JuliaD Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I've seen a thread going on here about people's negative comments about this band or that band, and the fact that some members of this band might possibly see these posts. Personally, I feel as long as there's no slander or libel going on, anyone here should feel free to post their honest opinion. Sure, they can try to be nice in how they word it, but I have to go on record saying I really have little tolerance for people who basically "kiss up" by posting things they think this person or that person who *might* read the board want to hear. And I'm not picking on any one person in particular here, or even just this forum, I just honestly don't think that ANYONE, celebrity or not, wants to come to a discussion board and have a bunch of "yes men" around. If I were a celebrity, and people agreed with absolutely everything I did and said, I'd feel like I was surrounded by a bunch of phonies, and I wouldn't trust anyone. Even if it causes a bit of controversy, I think honesty is never out of order.I don't think anyone should have to think and re-think their posts "because so and so might read it". We have to remember that so and so is an adult, and being a celebrity, is probably up to their eyeballs in phony people, and probably welcomes honesty as a breath of fresh air. People are entitled to their opinions, and speaking for myself, I'd hate to see people be less than honest in their opinions. Like I said before, certainly people can be tactful in the way they present themselves, but if they don't like a certain band, or a certain song by a certain band, or whatever, I think they should feel free, even encouraged, to say so, and present their opinion.And that, folks, is just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popdude Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Hear, hear, Julia!I love the Rubinoos and don't care for The Drysdales.GOD, that felt good!But seriously, you are 100% on the mark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Allen Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 ...and you know how i feel about Foghat (or journey, boston, REO, rap, hip hop, debby boone, daniel boone, don ho, peter lemonjello, styx, et al...). although I do confess to liking a Barry Manilow song or two (back, as they say, in the day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 What? You don't like Don Ho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 "Beautiful Sunday" by Daniel Boone was a great song Bob. Maybe it didn't get airplay in the U.S.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggsherby Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Hey, I agree. I really HATE Eric Carmen and those cranberries/blueberries/blackberries or whatever they call themselves...I'm just here for the insightful postings of the many, many geniuses who post on this board on a daily basis anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trindy Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Very funny, Harry...but seriously, JuliaD has it right. This same issue has come up wherever figure skating is publicly dicusssed, too. Some people think no one should criticize a skater in a public forum because the skater might read it and have their feelings hurt. To which others point out, baloney, because as skaters they are already on public display and have to get used to criticism from judges and audiences. It is what they chose to do when they became skaters.We do temper this somewhat--for example, if the skater is very young. I mean, if someone went to the local five-county skating club invitational and little Suzie Salchow who is about 8 years old competes there and doesn't do well, it seems a bit harsh to go on and on about how she skated like crap. Also, chances are Suzie Salchow isn't all that used to putting her stuff in front of other people and her skin is not the thickest it could be yet. Seems ugly to take her to task at such a young age. Also, spectators are reminded that they might want to be careful about what they say while sitting in the audience, because for all you know, as you are yelling "Gosh, Suzie skated like CRAP today!," that woman sitting behind you just might be Suzie's mom. And she may want to see you in the parking lot later...;-)However, I'm inclined to feel that anyone who is old enough to strap on a guitar, ripple hands across a keyboard, whack a drum kit, sing, etc., in public for profit is (or at least should be) emotionally mature enough to handle criticism of his or her attempts. You gotta be willing to take the "Simons" as well as the "Paulas"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy K. Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Yes, Julia, some very good points.Marvin, the Daniel Boone song did chart in the U.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I don't like Michael Bolton!I also don't like Broccoli, Lima Beans, Marshmellow Peeps, and Brussel Sprouts!Whew - That does feel good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early Wynn Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Was that the duet between Daniel Boone and his Cherokee friend, Mingo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Julia your point is well stated. We certainly do live in a very political correct world where stepping on toes can lead to an all-out war. Too bad we can't all heed the advice of Henley/Frey as they said so succinctly in their anti-political correctness song, "Get Over It." Since honesty really is the best policy, truth be told, I really don't care much for "Winter Dreams." Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaD Posted March 28, 2005 Author Share Posted March 28, 2005 marvin, you never disappoint, I knew an attack on WD was coming as I typed my post!And hey, tim, easy on the marshmallow peeps, they're made in my neck of the woods (actually, I hate em too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 You are correct Julia. We should all feel free to state our opinions without fear of finger pointing or someone disagreeing with us. On the other hand, it's not what we say, It's how we say it that matters. Opinions are unique to all of us and I derive great value in reading the diversity of those opinions expressed by the members of this board. Let's not confuse an opinion with a criticism that is humiliating and/or destructive in its essence. The latter is unnecessary and serves no purpose...IMHO.That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacote Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 ......"already i can see the goosebumps have risen on the thighs of the young romanian girl"........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I spent 16 years in public office and saw my share of critics. If it were constructive, said without anger or hatred, and said based on a true knowledge of the subject, I guess it would be OK. "I guess", I say, because that never happened, so I don't know. A band may appreciate someone telling them the mix was muddy, or the harmonies were off on a particular song, or you think there was too much reverb. Led Zep songs on car commercials drive me up a wall... like fingernails on a chalkboard. But at least I don't go to their website and tell them. And I'm too ignorant about music theory to argue my point anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaD Posted March 28, 2005 Author Share Posted March 28, 2005 I don't disagree with any of the statements here, but my take on it is, this (and other music sites) forum is here to discuss EC's music. And often, discussions of other bands pop up. I feel if we're not going to be honest, and just say "I like everything they do, everything they say, they're perfect in every way", that sends an untrue and unfair message to the band. It doesn't tell them "hey, a lot of people don't like those lyrics", or "a lot of people don't seem to like that song"... and next time they record or write, they'll have that in the back of their minds, and maybe won't repeat recording something the majority doesn't like. We are the ones spending money on their music, and if we're not honest with them, we're the real losers in the beginning, because they'll keep recording stuff based on our lies, and they're the longtime losers because their stuff will be sitting on store shelves because we've decided "same old stuff like I didn't like last time". They work hard, they put a lot of time and effort into recording. I think they deserve our honesty.Again, it need not be brutal, you can dislike something without being belittling or nasty about it. But I still think they should have our honest opinions, ESPECIALLY on their forums, that's where they look first, where their fans are... and if we're bullshitting them, what's the point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Gene,I know what you mean - I spent 23 years in State Government. Some of the criticisms leveled by the media (and legislators) were less than constructive. In fact they were usually less than honest, but that's a different subject.To the topic, Julia's point is well taken. Personally, I like Eric's Raspberries work far more than his solo material. Some of his albums and cuts other members rave about, to me, sound awful. Others might prefer his solo material, I don't. To each his own.Anyone who says they like everything the Berries do (or Eric does for that matter) are not being honest with themselves or the artist(s). But taking the Berries music as a whole, they are still they best damned power-pop band in the world - ever.Back to my original point - say whatever you want but have some sense of civility in your choice of words.Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Thanks Ted. I was hoping that someone else would come forth with those exact words.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Gene,Anyone who says they like everything the Berries do (or Eric does for that matter) are not being honest with themselves or the artist(s). Ted Hate to burst your bubble dude, but I may be one in a million. I like EVERY song that Raspberries has done. Now I don't like every song that Eric has done solo, but I do indeed like EVERY Berrie tune. And I'm EXTREMELY honest with myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 ..and the Message Board comes to life once again.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popdude Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Oh gosh, along these lines, I could tell you guys some tales about my 20 years in music journalism...such as...* The one NYC popster who's wife got VERY upset with me after my review of his record. "But I liked the record and gave it a positive review," I protested. "Yes, but it didn't make your top 10 of the year and you didn't call my husband a genius! What did we do to upset you?" (I'm not making this up, folks!)* The L.A.-based artist who chose to find the ONE negative bit in my review of his band's record---that I thought too many of the songs were mid-tempo---and chose to vilify me by writing a song about it on his next album. "They said 'mid tempo trap'/might as well just call it crap." Ironically, the song was mid-tempo.* The webmaster/editor of a pop-music site I used to write for, who refused to run my review of a Who Tribute CD because, even though I enjoyed the bulk of the CD and said so, I actively disliked three of the cuts on it (and these were DREADFUL). When I asked him why, he said, "These guys are trying to sell this CD and your review would do more harm than good." Huh?I've been known to be extremely honest in my reviews, unlike many of my fellow reviewers in the power pop world...it's just the way I've always gone about my business. I obviously don't set out to hurt anyone personally and I believe in civility, but I also believe in calling a spade a spade.At any rate, just my two cents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popdude Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Marvin:<<"Beautiful Sunday" by Daniel Boone was a great song Bob. Maybe it didn't get airplay in the U.S.>>It is indeed a great tune, and one that got plenty of airplay in California. As a matter of fact, my band covered it a few years back on the RIGHT TO CHEWS: BUBBLEGUM CLASSIC REVISITED compilation on Not Lame Records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 John B., those are some mind-boggling stories! I'm more convinced the world is crazy now! I also remember hearing "Beautiful Sunday" a lot when I was very young. It holds a special, nostalgic place in my heart. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 ..and Daniel Boone (the one that recorded "Beautiful Sunday") was actually British. What insightful lyrics:"Sunday morning, up with the lark, I think I'll take a walk in the parkMy, my, my what a beautiful day."They don't write 'em like that anymore.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 UK Julia and I will be dueting on both "Sugar Baby Love" AND "Beautiful Sunday."Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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