There seems to be a trend going on with songs and artists that people don’t like, and so forth. How about this?
I don’t WANT to like Nickleback. I really don’t. I think Chad Kroeger looks like a horse. I think their videos are hokey (especially the new one…“Someday,” or whatever it’s called). But, as much as I hate to admit it, I think their songs are kinda catchy. I mean, I don’t own any of their CDs, but I don’t necessarily feel like driving a screwdriver into my ear every time they come on the radio.
So, Nickleback. Evanescence. But, then again, I think that Amy Lee’s beautiful, so I may be biased there.
Jason Mraz. I don’t want to like him, because he seems too…trendy. But his CD’s actually really good.
I just love Meatloaf. Not many folk will believe I’ll admit to it, but I think the overblown poetry of Jim Steinman sung like opera from a big sweaty dude is just great.
Almost everything my 14-year old daughter listens to. I don’t want to even be caught SAYING names like “Justin” or “Christina”, but I gotta admit they can put out some nice music.
With some of my friends, girlie pop music often gets made fun of. So, I don’t want to like them, but I can’t help with regards to the Corrs, Sarah Mclachlan (bordering on puppy dog love here ;)), and Pat Benatar. There are probably others, but that’s all I can think of for now. Oh, and while I detest Madonna (in large part due to her butchering of American Pie, and the song “Music”), I have to admit to really liking “Like a Virgin”.
And speaking of Sara Mclachlan, I have an example of something going contrary to my usual tastes: usually I hate an artist for “going pop” (hate the ‘new’ Liz Phair). The less produced the better… usually.
But Dar Williams, who’s always had insightful lyrics but was too ‘unpolished’ musically for me, put out a beautiful, haunting album, “Beauty of the Rain”.
For me it is Eminem. I am not the biggest rap fan, and really wished he was just a one hit wonder. But he has some great lyrics, and seems to have a pretty good business sense.
I hate the pop/R&B stuff that’s popular these days (Britney, Christina, Beyonce, etc.), and when Pink’s first song - I think it’s called “Get the Party Started” - started getting played on the radio stations I really, really hated it.
But then I’ve really liked everything she’s put out since. I’ve come perilously close to buying one of her CDs. It’s not fair!
I am no longer all that ashamed to say that I love Justin Timberlake’s solo album, Justified. It’s just straightforward great bubblegum pop, like Michael Jackson back when he was still semi-human. It’s paper-thin, but it’s just good freaking music, and I’m not gonna let my inherent snobbery ruin it for me. So there.
And even The Onion AV Club, a bunch of hardcore music snobs admitted to a certain appreciation for Britney’s latest album. I haven’t heard any of it, but they make it sound like she plays a very minimal role in some brilliantly produced tracks. I’m willing to believe it. Britney may not be talented, but she makes enough money that she can hire people to be talented for her.
I don’t want to like The White Stripes, I don’t know why I don’t want to like them but something inside me feels like I hate them. I think it has something to do with Rolling Stone magazine loving them but I’m not sure. Anyhow, i really do like their songs.
I never wanted to like her, but I LOVE cindy Lauper. -Girls Just Want to Have Fun- got stuck in my head one afternoon, and didnt leave for the next week and a half. It just kept getting better, and better, everyday. Going to the store and physically buying the CD gave me that dirty, unclean feel. But its great to sing along to in the shower.