i agree with pitchfork. for the life of me, i could never understand why this band ever made it past the bar circuit or house shows.
to me, pwrflpower is the most hyped and marketed next big thing (that honor might have to go fleet foxes) and at the same time, biggest let down. it's hard to hide one's disdain when such an artist is showered with media acclaim, headlining major shows, in television commercials, touring nationally and internationally, and graces the cover of many local magazines/periodicals.
superficial reasons of disdain aside, the fact remains, and no one has contested this; his songs aren't great. every person trying to implant some positive feedback mentions his improv/performance shenanigans, his virtuoso classically trained guitar skills, his honest lyrics; but these elements don't come together to form a decent listenable song. i'm not saying his songs need to be pop masterpieces with infinite replay value, but singing in pitch should be a prerequiste for any group.
some people have mentioned that they "get why people like him". please please explain this to me, because the only explanation i can come up with is an emperor's new clothes scenario where people hear the hype and force themselves to like it.
i don't consider myself an elitist and recognize my own biases as someone who doesn't enjoy "eclectic" forms of music, instead someone who likes "sparkly indiepop". i also worship stevie wonder and the beach boys (ie. songs that are pop masterpieces with infinite replay value).
Reviews
powerless power said on July 3, 2008:
i agree with pitchfork. for the life of me, i could never understand why this band ever made it past the bar circuit or house shows.
to me, pwrflpower is the most hyped and marketed next big thing (that honor might have to go fleet foxes) and at the same time, biggest let down. it's hard to hide one's disdain when such an artist is showered with media acclaim, headlining major shows, in television commercials, touring nationally and internationally, and graces the cover of many local magazines/periodicals.
superficial reasons of disdain aside, the fact remains, and no one has contested this; his songs aren't great. every person trying to implant some positive feedback mentions his improv/performance shenanigans, his virtuoso classically trained guitar skills, his honest lyrics; but these elements don't come together to form a decent listenable song. i'm not saying his songs need to be pop masterpieces with infinite replay value, but singing in pitch should be a prerequiste for any group.
some people have mentioned that they "get why people like him". please please explain this to me, because the only explanation i can come up with is an emperor's new clothes scenario where people hear the hype and force themselves to like it.
i don't consider myself an elitist and recognize my own biases as someone who doesn't enjoy "eclectic" forms of music, instead someone who likes "sparkly indiepop". i also worship stevie wonder and the beach boys (ie. songs that are pop masterpieces with infinite replay value).