Well, new Bon Jovi was released yesterday and there was much rejoicing. What an awesome album, their best in a long time and I have kinda liked all of them. Catchy tunes, good riffs, all in all fun to listen to.
And here is what bothers me. Why is it these days that no matter how good an album is, if the band is seen as past its day then it must be cheesy and below standard. I have just noticed how bands get these old school reps when if they are still pumping out albums they are still contemporary. The Rolling Stones are a notable exception, although I think people are somewhat fascinated at how they managed to hold together after all the boozing and druggin they have done in their lives. My theory is they literally pickled themselves, not like they go home and sleep in a mason jar pickled, but pickled nonetheless.
Anyway, back to my point. Why does a band get old just because they have had more albums than the current trendy bands? It used to be a sign of respect, now it seems that some of these groups are met with near sympathy," They are still putting out albums, poor guys, don't know when to quit." Admittedly a band can put out a bad album but seriously a band that has proven itself time and again deserves respect, even if it isn't your thing.
I read the other day that Paul Anka just released his... get this.... 124th ablum!!!! That is totally insane. I myself do not listen to Paul Anka but the guy deserves respect. He wrote some truly classic tunes and has been a singer for generations, and therein lies the rub. Maybe music is a generational thing, although I still love the music my parents were into, Buddy Holly, Abba, you name it. I guess it just bugs me sometimes that people will slag bands that have stood the test of time while buying albums by artists that will be lucky to be left off the next "Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 00's."
3 comments:
U2 is another exception that you completely disregarded...
Perhaps it's not so much the music but the image that is steering people away from the music...
I, myself, still see Bon Jovi as 80's hair band... I didn't appreciate the music in the 80's, I didnt appreciate it in the 90's, so I can hardley be blamed for not liking it now (granted I haven't listened to it, but if I had, and I didnt like it, I suppose my argument would hold true)
Another way of looking at the image thing would be to take a band like the Beastie Boys... They're still using the same adolescent sound, the same adolescent lyrics, but they're lame now since theyre 30+ and doing the same stuff...
Good point, and wow I can't believe I left out U2 and the Beastie Boys. I think what I find fascinating about the whole thing is how the music video age has changed the way we appreciate music. I can't help but think Buddy Holly would have been hopelessly screwed if he had gotten a music video hehehe.
yeah, U2 came to mind instantly for me too...great career they've maintained.
Weird Al is an example of longevity too, gaining new generations of fans as they grow up. I think his career has been as impressive as U2's, in his own way...
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