Something of interest (perhaps)

Picked up the Strokes lp Monday, giving in to peer pressure (or my own curiosity). There are some fun moments on it, but I still prefer the real items (VU and the Ramones). It's like drinking Diet Coke when you really want Coke or Dr. Pepper but the machine's sold out: You don't mind Diet Coke, it's got a pleasant enough flavor, but you'd rather have Coke or Dr. Pepper if the stupid f**king machine wasen't sold out! Stupid machine, one good kick and....ow!

Actually, I've noticed (and maybe it's just me) that the guitar riff for "Last Nite" seems directly ripped off from the Pretenders' "Don't Get Me Wrong". does anyone else have a clue what I'm talking about? Can anyone back me up on this? I think Chrissie Hynde might want a listen.....

Unquestionably, when you listen to them, there is a generic sense of familiarity. I don't know that Pretenders song; I'd be interested if others agree on that parallel. As far as comparisons to VU, can you identify specific song-to-song parallels? My current view is that Hard to Explain is irresistible.

Originally posted by Patrick Unquestionably, when you listen to them, there is a generic sense of familiarity. I don't know that Pretenders song; I'd be interested if others agree on that parallel. As far as comparisons to VU, can you identify specific song-to-song parallels?My current view is that Hard to Explain is irresistible.

I think what's great about The Strokes is that, as Patrick says, there is this undeniable familiarity about it all, yet you can't actually say yes this is a Ramones rip-off and yes this is a VU riff. We like this sort of sound, they like this sort of sound, which is what makes it so instantly recognisable. It's like Oasis (can you use the O word here ?) - yes we know they sounded like the Beatles, but did they sound like actual Beatles songs (apart from on or two) or did they sound like they were writing songs like the Beatles would have or had done ? That's what The Strokes seem to do, write songs in the vein of the Velvets without plagiarising Velvets songs. It's a great knack to have if they can keep it up. Oasis clearly couldn't, and got exposed pretty soon.

Originally posted by Nigel Spleen > Originally posted by Patrick> Unquestionably, when you listen to them, there is a generic sense of familiarity. I don't know that Pretenders song; I'd be interested if others agree on that parallel. As far as comparisons to VU, can you identify specific song-to-song parallels?> My current view is that Hard to Explain is irresistible.>

I think what's great about The Strokes is that, as Patrick says, there is this undeniable familiarity about it all, yet you can't actually say yes this is a Ramones rip-off and yes this is a VU riff. We like this sort of sound, they like this sort of sound, which is what makes it so instantly recognisable. It's like Oasis (can you use the O word here ?) - yes we know they sounded like the Beatles, but did they sound like actual Beatles songs (apart from on or two) or did they sound like they were writing songs like the Beatles would have or had done ? That's what The Strokes seem to do, write songs in the vein of the Velvets without plagiarising Velvets songs. It's a great knack to have if they can keep it up. Oasis clearly couldn't, and got exposed pretty soon.

And then you look at the lists of the Grammy nominees....

Originally posted by Patrick > Originally posted by Nigel Spleen> > > > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > >

b]

And then you look at the lists of the Grammy nominees....

We don't do Grammys here. What are they, where do they fit into the scheme of things, and who has been nominated then ?

Originally posted by Nigel Spleen > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > Originally posted by Nigel Spleen> > > > > > > Originally posted by Patrick> > > > > > > > >

b]

And then you look at the lists of the Grammy nominees....

We don't do Grammys here. What are they, where do they fit into the scheme of things, and who has been nominated then ?

They are the major record industry awards here. They have long been viewed as hopelessly stodgy, but there has been some attempt lately to reduce that.

Not very successful attempt. U2 have received the most nominations: 8.

See ew.com for details.

But the Velvet Underground and The Ramones never had a number 2 album over here though, did they? Fucking imposters!! The words "Right Place At The Right Time" spring inexorably to mind....... Give me the real deal anyday. Pah! :finger:

Yeah, that's what keeps me from liking them: the fact that they get such hype as "The next Velvet Underground", but the originals couldn't give their albums away at the time. Another example of media hype....

Oh, and Julian Casablancas definitely pulls some Lou Reed vocals on some songs (Barely Legal the most obvious example, but one of my favorites). Otherwise, I like them, they're better than the Britney crowd

PS Anyone hear about a Backstreet Boy being arrested? Check out www.q4music.com, I just cracked up reading what the bastard had to say...... :D

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 Oh, and Julian Casablancas definitely pulls some Lou Reed vocals on some songs (Barely Legal the most obvious example, but one of my favorites). Otherwise, I like them, they're better than the Britney crowdPS Anyone hear about a Backstreet Boy being arrested? Check out www.q4music.com, I just cracked up reading what the bastard had to say...... :D

I'm confused, Tabsy, do you like them or not? The fact that someone imitates Lou Reed's vocal style doesn't seem to me to be a damning criticism. No one is claiming they are anywhere near VU in importance, but one does sometimes like to listen to something that is not precisely what has been available for thirty years.

All you need to know about the Grammies:

1. Steely Dan won best album last year.
2. Metallica lost out a few years back to Jethro Tull.
3. If you win Best New Artist, you will die or may as well die. You're done.

Well I like The Strokes, and as far as I'm concerned that's what counts.

Julian Casablancas.....with a moniker like that, how can The Strokes NOT come across as contrived? There. I've said it. Consider our Great New Hopes Of Happenin' Transatlantic Rock™ completely rumbled........

[Methinks they're all probably the offspring of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in reality - only given a sneaky makeover to disguise their dodgy AOR background so as to appeal to the young kids.....crafty bastards.]

They are great. Especially that song with the bit at the start where Julian says:

"Woo! haha i meant aagh!.... no i didn't mean that at all"

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 Picked up the Strokes lp Monday, giving in to peer pressure (or my own curiosity). There are some fun moments on it, but I still prefer the real items (VU and the Ramones). It's like drinking Diet Coke when you really want Coke or Dr. Pepper but the machine's sold out: You don't mind Diet Coke, it's got a pleasant enough flavor, but you'd rather have Coke or Dr. Pepper if the stupid f**king machine wasen't sold out! Stupid machine, one good kick and....ow!Actually, I've noticed (and maybe it's just me) that the guitar riff for "Last Nite" seems directly ripped off from the Pretenders' "Don't Get Me Wrong". does anyone else have a clue what I'm talking about? Can anyone back me up on this? I think Chrissie Hynde might want a listen.....

Sounds a bit like it, but when I first heard it, I didn't immediately think of Chrissie. The one thing that goes through my mind on that song is thinking of Tom Verlaine, and how his crackly voice would sound on the chorus.

I'm just saying, while I like their sound, I don't find anything interesting or new in it. If Lou Reed and Iggy mated, these would be their kids...ew!

Inspired by this thread, I listened to my VU CD's. One track that I'd somehow managed to forget was I'm Set Free; just wonderful. I remember I used to think The Gift was disgusting. How could I have failed to see it's hilarious?

The Gift is quite possibly one of Lou reed (and John Cale)'s finest moments. Downright hilarious, morbid, just the best :D

Do you by any chance have the Fully Loaded CD, Tabsy? I was thinking of getting it and wondered whether it's worthwhile.

Yes, I picked that up earlier last year (almost said "earlier last year", but I forgot the year's brand new). It's worth the money If only for the alternate album, and there's some great takes on I'm Sticking With You, Satalite of Love, and Oh Gin. Of course, you can't go wrong with Sweet Jane

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 Yes, I picked that up earlier last year (almost said "earlier last year", but I forgot the year's brand new

Errrr. You did :)

What I meant was "earlier THIS year", still thinking it was '01. Sorry, too much (Diet) Coke.

Originally posted by Patrick Do you by any chance have the Fully Loaded CD, Tabsy? I was thinking of getting it and wondered whether it's worthwhile.

Here's another vote for getting the Fully Loaded CD, Patrick, if you needed one. It's always interesting to hear demos IMHO.

Thanks for the advice, Tabsy and Green. I'll give it a go.