Stuck in past
CNN's entertainment section has been drooling over the brief return of Led Zeppelin. Part of the drool, of course, was an appeal to their readers to comment on this illustrious return. And lo, the crustaceans came out in force. One of the respondents said, "Loud and proud, there has NEVER been a music act with such ferocity and likely there NEVER will be".
You must be kidding.
While there is no denying that Zep played an incredibly important part in musical history and that they influenced innumerable artists that came after them, it's also undeniable that music has progressed since then. Led Zeppelin can't hold a candle in terms of "ferocity" to even an average black metal band. Grindcore similarly obliterates them in the "ferocious" category. Punk, hardcore and even speed metal likewise. And that's just addressing guitar music. Bring in drum and bass, breakcore and other electronic forms? Again, Zeppelin falls far behind. I'm sure there are many who will say, "Well, that's not really music." Then you're not listening.
Zeppelin were unquestionably part of the cream of the crop in their day, but music has expanded so much further in the last 25 years. Plant and company are fantastic, but why limit your sonic palette to stuff that stopped progressing 20 years ago? Hang onto the old, sure, but move on to something new as well. I'd rather see something new and experimental for $10 in some dingy club in Williamsburg than plop down $250 for an arena show where I can hear songs I've been listening to for 20 years.
Forging ahead with:
The Sales Department - Accounts
(Beef Terminal lives on in the hearts of men and this record)
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
(a man who knew exactly what I'm talking about above)
Apparat - Multifunktionsebene
(fuzz pop glitch stop)
New Kingdom - Paradise Don't Come Cheap
(bringing the noise from these boyz)
Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
(again... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)
You must be kidding.
While there is no denying that Zep played an incredibly important part in musical history and that they influenced innumerable artists that came after them, it's also undeniable that music has progressed since then. Led Zeppelin can't hold a candle in terms of "ferocity" to even an average black metal band. Grindcore similarly obliterates them in the "ferocious" category. Punk, hardcore and even speed metal likewise. And that's just addressing guitar music. Bring in drum and bass, breakcore and other electronic forms? Again, Zeppelin falls far behind. I'm sure there are many who will say, "Well, that's not really music." Then you're not listening.
Zeppelin were unquestionably part of the cream of the crop in their day, but music has expanded so much further in the last 25 years. Plant and company are fantastic, but why limit your sonic palette to stuff that stopped progressing 20 years ago? Hang onto the old, sure, but move on to something new as well. I'd rather see something new and experimental for $10 in some dingy club in Williamsburg than plop down $250 for an arena show where I can hear songs I've been listening to for 20 years.
Forging ahead with:
The Sales Department - Accounts
(Beef Terminal lives on in the hearts of men and this record)
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
(a man who knew exactly what I'm talking about above)
Apparat - Multifunktionsebene
(fuzz pop glitch stop)
New Kingdom - Paradise Don't Come Cheap
(bringing the noise from these boyz)
Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
(again... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)
posted by Ben at 8:54 AM
1 Comments:
EXACTLY. THANK YOU.
i like(d) LZ in high school and still respect them, but their moldy oldiness and "classic" status makes me never want to listen to them. and i wouldn't even go see them NOW if they WERE playing for $10 in wburg.
as for the NEW, my latest order:
burial - 'untrue'
venetian snares - 'my downfall'
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