I thought My Bloody Valentine’s – Loveless was on to an interesting idea, fusing Jesus and Mary Chain noise pop with the ethereal rhythms of Cocteau Twins, but lacked the song-writing prowess to turn this into a classic. The good songs tend to sound similar and the boring ones stagnant and would benefit if they’d been shortened (filler perhaps?). The publicity it received in the early 90’s was very good, making many top 10 lists, but has waned recently, because it’s one of those albums that’s decent, but derivative. Not that the distorted trance-like rhythms are bad, it’s just IMO Jesus and Marychains’ massive influence overshadowing “Loveless”. As I said it’s not a bad record. IMO it’s more of a derivation of “Psycho Candy’s” pop melodies and dirty distorted guitars, than an “evolution”. However if you never heard of JAMC or the Cocteau Twins, then all I can say is ignorance is bliss and enjoy this record. But when I listen to MBV, i begin to lose interest half way through a song and start thinking, that sounds like J&MC, or they remind me of Cocteau Twins, or maybe Bauhaus or Sonic Youth. Great bands absorb influences into something new, whereas bands that fall short, wear them on their sleeve.
May 7, 2010
September 25, 2009
Meat Puppets: Artists w/the Greatest Change-ups?
Who are some artists who displayed the most radical change in musical direction over a series of albums? For better or for worse. I.E .The Meat Puppets.
Meat Puppets I – Hard-Core
Meat Puppets II – Cow Punk
Upon the Sun – Psychedelic Country Rock
In a matter of three releases, the Puppets when from sounding retarded to refined.
What a strange trip it was from MP I to Upon the Sun, which is may favorite. It’s just such so laid back, odd and tuneful, compared to “I” which was a hardcore classic. When they toured supporting the debut, the Puppets didn’t like being spit on by their hardcore fans, and decided they needed a change of direction.
December 17, 2007
Meat Puppets – Up On the Sun
Of the great artists that exhibited drastic changes in musical direction, no one did such an extreme about-face over a short period of time as the Meat Puppets. Their debut, Meat Puppets I (Hard-Core Punk), followed by Meat Puppets II (Cow Punk), and their crowning achievement Upon the Sun (Indy Rock). In a matter of three releases, the Puppets when from sounding retarded to refined.