1. Home
  2. music
  3. 177493-149657

Albums you do not get...a plea for help and understanding

So like most of you (I bet), I listen to tons of music.  But there are just some albums I never learned to appreciate.  I hope this thread can serve as a teaching tool.  I did not get Mingus at first but now he is one of my favorites.

Perhaps ending each post with, "What am I missing?" would be a good idea.

I will start with Graceland by Paul Simon.  Most of my friends call me crazy (still after all these years...OUCH that was bad) but I never desire to listen to this record.  I get the African influence and rhythm but it just does not impress me.  Alternatively when Peter Gabriel did the African influence thing I found it stunningly good. Paul Simon as a musician impresses me in his other works.  What am I missing?

bancsee
cd318
2,636 posts
 

Zappa?

Crikey, there's a big one right there!

There's so much to like about Frank, the attitude, the intelligence, the honesty, but what about the music?

Especially for those of us who love harmony, melody and catchy tunes?

A bit like Beefheart, for me Zappa remains a novelty listen.

Clever but not compelling.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

My problems with Zappa are many. He's too arrogant.  Too mean. His stuff is more complicated than complex. The stuff comes off as busy.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

I listened to Paul Simon's Graceland for a heck of a long period of time. For one, it has some of the best sound quality of any LP of the period. The Ladysmith Black Mambazo cuts were revelatory .in their freshness, 3D imaging and sheer beauty. True, Simon's sincerity could be  a bit suffocating but I was willing to let him follow his muse.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

I agree with cd318's assessment of Zappa. Too noisy. One dimensional. More of a technician than an artist.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,492 posts
 

And a smug, self-satisfied one at that. Trying to provide evidence of just how smart he is (was). Humility is a true sign of wisdom.

And then there are the guys in Steely Dan, the type who think using diminished and augmented chords (etc.) makes a song better than Brian Wilson’s "God Only Knows".

More to discover