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Some irrefutable truths about rock and roll

1) Robert Johnson invented rock and roll, and is the rightful King of it. Elvis Presley's title should be amended to "Poster Boy of Early Rock and Roll."

2) Jeff Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is infinitely better than the Rufus Wainwright version and is the definitive version of the song.

3) The Rolling Stones were and are the most overrated band in the history of rock and roll.

4) If it's too loud you are, indeed, too old.

5) The Stone Roses' self-titled debut is the best debut album ever in the history of ever.

6) John Mayer needs to stop that right now.

7) A good song is a good song, whether it's played on an Audiovox tape deck and a single factory speaker in a 1976 Buick Skylark or a complete Linn Klimax system.

8) A couple of Les Pauls, a Fender Precision bass, and a decent set of drums sound every bit as good as the most disciplined orchestra.

9) There is absolutely nothing wrong with having the occasional urge to crank "Hungry Like the Wolf" from time to time, so long as it doesn't become a habit.

Did I forget anything?

*yes, I realize everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and this is meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
theraiguy
schubert
7,386 posts
 
The thing about rock about is that it's designed to make you look inward, navel-gaze if you will, old men do not warn of it
because they wish to be young again, that is a terrifying thought to anyone with any wisdom at all, but because they fear for you, knowing that to look inward is the worst possible road in life.
tortilladc
121 posts
 
Schubert makes many clear and articulate points on many threads and they are generally respected and well received.

Making ignorant and blanket "right and wrong" statements about a genre of music so varied, pervasive, and intertwined with nearly every aspect of global culture will diminish his otherwise valid and welcome observations on audio.

As for callous responses from me and some others...well...act like a troll, get piled on.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
"May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young"
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,210 posts
 
I think Schubert hits a nerve with many with his assessment of rock music.

Ironically, these days, rock is mostly dead and other forms of pop music and culture in general continue to push the limits of what is acceptable to publish or not.

My view is the only way to know about what really goes on in the world is to remove barriers and let what was buried prior be seen.

Where are the limits though? Anyone can say or publish most anything on the internet these days, like in this forum and these things remain on record for others to read, use or ignore as they please.

There is a downside to everything I suppose. That seems to be the way things work. Rock music is no exception.

Now, off to listen to some super raunchy Led Zeppelin.....
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
The only quibble I have with Schubert's assessment (apart from the fact that I like early R & R and what followed from it) is S's observation, on the one hand, that R& R is visceral, not intellectual ('hits you in the crotch' to paraphrase him) and on the other, that it invites introspection and navel gazing, which seem to be contradictory. I think the genre comprehends both- from the rowdy hillbilly-turned-'race' music of Sun Studios through the heavy, searing or distorted guitar-centric stuff of the late 60's (extroverted) to the singer-songwriter material of psych-folk, country rock and 'pop' music that focused on a narrative (navel-gazing). I'm good with all of it.
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