So I got to thinking, do people feel obligated to like certain artists/certain albums.
I haven't heard anyone on here say anything against Pink Floyd, could it be that they're so good that everyone actually likes them?
It seems Dark Side Of The Moon makes every greatest album of all time's list, which I don't buy into because according to said lists; albums like Nevermind are considered better than everything that came thereafter.
Nirvana aren't even good. I mean, really what's so fantastic about them?
Remember the first time you heard Cobain growl and you weren't sure you liked it, but felt almost inclined to play along because everyone else liked it.
Could it be their records were so bad, that the hype surrounding them blinded or perhaps - deafened you to them. Made you ignorant of their sound.
Apologies for the second person perspective, this isn't aimed at anyone in particular, it just annoys me to think that Nirvana are considered one of the greatest bands of all time by out-of-touch publications and alienated individuals who think Cobain spoke to them.
He didn't. He didn't speak to anyone. Have you ever read his lyrics?
So how does this relate to Pink Floyd?
Are there those out there who feel bound to the band, swept up in waves of hype. I remember seeing some douchebag down the pub wearing a Pink Floyd shirt, I asked him his favourite album, he couldn't think of one.
Now, I'm not a Pink Floyd fan, I don't wear the t-shirts, I don't tout their praises mindlessly on facebook. But even I know and own some of their albums.
Does this douchebag represent the people who feel obligated to like critically renowned bands like Pink Floyd?
I listened to Dark Side of the Moon again yesterday. I've been listening to it a fair bit recently. I work at a bar in a Spannish restaurant/hotel and it's a requirement to always have music on. To be fair to my employers, it's not a bad selection of albums I have at my disposal excluding the Bing Crosby Christmas album which I am denouncing before even playing.
First shift I worked, I browsed the music collection and picked out Dark Side of the Moon.
I played it, most shifts I do.
There's a certain calm amongst the technical musicianship which makes for good background music, the soothing lyrics that hit on Breathe after a few minutes of progressive build, a.k.a the first track.
I listen to it with headphones at home, the sounds are clearer, crisper, the layers of instruments become more apparent, quite clever in arrangement.
Yesterday, not only did I listen to Dark Side of the Moon, but I also listened to this record again;
For those of you unfamiliar with this record, which I'd wager most are as this forum is deprived of post-hardcore fans to the best of my knowledge, it's by a band called The Blood Brothers. The album 'Burn Piano Island Burn'
Now, I can't think of two more polarising albums in terms of sound, but these two records are much more similar than one may think.
First off, I'll start by saying, I don't really understand either record, but I enjoy listening to them regardless.
Dark Side of the Moon is good, no doubt. But I don't understand its cult following.
Sure, technically, the band are talented musicians, but is it the most technically astute record ever? No.
Sure there are nice harmonies which makes for easy listening, especially when compared to Burn Piano Island Burn, but is it the most harmonic, smoothest album ever? No.
Perhaps it's an all-rounder? Its versatility may be the reason for its long lasting success.
I don't understand all the hype though. Sure it's good, but what exactly qualifies it as one of the best records ever?
I haven't delved deep into the albums meaning. I'm sure there's some deep-rooted concept that leaves Pink Floyd fans in floods of their own semen, but that doesn't interest me.
As I said in my first Journal entry. I want music to mean something to me.
Perhaps this is why I struggle to connect with this record. It doesn't really speak to me. I have listened a number of times, and although I quite like it and its good music to fall asleep to, it never stays in my memory.
Can I recall the latter part of the album? No.
I listened yesterday.
You may think this is due to a lack of memory proficiency on my behalf.
On the contrary, the first time I heard Blood Brothers's 'Burn Piano Island Burn' it sunk into my subconscious straight away.
It was one of those records that the opening few seconds of the opening song, I thought 'wow, this is different? I don't understand what this is but I don't really care'
I listened on intently searching for answers as to what it was I was listening to. To this day, I have no idea.
Burn Piano Island Burn is one of the most energetic, chaotic records I've ever heard. Constantly jumping around with its infectious 'catchiness' (not a real word, perhaps I should consult a thesauras) and outright off-the-wall attitude supported by a vocalist who squeaks, squeals, screams and serenades in the oddest of fashion.
The record kept me coming back due to its raw enthusiasm and charisma.
Every time I listen, it's an incredible blast of noisy yet really well structured and cleverly processed carnage.
Dark Side of the Moon keeps me coming back in my search for it to finally click, for it to finally ingrain itself in my memory, for it to finally make sense to me.
Maybe in that I favour a record like Burn Piano Island Burn to Dark Side of the Moon speaks volumes about me.
Dark Side of the Moon is calm; controlled, reliable and soothing.
Burn Piano Island Burn is erratic; wild, antagonistic and attitudinal.
Both have the distinction of being very good records performed by talented sets of musicians. Similar in that they both leave me puzzled.
I read so much about The Blood Brothers clever lyrics. How clever and witty they are.
I have no doubt they are very clever. However I have no idea what these lyrics are.
I have no idea what the two front men are saying through their vast vocal range as the screams are hard for me to translate.
Sure, I can pick out words here and there, but it doesn't matter what they're saying. Just like when struggling to interpret a love scene from a foreign romantic film or even listening to Gangam Style, it's better not to know what's being said. Knowing may take away from the moment. Take away from what you think of the song/scene.
I like Burn Piano Island Burn so much because I don't understand it.
It's just a fun record which leaves you humming the various disorderly melodies.
I don't need it to be made crystal clear, some things are better left not said.
In contrast, I see the two records as so;
Imagine watching a gazelle drinking majestically from the lake in its natural habitat. A cool breeze in the air. Relaxed. Tranquil. It's a thing of beauty to watch nature in such surroundings.
This is Dark Side of the Moon.
Now imagine that same gazelle galloping frantically across the planes. It's being chased by a blood thirsty lion who roars on after it sensing the destruction it's about to cause in order to feast and salivating at the lips at the prospect of devouring its prey.
This is Burn Piano Island Burn.
Both are, whether you like it or not, displays of nature in motion.
Both are fascinating to watch in there own ways.
Just as nice as it is to see an old vintage car chugging along with the roof down on a sunday afternoon, it's also impossible to look away from a car crash.
For me, I find destruction fascinating. Watching the world crumble is unintentionally gripping.
Watching last years London Riots was the most glued to news coverage I've ever been.
It kept me coming back, not because I liked the thoughts of the many people suffering. No, because part of me was drawn to the intrigue of chaos.
Just like with Dark Side of the Moon, sure it's nice and I'd listen to it, it's not got the unorthodox and unpredictable nature which makes Burn Piano Island Burn so compelling.
I'm sure there are many would disagree, but perhaps I can relate to the Blood Brothers. Piano Island wherever it may be, it'd be a whole lot more interesting to see, burning.