Viewing the AMAs
After losing control of the TV remote in absentia last night, I spent a good part of the evening watching the American Music Awards. The winners of these awards are chosen by the public, so it's mainly a popularity contest, rather than a referendum on the quality of the music. But hey, the idiotic Grammy voters once chose A Taste of Honey over Elvis Costello for Best New Artist, so there's plenty of dumb to go around. Anyway, here are some random thoughts I jotted down while watching the AMAs.
- Mariah Carey was introduced as "one of the greatest artists of all time." I threw up in my mouth a little when I heard that. After her song, it occurred to me that I'd seen better performances on "American Idol."
- Coldplay must be laughing all the way to the bank. Has anyone ever had more success, over such a long period, with so little discernable talent?
- The people who crafted those Jarod jewelry commercials should be beaten within an inch of their lives.
- There aren't many better-looking humans than Rihanna (shown above), and the performance wasn't bad, either.
- Beyonce is a very talented entertainer.
- The Christina Aguilera Target ad was way cool.
- The Jonas Brothers: Less talent than Coldplay. A lot less. I nearly had to drive the porcelain bus when they "sang."
- More hideousness: The Pussycat Dolls. It appears that only one of the girls can actually sing. The others, as best as I can tell, are good only at being semi-nude.
- After some of the so-called singing I endured Sunday night, there was a bright ray of sunshine later in the program. All I can say is, "Thank God for Annie Lennox."
Labels: Entertainment
posted by Brant at
8:37 AM
11 Comments:
Mariah certainly is NOT one of the greatest of all time. She might be in the top 10 for total sales, but that's hardly the same thing.
Re the Jonas Brothers and Pussy Cat Dolls (along with Miley Cyrus and the other teen hos being exploited by their parents and managers)...they're nothing more than the flavor of the year. They are "created" by marketing people, just like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, and a host of other lame acts. Wait 30 years...you won't hear about them like you do the Stones, Beatles, Springsteen, Elton John and so many more legends.
I agree with you that Rihanna is extremely easy on the eyes. Extremely easy.
The Jonas Brothers are this generation's version of Dino, Desi and Billy. Shows you how old I am -- but for theose who aren't, this was a trio put together in the Beatles era that included Dino Martin, son of Dean Martin, Desi Arnaz Jr. , son of guess who, and Billy Somebodyorother, a Latino friend of theirs. No talent whatsoever.
I have to admit that Aquilera can sing, but she lost me with the rock slut act a while back. I like many of the indeppendent bands that my 19-year-old son listens to, but Coldplay leaves me, um, cold. Is this what passes for emotion these days?
I Was pleased to see ex-Talking Heads David Byrne two weeks ago in Pittsburgh and it was a great show. I'll take the old standards.
One of the interesting things is to watch each generation degrade what the next wants to listen to. The older one praises only those parts of the newest as meeting their standards. Coldplay is not bad. The other "lame" acts also are become part of the memories of those youth.
Many of us that were born in the wake of Baby Boomers music actually tire of Stones and Beetles. Let alone talking about that icon Bob Dylan that might be the worse singer that I have ever heard. It truly is an eye of the beholder.
BTW I could not agree more about Rihanna.. Smoking hot.
I'm not so sure it's all generational, anon. Britney, Miley, the Jonas Brothers, et al are choreographed, handled, dressed, coached...all to fit the look that's hot right now.
I'm tired of much of the "classic" rock too. My comment was more about the talent they had and the significant changes many of them had on music as we know it. I enjoy lots of the newer stuff...by artists with talent (Aguilera, Eminem, etc.). But not from a pre-packaged act that's designed to appeal to a particular demographic.
Years from now, I don't think you'll hear people discussing how the Jonas Brothers changed music. The only significant thing Miley Cyrus has done is managed to not get pregnant long enough for her dad to prostitute her to the music gods and make as many millions as she can before she self-destructs like Britney Spears.
When Mariah Carey starts her squealing, it is the only thing in music that I hate worse than Celine Dion. And that's saying something.
I'd rather have nails hammered into my fingers than have to listen to that.
And I actually enjoy some Coldplay.
hey newman. you should get off the computer and get some sh!@ done arond the house!
The missus beckons. I would say screeched, but she's looking over my shoulder. No! No! Not the lamp! Aaaaaiiiiieeee!
I'm going to have to totally disagree with you on the Coldplay issue. They one of the best bands going these days. I'm a fan.
Even if I was offered one million dollars in cash, I couldn't name one single Coldplay song.
I kinda liked that "If I ruled the World" song... I don't know what it was called... it was nice... the first 87,000 times... then it got kinda stale :-)
They strike me as the kinda band that would do a lot of iPod commercials...
Of course, they were kinda famous before they were famous because the lead singer was dating (or married?) to Gweneth Paltrow (or Cameron Diaz?)...
Ok... this thread has exposed my main weakness... anything "pop-cultury"... Did I manage to get ANYTHING correct in the first 3 stanzas?
I think you're pretty much on track, El, and like Priguy, although I have heard Coldplay songs, for me they have the staying power of a snowflake on a 40-degree day. I couldn't name one if you put a gun to my head.
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