Gang of Four

adidasss · 03-17-2021, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie Monday

yeah wtf how can you not be knocked off your feet by this

Yeah it's strange how the brain works, that song does nothing for me. I guess I just need a strong hook or some kind of melody to really grab me. They didn't really make any (to my knowledge or in my opinion). Such is the nature of post-punk I guess. :/

The closest they came I think is with Damaged goods.

It's funky and kind of fun but for me even this isn't hugely memorable. My brain just looks for more melody I guess, which is what the mid 00s "hipster bandwagon bands" managed to do.

The Batlord · 03-17-2021, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

Yeah it's strange how the brain works, that song does nothing for me. I guess I just need a strong hook or some kind of melody to really grab me. They didn't really make any (to my knowledge or in my opinion). Such is the nature of post-punk I guess. :/

The closest they came I think is with Damaged goods.

It's funky and kind of fun but for me even this isn't hugely memorable. My brain just looks for more melody I guess, which is what the mid 00s "hipster bandwagon bands" managed to do.

They have plenty of strong hooks. Hooks out the ass. They're in no way a difficult or complicated band tbh. They're kind of basic when it comes to being pretentious actually. I didn't respond to them strongly the first time I heard them but then the next time it clicked easily. Sometimes it just takes getting used to something. Of course maybe your taste is simply unrefined due to listening to glorified pop music for years like 2000s indie pop and fancying yourself an officionado when you were never anything more than a pleb. But here's the catchiest song ever anyway.

adidasss · 03-17-2021, 12:29 AM

^^ That one is pretty funky yes. Still, I think Franz Ferdinand made at least half a dozen songs which are much more catchy. But I am definitely a huge pop whore so...

Similar but much more poppy...what can I say...:/

The Batlord · 03-17-2021, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

^^ That one is pretty funky yes. Still, I think Franz Ferdinand made at least half a dozen songs which are much more catchy. But I am definitely a huge pop whore so...

Similar but much more poppy...what can I say...:/

Yeah that is no more pop than Gang of Four. I think you're mistaking for poppiness a more maximalized production style typical of modern bands with digital production as compared to the minimalist style of Gang of Four from a much less technologically advanced era. You might as well compare Queens of the Stone Age to "Smoke on the Water".

The Batlord · 03-17-2021, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

overproduction is pretty much synonymous with pop these days, so he's not really wrong on that

The **** are you on about? Overproduction does not equal pop. Overproduction being linked to more modern pop is a side issue.

adidasss · 03-17-2021, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Yeah that is no more pop than Gang of Four. I think you're mistaking for poppiness a more maximalized production style typical of modern bands with digital production as compared to the minimalist style of Gang of Four from a much less technologically advanced era. You might as well compare Queens of the Stone Age to "Smoke on the Water".

That's an interesting point, although I was convinced they are actually more catchy.

For me, while FFs instrumental music is not that dissimilar with GoF (maybe a bit more dancey), the counterpoint (and what balances them out for me) is the singing style which I genuinely think is more melodic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

the descriptor used normally is "angular" rather than "jangle" which is used in the guitar world to describe a very melodic chiming style of playing

also saying the second bolded statement should come with a ten year prison sentence, or at least an automatic MB permaban

Thanks! I didn't know that.

Regarding the latter, it's a matter of personal taste, and mine is not at all refined.

The Batlord · 03-17-2021, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

RIP Andy

truly one of the greatest guitarists ever

sorry your legacy was whored out for cash just for this limp bloke to say he prefers Franz Ferdinand

Srsly. I've never listened to Franz Ferdinand before whatshisname's post but it sounded less like influence and more like bourgious cultural appropriation.

adidasss · 03-17-2021, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Srsly. I've never listened to Franz Ferdinand before whatshisname's post but it sounded less like influence and more like bourgious cultural appropriation.

They belong to the same culture bruv, UK art school bourgeoise.

**Marie Monday** · 03-17-2021, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

Yeah it's strange how the brain works, that song does nothing for me. I guess I just need a strong hook or some kind of melody to really grab me. They didn't really make any (to my knowledge or in my opinion). Such is the nature of post-punk I guess. :/

The closest they came I think is with Damaged goods.

It's funky and kind of fun but for me even this isn't hugely memorable. My brain just looks for more melody I guess, which is what the mid 00s "hipster bandwagon bands" managed to do.

Lack of melody is not a feature of post punk. It is often a feature of Gang of Four, at least when it comes to the vocals (the guitars are sharp and clear and can be melodic I think). But like Bat said they still have plenty of hooks, in the case of Outside the Trains Don't Run on Time it's mostly the incredible dynamic between percussion, guitar and vocals. It's full of really powerful memorable moments, especially the bit around 0:35 lives in my mind rent free. And this just happens to be my favourite, but other GoF songs are even catchier.

adidasss · 03-17-2021, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie Monday

Lack of melody is not a feature of post punk. It is often a feature of Gang of Four, at least when it comes to the vocals (the guitars are sharp and clear and can be melodic I think). But like Bat said they still have plenty of hooks, in the case of Outside the Trains Don't Run on Time it's mostly the incredible dynamic between percussion, guitar and vocals. It's full of really powerful memorable moments, especially the bit around 0:35 lives in my mind rent free. And this just happens to be my favourite, but other GoF songs are even catchier.

Curious, it was in my mind, but doing a bit of googling, post-punk bands include the Talking heads and The Cure?? Which are indeed full of melody.

Goes to show how little I know about music. :/

Anyways, different strokes re:GoF catchiness.

03-17-2021, 12:29 AM	#53 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	^^ That one is pretty funky yes. Still, I think Franz Ferdinand made at least half a dozen songs which are much more catchy. But I am definitely a huge pop whore so... Similar but much more poppy...what can I say...:/ __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm