• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crushing Krisis

Comic Books, Drag Race, & Life in New Zealand

  • DC Guides
    • DC Events
    • DC New 52
    • DC Rebirth
    • Batman Guide
    • The Sandman Universe
  • Marvel Guides
    • Marvel Events
    • Captain America Guide
    • Iron Man Guide
    • Spider-Man Guide (1963-2018)
    • Spider-Man Guide (2018-Present)
    • Thor Guide
    • X-Men Reading Order
  • Indie & Licensed Comics
    • Spawn
    • Star Wars Guide
      • Expanded Universe Comics (2015 – present)
      • Legends Comics (1977 – 2014)
    • Valiant Guides
  • Drag
    • Canada’s Drag Race
    • Drag Race Belgique
    • Drag Race Down Under
    • Drag Race Sverige (Sweden)
    • Drag Race France
    • Drag Race Philippines
    • Dragula
    • RuPaul’s Drag Race
    • RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars
  • Archive
  • Contact!
You are here: Home / Personal / off-topics / meta / uncategorized / 758043

758043

September 3, 2000 by krisis

This is my response to a little discussion i’ve embroiled myself in.

1. Have you ever seen Aretha Franklin play an instrument?

No, and i don’t like to listen to her (though i respect her muchly). Additionally, you have to admit that her voice (as an instrument, if you care to take that point of view) is much more impressive than any current female pop star’s (*possibly* excepting Mariah and Whitney).

2. Have you seen the Temptations of Four Tops play an instrument?

The Temptations and the Four Tops were a product of the music industry at a time where a pop group doing harmony was in no way expected to write their own songs. Although many early rockers such as Buddy Holly and Little Richard wrote their own music, the advent of the the “singer-songwriter” didn’t come until the Dylan/Joni school. The Mamas and the Papas managed to write excellent vocal material and play guitar as well. I listen to Temps and Tops songs because they are classics and i grew up listening to them. However, i often can’t tell the difference between two groups doing the same song (“Build me up Buttercup,” for example), and if it is a favourite (as that one is) i don’t really care who the artist is as long as they can sing. Which means they are interchangeable in my mind, which is sort of my point.

3. If you don’t like pop why are you on a pop page?

Actually, this is a music for teens page, and being a teenager i am entitled to my opinion, as are others who dislike the so-called Pop Phenomenon. As a teenager i buy many more classic rock and modern rock albums than pop albums.

4. How many lead singers in these bands actually play an instrument?

“These bands” referring to what? Every act that i listen to (with the exception the ubiquitous Madonna) plays an instrument and/or is the main writer in the group. Examples being Garbage, Ani DiFranco, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Peter Mulvey, Alanis Morissette, Billy Joel, Elastica, Weezer, Tracy Bonham, ect…

5. How many rappers play an instrument? (Eminem)

None. Or, at least they do not publicize it, though i assume most of them are at least fluent with synthesizers and drum machines. Rappers who i respect the most are ones whose rhymes go beyond the obvious, and who are excellent arrangers and producers.

>sigh … You’re right, not all legendary people play instruments. However, i think it’s fair to say that the advent of “rock” music (which all of these things are) was with [Elvis / Little Richard / Jerry Lee Lewis], and that it took a long while for expectations from popular music to solidify. Up through as late as 1970 many songs i personally consider “legendary” were handed to their performers in the studio. However, as popular music diversified to include such bands as Queen and Jimi Hendrix Experience, expectations changed.

I don’t think my decision to slightly discount pop performers who were quite obviously picked for their image as much as their talent and who have been around for a mere two or three years is unfair at all. I sincerely hope that all of these acts find their own niches and do what they want. In a recent TV Guide, Aguilera said “If it were up to me i would have gone in a more soul and R&B direction. Also, N’Sync will soon “start work on a new record, with all five members taking a more active part in songwriting and producing.” Alanis Morissette released three trite dance records before she broke through. Obviously if the two pop powers just mentioned started out in their garages and got signed three years later, they would have wound up in a much different place. I am waiting to see where that place is.

We all have a right to like what we like. Some of our opinions are more well reasoned than others. Yours are certainly so. I’m sure you look forward to the next N’Sync record, and in a way i do too.

Related posts:

  1. the shocking discovery I made about boy bands may or may not shock you

Filed Under: uncategorized

Previous Post: « 757594
Next Post: 758358 »

Primary Sidebar


Support Crushing Krisis on Patreon
Support CK
on Patreon


Follow me on Twitter Contact me Watch me on Youtube Subscribe to the CK RSS Feed

About CK

About Crushing Krisis
About My Music
About Your Author
Blog Archive
Comics Blogs Only
Contact Krisis
Terms & Conditions

Crushing Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Events Guide

Spider-Man Guide

DC Comics

  • New Comics & Collected Editions: Marvel Comics – September 20, 2023
    Catch up on newly-released comic books and collected editions from Marvel Comics September 20 2023, with guides to every title & character! […]
  • New for Patrons: Guide to Monica Rambeau – Photon, Spectrum, & Captain Marvel
    It's time to shine a light on a Guide to Monica Rambeau. She's been Photon, Spectrum, & even Captain Marvel. Read EVERY issue in order. […]
  • Guide to Avengers (1963-1996)Updated: Guide to Avengers (1963-1996)
    Happy Anniversary to Marvel's Avengers! To celebrate I rebuilt my definitive guide to Avengers (1963-1996), including EVERY issue & collection. […]
  • Silver Age X-Men GuideUpdated: Silver Age X-Men Guide
    I've updated my definitive Silver Age X-Men Guide to collected editions of the earliest X-Men comics, including a new Penguin Classics & Taschen editions. […]
  • Guide to Conan the BarbarianUpdated: Guide to Conan The Barbarian
    I've overhauled my Guide to Conan the Barbarian to celebrate the release of Titan Comics' new Conan the Barbarian series written by Jim Zub. […]
  • Avengers Inc. (2023) #1 by Al Ewing & Leonard Kirk, released by Marvel Comics September 13 2023New Comics & Collected Editions: Marvel Comics – September 13, 2023
    Catch up on newly-released comic books and collected editions from Marvel Comics September 13 2023, with guides to every title & character! […]
  • Guide to Birds of PreyNew for Patrons: Guide to Birds of Prey
    Who are the Birds of Prey? Learn what cast members define one of DC's signature team with my Guide to Birds of Prey! […]
  • Fantastic Four (2022) #11 released by Marvel Comics September 6 2023New Comics & Collected Editions: Marvel Comics – September 6, 2023
    Catch up on newly-released comic books and collected editions from Marvel Comics September 6 2023, with guides to every title & character! […]
  • It’s gonna be May! Oh, wait, it’s ALREADY May…
    Hello, friends! Unfortunately, my non-CK life and […]
  • Drax GuideDrax Guide – now available to the public!
    Learn how the MCU merged several incarnations Drax into Dave Bautista's hyper-literal warrior with a vendetta agains Thanos in my Drax Guide! […]
  • Guide to GamoraGamora Guide – now available to the public!
    My Gamora Guide will help you find every Marvel comic starring Thanos's adopted daughter and the most dangerous woman in the galaxy! […]
  • Drag Race España Season 3, Episode 2 – “Drag Vision” Review & Power Rankings
    The queens of Drag Race España Season 3 make a collective stumble in this "Drag Vision" choreography challenge, earning the ire of the judges (though it's the kindest ire you'll ever see). […]
  • Star-Lord GuideStar-Lord Guide – now available to the public!
    Get ready for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with my Star-Lord Guide, including every comics appearance of Marvel's TWO distinct Star-Lords! […]
  • Drag Race Sverige Season 1, Episode 8 – Sweden Grand Finale, “Queen Delicious” runway, & season retrospective
    It's the Drag Race Sweden Grand Finale! Our final three queens put their spin on an original song and walk a final "Queen Delicious" runway alongside their eliminated peers. […]

Content Copyright ©2000-2023 Krisis Productions

Crushing Krisis participates in affiliate programs including (but not limited to): Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), eBay Partner Network, and iTunes Affiliate Program. If you make a qualifying purchase through an affiliate link I may receive a commission.