comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 6 minutes ago
have we had the velvet underpants yet?
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No but I'm hoping to get some for xmas

The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective

Ocean Colour Scene
Seahorses

UB40 are hugely underrated

comment by Reddevilsdouble - confident of a top 4 finish (U12215)
posted 55 minutes ago
UB40 are hugely underrated
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Have you seen the documentary "Promises and Lies"?

That's what I call a family feud

Pavement

Girls
The Sleepy Jackson
Destroyer
The Stills
The New Porņographers
of Montreal
Toro y Moi
Blonde Redhead



Really I could go on and on....

LCD Soundsystem
Flaming lips
The National
Sigur Ros

comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 15 minutes ago
Girls
The Sleepy Jackson
Destroyer
The Stills
The New Porņographers
of Montreal
Toro y Moi
Blonde Redhead



Really I could go on and on....

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good shouts on TNP and the sleepy jackson (i had a period of being mildly obsessed with "lovers"

hmm, failed attempt to simply close a bracket becomes a winky smiley

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 15 minutes ago
Girls
The Sleepy Jackson
Destroyer
The Stills
The New Porņographers
of Montreal
Toro y Moi
Blonde Redhead



Really I could go on and on....

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good shouts on TNP and the sleepy jackson (i had a period of being mildly obsessed with "lovers"

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Great album

Not impressed with his new project even though it's 10 trillion times more successful. Read somewhere he still plans on another Sleepy Jackson album on the future.

In my alternate universe these become huge summer smashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwE5eB3SXUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L30lEoQOw

My taste in music can sometimes be quirky, but these are great pop songs, and I never can quite figure out why they don't sell in the tens of thousands.

Agreed.

I'd add the endlessly addicting "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism" from TNP

Plus "Don't Say" by TSJ

Who remembers these?

https://youtu.be/NwXP2uf7OBk

Their album "Maroon" is decent

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 8 minutes ago
In my alternate universe these become huge summer smashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwE5eB3SXUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L30lEoQOw

My taste in music can sometimes be quirky, but these are great pop songs, and I never can quite figure out why they don't sell in the tens of thousands.

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This is a great idea for an article.

I'm on it

This is heaven to me, so so good

https://youtu.be/4kvEi71uqGk

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 20 minutes ago
In my alternate universe these become huge summer smashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwE5eB3SXUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L30lEoQOw

My taste in music can sometimes be quirky, but these are great pop songs, and I never can quite figure out why they don't sell in the tens of thousands.

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It's because they are offering nothing new, and their music is nothing special. Yes it sounds nice, rather twee, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it isn't exactly exciting either.

The reason why they are not more popular isn't so much down to their sound, but more down to marketing. They probably aren't very exciting people, nor do they bring any unique personality to their rather bland music

comment by RipleysCat (U1862)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 20 minutes ago
In my alternate universe these become huge summer smashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwE5eB3SXUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L30lEoQOw

My taste in music can sometimes be quirky, but these are great pop songs, and I never can quite figure out why they don't sell in the tens of thousands.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It's because they are offering nothing new, and their music is nothing special. Yes it sounds nice, rather twee, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it isn't exactly exciting either.

The reason why they are not more popular isn't so much down to their sound, but more down to marketing. They probably aren't very exciting people, nor do they bring any unique personality to their rather bland music


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well i did ask i suppose.

thanks for clearing up my confusion.

I didn't mean to come across as patronising in any way. Sorry if i came across that way.

I remember back in the 90s playing at band on the wall. The band I played in were supported by a band that I thought were just fantastic and I couldn't understand why they hadn't been signed up. I spoke to their manager, who told me that they had a lot of interest from record company's but not one would touch them because they couldn't market them.

Loads of bands who are really talented won't even get to the stage that the two bands you mentioned did. It saddens me in all honesty, because image is seen as so important in the music industry, that talent will be regarded as second best.

The ability to write a great pop song is secondary to looking the part of a pop star. And it's sad that that's the case

May have been the case before but many of these bands have relatively successful careers. Just because they aren't "marketable" as you say doesn't mean they cannot be successful. They just aren't backed by HUGE record labels....thank cod. With that goes creative freedom.

Also most people have awful tastes and the record companies know that they can put out just about anything with the right image attached and people will lap it up.

May have been the case before but many of these bands have relatively successful careers

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Relatively is the operative word. It's worse now for bands than it ever has been. Today we hear of bands who are signed almost immediately. That happened in the past too. What we don't see is the marketing behind such success stories. Always put together by people who are already respected in the industry. They are effectively given a leg.

You're right about image being more important than talent. That was pretty much the crux of my last post. I've played with a bunch of musicians whose talent was out of this world, yet the best they will ever hope for is session work (not a bad career move to make, but it's stressful and the money isn't that great (and the income is sporadic at best). Myself, I'm earning more money, and earning much more frequently through teaching. My income isn't the best, but at least it's regular. When doing session work, I could earn a couple of thousand for a few days work (not taking into account the preparation time needed), but that few thousand would need to last for a few months, because the work in that industry really is sporadic at best.

I'm rambling. My point is essentially this - there are some great bands out there. But they are bands that the majority will never ever hear. The bands that are heard, do become successful (relatively speaking) - their success is more down to luck - looking good, being spotted at the right time. The way the music industry is today, the bands that made it big time are the ones who have been manufactored to do so.

Disney bands basically

There's also a misconception that great musicians are also great artists/song writers. I've heard some stupidly talented musicians who have the WORST songs.

For me it comes down to the song. Which is why one hit wonders is a thing.

Imagine not saying Tears for Fears.

comment by Matth_2015 (U20438)
posted 2 minutes ago
Imagine not saying Tears for Fears.
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yeah, just imagine not saying tears for fears, as john lennon almost sang.