Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Underrated: Unexpect, Ulver, Korekyojin.

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TockTockTock

Then you must have pretty low standards for something to be overrated.

starrynight

Not really. There are lots of places where people give opinions on music. I looked at hundreds of albums released last year and many lists. Tallest Man on Earth did feature quite a lot by my standards.

Of course if someone does something interesting who I didn't like before I will say so. I didn't really think much of Sufjan Stevens until his album last year, but I thought that cd was ok.

clutnuckle

Overrated = artistic merit is exceeded by popularity. The difference between mine and yours is that you think just because you don't like something, and other people do, that it's overrated. I do not like Wire. Wire are not overrated. Not liking something is no reason to feel compelled to belittle them by using a word that doesn't even work for the situation.

Given it's an 'objective' thing, and given that objectivity in musical discussion leads nowhere, you'll see why discussing which bands are overrated is so worthless. Discussing what's underrated is okay because it comes from a place in the mind where you actually want to spread the love of music. The term 'overrated' just leads to scoffing and 'YOU'RE ALL SHEEP AHHHHH'.

Those two things are exactly what it has to do with... I'm saying that people who use the word generally have personal reasons, and not ones that make sense in context of the situation. Talking about their artistic merit, their influence, their popularity... That's all valid. What isn't valid is saying "Man, I heard one of their songs on the radio the other day and I didn't like it. Overrated hipster pitchfork-approved tripe!"

starrynight

I base my opinion on far more than just one song. I don't dismiss any future recordings of an artist just because I didn't like what they did before. See the Sufjan Stevens example in my last post. If I don't like something it's because I don't think it has artistic merit.

If I don't feel yet qualified to talk about someone's music because I don't know them or a style well enough then I don't give an opinion on it. I think you are making alot of assumptions about what I have heard and how seriously I take it. I don't have anything personally against any artist (and I don't feel any artist represents me either), I just listen to their music as music.

clutnuckle

When I put things in quotations, I'm taking a drastic example. If you feel as though those particular comments are directed at you even though I'm obviously pumping them full of absurdity, then I apologize.

Though your bolded part is absolute rubbish. "I don't think it has..." is not an objective statement. It shows opinion, perspective, position, etc. Accept the fact that you have an opinion, not something set in stone. As you delve further into music, you're going to come across more and more that you don't like, and it's not always the musician's fault.

starrynight

Where did I say it wasn't an opinion? I still stand by my opinion though. And believe me I have heard ALOT of music already, and I'm always listening to more. I'm always looking to expand my taste as well, but things which don't help me do that or don't satisfy areas I am already well acquainted with I will not support.

clutnuckle

I never said that you said it wasn't an opinion. You were merely treating your opinion as though it were objective.

It doesn't bother me if you don't support that which doesn't tickle your fancy (I really don't think anybody does), but it's no reason to disparage the artist/band by deeming them 'overrated'. Not supporting is not the same as ruining support. I don't necessarily support Band X, but I also wouldn't go out of my way to ruin their reputation. Doing such a thing just makes it seems as though 'overrated' and 'personal opinion' are the same thing, when they clearly aren't.

TockTockTock

For the record, it probably wouldn't be on the radio.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Honestly, I thought the point of having an underrated/overrated thread was to say what you think is overrated, and underrated without the scrutiny of others analyzing your motives.

Ease up, guys. If Starry Night thinks everything praised by pitchfork is overrated, it's fine. Doesn't indicate she isn't analyzing these things from experience listening to them. S/he could, or couldn't have. Doesn't matter either way, hurts the spirit of the thread though if you point the finger and say "I see this all the time, and it's people who refuse to judge things on their musical merit." it kind of hurts the relief in being able to publicly announce that you think something is overrated.

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Al Pacino = God