the worst thing

no music

Nah, the worst thing is music you hate. If in Hell I'm given the choice between total silence for all eternity or listening to John Mayer forever and ever, I'm opting for the silence.

My 15-year-old niece is hugely into John Mayer. And I'm okay with that. Only because I consider it a step up from the Brittany Spears/Lady Gaga manufactured pop star of the moment that she used to -- and sometimes still is -- be into. And she recognizes the difference, too.

So, I'm looking at Mayer as kind of a gateway drug to perhaps better taste.

John Mayer is the gateway to Dave Matthews.

My only knowledge of this John Mayer fellow comes from his appearance on Dave Chapelle's ill-fated television show. I'm quite serious. Obviously, he's a musician, but I couldn't name a single tune by the guy if you put a gun to my head. I'm very happy with that state of affairs.

As far as James Blunt goes, he reminds me of a one-man version of Tram. Very mopey and uber-maudlin (that applies to both of 'em, mind you). I've seen him once on television ... tinkling away on his piano. That was quite enough to make it clear that I didn't want any.

He's a douchebag? Egads! He seems like such a sensitive-new-age-guy.

Dave Matthews (who I do know an iota about and could at least do an impression of) has never gotten a dime from me. I'm very happy with that state of affairs as well.

I like the video where he's been decapitated.

...

These dudes are drawing breath and making records and yet some people berate Fleet Foxes for allegedly sounding too "singer-songwriterish?" Sheesh! Tough room!

...

I'm in the "silence-trumps-crap-eternally" camp, by the way.

...

POST UPDATE: In one of those weird little curveballs of fate, I watched "The Bucket List" this weekend on DVD and it turns out that there is a John Mayer song somewhere in the movie, and an entire music video tacked on as a "bonus." As I was unaware that the movie contained "Mayer-related content," I must have heard the song at some point. But I didn't watch the video.

Me-oh-my! Where is the PMRC and their warning labels when you need 'em?



Post Edited (03-01-10 15:40)

John Mayer is the gateway to Dave Matthews.
Dave Matthews is the gateway to James Blunt.

Doesn't that make a circle?

Silence might be the best fate in any case. Even your favorite record might get tiresome after the first 10,000 years. Even now, in this mortal state, I have to not listen to Vee Vee for a few months every once in a while.



Post Edited (02-26-10 10:40)

Dave Matthews is the gateway to James Blunt.



Post Edited (02-26-10 11:39)

I think I hate Snow Patrol more than John Mayer. Mayer is revolting in obvious ways--Snow Patrol is more insidious, making them more dangerous, in my mind.

My image of Mayer is forever colored by the fact that his first big hit, "Invincible", seems to be an attack on teachers in general. The first line seems to stated by a college professor (who he immediately sneers at with contempt), and then he wants to run down the halls of his high school, screaming about how "they" want to make you conform, and life is not exactly as it's sometimes taught. Well, no shit, sir. Anyone ever met a teacher that actually did that, post 1950's? I guess if you peaked during high school, or can't imagine life outside of it, then this is the song for you.

I see Mayer running, arms flailing frantically, stating the most obvious thing in the world to those people who were so wrapped up in their high school cliques that they couldn't notice the obvious. Aside from a pretty good hook and melody line, the song's as dickish as they get.

It's not quite as bad as "Daughters", which might be the most offensive song I've heard that's disguised as a pro-woman statement. It simply states that women have no choice in how they act because they all act as their fathers shaped them, leaving out any voice they might have in the matter, and they must all treat their men better.

This guy was a douche way before his Playboy interview. He blames everyone else for the problems in his life, and thinks the obvious-to-anyone-with-a-bit-of-brain stuff is grand revelation.

'nuff said about him. Back to the thread:

James Blunt is the gateway to Owl City.


On edit: Damn, I sound like a jackass. All apologies.



Post Edited (02-26-10 15:38)

He's attacking professors?! Well, that changes everything. But then again I am professor who happens to have been bad and rebellious student in high school.

Where do you teach?

In a godforsaken rural outpost (Cobleskill) in the state university of new york system.

Quote

My 15-year-old niece is hugely into John Mayer. And I'm okay with that.

But I would definitely be concerned if my niece were into Mayer, because the only people who buy his line of bullshit are girls with low self-esteem (and Jann Wenner). If she likes Mayer, get her switched over to someone like Ron Sexsmith ASAP - he does the same sort of thing but with tons more sincerity, integrity and intelligence. He's not some smarmy crap artist posing as sensitive to sleep with as many actresses with body issues as possible before they catch on, like Mayer is.

(That might not be a bad idea for a thread - throw out the bad music friends or family like and get suggestions for actual good stuff in the same vein to introduce them to.)

(That might not be a bad idea for a thread - throw out the bad music friends or family like and get suggestions for actual good stuff in the same vein to introduce them to.)

***My experience has been that it doesn't work, alas.

"because the only people who buy his line of bullshit are girls with low self-esteem (and Jann Wenner)."

Laughed for about five minutes at that one.