The Twilight craze and Katy Perry topping the charts proves

[midnightpulp]

Again dumbass, there is a difference between overall sales and sales during a particular year.

I am done with this you think the Monkees are worthy of respect and thats all I need to know.

Answer this question:

Were the Beatles the best selling musical act during their era, specifically between the years 1962 and 1970?

Yes or no?

Back up your idiotic claim that "society didn't think they were the best back then."

[Cant_Be_Faded]

What every supporter of the "You are yet another previous generation scoffing current generation music" theory forgets to realize is that the state of the industry from a MONEY standpoint has changed and shifted dramatically over the past 20 years, compared to the entire history of the music industry.

This cannot be ignored because it is the driving force of pretty much every aspect of life, much less popular music.

I truly believe in the "My generation thinks the future generation of music sucks" theory up to a certain point. But after the mid 90's I think it became an outdated theory. It doesn't work anymore because the paradigm has shifted....like four times..



Money is the prime mover, the ultimate mover, they can create anything and shove it down your throats and gaurantee themselves ultimate profits...for a current example look at Justin Beiber and Drake.

[midnightpulp]

What every supporter of the "You are yet another previous generation scoffing current generation music" theory forgets to realize is that the state of the industry from a MONEY standpoint has changed and shifted dramatically over the past 20 years, compared to the entire history of the music industry.

This cannot be ignored because it is the driving force of pretty much every aspect of life, much less popular music.

I truly believe in the "My generation thinks the future generation of music sucks" theory up to a certain point. But after the mid 90's I think it became an outdated theory. It doesn't work anymore because the paradigm has shifted....like four times..

Money is the prime mover, the ultimate mover, they can create anything and shove it down your throats and gaurantee themselves ultimate profits...for a current example look at Justin Beiber and Drake.

Totally agree with this.

Technology has also played a huge role in altering our collective tastes, for the worse in my opinion. We interact with entertainment much differently than 10 or 15 years ago. We are overwhelmed with constant stimulation and have to develop a short attention span by necessity to keep up with it. On the internet, you can go from watching a Youtube video, to posting on a forum, to reading about something on Wikipedia, to listening to a song from your favorite band, to streaming an episode of a TV show on Netflix, to bidding on something on eBay, all in the matter of a couple of hours.

After a length of time interacting with media this way will no doubt have an effect on your perception. It's no secret why today's films have faster cuts, or why modern pop music moves around so much instead of settling into a melody.

It's had an effect on me, as well. I used to be a 100 page a day reader. Since I've gotten my laptop and a highspeed internet connection, I now average probably 5 pages a day. I can't keep focused like I used to without my mind wandering to other things.

[midnightpulp]

By who? You?



They didn't play their own instruments and lipsynced at their concerts.
At least they were on TV.

They were a gimmick band trying to entice teenage girls. Thats like saying Nsync is a respected band.

You need to get yourself a book on rock history and read it ten times over. It was only initially that the Monkees didn't play their own instruments. Fact is, they were capable musicians, although none them could play the drums.

"Real or Fake band?
When the Monkees toured the U.K.in 1967, there was a major controversy over the revelation that the group did not always play all of their own instruments in the studio, although they did play them all while touring (except for the solo segments, which used backing band the Candy Store Prophets). The story made the front pages of several UK and international music papers, with the group derisively dubbed "The Pre-Fab Four". Nevertheless, they were generally welcomed by many British stars, who realized the group included talented musicians and sympathized with their wish to have more creative control over their music, and the Monkees frequently socialized with the likes of The Beatles, the Spencer Davis Group, and The Who.

The Monkees performing "What Am I Doin' Hangin' 'Round" in 1967. (l to r: Nesmith, Jones, Dolenz, Tork)
Many Monkees fans argued that the controversy unfairly targeted the band, while conveniently ignoring the fact that a number of leading British and American groups (including critical favorites such as the Byrds and the Beach Boys) habitually used session players on their recordings...including many of the very same musicians who performed on records by the Monkees.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees

Some reviews:

Review by Tim Sendra
After wresting control of the Monkees from Don Kirschner and recording the very good Headquarters album as a mostly self-contained unit, the bandmembers returned to using studio musicians to augment their sound as well as looking outside the group for the majority of the songs on their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Whatever the reason for the decision, the resulting album is one of their best. Filled with hooky pop like "She Hangs Out" and the Harry Nilsson-penned "Cuddly Toy," psychedelic ravers "Daily Nightly" and "Star Collector" (both of which feature the newly invented Moog synthesizer), Mike Nesmith-produced rockers ("Love Is Only Sleeping"), and ballads (the lovely "Don't Call on Me"), the album is filler-free and fun-filled. That it contains three of their finest songs ("Words," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and the song that "invented" country-rock for better or for worse, "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?") means that not only is it one of the Monkees' best, it is one of 1967's best. To think that both this album and Headquarters came out the same year! Most bands would be lucky to have two albums this good come out their entire career. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is a must-have for any fan of smart, fun, and exciting '60s pop. It doesn't get much better than this. [Rhino's 1995 reissue of the album adds seven previously unreleased songs including alternate versions of "Daily Nightly" and "Star Collector."]

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:bnex97i7krjt

Review by Tim Sendra
After the release of More of the Monkees, on which the band had little involvement beyond providing vocals and a couple Mike Nesmith-composed songs, the pre-fab four decided to take control of their recording destiny. After a well-timed fist through the wall of a hotel suite and many fevered negotiations, music supervisor Don Kirschner was out and the band hit the studio by themselves. With the help of producer Chip Douglas, the band spent some time learning how to be a band (as do ented on the Headquarters Sessions box set) and set about recording what turned out to be a dynamic, exciting, and impressive album. Headquarters doesn't contain any of the group's biggest hits, but it does have some of their best songs, like Nesmith's stirring folk-rocker "You Just May Be the One," the pummeling rocker "No Time," the MOR soul ballad "Forget That Girl," which features one of Davy Jones' best vocals, Peter Tork's shining moment as a songwriter, "For Pete's Sake," and the thoroughly amazing (and surprisingly political) "Randy Scouse Git," which showed just how truly out-there and almost avant-garde Micky Dolenz could be when he tried. Even the weaker songs like the sweet-as-sugar "I'll Spend My Life with You," the slightly sappy "Shades of Gray," or the stereotypically showtune-y Davy Jones vehicle "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" work, as they benefit from the stripped-down and inventive arrangements (which feature simple but effective keyboards from Tork and rudimentary pedal steel fills from Nesmith) and passionate performances. Headquarters doesn't show the band to be musical geniuses, but it did prove they were legitimate musicians with enough brains, heart, and soul as anyone else claiming to be a real band in 1967. [Rhino's 1995 reissue adds six previously unissued tracks recorded during the Headquarters sessions including an early take of the single "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" and rare demos "Nine Times Blue" and "Pillow Time."]

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:sjdovwnva9tk

Sorry, dude, but you don't know .

[midnightpulp]

Again dumbass, there is a difference between overall sales and sales during a particular year.

I am done with this you think the Monkees are worthy of respect and thats all I need to know.

Uh, the 60s era would cons ute "back then" and the people who lived during that time would cons ute "society." So in' what if The Monkees or Herb Albert outsold the Beatles for a particular year, they still won the decade, which proves that "society did think they were the best back then."

Anyhow, classic made message board move. Someone not being able to substantiate an argument resorting to the "I'm done with you because you think..." Besides, me stating The Monkees are a respected band, which is a fact BTW, has nothing to do with your claim that "society didn't think the Beatles were the best back then" and my subsequent refutation of it.

[Cleveland Steamer]

To be unaware of the "alternative" is inexcusable in today's world. With the Internet, you can expose yourself to anything with the touch of the button. I remember having to s out 40.00 for artsy-fartsy foreign movies. Now you can stream such movies instantly with Netflix.

What does it tell you when people have become more myopic and resistant to exploration when the access to information has expanded, literally, a million-fold in the last 15 years?

i get what you're saying with this thread but I'm just wondering. is this all based off personal observations of the people around you or is there some kind of evidence that people have become more myopic and resistant to the alternative? just because people are buying Katy Perry and watching Twilight doesn't necessarily mean that they and the rest of the people out there are not exploring other information/entertainment too.

[bigzak25]

Guys, why use your knowledge to argue?

Better to use your opinions of good music to post the good music.

We'd all love to hear the songs you feel are really good.

Youtube is a goldmine.

Thanks in advance!

[Shelly]

Lady Gaga may have sold out for fame, but she's actually very talented...

Stefani Germanotta

[midnightpulp]

Lady Gaga may have sold out for fame, but she's actually very talented...

Stefani Germanotta

I can dig that, and as much disdain I've thrown her way in this thread, I admit that she's talented and realize that "The Fame Monster" has received a good deal of critical praise.

"Poker Face" got her music off on the wrong foot with me and I find her forced image that desperately tries to recall everyone from Warhol to Bowie extremely annoying. I haven't been able to remain objective about anything concerning her even since.

That said, I think she has the potential to become an important artist. Katy Perry, on the other hand, is completely worthless as a musical talent.

[redzero]

I can get a 9.0 on pitchfork. Just say that I'm indie, grow a neckbeard and make music.

Or if your name is Thom Yorke.

[IronMexican]

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9183-the-eraser/

[redzero]

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9183-the-eraser/

No need to be so literal.

[IronMexican]

do agree that I have no idea how HTTT got anything over an 8.5.

It's a slightly above average album.

[redzero]

You might as well throw Amnesiac into that pool, too.

[DMX7]

Katheryn Hudson is the WORST! The lyrics to her songs make Britney Spears' seem intelligent.

[IronMexican]

Amnesiac > HTTT

[redzero]

Amnesiac > HTTT

Either way, every other Radiohead album besides Pablo Honey is better than those two.

[IronMexican]

Agreed. Though I prefer Amnesiac over The Bends at the moment. I just get tired of that 90's alt sound so easily.

[z0sa]

Agreed. Though I prefer Amnesiac over The Bends at the moment. I just get tired of that 90's alt sound so easily.

that's a great avatar. so many think of floyd as a stoner band with no merit ( got ballijuana) when they were extremely adult and politically charged for most of their prime.

[IronMexican]

Animals is the best work they ever did.

[z0sa]

Animals is the best work they ever did.

While my inner Floydian agrees with you, it's hard for me to put it above The Wall or Dark Side or WYWH. Just because all of those albums are so great.

[fraga]

[midnightpulp]

But do you like her music?

[fraga]

She sings???

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Jesus those are impressive melons.