# The musical artist you should love... but can't get into **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 4, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063 "2020-06-04T19:13:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/21 "2020-06-05T02:15:51Z")
Rush. I should love Rush, people are often very surprised not only that I don’t like them, but that I actively dislike them. My problem with them is, 100%, Geddy’s voice. I just can’t get past it. I’ve even, a few times, turned on the radio to some great guitar solo or instrumental part of a song, wondering who it is, only to hear Geddy come shrieking back into the mix. It seems to throw people even more that know my taste in music and know I like bands like Supertramp or Yes. Also Bjork. I dismissed her in high school. I knew of her just never bothered with her. Keep in mind, this is when I was listening to Radiohead and Aphex Twin and all kinds of techno music and all kinds of other similar (for lack of a better word) music. I should have liked her. Nowadays, whenever I try to listen to her music, all I can think is that if I had started listening to her back then, I certainly would have liked it, but I just can’t seem to do it now. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/22 "2020-06-05T02:18:46Z")
Probably the ultimate musical artist that I Don’t Get, greatness-wise, is the Beastie Boys. I thought they were most likely a one-hit wonder at the time, and kinda wish they’d stayed that way. Branching out a bit, I don’t think David Sedaris is funny, either. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/23 "2020-06-05T02:38:55Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Back in 1977 or so I only had $X to buy an LP. I could have bought George Harrison 33 1/3. Or maybe that early Van Halen album. I knew I loved the songs on Boston’s eponymous album because I listened to them at a friend’s house many times, but I thought maybe I should get the latest. > > But I bought “Darkness on the Edge of Town” by Bruce Springsteen because Rolling Stone said it was good. IDK…it was just ok. > > I wonder sometimes about guys like him, coming with so many accolades and all that. Does it make me set the bar higher, thinking “He can’t be that good.” Even his more mainstream stuff was spotty for me > > Dancing in the Dark-yep > Born in the USA-nah > I’m on fire-yep > **You’re a friend of mine-meh** > > Mostly I’m not in love with his voice. But I have to give props for writing “Because the Night,” and “Fire.” (bolding mine) Don’t blame Bruce for that one; it was written by Narada Michael Walden and performed as a duet by Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne (with backing vocals by Daryl Hannah.) A lot of Springsteen’s better known singles are meh. If you want to check out some of his lesser known, but better (imo) stuff, give _The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle_ or _Tunnel of Love_ or _The Rising_ a few spins. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/24 "2020-06-05T03:15:29Z")
There are many artists who I can tell are really talented, but whose output doesn’t appeal to me. Prince is the literal poster-boy. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/25 "2020-06-05T03:33:59Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Back in 1977 or so I only had $X to buy an LP. I could have bought George Harrison 33 1/3. Or maybe that early Van Halen album. I knew I loved the songs on Boston’s eponymous album because I listened to them at a friend’s house many times, but I thought maybe I should get the latest. > > But I bought “Darkness on the Edge of Town” by Bruce Springsteen because Rolling Stone said it was good. IDK…it was just ok. > > I wonder sometimes about guys like him, coming with so many accolades and all that. Does it make me set the bar higher, thinking “He can’t be that good.” Even his more mainstream stuff was spotty for me > > Dancing in the Dark-yep > Born in the USA-nah > I’m on fire-yep > You’re a friend of mine-meh > > Mostly I’m not in love with his voice. But I have to give props for writing “Because the Night,” and “Fire.” I can definitely hear the Springsteen influence in “Fire” and “Because The Night”, no matter who sings them. But did you also know that he wrote “Blinded By The Light”? (That mysterious word, BTW, is “deuce”, as in a roadster or a racecar.) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/26 "2020-06-05T03:46:54Z")
I don’t mean to trash Bruce Springsteen. I’m just saying I never jumped in and bought everything he put out for purchase. I think a lot of people can contribute to their field…the guy who wasn’t a great player might go on to become a great coach. I adore “Hallelujah,” but not the Leonard Cohen version. Anyway I think Bruce will be composing a song on his death bed. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/27 "2020-06-05T03:48:02Z")
Radiohead. I’ve tried, I swear! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/28 "2020-06-05T03:58:37Z")
I’ve had multiple “music recommendation” algorithms recommend Cat Power and had her come up on radio that I listen to (well, back when I listened to radio) but any time I gave her a shot, I just couldn’t get hooked. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/29 "2020-06-05T04:46:01Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Radiohead. I’ve tried, I swear! I like individual songs, but can’t get into whole albums. I feel the same way about U2 and also Led Zeppelin. In short, when any of those bands have been good, they’re spectacular, but they’ve also put out a lot of filler. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/30 "2020-06-05T05:16:59Z")
As for Radiohead: “The Bends” and “Ok Computer” are two of the best albums of the 90s, hands down. But I’ve got problems with the rest, maybe problems that have to do with the fact that their later albums weren’t as accessible as those two and I maybe haven’t given them enough time. All the critics have told me to listen to “Kid A” and further, but I just haven’t got into that. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/31 "2020-06-05T05:30:14Z")
[Kiss.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_(band)) Man I hated those guys. I hate them even more now after I have seen what a colossal prick Gene Simmons is (hyper-narcissist). All of my friends were in to them and this was while I was about age 8-16(ish…I forget exactly). Those were the years where I most wanted to not stick out and wanted to agree with the crowd. I hated Kiss so much I was willing to be the loner on this one. Fortunately my friends didn’t seem to care too much (and I certainly kept quiet about it unless asked directly). Ugh…never understood the attraction to them. I was totally fine with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath and Judas Priest and AC/DC and Zeppelin and Rush and Thin Lizzy…to name a few. Fuck Kiss. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/32 "2020-06-05T09:55:22Z")
Another vote for Nick Drake; and another vote for Bruce Springsteen. Yep, in theory I should love 'em. I don’t hate them, they just leave me…uninterested. Now for the heresy: there’s been a lot of apathy towards Jeff Beck, but the comments I read about him just make me think of… B.B. King. Virtuosity, yeah, sure; and undeniable blues credentials, but he just leaves me cold. Sorry. j ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/33 "2020-06-05T11:19:05Z")
A long time ago, we saw Frank Zappa in concert. The opening act left me cold. I told my wife “These guys really suck!” The band was Steely Dan, and they still suck. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/34 "2020-06-05T11:28:16Z")
My favorites include Boston, Styx, Reo Speedwagon and Foreigner. I do not like Journey. It’s Steve Perry’s voice. Some of the earlier stuff is okay. I don’t ever want to hear Don’t Stop Believing again - but you can’t avoid it. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/35 "2020-06-05T12:08:41Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Now for the heresy: there’s been a lot of apathy towards Jeff Beck, but the comments I read about him just make me think of… B.B. King. Virtuosity, yeah, sure; and undeniable blues credentials, but he just leaves me cold. Sorry. > > j Agreed. He’s at the bottom of my Kings list (Albert, Freddie and Earl top B.B.) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/36 "2020-06-05T12:08:56Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > But I bought “Darkness on the Edge of Town” by Bruce Springsteen because Rolling Stone said it was good. IDK…it was just ok. > > I wonder sometimes about guys like him, coming with so many accolades and all that. Does it make me set the bar higher, thinking “He can’t be that good.” Even his more mainstream stuff was spotty for me > > […] > > Mostly I’m not in love with his voice. Bruce Springsteen was exactly who I thought of when opening this thread. I just don’t get it. His songs are probably okay, but his mumbly voice just turns me off. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/37 "2020-06-05T12:14:39Z")
As one raised on 70’s rock, there are several very popular groups that I can’t stand. The first two that come to mind: Rush and Led Zep. Why? I don’t like the whiny tone of the vocalists. Never did like Fleetwood Mac either, not really hard rock, but popular nonetheless. Stevie Nicks’ voice gives me a headache. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/38 "2020-06-05T12:46:46Z")
Interesting thread. I’m surprised by all the votes for Nick Drake. I never found anything objectionable about him, and his voice and his various open tunings with all the ringing open strings and different chord voicings are beautiful and makes his acoustic guitar work sound different. Combined with his voice, I’ve just found his music hauntingly soulful and emotinoal. Anyhow, the biggest one for me is Hüsker Dü. Everything about my musical tastes says I should like them. I have fairly eclectic tastes, but the early-to-mid-80s post/post-punk scene is some of my favorite music. i love Bob Mould’s work in Sugar. I just can’t listen to the Hüsker Dü albums. They do look like they put on a terrific show, but I just haven’t gotten into them from their studio work. Bob Dylan is another one I just can’t quite get into. I tried to hunker down a couple years ago and give it a fair shot by buying _Blood on the tracks_ and _]Highway 51 Revisited_ but, minus a track here and there, it just doesn’t do it for me for some reason. I recognize the depth of his lyrics, but music & words, I prefer people like Leonard Cohen, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/39 "2020-06-05T13:32:07Z")
Journey. Cannot stand his voice, and the tunes are pedestrian ho-hum. Grateful Dead. Snooze-a-rama. As mentioned, Jeff Beck, Rush, Prince just don’t grab me except for a track here and there. BB King held no blues charm for me. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063/40 "2020-06-05T13:52:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Rush. I should love Rush, people are often very surprised not only that I don’t like them, but that I actively dislike them. My problem with them is, 100%, Geddy’s voice. I just can’t get past it. I’ve even, a few times, turned on the radio to some great guitar solo or instrumental part of a song, wondering who it is, only to hear Geddy come shrieking back into the mix. This. He starts off normal enough (and I don’t love his voice but whatevs) and then…@55 seconds in (Sings, “What you say about his company/Is what you say about society—for those who don’t want to click”) That's against the Geneva Convention or should be. Subtract out that voice and you've got some really good music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-musical-artist-you-should-love-but-cant-get-into/855063.md?page=3)