What's so great about...?
 

Borrowing a little from someone else's idea in another subforum, I'd like to explore the fact that some people think certain bands are great and yet I've heard nothing by them or know much of them. It would be nice to get a feel for why people think this artiste is great, and some recs. Obviously anyone can ask about any other band/artiste, but I'd like to start it off by asking what's so great about

THE BLACK KEYS?

I've heard they're supposed to be the future of rock, and "El Camino" one of the albums of last year, but is it that great, and are they? What is it that separates them from other bands of this genre and are they worth checking out? Who else, if anyone, do they sound like or what should I expect?

I don't have a ton of input to give, not really my cup of tea though they are similar to the white stripes in some ways. To me personally they are a bit overated, not all that original just kind of a mesh of music.

I'd say they are similar to bands like Jet, The White Stripes and The Strokes, and they are worth a listen. A bit of the fuss may come from the fact that they appeal to a much younger audience than other blues rock bands, which makes them more popular. They're good, but not great.

I've recently just gotten into The Black Keys, and I can see the appeal, but I wouldn't say I listened to them because I thought they were amazing, I just know they get a lot of hype, and I wanted to see what it was all about. I will say that I do think there is a lot of talent to be heard, but nothing out of the ordinary.

My thoughts.
I think Imagine Dragons gets quite a lot of attention now, a bit too much, maybe. Why? They sound like everyone else in my opinion.

I feel the same about Imagine Dragons. One guy here was going on about them so much I was afraid there'd be a mess (!) and so I got the album to see what the fuss was about. They were ok but really nothing special. Seems to be what everyone's saying (so far) about the Black Keys too. Thanks for the info guys. I may yet check them out just out of interest but at least now I have a reasonable idea I'm not missing out on anything wonderful.

^I'd say you should still check out The Black Keys though, because they do have a pretty good sound for what it's worth, just don't expect anything amazing.

People are way too curious about the origin of their name, as well. It's an anagram for something and only the band knows the original phrase, apparently.

I like a bit of old-school blues now and again but most blues rock usually fails to capture my interest. I'm as picky as f**k when it comes to certain genres though, I like The White Stripes and The Kills but The Black Keys have never really hit the spot for me. They're not doing anything wrong as such, it's just that their sound doesn't appeal to me. Jet were ****ing terrible though, they had absolutely nothing new to offer music.

I saw The Black Keys at Antone's in Austin TX at the 2003 SXSW music festival. They were a lot of fun as a live act (especially after downing a few pints!) but I can't say their studio albums have made a lasting impact on me, however.

What's so great about...

Foals

^Their first album for a start. They combine genuine songwriting craft with quirkiness and irregular guitar playing.
The sounds are often unconventional yet catchy. Their second album felt bigger, it was definitely more ambitious but it's still pretty great if one can get over the pretentious nature of the hushed toned 'Spanish Sahara' the albums only weak point, but hell I once saw a facebook appreciation page hailing that song as 'perfect' so that's obviously an opinion not shared by anyone.

I've only listened to their new album once, so will have to give further analysis but Foals are a consistent, energetic, talented group who use signature switches and progression to make really catchy and well layered tracks.

I've given each one of their records a listen but I really fail to hear the appreciation it gets every which way. They're just a band I really want to like, but I just can't.

You're over thinking it man. You shouldn't have to force yourself to like any band. Try Antidotes again. If you're not feeling it perhaps you're just struggling to relate to it. I can't really offer a solution, I'd say keep them in your music collection and one day it might just click.
The complexity in their guitar patterns may confuse some but they're no where near intricate enough to alienate the listener in my opinion.

I will one day return to Foals, with the hopes that it'll click, but until then I'll enjoy the only song by Foals I really love.

I think their appeal largely comes from the desire for a more simplistic rock sound reminiscent of days gone by. The whole post-grunge movement seemed to strip mainstream rock music of their balls (Days of the New are one of the few exceptions), and with the rise of hip hop in the late '90's, there were a lot of middle aged white people who longed to relive their youth. The whole garage rock revival was one of those things that came along at the right time, but The Black Keys were always kind of on the fringe of that movement, largely overshadowed by The White Stripes. Come 2005 though, The White Stripes deviated from the raw sound of their first few albums, and while you can hear a noticeable progression in The Black Keys' albums, there were still enough songs for you to rock out to during your commute.

Can someone please explain the appeal of the Odd Future crew, specifically Tyler, the Creator. I listened to "Yonkers" and I was just left with a resounding "meh". I know a fair amount of people seem underwhelmed by Wolf, so I guess I want to know why 2009-2012 seemed to be the time of Odd Future.

RE: Odd Future, I think they just piqued the interest of many because they were a young group of kids who were producing and writing their own stuff which was making waves because of its provocative and off-the-wall style.

Their music was never particularly great but many were fans because of the fact that 16/17 year olds were putting out rap music about everyday things. It was impressive.
Tyler was the leader of the collective as they diversified into clothing, Youtube videos, producing, etc. He personified the groups attitude more than most. After people started to take notice of them and their popularity surged with the increase of teenage fans.
The groups popularity probably peaked off around 2011 when EARL and Goblin were released. They showcased an accumulation in two years of hype.

Goblin was one of my favourite albums for a time because of its controversial nature and out-there approach to beats and song structure.
However, after a while it lots it effect and the novelty value wears off. Nothing's as controversial the second time you hear it. I guess their music just couldn't stand up when people were looking past the persona's.

I've never fallen completely for daft punk. Like I see how it's pretty timeless and way ahead of the game - but disregarding the live aspect, I just don't understand how the studio albums are so huge.

I think they're pretty good, and maybe the best I know in electronic music. People aren't willing to did deep to find good music, so if they find a decent band on the surface, they'll stick with it.

Very well put.

What is so great about Brand New? I like a lot of ****ty 90's indie, and I want to get into teenage-girl rock. Help me.

People seek community, that's why they join subcultures. Some of the major contemporary subcultures are emo/scene and hipster. When indie rock and emo became marketable, labels would find bands with slight relation to the genres and word-label them. Brand New is one of those bands, and their indie background makes them appeal to hipsters as well as emos. Labels tell people what to listen to. It doesn't have to be something great, it just has to be simple. People don't seem to care if it is good, they'll listen to whatever is available. Crappy bands are popular because they are marketable, simple, and appealing to the listeners. Brand New is all of those. That's why they sell, without being as good as you would think they are when they are so popular.

Excellent advice. I will continue listening to whatever the hell I want.

Excellent choice.

Then you need The Runaways in your life.

The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is a great album. The rest of their discography can burn, but this album is legitimately good, not in terms of "teenage-girl rock", but in terms of music.

i already love this band but it is only helpful in banging milfs, girls these days hate themselves they don't wanna hear girly voices from women, they wanna hear girly voices from men.

Somebody old me in a thread earlier that all the girly-Saves the Day-esque- Rock sucks anyway, I like that advice because I can keep on listening to The Fall.

Somebody old me.

Damn you. I will download this now.

The closest album I could compare this to is The Moon & Antarctica, so if you're a fan of that, this is a similar vein. Oft loud, a bit noisy, terribly melodic, and one of the few teengirlemoscene albums I will not pretend I've never listened to.

Who insulted Saves the Day-esque rock? Saves the Day is amazing!

What's so great about Justin Bieber?

Well, the only things positive I can say about the kid is 1. he seems like a good sport and from what I've seen (not a lot) he has a sense of humor about himself, 2. I saw him play drums on Letterman and he's a very competent drummer. Not that he plays drums for a living, and there's a million drummers that play as well or better in the world, but I wasn't 100% convinced that those other drummers utterly sucked. I was shocked and impressed for a few minutes at least.

But I'd still rather bathe in ice water for 20 minutes than listen to any JB music as it currently stands.

He has a talent for making everything else sound amazing.

1. Brand New aren't 'indie'
2. They released their first album in 2001.
3. Teenage-girl rock? You're looking in the wrong place.

I'm not usually the person to listen to "teenage-girl rock" but The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is a brilliant album regardless of what pigeonhole people place it in.

Can someone please tell me what is go great about Cap'n Jazz? Specifically the album *takes deep breath* Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped On and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over. Despite the interesting album name I don't find their sound all that interesting. I found them slightly annoying to be honest.

Not much. It's the same old Teen Music thing, but with better hype and more money. There may be a little Guitar playing for those Acoustic gimmicks he releases, more entertainment media writers going on about his "music", and a group of people who co-write with him that have an ear for what's commercial to the younger people, but it's business as usual. The whole Turning 18 thing also gave him another 15 Minute Contract, which I'm sure there's only three allowed these days if one's lucky to actually survive enough to get to the second one, so there's maybe one more before the fall happens.

I predict that either he's going to burn out soon or that the public interest will. Don't know how, but I expect it soon. (Keep wishing...)

Cap'N'Jazz didn't do it for me on first listen either, I was put off by the low-fi production and a vocalist who couldn't really sing. It all sounded rather amateur. But I returned and when it clicked, it clicked. Their songs are energetic, witty, catchy and they have a great consistency. I listen to 'analphabetapolothology' in its entirety, it's all their work on one record and it doesn't grate me at around 39 tracks long.
They've definitely got character but they also are talented musicians so they don't solely rely on their quirkiness (which you saw as annoying)

What's so great about you guys' opinions?

^ /thread

As far as I kno their just ALRIGHT!