PopTodd

There are very few--like almost none--that I can and do listen to many times in a row. That I feel compelled to play again as soon as it is finished. But this is a thread for your songs... the ones that do this to you. Me? This is pretty much the only one right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zInf-88f0Hs

I think that this can sum up the whole thread, for everybody. (The sentiment of the song, not the band):

It's a shift in perspective--an attempt at a journalistic approach v. just what you like. As I've stated at least 2 more times earlier in the thread: I am not a big Radiohead fan, just don't really click with me. But, OBJECTIVELY, I can see why they get the critical acclaim that they do. Doesn't mean that I'm gonna listen to them, but I can understand why others do and even why others froth at the mouth over them. And that, my friend, is the point. Can you see it? Even in bands that you don't like? The value? The appeal to others? Why they might like them?

Again: taste v. deserving of acclaim.

Took a little bit to click for me. I mean, I liked it okay, but never understood why it was considered one of the "great" albums either. And then one day, for no reason in particular, it hit me. "Skin and Bone", "Oklahoma, U.S.A.", "Alcohol", etc... Just... HIT me.

As an instrumentalist, he does. But as a bandleader/songwriter—apart from one album (Layla) and maybe one or two songs from other records—not even a little bit.

Again: Radiohead. (Although I wouldn't say that I "can't stand" them, but I am not a big fan.)

yup.

Or else, it's just that it hits me in a way that it doesn't hit you. As you stated yourself: "opinion." And everybody's got one.

Usually I'll agree with instrumentalists like that, but this song doesn't bore me to tears, it brings me to tears, Fucking brilliant instrumental cover of Stevie Wonder. You may not be a fan of instrumental music, in general. But I think that you have to agree that Beck just GETS IT. It's not just virtuosity for its own sake. He knows what music is all about, and he knows how to get you there, if you are open to him bringing you there.

I'm not a big Radiohead fan, myself. Just not into them. But I get it. And while I am not going to go out of my way to listen to them, I can see why they are exalted as they are... they are always taking risks and, more often than not, they seem to hit their mark. It just happens to be a mark that I am not going to seek out, myself. But I think that you have to give them props.

Agreed!

Agreed that it's a great run. But I can think of a couple bands that had better ones: Stones, Dylan, The Replacements

Kanye, yes! The others you said, I don't know that I've seen nearly the fawning that I have over Kanye.

I knew that I was getting old when I started liking these guys.

They inspire people. And other musicians. I think that explains the cheerleading aspect. A ton of bands that you love, love The Replacements. You don't. That's cool. But without the Mats, I don't think that Wilco would be who they are today, for example. You have to take note, whether you like 'em or not. They made a difference, so there have to be a lot of people seeing something that you are not. IMO, they are pretty much the embodiment of pure Rock 'n Roll. Nothing more, nothing less. That perfect combination of great songwriting and reckless abandon. But you can be wrong all you want!

Not deserving of the critical acclaim that they get: • Any Rolling Stones record post-Tattoo You.

I don't think that it's anything that I can defend, per se. It's something that you just have to feel. I mean, yeah, they're basically just a bar band, but they're a goddamn INSPIRED bar band. And, as such, they have inspired not just me, but hundreds of other bands throughout the years, including the one that has brought us all together at this site. I guess the best I can do is maybe quote a lyric: "God, what a mess, on the ladder of success Where you take one step and miss the whole first rung Dreams unfulfilled, graduate unskilled It beats pickin' cotton and waitin' to be forgotten We

you are dead to me.

Where you gonna hide?