Comments on: MOR+Aging Bloggers=Grizzly Bear

By: toddc2001

toddc2001 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:08:10 +0000

Yeah…..I’m 43 and I do like to “mellow out” sometimes. I just don’t like to fall asleep

By: David

David — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:47:48 +0000

Skinny jeans and $100 haircuts unite! Well, when you hit 28 you’ll mellow out.

By: toddc2001

toddc2001 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:59:28 +0000

I really wanted to drop this topic, but seriously?! You question my logic using some strange, if not faulty premises. I appreciate the trouble to went to and you’re very articulate in presenting your case. However, if you’re unsure why music should challenge listeners you’re reading the wrong blog. The music I prefer can be beautiful, technically complex and challenging. I think Radiohead is the best example of this and it’s why their my favorite band.
Is it a technical skill to be able to write emotional music? Reasonable question, but punk rock is based on emotion and yet the Sex Pistols and many other great bands openly talked about their lack of technical ability. Grizzly Bear have technical talents, but personally it doesn’t translate into emotional music. Having the ability create music that evokes emotion is a “talent”. I was speaking of the technical ability to play your instruments well, which Grizzly Bear does well. However, they don’t have the technical ability that you describe when it comes to writing music that evokes emotion in me.
But getting back to the original point of the post and using your line of logic. Stereogum and the others have the technical ability to write great blogs. They choose to write about the same ten bands endlessly, which doesn’t evoke any emotion or interest for me. When I hear a new band or learn something about an older band that excites me. That’s why this website focuses on interviews. My error was to do one post that editorialized on the failure of blogs to csst a wider net for talent.
Nonetheless, I genuinely appreciate the discourse this post has created. I hope all of you take the time to read through the interviews with the variety of bands and join us in the future.

By: chase

chase — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:21:29 +0000

This post begs the question– why should a piece of music strive to challenge its listeners? Also, you place more emphasis on what you call an emotional appeal than on technical ability– why– isn’t the ability to elicit specific emotions a technical achievement, and one of the highest in artistry? Assumptions line your argument here, and you make no attempt at explaining what is obviously an illogical bias.
Irving Berlin’s song “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” is a beautiful song, which through Berlin’s technical songwriting ability evokes a haunting, widowed tunnel of two dancing lovers; a more specific emotion is drawn from the listener than an artist like The Red Krayola or The Shaggs were ever capable of.
Generally, you should rethink your assessment that Middle-of-the-Road music is any less of an artistic achievement than whatever sort of complex, challenging music you’re clamoring for.

By: toddc2001

toddc2001 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:34:25 +0000

I am thoroughly bored with this topic. The point is, blogs need to open their minds, stop the endless Grizzly Bear posts and focus on new and exciting bands like Gliss, East Hundred, Diehard and the hundreds more that appear ever month. We live in a time where there is access to so many great, yet small bands. Explore it. Enjoy it.

By: JS

JS — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:52:02 +0000

uh, P4K hates the mars volta.

personally, i love TMV, GB, and of course AnCo.

By: msk

msk — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:12:52 +0000

i think that there is more than enough criticism of other blogs,
(one needs only to look at any given stereogum page
with twenty comments ridiculing pitchfork et al.)
and that this commentary is superfluous and boring

By: toddc2001

toddc2001 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:36:33 +0000

Nicely put Brandon. You’re one of the few people that’s written me who “gets” that this was more a criticism of other blogs than of Grizzly Bear. I couldn’t agree with you more re: your comments about Mars Volta or Wavves (both favorites of the blogs in question). I do think it’s possible for bands to “shock” without having to be obnoxious. I would argue that Radiohead have actually become more complex with age and thus haven’t really mellowed.
Obviously, many of you disagree with my boredom over Grizzly Bear. I challenge you to disagree that the amount of hype generated by blogs that should be focusing on unsigned or newer bands is disturbing at best. Bands like Gliss, Crocodiles, East Hundred and others could use a tenth of the time SG and PF have been spending on Grizzly Bear. You know your in trouble when your reading a blog listing Grizzly Bear’s favorite avatars….seriously….google it.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:23:48 +0000

I hardly think its fair to say Grizzly Bear has gotte nless adventurous, though. They have moved steadily from their Horn of Plenty days into new and bigger territory. Personally, I enjoy a band that tries to find a middle ground , without resorting to the shock factor to get people to listen to their music. I realize that your critique is of the blogs themselves but even Pitchfork and Stereogum favor a lot more challenging musicians. I think that people call them innovative because of the balance that they present. I have felt for a long time that the masturbatory music of Mars Volta or the inaccessibility (to some) of bands like Wavves only represented a cover of lack of talent. What I like about Grizzly Bear is that they let their talent quietly speak for itself. Albeit that talent is often vocal and emotional in a complex way (in my opinion), so in letting it speak for itself, they certainly leave themselves open to these sorts of critique’s. If getting older engenders more balanced pieces that don’t have to narcissistically scream “Look at how interesting I am,” maybe thats not a bad thing.

That being said, I do lament the day when certain artists start to go downhill as they get older (being from Seattle, I will mention Death Cab, Modest Mouse). Some artists pull off the mellowing better than others (i.e. Radiohead), but there are a lot more that can’t pull it off a all. That is just to say, I think there is an important place for your critique. I am just not sure Grizzly Bear is the place to launch it.

By: Gert1033

Gert1033 — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:46:35 +0000

As my first comment ever, I will say that initially I didn’t like your blog. You seemed a bit “too cool for school”(a la Pitchfork) but I think it was the interview/post with The Damned (and Wedding Present) that started to change my mind. I don’t always agree but your passion is admirable and usually refreshing. (Wow, what an ass-kisser I am today). Anyway, keep up the good work and more on-topic, I love this post. The other blogs you mentioned need their asses kicked and you make a valid point!