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twistedkite, on 28 March 2012 - 06:06 AM, said:
Wow--thanks for the discussion! Anyway, look, some of you seem almost downright hostile/bewildered at the thought that REM could be considered somewhat embarrassing (which I think is a bit unobjective). I mean, I love REM--don't doubt my fandom, but that doesn't mean I can't be critical of songs, choices, or the general trajectory of their career. I'll give you an analogy--I have 2 kids, and I am a VERY devoted and loving Dad, BUT, yes, there are times when company is around that my kids (ages 5 and 3) act a little too silly (anyone with kids knows what I mean)--there's a fine-line between goofy-cute and goofy-annoying/embarrassing.
I guess majority rules--most of you gave a resounding "No!" which is fine, but I will admit that every time I tell my college classes that REM is my favourite band I have to add the following: "I know that REM may be Dad rock to most of you; however, back in the day they were the epitome of indie-college rock cool, not unlike the [names current hip outsider indie band]." Then again, I've heard Pearl Jam called "dad-rock" too, so it seems I can't win.
And as for ebowtheloser's opinion of SP and Nirvana--again, I can understand how some of these songs are ridiculous if you're "not in the moment"--kind of how every love song on the radio sounds full of shit if you're not in love (but if you are, then it all makes sense!)--they can seem annoying and almost childish. That said, I was a pretty depressed high school/university student and Trent Reznor really spoke to me, and yet I don't listen to early NIN anymore because (frankly) I'm just not that depressed/angry--obviously my life has changed and I've matured...just like Reznor! He's married with a kid and doing soundtracks, and recently he has said he wants to move NIN in a direction that reflects his life now (I can't wait!--hopefully he can stop talking about wanting to "disappear"--he's used that line so many times like the way Stipe uses the words "on your sleeve")
It's funny because many people can't reconcile my deep love of 90s alt bands with my love of REM since they are so different musically; but what I find funny/reassuring is that REM and/or Stipe are all friends with these other bands/artists with the exception of Reznor. It was so hilarious when Kurt Cobain (my idol through high school) said how much he loved REM (my then and always favourite band!)
But I'm off topic. The response have all been great in quality and analysis--this is what we do--we love REM and dissect them endlessly because we care about the music. BTW I proudly wear my REM shirts... I have no issue being publicly branded.
I guess majority rules--most of you gave a resounding "No!" which is fine, but I will admit that every time I tell my college classes that REM is my favourite band I have to add the following: "I know that REM may be Dad rock to most of you; however, back in the day they were the epitome of indie-college rock cool, not unlike the [names current hip outsider indie band]." Then again, I've heard Pearl Jam called "dad-rock" too, so it seems I can't win.
And as for ebowtheloser's opinion of SP and Nirvana--again, I can understand how some of these songs are ridiculous if you're "not in the moment"--kind of how every love song on the radio sounds full of shit if you're not in love (but if you are, then it all makes sense!)--they can seem annoying and almost childish. That said, I was a pretty depressed high school/university student and Trent Reznor really spoke to me, and yet I don't listen to early NIN anymore because (frankly) I'm just not that depressed/angry--obviously my life has changed and I've matured...just like Reznor! He's married with a kid and doing soundtracks, and recently he has said he wants to move NIN in a direction that reflects his life now (I can't wait!--hopefully he can stop talking about wanting to "disappear"--he's used that line so many times like the way Stipe uses the words "on your sleeve")
It's funny because many people can't reconcile my deep love of 90s alt bands with my love of REM since they are so different musically; but what I find funny/reassuring is that REM and/or Stipe are all friends with these other bands/artists with the exception of Reznor. It was so hilarious when Kurt Cobain (my idol through high school) said how much he loved REM (my then and always favourite band!)
But I'm off topic. The response have all been great in quality and analysis--this is what we do--we love REM and dissect them endlessly because we care about the music. BTW I proudly wear my REM shirts... I have no issue being publicly branded.
I completely understand what you are saying... up to a point. But I guess this is what I'm trying to get at... If your children behave badly/inappropriately (not that they would of course
) then OF COURSE you feel embarrassed, because you are directly responsible for raising them. None of us had anything to do with creating "Shiny Happy People" (for example) so why should it, or any other song, embarrass us? I'm just not guilty about my pleasures I guess. I like "Stand" a lot more than "Country Feedback" for example, which is generally considered heresy. Now if someone were to post a completely logical, persuasive, musically knowledgable response to why "Country Feedback" is provably better than "Stand"... and everyone piled on and said I was a fool. I still literally COULD NOT work up the ability to be embarrassed about it. It might have to do with my having always worked in some sort of creative field. I just had to develop a thick skin.
