What are you listening to Today?

[WWDog]

Went to the International Accordion Festival here in San Antonio yesterday. I have not been a big accordion person in the past so I was somewhat skeptical. I had a blast! A couple of guys were simply amazing. A Spanish guy that was accompanied by a drummer and a guitar player playing Baroque style was really good. They had a very big guy named Ivan from Bulgaria that had fingers that flew across the keyboard. They had a group from NO called the Zydepunks that played some very interesting music. A group from Washington state played CW with an accordion in the mix. The most fun though was the crowd. There were people dancing and eating street food with gusto. I haven't seen the Riverwalk and La Vieta that lively since I have been here. The weather was a bit on the cool side but just right for an outdoor festival. If you are ever looking for a get away in October, I highly recommend this festival.

[inudesu]

I find the guitar work trite, the drums way too simplistic, and Scott Stapp a copycat poser lacking any unique vocal style. I can drill down further if you want. The guitar work is nothing more than rehashing of the chunky power chord arrangements of the early to mid 90s. The guitar effects are unidimensional. It is either clean with reverb, distortion with compression, or straight flange. When the guitarist changes between effects, it is very sudden - you can actually picture the guy standing on the stage stepping on the pedal to lead into the bridge. Not 100 percent sure but the guitar has no character - it sounds like a Gibson running through a solid state amp. The drums are extremely well recorded so you can here every weak detail the guy puts in there. Completeley uninspiring.

http://www.slate.com/id/2233082

Something you'll enjoy.

[Guisslapp]

http://www.slate.com/id/2233082

Something you'll enjoy.

Wow, it is like this guy read my post and tried to write a rebuttal.

Creed was formulaic, but that's only an insult if the formula doesn't work.

Really? I guess if you don't one iota about creativity.

[inudesu]

The best part of that is the link to the NY Times article about Pandora. Very interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/ma...Pandora-t.html

[Guisslapp]

The best part of that is the link to the NY Times article about Pandora. Very interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/ma...Pandora-t.html

I thought I invented this concept in college. No lie, you can ask my roommate. The only difference is that I thought it could be used to create pop music formulas that would be used to create "new" optimized music that would sell tons of records to the masses.

[Brian96]

I thought I invented this concept in college. No lie, you can ask my roommate. The only difference is that I thought it could be used to create pop music formulas that would be used to create "new" optimized music that would sell tons of records to the masses.

I think it already is, man. Not Pandora, but I think there are computer-run algorithms they are using to try to put together sure-sell records. That's okay. It's the American way!

[Brian96]

Listening to "Turning Japanese"

...and thinking of Inudesu and Ktulu.

[CChandler]

I think it already is, man. Not Pandora, but I think there are computer-run algorithms they are using to try to put together sure-sell records. That's okay. It's the American way!

the Black Eyed Peas are an algorithm

[T_Won]

Wow, it is like this guy read my post and tried to write a rebuttal.



Really? I guess if you don't one iota about creativity.

I still don't get it Guisslapp! I'm glad I have you at my disposal to discuss this. Again, I'm not a Creed fan, per se... but I respect their music.

Check out this quick video on the guitar player and explain to this dumb listener (me) why I should not respect this. (if you don't mind)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65H3zDGcOkM

and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1elpMjZ4wE&NR=1

(I couldn't acquire this kind of talent in 2 lifetimes, IMO).

[Guisslapp]

I still don't get it Guisslapp! I'm glad I have you at my disposal to discuss this. Again, I'm not a Creed fan, per se... but I respect their music.

Check out this quick video on the guitar player and explain to this dumb listener (me) why I should not respect this. (if you don't mind)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65H3zDGcOkM

and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1elpMjZ4wE&NR=1

(I couldn't acquire this kind of talent in 2 lifetimes, IMO).

All the technical talent in the world is meaningless if you apply it tastelessly or without creativity. He is way more talented than I will ever be at the guitar, for sure, but Creed's music sucks.

BTW, his pick sweeping is really not that fast, and he is using a delay effect to make it sound faster. He clearly has the technical ability to be a professional guitarist - I don't and never will - but there are hundreds of recording guitarists who have greater technical ability, although he could definitely give the Edge a run for his money.

The problem with being a good technician is that people will always surpass you making you lose rank on a list of "fastest guitarists", but if you exercise good creativity and taste your contribution will be forever appreciated.

In short, there is just nothing memorable or inspiring about his sound or style.

[T_Won]

All the technical talent in the world is meaningless if you apply it tastelessly or without creativity. He is way more talented than I will ever be at the guitar, for sure, but Creed's music sucks.

BTW, his pick sweeping is really not that fast, and he is using a delay effect to make it sound faster. He clearly has the technical ability to be a professional guitarist - I don't and never will - but there are hundreds of recording guitarists who have greater technical ability, although he could definitely give the Edge a run for his money.

The problem with being a good technician is that people will always surpass you making you lose rank on a list of "fastest guitarists", but if you exercise good creativity and taste your contribution will be forever appreciated.

In short, there is just nothing memorable or inspiring about his sound or style.

I see. It's not that they are not talented, just that they are chasing the dollar rather than trying to invent something that sounds different?

[Guisslapp]

I see. It's not that they are not talented, just that they are chasing the dollar rather than trying to invent something that sounds different?

Yes, I am not saying they don't have the required level of technical ability to be good musicians. They either lack taste and creativity OR they have decided to ignore these qualities in favor of getting paid.

[DogsWin]

Pearl Jam- Black, with a cameo by DwayneFromMinden at the 3:10 mark and getting his groove on at the 4:30 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3QMQ...eature=related

[Guisslapp]

Pearl Jam- Black, with a cameo by DwayneFromMinden at the 3:10 mark and getting his groove on at the 4:30 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3QMQ...eature=related

Interesting that you bring up PJ, since Creed used to be a PJ cover band in Tallahassee.

[Bigdog13]

Interesting that you bring up PJ, since Creed used to be a PJ cover band in Tallahassee.

You can tell.