Yeah, and I'm almost always on board for ridiculous Frank idolization, but it's weird how no one is willing to mention how he really didn't sound good for like half of that performance. I agree with it being an "inspired burst of weirdness" or whatever, and how the Grammys need more of that, but he was definitely not the highlight. Really pains me to say that, but it's true.
Haha I shouldn't even address this because it seems like a massive invasion of privacy, and I dunno, maybe it's not even real, but that email is nothing but super cool and gracious. You make it so hard to simply agree that Mumford sucks! Now I'm on Tom's side! What a world!
If you kept your shit just like a little bit together while expressing this, you'd probably be in upvote city man. I kinda wanna be on your side here, but come onnnnnn
I don't dig the anti-Timberlake vibes. He's reminding you of Robin Thicke because Robin Thicke's career is based on desperately trying to be like Justin (and he's not completely terrible at it). But that's not JT's fault. His performance was super fun and good.
Can't go wrong with a Frank Ocean pick, but "Pyramids" is like my seventh favorite song on that album. Still great, but "Pink Matter," "Forrest Gump," "Thinkin Bout You" and "Super Rich Kids" were my favorites.
Speaking of which, what would the best B&S album covers be? For me:
1. Tigermilk
2. Dear Catastrophe Waitress
3. Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant
4. The Life Pursuit
5. Push Barman to Open Old Wounds
I feel the same way about "Electronic Renaissance." It is the best. But it seems like it gets written off by people regularly. I think AV Club put it on their list of bad songs on great albums. Don't get that at all.
I was/am that way with Chris Brown, but can already feel myself falling into what you're talking about. It was easy with him, because I would hate on Chris Brown even if he hadn't done what he did. I'm not thinking it yet, but if a new album is coming I bet my reaction would be like, maybe I can appreciate the next album while also knowing that he's a bad person and hating him. Is that allowed? I think about this kind of thing every time my parents remind me of how of how not-okay some lyrics of rappers I listen to are, but this is definitely on a different plane, I know. Is it terrible to think that enjoying their music in the future might be permissible? Maybe, probably. I'm not sure though.
Brought me to tears. I like that OF have supplied the two best performances on this show ever, and that they were great for completely opposite reasons. (I usually don't group Frank with OF in my head, he's on another level, but fuck it.)
Props for the civility of the discourse you've got going here. But I just think we disagree about the quality of non-album highlights, and the number of actual highlights. About half the album, to me, is choice as fuck ("Private Room," "Say Goodbye Before You Leave," "When You're Gone," "Your Love is Here To Stay," "Always Forever" will all end up very high in my favorite songs of the year, I'm sure). And the other half is still strong, if not GREAT in all caps. That's more than enough to put it in my top 5 at this point in the year.
I love Chairlift up so high on here. They don't get enough credit. Also I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one who really got into "Hairdresser Blues," the new Hunx solo album. That's probably in my top 5 so far this year.
And finally, has anyone else heard "6 Volts" by Fred Eaglesmith? It's just an excellent set of country songs. Definitely my most listened to so far this year.
I don't understand criticisms of this column's existence. It makes arguments about music and asks you to respond. What about that is damaging to Stereogum's credibility? What about that is so offensive it should be cut now? I don't understand. I liked this one fine. I got to the end, and wasn't totally sure what to take away from it, but oh well. I see little cause for outrage.
I can't bring myself to want the Office to be canceled. It's sad at times how far they are from what it was, yes, but in terms of network comedies it is still better than most. And definitely better than some Whitney or Chelsea ish that will probably replace it. The Robert California news is fine, but talk of Mindy Kaling leaving bums me out, even if it is time.
I loved Justin Vernon's speech. I get the feeling that a lot of people in that room actually thought they were the best musicians in the world, and it was fun to see him kind of say, no you're not. And he did that without being a dick. Definitely my favorite part of the show, though that's not saying all that much.
Figured she would have to appease the people who hated "Stupid Hoe" (most people) with a track like this. But that's fine, her mindless bubblegum is still better than most radio pop.
Honestly I was happy the whole night didn't get bogged down with Whitney tributes. I thought they did the right amount of stuff for her, and yeah, about as much as they could have gotten together in the time they had anyway. Definitely don't understand Tom's outrage on that one.
I loved the 30 Rock negotiation too. Reminded me of Michael Scott negotiating with Darryl. For a while I thought they were too similar, but it went in a completely different direction. So you're off the hook, shows.
I've always liked the White Stripes and his other stuff, but none of it ever completely did it for me. That is painfully vague, I know, but I can't put my finger on it. It varies song to song, but there was always enough missing from my reactions to most White Stripes songs to really consider myself a fan. The point is, this song is different, shows him going in a direction that I like more for him. It's not better than plenty of White Stripes songs, but I'm now super excited to hear the rest of the album.
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