# The NME & The Libertines **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 26, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914 "2004-07-26T10:22:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/21 "2004-07-28T15:14:25Z")
> [@TwistofFate](#): > > Radiohead got shit after OK Computer. Rather harsh. I’ll certainly agree that Pablo Honey/The Bends/OK Computer are collectively better than their predecessors, but Kid A is pretty good and so is Hail To The Thief. Amnesiac I don’t much care for, but it’s still probably better than any album in the top 10 right now. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/22 "2004-07-28T15:15:57Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > Pablo Honey/The Bends/OK Computer are collectively better than their _predecessors_ Um, how about “successors” instead. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/23 "2004-07-28T15:35:55Z")
Hmm, i’d rather it didn’t turn into a Radiohead bitchfest, but Kid A wipes the floor with the previous albums. Amnesiac’s patchy, as is Hail to the Thief. The Bends and Pablo Honey suck dick as far as i’m concerned. Standard fare indie whinging. OK Computers great though. But then again, seeing things with my eyes as I do, Twisty’s probably whooshing. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/24 "2004-07-28T16:00:39Z")
**Paul** , as you are king Pirate of Rock, tell us your current top bands so we can all worship then as you do too…\* 😃 - Jokes aside,I really would like to know what is worth listening to as I went off right off contemoporary music about 3 years ago and haven’t heard anything recently to convince me to start buying CD’s again. But it must be out there, somewhere… Oh, and “Boxes / Squids / Whales” etc… ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/25 "2004-07-28T17:01:01Z")
I’m not wooshing, really. I think Radiohead’s best stuff is when you can make sense of what Yorke is saying. OK Computer is one of the best albums ever made. Kid A is self indulgent wank. The music journalists were creaming themselves with anticipation at the follow up to OK Computer. I’d say there were a hell of a lot of them very confused on the first playback of Kid A. So much so that alot ofr them, rather than take the brave step away from the sycophancy that surrounded Radiohead at the time, hyped it up even more. It was like the Emperor was naked, but noone wanted to admit it. Aro, I’d reckon you’d like Franz Ferdinands album, if you havent heard it already. Pisses all over the Strokes. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/26 "2004-07-28T19:35:44Z")
> [@](#): > > - Jokes aside,I really would like to know what is worth listening to as I went off right off contemoporary music about 3 years ago and haven’t heard anything recently to convince me to start buying CD’s again. But it must be out there, somewhere… Oh, and “Boxes / Squids / Whales” etc… Well I’ve recently bought these CD’s, as they’re the only worthy bans that I managed to see at Glastonbury this year on the BBC highlights (I don’t buy music mags): Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand Faded Seaside Glamour - The Delays > [@](#): > > Remember the Manchester scene of the late 80s/early 90s? It’s a shame that Oasis get so much attention for being little more than average whereas The Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays et al. are largely forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/27 "2004-07-28T20:08:42Z")
I won’t even bother arguing about Radiohead and Kid A, but I’ve just popped into say that Franz Ferdinand album is probably the best album of 2004(that I’ve heard.) The Streets album is also very good. I didn’t think I would like it, but I did. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/28 "2004-07-29T03:21:02Z")
> [@Dead Badger](#): > > Whoa, whoa, whoa there. I’ll give you Oasis, who have about three good songs to match their brain cells. But the Divine Comedy and Ash, better than Radiohead? Er, okaaaay. The Divine Comedy, _akin_ to Radiohead? Erm. Only in that they (well, “he” these days) are a) a band and b) from the UK. And use guitars, I guess. Ash wrote a great pop album with 1977, they’ve not exactly pushed back the boundaries of musical innovation or excitement since then. > > Anyway, why is it so odd to you that a couple of bands might be more popular over here than they are over there? We like some of the bands you guys have rejected and vice versa, just like we tend to laugh at some of the films that flop in the States (I dunno, Mystery Men for example). Why does it have to be a press conspiracy? Maybe we just, y’know, like Radiohead and Oasis more. And with the former, we’d have a point ;). I thought Radiohead were big in the States, anyway… Oh, I don’t think THe Divine Comedy sound a bit like Radiohead, except that they both perform sweeping songs with lots of instrumentation. But I’ve heard the comparison made, mostly after _Regeneration_ came out and Neil was talking up how much he liked Radiohead. It’s not really so odd to me that some bands are popular over there and not here - actually, percentage-wise, I’d say the UK easily has a more substantial music scene than the US. I just find it odd that certain bands get singled out for such an overwhelming amount of attention (especially when they sound [sorry to beat a dead horse] like Pink Floyd). I’m sure Ash aren’t as “important” or “groundbreaking” than Radiohead; I just think they’re more fun to listen to. However, I have to take exception with your “Mystery Men” comment. I don’t think anybody in _any_ country thought that was a good movie. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/29 "2004-07-29T03:29:12Z")
Obviously that should read “as important or groundbreaking _as_ Radiohead”. Me no speaky so gud sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/30 "2004-07-29T06:25:21Z")
You know, you could try classical music! Mind you, some of the singing in operas is really bad - where the singer is trying to demonstrate their vocal range rather than actually **sing**. I went off pop music 25 years ago or more. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/31 "2004-07-29T07:48:33Z")
Okay, I fibbed a little. I have bought 6 albums this year (as apposed to about 6 a week in my old music-loving days) They are as follows: **The Streets** - A grand don’t come for free **Keane** - Hopes & Fears **Franz Ferdinand** - Franz Ferdinand (Best of)\*\* The Pixies\*\* - Wave of Mutilation \*\*The Cure \*\* - The Cure **Nick Drake** - Made to love Magic Enormous hi-jack as it is…what else is worth a listen, outside of these? (some of these aren’t even worth it, especially disappointed with ‘The Cure’) (Sorry **Paul** , for the blatant hi-jack of your ranting) ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/32 "2004-07-29T09:44:36Z")
Don’t worry about the hijack. I think the last ‘new’ album I bought was the Auf der Maur one, which rocks. I have heard the Franz Ferdinand album, and I like it, but I hear it in my local pub more or less everytime i’m there, so I feel no need to buy it. The Delays are also good, but i’ve only heard the one song. Happy Mondays should be rightly regarded as one of the greatest UK bands of the 90s. Because you’re rendering our scaffolding dangerous. Keane haven’t done anything that have made me perk up and say whoa! more meh. He says, sat here listening to Pantera. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/33 "2004-07-29T17:32:52Z")
I feel obligated to mention this article from the Onion. [Lifelong Love Affair With Music Ends At Age 35](http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4030&n=3) ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/34 "2004-07-29T18:26:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Enormous hi-jack as it is…what else is worth a listen, outside of these? (some of these aren’t even worth it, especially disappointed with ‘The Cure’) Verve - A Storm in Heaven (fuck Urban Hymns, this is a totally different style of music and where they were at their best). The Music - The Music (you have to see this band live) The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses Primal Scream - Screamadelica > [@](#): > > The Delays are also good, but i’ve only heard the one song. Long Time Coming? Strangely enough, that song sounds nothing like the rest of the album. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/35 "2004-07-30T08:15:16Z")
It was Long time coming. I’ve seen The Music live, a couple o years back at the Leeds festival. They fucking rocked. Their from my hometown! On further reading, ie yesterdays NME, it continues to be a Libertines dicksuck fest, with a bunch of 19 year olds gushing about how they changed their lives etc. Now I know i’m out of touch with the ‘kids’. Fuck it, i’m going to start reading the Wire again. If I no longer keep up with whats hip to the kids, I can go super eclectic instead. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/36 "2004-07-30T10:36:20Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > I feel obligated to mention this article from the Onion. > > [Lifelong Love Affair With Music Ends At Age 35](http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4030&n=3) It has happened to me 6 years early. Actually, more like 9 years early, as apathy kicked in a long while back. Oh dear. Radio 4, here I come. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/37 "2004-07-30T10:44:54Z")
I think fans of Franz Ferdinand should practice saying, “They were really big in 2004, you know one of those haircut/fashion scams.” ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/38 "2004-07-30T11:21:11Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > Fuck it, i’m going to start reading the Wire again. If I no longer keep up with whats hip to the kids, I can go super eclectic instead. I had a subscription to the Wire for a couple of years, but let it lapse, partly because I wasn’t getting to hear a lot of the music they were writing about. I haven’t bought much new music recently - I only just got round to ordering last year’s Dirty Three album off Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/39 "2004-07-30T13:36:25Z")
Yeah, the only reason when I used to read it I got to hear the stuff they were talking about was because I worked in Tower. funny how NME didnt print any letters arguing against their claim (detailed in my OP) from last week this week too. Nothing like your readership agreeing with you if you can control whats printed and whats not eh? ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914/40 "2004-07-30T20:59:09Z")
> [@](#): > > On further reading, ie yesterdays NME, it continues to be a Libertines dicksuck fest, with a bunch of 19 year olds gushing about how they changed their lives etc. > > Now I know i’m out of touch with the ‘kids’. I’m 19 and there’s plenty of people my age who dislike the state of most modern music, whether it’s “alternative” or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nme-the-libertines/256914.md?page=1)