Originally posted by ESB -1138
No sales does reflect the quality of music. People wouldn't BUY music that they don't like. People wouldn't spend around $50-120 for a ticket to see them in concert.
That's a dumb argument. Sales means people like it, not that it's "good". As said prior, that would make 50 Cent one of the world's greatest musicians. Hitler has a lot of followers too, was he doing SOMETHING right?
Originally posted by Gideon
If we're discussing the talent of the band, yes. But if we're talking about "do people think Journey's a good band" or "do people like Journey" then, yes, it does matter.
I'm not discussing the latter two.
Originally posted by Gideon
I enjoy Journey's music and I enjoy their writing. Because it's entirely subjective, I'm not forcing this on anyone, nor am I using Perry and Schon's undeniable technical ability as justification for it. I could sit here all day and bash the hell out of Rush or Led Zeppelin as far as songwriting and the ability to make good music is concerned, and you couldn't disprove any of it, since it is subjective.And as far as Perry and Schon are concerned, yes. They are world class musicians, but not world class lyricists or songwriters. That is to say Perry's ability to sing outclasses his ability to write good music, and the same for Schon.
Then we have people like Neil Peart who somehow manage to be world-class in both categories.
Yes, that's basically just repeating what I said, isn't it? Ability isn't a reason to be a fan of the band which you SEEMED to insinuate, just a fan or appreciator of those two.
Originally posted by Gideon
But that's a rare example. In the things I listen to, I've developed the opinion that in 99% of the case, the better talented bands create the better music.
But are you sort of forcing yourself to have that opinion BECAUSE they're instrumentally talented?
Originally posted by Gideon
That's true, in most cases. But, like I said, for me, 9 times out of 10, the superior band produces the superior music.
But is that coincidence? Or are you convincing yourself of it forcefully?
That's what I'm getting at; if you have to blind yourself to the fact that they don't write great music just to favour their ability, I think you're missing the point of music.
-AC