# Well-regarded bands that you don't like **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 1, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105 "2024-08-01T13:12:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/121 "2024-08-03T18:55:13Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > They’re on my list of bands that I don’t like. Their music was fine, but their lead singer, Gordon Downie, had a voice that was like nails on a chalkboard. I’m not sure he actually sang; he more or less just yelled. If the Tragically Hip came on the radio, it was time to switch to another station. Even if I landed on the Farm Report, it was easier on the ears than the Tragically Hip. This Hip are one of those bands that I like, but only their singles. If you have their best-of, you truly own everything you need to by the band. I’ve had a few full albums of theirs over the years, and the filler is utterly forgettable. I do like those singles, though, but the constant “We’re Canadian! Pay attention to how Canadian we are!!!” bothers me in any act that prizes geography over everything else. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/122 "2024-08-03T19:01:54Z")
I’ve heard that the whole “We’re Canadian!” thing is why the Tragically Hip never caught on south of the border. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister\_lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister_lord/32/17008_2.png) [@wolf\_meister\_lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister_lord)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/123 "2024-08-06T08:31:30Z")
Aerosmith To me they sound like a bunch of high school kids! And to all those Aerosmith fans, the band is called AERO-Smith! It is NOT Arrowsmith!!! ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/124 "2024-08-06T16:53:09Z")
> [@wolf\_meister\_lord](#): > > And to all those Aerosmith fans, the band is called AERO-Smith! > > It is NOT Arrowsmith!!! Thank you! Thank you! I’ve wanted to get that beef off of my chest for some time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/125 "2024-08-06T17:12:37Z")
You might be fighting a losing battle — in one of Stephen King’s early novels (I think it might have been the trimmed down **The Stand** ), he uses Arrowsmith incorrectly as the name of the band. Maybe his editor’s to blame? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/126 "2024-08-06T17:26:49Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > > [@wolf\_meister\_lord](#): > > > > And to all those Aerosmith fans, the band is called AERO-Smith! > > > > It is NOT Arrowsmith!!! > > Thank you! Thank you! I’ve wanted to get that beef off of my chest for some time. 🙂 People here on the SDMB seem to all know better. There have been at least a couple recent threads referencing the band, and everyone spelled it correctly. And a quick search of the boards didn’t turn up anyone spelling it “Arrowsmith.” (I found quite a few threads with “Arrowsmith” in them, but most were referencing the (correctly spelled) Sinclair Lewis novel.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/127 "2024-08-06T17:32:40Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > You might be fighting a losing battle — in one of Stephen King’s early novels (I think it might have been the trimmed down **The Stand** ), he uses Arrowsmith incorrectly as the name of the band. Maybe his editor’s to blame? Literary side note: If it was **The Stand** King has a built in excuse. That world, like others, is one of the many side branches of the realities that center upon the Tower in King’s multiverse. It is pretty explicitly not the “main” one that King (also a character) lives in. So in that particular… strand… of reality (visited by the protagonist of the Gunslinger novels) it may well be Arrowsmith. And I like individual Aerosmith songs, but I agree that the vocals evoke a love it or hate it. I don’t hate it, but I can see why other people _would_. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/128 "2024-08-06T17:32:54Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > And a quick search of the boards didn’t turn up anyone spelling it “Arrowsmith.” I’m not referring to the spelling,but phonetics. the people who read, see, recognize the band’s name ‘Aerosmith’ being spelled as such, but _pronouncing_ it as “Arrowsmith”. Added note, just for the heck of it: I like the band…but, their earlier stuff. After 1979, they’re dead to me. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/129 "2024-08-06T17:37:12Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > I’m not referring to the spelling,but phonetics. the people who read, see, recognize the band’s name ‘Aerosmith’ being spelled as such, but _pronouncing_ it as “Arrowsmith”. If the correct pronunciation of the band’s name is not “AIR-oh-smith” (which is pretty much the only way I have _ever_ heard it pronounced, in 50 years), please educate us. (FWIW, if I had to pronounce the word “arrowsmith,” I’d pronounce it exactly the same way.) ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/130 "2024-08-06T17:38:35Z")
Weird Al. He’s a super nice dude, but his music just isn’t funny to me. It’s also not enjoyable to listen to. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/131 "2024-08-06T17:50:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > If the correct pronunciation of the band’s name is not “AIR-oh-smith” (which is pretty much the only way I have _ever_ heard it pronounced, in 50 years), please educate us. (FWIW, if I had to pronounce the word “arrowsmith,” I’d pronounce it exactly the same way.) Yeah, in my Great Lakes dialect here in Chicago, “aero” and “arrow” are homophones. I’m not even entirely sure what the difference can be. Looking at Merriam-Webster online and comparing pronunciations of “aeroplane” and “arrow,” the difference is in the second syllable, a schwa vs a “long o.” But surely that can’t be it. I’ve never heard anyone say “AIR-uh-smith.” Now, [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) gives me a hint that it is the first syllable that is different, which my dialect doesn’t distinguish. One is supposedly a plain “short a,” and the other is the diphthong in “air.” I’m assuming it’s related to the Mary-marry-merry merger. @Brickbat, are you from a place that pronounces “Mary,” “marry,” and “merry” differently? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/132 "2024-08-06T17:59:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > in my Great Lakes dialect here in Chicago, “aero” and “arrow” are homophones. Same here. Same as marry, Mary, merry. All the same, differentiated by context. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/133 "2024-08-06T18:23:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, in my Great Lakes dialect here in Chicago, “aero” and “arrow” are homophones. I’m not even entirely sure what the difference can be. Looking at Merriam-Webster online and comparing pronunciations of “aeroplane” and “arrow,” the difference is in the second syllable, a schwa vs a “long o.” But surely that can’t be it. I’ve never heard anyone say “AIR-uh-smith.” I found this video interview, probably from sometime in the mid-to-late '80s (i.e., just after the “Walk This Way” collaboration with Run-D.M.C.), with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Tyler says the band’s name several times, and it sounds, to my ears, somewhere between “AIR-oh-smith” and “AIR-uh-smith.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AxHGJnQJuAM/maxresdefault.jpg "Aerosmith {Steven Tyler & Joe Perry} Interview") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxHGJnQJuAM) ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/134 "2024-08-06T18:24:34Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > If the correct pronunciation of the band’s name is not “AIR-oh-smith” (which is pretty much the only way I have _ever_ heard it pronounced, in 50 years), please educate us. WTF? Are you implying that I’m making the exact opposite claim? You’re claiming that Aerosmith pronounced “Air-o-smith” is the only way you’ve ever heard it pronounced. It is they way I pronounce it too, and I believe to be the proper way ( homosphones notwithstanding ). I’m claiming I _have indeed_ heard others pronounce it as “Arrowsmith”, to my annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/135 "2024-08-06T18:27:16Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > WTF? Are you implying that I’m making the exact opposite claim? You’re claiming that Aerosmith pronounced “Air-o-smith” is the only way you’ve ever heard it pronounced. It is they way I pronounce it too, and I believe to be the proper way ( homosphones notwithstanding ). I’m claiming I _have indeed_ heard others pronounce it as “Arrowsmith”, to my annoyance. I’m saying that, to my Midwestern ears and accent, “Aerosmith” (AIR-oh-smith) and “arrowsmith” would be pronounced the same way. I suspect we’re dealing with regional pronunciation differences. So, how do these people who annoy you pronounce the band’s name like “arrowsmith,” but in a way that sounds different from “AIR-oh-smith?” ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/136 "2024-08-06T18:30:01Z")
I’m with @kenobi_65 - when I hear/say Aero (such as aerospace) it is nigh-identical to arrow. I mean, if I’m super careful in enunciation, there is a slight “w” from lip-shaping with Arrow, but in a compound word? I can’t tell the difference. Born in MASS, lived most of my life 6-50 in the US southwest, mostly NM and CO if it helps in terms of regional dialect and pronunciation. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/137 "2024-08-06T18:34:42Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I suspect we’re dealing with regional pronunciation differences. That must be it. Boiling it down a bit further, are the words by themselves “Aero” and “Arrow” ( as in the bow-driven projectile ) pronounced the same in your area of the midwest? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/138 "2024-08-06T18:35:56Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > Boiling it down a bit further, are the words by themselves “Aero” and “Arrow” ( as in the bow-driven projectile ) pronounced the same in your area of the midwest? Yes, they are. Which begs the question: what is the difference in pronunciation in your area? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/139 "2024-08-06T18:37:44Z")
> [@veryfrank](#): > > This Hip are one of those bands that I like, but only their singles. If you have their best-of, you truly own everything you need to by the band. I’ve had a few full albums of theirs over the years, and the filler is utterly forgettable. Their output declined badly in the latter half of their run. The first three albums are absolutely terrific and there are still a lot of excellent singles on the next few, but after that it’s just like a band trying to be the Tragically Hip. And so in a way, the Hip are, to me, both sides of this question. For eight to ten years they were insanely great, producing a wild number of wonderful songs, and for another 15, they were widely regarded as a national treasure even though none of their music was actually very good and I couldn’t make it through many of those later albums more than once. “Road Apples” is one of the greatest rock albums humans have ever recorded; “Now For Plan A” does not have a single song that can be described as interesting, original, well written, or anything else positive - and yet it sold like hotcakes, 'cause “Tragically Hip.” Musicians run out of ideas at some point. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105/140 "2024-08-06T18:47:40Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Yes, they are. Which begs the question: what is the difference in pronunciation in your area? Let’s see: From my northeastern ( but not New England ) and eastern seaboard immersion. “Aero”, the first syllable rhymes with the word “yeah”. “Arrow”: this is going to be tough trying to compensate for regional differences. First syllable “Ah”, but not the wider open mouthed “ah” one does when the doctor says “open wide”, if that makes any sense, which it might not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-regarded-bands-that-you-dont-like/1005105.md?page=8)