CARLES IS BACK

8/17/2012 1:09:24 PM

What stigma does the dead hold and with what group?

Bc I think you have zero evidence to back up your complaining.

8/17/2012 1:17:07 PM

The cool kids used to hate the Dead unequivocally.

Then they realized that they only hated Deadheads and pointless noodling, and in so doing figured out that the Dead made a few decent studio albums.

8/17/2012 1:19:57 PM

Because at the very least people would associate Megafaun's entire latest album with being nothing more than a re-hash of Grateful Dead's work circa 1972-73. That is, unless it has to be as obvious as Under Pressure/Ice Ice Baby or something. However, the level of obviousness is far beyond that recent Beach House/VW commercial fiasco; at least to me. I'm not the only one to make that comparison by a long shot.

I don't think the hip crowd wants to be associated with jam bands; I really don't. I guess check social media when you get the chance...

Enough about this though. Megafaun sucks.

8/17/2012 1:24:40 PM

I think this all hinges on who the "cool" kids include. I would assume many cool bands from the 80's listened to the Greatful dead ( flaming lips, meat puppets, sonic youth?). But did fugazi like the dead? I doubt it.

Also I'm not defending Megafaun but who cares if they sound like the dead? You seem to be getting worked up over something just for fun.

8/17/2012 1:51:35 PM

^^ Megafaun seems like an odd choice of a band to harbor such venom for

and really, your grateful dead argument only works for their most recent, self-titled record. Gather, Form, and Fly sounds nothing like "the Dead's work circa 1972-73"

Quote :

"Btw that one Megafaun song is absolutely nothing more than Steal Your Face with less guitar noodling"

This statement doesn't make since to me. You're suggesting that a single Megafaun song sounds like the entirety of the Steal Your Face double-live album (because there's no GD song called Steal Your Face)? Which Megafaun song are you referencing?

[Edited on August 17, 2012 at 1:52 PM. Reason : g]

8/17/2012 1:52:41 PM

He's Gone. You know what I meant.

Also, why is Megafaun such an odd choice to hate on? People around here love them for some reason. I don't get it; their shows are boring and contrived. Now they're performing with some avant garde German composer. You don't find that in the least bit pretentious and annoying? I do. It's like, my opinion.



[Edited on August 17, 2012 at 2:54 PM. Reason : K]

8/17/2012 2:47:48 PM

You're being a baby

8/17/2012 2:51:27 PM

he's doing what he always does

8/17/2012 2:55:00 PM

That's not true. Go see Megayawn. Go tell Brad how awesome he is and how much more he knows about music than you. Because that's what he believes anyway.

8/17/2012 2:56:37 PM

I've seen Megafaun a number of times over the last 5 years and have met them a few times. Regardless of if they are good or not your complaining is ruining the thread.

8/17/2012 3:11:54 PM

As opposed to anyone else badmouthing acts or threatening to sell their tickets. I get it.

8/17/2012 3:18:45 PM

Yes

8/17/2012 3:29:48 PM

Scrumples is a cancer

8/17/2012 3:33:10 PM

Why would I see Matthew E White: One Incantation Under God(wow) when i can see Screaming Females and Julia Holter or Liars or Exitmusic or Thee Oh Sees?

Why would I see Megafaun when i can see Laurel Halo or Danny Brown and Wye Oak or Sunn O))) or Whatever Brains?

8/17/2012 3:45:18 PM

I'm considering a Danny Brown/Wye Oak finish

I want to host an afterparty

8/17/2012 3:58:57 PM

very confused by this page and the Megafaun/Brad hate

8/17/2012 4:12:34 PM

Back on topic.

PUMPED AS SHIT FOR THIS

8/17/2012 4:15:38 PM

i'm concerned that wye oak is gonna be too sadface to end the night

i love civilian and the knot, but i tend to enjoy myself more at upbeat/dancy shows

8/17/2012 6:03:01 PM

They're pretty damn heavy live. No sadfaces.

8/17/2012 6:30:03 PM

I fucking forgot to submit photos for the photo show. Sadface. Megasadface. I had some good ones. Ronny, did you get some in?

[Edited on August 17, 2012 at 6:59 PM. Reason : .]

8/17/2012 6:57:40 PM

Quote :

"What is jstpack's deal with Escort."

they're terrible, and a fifteen member disco band just isn't appealing to me.

the fact that they're on the main stage is disturbing, but the great thing about the festival is i can wander off and see something worthwhile or stay put and LOL at them... either way, i'll have fun with it, and won't be a sad sack of shit.

[Edited on August 17, 2012 at 7:32 PM. Reason : .]

8/17/2012 7:32:37 PM

re: Megafaun

Quote :

" I don't get it; their shows are boring and contrived."

lulz

you know how we know you're trolling?

8/17/2012 7:36:12 PM

Well, I'm glad you will enjoy it either way. I mean, to be honest I'd probably enjoy all the thing's I've talked shit about, and just that...this is the Internet...

However,

I wasn't trolling about Megafaun. Wouldn't go to another one of their shows if the Beatles were resurrected and played during it...

8/17/2012 8:36:24 PM

well duh

the Beatles suck

8/17/2012 9:33:07 PM

Quote :

"they're terrible, and a fifteen member disco band just isn't appealing to me."

in no way is this in defense of the band in question, but does this mean that you don't like LCD Soundsystem?

8/18/2012 12:05:46 AM

I love Megafaun. They're my favorite local band (along with Spider Bags and, more recently, Hiss Golden Messenger). And I don't think Brad or Phil or Joe would have any problem at all admitting that they're influenced by or enjoy The Grateful Dead's late 60s/early 70s stuff. I don't think they shy away from jam bands at all. I mean for fuck's sake, the very first day that I worked at Schoolkids four years ago (fuck), Phil was showing me how to buff CDs in the back and he emphatically recommended Phish's A Live One to me, telling me it was his favorite album.

And I'm LOVING the new Matthew E. White record. I think it's fucking fantastic.

8/18/2012 12:40:37 PM

I've only listened to a couple songs from that Matthew E. White, but I found myself thinking that it'd be much more enjoyable with a proper singer.

8/18/2012 2:52:29 PM

There are "proper" singers all over the album. They're all backup singers, though.

And I think White's voice fits well with the sound he's going for.

8/18/2012 3:14:58 PM

Quote :

"in no way is this in defense of the band in question, but does this mean that you don't like LCD Soundsystem?"

no way, i like LCD Soundsystem.... but i don't find them to sound remotely similar or would even think of them having the same influences.

Escort are just a modern disco band; i'm not exaggerating that and they bill themselves as such. (only clarifying that because i wasn't sure where you were going with the LCD Soundsystem reference since i wouldn't even consider them to be within the same genre/sub-genre of music)

8/18/2012 4:03:18 PM

Quote :

"I love Megafaun. They're my favorite local band (along with Spider Bags and, more recently, Hiss Golden Messenger). And I don't think Brad or Phil or Joe would have any problem at all admitting that they're influenced by or enjoy The Grateful Dead's late 60s/early 70s stuff. I don't think they shy away from jam bands at all. I mean for fuck's sake, the very first day that I worked at Schoolkids four years ago (fuck), Phil was showing me how to buff CDs in the back and he emphatically recommended Phish's A Live One to me, telling me it was his favorite album. And I'm LOVING the new Matthew E. White record. I think it's fucking fantastic."

agree with a lot of this post.

and, I always referenced Megafaun sounding like The Band and not the Grateful Dead.... but I can see American Beauty era Dead. there's not a damn thing wrong with sounding remotely similar to either of those two bands.

i'm not a big fan of jam bands at all, and i love Megafaun, so Scrumples was and is losing me a little with his rant. i've never found their shows to be "jammy" at all, and i've been to several. there's no pointless noodling like a typical jam band live show.

8/18/2012 4:10:00 PM

Yeah, I don't like jam bands either. But I do like American Beauty and other Dead albums from that era. I don't think Megafaun is a jam band, but the Dead influence (and, to a certain extent, even the Phish influence) is there. As far as The Band influence, that's undeniable as well...Brad has a tattoo on his arm of the classic picture of The Band, with Robbie Robertson not filled in because he hates Robbie Robertson. I saw them do "The Weight" the night Levon Helm died with Drive-By Truckers at the Cradle. Super moving.

[Edited on August 18, 2012 at 4:21 PM. Reason : s]

8/18/2012 4:17:11 PM

and, i should clarify about Matthew E. White... i've only heard the stream of Big Inner, but i'm dying to get my hands on a copy.

links are welcome (and, yes, i'm buying it Tuesday, either way)

8/18/2012 4:22:52 PM

Quote :

"And I think White's voice fits well with the sound he's going for."

That's fine, but the songs and tracks are good enough that they'd really stand out with someone who could flex on them. As I said, though, I've only heard three of the songs; I might feel different about the whole record, but what I've heard doesn't really make me want to seek out the rest.

8/18/2012 7:17:50 PM

^ with your affinity for old soul, this kind of shocks me, honestly

8/18/2012 7:51:37 PM

Um, neither of the only two good Dead albums (you folks are leaving out Workingman's for some reason...) were after the 1972ish period I mentioned, and Megafaun sounds nothing like either of those, either.

If that's your thing, so be it. I think I only mentioned all this crap because yesterday my social media BLEW UP with Matthew E. White drivel, but I'm glad I stirred the pot a little here to get the blood flowing.
No greater awesome words could be said than Bweez's comment about all the other great stuff taking place at the same time as either of these two shitty hometapes bullshit pretentious white guys with beards playing "sensible Memphis Cats it's been done times 25 times over bullshits". I just hate it when people take advantage of sounds like this and people buy into it; seemingly because they're either too lazy or stupid to go buy a Stax/Volt/Atlantic/Blue Note/Verve...fuck, whatever record and they can't see through how hacked and contrived it sounds when:

Quote :

"I've only listened to a couple songs from that Matthew E. White, but I found myself thinking that it'd be much more enjoyable with a proper singer."

...is so effing true.


Sorry, Matthew E. Hwhite, I'm not buying into your effing bullcrap. You're selling cool. That. is. all. this. fat. douche. is. selling.

Lester Bangs would agree if still alive.

8/18/2012 8:47:15 PM

Also I think Escort is going to be one of the huge highlights of this year's fest. I think if anything is obscure to hate on, it's a band with like one recorded LP at best that has minimal attention drawn to them.

Yes, they rehash old sounds extremely. I think the difference lies in that they seem to pay homage to those sounds instead of extract their own "cool" from them.

8/18/2012 8:54:17 PM

In the interest of not rehashing possibly ignorant comments, I listened to all of Big Inner.

I really enjoy "Big Love." Great tune that suits his voice. I really hate "Steady Pace." It sounds like '70s AOR crap. That's where the black and white feelings end.

There are some very good songs on this record, arranged thoughtfully and played very well, that I think get shortchanged because of the lack of expression in vocal delivery. I understand that he's going for a smallish, vunerable sound, but I can't help wondering what the excellent first half of of "Brazos" would sound like read by Al Green. I know it's unfair to suggest White should stand up to a legend; I do so only for the sake of an easily illustrated (and appropriate) comparison.

I think perhaps framing this as a shortcoming of the record is unjust, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I look forward to the day when other singers get ahold of these songs.

That brings up something I've been thinking about lately: the concept of authorship in indie rock. In the quest to distinguish themselves from the mainstream and establish authenticity, DIY musicians have always made a big deal out of writing their own songs. While it's worked very well on all levels, I wonder why writing for others seems to still carry a stigma in the community. Aretha Franklin wrote very few of her songs, and Prince wrote many hits for others to sing, yet neither suffered a loss of credibility. Why can't that be more common in indie rock as well?

8/19/2012 12:40:26 AM

because it's 2012 and people aren't afraid of being assholes anonymously

sadly, some great artists that broke when they did wouldn't be able to make it in 2012 with the level of snark that is now the norm



[Edited on August 19, 2012 at 2:12 AM. Reason : I still believe that legit talent always transcends most of the bullshit though ]

8/19/2012 2:07:19 AM

Anthem of the Sun and Aoxomoxa are both great albums

8/19/2012 10:24:40 AM

Quote :

"I just hate it when people take advantage of sounds like this and people buy into it; seemingly because they're either too lazy or stupid to go buy a Stax/Volt/Atlantic/Blue Note/Verve...fuck, whatever record and they can't see through how hacked and contrived it sounds"

fucking LOL... yes, heaven forbid someone be influenced by a sound that precedes them. the horror!

there are plenty of reasons to dislike the record and criticize it... but to dislike it for for this reason is pretentious, arrogant, ignorant and nonsensical.

you risk coming across as a bigger douche than the dude you're calling a douche.

[Edited on August 19, 2012 at 1:16 PM. Reason : .]

8/19/2012 12:58:32 PM

^x3 I wholeheartedly agree that the level of snarkiness and snobbiness that is present in the base of music listeners as a whole has changed the entire landscape of music, from the way it's made (i.e. vinylbandit's observation on writing music for yourself versus writing songs for others to sing) down to the way it's listened to.

Thanks a lot, Pitchfork.

As far as the "writing songs for others" thing goes, vinylbandit: Big Inner is actually an interesting case in that regard. In the liner notes, White gives a writing credit to Jimmy Cliff on "Will You Love Me" (one of the couplets is borrowed from a Jimmy Cliff song), Jorge Ben on "Brazos," and various others on the other songs. None of these songs seem to be straightforward covers of any of those artists' songs, though (as far as I know...I could be wrong). I'd be curious to know with this record specifically exactly where White was actually just inspired by those artists and where he felt like he was recreating or reapproximating songs those artists already wrote.

8/19/2012 2:40:13 PM

having finally given Escort a listen, I'm not seeing what's there to hate

it's cheese that knows it's cheese and that's fine

8/19/2012 2:42:25 PM

Yeah, I might actually be more excited for Escort than I am for The Roots, honestly. It'll be a dance party.

8/19/2012 3:09:11 PM

I seriously never bothered to even listen to them until hearing "Cocaine Blues" on knc yesterday and falling hard for it (didn't even know it was them until I checked the playlist)

8/19/2012 3:22:00 PM

I am entertained by some of the elaborate reasons people have given for not liking this or that

[Edited on August 19, 2012 at 3:40 PM. Reason : r]

8/19/2012 3:40:09 PM

^yeah, how dare people try to express themselves with something more specific than "i like it" or "i don't like it"

8/19/2012 4:44:50 PM

This is the second time in two pages someone has responded to settledown with "how dare they"

8/19/2012 5:16:37 PM

Jesus Scrumples...What the fuck is your problem?

8/19/2012 6:26:16 PM

calm down

8/19/2012 6:54:39 PM