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Dale
Dale
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Enlighten me, please

Posted about 1 year ago
Now, I've never presented myself as a bellwether of all things cool. In fact, I consider myself hopelessly uncool. Not that that's a bad thing, most of the time.Well, I've been reading through the end-of-year best of 2007 lists, and Bright Eyes' Cassadega and Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger are showing up prominently. I find myself perplexed. Neither artist has ever appealed to me, but I don't want to be the type to shut myself off to new things, so I appeal to you, my friends: I need a primer on these artists.Maybe I should start by giving you mt previous experiences with both.First, Bright Eyes. I actually have Digital Ash In A Digital Urn; I figured that would be a good intro, as I love The Faint, who did most of the backing music. However, I hardly ever listen to it. I actually like the few songs for which I have seen videos, like "Bowl of Oranges" and "First Day Of My Life".Ryan Adams, however, is more of an unknown. I remember vividly the hype leading up to the release of his album Gold, and his appearance on SNL. I walked away from that thinking, "Country is cool? Did I miss a memo?" Then again, maybe the upside-down flag made my insides turn a bit.I'll repeat this, since it bears repeating, but this is an honest request. I'm not yanking your chains. I'm not giving the haters an opportunity. To be frank, people I really love and admire enjoy these artists immensely, and I want to find out what I'm missing.Oh, ummm ... and Elliot Smith too, please.*puts on dunce cap*
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Comments (43)

  1. SA
    SA says I second all you said, basically. ;)
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  2. dachmo
    dachmo says I'm with you 98.6% on the Bright Eyes/Ryan Adams thingy (100% on RA alone) I don't agree with you on the Elliott Smith side of it though. Connor Oberst has a few songs I can get with but Ryan Adams I find as appealing as Brian Adams. I felt the same way when everybody was going gaga over Animal Collective.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  3. darmuzz
    darmuzz says Dale, answer this first, do you like Wilco?
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  4. Dale
    Dale says You could add them to the list, Darla. :-$
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  5. gympumpkin
    gympumpkin says I almost could have written this post myself. I like Bright Eyes, but I don't love all of it. Though I did love Cassadega. And I can tolerate Ryan Adams, but I do not have the obsessive love for him that many people I know have. I can explain this, though, by saying that I like very little country music and I may as well group alt-country in there with it because I don't like it very much either. I do love Elliott Smith, though. Dachmo - Thank you! I thought I was the only one who didn't get the Animal Collective hype.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  6. caliscrnwrtr
    caliscrnwrtr says i sorta flop back and forth with conor oberst...i like him a lot when he's just him, but i'm sorta indiffernt to bright eyes. ryan adams i'm sorta whatever with, though i do like alt-country - have to thank the elected for that ;) and i claim dunce on elliot smith and wilco. never listened to enough of either of them to have a real judgement, though what i've heard of elliot i like and what i've heard of wilco i like b/c i'm supposed to. the animal collective is growing on me...i can listen to "winter's tale" on repeat for hours...and how can you not love furries? :)
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  7. Dale
    Dale says I must have missed the Animal Collective hype; oh well, doesn't sound like I missed much. So, should I try out Cassadega? Is that a good intro to Bright Eyes? What about Elliot Smith?
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  8. rahblah
    rahblah says Well, I don't presume to know what's cool or musically relevant, but as a Ryan Adams fan I can tell you why I like him. Heartbreaker. This aptly-titled album commenced my love affair with Ryan Adams and I haven't been able to shake it since. If you truly want to understand, I would suggest you sit down and give that album a good listen, and then several more listens. If he still doesn't do it for you, then I'd forget about it. Ultimately, musical tastes are an individual thing and different musicians are going to speak to people differently.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  9. Misstee
    Misstee says gotta say I agree, I haven't liked anything in the ryan adams playbook since Whiskeytown's 'Sixteen Days'. Conor never did it for me and it has nothing to do with the fact he dated Winona Ryder...
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  10. Dale
    Dale says OK, I will give Heartbreaker a few spins. Oh come on, I can't go dismissing everyone who dated Winona Ryder. ;)
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  11. contrabandwidth
    contrabandwidth says Here here. I've never understood it either - both artists. I've actually thought Adams was a pompous jack ass. I'm with you Dale, embrace your uncoolness, and love it. I became a much happier person when I realized this. I have a theory on cool - you either are or you are not. Cool is a leading, not following endeavor. You have people like Paul Newman or Johnny Depp, that seem as though they were born cool. They ooze originality and a free spirit that can't be imitated. There is nothing worse then older people who are trying so hard to stay hip or be cool...and then you have children, and you will soon realize just how uncool you are. Me I'm looking forward to my cranky old man years.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  12. Marigold
    Marigold says I would not get to hung up on it Dale. Give the bands in question a few spins. Sit on them for a while if they do not catch. Spin them again after a few months. If you still don't like ...move on. There is plenty of music that will speak to you out there. Why waste time on stuff that is not doing it for you. There are a lot of bands that I can totally respect and like but not feel like I need to own all of their records. Wilco is a great example. I think their music is really good. But when you get down to it, it really does not connect with me on that next level. I have given them a fair chance, I like them. I do not love them. Maybe it is the same for you and Bright Eyes and Ryan Adams.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  13. ZenPop
    ZenPop says ...as for Elliot Smith... just listen to this track... It's the one that grabbed me by the lapels and shook me (although very quietly)... song called "Tomorrow Tomorrow" off of "xo"... I think this is a stunner of a beautiful song....
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  14. summer eyes
    summer eyes says dale, dale, dale. you just took three of my favorite artists there, and admitted you cant understand what all the fuss is about! but you know what- its ok. i get where you are coming from. there have been several artists that i was never really into, and then one day i heard a song by them, and immediately, it was love. ill even admit this- it did take me a while to get into bright eyes. i remember teasing my best friend abi about them in the 8th grade and calling them the whiny band. but then one day, BAM! it hit, and i was deeply and irrevocably in L-O-V-E.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  15. Dale
    Dale says Wow John, that _is_ beautiful. That's something I could happily listen to on Sundays, when I'm trying to relax. OK, I'll add XO to the list.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  16. Dale
    Dale says Uh oh, I've done it now. Ivy just dropped the "Dale Dale Dale" line. But but but ... I did make my room! LOL! If it makes you feel any better, after listening to John's track above, I feel a MAJOR Elliot Smith kick coming on. I'm streaming Figure 8 as I type. And while I don't understand the fuss, I *want* to understand. That's gotta be better than being closed-minded and thinking you're all nuts. So, may I borrow the car to go to the mall, _please_? Heh.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  17. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Being someone who enjoys some alt. country like Wilco I have to say I've not understood the big deal about Bright Eyes or Ryan Adams. I've listened to "I'm Wide Awake Its Morning" by Bright Eyes & enjoyed it but it didn't _MAKE_ me want to hear more. Same thing with RA & Elliot Smith. I guess the thing w/Wilco I like so much is that they've done the alt. country thing well but then evolved & have done some really fascinating, boundary pushing, experimental music that is beyond categorization.
    Permalink posted 12/15/2007
  18. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Think my comment went down the drain. I'll make it short then.................................. Ryan Adams..............Heartbreaker. This is the album. Personally he has not impressed me since............well Gold is good but it's no Heartbreaker. Elliott Smith.....................the XO album is a good place to start. Wilco...................I think you'll like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If not...............watch the documentary "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart".
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  19. Dale
    Dale says OK, that's two votes for Heartbreaker. I'll do it Henry, but not now. Now, I sleep.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  20. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Sleep is what matters. I had my hours of sleep and it felt good. Lambchop - Is A Woman........................that album is actually all you need. It is my favorite album.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  21. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Listen to Amy + Come Pick Me Up from Heartbreaker. Those two should convince you. There's also a danish band called Murder who fit the profile. www.myspace.com/murderdk
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  22. mutterimieli
    mutterimieli says hehe..what was the artist you disowned me for?? :D
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  23. Jonh Ingham
    Jonh Ingham says 'Gold' just pissed me off endlesly. I thought all that 'I recorded them as I wrote them' idea should have been stomped on really fast because it's a bunch of good ideas in need of serious work. But 'Easy Tiger' is a great record to sneak up on you. I sunk into it by having it on as background - my usual way to figure out what I like. Some of his lyrics are really good too - though there's a touch too much of the tortured fuckup. Or maybe I'm too old for that to look attractive. You can learn style, but you can't learn cool.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  24. lucysilverlining
    lucysilverlining says my dear favorite classmate you have just listed out three of my favorite artists, so i think you need a mix (or set of mixes) to get to know oberst, adams and smith. i will get on that right away!
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  25. lucysilverlining
    lucysilverlining says also, if i were to suggest albums: bright eyes: cassadaga and the song lua. ryan adams: heartbreaker and the song la cienega smiles and starlite diner elliott smith: xo and everything. somehow i can't see you not really loving elliott. the other two? well, they do have that country-feel...and i know it isn't a big one for you...but elliott.... and really...you don't have to like any of them...you will still be my favorite classmate ever.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  26. Anna
    Anna says Wait, shouldn't Joxley be here? :) I am with you and Stefan. I do have to say that I can barely keep up with the music I like. I don't have the time to try out folksy stuff as well! I need my 5 hours of sleep. Pass me the hat :)
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  27. Bartleby
    Bartleby says It's the cliché of clichés but I'll say it all the same. I feel like you for many bands/artists so highly praised by people whom I more than admire. These artists/bands are my "iwicl" (pronounced I-wickle or "I wish I could like." On paper, they've got everything to appeal to me but somehow it doesn't work. Feist and Arctic Monkeys are two prominent figures of my "iwicls" (Sorry Anna)
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  28. Anna
    Anna says [owww, that's a pity, I'd bet that you look good on the dancefloor ;) ]
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  29. lucysilverlining
    lucysilverlining says i had a block up against the arctic monkeys because of my love of another band whose album was being squashed by the first monkeys one...but people around me kept raving. it was mardy bum that changed it for me....and then i had to let myself get them, and end up really digging them. feist i liked from the first listen, but i've always had a weakness for female singers.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  30. amber
    amber says a little late to this party but I've never been able to keep my thoughts to myself....so...... I think your "problem" is you don't like country music. Since I am also anti-country (I can count the country songs I can _tolerate_ on one hand), I understand the confusion about Ryan Adams and Wilco and some Bright Eyes. I pick and choose the BE's songs I like, others get tossed to the great recycle bin in the digital sky. Now...Elliott I love, and fell hard for Either/Or. If you keep a weather eye, you may find that album somewhere around the interweb. :)
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  31. bloodtea
    bloodtea says pheeww.. you *still* like me ;-)
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  32. Dale
    Dale says OK, that now makes FOUR votes for Heartbreaker. I'm real nervous about it. because as has been noted here by a few people, I'm almost allergic to country/bluegrass. Still gonna try it. I did spend the night devouring Figure 8, and enjoyed it very much. Tomorrow, I'll try out Either/Or. I still need to find XO, but it appears I'm sold on Elliott Smith. Yay! I just listened to Lua three times in a row, and while I think it's well done, I'm feeling a big *meh* coming on. I'll still give Cassadega a spin, to be fair.
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  33. Dale
    Dale says Jill: I forgot, did I disown you for Nickelback? That sounds likely. :P Lucy: Did you guess that your top 5 list did a lot to prompt this post? Thank you for the recommendations, the assurances, the mixes ... well, thanks for you. :) And your ardor for Libertines really does know no bounds. Heh. Anna: Yeah, where IS Jox? And no hat for you! :) Amber: As stated above, I think you've got it in one. Just polished off Either/Or, couldn't wait. Delicious! I may have found my new Sunday music! Andrea: Did I *stop* liking you? (scratches head)
    Permalink posted 12/16/2007
  34. bloodtea
    bloodtea says Did you ever *start* liking? hah
    Permalink posted 12/17/2007
  35. amber
    amber says It is sooooo cool to EMCD the EMCD :)
    Permalink posted 12/17/2007
  36. Dale
    Dale says Yes, I hope you're real proud. Like I'm such a hard nut to crack. ;)
    Permalink posted 12/17/2007
  37. amber
    amber says shhhhh, I busy gloating over here. Don't bring me down....
    Permalink posted 12/18/2007
  38. Dale
    Dale says Hahahahahahaha.
    Permalink posted 12/18/2007
  39. goodmusiconly
    goodmusiconly says dag! I'm sorry I missed this earlier, D. I've never been able to get into RA or Bright Eyes either (or Animal Collective, for that matter). But dear bro, you know my Elliott obsession and had you only told me earlier I would have been on a mission! (ZenPop played one of my favorite songs of all time, btw). I will upload XO for you, pronto. So glad to hear you're becoming a convert, fills my heart with glee! XO!
    Permalink posted 12/20/2007
  40. Dale
    Dale says I thought the Denver front was a bit too quiet ...
    Permalink posted 12/20/2007
  41. democlez
    democlez says I agree Dale. I've wanted to get into Bright Eyes for some time now. I can't get enough of three BE tracks from "Lifted Or the Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground": Nothing Gets Crossed Out (My first introduction to BE) False Advertising Lover I Don't Have to Love Every BE track I've heard since have been too country for me to get into. The only track I know from Ryan Adams is his cover of Wonderwall. It's a great interpretation, but not enough for me to get into his other work.
    Permalink posted 12/22/2007
  42. TBoom
    TBoom says I was going to write a long comment about Elliot Smith but you and others beat me to it. Any/all Elliott Smith is good Elliot Smith. Too bad that he has gone away. I wouldn't know a Bright Eyes song if it hit me in the face though.
    Permalink posted 12/23/2007
  43. TBoom
    TBoom says Oh, BTW either/or is also my favorite Elliot Smith album but it seems you've already gone there.
    Permalink posted 12/23/2007

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