Thursday, June 29, 2006

Critic's Darlings

I got ahold of the new album from Thom Yorke (Radiohead frontman) called 'The Eraser' the other day. The album doesn't come out until July 11. I liked the album, but alas, I feel sometimes like this guy is stuck in a musical rut. The album is a collection of electronic songs that harkens back to Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief, etc. I used to be a large Radiohead fan and still believe that The Bends and Ok Computer are two of the best albums of the 1990's, but isn't it time for he and his group to progress. I love how the band have mentioned about going back to the sound of the Bends for the new album, but they said that with Hail to the Thief and we all know that it was no Bends. Of course the critics will definitely argue with me. I'm betting my money that the critics will throw praise upon the solo album from Thom Yorke..he could light a fart and they would rave about how inventive and powerfully moving that fart was. I'm guilty of being a critic and regularly reading album reviews each day, but it burns me when I see certain groups getting critical praise based more on their name than on the quality of the album. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few groups that are the critic's darlings, irregardless of the album's quality, inventiveness, etc. Let me know your opinion on this list:

1. Radiohead
2. Bob Dylan
3. Pearl Jam
4. Tool
5. Tupac
6. Flaming Lips
7. Green Day
8. Paul McCartney
9. Prince
10. The Rolling Stones
11. Wilco

Of course, all of the artists/groups above have one helluva a resume and continue to sell records, but over the course of a career, you're gonna have some less than superior albums. This topic could be argued forever and a day, but I just wish critics would apply some of the criticism they show to less well known artists to some of the better known artists out there. That's my 2 cents worth...and I'm sure it's not worth much.

Currently listening to:
David Mead
Tangerine
Released on: 5-16-06


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