Not that I feel like I have to like them, but the following are very popular, critically acclaimed, successful bands that I just don't get. I guess there's no great mystery as to why I don't like them; it's just not my type of music, but I'm sure everyone has their own equivalent list, so I'll share mine anyway.
The Foo Fighters
Somehow, for me, any Foo Fighters' song sounds like it's been playing for about 10 minutes, regardless of its actual length. They've got an impressive discography but I just don't think I'll ever like them.
Kiss
It is beyond me why this band is so huge. They're nothing but an overblown gimmick. For most of these bands it's a case of "it's not you... it's me"; but with Kiss, I think it's them.
Nine Inch Nails
Most people have nothing but good things to say about Trent Reznor and his music. I can see how innovative he is. I like 'Head Like A Hole'. But that's about it. What am I missing with this band?
Beastie Boys
I like a bit of 80s hip hop (De La Soul, Public Enemy are great!) but I don't think I've ever enjoyed a Beastie Boys song. I didn't even go through a brief faze of liking them.
Arctic Monkeys
Time will eventually tell us if these guys are the real deal, but I'm willing to take a stab and say "no, they are not". "Chav rock" doesn't really appeal to me, and I think they're one of many hyped up British bands that no one will remember in ten years. I thought The Libertines were a better band.
It feels good to get that out there. Anyone else want to confess?
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Foo Fighters - I don't think you have to like them. But I think you can just be in awe of the achievment of David Grohl. It's a bit like Billy Joel maybe.
NIN - Listen to Downward Spiral all the way though. It is one of the most amazing concept albums ever written. And the evil lyrics are brilliant. I also really like the houses-falling-down drum solo at the end of Piggy.
As far as NIN goes I'd actually recommend The Fragile over Downward Spiral ;) But either way, they really are meals - you have to sit down and listen through to really appreciate the genius.
The newer albums haven't been anywhere near as good, though I did enjoy The Slip, and if you're in to weird ambient stuff like I sometimes am Ghosts was really cool.
I think that, to love KISS, you had to have had a sister who was a teenager in the late seventies/early eighties who was in love with Ace Frehley and spelled out the letters K-I-S-S on her bedhead in electrical tape and went and saw them in Melbourne when she was 16 and Gene Simmons spat fake blood on her ... and she brainwashed you before you were old enough to know better. (Being given a Gene Simmons face mask with realistic black curly hair helps too).
Thanks guys, I will try to check out both The Fragile and Downward Spiral.
Pablo - HA ha!
The Who - Except for My Generation, which I love.
Hate to say it - Nirvana. Except for the acoustic album. Yes that makes me soft.
James Brown - I mean, I get it, it's funky. But I only really like that one song.
Marvin Gaye - Except for I Heard it Through the Grapevine and Let's Get it On
Oh god delete delete.
Interesting. I'm listening to James Brown right now I was just thinking how awesome it is! All the songs.
I have similar feelings toward Nirvana... I get it and don't dislike it, but never really want to listen to it.
Thanks for confessing. Feels good doesn't it?
Powderfinger. If they were any more boring, they'd be Hayden Christensen.
Oh yes, no argument here JML. Even their so called great album 'Internationalist' doesn't do it for me.
For a young person hearing KISS for the first time now, of course they don't get it, because they weren't in the social context that the band came into. Same goes for Nine Inch Nails or anyone.
e.g. I remember liking Jimmy Barnes in 1990. I don't really like his music now, but if I wasn't listening to him in 1990 I wouldn't get it and would really not like it at all, but because I was there in 1990 I can get it and appreciate it a bit.
Although to contradict myself, I love some swedish 60's jazzed folk music that is pretty culturally distant from me. I actually don't know the cultural context of the songs at all but like it anyway.
today my favorite song is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1p08cqRgQ0
I highly recommend Powderfinger while high on laughing gas at the dentist.
I'm not sure I agree with that Anthony. I and many others (including yourself as you stated), enjoy and "get" music that is of a different era and culture. And there are young people that like Kiss' songs that weren't around for their heyday. Although, I guess Kiss is more of an "experience" than a regular band, as Kate alluded to, so perhaps that is were you're coming from...
By the way, your song of the day is interesting. I've not heard music like that before.
Erm, yeah. Agreed.
Of course it's not shameful to dislike "legendary" bands like Aerosmith, is it? Ugh. Horrible.
Oh... can I get this off my chest: the Stones, man. Not feelin' it. Like, at all.
You know Laura, I was actually going to include Aerosmith in my list but then forgot to. I just don't understand their legendary status (and I have a soft spot for hairmetal). Indeed horrible.
I like the Rolling Stones a lot. The Stone Roses on the other hand... not so pumped.
I like the Beastie Boys, although after a long bout of listening all the songs start to annoy and sound the same. Dunno how to persuade you about them - I like their brash, immature, punchy sound, and that you get the impression they're wandering around sticking their middle finger up at everyone, with their other middle finger up their nose. Cheeky, rebellious, grotty fun ;-) I'm making them sound like the musical equivalent of The Young Ones - which I never got.
Great job of describing them Fiona. I'm not sure if I'll ever like the Beastie Boys but I think your summary of their sound is spot on.
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