What bands just don't click with you?

[cobl04]

Bit of an offshoot from the unpopular thread. What bands, that everyone else seems to adore, do you just not get the love for?

I've got a few. Heading the list are Arcade Fire and R.E.M. I actually like both bands - and would definitely see them live given the chance - but for me, neither are anything more than a good band. I've listened to Funeral a few times, and liked it, but, to steal a phrase from iYup, I don't feel the universe comes into perfect harmony whenever it is played. I liked The Suburbs, but nothing more. I don't know what it is. I just can't put my finger on it, and I've tried.

R.E.M. too. I've got the In Time best of, Automatic for the People and Accelerate. And again, I really like a good handful of their songs. But compared to the effusive love for them here, I don't look like a fan at all (perhaps that would change if I listened to Murmur, or Lifes Rich Pageant (love that missing apostrophe) or something else).

Okkervil River are probably another example. I really like A Girl in Port, but the two albums I've heard, Stage Names and Very Far, just haven't done much for me.

I think this thread should create some good discussion!

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Arcade Fire
The National
LCD Soundsystem
Beck (I like him a lot, it's just his music hasn't completely clicked with me, as good as it is)

 

[cobl04]

I'm gonna go ahead and say that you should list what you've tried from the bands you name. Then if you've only heard two crappy songs or something someone can go "well you should check this out" and then maybe one day you'll be really bored and you'll say "fuck it what the hell" and try it out and fall in love.

This is also the part where I say my form of Utahn Justice will be unleashed on anyone who says Outkast.

And please no animosity! Though light-handed stuff, such as the gif LM just posted in response to GinBlossomsFan saying he'd take X&Y over Funeral, are welcomed.

 

[LemonMelon]

Just a handful that actually are well-liked around here to some degree. Albums that I've heard by them listed on the right:

The Doors - several albums, pretty much everything but Waiting for the Sun
Sigur Ros - everything but Von and that live set
Depeche Mode - a few albums, most of the beloved ones, still intend to hear Songs of Faith and Devotion
INXS - Kick
Pet Shop Boys - Actually, Please
Gang of Four - Entertainment
Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral
Rush - 2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures...they're alright, but a little bit ridiculous and not worth the hype
Violent Femmes - the debut, what else matters?
Muse - everything but Showbiz...again, they're OK, but the albums just don't do much for me; great live
PiL - Metal Box

 

[solemole]

ooooooh... u just gave me a great idea for a game thread!

 

[solemole]

check it out, yo:

http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f296/id-rather-listen-to-this-album-212772.html

 

[intedomine]

Arcade Fire - obviously, this thread is kind of spawned by the inability of a few folk (myself included) here to get into them. I've listened to Funeral many times, hoping, willing myself to enjoy it, but alas I don't I can see why people might enjoy it, but no chord is being struck with me.
Again, I may need to listen to Neon Bible. And Ready To Start was a super track, so maybe even Suburbs is a better entry point for me.

Kings Of Leon - I love Manhattan, but everything else seems mediocre. It might be a personal distaste with the vocals. Use Somebody was just atrocious.

AC/DC - only heard the singles (about 15 songs I'd say) and they all hurt my ears.

LCD Soundsystem - I excitedly purchased Sound of Silver, after reading some resonating reviews, and adoring the beautiful, Someone Great. Gave the album a few spins and really did not enjoy it the slightest. All My Friends bored me, North American Scum is unlikable.

Rolling Stones - I like a few songs, but I'm not overly excited. As a huge Beatles fan, it speaks volumes that The Beatles offloaded one of the worst Lennon/McCartney songs. I Wanna Be Your Man, a song I never liked, to chart rival the Stones.

Deerhunter - I want to like them more, they sound fantastic, but I'm not blown away. My few listens to Microcastle didn't encourage a re-listen. I probably need a different entry point. Any suggestions?

TV On The Radio - I just don't understand the appeal.

White Lies - theoretically, I should like this band. If Interpol were ripping off Joy Division and Editors were ripping off Interpol, than White Lies are ripping off Editors... Supposedly, according to critical sentiment. But I can't get past mildly enjoying a few of their singles.

White Stripes - I really enjoyed Blue Orchid and My Doorbell. Of the other 8-10 songs I've heard, I don't enjoy them at all. But I find Jack White's vocal unpleasant, which is a massive hurdle.

 

[bono_212]

Biggest for me is (prepare to be shocked) Pink Floyd. I don't know what it is, but I just don't really care much for them. I've heard: Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Meddle, DSOTM, WYWH, Animals and The Wall.

Obviously The Wall is one of my favorite albums ever, and I really like WYWH, but the rest of it I just don't get that much into at all.

 

[LemonMelon]

White Lies is such a shitty also-ran they aren't worth anyone's time.

 

[cobl04]

check it out, yo:

http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f296/id-rather-listen-to-this-album-212772.html

No one wants to play your stupid game.

/gaf

 

[nielsgov]

The Doors. I've listened to the self-titled quite a few times and there was nothing memorable on it.

The New Pornographers. I've listened to Today and Twin Cinema. I think htey're decent enough but nothing special except for a song or two.

Bon Iver. Both albums. I like a few songs on each album but the rest is kind of boring.

 

[iron yuppie]

Two immediately come to mind for me:

Pavement. Admittedly, my dislike for Malkmus and co is more of a reaction against the endless fawning of Pitchfork, but I have tried Slanted and Enchanted three times, never having been able to get through more than three or four songs. I've also heard several other of their acclaimed songs, such as Gold Soundz, but have never been able to recall them after they have finished. Something about the way that Malkmus keeps laughing in the middle of songs, as though he is aware that the band will be over-hyped for years to come, is extremely unappealing to me. In general, I think that they are the quintessence of a band whose influence in terms of approach is much greater than the quality of their music.

The Strokes. Many of the reasons that I mentioned above apply here as well. They may or may not have heralded the revival of the guitar, but I just don't think that they have the dexterity or ingenuity to justify their hype.

 

[corianderstem]

Biggest for me is (prepare to be shocked) Pink Floyd.

Yeah, that's the biggest one for me as well. I've heard Dark Side of the Moon and a smattering of other stuff, and I don't think that I want to work at listening to other things to see if I will like it better. Nothing I've heard from them drives me to look any deeper.

That being said, I absolutely love Comfortably Numb.

Also have to list Pavement. I've heard Slanted and Enchanted and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. It just does nothing for me.

 

[TheRealThing89]

Nirvana. There just a 90s version of T.Rex IMO

The Doors. I love Jim Morrison AS A PERSON!!! but there Music does absolutely nothing for me

The Beatles. I've never been a huge fan of The Beatles I did own a Greatest Hits CD of theres at one point but I didn't like it when I listened to it

 

[Imperor]

Pavement and REM were already mentioned, which spoils my fun.

 

[PhilsFan]

The Decemberists
Elbow
The Flaming Lips
Muse
Pearl Jam
The Shins
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens

 

[The Panther]

Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
All rock bands since 1995, with three or four exceptions!

 

[lazarus]

Depeche Mode - a few albums, most of the beloved ones, still intend to hear Songs of Faith and Devotion

That one is their most organic, and for my money, the best.

Pavement. Admittedly, my dislike for Malkmus and co is more of a reaction against the endless fawning of Pitchfork, but I have tried Slanted and Enchanted three times, never having been able to get through more than three or four songs. I've also heard several other of their acclaimed songs, such as Gold Soundz, but have never been able to recall them after they have finished. Something about the way that Malkmus keeps laughing in the middle of songs, as though he is aware that the band will be over-hyped for years to come, is extremely unappealing to me. In general, I think that they are the quintessence of a band whose influence in terms of approach is much greater than the quality of their music.

What song does Malkmus laugh in, other than Summer Babe?

Anyway, it's probably not fair to judge a band solely on their first album, even if it's so highly acclaimed. Or maybe especially if it's highly acclaimed. If that type of sound doesn't float your boat, I suggest giving Brighten The Corners a spin. It's more sophisticated, and has more of the gossamer-tinged sound they're so good at.

The Beatles. I've never been a huge fan of The Beatles I did own a Greatest Hits CD of theres at one point but I didn't like it when I listened to it

Greatest Hits collections just don't cut it when you're talking about a band that many consider the greatest of all time. Actually, scratch the "many", and let's go with "most".

Get a copy of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's, or The White Album, and listen to ALL of it, preferably on headphones.

If that doesn't work, you might want to see a doctor.

All rock bands since 1995, with three or four exceptions!

 

[nielsgov]

Another one is Pearl Jam. I've heard Ten and Binaural. The former has a few songs I enjoy and I can't remember anything from Binaural.

 

[lazarus]

Two of my least favorite of theirs, actually. I'd suggest giving No Code a try. It's devoid of much of the grunge sound they were known for.

 

[joyfulgirl]

Two immediately come to mind for me:

Pavement. Admittedly, my dislike for Malkmus and co is more of a reaction against the endless fawning of Pitchfork, but I have tried Slanted and Enchanted three times, never having been able to get through more than three or four songs. I've also heard several other of their acclaimed songs, such as Gold Soundz, but have never been able to recall them after they have finished. Something about the way that Malkmus keeps laughing in the middle of songs, as though he is aware that the band will be over-hyped for years to come, is extremely unappealing to me. In general, I think that they are the quintessence of a band whose influence in terms of approach is much greater than the quality of their music.

The Strokes. Many of the reasons that I mentioned above apply here as well. They may or may not have heralded the revival of the guitar, but I just don't think that they have the dexterity or ingenuity to justify their hype.

These. For starters.

 

[iron yuppie]

Depeche Mode - a few albums, most of the beloved ones, still intend to hear Songs of Faith and Devotion

I know that we have discussed this before, but this one always surprises me from you. DM just seems like a band that you would like, given their beats and general melding of post-punk and new-wave influences.

 

[bono_212]

Last night, some switch in my brain finally flipped on and I now love the Talking Heads.

I keep hoping something similar will happen with me and Depeche Mode.



Re: The Beatles, really, The White Album as an introduction to the band? Speaking personally, the majority of that album is what I hate about The Beatles. For me the gateway drug to my now admitted fandom was Abbey Road

 

[lazarus]

I'm looking at it from the perspective of someone who doesn't seem to think the band is all that great after having heard a collection. The White Album isn't the first thing I'd throw at someone who never listened to anything, but it's a pretty great representation of all the different styles and sounds they were capable of.

And exactly what is it you hate about the Beatles that is so well-represented here?

 

[intedomine]

I actually think a pretty good way of listening to the Beatles is chronologically, from Please Please Me to Let It Be. Their evolution can be fully appreciated.

My clincher was actually watching the three-part prime time Beatles Anthology doco that was screened globally back in '95. That was a sort of chronological introduction.

 

[LJT]

Most Grunge apart from Nirvana, though I've only actually started to appreciate Nirvana since the Nevermind anniversary, and I probably need to look into a few more bands other than the famous ones I suppose. Pearl Jam do nothing much for me, and I find it fairly bland .

I used to like Feist, but now just find her quite boring as well. About it I think.

 

[iron yuppie]

If I were forced to pick a starting point for The Beatles, I would probably go with Revolver. It's a strong representation of the impeccable pop sensibilities that came before and the philosophical experimentation that would come after.

 

[lazarus]

If this was an actual starting point, yeah, I'd probably go with that too.

I would never subject someone to the early Beatles albums unless that was likely to be their thing. That YEAH YEAH YEAH is intolerable to a lot of people, and while it doesn't necessarily bother me, I can't blame them.

But intedomine is right about the Anthology doc. I think watching that can do more for someone's opinion of the band than the actual albums.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Nirvana. They're just a 90s version of T.Rex IMO

The Doors. I love Jim Morrison AS A PERSON!!! but their Music does absolutely nothing for me

The Beatles. I've never been a huge fan of The Beatles. I did own a Greatest Hits CD of theirs at one point but I didn't like it when I listened to it

fixed

 

[LemonMelon]

And exactly what is it you hate about the Beatles that is so well-represented here?

I always hear from dissenters that the Beatles' music is "slight" and about 1/3 of that lengthy record is slight. I find those tracks charming personally, but it probably would piss off those who look for greater substance in Beatles music than Piggies.

Abbey Road is probably the best single Beatles album to start with, that or Revolver.