Justin Bieber? Artist of the year?

Anteater · 12-02-2010, 12:18 AM

This thread has been a rather entertaining read: Conan pretty much nailed the truth of the matter on Page 4 though. Too bad things turned a tad redundant afterward.

Being that I'm something of a pop aficionado, Bieber falls into something of a middle ground in terms of quality as an aspiring whatever-you-want-to-call-him to my ears: expensive studio wizardry certainly wrings out the best out of him at times vocally, but he's inconsistent at crafting a good hook that doesn't irritate you, which is unfortunate since he actually does sound different from most of the excrement that manages to get airplay on Kiss FM. For example, I find it puzzling that 'Baby' was chosen as a lead single over a track like 'Runaway Love': the former comes off as annoying while the latter is a fine slice of atmospheric R&B pop. Bewildering, but then again I'm not the pop-deaf, neutered demographic that his label was aiming for to begin with. Higher management don't care about hooks as much as they used to in prior decades.

Is Bieber some kind of pop genius? Probably not, being that he needs everybody to hold his hand (a common trend in the industry) and that he doesn't give me the impression that he's going to use his popularity as a springboard to actually get some potentially interesting, yet catchy music into mass circulation for whatever his next album is. Unless he manages to pull it off though, any success he'll have in the long run will be noteworthy, yet fleeting -- much like the attention spans of those who appear to genuinely love his material but who will eventually gravitate toward other things.

But then again, I have been surprised before: for example, I found out recently that Alter Bridge's latest album is actually quite excellent...and here I was thinking post-grunge was irredeemable since the mid 90's. Who woulda thunk it?

Therefore, let's give this welpish performer the opportunity to put out some more studio material before we throw him to the dogs.

Arya Stark · 12-03-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

This thread has been a rather entertaining read: Conan pretty much nailed the truth of the matter on Page 4 though. Too bad things turned a tad redundant afterward.

Being that I'm something of a pop aficionado, Bieber falls into something of a middle ground in terms of quality as an aspiring whatever-you-want-to-call-him to my ears: expensive studio wizardry certainly wrings out the best out of him at times vocally, but he's inconsistent at crafting a good hook that doesn't irritate you, which is unfortunate since he actually does sound different from most of the excrement that manages to get airplay on Kiss FM. For example, I find it puzzling that 'Baby' was chosen as a lead single over a track like 'Runaway Love': the former comes off as annoying while the latter is a fine slice of atmospheric R&B pop. Bewildering, but then again I'm not the pop-deaf, neutered demographic that his label was aiming for to begin with. Higher management don't care about hooks as much as they used to in prior decades.

Is Bieber some kind of pop genius? Probably not, being that he needs everybody to hold his hand (a common trend in the industry) and that he doesn't give me the impression that he's going to use his popularity as a springboard to actually get some potentially interesting, yet catchy music into mass circulation for whatever his next album is. Unless he manages to pull it off though, any success he'll have in the long run will be noteworthy, yet fleeting -- much like the attention spans of those who appear to genuinely love his material but who will eventually gravitate toward other things.

But then again, I have been surprised before: for example, I found out recently that Alter Bridge's latest album is actually quite excellent...and here I was thinking post-grunge was irredeemable since the mid 90's. Who woulda thunk it?

Therefore, let's give this welpish performer the opportunity to put out some more studio material before we throw him to the dogs.

I agree with pretty much everything you say here. I don't think I have much more to add other than the fact that there have been a lot of people like him in the past who haven't grown up to be much. I think because of his voice and because of the genre he was thrown into he'll be outdone sooner or later.
He's doing well right now, though, and so many people will remember him. I do hope he goes on to bigger and better music, though.

ericcloud · 12-03-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khfreek

Justin Bieber doesn't deserve all the crap he gets. He sounds just like everything else on the radio.

They deserve all the crap in equal portions

Haha, yes.

Goblin Tears · 12-04-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

This thread has been a rather entertaining read: Conan pretty much nailed the truth of the matter on Page 4 though. Too bad things turned a tad redundant afterward.

Being that I'm something of a pop aficionado, Bieber falls into something of a middle ground in terms of quality as an aspiring whatever-you-want-to-call-him to my ears: expensive studio wizardry certainly wrings out the best out of him at times vocally, but he's inconsistent at crafting a good hook that doesn't irritate you, which is unfortunate since he actually does sound different from most of the excrement that manages to get airplay on Kiss FM. For example, I find it puzzling that 'Baby' was chosen as a lead single over a track like 'Runaway Love': the former comes off as annoying while the latter is a fine slice of atmospheric R&B pop. Bewildering, but then again I'm not the pop-deaf, neutered demographic that his label was aiming for to begin with. Higher management don't care about hooks as much as they used to in prior decades.

Is Bieber some kind of pop genius? Probably not, being that he needs everybody to hold his hand (a common trend in the industry) and that he doesn't give me the impression that he's going to use his popularity as a springboard to actually get some potentially interesting, yet catchy music into mass circulation for whatever his next album is. Unless he manages to pull it off though, any success he'll have in the long run will be noteworthy, yet fleeting -- much like the attention spans of those who appear to genuinely love his material but who will eventually gravitate toward other things.

But then again, I have been surprised before: for example, I found out recently that Alter Bridge's latest album is actually quite excellent...and here I was thinking post-grunge was irredeemable since the mid 90's. Who woulda thunk it?

Therefore, let's give this welpish performer the opportunity to put out some more studio material before we throw him to the dogs.

I've just re-read this thread, and I have to agree with you! I'm loving all this Bieber inspired literature!

Queen Boo · 12-07-2010, 04:38 PM

I can't speak for his work but his headphones are beautiful. The foam part you put on your ears is buttery soft, the plastic is shiny and expensive looking, the sound quality is gorgeous and honestly, if you turn them up all the way, they make the music sound clearer and more amplified then my speakers.

The picture doesn't do them justice at all. These are the Cadillac of headphones.
I don't have $200 though so back to listening to awesome music on Dollar Store earbuds.

Insane Guest · 12-13-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVEMENT SAW

I can't speak for his work but his headphones are beautiful. The foam part you put on your ears is buttery soft, the plastic is shiny and expensive looking, the sound quality is gorgeous and honestly, if you turn them up all the way, they make the music sound clearer and more amplified then my speakers.

The picture doesn't do them justice at all. These are the Cadillac of headphones.
I don't have $200 though so back to listening to awesome music on Dollar Store earbuds.

What differen they have to the original Red and Black ones? Some extra padding and a color change make them Bieber's? WTF?

Queen Boo · 12-14-2010, 07:03 PM

These are aimed at pubescent girls.

Mrd00d · 12-21-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder

I don't pay attention to this crap, but it is a sin against humanity - I agree.

Quoted for Truth, when I heard I shrugged it off... but as I saw the internet reaction to it in a few places, I also thought that was awful. Not too surprising, there's only like 10 pop acts at a time in the mainstream. Gaga and Perry can't win every year or whatever.

Just like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke, so are all the American mainstream award ceremonies.

~~trapdoor~~ · 12-21-2010, 05:42 AM

why are grown ass adults getting worked up over a teen/kid making music for teens/kids??? definitely some latent pedophilia that needs to be addressed here

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 12-21-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapdoor

why are grown ass adults getting worked up over a teen/kid making music for teens/kids??? definitely some latent pedophilia that needs to be addressed here

Eh, I tend to chop up the victims, and put them in bags. You really think I want to discuss them after burying them?

12-21-2010, 05:42 AM	#89 (permalink)
~~trapdoor~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 25	why are grown ass adults getting worked up over a teen/kid making music for teens/kids??? definitely some latent pedophilia that needs to be addressed here