Which artists do you just not get?

Ben- It is our differences, as well as our similarities, that makes life so rich and keeps things interesting. If we all liked the same things life would be pretty boring I think. In spite of your thinking this was a "dumb" thread (I get cranky too and have had similar knee-jerk reactions to things when I am, especially when it strikes at something at my core as you so eloquently have confessed), you have made some interesting contributions yourself and I would guess you may have gotten some 'value' from the insight necessary to write what you have. I guess I'm simply suggesting that is not a "dumb" thread at all. Perhaps if you apply the way you approach music (per your last paragraph) to how you view others points-of-view (simply try to understand them, recognize they may be different than yours, and also realize that you may also have much common ground as we all do) you may open yourself up to a whole new world of possibilities, as you do with the music! You don't need to change people at all, nor defend yourself or anyone else ...appreciate them for who they are, just as you are able to be so open to such a diverse selection of music.

Thank you for your candid thoughts...and I am not at all being sarcastic. I appreciate that they make me think about this stuff too.

Marco

I'm surprised bombastic, pretentious, and constantly straining to be hip Bruce Springsteen hasn't gotten more votes. I get a head and throatache just hearing/seeing him. Does anyone else think it's funny people like Springsteen (and many others) who have been powerfully rich, pampered, and insulated for decades still write tunes about the "common man"? Where do they get inspiration, from one of the lackeys who makes sure they never have to see a red M&M?

There is no music that I don't "get." It's all music. It's people that I don't get.

Greatest, in my mind:
Dylan (popular/rock)
John Coltrane and Kenny Dorham (jazz)
Other: Martin Stephenson and the Daintees

Tomryan-Sprinsteen has approached that subject himself on the Human Touch/Lucky Town records-there's a line about "a rich man in a poor man's shirt"-he's well aware of that dichotomy within his work.
He's pissed me off in recent years with his record releases-10 Tracks having two songs not on the 4 CD box-set Tracks struck me as bleeding the fans dry.
He's not the man he used to be as regards that.
As for bombast,I'm sure live there is still a lot of that but as regards his music he's done very stripped down records reflecting his musical roots of country,blues and folk music.
As a writer he has carved out a niche and is probably the best living songwriter about reflecting the struggle of everyday life,it's failures and it's darkness and that is a pretty universal message-that's why his music has travelled so well around the world,sure it's about America on the surface but beneath his work is about humanity.
The mid-80's image of Born In The USA Bruce is something he'll perhaps never shake off.
As for his inspiration I'm sure it comes from everywhere,his own local community was devastated by 911 and all he had to offer (apart fom his charitable donations which he is famous for)is his music.
I don't like everything Springsteen has done but I don't think he ever wrote a word he didn't mean.
And that's more important than whether he's a multi-millionaire or not.

Jax2 to answer your thoughtful post-I agree with every word you wrote and I think anybody's opinion is as valid as my own and sure differences of opinion are part of what makes the world go round but.........
I still think it's a dumb thread because some people clearly just don't get or like some music.
That ranges from The Beatles to Opera.....that don't dislike it for any reason than that they don't and that's my point-take a big enough straw poll and you'll get every band or musical form named.
If somebodys got an individual take or some insight then fine but otherwise it's just a list and a never ending one at that.................