The Unbearable Idiocy of Pop Music Elitism

**Janszoon** · 01-22-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I hated the Beatles for many years, purely on the basis of their fans and acclaim, and then I grew up and gave Abbey Road an opportunity, and admitted that it's a great pop record, regardless of anybody's stigma. You can still respect their work without enjoying it, and can still admit their influence without calling them the "greatest band on earth". Seems silly to let popular opinion ruin music instead of music ruining music.

I, on the other hand, have given the Beatles numerous opportunities and they just don't do it for me. So constantly being told that have to respect them just makes me like them less.

homosauce · 01-22-2011, 12:59 AM

this was a great question, Dr.Tchock. But on what grounds is the Beatles or Lady Gaga incomparable or not possibly as good as Beethoven or Mozart? they all sound good to my ears.

Paedantic Basterd · 01-22-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I, on the other hand, have given the Beatles numerous opportunities and they just don't do it for me. So constantly being told that have to respect them just makes me like them less.

I'm not demanding anything, simply observing that severe bias (in favour or otherwise) seems to keep most people from what I would consider a reasonable opinion in regards to this particular artist.

Dotoar · 01-22-2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

Re: Beatles for Sale...The opening killer song hat-trick is worth getting the album alone for opening up to Folk Rock styles. "I'm a Loser" is the winner with John opening up before "Help," showing off a good Dylan influence when having such a style was new. Maybe the rest of the album is half-killer half-filler plus one useless track in "Mr. Moonlight," but "No Reply," "I'm a Loser," and "Baby's in Black" certainly added a little to the Beatles' world.

There are some true highlights on "For sale" as well, "I'm a loser" being a personal favourite, but taken as a whole it's definitely the most stagnant record of their career. That's not to put it down or anything though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

Being a Beatles listener for years, I can see where some can get sick of all of the worship. Add to it that the music certainly ended about 40 years ago, not counting the Anthology add-ons, the time and generation gaps certainly can effect. To some, it's great, to others it's pretty much Dad Rock. Back in the day, a goal of The Beatles seemed to try to knock the old order out of the way (Despite some digressions, of course...yes, I'm referring to a couple of Mr. McCartney's songs like "Honey Pie"), which did result in the Producer Pop moving aside for a while along with other great things as well as some that were not so great (but that's a whole other thread). Keeping to human nature tradition, anyone in connection to now (or at least starting more with the Alternative Late 70's/80's), has a good chance to call The Beatles as over-rated, especially when there has been more edgier music from that period that is just as important but usually overlooked in the Media.

Certinaly Beatles Rock Band and all of the other exploitation which uses their music is not helping matters at all (Across the Universe, the film, anyone?).

Every band grows old over time of course, and The Beatles' share of the whole musical catalogue will shrink as well, that's just natural. Thus, there will be more and more options to choose from for every new generation but the fact that Beatles still attract new fans despite their numerous competitors that only grow in numbers, speaks volumes about their standards (not to mention whether all these subsequent bands would have been in the first place without Beatles before them). And as the new generation gets acquainted with them, maybe through the Rock Band exploitation (and yes, exploitation is a good thing), it has a good chance of getting to know more obscure acts further on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

Going to the review linked...
Some of the hatred in others gets linked in reviews to the fact that The Beatles helped Rock stay around and grow in it's influence when one's choice of music certainly can get overlooked, expecially if one's taste is more of a Classical or at least a non-Rock base. This makes it all the more tempting for one to develop a attitude against them, especially when the stage is the internet.

Then, there are those who just don't "Dig It."

Again, an opinion is to each their own.

For sure, noone is obliged to like the Beatles, or even "get" them, but that review in question, with its preposterous comparisation to classical music, is just, well, preposterous. I mean, talk about unbearable idiocy of elitism.

Howard the Duck · 01-22-2011, 06:22 AM

i have been called an elitist because I think Interstellar Overdrive is the best piece of music ever written

but hey I'm jiggy with it - i dig Lady Gaga

TheBig3 · 01-22-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

All of this boils down to one thing: music is personal.

the 70's called and asked for its shtick back.

Saying that the Beatles are the second coming of Gandhi is not a personal statement. Its being carted out as inherent truth.

Dotoar · 01-22-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

the 70's called and asked for its shtick back.

Saying that the Beatles are the second coming of Gandhi is not a personal statement. Its being carted out as inherent truth.

Do people say that? Isn't that just a more or less subconscious projection of a strawman from anti-Beatles elitists upon alleged Beatles fanboys?

Howard the Duck · 01-22-2011, 09:40 AM

i'd rather be a Beastie fanboy

**Janszoon** · 01-22-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dotoar

Do people say that? Isn't that just a more or less subconscious projection of a strawman from anti-Beatles elitists upon alleged Beatles fanboys?

Do people overstate the case for the Beatles? Hell yes.

Wyrd · 01-22-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Do people overstate the case for the Beatles? Hell yes.

I've heard hundred of different "reasons" for why they are the greatest band of all time. Some of their stuff is alright, but to me it just seems like cookie cutter feel good pop music. When they got more into the hippie movement, they just became even more unbearable.

01-22-2011, 12:59 AM	#32 (permalink)
homosauce Groupie Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 7	this was a great question, Dr.Tchock. But on what grounds is the Beatles or Lady Gaga incomparable or not possibly as good as Beethoven or Mozart? they all sound good to my ears.

01-22-2011, 06:22 AM	#35 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	i have been called an elitist because I think Interstellar Overdrive is the best piece of music ever written but hey I'm jiggy with it - i dig Lady Gaga

01-22-2011, 09:40 AM	#38 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	i'd rather be a Beastie fanboy