It’s been nearly 48 hours since I last touched the dead grass of the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, PopWatchers, but after two consecutive weekends of music festival goodness, I’m having a hard time letting go. Specifically, I can’t get over the pained reactions from several of you Pink Floyd fans to my dismissal of Roger Waters’ set at Coachella. It seems you come out in force to defend your rock gods: My friend and picnic-table companion Maura faced the same rage after her post over on Idolator, and even Willman’s informed, articulate critique here led to howling.
So I got to thinking: Surely I’m not the only one who can’t make it all the way through the pretentious muddle of Dark Side of the Moon (pictured), thought "Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2" was barely listenable even before classic rock stations beat it to death with the over-programming stick, and never once spent any time staring at a blacklight poster while playing "Mother" on repeat and crying a little because it’s just so deep, man. Of course, from an objective standpoint, I can recognize the talent/craft involved; I can even occasionally tolerate "Wish You Were Here" — although nine out of ten times I mistake it for "I Wish It Would Rain Down." And yes, I understand the Pink Floyd influence on several of the groups I legitimately enjoy today. But do I have to actively like and/or be exposed to Pink Floyd in order to have this understanding? Ugh. Please. No.
Your turn, PopWatchers: What seminal band (or solo artist) can you not stand? Now’s the time to get it off your chest. And hey, you can be anonymous, so one ever need know you secretly harbor a passionate hatred for the Beatles and everything those demented Liverpudlians* stood for! Let it out!
*Not my actual opinion
Number one on my list is Mariah Carey. Can’t stand to look at her, I think she is an self-absorbed DIVA and I just wish she would go away for ever!
Pink Floyd is the big one, I never got them. But Rush is the one that gets me in most trouble. I’m Canadian, and Canadians are supposed to love Rush. Sorry, but I can’t stand them.
I just don’t “get” the fuss over the following…(although I’m aware and appreciate their contributions)
The Beatles
Elvis
AC/DC
Led Zepplen (Although I think Robert Plant is a great singer)
You nailed it with Pink Floyd. Radiohead (post 90′s) is a close second on my list.
standard “i appreciate their contributions disclaimer.” anyway, I just can’t stand the Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, or Beyonce.
Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi…just never got it, I guess.
the grateful dead. ‘nuf said
The Rolling Stones. Yes they were well before my time, but I get other bands from the same era. I just can’t like them and I do not find even a young Jagger to be even remotely attractive.
I have been forced to listen to Pink Floyd all my life and it’s got to stop! They’re the dullest, dreariest band on the planet. Oh, and I’m hated for not caring for Bob Dylan. Yeah, he writes okay songs, but do I have to listen to him? Oh, and someone mentioned Phil Collins. I heard old Genesis songs when Gabriel was the lead–great, weird band. Why did they take that easy-listening road? And everyone goes on about the Stones. I don’t get it. Most of their stuff sounds the same. Much rather listen to Radiohead. Hell, I’d even listen to Weezer or All-American Rejects over some of the old “pivotal” stuff.
The band I get the most **** for not liking — Dave Matthews. He’s got a couple of okay songs, but most of it is trust fund hippy garbage. I feel like you can sum up Phish, the Dead, and other bands of their ilk in the same way.
At 22, I’m just annoyed with all those nostalgic/elitist/self-centered Baby Boomer and Gen-X journalists who constantly remind us kids that we “missed out” on the good stuff, as if everything in music that was worth happening did so in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I don’t think any one particular artist is overrated, but I do think we’re living in a nostalgia-centric era in which embracing the youthful Billboard spirit is supposedly bringing us one step closer to an artistic apocalypse. Whatever.
Bob Dylan. You can’t understand a word he says and its supposed to be all about the LYRICS! I like some of his stuff when other people cover it but he’s just this gross old crinkly thing. Yuch.
As a teenager I discovered the Pink Floyd song “Comfortably Numb” and loved it. I played it for my older brother, who’s opinion I respected, and he thought it was just a bunch of drugged out depressing garbage. I still like the song, and I still like my brother, even though he was totally wrong. Drugged out and depressing yes, but garbage? Not unless garbage is defined by awesomeness! I love Pink Floyd, but I can see how it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea (or needle induced comfortable numbness).
Here are a few artists who admittedly made a huge influence or are music icons that I just can’t get into
1)the Beatles
2)the Rolling Stones
3)Billy Joel
4)Bruce Springsteen
5)Bob Dylan
6)Johnny Cash
Although they all have songs I like –as a whole I just don’t get what all the fuss is about and can’t get myself as worked up over them as everyone else is
I HATE U2..there, I said it. They’re too political, and Bono always looks like he is constipated. I just NEVER got them at ALL.
But Pink Floyd…I love everything in their catalog.