[Closed] Universally critically-lauded artists that you just can't stand

Not indulging in the pointless exercise of contradicting anyone's choices, but gotta wonder what shite oldmanmtb2 and creakingdoor [i]do[/i] like...

Yeah, I'd say the Manics were more of a bland AOR drone than a dirge.

I agree they are shite, obvs.

Firstly, if anyone can find me any examples of Coldplay being 'critically lorded' by anyone bar Ken Bruce on Radio 2 I'd be interested to read it. Any reviews I've read deride it, rightfully, for the bedwetting drivel that it is

Prince. One good track about alphabeti spaghetti, and the rest is tiresome 80s soft rock. Clearly talented at what he did, just a shame what he did was so crap.

I never understood the reverence for Prince as some great musician. He produced a succession of mediocre pop songs until he disappeared up his own arse and it then became absolutely unlistenable

And anyone slagging off Amy Winehouse needs to have a word with themselves. She was an incredible, unique talent, and was absolutely amazing live. You have to bear in mind that she was writing all that stuff from when she was about 16. Well worth watching the film 'Amy' to see the early live footage. Its not an easy watch, mind, she had a shit life!

So, my list goes

green day - same song recycled over and over

guns n roses - just for being unoriginal MOR shit

Mettalica - see above, with added neuroses

kayne west - never has so much be written about an artist with so little to say himself

razorlight - they came - they went

I've had periods in my life where I've obsessively listened to pretty much all of the artists mentioned so far and I love them all. Except ABBA.

green day – same song recycled over and over

See, also, Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Surprised nobody has mentioned Stormzy yet. Seems to be universally loved by critics but I can't stand his music or anything of the latest style of UK rap

NickC sed> – just for being unoriginal MOR shit

Mettalica – see above, with added neuroses

Really? Hetfield is an extraordinary guitar player, incredible right hand. Nothing much like them at their peak.

Metallica need to be lorded for being so completely lacking in self-awareness that they allowed both the filming and then the release of 'Some Kind of Monster' and imagining their behavior was that of sane human beings

if you've not watched it, it's mesmerizing viewing. It's more Spinal Tap than Spinal Tap. They are all absolutely ridiculous. It's absolute comedy gold! 🙂

On the modern tip... Kendrick Lamar.

Yes I know it's supposed to be genre-defying, barrier-breaking, creative hip-hop - I just find his stuff dull and irritating.

Not indulging in the pointless exercise of contradicting anyone’s choices, but gotta wonder what shite oldmanmtb2 and creakingdoor do like…

This^^
Plus everyone else piling into the ‘let’s slag off every major musical artist of the last forty years’ game. Let’s have a list of what you lot think constitutes universally critically lauded artist so we can all point and laugh.

Hetfield is an extraordinary guitar player

i don’t disagree, which makes it somehow more impressive that the output is so dull and unoriginal

I think for me, lists like this should be filled with those “next big thing” bands that muso-journalists sometimes expend huge amounts of energy lording their genius, when they really aren’t that great...see: Crystal Castles, The Gossip, my chemical romance, all those that seem to appear from nowhere, and disappear equally quickly

Bowie I'm afraid.  Have tried but just can't get to even appreciating it never mind liking it even though I know he is good, I just don't get it.  Amy Winehouse on the other hand is quite outstanding

Tina Turner - makes my flesh crawl

Oasis - how did they ever become so big?

Phil Collins - words fail me ...

Most US rock bands - overproduced, bland, formulaic.

Brian Ferry - see Tina Turner.

I can’t stand;
Morrissey, or The Smiths

I agree with you so so strongly on this I'm not even going to check whether i disagree with the rest of your list.

The only one of the artists mentioned so far I really don't get is Prince. Completely unlistenable imo.

Radio head have been awful for years but the bends was a phenomenal album so i'll give them a pass.

Amy Winehouse a pub singer..have a word with yourself whoever said that..

re the above video..forgot that there was a time when she was an attractive, healthy young lady, rather than the unfortunate mess she became..sad..

Billy Bragg
Elvis
Kate Bush

Can all get in the sea

Amy Winehouse a pub singer..have a word with yourself whoever said that..

I still don't get it. To me the music seems purely derivative. Maybe I'm missing the best tracks or something?

And anyone slagging off Amy Winehouse needs to have a word with themselves. She was an incredible, unique talent, and was absolutely amazing live.

Absolutely. First saw her at Brecon Jazz Festival where I was working one of the mobile bars near the stage she was playing. She was so good that everyone was just watching her and listening intently, we hardly served a drink for most of her set! Was painful to observe her gradual downfall as she was such a raw talent.

Billy Bragg
Elvis
Kate Bush

Can all get in the sea

Forgot about Billybagball.
How on earth did he get a recording contract?
Utter shite.

Black Lace  - Agga Don't

I like..

The Clash
Joy Division
New Order
IST IST
Pouges
Frank Turner (some stuff)
The Rumjacks (yes i know he beat up his missus)
Mickey Rickshaw
Bob Marley
Motorhead
Catfish and the Bottle men
New Model Army
The Ramones
Nick Cave
And other stuff

Feel free to review....

Have had a word with myself and still think Amy Winehouse was a poor man’s pissed pub singer impersonator from the Red Lion down the road.
Who do I speak to next?

I like..
Fair enough. Might want to get round to something new sometime. I should think you’ll get bored listening to the same old stuff over and over 😉

Anyone who doesn’t get Pink Floyd needs to take more drugs…. then you will see.

Nah, they sound awful even when you’ve smoked all the jazz woodbines and taken LSD. That’s bad news for them because pretty much anything else sounds good with that combination! Just musical ****ery at its very worst.

Didn’t think Oasis were critically acclaimed. If they are then they’re getting added for me. They’re basically the Jive Bunny of sixties guitar music with a weapons grade bellend on vocal duty.

I still don’t get it. To me the music seems purely derivative. Maybe I’m missing the best tracks or something?

Another vote for Winehouse here too. Just sounded like a middle of the road soul singer to me. Sharon Jones was a much better soul revivalist and had a great band and record label to boot.

Black Lace – Agga Don’t

Link to where they have been critically lauded ever

Excuse me sir IST IST are new (well 2014)

Have had a word with myself and still think Amy Winehouse was a poor man’s pissed pub singer impersonator from the Red Lion down the road.

What I think every time I hear her on 6Music.

Amy Winehouse derivative. That would be Mark Ronson’s magic touch. 😱😅
The poor mans rubbish version of Phil Spector trying to mould “his” protege into Ronnie Ronette without any of the talent of the crazed wacko Phil (who was an ar&£hole for very different reasons).

Recent Pixies. Bilge.

Banksy - well I can stand him, I just think he is massively overated. Chapman brothers similar.

Winehouse was great, comparison to a pub singer means you don't get her style.

Mark Ronson’s magic touch

Horn section, just had horns and you’ve been Ronsoned!

Damn, I was going to lead with Prince thinking I was the lone rebel but it seems it's not just me that hates pretty much all of his pop crap.
Next on the list was Bowie but beaten to that also.

Collins and U2 were definitely up for grabs

Springsteen is up there for me (mainly as I had to travel round Oz with a huge fan of his)

Manic streets... Yep, horrid.

So controversial but New Order.....but only recent new order as I freekin love early new order, but can't be doing with the 90,s drum machine stuff.

Nico... Maybe not lauded but well liked in many circles but not for me thanks.

Beatles I just don’t get, clearly unaware of the history but I do think it was purely right place-right time

As were/are a lot of artists. I was 9 when my big sister got the first Beatles album. Compared to what had gone before they were a revelation.

Then again I highly rated Floyd right from the days of Piper at the Gates of Dawn so clearly I have poor taste.

Forgot the kings of Leon and Beyonce in the list....just wretched.

Horn section, just add horns and you’ve been Ronsoned!

Stealing the “you’ve been Ronsoned” for every artist that thinks “just adding horns” will elevate their mediocrity.

Beyonce

This is an outrage, Beyonce is incredible. Her performance at Glastonbury is one of the most unexpectedly brilliant things I've seen on Tele. No idea how she can dance like that and sing perfectly at the same time

Bowie
Rolling Stones
U2
Bob Dylan

Bowie
Bob Dylan
U2
Manics
Led Zep
The Stones
Oasis (not sure if meets critically lauded point)

So controversial but New Order…..but only recent new order as I freekin love early new order, but can’t be doing with the 90,s drum machine stuff.

Just checking, but you know the 90's started thirty years ago, right?

Michaelangelo

Yeah, I can paint ceilings too only I don't spend years doing it as I tend to use a roller.

I could actually kill Mark Ronson.

derivative

Another square crossed off on my STW music bingo card. Thanks mol.

You’re a miserable lot is all I can say. There are only a handful of bands / solo artists in the history of ever that fit the description anyway, and they all do so for good reason.

Out of interest Bob Dylan just sold the rights to his entire back catalogue to Universal, for 300 million dollars...! So I imagine he gives very little of a crap what the - let’s face it - insane people who can’t stand him think. Although I do agree that not all of his 600 songs are masterpieces! Plus he drives me mad live, since he refuses to sing any of his songs in anything like a recognisable way...

Yawn, lots of posturing here claiming to hate popular artists, and claiming everyone is derivative, is this the laziest and most cliched criticism in the history of music journalism? How original can bands be, there are only a finite number of instruments and chords out there... 🙄

I remember a review that slated White Denim for being 'derivate' and then listing about 5 different bands they were apparently derivative of. About the only common denominator was that they all played guitars and drums... 😁

The Beatles here as well. But they did have a massive influence on a lot of bands I love, and that's fine too.

You have no idea how glad I am that there are others out there who can't stand the Beatles. I've always been made to feel like a pariah when I tell people that.

Got news for ya. The Beatles have split.

I could actually kill Mark Ronson.

With a trumpet?

Yawn, lots of posturing here claiming to hate popular artists

That’s the great thing about music. There’s something for everyone, popular or not. I genuinely don’t like ABBA, disco pop, sugary bollocks to my ears. Others love them. Same with Led Zep, cheesy, Tolkien crotch rock. Some folks love them and don’t like the rock I like and nobody died as a result.

The Beatles have split.

WHAT??????

Most of the above.
Leonard Cohen

Nothing wrong with being derivative if you're good.

guns n roses – just for being unoriginal MOR shit

Mettalica – see above, with added neuroses

Wait, what? How in the name of **** do you get more neurotic than Axl Rose?

Also take issue with any supposed lack of originality.

Beatles I just don’t get, clearly unaware of the history but I do think it was purely right place-right time

As were/are a lot of artists.

See, my father in law trots that line out every time. So what? Yeah they were different but they weren't all that. As a band they didn't even last that long either. Helter Skelter is a belter though.

Good grief there is some guff written on this thread. Not a massive Elvis fan, but I appreciate the impact he had.
Now Boby Dylan is a great poet; musically challenged. Same goes for Leonard Cohen imo.

Springsteen, Joel, McCartney, Davies, Bowie, Wonder all genius.

Coldplay became supermarket music to shop to.
I always thought Winehouse was underwhelming but Tony Bennett liked her so that’s good enough for me. Never got Kate Bush but appreciate that she’s clearly talented and revered.

Now, Spice Girls, bang average vocally - those that could sing anyway.

https://twitter.com/marcowenjones/status/1341070930991345666

To those dissing the Beatles - here's what Howard Goodall would say

Then See Emily Play.

Good grief there is some guff written on this thread. Not a massive Elvis fan, but I appreciate the impact he had.
Now Boby Dylan is a great poet; musically challenged. Same goes for Leonard Cohen imo.

Springsteen, Joel, McCartney, Davies, Bowie, Wonder all genius.

I was with you until you said Billy Joel. That’s the thing as per my previous post, it doesn’t matter what impact someone had or how accomplished a musician or songwriter they are. If it sounds crap to the individual then it’s crap for that individual. If everyone liked the same thing it would be a boring world.

I find this fascinating that people dont rate Bob Dylan, one of the greatest song writers of all time, for me songs are all about the lyrics first and foremost and the singing comes after although clearly I am in the minority here. To misquote someone or other about another great song writer "man I cant sing, I sing like a frog", "yeah but you sing like a frog that can communicate".

Charlie Parker. I struggle with.
Not THE best player, not a fan of the tone or sound but did he do something revolutionary? Yes. Was what he did technically clever? Yes
As the OP stated, (to paraphrase) do I like it? Not especially

It's all subjective anyway

As a sax player there is always the assumption that I must love jazz. Do I? Nope but I absolutely live for soul and some of the really simple stuff.
It's about what speaks to the masses

Pretty controversial thread this. Well done OP!

I'd disagree with quite a bit of the above.

Into the mix I will throw:

Roni Size - one, or two fairly good tracks.
U2 - should have quit after Achtung Baby
Kanye West - so poor
Weezer - not bad, just so over rated by the fan base

PJ Harvey. You can’t open the Guardian without some trendy journo lauding her latest. Musically bland.

Roni Size – one, or two fairly good tracks.

I'd up the ante and say any critically acclaimed D&B artist.

Despite liking something from most other forms of dance music, I just never got it.

Literally couldn't stand being in the D&B room.

I really like ABBA.

Bob Dylan, one of the greatest song writers of all time,

prove it...

he’s popular because his music is massively overplayed, name a Bob Dylan song and I’ll show a cover version done a hundred times better. Like a lot of “ground breaking” artists of his time his rested on his laurels somewhat (we’ll come to that in a minute) he’s not actually produced written or performed anything of note or artistic value in 35 years.

“he’s a unique talent” say his fans, this from a man who apparently revolutionised music by picking up an electric guitar in 1968, twenty years after every other major artist had done so. And we only care about it because one bloke in Manchester was a bit cheesed off about it. According to wiki he “revolutionised the limits of popular music” translation:  his songs are 2 mins longer than they need to be. the Beatles released Revolver in 1966... Dylan has churned out the same album filling dirges ever year since. And let’s be clear, his music is rooted in folk and blues...hardly the stuff of revolution.

but all that pales into insignificance when compared to that voice, a clown horn mixed with fox sex...greatest poet my arse

folk and blues…hardly the stuff of revolution.

I think you may be displaying your ignorance of the history of folk and blues music there, there are many who would have an issue with statement. Woody Guthrie for a start.

Bob Dylan, one of the greatest song writers of all time,

prove it…

he’s popular because his music is massively overplayed, name a Bob Dylan song and I’ll show a cover version done a hundred times better.

You just did

Usage of the word “dirge” has never been so high on STW.

I crossed that one out on the bingo card ages ago. Come on, stop being so derivative folks.

On the Billy Joel front, he's far from genius, and rarely (if ever?) critically lauded, but I think he's a decent songwriter.

I especially like Angry Young Man, which reminds me of a few folks on here...

There's a place in the world for the angry young man
With his working class ties and his radical plans
He refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl
He's always at home with his back to the wall
And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost
And he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross
And he likes to be known as the angry young man

And there's always a place for the angry young man
With his fist in the air and his head in the sand
And he's never been able to learn from mistakes
So he can't understand why his heart always breaks
But his honor is pure and his courage as well
And he's fair and he's true and he's boring as hell
And he'll go to the grave as an angry old man

Usage of the word “dirge” has never been so high on STW

And only one person has used it correctly...

Something for the Abba fans...

Woody Guthrie for a start.

he’s dead, he died over 50 years ago. His songs may have been revolutionary a half century ago, but they ain’t any more. Like Bob he’s as mainstream as they come. When Dylan allows banks to use his music and Guthrie’s estate allows Audi to use Car Song in adverts they loose the right to be called a revolutionary.

he’s dead, he died over 50 years ago.

Which part of the word history did you not understand?

Which part of  “don’t care” do you not understand.

prove it…

Name me one other songwriter who has won the Nobel prize...

this from a man who apparently revolutionised music by picking up an electric guitar in 1968,

1968 he’d put down his electric and picked up an acoustic again. The infamous Pete Seeger ax attack was at Newport in ‘65, Bringing it back home released earlier the same year.

his music is rooted in folk and blues…hardly the stuff of revolution.

Err, he started off as folk singer, and I’d suggest that you ignore >50% of the Western ‘popular’ music output as also based on the above. Also missing the point that his ‘revolution’ was in his lyrics.

Poor Bob, must be crying all the way to the bank, 300 million tears...

Err, he started off as folk singer, and I’d suggest that you ignore >50% of the Western ‘popular’ music output as also based on the above.

and the other 50% if Blues isn't allowed as an influence either.

Also missing the point that his ‘revolution’ was in his lyrics.

he’s allowed a bank to use Like a rolling stone in an advert. That is not an act of revolution, that is literally selling out to “the man”

By this measure, the beastie boys are more revolutionary than Bob will ever be.

Nile Rodgers changed my bed-wetting, sitting-on-the-fence lefty liberal mind on whether music is "good" or "bad" -

Rodgers told an anecdote about the day he complained to his jazz tutor about having to perform top 40 records during a show. “I’ve got to play these bullshit songs like, ‘sugar, sugar, ohhh honey honey’—it’s all lame stuff,” Rodgers said, recounting what he’d told his tutor. Rodgers said his jazz tutor answered that any song that sells and gets to the top 40, top 20 or top 10 is a great composition. Rodgers then asked him, “how can you call, “Sugar, Sugar” a great composition?” “And he said something that changed my life. He said, ‘Because it speaks to the souls of a million strangers.’”

I think genuinely bad music is rare, and you'd have to go looking to find it - I think there's just music I like, and there's music I don't like. Doesn't make it bad music, it just means it"s not for me. 🙂

I find this fascinating that people dont rate Bob Dylan, one of the greatest song writers of all time, for me songs are all about the lyrics first and foremost and the singing comes after although clearly I am in the minority here.

I like his voice - it isn't a beautiful voice but there is plenty of emotion, and the melodies/phrasing of many of his songs are fantastic. See also Tom Waits etc.

I think there’s just music I like, and there’s music I don’t like. Doesn’t make it bad music, it just means it”s not for me.

Absolutely. I know I started this, but I didn't mean it to be an avenue to slag off other people's tastes (although if I'm honest I knew it might turn into one).

For me AC/DC really grind my gears.
Add in Aerosmith or more precisely Steve Tyler.

Controversially The Foo Fighters couple of decent songs but to have them repeated over however many albums. Although there latest one is not bad, and don't get me started on people that call them 'The Foos'.

No votes for Joe Cocker yet? He's been very quiet lately!

“A few good songs...repeated over and over...”

Think we’ve had that earlier but I’d forgotten to cross it off.