Dr. Steve Brule Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 i genuinely disagree w/ Erlewine quite often tho, so no big surprise. The guy comes off as a complete asshole, I'd like to meet him and punch him. You can pretty much predict what he will have to say about something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedy's Gurl Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 i like the idea comment about using the state's musical history...if there'd been some classic blues or jazz influences or homages on "illinoise" it might be a really great record. personally, i'm not one way or the other on soofyan right now...i think his music's real purty, but i'm not enthralled by it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakobnicholas Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 At least give the critic credit for his qualifier at the end: "Of course, that's all according to my own ears, and there are plenty of people who disagree with me..." And while I don't dis-like Bright Eyes, the critic makes one point I agree with. Sometimes Conor's voice is really grating and sounds almost like faked sincerity. (to my own ears, of course). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I never got into Illinois. My ADHD-crippled brain just couldn't take it. I feel pretty much the same way......that said, I do like Sufjan and he has some real gems. I will never sell my copy of Illinois, for the mere fact that the song, "Come on Feel the Illinoise" may be one of the best songs I have ever heard. -- ....I love the Arcade Fire, been listening to them a lot lately.....would love to see them live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Steve Brule Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 At least give the critic credit for his qualifier at the end:"Of course, that's all according to my own ears, and there are plenty of people who disagree with me..." No shit, that's the case with all music criticism. Makes him even more of a pantywaist in my book. If you're going to make a bold statement against an artist, don't cop out at the end. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
street spirit Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Am I the only one who finds it ironic for Erlewine to call anyone "pretentious"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I don't agree with many of his conclusions, but I still think that was a reasonably thoughtful and fair piece of criticism. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Am I the only one who finds it ironic for Erlewine to call anyone "pretentious"? I think in these times being pretentious is sort of heroic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 The guy comes off as a complete asshole, I'd like to meet him and punch him. You can pretty much predict what he will have to say about something.He's an asshole because he doesn't like something you like? To the extent that you'd actually punch him for it? Come on. I mean, I know this is teh internets and we tend toward hyperbole here, but that's beyond ridiculous. The guy's a major music fan. He's the driving editorial force behind AMG these days, and has been there since its inception in 1991. As an amazingly prolific reviewer, Erlewine has done a hell of a lot more for musicheads than most other people you could name. But he doesn't like soofyan, so he's an asshole worthy of punching? Jesus Fucking Christ. It's not like he writes for Pitchfork. Might as well come punch me too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Steve Brule Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 He's an asshole because he doesn't like something you like? To the extent that you'd actually punch him for it? Come on. I mean, I know this is teh internets and we tend toward hyperbole here, but that's beyond ridiculous. No, that's not why he's an asshole. The less people who go see Sufjan, the easier it is for people who do like him to get tickets. I hate pretty much all of his writing, it has nothing to do with my agreement on what he has to say, it just makes me sad that so many people base what they buy on his (and other) critics opinions. Of course, I guess most people don't even bother to READ, they just look at the handy star rating on AMG which most times has no correspondance to the review. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakobnicholas Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Some of us don't work in record stores and get to preview every freakin' disc released before having to fork over cash. And some of us don't live in Chicago where, if interested, someone could probably see every musician known to mankind live at least once a year to form an opinion. I LOVE reading critic reviews....the more the better......to form an opinion if a new cd is worth my 15 bucks. Same goes for movies. If 5 or 10 respected publications give thumbs up, there's a better chance I'll check it out. And some music magazines or websites earn my respect over time and I hold more worthy. Every now and again I'll go with gut instinct and make a music purchase....but usually it's based off what I read from others...including some on this board....which I'm thankful. Erlewine is partly full of shit. I bought "Illinoise" (with my own 15 bucks), and like much of it. But he makes some credible points. And how is he copping out at the end? I get the sense he feels awkward for not "getting" Stevens' music....and is reminding readers that he may not be the normal judge of Sufjan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Steve Brule Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Opinions are like assholes, we all have them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
random painted highway Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I think there's sometimes a misconception about Illinoise, if not the 50 states thing, from the standpoint that it's pretentious. There's a lot of talk about how it seems like the album's just dropping a bunch of names and dates and so fourth; but most of the songs, like the stuff from Michigan, all deal with the humanity and experiences of a certain area, rather than a backstory. "Casimir Pularski Day" is about a girl dying of bone cancer, not about Casimir Pularski Day. I guess that's a rather obvious point, but still, it applies to many other songs on the album. And while the music is pretty much everything and the kitchen sink, i'm sure there's a purpose. Seven Swans was so stripped down I could barely listen to it, so he's capable of giving the songs a lot of space when need be. I'll give Erlewine the benefit of the doubt though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Opinions are like assholes, we all have them....but apparently, if they're not in line with yours, we'll get punched. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WildMercurySound Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 personally, i'm not one way or the other on soofyan right now...i think his music's real purty, but i'm not enthralled by it. this is pretty much my feeling on Illinois. Plus there's just so much of it. I agree with Erlewine (rare, actually) that it does seem like affectation. There are a few songs I like though and while I'm not interested in The Avalanche, I would like to hear Michigan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Steve Brule Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Some of us don't work in record stores and get to preview every freakin' disc released before having to fork over cash. And some of us don't live in Chicago where, if interested, someone could probably see every musician known to mankind live at least once a year to form an opinion. Oh if that were the case. I don't actually open EVERY CD we sell, and most of the promos we get are of major label stuff that I wouldn't buy anyway. I spent >$80 on records last week and made the choice to eat spaghetti-os and ramen just to check shit out. The fine folks at Asthmatic Kitty and Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguar and other labels get my money just the same. I've stopped illegally downloading stuff before it comes it out, like in the case of the M Ward album. Some people I trust say it sucks, but because I respect what he's doing, I'll buy it. I make money from people buying music, and the people who make music make money from people buying music, so I like to support them as much as possible. If I do get into one of the hundreds of shows Chicago has nightly for free, I buy something from the artist, and some beer probably. I undestand some people need to rely on what others have to recommend, and that's cool. Just get a second opinion. The dirty assfaced critics are getting the free shit. I loved it on Sound Opinions when Kott and DeRo complained about the amount of box sets they were being sent. ...but apparently, if they're not in line with yours, we'll get punched. yeah, exactly. I'm fucking violent on "TEH INTERNETS". watch out. OMC!!1!!1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 FYI - it's PULASKI Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 i like the idea comment about using the state's musical history...if there'd been some classic blues or jazz influences or homages on "illinoise" it might be a really great record. personally, i'm not one way or the other on soofyan right now...i think his music's real purty, but i'm not enthralled by it. I'm pretty sure he makes at least 1 reference to Jelly Roll Morton, and a few other references to Chicago jazz musicians. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airtaco Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 IMO, Earlwine is EASILY the most unbaised, thoughtful reviewer out there. Every one dislikes a few artists that they, according to hipsters, reviewers, etc., should like, but all his reviews--weather they're pos or neg--are backed up with myriad reasons. Even with the Bright Eyes albums, albums which I like, he, for the most part, criticizes the music. Additionally, read all the reviews he's done: he PRAISES ppl like Rick Springfield, Shakira, Toby Ketih just as much as he does Gastr Del Soul, Bob Dylan, etc. All told, I just think he's the man. (And I ttly agree with the Sufjan article; but as he clearly states, it's just opinion.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 NPR likes Sufjan....just played him during a transition Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 ....I love the Arcade Fire, been listening to them a lot lately.....would love to see them live.Yes. "Funeral" is a fantastic album. One of my friends told me that it was written entirely in French and then translated to English. Not sure if that is true. Now back to the Sufjan..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 i guess myself i really only trust my own ear. reading a review gives me no idea if i'm going to likes something or not. the only time i care to read a review is after i've heard something. same way with movies. Yes. "Funeral" is a fantastic album. One of my friends told me that it was written entirely in French and then translated to English. Not sure if that is true.not true Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Hey, does anyone know if Conor Oberst fucked his wife or something? He's got a personal problem with the guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jhh4321 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I saw this article a few days ago and it made me extremely happy. For one, I am a huge STE fan and it was fun to read some more opinionated stuff from him as his reviews are almost always with little or no bias (he's given Limp Bizkit three four-star reviews). I myself have never been a sufjan fan, I recall enjoying two or three songs off Illinois (and nothing off of Michigan, I haven't heard Seven Swans) but nothing more than that. Its nice to see someone calling him out after a full year of nothing but praise for his songs. Again, this is just opinion (as was STEs) so i wouldn't go punching people out quite yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 not trueThanks for the clarification. I wondered, as some of the rhyming surely couldn't have been translated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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