Academy of the Overrated

[EverydayItsTomorrow]

I like in the movie Manhattan where Diane Keatons' charactor talks about the Academy of the Overrated. People that are not quite so deserving of the accolades thrown upon them.

Who Do You Nominate???????????


I will start with a controversial one;

DURAN DURAN-Good but kind of bubble gum, Lyrically inane and horribly overplayed (Which I realize is not there fault), and completely egotistical!!

[hutter]

U2 is my nominee.

Hey, I like some of their music, but they grossly overestimate their true value.

[EverydayItsTomorrow]

Thanks Hutter! That was my second pick.

[Randall Roq]

Madonna

[i_like_lectric_motors]

"Overated"? Probably Deborah Iyall from Romeo Void.

Overrated? Up until a couple of weeks ago I'd have said The Jam, but I've seen the error of my ways (Thanks Blir). For 80's bands, I'll go with Men At Work and The Waterboys/World Party (yawn).

All-time overrated: The Beatles in a landslide.

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"To be an atheist requires strength of mind and goodness of heart found in not one of a thousand."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge(1772-1834) English poet, critic, journalist, philosopher

[WolverineSyr]

I know this kind of blasphemy get's wolverine's shot around here, but I just can't understand the appeal of Joy Division. Granted, Love Will Tear Us Apart is an astounding song & one of my absolute favorites. Beyond that I can only think a one or two more that I like. I just don't get the whole tortured genius thing.


The most overrated perfomrer I can think of is Michael Jackson through and through. I never thought he was even remotely a good singer (past puberty.) All those yelps & screams & baby talk, in that whispery little voice of his, does not say "vocal talent" to me. Maybe his dancing was unique at one time - but he's been doing the same shitty dance for 20 years now - with a crotch grab thrown in to keep him "edgy." I've always thought he sucked & I always thought there was way too much undeserved praise thrown his way.

[Mechi]

Mmmmm... I always say the same thing: Joy Division is not for everyone and not for all the periods in a person's life. Their music just doesn't fit everybody.... and some may see it as a kind of depressive and all-of-the same-type stuff. But for me it covers many different emotions.. not just depression. If I had been introduced to JD at age 14, it would have been all wrong... I wasn't ready to embrace it... and would have had a negative influence on me.
Then... I always say there's a higher standard U2 (that cares about the music they amke) and one that is very focused on being popular and succesful. And I don't hate U2 at all.. they've been a fav of mine since I was a kid (and before all the JD-No. craze) and they totally rocked when they played their show here in March (which I was lucky to presence). But for me songs like "Elevation" (which is good) are half as good as other songs like "I will follow" (which is great). But U2 can't compose super super songs all the time... and we should acknowledge that.
As far as Duran Duran.. yes.. I see the point in the first comments although I don't think bad of Duran Duran either... but has their sound really evolved into sth better than what it used to be???


<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/JD_Montage2.jpg">

[Peter Venkman]

REM by far. Never in the annals of the history of rock has such a mediocre group produced such a constant product of low quality that elicited such a great volume of critical spooge.

Also, Sonic Youth, the Grateful Dead, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam...


<font size=1 color=#000099>
[i]"Let's have a war so you can go and die,
Let's have a war, we could all use the money,
Let's have a war, we need the space,
Let's have a war, clean out this place!"[/i]--Fear, "Let's Have A War"
</font>

[Rokkr]

Connor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Sufjan Stevens and Iron and Wine.
All 3 of those whiny male menstruators irritate the hell out of me.

Oh and, for the more new wave types, Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys.
While each of them had a couple decent songs, overall they were tremendously overrated.

and most underrated (by relative success):
Monochrome Set and Comsat Angels.

[Panorama]

[quote][i]Originally posted by hutter[/i]
<br>U2 is my nominee.[/quote][quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
All-time overrated: The Beatles in a landslide.[/quote][quote][i]Originally posted by Peter Venkman[/i]
<br>REM by far. Never in the annals of the history of rock has such a mediocre group produced such a constant product of low quality that elicited such a great volume of critical spooge.[/quote]
Wrong, Wrong, and (guess)...so Wrong.

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"Photography with a Vision"
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[Frau_Blucher]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Peter Venkman[/i]
<br>REM by far. Never in the annals of the history of rock has such a mediocre group produced such a constant product of low quality that elicited such a great volume of critical spooge.
[/quote]
True, True, and (guess)...so True. [;)]

And re Joy Division, I guess I don't really get the "tortured genius" or sad or melancholy aspect of them either. That's never been what they're about for me. If it is for you, there may be some other aspects to explore. To me it's more about songs with great intrumental and vocal intensity, the always creative Curtis lyrics, and Martin Hannett's boldly unique production, which certainly must have been even more unique at that time. This can probably be said for a lot of less popular early post-punk. Listening to an entire JD album or even a collection of favorites is a very engrossing experience for me. It's certainly not single-track pop music, and I've oddly never had a problem with other people not liking them. It's like, "this is my shit for my reasons!"

[Frank_Chickens]

Let's slaughter some sacred cows! [:D]

The Smiths/Cure/Morrissey: Overrated shiteness wanked over by black-clothed teens in their bedrooms in middle-class suburbia saying "Morrisey/Robert Smith etc." are the only ones to understand their pain and stuffering of being a "misunderstood" teen.

Duran Duran: Even though they're from my home city, they're the pefect example of style over substance although the idea of making videos for album tracks is cool. Heebeegeebees said it best on "Pretty Boys on Video".

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Ooh, wearing a piece of Nazi clothing dear, very daring as is covering a Beatles song! Playing up to your looks is certainly a good idea as it takes people's mind off the music. The music? You really want to listen to that? Er, get back to you on that one just as soon as we write something that can't be described as atonal..


The Specials - Stop whoring yourselves out to anyone who'll have you. Your music and lyrics are excellent but debasing the name and legacy of the band in such a manner is VERY painful to watch.

Industry - Shiny beads for us? Thank you! Now what can we do for you Mr Record Label Man?

Erasure - I know it semms hard to believe, but Vince Clarke was a good songwriter in both Depeche Mode and Yazoo.

Gary Numan - What is all the fuss about? His last big hit was written by Bill Sharpe from Shakatak and that was over 20 years ago. Dark, gloomy drone that his sheep, sorry, "Numanoids" lap up. Very astute person, proving that there's one born every minute epsecially considering how well his off-cuts collection "Living Ornaments" sold here.

--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[WolverineSyr]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
And re Joy Division, I guess I don't really get the "tortured genius" or sad or melancholy aspect of them either. [/quote]

I will admit that I have not given them much of a chance. You recommended "Transmission" way back when & I really liked that, so I'm sure there are other songs that I'd like - I just have a hard time getting past the meloncholy. What Mechi said is very true, they didn't fit into my life at many points & when they would have fit - I was into something or someone else.

I'm not sure if they would fit right now, although I am sure I would better understand the lyrics now than I did when I was younger. That's the great thing about rediscovering this genre of music - the added depth of lyrics, etc. gained from my advanced years. [:D]

[NuWaveRx]

A potentially dangerous thread, but I'll chime in:

Lou Reed. Yes, his influence on punk and NW is undeniable. And, of course, nearly everything he's done is hailed by rock critics. But, honestly, I feel that he falls in the inexplicable "sacred" designation such that he could belch into a mic for an hour and Rolling Stone would give it 4 stars. (Springsteen is in the same category)

The Pixies. See above for the "sacred" designation. Sorry, I just don't get it.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Ditto.



[quote][i]Originally posted by Frank_Chickens[/i]
<br>Let's slaughter some sacred cows! [:D]

The Smiths/Cure/Morrissey: Overrated shiteness wanked over by black-clothed teens in their bedrooms in middle-class suburbia saying "Morrisey/Robert Smith etc." are the only ones to understand their pain and stuffering of being a "misunderstood" teen.

[/quote]


Bart Simpson said it best: "Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish in a barrel"[:D]

[tiger_mn]

The Killers. The Fuss shouldn't be nearly as Hot as it is.