Funny that this got bumped. Out of the blue, I recommended this band to a friend last night. She was wondering what to listen to, and I suggested she check it out. I hope she liked it.
I kind of think that disliking a band because it's hip is as bad as liking a band because it's hip. How about liking a band because they make excellent music? There we go!
Not Crap!
Band: Blonde Redhead
52Linus van Pelt wrote:I kind of think that disliking a band because it's hip is as bad as liking a band because it's hip.
Replace "bad" with "good" and you more or less nailed it for me.
Band: Blonde Redhead
53heard 2 or 3 songs I liked, then got tired of them on launchcast.. too much filler
I voted no crap, any band that can make 3 good songs has done more than most
I voted no crap, any band that can make 3 good songs has done more than most
Band: Blonde Redhead
55What is particularly interesting about this band is that there is a huge difference between their first three records and the rest of their catalog.
Those records are all very noisy, sonic youth-influenced guitar records. However, their songwriting is quite different from Sonic Youth. They have obviously listened to a reasonable amount of classical music, jazz, and probably some bossa-nova.
That's why I always felt that the negative Sonic Youth comparisons were really annoying. Yes, superficially, they were quite similar to SY, but the substance of their music was much different. I suppose it didn't help that Steve Shelley put out their records on his label. Each of those records became progressively more polished, but still rocked intensely.
On their fourth record, there was still plenty of rock-guitar, but more electronic influences were seeping in. Also, the noise really started to disappear, except on the bizarre title track. To me, this album is the band's obvious transitional point.
I'm actually not as familiar with their later records, but I have heard them. They seem to be far less dynamic and feature much more keyboard work. The songs often seem indistinguishable from one another, and the mood is quite consistent throughout these albums.
I prefer their first four records over their later ones, though I suppose I need to give MOCDA and MIAB more of a listen.
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that if anyone is denouncing Blonde Redhead based on their later records, it would be wise to check out the self-titled record, La Mia Vita Violenta, and Fake Can Be Just as Good.
They, along with Unwound, were one of my favorite bands when I was in high school.
Those records are all very noisy, sonic youth-influenced guitar records. However, their songwriting is quite different from Sonic Youth. They have obviously listened to a reasonable amount of classical music, jazz, and probably some bossa-nova.
That's why I always felt that the negative Sonic Youth comparisons were really annoying. Yes, superficially, they were quite similar to SY, but the substance of their music was much different. I suppose it didn't help that Steve Shelley put out their records on his label. Each of those records became progressively more polished, but still rocked intensely.
On their fourth record, there was still plenty of rock-guitar, but more electronic influences were seeping in. Also, the noise really started to disappear, except on the bizarre title track. To me, this album is the band's obvious transitional point.
I'm actually not as familiar with their later records, but I have heard them. They seem to be far less dynamic and feature much more keyboard work. The songs often seem indistinguishable from one another, and the mood is quite consistent throughout these albums.
I prefer their first four records over their later ones, though I suppose I need to give MOCDA and MIAB more of a listen.
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that if anyone is denouncing Blonde Redhead based on their later records, it would be wise to check out the self-titled record, La Mia Vita Violenta, and Fake Can Be Just as Good.
They, along with Unwound, were one of my favorite bands when I was in high school.
Band: Blonde Redhead
56I don't listen to their records much but Blonde Redhead is one of the best live rock bands in the world.
Even if the records don't do it for you I highly recommend seeing them play if you get the chance.
Even if the records don't do it for you I highly recommend seeing them play if you get the chance.
:D