Comments on: UPDATE IV: Grammy Awards: And The Winner Is … Auto-Tune (Quality Vs. Longevity)

By: Jake Venter

Jake Venter — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:38:02 +0000

Oh, yes, I thought you might like this video of a 17 year old Afrikaans Guitarist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PJTtoCHBA

By: Jake Venter

Jake Venter — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:25:14 +0000

To demonstrate the decline in music this last century, refelct on this: When Handel had completed “Hallelujah”, his assistant found him clutching the music and crying. When asked what was wrong, Handel held up the score and said, “I thought I saw the face of God.”. They just don’t make’em that way anymore.

By: Mari Tyers

Mari Tyers — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:49:19 +0000

I disagree that Arcade Fire deserved the Grammy win. They are not terrible, but they remind me of decent sounding local bands, not something that would get a major award. The arrangements really aren’t that good. It’s mostly 3 chords and uncomplicated note patterns.

While longevity does not equal quality, I believe it is an indicator of it. Many Grammy winners have been a flash in the pan, while other groups that were never nominated were extremely influential. Judas Priest and Iron Maiden come to mind; they finally won in the last two years, but their heydey was 20 years ago.

PS-I’m also under 30 and grew up in suburbia. I still like quality.

By: Robert Glisson

Robert Glisson — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:14:49 +0000

“I will agree to disagree with you by saying in closing that Arcade Fire’s fate is to be remembered in one of those ‘whatever happened to’ anthologies.” and “will anyone remember Arcade Fire in ten years. My guess is that unless they make some serious changes, probably not.” sounds pretty similar to me and it was Michel I was referencing. The three music groups I mentioned will probably never have the memory power that Elvis had despite more talent, so much for history.

By: Robert Glisson

Robert Glisson — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:33:08 +0000

MIKE D, you seem to miss the point. It is not popularity that is the point here. They may do well in selling albums to thirteen year old kids and concerts are sold out because young people like to go to concerts. What Michel is saying is that in their home area, they are not considered good by their peers. Quality lasts and that is what everyone is trying to point out. I like Tarja, I think she will have a place in music years from now. Roy (another Okie) likes established country musicians like Tracy Byrd, Myron goes for the classics that are timeless. The question is, will anyone remember Arcade Fire in ten years. My guess is that unless they make some serious changes, probably not.

By: Mike Marks

Mike Marks — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:41:42 +0000

Thanks for the link to Antares.com. Things in the music world make a whole lot more sense to me now.

Mike

By: michel cloutier

michel cloutier — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:36:47 +0000

With all due respect to M.Mike D, who is obviously quite knowledgeable of contemporary music, I must point out their lack of fan appeal in their ‘home turf’, i.e. the 80% of Francophones who compose Quebec’s population. It is emphatically not a ‘language’ thing, especially when one has felt the enthusiasm with which the ‘second British invasion’ of the early 80’s was welcomed here. I will agree to disagree with you by saying in closing that Arcade Fire’s fate is to be remembered in one of those ‘whatever happened to’ anthologies.

By: Mike D

Mike D — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:35:58 +0000

Not trying to prove Arcade Fire is a great band as it does come down to subjectivity, but I do take issue with some comments made by M.Cloutier.

via The Suburbs/Arcade Fire wikipedia: The album debuted at #1 on the Irish Albums Chart on August 5, the UK Albums Chart on August 8, the U.S. Billboard 200 chart on August 11,and the Canadian Albums Chart on August 11, 2010.”

From Metacritic.com (an entertainment aggregator of all other critic ratings), the album has an 87% (their previous two albums have 87% and 90% ratings). Compare that to Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream 55%, and Justin Bieber’s latest 68% (and nearly all of America’s vapid 10-25 y.o. youth listen to them).

Not to mention the phenomena of their instantly-sold out shows at large venues.

Theyre no Led Zeppelin or Radiohead, but to say Arcade Fire has “little impact” and “not much of a following” shows just how oblivious you are of today’s significant musical developments. Throw an iPod at any NYC college campus(or any campus internationally with a serious art scene) and you’re bound to hit an Arcade Fire fan in the head.

By: William

William — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:31:08 +0000

I quite enjoy those Ibanez shredder lads, but since I’m on the down side of mid 50’s, here is my main man, since we seem to be having a link fest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNsbtnMeGbU And, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4jeeu90Rk

And yes, I did learn “Mood For a Day,” back when it meant something to use your ears, rather than tablature and YouTube, to learn a piece… not that there is anything wrong with tabs or YouTube.

By: Roy Bleckert

Roy Bleckert — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:06:37 +0000

I’m from the Country …The Ditch Bank Okie National Anthem !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLj-zhulxCw