The Roots are our favorites

Jamie Martinez18 said:The day things finally go south and everything turns to chaos, I’m heading straight to the farmers.😁

If they aren't the ones running the show, why are their bosses always just the opening act?😕 😛 😁

It's basically like anti Flag - drink drank punk

crimsonjackal8 said:If they aren't mainstream, why was their band playing as an opening act?😕 😛 😁

...man, you really know how to kill the vibe at the end of a weekend😠 😉

Kevin Chavez3 said:A friend of mine does backing vocals for Divlje Jagode. I give her a hard time every single time she visits Indianapolis.

Man, Hüsker Dü - Pink Turns to Blue; it's just damn beautiful...

Ugh, an aunt of my ex used to play keys at the club (whenever the main guy was out, just filling in and stuff)—what a trip!!! (We used to sneak into the venue for free over at Shakespeare... those were the days. Too bad I don't talk to him much anymore. There aren't many things in life better than singing while building a three-story house stone-cold drunk by the beach on someone else's dime. haha.)

crimsonjackal8 said:If they aren't just chasing a trend, why were Gazde their opening act?😕 😛 😁

Like anti Flag - drink drank punk

They’re just trying to play up that folk vibe. I honestly feel bad for Dade Topić. He was supposed to be playing, but then they decided they wanted a full ethno band instead, so they went with Gazde. Imagine having the biggest moment of your career right there, only to have Gazde snatch it away from you. And you can't even do anything about it.

Alexander Parker69 said:Cave isn't even music, just noise in its broadest sense, so there's no point trying to rate it.😛

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙄

Personally, I'd rather listen to ABBA than any of that kuruza.😁 😳 😁

Emily Castillo81 said:🙂 🙂 🙂 🙄

Look, I’m not necessarily taking shots at the guy. (I mean, let's be real, when you're pumping that many pills a day, you're practically engineered to be a hit with the ladies 😛 )
But as far as actual musical substance goes... I just can't say he's got much to offer. He might sell a bad song or perhaps a decent lyric here and there, but that's about the extent of it.😉

U2 feels pretty kuruza to me lately—at least for the last decade—but I still have a soft spot for them

for instance: Wilco - She's a Jar

pupobljak said:"Alright, nobody moves. Some girl just got her face smashed in with a glass, and nobody is leaving this place until we figure out which asshole did it." 🙂 crazy scene

Not familiar with that one.ph.

Was I dreaming?
Or have I even slept?

the worker bees can scram......
....the queen is nothing but their slave.

if I wrote just one sentence, you'd know exactly who I am immediately.
but I'm not gonna do that,
btw
did that little brat finally borrow what he was supposed to borrow from you?

What even is kitsch? If you ask a chicken or a pig, it’s probably just corn. Something basic, something obvious, something that doesn't need a deep philosophical breakdown—just pure, unadulterated instinct. But can kitsch also be our "daily bread"? Hmm. There are endless definitions of kitsch (as many versions as there are people), even though music critics and consumers work overtime trying to categorize it and put it in neat little boxes just to feel like they have some control. For instance, in the classical world, you could argue Tchaikovsky or Wagner are prime examples of kitsch... and for the hardcore snobs, maybe even Mozart or Beethoven—if not because of their status, then because of how much they’ve been "smoothed over" by mainstream popularity. It's the same deal with other genres, painting, literature... everything. (Damn, I’m really spiraling here...) I honestly don't think kitsch is such a bad thing.
Maybe we actually need it. How would we even know what counts as "avant-garde, progressive, or cutting-edge" if we didn't have this mindless kitsch acting as the eternal opposition and the collective punching bag? Besides, we ourselves, and our lives, are (or will become) pretty kitschy... just take a look at us. (There, I'm shitting myself again... at least appreciate my self-awareness.)
Then again, kitsch has levels. Some of it is smoother and sweeter than the finest champagne, while other stuff hits you like a punch from a drunk construction worker in the Midwest. It all depends on how much of it you consume.
I have to admit, I'm not immune to the kitsch. In fact, I'll confess without shame that I've listened to it plenty of times, and not always under the radar, either. Kill me! Put me in the stocks! Honestly, I don't care... haha (I'm making a mess of this again. Help!) But what can I say, when some of the most beautiful and unforgettable moments of my life happened against a kitschy soundtrack, or were caused by it? My first loves, those awkward teenage years... there was kitsch everywhere. I remember it like it was yesterday... I was 15, thinking I was so cool listening to the Stones, T. Rex, Frank Zappa, hot rats, ELP, Uriah Heep, and Hendrix (though, doduše, I also leaned into Tom Jones and Demis Roussos, and Middle of the Road, but...). Then, during my first real crush, I had to endure Elvis Presley blasting through the speakers at the local community pool, crooning, "Oh darling, don't lie to me, because you'll never come back to this house..." Then, my first time, accompanied by Angie of Stones—a textbook example of kitsch. On my 18th birthday, my mom, in an acoustic moment, sang that old tune, "Take these roses, let them remind you of me..." And I couldn't escape my girlfriend's influence either, mostly because she sang that Dado Lisac song so well: "Wrap me in tenderness, just like you want and love me!" I could go on forever. So why is it no wonder that I start drooling like a hungry dog whenever I hear that unmistakable kitsch again? (Jesus, help me wrap up this damn thread!)
It hasn't gotten any better. I swear to God and to you all, sometimes I'll pop in a Ry Cooder CD—Chicken Skin Music—and I'm immediately hooked again. To soothe my guilty conscience, I'll follow it up with supposedly "cult" albums from Rezidense, or Arsen Dedič during his most ironic phase, or the Yardbirds, Cream, and Buldožer... but by the next day, I've ruined my reputation because my wife catches me listening to Roxy Music, Engelbert Humperdinck, or some pop starlet. Am I even sane?!?
Now, here comes something that might actually make your blood boil...
The other day, I was listening to some of the biggest hits by those legendary folk singers. If I told you I hated it, I'd be lying!
Help me!
One more thing. Alexander Parker69, I think you're wrong... In most cases, the kitschy stuff actually hits harder than all that "avant-garde" and "progressive" nonsense. You can't fault it!

marlon said:One more thing. Alexander Parker69, I think you're off base here... most garage rock outfits play way better than those "avant-garde" or "progressive" pretenders... There isn't much else to complain about!

Hmm? Are you actually suggesting that some local bar band or, to be honest, plays better than DT? Or even the Stones compared to Zeppelin?

Garage rock is just garage rock because they can't play. That’s the literal definition. 😉
For instance, plenty of country artists (since you brought them up) play better than the vast majority of these "urban" groups. Just because some hipster types or music industry politicians who can't hold a note try to philosophize about it doesn't mean those country players aren't legitimate musicians. 😁

ravana said:Wait, what? Are you saying Nikica Pećina or—to be fair—that the "pig" stuff from Black Sabbath is better?

Yeah, you've got a point there, Black Sabbath is 👍.

But hey, is The Beatles actually Elvis Presley?

Bryan Barrett said:Sure, you're right, Black Sabbath is 👍.

But is The Beatles Elvis Presley?

No way. They aren't nearly big enough to be Elvis Presley. They don't have those catchy, sweet little tunes with massive choruses that everyone from ages 7 to 77 can sing along to. The Beatles just aren't that level.

Ethan Jones42 said:Nah, they aren't even close to being as huge as Elvis Presley. They don't have those catchy, sweet little tunes with massive choruses where everyone on the planet can find a piece of themselves—you know, stuff that hits home for everyone from age 7 to 77. That definitely isn't The Beatles!!

Man, I was actually starting to worry I’d ended up listening to Elvis Presley.
🙂 TAZI TAZI TARZANE

So you really thought you were showing off, proving what a genius you are by ignoring Elvis Presley. Give me a break. 😁

marlon said:Elvis Presley? Well, if you ask a chicken or a pig what Elvis Presley is, they’d probably say it’s just sustenance—the basic bread and butter of life. Something simple, something that just exists without needing a heavy dose of philosophy, just straight to the point, right off the bat... though I suppose one could argue about whether it's "daily bread" or something more existential. Hmm. There are endless definitions of kitsch—I guess there are as many versions of kitsch as there are people—even though music critics and consumers work themselves into a lather trying to categorize everything into neat little boxes just so they can feel like they have some semblance of control over it. For instance, in the classical world, you could easily point to Tchaikovsky or Wagner as prime examples of kitsch... and if you're feeling particularly snobbish, maybe even Mozart or Beethoven—if not because of the composition itself, then certainly because of how much they've been smoothed over by mainstream sentimentality. It’s likely the same story across all genres, whether we're talking painting, literature... basically everything. (God, I'm really getting carried away here...) I actually don't think kitsch is such a massive problem.
Maybe it’s even necessary. How would we ever know what qualifies as "avant-garde, progressive, or contemporary" if we didn't have this mindless kitsch acting as the eternal opposition and the collective punching bag? Besides, we ourselves—and our lives—are inherently kitschy (or at least become so eventually)... just take a quick look at any of us. (There, I'm rambling again... please, at least appreciate my capacity for self-deprecation)
Then again, kitsch can be good or bad. Some of it is smoother and sweeter than the finest champagne, while other stuff hits you like a punch from a disgruntled Midwestern laborer... though that really depends on how much of it you consume.
I have to admit, I am not immune to the allure of kitsch. In fact, without any shame, I'll confess that I’ve listened to it quite often, and not always under the radar, either. Kill me! Put me in the stocks! Honestly, I don't care... ha, ha. (I'm losing the plot again. Help!) But what can I say, when some of the most beautiful, sometimes most impactful moments of my life happened against a kitschy soundtrack, or were sparked by it? Those first loves, those awkward teenage dances... there was enough kitsch there to drown in. I remember it like it was yesterday... I was 15, thinking I was so sophisticated listening to The Rolling Stones, T. Rex, Frank Zappa, the hot rats, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Uriah Heep, and Jimi Hendrix (though, admittedly, I also leaned on Tom Jones and Demis Roussos, and Middle of the Road, but still...)—and then, during my first real crush, I had to endure my local pool's loudspeaker blasting Frank Sinatra singing; "Oh darling, don't lie, because you'll never come back to this home..." Then, my first real romantic encounter was set to the backdrop of Angie by The Rolling Stones—a textbook example of kitsch. On my 18th birthday, my mom, in an almost unplugged fashion, sang that Vera Lynn tune; "Take these roses, let them remind you of me..." And I couldn't escape my inevitable conquest, partly because she sang that Jim Morrison song so beautifully; "Wrap up the tenderness, that's how you want me and love me!" I could go on forever. So why is it no wonder that I start drooling like a hungry dog whenever I hear those unmistakable cheesy tunes again? (Jesus, help me wrap up this damn topic!)
Even now, it isn't much better... I'll admit to God and all of you, brothers, that sometimes I'll pop a Ry Cooder CD—Chicken Skin Music—into the player, and I get sucked right back in. To soothe my guilty conscience, I'll follow it up with what are supposedly "cult classics"—Residences, some highly ironic Arsen Dedič, The Yardbirds, Cream, and Bulldozer... but by the next day, I've completely blown my cover because my wife catches me listening to Roxy Music, Engelbert Humperdinck, or Mary Chapin Carpenter. Am I even sane?!?
And now, something that will probably make your blood run cold...
The other day, I found myself listening to a collection of greatest hits by Halid Bešlić, and some old-school country legends. If I told you I felt bad about it, I'd be lying!
Help me!
One more thing. Ravana, I think you're mistaken... in most cases, kitsch actually hits harder and stays with you longer than that "avant-garde" or "progressive" stuff. Nothing to complain about!

👍👍
I mean, what's there left for me to say? You pretty much beat me to the punch and said it better than I ever could have anyway...

ravana said:Wait, what? Are you saying Nikica Pećina or, honestly, even better, the "pig" style from Black Sabbath is superior? Or maybe comparing The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin?

Elvis Presley is just Elvis Presley because he's bad at shredding. That's the literal definition. 😉
For instance, plenty of country artists (since you brought them up) actually play better than most of these "urban" musicians. So, they aren't just playing Elvis Presley music just because some indie types or music industry politicians who can't play a lick of music sit around philosophizing about it. 😁

I’m not entirely following you, and honestly, you might not be following me either. Let’s start with Led Zeppelin. Back when they were tearing it up, they were seen as progressive, holding this almost cult status that generally flies in the face of anything "Elvis Presley-esque"... I don't know how they land for your generation with the benefit of hindsight. What happened in Washington, D.C. was essentially the wreckage of Led Zeppelin—regardless of Jimmy Page. A band is powerful while it's alive and creating; otherwise, it just becomes a little traveling circus for nostalgia trips to make a quick buck. It's the same deal with a whole bunch of bands like Kiss, Deep Purple, and so on. Since they don't carry much objective credibility anyway, it doesn't really matter if they were being snobby or just messing around when The Boss decided to lean into an ethnic sound.
Regarding the idea of "Elvis Presley-style" versus "shredding," you're definitely losing me there. When I said "Elvis Presley-style stuff often shreds harder," I meant the near-certainty that many bands with "Elvis Presley roots"—which could include many, if not all, massive global groups—are musically and production-wise incredibly tight and competent. Many of the biggest studio acts in the world play what you might call "Elvis Presley music." Even our own Vedran Božić played mandolin and guitar on those pathetic tracks by Aretha Franklin... And then what? There's plenty of "Elvis Presley" in metal, thrash, hardcore, hip hop, and so on. Punk went mainstream... What are we even talking about?
And Nick Cave might actually be heavy Elvis Presley material, maybe even a bit "redneck"... It just depends on which side of the plot you're looking from.

I still can't quite wrap my head around what defines "Elvis Presley" by definition (assuming we aren't talking about actual food)?
Is it just whatever happens to be trending right now; that thing everyone is dancing to or singing along to, the stuff people practically break their hands over?
Because if being "Elvis Presley" just means being popular, then Mozart was massive in his day before falling out of favor—so does he stop being Elvis Presley just because the crowd moved on?
And even then, what’s hot today might be totally irrelevant in ten years; does that strip away the title?
Or take something that starts off completely fresh where nobody knows what to make of it—take The Beatles 62, for instance—they weren't exactly Elvis Presley at first, but then they became Elvis Presley in '65 because everyone was pulling their hair out and fainting in the streets for them.
And how did Eric Clapton go from being hailed as a "God" in the 60s and 70s to being labeled Elvis Presley in the 21st century? (Some people have actually categorized him as Elvis Presley lately, which feels almost blasphemous! Tsk-tsk.)
So, is listening to Elvis Presley just background noise for when things are busy—like when you're cleaning the house on a Saturday morning and need something to belt out, maybe some old 80s stuff where you know every single lyric by heart and just want to sing along with George? Or is it just what you blast through the speakers while you're driving and need something high-energy to keep you moving?

marlon said:Honestly, most Elvis Presley fans play way better than those self-proclaimed "avant-garde" or "progressive" types ever could. I mean, you can't even find anything to complain about!

When I say "Elvis Presley acts often hit harder," what I really mean is—it’s almost a universal truth at this point—that so many bands coming out of the "Elvis Presley school of rock" are just on another level. You look at some of the biggest global icons and massive stadium acts, and honestly, most of them belong to that lineage. From a purely musical and production standpoint, these guys are incredibly tight, insanely competent, and just world-class performers.

Look, I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say "dusting." Like, are you asking if they actually play better, or if they're just kicking up dust on the global stage because they've gotten more popular? 😕 Probably that second one.
You know, you're talking about those prog bands—those guys who are just insanely talented musicians. They've got that artistic soul, too. Their music is definitely never going to be some cheap Elvis Presley imitation. 🙂).

Ethan Jones42 said:So you were really trying to show off just now, acting like you’re this big genius who doesn't give a damn about what Elvis Presley says. Man, just give it a rest already.

I wasn't really trying to make a point or anything, just thinking out loud. I probably listen to some Elvis Presley too, for all I know. If Eric Clapton counts as Elvis Presley, then yeah, I guess I'm listening to Elvis Presley. But honestly, you've gotta be pretty out of your mind to call that kind of music Elvis Presley. 🙂

P.S. What kind of ridiculous word even is Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley? I mean, does that not just sound totally stupid? 😁

marlon said:I’m not totally following you, and you probably aren't following me either. Let's start with Led Zeppelin. Back when they were tearing it up, they had this prog vibe and a cult status that mostly goes against any kind of mainstream trend... Not sure how it sits with people today (or your generation). What happened in D.C. was basically the death of Led Zeppelin—regardless of Jimmy Page. A band is at its peak while they're alive and actually making stuff, and honestly, that whole thing felt like a little traveling circus meant for nostalgic fans to make some quick cash. Same deal with a bunch of other bands (KISS, Deep Purple, etc.). Since they don't really have much objective credibility anyway, it doesn't matter if the Bosses acted all snobby or just did it for the hell of it, thinking maybe they could pull off an ethnic vibe...

As if Led Zeppelin ever actually counted as prog...
but hey, I get what you're trying to say.
Personally, seeing that show in D.C. back in '98 hit me pretty hard emotionally—mostly because I'd been dreaming about something like that for the last ten years. And I don't care if someone calls it a traveling circus or whatever (even though, objectively speaking, it probably is, since you said it yourself—a band is strongest when they're creating, and I'm 100% with you on that),
because that "circus" actually brought me to tears.
And as for those silly Bosses—to be totally honest—I was horrified at first, but the second the first notes of The Wanted started playing, I completely forgot they even existed.

marlon said:I don't think cheesy crap (or kitsch) is actually such a big deal.
Maybe we even need it. How would we ever know if something is truly "avant-garde, progressive, or modern" if there wasn't all this stupid kitsch and garbage acting as the constant opposition and collective punching bag?

Look at you, Mr. Philosopher...😛
You've talked so much nonsense that now you've gone and labeled Pearl Jam as just another 'cheesy' band...🙂