Great article Chris and an interesting question that keeps popping up. Love him or hate him, Pete Wentz had a quote that stuck with me recently. I'm paraphrasing a bit but it was something along the lines of "the problem with modern rock is that it doesn't sound very modern any more" and I think he has a point. For bands that want to stick with the age old guitar-bass-drums formula, all the power to 'em, but I don't think most people find it that interesting anymore save for us purists who still cherish that sound (I'm one of them). That being said, as I've entered my 30's, it becomes harder and harder every year for meat-and-potatoes rock bands to truly interest me. Maybe that's why Fall Out Boy still continues to synch into my subconscious because they blend non-rock (albeit obvious non-rock) elements into their music.
Another issue that I think many Stereogum commenters have with "The Week In Pop" probably stems from the fact that this site started out as an "indie blog" (whatever that means). For some jaded commenters, they probably feel annoyed that the mainstream is creeping onto their turf which used to be one of the few places they could go to read interesting think pieces on Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the sort (which, btw, is the only time I ever use interesting and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in the same sentence). That's a totally fair stance albeit a bit tired one. I'm actually really happy with this column as it allows me to pay attention to music I miss since I don't drive a car, really only hang out in bars that play non-Top 40 (lower Manhattan, Brooklyn) and don't associate with many Top 40 fans.
Finally, one last take away from the comments on this column. As much as Stereogum readers might trumpet the works of St. Vincent, The War On Drugs, Sun Kill Moon and similar artists, they just aren't what MOST people prefer to listen to and that will likely never change.
Also, who in their right mind is ever exicted for DIIV? Like, do people wake up thinking "MAN, I'm just DYING for some new DIIV today!"
Also, Sky fucking Ferreira before Adele, Tool, Modest Mouse, James Black, My Morning Jacket ?!?!? Ain't NOBODY got time for that, son.
It's interesting that with the likes of Nickelback, Creed and those bands, it really shows how Bush was dealt FAR too harshly with. Also, I enjoy their entire catalog (haven't heard the latest yet). "Letting The Cables Sleep" off The Science Of Things is a nice companion to "Glycerine".
I think it's alphabetical (though someone must have fucked up and not realized Interpol starts with an I and therefor should be in front of Modest Mouse).
"ghosts of modern rock radio past"...
Linkin Park, Rise Against and Fall Out Boy all put out (fairly) successful new albums in the past 3-4 years so that comment reeks of "I only pay attention to the corner of the internet that is relevant to my narrow crowd" syndrome (all tastes aside).
System Of A Down and Incubus, while fairly stagnant recording-wise, still do big business on the road. AND, finally, Vance Joy is opening for Stereogum's beloved Taylor Swift this summer but I'm assuming that was supposed to be snark so whatever.
Sites/properties like Stereogum operate on a business model based on pageviews/clicks. While I'm sure there is a sizable audience that cares about Flying Lotus or whatever "cool" new artists there are, articles relating to new releases big more popular artists will likely still drive more pageviews and discussion. Also, sites that are on the endless chase for the next "cool" and "big thing" often end up exhausting users due to them being overly excited about a new band every two days.
The summer before college I saw Weezer on their ampitheater tour with Dashboard Confessional opening. Maladorit had been just been released. I remember walking around and seeing a guy wearing a t-shirt that read "Fuck you! I like the green album." At that point, I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to like the Green album (I did, and still do). Point being is that Weezer fans take the band's 90's output WAY too seriously. That sort of awkward confusion about sex mixed with angst is only something you can capture in your 20's. 40-year-olds just can't mimic that no matter how hard they try.
The Foo Fighters have an "extra" guitarist because Pat Smear is actually IN the band. Also some of their songs have three parts so...makes sense to have the third.
At Governors Ball the VIP section was to the side of the stage and sort of crept up along the side which I think is fair. As a band, I can't imagine you want the very front to be all VIP dick-heads/industry hanger-on people. The most rabid fans are usually the general admission ones. Is this how most European festivals are set up?
I totally get the celebratory vibe of EDM shows and, while it may not be my thing, tip my hat to the crowd that gets into it. I DO question, as I said below, if the majority of the audience would still be able to enjoy some of things without the use of drugs.
As a guitar player, I have no problem also accepting that music people create with computers/electronics also falls under the category of art (which I don't think is even the argument here so I have no idea why I typed that). As much as I love being slightly buzzed/drunk at many rock shows I go to, I find that (most of them) still have the possibility to be enjoyed sober. I am genuinely curious if there are people who go to the mainstream-type EDM concerts without being on some sort of drug and enjoy them. That's not to say that electronic music can't be enjoyable in a non-altered state but I'm speaking specifically do the "wub wub" popular style right now. Any takers on this? Any straight-edge Deadmau5 fans out there care to weigh in?
"and that’s the thing that annoys me. I like those bands that it’s coming from, all those bands I just named I will listen to their album, but the stuff that rips them off just makes me bored."
Key quote that is missing. Shinoda is obviously a fan of these bands and a wide variety of music. I think it's more of the fact that we are in a soft rock resurgence that bothers him.
Ah, see, I find Boys for Pele to be a slog to get through a lot of the time. On the other hand, I find Scarlet's Walk to be a really pleasant listen and don't understand why more folks don't enjoy it.
I think it was more funny to me because it showcased the early 00's "hip" crowd now being out of touch with what some of the ACTUAL youth liked. This isn't a slight to you personally but it's funny how having hip NYC/SPIN tunnel goggles can make it hard to differentiate between blog chatter about what kids should be listening to vs. what kids are ACTUALLY listening to. In that regard, I'd place Third Eye Blind as more influential to kids age 15-25 these days vs. The Strokes any day.
Interpol, Jack White, TV On The Radio not on the list yet fucking Grimes is? Whack.
Also I know it's not popular Stereogum opinion because these bands are basically just, well, pop bands but I though The 1975, Bastille and Foster The People were thoroughly enjoyable. AlunaGeorge also played a great set on Sunday that picked things up. I did not realize The Kills were that big (they had a huge crowd) though I think that probably had more to do with their competition at the time not being that big either. Vampire Weekend closing was a dependable (though predictable) set and enjoyable. The Strokes...totally phoned in. Exact same set they played in Port Chester.
I'd enjoy hearing Radiohead's "Creep" but wouldn't use a setlist chip on it persay. I do think their most recent tour leaned a bit too heavily on King of Limbs/In Rainbows. I mean, to have the most acclaimed album of the 90's under your belt and play ONE track from it each night is strange.
The exact opposite problem is that of bands like the Foo Fighters. They have a great catalog but it's the same stale greatest hits set every night.
"Seriously, though, most of the reports surrounding Ultra make it sound like a special kind of hell."
It took you seeing new reports to realize that? I could tell just by the pictures.
Am I the only one on here who gets annoyed at how self-congratulatory these comments are? The running theme seems to be "Lollapalooza doesn't cater to us 'Gum commenters who have a more enlightened and eclectic taste than most of the population so let us pat ourselves on the back and high-five each other that we don't go to such 'mainstream' festivals such as these."
Get the FUCK over yourselves people. This lineup ain't super great but I challenge anyone who reads Stereogum and/or fancies themselves to be an "alt/indie" fan and not find a good amount of acts they enjoy watching.
I like Queens but Homme is starting to sound like a bitter old bastard with this. Who cares if Imagine Dragons wins a Grammy over Queens or not? QUOTSA still plays large venues, gets acclaim and has a ton of fans.
I actually dig Linkin Park ha. Scoff all you want but I think they are the only band from that era that has any merit. They streamline a bunch of genres with just a few flourishes to keep things interesting.
I think Tonight is also the best FF album so you're not alone. All their records are great though. Always was a bit frustrated that the Killers turned into an arena act here in the states when all of their (Killers) records are so spotty. Maybe the Killers are a better singles band but Franz is a better BAND.
I also think there's the issue with many bands not wanting to forego their NYC-area date to be part of a festival. For Vampire Weekend, Phoenix this is their second go-around in the market (both haev played Barclays Center last year) and for many of the second-tier acts, it's a similar story. The Strokes, Interpol and TV On The Radio are nice grabs in terms of "local" bands that haven't active recently. Jack White also seemingly came out of nowhere too.
I feel like Depeche Mode gets unfairly judged on their material post-Alan Wilder leaving. While Ultra and Excited have some of my favorite singles (Barrel Of A Gun, It's No Good, Dream On) the albums as a whole were quite lacking. However, the last three have been great and the band is on fire live nowadays.
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