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Good artists you just don't "get"....

Like most music snobs, I usually chalk up not liking an artist to the fact that they're, well, not very good. But there are a few artists that enter another realm for me.

Artists that, if we were ever to meet over a romantic dinner, would force me to say "It's not you, it's me" right before I bolt for the door. Artists that, intellectually, I know are talented, creative and passionate, and artists that a large chunk of the rest of the world loves. But artists that i simply don't get.

I'm about to give you a list of musicians that are firmly in my blind spot: And before you respond with "Are you crazy -- so and so is awesome! You don't know what you're talking about!", let me stop you. You're right. It's my problem, not theirs. There's just something in my DNA that prevents me from enjoying these artists and that's all there is to it. So if you're a fan of any of these artists, I respect your choice. If I was born with another brain, I'm sure i'd be right there with you joining their fan clubs.

Frank Zappa -- I love the guy's persona, I love his ethos, can't stand his music. I get irritated and jumpy when I hear it. It's like drinking five Monster energy drinks and then having to sit still.

Captain Beefheart -- Over the years, I've been tempted to call "Trout Mask Replica" a case of Emperor's New Clothes. But far too many people who I trust and respect adore this record. So I'm guessing they're right and I'm wrong. But really, i find it hard to listen to. Fortunately for the Captain, he doesn't need me to seal his legacy.

The Beach Boys - Yeah, i know. I'm a douche. And hey, I like Good Vibrations and Little Deuce Coupe as much as the next guy. I just never got the whole "Brian Wilson as Genius" thing. But let me once again say -- I firmly and unfacetiously accept that he really is one and I've just missed it.

Eddie van Halen - I'll take rory gallagher any day o' the week over EVH. The whole tapping thing? i dunno -- it just never worked for me. I put Eddie in the ranks with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani,e t al. fantastically talented technical guitar players who simply don't move me. That said, Eruption really is fucking cool.

So who's on your "blind spot" list? Who do you like, respect, heck maybe even revere -- but just don't enjoy listening to?

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Permalink Reply by Stan Schwieger on August 4, 2010 at 6:08pm

Great, great question.

The Kinks--save for Misfits and Sleepwalker, I don't get most of their catalog. I know I should. But I don't.
The Beach Boys--I Iike you, could live a lifetime without hearing them. I recognize that they were incredibly innovative, but....
Elvis Presley--probably a comment which would result in death in Public, but The King ain't for me.
Pearl Jam/Nirvana--Once again, there are individual cuts that I find pretty darn fine. No mass quantities. And rarely at that too.
Roxy Music--I loves me some "Avalon" and parts of some of their other stuff. As a catalog, I kind of give the Thorazine Stare.......

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Permalink Reply by Jon Bard on August 4, 2010 at 6:11pm

The Kinks! Are you crazy -- The Kinks are awesome! You don't know what you're talking about! :)

Heh - you hit me a solid taste of my own medicine right off the bat. I love the Kinks. I lurve the Kinks. But, hey, I feel you. Not your cuppa tea.

that said, you're crazy. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Simon Young on December 23, 2010 at 8:09am

I could counter that and say EVH is awseome ;)

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Permalink Reply by Simon Young on December 23, 2010 at 8:10am

Awesome even

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on August 4, 2010 at 10:21pm

I was thinking of starting a Tribe discussion similar to this but more specific to songs...my first post was going to be "Waterloo Sunset" by The Kinks. I love The Kinks but I can't stand the plinka plinka guitar lead on that song. It drives me nuts!

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Permalink Reply by Jon Bard on August 5, 2010 at 12:04am

really? waterloo sunset? wow -- that's one of my all time favorite songs. songwriting at the highest possible level, says I.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on August 5, 2010 at 10:00am

I'm not downgrading the song, just the arrangement-specifically the lead guitar. To me it sounds out of place within the song.
I don't know the genesis of the song, but to me it sounds like it was written on piano, but when it came time for recording, they decided not to use a keyboard but to have the lead guitar mimic a keyboard. If I imagine the song in my head with a piano playing the lead guitar melody, it just sounds better.

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Permalink Reply by Stevie Nicotine on September 3, 2010 at 4:02am

I'll throw this out there and then I'll run and duck for cover..Have any of you guys heard the Def Leppard cover of "Waterloo Sunset?" Yes, it's slick. Yes, it's overproduced. Yes, the harmonies will evoke your favorite episode of "Glee."

But gosh darnit, it sounds awful purty. Oh, and yes—I love Def Leppard (and The Kinks).

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on September 3, 2010 at 3:51pm

Let me add this and hide behind you-I really like Def Leppard's version of "Hanging On The Telephone".

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Permalink Reply by Stu Pope on September 3, 2010 at 3:59pm

I've got to hear that. I thought Blondie's version was great - didn't even realize at the time Parallel Lines came out that it was a cover of the Nerves. Blondie owned it.

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Permalink Reply by Stevie Nicotine on September 4, 2010 at 6:38am

Blondie is one of those "Bands I Know I'd Really Love If I Took The Time To Explore Them Thoroughly." Every time somebody mentions Parallel Lines I kick myself for not owning a copy.

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Permalink Reply by Stevie Nicotine on September 4, 2010 at 6:48am

P.S., Thomas: Ditto on the DL/Blondie cover! I love that DL continue to release covers (or entire albums of covers) seemingly whenever they feel like it. And I love that the covers seem to always have real sentimental value for them. I do not love that they did an episode of "Crossroads" with Taylor Swift. But I digress.