? Guess there's no accounting for taste. Sigh.
Two down, two to go. The next one is yet another symbol we all remember from school, and could, I suppose, in some circumstances, be seen as a negative compared to the (ostensibly) positive symbols used on his first two albums. Yeah.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/45/Divide_cover.png)
Divide Year: 2016
I'm sure it didn't divide his fans, but is it likely to add to my contempt for his music or multiply it, or even divide it in two? All right, that's enough maths puns. Let's get the bloody thing over with before I start drawing Venn diagrams or something.
Oh no! A stupid poxy rap right off. This ain't going to be good is it? Well "Dive" is a decent bluesy ballad and the presence of Clapton on guitar is certainly welcome, but then I realise I've heard "Shape of You" before, and its rhythm has really annoyed me without knowing who to blame. Now I know who to blame. I haven't heard "Perfect" before, but given his supposed propensity for subtly ripping other artists off on occasion, I feel I know this melody but I can't place it. "Galway Girl" is just embarrassing (check out Steve Earle's for a much better song, nothing to do with this one) and the fiddles and pipes just add to the triteness. As we say here, Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
"Happier" is better though it's quickly subsumed back into the muck and dross by "New Man" which sounds like Backstreet Boys trying to do hip-hop or something. And again there's a rip-off as "How Would You Feel" has the melodic fingerprints of Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately" all over it. Yeah, pretty poor album that once again broke all chart records and apparently every single fucking track got into the top twenty! Every. Single. One. That's what happens when people are able to buy tracks singly instead of shelling out for the album.
I really don't want to go for this last one, but fuck it, in for a cent, huh?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Ed_Sheeran_-_No._6_Collaborations_Project.png)
No. 6 Collaborations Project Year: 2019
Bringing, I guess, his interest in hip-hop and R&B to its full climax, this is, as the title suggests, a collaboration effort with various other artists, some from the world of pop (Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars) and hip-hop (50 Cent, Travis Scott, Eminem among them) and so I couldn't imagine it really being a Sheeran album, but I suppose it's important to listen to it as part of his discography, and considering it's his most recent too. I really couldn't be bothered namechecking all the stars who contribute to this, or who plays or sings on what: if you want to find out then check the Wiki page.
Of course, this also hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic, which is not at all surprising when you consider that in addition to the legions of Sheeran fans it would also appeal to fans of each/all of the contributors, so it was a shameless grab for sales based on reputations. Is it any good? Hard to say really: there are so many different styles, singers and types of music on it that it might as well be titled "Hip-Hop and R&B Greatest Hits" edited by and written by Ed Sheeran Definitely the album of his that I have the least interest in hearing, and the one I expect to like least. It's also the one with the most tracks (fifteen) but I'm thankful for small mercies as they're all relatively short.
No doubt fans of or people familiar with Stormzy, Khalid, 50 Cent and all the rest will like it, and to be honest, the writing apart, I don't see any real input from Sheeran and he might as well not be there on most of the tracks, which I think kind of defeats the purpose of the album. But then, do I care? I do not. I see he's shown as performing "all vocals", though of course that doesn't include those contributed by the guests, which for me tend to, each time, take over the particular track they're used on, but hey ho.
Okay, "Best Part of Me" isn't bad, kind of goes back to his style from the first two albums. Ish. The next song, the one with Bieber (two members of the hate list for the price of one!) reflects my attitude towards this album, and, mostly, towards Sheeran in general. Man, it's fucking awful. That fucking chicken-clucking sound at the end of the chorus. Shut the fuck up! Okay I've basically hated just about everything on this. The metal-like guitar intro to "Blow" was surprising and welcome, but man is it way too little too late. I am out of here!
So what's the end result then? Having listened to all four of Ed Sheeran's albums, do I still hate him, or have I come to a better appreciation of both him as a person and his music? Well, yes and no. That is, yes I still hate him and no I haven't come to appreciate him, not at all. I won't deny some of his music, particularly on his first album, is all right, but the rapping and the attempt to be the next, "nice" Eminem while still pandering to his fanbase of folky pop kids bugs the hell out of me, I must admit. It's not even good: I mean, he swings from one to the other like someone who isn't really sure what he wants to do, what direction he wants to take. Or like someone who's trying to be all things to all men, please everyone, and we know that's nigh on impossible.
His most recent album though says it all. It's almost an abandoning of the themes and ideas explored on the first three albums, and his diving head-first into hip-hop and soul. For me, it just doesn't work. It's too crowded. If this had been just him paying tribute to the hip-hop artists he admires, that might have been something, but essentially he seems to have handed control over to Eminem, Khalid, Scott et al and the album became more a collaboration/compilation (which, to be fair, he both titled it and considers it to be) than a pure Ed Sheeran album.
But even had it been the latter, I don't believe his music speaks to me. I just don't like it. I mean, I like some of it, and there's no questioning the fact that he's both a good musician and a good songwriter, but so are hundreds of other people. What makes him so special? What has he got that they don't? Why do millions wet themselves at the thought of a new Ed Sheeran album or going to see him live? You got me.
Maybe I just don't get it. Maybe I'm too old. Maybe I prefer my music to have a bit more direction and heart, and not seem like it's written to appeal directly to a pre-selected audience. Maybe I just don't like him. But as some sort of wunderkind of the pop world, as every teenage girl (and maybe boy)'s fantasy, as a role model for generations? Nah. I get that he's basically safe, so kids can go to see him with their parents and both enjoy the concert, and fair play to them and him. But he's not for me, and I don't get the cult of celebrity, the almost worship that has arisen around him, to the point that were his next album to be him sitting humming a tuneless tune all through it, these fans would declare it the greatest pop record ever recorded. Don't think I'll ever understand his appeal.
So, now that I've listened to and read about him, is he still on my Hate List?
Does the pope shit in the woods?
(https://beeimg.com/images/o89641337052.jpg)
Next up...
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Adele_for_Vogue_in_2021.png)
(Rechecked the list and realised I'd made a mistake...)
Daniel O'Donnell has a really annoying face and is the sort of music retired librarians called Sue listen to in their Nissan Micras when they drive to their weekly shop at Tesco.
Morrisey being on the list is just wrong.
QuoteNaturally, I have to research him, and as I do my heart softens a little, as I learn he is self-taught on guitar and comes from a musical family. This is good: I can't stand those stars who get where they are through talent shows or even YouTube viewings.
Might disappoint you here but YouTube is how he originally got big. He was featured on SBTV's channel doing a song called 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' and it blew up. Also, his rags to riches story is bullshit. There is this idea that he used to sleep on people's couches as a penniless musician trying to make it but he comes from a well off family. I thought something was up when I learned he was born in Halifax but speaks like he went to Eton.
Anyway I'm not defending him. Ginger tosser!
Quote from: Key on Jun 08, 2024, 06:52 PMMorrisey being on the list is just wrong.
I think it's a great list and I'm looking forward to his post about Adele in particular.
Quote from: jimmy jazz on Jun 08, 2024, 06:46 PMDaniel O'Donnell has a really annoying face and is the sort of music retired librarians called Sue listen to in their Nissan Micras when they drive to their weekly shop at Tesco.
There's an absolutely hilarious spoof of him on a Father Ted episode called "Night of the Nearly Dead"
"My Mayo Mammy"! Jumpers! Banana cake! God, it's all so true! If you wanted the most inoffensive, boring, Irish apologist for country music that makes Westlife look like Slayer, Dan's your man! Makes me ashamed to be Irish. :laughing: :laughing:
Quote from: Key on Jun 08, 2024, 06:52 PMMorrisey being on the list is just wrong.
It's my list and I'll be wrong if I want to.
Thing is, it's bands or artists I hate, not that everyone else hates. Most of them I haven't heard much from, some I've heard nothing from and just hate them on their reputation, but I will be listening to them and either backing up my hate or admitting I was wrong to hate them.
In fairness, the only thing I know of Morrissey is The Smiths and I bloody hated what I heard of them, Johnny Marr's superb guitar work notwithstanding. Moaning Morrisey, who is so intelligent he believes Hitler was left-wing!!! :laughing: :banghead:
Quote from: jimmy jazz on Jun 08, 2024, 06:55 PMMight disappoint you here but YouTube is how he originally got big. He was featured on SBTV's channel doing a song called 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' and it blew up. Also, his rags to riches story is bullshit. There is this idea that he used to sleep on people's couches as a penniless musician trying to make it but he comes from a well off family. I thought something was up when I learned he was born in Halifax but speaks like he went to Eton.
Anyway I'm not defending him. Ginger tosser!
Well now I hate him even more. Thanks.
Quote from: jimmy jazz on Jun 08, 2024, 06:56 PMI think it's a great list and I'm looking forward to his post about Adele in particular.
Thanks JJ for your interest. I've heard I think two Adele songs, so who knows? Maybe I won't hate her. Ducks to avoid low-flying pigs...
To be fair, "hate" here may not be as literal as it seems. I may end up just hating the fact that some of these artists are so adored, when, having listened to their work, they don't seem that special to me.
Some, of course, I may truly hate. We'll see.
@Trollheart haha that's bang on. He used to be on TV a fair bit here a few years ago, not so much these days.
I heard an Adele song on the radio a couple of years ago. Thought this is actually good, surprised a bit. Then after up looked it up and I saw that Bob Dylan wrote it and it was a cover.
Yeah I'm sure her music is probably okay, but what makes her any more special than another female singer - Kate Bush, Sam Brown, Debbie Harry, even Nanci Griffith? This kind of hyperbolic shit annoys me:
Billboard credited Adele for reviving the music industry in 2011, the year of 21's release, and wrote: "She was a unique presence not only in 2011, but in all of the 21st-century pop: a preternaturally gifted singer and songwriter with a leave-it-all-on-the-floor approach to recording and performing — and also an earthy, relatable, and strangely unassuming personality both on and off the stage"I mean, are you fucking shitting me Billboard dude? Music was dead until Adele arrived to give it the kiss of life? So you're saying all the work by established artists up to that point was for nothing? Prince? Springsteen? Madonna? Without Adele music would have died? Arrrggghhhh!!!
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/djTw5269awMtW/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952zzdmyrm3ankija7xyna52umibvx6k7hehf9miht0&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
I suppose there's a 0.00000000001% chance they're right (yeah, not bloody likely) and I'll fall in love with her music and hail her as the second coming or something, but I feel my money is far safer on the option that says I'll probably say "yeah, some of her music is all right, some is very ordinary, some is shite, but overall no, she's not the fucking saviour of music." That honour, as we all know, goes to, and could only go to, the maestro himself.
Anyway, we shall see. Oh yes, we shall indeed...
(https://media.tenor.com/GMTyvhtqGToAAAAM/laughing-hysterically-sideshow-bob.gif)
Oh don't get me wrong, I love the idea of this thread honestly. I find it kind of fun to go back and listen to artists that I once hated to see if things have changed and sometimes they do. I'm just a big fan of the smiths so I'm giving you a hard time.
Plus I share a birthday with morrisey
I think the thing about Morrissey that I hate is not only his whining voice but his whining lyrics, although to be fair I don't know that much about him. The general perception I get is that he writes (wrote?) about things that upset, annoyed him or that he could or wanted to complain about. That's not my kind of thing. Sure, everyone complains in some way through their music, whether it's complaining about injustice or lack of money or gender equality or war or whatever, but overall I don't recognise most artists as whining, whereas Morrissey always seemed to me to be doing just that. Plus he exudes this kind of college-educated I'm-better-than-you vibe, which may be an affectation, I don't know. I will, as I always do, research into the man and his music before I listen to him.
Also, it should be noted that though I'm no particular fan of theirs, I haven't got The Smiths on this list. I don't hate them, I don't love them, I sort of shrug them if you like. I'm quite more than well aware that there are millions of artists out there that don't resonate with me, but that does not mean I hate them. More ranting to come, but now it's on to a girl who's so poor she can only afford one name. Aw.
For me it's less that Morrissey whines so much as he never gives me the impression of sincerity in his whining. He always comes off as cynical and it just takes me right out of relating to what he's saying.
Were I anyone else you would probably all say "surely you've heard Adele's music before?" But I remind you who you're talking to, the man who used to say "I likes what I like" and evince your grandad's opinion on "today's music" at the grizzled age of 40. So no: like probably 98% of pop music from the 1990s onwards, and certainly from the twenty-first century, I've heard nothing from this woman who is, supposedly (see previous post) the "saviour of music". Yeah. Well, to be fair, I did encounter her once, and once only, for some other thread I was doing (Chart Fifty maybe? Not sure, not important) and the song was... wow. I mean wow. It was, and I think I can say this without hyperbole, really really all right. Meh. I sort of liked it, but I wasn't running down to enlist in her fan club, or getting out plans to build a church to her or anything.
I would predict that my reaction to her music, in general, is going to be that it's not shite but it's not the best thing I've ever heard. Of course, this is only my personal opinion, but when is it not? Feel free, as always, to chime in, but do remember that at no point am I saying this artist is terrible, just that in my opinion they may not deserve the often messianic adoration they seem to receive, and that there are better artists out there. I wouldn't imagine I have anything against the woman - if she's made herself a career in music fair play to her - but on the rare occasion I've come across what I would consider a "special" artist, I've been able to say why they're special, and back that up. It's all matter of perspective and personal choice of course, but to me, a pop star (or rock star) is not "phenomenal" merely by being able to play and write music. Let me give you an analogy. No, sorry, I think you'll find the doors are all locked. Now stop whimpering and telling me you have a family and to have mercy. Sit down. This won't take long.
Last night I watched Gary Lineker explain on the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast (yes, they also broadcast it on the telly. Shut up) explain why professional football is so hard. He said it's great if you have a talent for football, but the amount of work, skill, discipline and even sometimes luck it takes to get into a proper team, then to get into the Premiership and finally play for your country leave a huge gulf between those who play, and those who play professionally. So while a football player in a local team might sneer at say Bradford and opine that he could do better, he doesn't realise the difference there is between what he does and what the Bradford player does, how much harder it is for the guy playing in the Championship, or wherever. This doesn't mean, in Lineker's eyes, that the guy slagging off the Bradford player can't play, just that he can't play as well as him, otherwise, well, he would be. He'd be in a club, maybe even playing at international level. But he's not, because he's not as good.
In the same way, a musician who plays good music is undoubtedly talented. I can't play - though I tried - and so in a way I know how hard it is. But by the same token, just being able to play (and/or write) does not make you the next big thing. It might (look at Prince at the time he exploded onto the scene, or I guess Dylan or The Beatles or insert artist here) but it doesn't necessarily follow. Just as there are good movie actors and bad movie actors, and some incredible movie actors, it doesn't mean that everyone who acts in a movie is a star. So while Adele (yes yes I'm getting back to her don't worry) can, I'm sure, write and sing and play, so can thousands of other artists, so what places her above the pack? What makes her the cream of the crop, the god-damn saviour of music? That's what I aim to find out, or to disprove.
But first, as ever, some background. So, who is Adele? Well, despite my pithy comment earlier, she does of course have a second name, but given that her full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, one might wonder why she didn't make an acronym of it and become known as ALBA? Anyway, that's her. She's had a tough life apparently, with her father leaving her mother at age 2 (when she was 2, not her mother or father duh!) and then having to move from Tottenham to Brixton, which can't have been easy. But a tough upbringing doesn't necessarily factor in for me; lots of people came up the hard way, and if they found a way out of poverty or unemployment or crime through music, great. Still, as a certain young lady used to sing, really, that don't impress me much. Nor do all the Grammys she's won, as personally I think awards are a bit of a sham, as anyone who's lost out on one will no doubt agree. Sure, Grammys show that the music world thinks a lot of you, but as The Simpsons will tell you, they're not that highly thought of really.
Seems she got her break the old way, sending in a demo, so at least the dreaded X-Factor and YouTube path to fame don't figure in her story. There's the usual charity stuff and her support of the LGBTQ conmunity, which is always nice to read, and then some stuff about her being ordained a minister, about which I care nothing but am just telling you, and then we go into a long, somewhat arse-licking line of folks who talk about her legacy and how she is "the Queen of Hearts". Right. Okay. That's all very fine. Probably makes her a nice person, something I wouldn't contest, but again don't really care about. It's nice to be nice, but then, the Stones never made their career on being nice, and if you called John Lydon nice, you'd probably spend the next few hours trying to extract his boot from your arse. So being nice is not a prerequisite for being a good musician, or indeed, a star.
As they say, it's all about the music in the end.
So let's listen to some.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Adele_-_19.png)
19 Year: 2008
I would say my first impression is that it's like listening to some sort of gentle laid-back folk or something, maybe, I don't know, Joni Mitchell? Not very familiar with the folk scene now to be honest, but I could hear maybe Janis Ian or a maybe Carole King idea there? Certainly nothing wrong with her voice, and she knows how to sing - very powerful at times - though her diction kind of annoys me. Is that affected? The way she sort of flattens th's and so forth? I suppose obvious comparisons must be made to the late Amy Winehouse, or Lana del Rey. I'd have to say that, right off the bat, it's not my kind of music: a bit drony, a bit whiny, a bit too stripped back, but we'll see how it goes.
Here's an interesting thing. The guy doing all the production on the strings is Will Malone, who will possibly be known to fans of Iron Maiden, as he produced their first album, which the band did not appreciate, believing his work made the production too muddy. Anyway back to this thing. "Chasing Pavements", which I suppose everyone knows (bar me) has a nice soul feel to it, with those orchestral arrangements filling out what has been mostly barebones music up to now. Not entirely sure though how you can chase something that doesn't move, but however. Yeah I would have to say I don't really like her voice personally. Ironically, as JJ pointed out, one of the better tracks here is that Dylan cover. The last track is really nice. I think I can pick three really good tracks out of the twelve, these being "Chasing Pavements", the Dylan cover "Make You Feel My Love" and this closing one, "Hometown Glory", but for me that's not a good enough return. An all right album, but not a fucking revelation in any way. Good for a 19-year old I guess, but nah, don't get it.
@Trollheart sorry to bring the annoying bastard up again but I just said to Mother Jazz, do you like Daniel O'Donnell (she's in the demographic of his fans)
Mom: Not really
Me: What do you think of his music or him, give me your thoughts
Mom: Not much. Why? Is he coming round for tea?
She hasn't seen the Father Ted spoof :laughing:
Quote from: jimmy jazz on Jun 10, 2024, 07:51 PM@Trollheart sorry to bring the annoying bastard up again but I just said to Mother Jazz, do you like Daniel O'Donnell (she's in the demographic of his fans)
Mom: Not really
Me: What do you think of his music or him, give me your thoughts
Mom: Not much. Why? Is he coming round for tea?
She hasn't seen the Father Ted spoof :laughing:
Here; you'll love this. It's really him, so I suppose fair play to him for allowing the piss to be taken out of himself.
Seems she only has the four albums, so I guess we may as well listen to all four. On we go then.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Adele_-_21.png)
21 Year: 2011
All right, does "Rolling in the Deep" not sound a little similar to Moby's "Natural Blues"? No? Just me then. Fair enough. I'm not saying it's the same song by any means, but that's what came to mind the moment I heard it. Well you can hear the progression here, from a fairly basic (mostly) acoustic-style folky debut to a fuller, more mature (at 21!) second album, so has she dropped the acoustic folk elements? Much better use of piano melodies this time around, and so far I'd have to say it's impressed me far more than the debut did. Just as I say that, of course, we get an acoustic folky tune, but even so, it sounds okay. Yeah, a much more mature album, bringing in influences from gospel and blues, and sounding a lot more together. Could probably do without the Cure cover, as this time I don't think the album needs it, but I really can't find anything here I don't like, which is a massive improvement on the debut.
I can see what they mean about the "anti-Lady Gaga" idea and the reverse of style over substance, as the songs are all very well written and sung, and the music is far fuller than on her debut album, as I guess she finds her feet, so maybe there's some truth in that claim about her revitalising pop music, but I still don't buy that. A much better album, certainly, but surely if its real legacy is that it was so different to what was being churned out at the time, that's more an indictment on pop music rather than laying the mantle on her shoulders, no? Can't deny it's a pretty excellent album though. And I won't. Can't say I'm a fan yet but this has certainly shifted my perspective, in a good way.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/Adele_-_25_%28Official_Album_Cover%29.png)
25 -Year: 2015
Flash forward four years, what have we got? If the previous album was what she called a break-up one, this, apparently, is a make-up one, though presumably not with the same guy. And if it is, I don't care. That's not what I'm here to find out. It says this album uses more electronica and programmed beats, which I have to admit doesn't encourage me, but let's see. Nice ballad to start off, then it kicks up a little but it's interesting to see how Adele has managed her three albums so far, with the first being (I guess) a kind of wide-eyed innocence, falling in love and all the discovery of her youth, then the second, as mentioned, focusing on her break-up and, if you will, the death of dreams of innocence, while this is a look back and a kind of "what did I know back then?" idea. In contrast to Taylor Swift (who's up next - no, I'm asking... forget it) who seems, from what I read, to use her songs to taunt and do down her ex-boyfriends, Adele seems to be more mature and forgiving. Maybe.
Sense of "In the Air Tonight" in "I Miss You", at least in the drum pattern, but like Taylor (I assume) is this not primarily music for women? Like, it's very good and all, but I can't quite see myself sitting listening to it as I imagine millions of girls and women did, and do. Spokeswoman for her generation, maybe. Future of music? Well no, it wouldn't be for me. Very good at what she does certainly, and a lot of other, more "fluff" artists could probably learn from her. If you enjoy this sort of thing, great. I'd say, in fairness, I could listen to this if I was in the right mood, but I don't see myself spinning it very often. I mean, I like my ballads as you know, but this album doesn't seem to change pace much at all. With the exception of "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)", "Water Under the Bridge", and "River Lea" (sounds like a Corkwoman, boy! :laughing: ) this is basically an album of ballads and love songs.
Interesting to read how Adele had decided to give up music after 21, then when she tried to write for this album, how hard it was for her. I guess you'd say, given the fact that much of it is informed by the birth of her first child, that it's a real labour of love. "Million Years Ago" has a very Carpenters feel to it, and the melody is very familiar. I see there are court cases in train regarding plagiarism, but none of them are the song I'm thinking of. It's one of those old forties or fifties Bing Crosby/Sinatra-style tunes, I'm sure. Yes, overall it's very good, though I still prefer the second album, but even so, it's quite definitely music for the Misses, so to speak.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Adele_-_30.png)
30 Year: 2021
And so we end on her, so far, most recent album, with at this point, eleven years of the music business under her belt, and herself now heading into her third decade on the planet. Each of her albums have shown a sense of growth, maturity and learning, so is this likely to continue that trend? I'd imagine the smart money says yes. Is it likely to again be a collection of ballads and break-up/make-up songs? Paddy Power will not give you very high odds against. The theme of this one seems to be her divorce, and how that affected her son. Okay. Not dancing in clubs or riding with biker gangs, then! Immediately apparent is the influence of organs, and the one song I do know, "Easy On Me", is on this album. It's the one that made me shrug and think yeah it's okay. Mind you, it does still come across, as I said when I reviewed it originally, as a case of "this was everyone else's fault not mine."
I would ask, having heard three albums now and on the fourth, is it not time this woman stopped moaning though? I really don't hear many songs expressing any real kind of joy, letting go or just having a good time, and while I'm not one, as you know, to espouse "empty" lyrics such as tended to characterise disco, where the idea was get on the floor and dance, have a good time, there is only so much bloody sad soul-searching I can take, and I think I'm reaching my limit. The addition of her fucking child on the tracks also pisses me off, as I think nobody who knows me will be surprised to hear. I don't particularly like spoken word on tracks, but I really hate it when it's children. Keep them off the album. Doesn't Adele read the label? Keep away from children. Good advice; I always do. I mean, half of "My Little Love" is her sniffling into a hankie and wittering on about how hard her life is. She's one of the richest fucking young (sic) people on the planet, for fuck's sake! Where's the "Every Day We Lit" here? I can cry: I have nothing. I'm afraid I gots no sympathies for ya lady. Cry all the way to the bank, huh? :rolleyes:
At least "Cry Your Heart Out", instead of being another self-indulgent weepy ballad, is a relatively uptempo motown style soul song, but for me now, it's getting a little hard to take her seriously. Sure, you can say we've been with her for eleven years of her life, from teenager taking, as it were, her first steps in the real world to, now, a woman broken by her divorce and trying to find meaning she can impart behind that to her son, but, um, what's the word? Oh yeah: enough! Give us a dance song, a getting drunk song, a cruising-along-with-the-top-down song - fucking anything other than sad, reflective, soul-searching self-pity. It's wearing wafer thin now. Got to move on.
Ok, "Oh My God" keeps the tempo up and while the lyrical matter is still self-serving and indulgent, it's something you can dance to (not me: you don't want to see me dance, take my word for it!) while the acoustic songs are back with "Can I Get It", oddly, perhaps conversely, the first of her songs I really have not liked. Just annoys me; sounds very ordinary and formulaic, which kind of invalidates what I just said earlier. Oh well. That's soon forgotten when we get to "I Drink Wine", which I have to admit I was kind of dreading, given that it says it was cut down from a 15-minute version, but it's damned good, a real gospel/blues/soul hybrid with a pretty challenging lyric, wherein she seeks to sort her life out, or, as she says herself, get over herself.
Without meaning to be racist, she sounds a lot blacker on this album, so much so that had I not known who she was I would have pictured her as an entirely different woman. She also has both her longest and shortest songs on this one, with "All Night Parking" missing the three-minute mark, and both the last two just short of seven. The last track, "Love is a Game" is a great way to wrap the album up, but I'd still say 21 is the only one I would be bothered listening to again, if I should do that. Some great tracks here, but some fairly weak ones too.
So again, what's the verdict? Well, I can't in fairness deny she's one hell of a singer and a very good songwriter, and I guess like some stars it's not her fault that she's been labelled as she has, carrying the "musical hopes of a generation", or whatever you're having yourself. Unlike Sheeran, she doesn't, from what I read, revel in her fame or feel herself above others, and does seem quite genuine. I couldn't honestly say I love her now, but I can honestly say I don't hate her. In fact, I imagine the odd time when I'm in the right mood I might listen to 21, though the rest of her music would be a specially picked playlist - I don't see myself listening to any of the other albums all the way through again. I still don't see how it is that she's seen to have changed music for the twenty-first century, or why her new albums are seen as a "global cultural event" - I mean, to use a technical term which you may have to look up if you're not a writer, that's pure bollocks.
Certainly I can see how she veered the general direction of - some! - pop music away from the more throwaway paths taken by I guess Kylie, Charlie XCX and Lady Gaga, and could probably be said to write music for the thinking woman (let's be under no illusions here: I'm sure she has her male fans, but the bulk have got to be female), but like the launch of the iPhone 20 or whatever, I don't feel I've missed out by not queueing for it all night or breathlessly awaiting its release. I mean, hyperbole aside, it's just music isn't it? Let's not get too bloody messianic here. Damn critics. Anyway, to answer my own question, no, she's not going on the list. Can't really love music like this, but equally I can't hate it. Or her.
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/l2Je2oLFzMYdgWhBS/200w.gif?cid=6c09b952azqjmmmmko827tbg394jx11oh6t9ivi30m9mrbfj&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)
(https://beeimg.com/images/o89641337052.jpg)