The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > Other Discussions > Open Mic

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-04-2012, 11:40 PM
Chicago Sandy's Avatar
Chicago Sandy Chicago Sandy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SW Coast of Lake Michigan
Posts: 14,782
Default Bon Iver

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that you never see Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Coldplay's Chris Martin together in the same room? Just sayin'.....

Seriously, though, I don't get what all the fuss is about. I like the instrumentation, but Vernon's vocal style is affected and at times truly annoying. And I can't make out even half the lyrics--he's the mumbliest lead singer since Desmond Dekker ("The Israelite"). He makes Tom Waits sound like an elocution instructor.

The Civil Wars, The Decembrists I get---but why this guy is up for Best New Artist (even though he's been semi-famous for a couple of years), Record of the Year and Song of the Year mystifies me.

Or maybe I'm just feeling especially curmudgeonly tonight.
__________________
Sandy

http://www.sandyandina.com

-------------------------
Gramann Rapahannock, 7 Taylors, 4 Martins, 2 Gibsons, 2 V-A, Larrivee Parlour, Gretsch Way Out West, Fender P-J Bass & Mustang, Danelectro U2, Peavey fretless bass, 8 dulcimers, 2 autoharps, 2 banjos, 2 mandolins, 3 ukes

I cried because I had no shoes.....but then I realized I won’t get blisters.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-05-2012, 09:00 AM
sachi sachi is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 3,189
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago Sandy View Post
Seriously, though, I don't get what all the fuss is about. I like the instrumentation, but Vernon's vocal style is affected and at times truly annoying. And I can't make out even half the lyrics--he's the mumbliest lead singer since Desmond Dekker ("The Israelite"). He makes Tom Waits sound like an elocution instructor.

The Civil Wars, The Decembrists I get---but why this guy is up for Best New Artist (even though he's been semi-famous for a couple of years), Record of the Year and Song of the Year mystifies me.

Or maybe I'm just feeling especially curmudgeonly tonight.
My son turned me on to Bon Iver when we were in Paris. I like the group, but then with my hearing I rarely if ever can understand lyrics. (I can hear the singing, but just not understand what's being said.) So I can enjoy the music as a whole without worrying about how well the singer is enunciating.

(That helps a lot with singers like Dylan too . . . )
__________________
Sachi

Kolaya Carmen, Trek parlor (by Harv L), Martin 000-28EC, Taylor GC-5 and 355.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-05-2012, 09:02 AM
HHP HHP is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 29,351
Default

I'm proud to say I don't recognize a single name mentioned.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-05-2012, 09:07 AM
Acousticado's Avatar
Acousticado Acousticado is offline
Anticipation Junkie
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oh, Canada!
Posts: 17,628
Default

I never heard of Bon Iver before this past Friday when I watched a profile of Canadian folk/rocker Kathleen Edward, who I understand dates the lead singer. I still haven't heard any of BI's music.
__________________
Tom
'21 Martin D-18 Standard | '02 Taylor 814c | '18 Taylor 214ceDLX | '18 Taylor 150e-12 | '78 Ibanez Dread (First acoustic) | '08 CA Cargo | '02 Fender Strat American '57 RI
My original songs
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-05-2012, 09:17 AM
sachi sachi is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 3,189
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HHP View Post
I'm proud to say I don't recognize a single name mentioned.
Why? Music didn't quit being good when you were 21.
__________________
Sachi

Kolaya Carmen, Trek parlor (by Harv L), Martin 000-28EC, Taylor GC-5 and 355.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-05-2012, 11:23 AM
71jasper 71jasper is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 785
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago Sandy View Post
--he's the mumbliest lead singer since Desmond Dekker
You're forgetting John Mayer.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-05-2012, 01:01 PM
Chicago Sandy's Avatar
Chicago Sandy Chicago Sandy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SW Coast of Lake Michigan
Posts: 14,782
Default

I can make out 3/4 of Mayer's lyrics; but Vernon sounds like he's merely yawning on pitch.
__________________
Sandy

http://www.sandyandina.com

-------------------------
Gramann Rapahannock, 7 Taylors, 4 Martins, 2 Gibsons, 2 V-A, Larrivee Parlour, Gretsch Way Out West, Fender P-J Bass & Mustang, Danelectro U2, Peavey fretless bass, 8 dulcimers, 2 autoharps, 2 banjos, 2 mandolins, 3 ukes

I cried because I had no shoes.....but then I realized I won’t get blisters.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-05-2012, 01:11 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: socal
Posts: 8,123
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sachi View Post
Why? Music didn't quit being good when you were 21.
good point! i hear some of my teenage nephew's music and really like some of it and don't like some of it! it is all subjective but you at least should try to listen as you never know who you are going to enjoy listening to.
__________________

2014 Martin 00015M
2009 Martin 0015M
2008 Martin HD28
2007 Martin 000-18GE
2006 Taylor 712
2006 Fender Parlor GDP100
1978 Fender F65
1968 Gibson B25-12N
Various Electrics
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-05-2012, 01:41 PM
sachi sachi is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 3,189
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by muscmp View Post
good point! i hear some of my teenage nephew's music and really like some of it and don't like some of it! it is all subjective but you at least should try to listen as you never know who you are going to enjoy listening to.
Exactly! I'm always willing to listen to something new.
__________________
Sachi

Kolaya Carmen, Trek parlor (by Harv L), Martin 000-28EC, Taylor GC-5 and 355.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-05-2012, 03:15 PM
RustyAxe RustyAxe is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,312
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sachi View Post
Why? Music didn't quit being good when you were 21.
Popular music? It sure did!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-05-2012, 03:17 PM
HHP HHP is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 29,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sachi View Post
Why? Music didn't quit being good when you were 21.
I was listening to rubbish when I was 21. Similar to today's rubbish.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-05-2012, 03:38 PM
kscobie8's Avatar
kscobie8 kscobie8 is offline
Whippersnapper
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 6,656
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HHP View Post
I was listening to rubbish when I was 21. Similar to today's rubbish.
I wouldn't put the music Sandy mentioned into the "today's rubbish" category. If you aren't familiar with any of the groups, I would recommend checking them all out. All very talented musicians, even by AGF standards.


Bel isi,
-kyle
__________________
My neglected music blog:
www.kylescobie.com
Be sure to check out my brother's music:
www.kurtscobie.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-05-2012, 03:56 PM
chinmusic chinmusic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 941
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago Sandy View Post
...but Vernon's vocal style is affected and at times truly annoying. And I can't make out even half the lyrics--he's the mumbliest lead singer since Desmond Dekker ("The Israelite"). He makes Tom Waits sound like an elocution instructor.
I love the Tom Waits comparison.

As for your contentions regarding Mr. Vernon, your first observation will help to explain your second. He's given many interviews (American Songwriter, et al.) in which he explains that he's not interested in writing traditional lyrics at all- what he's instead aiming for, particularly on this album and not so much on his first, is syllables that sound good together and help to emphasize the various moods of his songs.

It's all about "affected" nowadays, I think.
__________________
Formerly "disguiseglasses"
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-05-2012, 04:25 PM
Chicago Sandy's Avatar
Chicago Sandy Chicago Sandy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SW Coast of Lake Michigan
Posts: 14,782
Default

I'm not interested in hearing syllables smushed together--it's like an unrelenting onslaught of scat, only with a vocal tone that is less than pleasing. If I want to hear sonic textures and moods I'll listen to instrumental music of whatever genre (rock, folk, jazz, even electronic); if one has nothing to say, why bother singing it? I don't think Vernon's syllables "sound good together;" to me they sound like monotonous undifferentiated asyllabic mumblings.

I think there's also more than a little of the hipster ethos there, which is that cleanly sung lyrics that mean something and making eye contact with the audience are "commercial" and thus to be avoided at all costs lest one be seen as giving in to the Establishment. Same as the punk ethos back in the '70s (but there, any better than primitive musicianship) when the worst epithets one could hurl at a band were "tight" and (heaven forbid) "polished." I think a lot of punk musicians got tired of hiding their instrumental lights under a bushel, and New Wave evolved, which made barebones rock & pop safe for chops again. Maybe the current trend of "atmospheric" pseudo-folk will similarly morph when its singer-songwriters realize that they want their sentiments to be heard and pondered by their audiences.

Those who stopped listening to popular music since 1975, check out Kathleen Edwards, the Decembrists, the Civil Wars, Lucinda Williams, and the current crop of NON-navel-gazing acoustic singer-songwriters (including some who've thrown a bit of electric guitar into the mix) who write interesting lyrics that are neither marshmallow fluff nor soul-baring TMI.
__________________
Sandy

http://www.sandyandina.com

-------------------------
Gramann Rapahannock, 7 Taylors, 4 Martins, 2 Gibsons, 2 V-A, Larrivee Parlour, Gretsch Way Out West, Fender P-J Bass & Mustang, Danelectro U2, Peavey fretless bass, 8 dulcimers, 2 autoharps, 2 banjos, 2 mandolins, 3 ukes

I cried because I had no shoes.....but then I realized I won’t get blisters.

Last edited by Chicago Sandy; 02-05-2012 at 04:32 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-05-2012, 05:06 PM
chinmusic chinmusic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 941
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago Sandy View Post
Those who stopped listening to popular music since 1975, check out Kathleen Edwards, the Decembrists, the Civil Wars, Lucinda Williams, and the current crop of NON-navel-gazing acoustic singer-songwriters (including some who've thrown a bit of electric guitar into the mix) who write interesting lyrics that are neither marshmallow fluff nor soul-baring TMI.
I can absolutely see where you're coming from in regards to Vernon's idea of syllabic structures rather than traditional lyrics and I agree, much of the problem with it is the delivery he chooses to use. By itself, that falsetto is borderline unlistenable. Still, there is something about it and his music that I find endlessly compelling- much in the same way that I find Sigur Ros' music, whose structures, moods and lyrical styles very similar.

That being said, there are few things that I love more than well-composed lyrics (I am, after all, an English teacher with a writing degree!) and love all of the artists that you mentioned, in addition to the classics (Townes Van Zandt, Carole King, etc.)...

So, agree to disagree, I suppose.
__________________
Formerly "disguiseglasses"
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > Other Discussions > Open Mic

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=