Originally Posted by: Pantallica1Very nice post indeed. I'm not going to flame you for what you said, we need more discussions on the board like this.

I certainly don't care for Cobain's music, but to some the simplicity of music is better.

I enjoy Steve Vai. Not because he can play a million notes a second, but because he can tell a story with his guitar. He doesn't need vocals, just a guitar to get his message across. That's what I enjoyed.

On the other hand, I don't care for Satch. I don't know why, but his music just doesn't do it for me.

Cobain may have lowered the bar to some people. Which isn't a totally inaccurate thing to say. But I'm sure he inspired a lot of people to pick up the guitar as well.

I may get flamed for this, but a lot of people when it comes to music only prefer to listen to what isn't popular, or what makes them seem more cool. There's the people that dig only the underground music scene, and if you've made it big, you're either a sell-out, or your music sucks. Then there's the people that don't listen to the so-called "Guitar Gods" but tell everyone here that they do, just so they look cool. Now don't get me wrong, not everyone is like that, and some people really do enjoy the undiscovered musical talent of the underground.

But, I don't think there should be such a competition between artists, the "Who's better?" threads and the "vs." threads, are all nonsense. These are totally objective (or is it subjective) matters.

We should learn to share the music, not put each other down because of what we like or dislike. I don't like seeing on here, "Punk sucks, and so do you, listen to Steve Vai and play his song, then tell me you're good." That's just dumb. If you like punk, awesome. Instead say, "I'm not a big fan of punk music, I prefer Steve Vai. Have you ever heard of him? If not, give him a listen, you might enjoy it." Bashing each other over what music we like is pointless. Might as well bash each other for what kind of car we drive, or what kind of clothes we wear, or how our hair is styled. Stop the madness and enjoy music for what it is, an art form, and entertainment.

Exactly, and well put- I agree with what you said about Steve Vai and as you rightly point out, he does tell a story with his playing (and after the time he played with Frank Zappa, I'm sure he has TONS of stories!) His speed and his abilities are something that even though his work doesn't appeal to me, it is something I could study and learn from. I remember one of my old friends who studied composition in college who HATED Hector Berlioz- he thought he was a total meglomaniac, but I saw him studying scores of Berlioz's work, and I asked why he would do that since he hated him, and he said basically that no matter what he thought of the man, his music was absolute genius. Pretty neat attitude, I thought.

In any event, you nailed the issue on the head with some people- the problem of image- like they front and force themselves to like certain stuff because of an image that goes with it- that always seemed silly to me. Like the kid who refuses to listen to Phish because it's all "commercial-crap" and forces themselves to listen to abrasive underground music because it's cool. Well, I would say this- I love Phish and Dead Kennedys, and for different reasons, and both have influenced me- not like I'd want to see them on the same bill.

I always felt that the attitude of so-and-so versus so-and-so seemed like something that would occur to me in a time when I wasn't sophisticated enough musically to understand that they were equal but individual preference would dictate who was "better." But again, I am no one to judge anybody else.

The most crucial point you made, I think, is this:

I'm not a big fan of punk music, I prefer Steve Vai. Have you ever heard of him? If not, give him a listen, you might enjoy it." Bashing each other over what music we like is pointless.

If we are dismissive of others for their tastes, we neither offer them nor gain nothing, whereas maybe if we say hey, I know this isn't your style, but check Steve Vai out, you might dig some of what he does. And maybe that punk rock kid will say "right on- check out Black Flag, Greg Ginn has some crazy noveau jazz influence in his playing style- it's abrasive, but inventive.

those of us stuck in corporate selloutland would call that a win-win situation! :D

The key really is keeping your ears and more importantly, your mind open. That's why the greatest musicians often have insane music collections and wildly diverse influences.

excellent post though!

peace