Limp Bizkit guitarist to Dream Theater: You can't write songs

[zepp]

Originally Posted by noodles

Not to pick on your post, but this really made me think about technical ability in music. It seems to be the only art form where talent is looked down upon. Some amazing older actor (like Anthony Hopkins) appears on screen next to a mediocre up and comer (like Chris Hemsworth in Thor), and everyone talks about how brilliant and talented the old guy is. No one is pulling Rembrandts off the walls of the museums to hang inferior paintings by some new hack artist "who really has feeling, man". For that matter, the classical and jazz worlds will chase you right out the door if you don't have the level of chops required to perform the music.

Why do we still have this discussion? I'm not saying that I don't enjoy a good pop song, and the Beatles didn't write anything that I wasn't capable of playing after a year or two of playing, but how does technical ability somehow diminish a song? Well, I don't believe it does. If Dream Theater's latest album is boring, then that is not because it is technical. After all, take a look at Cold Play, who are writing a bunch of simple songs that also happen to be boring as hell. Fault the composition and the performance, not the level of ability required to perform it. Like Sean, I also take enjoyment in seeing complicated concepts well executed. It gives me something to aspire to, and digging into the theory behind it helps me grow as a musician.

After all, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in D minor, Opus 125 is a compositional masterpiece AND a technical tour de force. If you can sit through that entire piece, and not once be moved emotionally, then you're either dead, or you're listening to a bunch of high school kids butchering the Ode to Joy section.



This is absolutely true.

You are making it seem like I don't appreciate skilled musicians. I do, and I take note of skilled musicians while listening. What I dislike are musicians that emphasize skill and theory. I just don't get the same emotional response. I like classical music, whacked out prog stuff, Paul Gilbert, etc. I hate players like Rusty Cooley, because he is fucking boring

It's not that I don't appreciate skilled musicians, it's just that I don't really use skill as criteria when I am judging a band or a player. The guys in Dream Theater, besides Labrie, are fucking monsters skill wise, but I find their music to be boring.

The Berklee syndrome is really what annoys me. I find it pretentious. But...opinions and all.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by MFB

This just in : Chris wants to see Fred Durst's junk!

This just in: The first thing you think of when someone says "Alyssa Milano Sex Tape" is Fred Durst's junk.

[eleven59]

Originally Posted by Chris

So, a guitarist who was never that relevant to begin with and certainly isn't relevant at all today trolled the fans of one of the hands down best guitarists in the last 20 years, and we're supposed to give a shit?

No, you're not, that's the whole point He was just having fun. Did he probably know that music news sites would pick up on it? Yeah, but it's not why he did it. Anyone hating on him over it clearly didn't read more than one or two lines of it Hell, he talks about his band being one of the most hated bands ever, and puts down his own abilities constantly

[Chris]

Originally Posted by zepp

The Berklee syndrome is really what annoys me. I find it pretentious. But...opinions and all.

I think pretentious is the wrong word for DT. Their music isn't for everyone, but I don't think they intentionally sit down and write shit that's complex just for the sake of being complex. I'm sure that factors into it, but the impression that I get is that they enjoy playing complex music, so that's what they do.

Nothing pretentious about that, even if you don't like it.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by Chris

I think pretentious is the wrong word for DT. Their music isn't for everyone, but I don't think they intentionally sit down and write shit that's complex just for the sake of being complex. I'm sure that factors into it, but the impression that I get is that they enjoy playing complex music, so that's what they do.

Nothing pretentious about that, even if you don't like it.

Fair enough. I do enjoy Devil Doll, and things don't get much more pretentious than that So, yeah, pretentious is a poor choice of words.

[The Grapist]

Originally Posted by eleven59

No, you're not, that's the whole point He was just having fun. Did he probably know that music news sites would pick up on it? Yeah, but it's not why he did it. Anyone hating on him over it clearly didn't read more than one or two lines of it Hell, he talks about his band being one of the most hated bands ever, and puts down his own abilities constantly

Think you need a few more of these:

[Chris]

Originally Posted by eleven59

No, you're not, that's the whole point He was just having fun. Did he probably know that music news sites would pick up on it? Yeah, but it's not why he did it. Anyone hating on him over it clearly didn't read more than one or two lines of it Hell, he talks about his band being one of the most hated bands ever, and puts down his own abilities constantly

This is like Buster Douglas trying to troll the internet because he beat Mike Tyson in his prime.

I'm not hating on him, dude. And despite your zest for his LOL I TROLLL UUUU 4Chan attitude, really, none of us could give half a fuck about Wes Borland. We get the point, it's just sad that the only reason people have to talk about him these days is because he's trying to attention whore troll DT fans. Black Light Burns sucks. LB sucked. Wes had some moments of half decent playing here and there, but he will always be second fiddle to Fred fuckin' Durst.

And.. He's the guy that routed a fucking RG7CST for EMGs, for fuck's sake!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by zepp

Fair enough. I do enjoy Devil Doll, and things don't get much more pretentious than that So, yeah, pretentious is a poor choice of words.

I haven't really listened to them since Falling into Infinity (their new stuff does nothing for me as well - I can't stand Rudess' playing), but everything before that was pretty damn sick.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by Chris

I haven't really listened to them since Falling into Infinity (their new stuff does nothing for me as well - I can't stand Rudess' playing), but everything before that was pretty damn sick.

I've just never really been a fan. Petrucci comes up with some awesome sounding riffs here and there, but overall I've not really liked them. Is Rudess the keyboard player? If so, he's like the worst part of their music besides Labrie

Petrucci also has great taste in gear, and I realllllly want one of his signature fiddles.

Have you listened to Unexpect? I really enjoy them. Very skilled musicians holding together super chaotic arrangements.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by zepp

super chaotic arrangements.

nope.avi - YouTube