Mr. Ward
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Ten Artists I’m Supposed to Like But Don’t:
Have you ever wondered why you don’t like something everyone else does? So do I.
- The Band
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: A band of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, they served as Bob Dylan’s backing band on tour and The Basement Tapes. Influential in forming what may be called “country rock”. Hold a mystique among rock critics and fellow musicians unparalleled except maybe by Dylan himself.
Why I Don’t: The music has never had enough “pop” to excite me or enough mellow to relax me. I find some of their arrangements too complicated to really enjoy.
Exception: Hey, who doesn’t like to sing along to “The Weight”.
- The Doors
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: Acid rock band with a unique sound for the time (no bass player) and cryptic lyrics penned by an enigmatic front man who redefined the way a lead singer works on stage.
Why I Don’t: Sure Jim Morrison was fantastic live, but those lyrics seem a bit pretentious at times. Dude thought he was Lord Byron or something. Get over yourself. Without the drugs, Morrison was a third rate Jagger.
Exception: “Hello, I Love You” is catchy.
- The Eagles
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: Hugely successful soft country rock band whose music (with the exception of “Hotel California”) is inoffensive and accessible to most people. Practically invented the music heard on current hit country radio.
Why I Don’t: Songs are way too rambling and loose for me to get a hold on and the lyrics never struck me either. I don’t buy that laid-back-southern-California-stoned-pseudo-cowboy thing.
Exception: “Already Gone” is a solid, well-crafted rock song. Oh, and the first half of the second verse of “Take it Easy” is good songwriting.
- The Grateful Dead
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: Legendary jam band whose improvisational live shows were steeped in folk, bluegrass, and acoustic sounds. They may be more famous for their lifestyle than their music.
Why I Don’t: I can never find the structure or the point in the songs. I dig improvisation, but there comes a point where I get lost. Deadheads get on my nerves; especially when they turn out to be the very corporate lackeys the Dead refused to become.
Exception: “Casey Jones”
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: Practically founded Southern Rock. Their three-guitar attack was incredibly disciplined and provided deceptively intricate song structures. Influenced every country artist and every rock artist from the south for the last 35 years.
Why I Don’t: I have a strange relationship with Southern Rock. I don’t like the originals, but I love what came from them (The Black Crowes are the greatest American rock band of the past 20 years). With Skynyrd, there’s a vibe that rubs me the wrong way. Fans act as though the lyrics are some kind of little man manifesto; sorry, it’s mostly just redneck pandering. It could be over familiarity.
Exception: “Gimme Three Steps” is fun.
- Bob Marley
Why I’m Supposed to Like Him: Socially conscious musician who brought reggae to the world. Had the courage to speak out against a corrupt government and a system that impoverishes people for generations.
Why I Don’t: I appreciate the message of hope and standing up for what is right, but I just don’t like reggae.
Exception: “No Woman, No Cry” is as good a blues song as anything out of the Mississippi Delta.
- Pink Floyd
Why I’m Supposed to Like Them: Masters of psychedelic and progressive rock. Elaborate live shows, experimental music, and incredibly sophisticated and unexpected soundscapes. Influenced many modern rock bands.
Why I Don’t: Every time someone puts on Pink Floyd I almost immediately go to sleep. I think it’s overblown and intentionally obtuse. I have had people tell me with no irony that I don’t take the right drugs to appreciate Floyd. Since I take no drugs, that may be a problem.
Exception: None
- James Taylor
Why I’m Supposed to Like Him: Apparently he has a really great voice and plays guitar well.
Why I Don’t: Zzzzzz; and the over sincerity of his songs brings me down. Has this guy ever had fun?
Exception: I take exception to how Taylor sucked the life out of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”.
- Neal Young
Why I’m Supposed to Like Him: Brilliant songwriter; talented musician; distinct voice. Remnant of both the hippies and the psychedelic rock movement. Considered to be some sort of statesman of socially conscious rock.
Why I Don’t: It all seems either arrogant or pretentious. He takes things way too seriously.
Exception: I dig it when he works with Crazy Horse.
- Frank Zappa
Why I’m Supposed to Like Him: Prolific, avant-garde, composer and musical genius who stretched the boundaries of popular music. Incorporated every genre imaginable into his compositions and influenced every artist who wants to do something big and original.
Why I Don’t: It’s so complicated that I can’t get my head around it. Every time I listen to Zappa I feel stupid because I don’t like it. I actually have a suspicion that people say they like Zappa so they won’t look like musical troglodytes.
Exception: I don’t even feel qualified to answer this one.
