I think the overlying theme of all of this is that EDM, along with most pop music is popular because a lot of people don't want to think about their music, they just want to FEEL it. Music is their escape and so are these drug filled bro'd out festivals.
Bands unfortunately no longer sell music. It's all your live show. So who's going to sell more concert tickets and demand huge crowds at festivals? Ultimately in most cases its the band that gets people moving and let's them escape from reality for that 60 minutes. The problem isn't necessarily about the decline of the guitar, but the decline of the emotion and intellectual nature that guitar based music creates.
Not be be THAT guy... but they did eventually review it in case you were wondering...
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18454-john-wizards-john-wizards/
A lot of good stuff here... love your hip hop mentions.
But also some big omissions that I've noticed (just my opinion ya'll):
Jagwar Ma - the new Tame Impala??
Kate Boy - some of the best singles out all year.
Roosevelt - killer EP out a couple weeks ago.
Postiljonen - (seriously... why is no one talking about these guys?)
Diana - very underrated debut.
Twin Peaks.... etc etc.
"Lord Knows" on Take Care is still one of the most polarizing, incredible hip hop tracks I've heard in years and maybe ever.
But good lord, to this day I still can't make it through an entire Drake album in one listen. It's just incessant whining that I can only handle in very small doses. Incredible production and a great artist overall but man can he sound like nails on a chalkboard after awhile.
Haha I totally get you man.
Even though none of us know ANYTHING about how pitchfork's scores are actually calculated, I too find it fascinating to try and predict what album scores will be. If you've been reading the site for many years, you can almost predict the exact score each band/artist will receive strictly based on the amount the album is talked about and hyped pre-release.
Yeezus is an interesting case because no "official" tracks have been released yet. But considering its under 40 minutes and is very concise and narrow in idea (totally love it btw) I think we are talking in the 8.4-9.0 range, tops
Very true... I guess I'm just referring to Rubin's 2000 era producing of Audioslave, Limp Bizkit and System of a Down.... I guess despite his accolades that still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I've listened to it twice so far.... and its a dark, compelling listen. Loving it.
I think what I like most about it, is that he's not even attempting to make another perfect album like MBDTF.
Yeezus has flaws, but that's what makes it special because those flaws feel intentional.... I was worried about having Rick Rubin involved, but he feels to fit in very well with Kanye's stripped down vision for this album.
"All My Little Words" would def be my #1. Seriously can't even make the top 10??
Also from 69... I've been obsessed "The One You Really Love" since I was 16. That would def crack the top 5 at least.
What a time to be music lover - Still can't wait for Yeezus and so many others in part 2 of this year!!
1. Disclosure - Settle
2. Daft Punk - RAM
3. Kurt Vile - Wakin On A Pretty Daze
4. My Bloody Valentine - MBV
5. Deerhunter - Monomania
6. James Blake - Overgrown
7. Foxygen - We Are The 21st Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
8. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience
9. Iceage - You're Nothing
10. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
11. The Men - New Moon
12. Classixx - Hanging Gardens
13. After Dark 2
14. Savages - Silence Yourself
15. Rhye - Woman
16. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
17. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away
18. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
19. Mount Kimbie - Cold Spring Fault Less Youth
20. Palma Violets - 180
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