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Thread: Do you like Justin Bieber? - Page 6







Post#126 at 04-21-2012 03:00 PM by Child of Socrates [at Cybrarian from America's Dairyland, 1961 cohort joined Sep 2001 #posts 14,092]
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Quote Originally Posted by Eric the Green View Post
There has not been a more poignant, passionate pop song in 30 years than "Pray" by Justin Bieber.
I guess it depends on how you define "pop." I'd still put "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson in the same category, and this gem by Jewel.







Post#127 at 04-21-2012 03:35 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Bieber's voice and charisma is fabulous, for who he is; but he's no Marvin Gaye, probably the greatest soul/R&B singer ever-- at least not yet.
See an attitude like this will ultimately make people like Justin bieber fade away into oblivion. This is the sad fate of child singers. People build up all of these hopes and when these kids don't become "the next Elvis/Marvin Gaye/Stevie Wonder/Beatles people don't even remember that they existed in the first place.

I predict that once he reaches his early to mid 20s, people won't even remember his name.







Post#128 at 04-21-2012 03:38 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Here's just one sample of "Bieber-hater" comments on other you tube videos.
Why is it not perfectly legitimate to hate his music and him as an artist?

People are going to hate this kid, maybe some of them are jealous, but maybe some of them have a legitimate point as well.

Even comparing his music to other pop songs or his voice to other pop singers...I don't even he's good for the pop music genre. I don't understand why you're so obsessed with him or why he appeals to you in anyway (nor will I ask or pester you to explain-I might be a little afraid of the answer) but I'm not going to make it seem like your personal taste is invalid or inferior. (even though I may share a challenging or disagreeable viewpoint)

People like what they like and hate what they hate and you're not going to convince them otherwise.







Post#129 at 04-21-2012 03:53 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Put me in the latter camp. I am fascinated by the purity, rhythmic accuracy, sincerity and beauty of his voice, and the melody is beautiful too. Sometimes, simple IS beautiful. Somehow it comes across as something special to a lot of people, mostly young girls; and maybe to some other folks. Justin is edgy and cool, fashionably so; but also has a wholesome side.
I mean if you're going to talk about purity, rhythmic accuracy and beauty at its BEST in pop music I just have to disagree with you. I have never heard a pop singer of such complexity as this man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ans6gXN5I

It's simple in terms of melody and yet complex in terms of layering. (he also started songwriting and singing as a teen) His voice is unparalleled when it comes to purity, range, and tonal quality, his songwriting is riveting, energetic, filled with a varied amount of emotions including pure elision, melancholy, longing. This is my golden standard when it comes to pop music and why I fail to see your enthusiasm for singers like Justin Bieber. I just see him as yet another watered down Usher, Backstreet Boys wannabe clone which I've already seen for the past 15 years of my life.

By the way I don't think young teen girls' reaction to Justin Bieber is anything special at all, they've been clawing at every young boy pop singer the industry has thrown at them for the past 15 years. Their feelings will wane as soon as this kid reaches his early to mid 20s, like they have with most teen singers (and songwriters)

I said that I had no real feelings either way, I don't hate this kid, but I don't see him as anything special or unique.







Post#130 at 04-21-2012 07:27 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Child of Socrates View Post
I guess it depends on how you define "pop." I'd still put "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson in the same category, and this gem by Jewel.
I should have added, if anyone knows another song as high quality, poignant and passionate as Pray, from about 1982 to today, let me know and please post it here.

And I know everyone has their own opinions! I'd like to know some good new ideas. I can't really agree or disagree, unless I already know the song. It would take me more than one or two listens to compare two songs.

For my part, I don't like Man in the Mirror that much. It is interesting though that it was the inspiration for "Pray," according to Bieber. But thanks for the suggestion of Hands by Jewel. Sounds good; I don't disagree.
Last edited by Eric the Green; 04-21-2012 at 09:02 PM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#131 at 04-21-2012 07:45 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
See an attitude like this will ultimately make people like Justin bieber fade away into oblivion. This is the sad fate of child singers. People build up all of these hopes and when these kids don't become "the next Elvis/Marvin Gaye/Stevie Wonder/Beatles people don't even remember that they existed in the first place.

I predict that once he reaches his early to mid 20s, people won't even remember his name....Why is it not perfectly legitimate to hate his music and him as an artist?

People are going to hate this kid, maybe some of them are jealous, but maybe some of them have a legitimate point as well.

Even comparing his music to other pop songs or his voice to other pop singers...I don't even he's good for the pop music genre. I don't understand why you're so obsessed with him or why he appeals to you in anyway (nor will I ask or pester you to explain-I might be a little afraid of the answer) but I'm not going to make it seem like your personal taste is invalid or inferior. (even though I may share a challenging or disagreeable viewpoint)

People like what they like and hate what they hate and you're not going to convince them otherwise.
You're back!

First of all, I think it's great if you don't like him. I don't think it's legitimate to hate HIM (as many seem to do); he's done nothing to derserve hate. But hate his music, sure; that's perfectly legit, and I didn't say it wasn't. All I said was all the buzz invited me to check him out. I sure didn't know what I would think, except that I thought that probably I wouldn't like him! For me he's a new discovery as of this week. And an exciting one! I'm just sharing my experience.

For the record, according to wikipedia he wrote (with collaborators) many of his songs including Pray, Baby, Somebody to Love; and rewrote the song that served as the basis for Never Say Never. Your remark "anyone can write a song" may be true, but few people 15 or 16 years old can write and perform a song that goes triple Platinum, gets over 700 million views on you tube (that's an average of a million a day since it was posted), gets 4 and a half out of five stars from critics, and is the main track on a number 1 selling CD. Ooh, and that's 729 million views now Edit: Ooh, and four American Music Award nominations, and two grammy nominations (I don't know if he won).

My own attitude, comparing him to Marvin Gaye or whoever, will have no more impact than comparing him to you. As far as I can tell, he has already become "the next Elvis/Marvin Gaye/Stevie Wonder/Beatles" since people take him as that already, and he's already created at least one song that is better than most Beatles songs and all Elvis or Stevie Wonder songs (Marvin Gaye well, as I said, Pray is about equal to What's Going On, Gaye's best). But it's true that's only one song. Bieber's other songs certainly compare to any of Elvis' and are just as good as many by the others you mention.

Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
I mean if you're going to talk about purity, rhythmic accuracy and beauty at its BEST in pop music I just have to disagree with you. I have never heard a pop singer of such complexity as this man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ans6gXN5I

It's simple in terms of melody and yet complex in terms of layering. (he also started songwriting and singing as a teen) His voice is unparalleled when it comes to purity, range, and tonal quality, his songwriting is riveting, energetic, filled with a varied amount of emotions including pure elision, melancholy, longing. This is my golden standard when it comes to pop music...
Good I'll check it out after this reply! I'm happy to hear what others think might be as good or better than this song I have discovered.

"Pray" of course meets all those criteria you state, and more. I'll probably still think it's better after all your suggestions, but you never know! There are probably a lot of good pop songs from the last 3 decades that I don't know. I am not well informed at all, since I have mostly tuned it out, and suggestions of what to listen to in this regard don't usually pan out.
By the way I don't think young teen girls' reaction to Justin Bieber is anything special at all, they've been clawing at every young boy pop singer the industry has thrown at them for the past 15 years. Their feelings will wane as soon as this kid reaches his early to mid 20s, like they have with most teen singers (and songwriters)
Maybe so, but he has already generated more response than "every young boy pop singer the industry has thrown at them for the past 15 years." It is clear that he is in the company of Michael Jackson already in that regard.

check this out again if you doubt me
Last edited by Eric the Green; 01-03-2013 at 01:50 AM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#132 at 04-21-2012 07:57 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
I mean if you're going to talk about purity, rhythmic accuracy and beauty at its BEST in pop music I just have to disagree with you. I have never heard a pop singer of such complexity as this man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ans6gXN5I
Nillsen? Of course, you are comparing the man, not a particular song. But I pretty much consider him from my era, not the more recent pop era from about 1982 to today that I'm talking about, that has been so lackluster. My favorite by him is his Fred Neil cover, "Everybody's Talkin,' " which is in the top 100 on my all time favorites list, and certainly compares to "Pray". I actually think I like the Bieber songs better than these, but it's a matter of taste. And did Nillsen write them? Writing is more significant than singing.

Harry Nillsen was a good singer. Bieber has quite a ways to go, before I could say he was as good as the best pop singers of all time. Potentially perhaps; but right now, all I can say is I like him and his music, and that I love one of his songs.
Last edited by Eric the Green; 04-21-2012 at 08:05 PM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#133 at 04-21-2012 08:00 PM by summer in the fall [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 1,540]
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Quote Originally Posted by millennialX View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Eric the Green View Post
There has not been a more poignant, passionate pop song in 30 years than "Pray" by Justin Bieber.
I guess your not a firework or a plastic bag, huh? LOL

(Katy Perry song).

I'm glad you mentioned just pop, because taking a stroll in other genres would say otherwise.
Wanna name some soul songs, Ryen?







Post#134 at 04-21-2012 08:06 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by millennialX View Post
I guess your not a firework or a plastic bag, huh? LOL

(Katy Perry song).

I'm glad you mentioned just pop, because taking a stroll in other genres would say otherwise.
I couldn't agree more, but for me they would probably have to be electronica/new age instrumentals; certainly not country.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#135 at 04-21-2012 09:41 PM by JDFP [at Knoxville, TN. joined Jul 2010 #posts 1,200]
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Quote Originally Posted by Eric the Green View Post
I couldn't agree more, but for me they would probably have to be electronica/new age instrumentals; certainly not country.
In all fairness, Country as a genre has been pretty much dead since the early 90's for the most part (and of course the exception of Country singers still around today who are much older) such as perhaps one of the five greatest musicians of the 20th century - Merle Haggard, i.e. The Poet of the Common Man which is an apt description for him. But no, I believe the pinnacle of music comes from Waylon Jennings (i.e. my joint musical hero with Merle), Willie Nelson, Sammi Smith, Jessi Colter, George Jones, Ed Bruce, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and a handful of others.

For folks who like pop music - that's great as well. There are a TON of different varieties of music out there that speak to people from jazz to classical to motown. And they all have their legends in each category that not only do it but bring it to its pinnacle of achievement. For me, it's all about embracing the music that personally speaks to me from the musicians I find to be the poets and prophets of the world around us.

j.p.

"And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.‎" -- Raymond Carver


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Post#136 at 04-22-2012 01:42 AM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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I really like this one: One Less Lonely Girl

Such a cool video too.

It's not one of the ones he wrote though. His mentor Usher Raymond was one of the writers.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#137 at 04-23-2012 01:30 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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The Justin Bieber of organists. Check him out (again)

http://youtu.be/63JNZS9Tky8
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#138 at 04-24-2012 01:19 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Nillsen? Of course, you are comparing the man, not a particular song. But I pretty much consider him from my era, not the more recent pop era from about 1982 to today that I'm talking about, that has been so lackluster. My favorite by him is his Fred Neil cover, "Everybody's Talkin,' " which is in the top 100 on my all time favorites list, and certainly compares to "Pray". I actually think I like the Bieber songs better than these, but it's a matter of taste.
Oh for GOD'S SAKE please don't make me fall over in painful agony...Harry Nilsson is pure pop music gold. If you only know him for Everybody's Talkin' you don't know him at all...

You didn't even spell his name right... (a running joke for him, which inspired the name for the album knnillssonn)


And did Nillsen write them? Writing is more significant than singing.
...He wrote all of his music...he did covers too, everyone's done covers. He loved Badfinger's Without You and Fred Neil as a songwriter, so he did covers of their songs. He did phenomenal covers of 20s/30s pop standards, which go unrivaled by anyone today. But most of his discography was his own, he started writing music in the late 50s. Check out his albums, I'd even be glad to send you a PM of what I think are his best.


Harry Nillsen was a good singer. Bieber has quite a ways to go, before I could say he was as good as the best pop singers of all time. Potentially perhaps; but right now, all I can say is I like him and his music, and that I love one of his songs.
My heart just died when you said that "good singer?"....did you even watch that video of his songs??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaTRygsZT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn6_F7xRigo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btyelrNYCtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKy_gTrdXaU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AonhHEheZOg

I'm still not convinced that Bieber 100% writes his own music. Even if that is the case, he's using completely electronic music! Harry Nilsson wrote these on piano and guitar! There is a massive difference as a musician..The intense layering of vocals done by Nilsson was remarkable and unique for its era. The Beatles were inspired by Nilsson's work. (and of course vice versa, but we wouldn't have modern pop music today without Nilsson)

The reason I bring up Nilsson is to show the vast inferiority of pop music today. None of it can compare to Harry Nilssons' work.

But in the case of Bieber, I don't even think his best work compares to the worst of pop music today. To me Bieber's work is the lowest common denominator in terms of songwriting, melody, harmony, chord progressions, and even vocals. (no laying, bland vocals/songwriting) He's a young adult and he still sings like a 10 year old... I know he's "young" but so were Smokey Robinson, Harry Nilsson, Phil Spector, when they started out...in fact I believe some of them were younger and yet 100 times more mature.

You talked about vocal purity, well Harry Nilsson's voice is the epitome of that, not Justin Bieber's...(again I don't even think it is in the modern pop era. If I had to pick a child singer who represented that, it would go to Billy Gilman or even Shaheen Jafargholi)
Last edited by Felix5; 04-24-2012 at 01:29 PM.







Post#139 at 04-24-2012 01:31 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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There are probably a lot of good pop songs from the last 3 decades that I don't know. I am not well informed at all, since I have mostly tuned it out, and suggestions of what to listen to in this regard don't usually pan out.
So why are you attempting to defend Justin Bieber as a "great pop singer/songwriter" to those who are more well informed? I'm not saying you aren't entitled to your opinion, I just think it's interesting how you're defending this kid based on no knowledge (as stated in your own words) or experience with pop music in the past 20-30 years.







Post#140 at 04-24-2012 01:46 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Your remark "anyone can write a song" may be true, but few people 15 or 16 years old can write and perform a song that goes triple Platinum, gets over 700 million views on you tube (that's an average of a million a day since it was posted), gets 4 and a half out of five stars from critics, and is the main track on a number 1 selling CD. Ooh, and that's 729 million views now
Why do you talk about record sales like they're relevant...I fail to see the relevance. I recall Aaron Carter selling a huge amount of albums in the early 00s. Album sales don't mean you're a good artist or pop singer/songwriter. How many did Duran Duran sell? Or Millie Vanili? Did that make them talented?

I think using youtube is unfair, youtube is superficial source and one that has only existed for 7 years. It's also mostly used by the younger generations of teens and kids. (pop music should be written for everyone of all ages, not just teens and kids. So how many adults are watching Bieber's music videos on youtube? I know you are...but don't you think you're kind of an exception to the rule?) I showed you that video of Nilsson's pop songs. His video had a small amount of views in comparison to Bieber's, but in terms of songwriting and musicality it's more complex. Actually all of his work does, but that's because young kids are going on youtube and looking up things they only have knowledge of. Taking this in the context of generation theory, young kids today are not very knowledgable about any pop culture beyond the 00s decade or in a lot of cases the past 5 years...

*Since nomads want to shelter and overprotect Late Millennials-New Silents, as well as the Late Millennial/New Silents natural traits in reaction to the crisis-like environment.

Parents have stopped exposing their kids to adult pop culture and have created a pop culture for kids specifically. Late Millennials and New Silents are also not questioning this type of behavior and in fact embracing it. It's different than it was pre 9/11 because kids and adult entertainment crossed over. That meant kids entertainment and pop culture was saturated with past and adult pop cultural references and vice versa. Although I never really watched this cartoon, I've been told that there's a moment in an Animaniacs cartoon that references Citizen Kane. You'd never see that in cartoons today, which makes children ignorant of pop culture beyond their own present day.

So most young kids going on youtube, looking up the latest Justin Bieber song, is not a shocking thing to me. They're most likely to look up the latest pop culture fads than anything else (in any given day, but especially today) based on the fact that they don't know anything else...as well as their interesting in conforming.

Taking this into consideration, it doesn't make Justin Bieber a good pop artist to have a large amount of views on youtube.

Finally, Back in the 50s-70s this type of thing was way more common than it is today. A lot of young teen singers, wrote and sang their own ballads. Frankie Lymon is an interesting example, he was about 13 when he wrote Why do Fools Fall in Love. We just don't see it as much anymore because the must industry is a different thing than it was back then.







Post#141 at 04-24-2012 01:56 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
Oh for GOD'S SAKE please don't make me fall over in painful agony...Harry Nilsson is pure pop music gold. If you only know him for Everybody's Talkin' you don't know him at all...

You didn't even spell his name right... (a running joke for him, which inspired the name for the album knnillssonn)
Thanks for correcting me; I should spell it right.


...He wrote all of his music...he did covers too, everyone's done covers. He loved Badfinger's Without You and Fred Neil as a songwriter, so he did covers of their songs. He did phenomenal covers of 20s/30s pop standards, which go unrivaled by anyone today. But most of his discography was his own, he started writing music in the late 50s. Check out his albums, I'd even be glad to send you a PM of what I think are his best.


My heart just died when you said that "good singer?"....did you even watch that video of his songs??
I did; I think my post revealed that. No, I didn't especially like those songs. They don't have the kind of passion and beauty that I like. But Without You is fine. Of course I very much loved and admired his performance on Everybody's Talkin' so I can't disagree with you.
I'm still not convinced that Bieber 100% writes his own music. Even if that is the case, he's using completely electronic music! Harry Nilsson wrote these on piano and guitar! There is a massive difference as a musician..The intense layering of vocals done by Nilsson was remarkable and unique for its era. The Beatles were inspired by Nilsson's work. (and of course vice versa, but we wouldn't have modern pop music today without Nilsson)
No-one ever said Bieber "100% writes his own music." He does not. But he's the principle songwriter on some of his songs, and that includes his best "Pray," and his most popular "Baby."

The thing about your statements about Bieber in this thread, is that you have made them so confidently, and they have all been wrong. He was not manufactured, he did not have connections in the business, others did not write all his songs for him, and so on. Now you say he does completely electronic music. That is totally false too. You just don't know the guy or his work at all. Saying we wouldn't have modern pop music today without Nilsson is 1) exaggeration and 2) not saying much.
The reason I bring up Nilsson is to show the vast inferiority of pop music today. None of it can compare to Harry Nilssons' work.
Most pop and rock music of the previous era (say roughly 60s and 70s) was superior to today's. I don't disagree there. But Nilsson seems to me one of many equally great. Off hand I would probably agree with you that most pop music of today is not as good as Nilssen's, but that is as far as I can go with that. Sorry about your heart though!

I listened to the first of your links; excellent singer. I enjoyed it and will listen to more. Sorry though, I like "Pray" better! And remember singing is not the main thing for me.
But in the case of Bieber, I don't even think his best work compares to the worst of pop music today. To me Bieber's work is the lowest common denominator in terms of songwriting, melody, harmony, chord progressions, and even vocals. (no laying, bland vocals/songwriting) He's a young adult and he still sings like a 10 year old... I know he's "young" but so were Smokey Robinson, Harry Nilsson, Phil Spector, when they started out...in fact I believe some of them were younger and yet 100 times more mature.
I don't know Phil as a singer; he was known for producing and arranging. Smokey and Harry were not big stars at Bieber's age. You haven't heard very many of Bieber's songs, which accounts for your incorrect statements above. His biggest hit Baby is only averagely-good, but it is good. But that's a matter of taste perhaps. Check him out and you may find his music infectious. Bieber fever is catchy, so watch out! He IS really special in a lot of ways. You can't manufacture something like Biebermania, however much you can correctly speak of the limits of a phenomenon like that. And no, massive amounts of you tube views don't indicate greatness. But all the factors I mentioned show that his songs are more than you say, that is all. Bieber is not doing something that any boy could do, but only that a relatively few people could do.
You talked about vocal purity, well Harry Nilsson's voice is the epitome of that, not Justin Bieber's...(again I don't even think it is in the modern pop era. If I had to pick a child singer who represented that, it would go to Billy Gilman or even Shaheen Jafargholi)
I don't say Justin Bieber is the epitome of anything. He is just a good young singer with a great personality who has written and/or performed some good songs, and at least one great one. And that, however modest an appraisal that is, is more than I can say for almost anyone in the last 30 years (before that, there were indeed many who were IMO better). And so yes, I think he compares as better than most pop music today, though that in itself is not saying much. But there is evidence that pop music may be improving as the 3T has ended; a bit of it posted here.
Last edited by Eric the Green; 04-24-2012 at 02:50 PM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#142 at 04-24-2012 02:04 PM by JDFP [at Knoxville, TN. joined Jul 2010 #posts 1,200]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
How many did Duran Duran sell? Or Millie Vanili? Did that make them talented?
Hey now, I was with you until you mentioned Duran Duran - say what you will about them, but they are highly addictive and highly enjoyable. And I'd call it quality New Wave music as well. You may not like New Wave - which is okay - but Duran Duran did very good at what they did for their musical style. You can't compare them to Bieber at all.


j.p.

"And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.‎" -- Raymond Carver


"A
page of good prose remains invincible." -- John Cheever










Post#143 at 04-24-2012 02:30 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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Hey now, I was with you until you mentioned Duran Duran - say what you will about them, but they are highly addictive and highly enjoyable. And I'd call it quality New Wave music as well. You may not like New Wave - which is okay - but Duran Duran did very good at what they did for their musical style. You can't compare them to Bieber at all.
See that's the thing, I believe Duran Duran is like Mozart in comparison to Justin Bieber. You're right, they were at least addictive and exciting as a band (and Mili Vailli-on occasion catchy), whereas Bieber's "music" has nothing. It soars to no heights, it reaches no lows (except for my trash can), it reaches no state of anything. It is just pure, musical blandness, like a digital sleeping pill.







Post#144 at 04-24-2012 02:42 PM by Felix5 [at joined Jul 2011 #posts 2,793]
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I did; I think my post revealed that. No, I didn't especially like those songs. They don't have the kind of passion and beauty that I like. But Without You is fine. Of course I very much loved and admired his performance on Everybody's Talkin' so I can't disagree with you.
What does that mean? What is passion? Show me specific examples of a "lack of passion?"

"I don't like this" doesn't mean it's not a good pop song...or a well written one.

You do understand the difference, correct?

No-one ever said Bieber "100% writes his own music." He does not. But he's the principle songwriter on some of his songs, and that includes his best "Pray," and his most popular "Baby.
"

You just said this!! So if he doesn't 100% write his own music, I can't give him the credit Harry Nilsson gets as a pop songwriter and singer(Ugh don't even get me started on Justin Bieber's use of auto tune...) because Harry Nilsson did write his music (with the exception of a few covers sprinkled in)

The thing about your statements about Bieber in this thread, is that you have made them so confidently, and they have all been wrong.
Prove them wrong with facts, don't just say they're wrong Eric.

He was not manufactured, he did not have connections in the business, others did not write all his songs for him, and so on. Now you say he does completely electronic music.
Yes he did, Kanye West!

That is totally false too. You just don't know the guy or his work at all.
Neither do you!! You don't know anything about Justin Bieber's songwriting process, recording process, post production process, even marketing process. You didn't even know how he got into the business, you said yourself you were also completely ignorant of pop music in the past 20-30 years...and in fact Justin Bieber until a week ago...

I remember when Justin Bieber was just some little kid posting videos on youtube! I remember when exactly he got noticed...by Kanye west and blew up into a teeny boppy pop sensation...

Saying we wouldn't have modern pop music today without Nilsson is 1) exaggeration and 2) not saying much.
1. no it's not, people blatantly refuse to acknowledge Nilsson's early work from the late 50s, early 60s (filled with the vocal layering we now hear incessantly in pop song writing-Justin Bieber's work comes to mind) including yourself.

There are plenty of early demos you can find online, released on cd.

2. Neither is your opinion on Justin Bieber. "This is beautiful, here!!" is not a fact....it's not even supporting your opinion that Justin Bieber is a "great songwriter" in anyway whatsoever. What you find beautiful, I may find hideous, what you find hideous, I might find beautiful. But it's really not about that, it's about the fact, that I went out of my way to go into good pop songwriting and you did nothing to even back up your statement that Bieber is a good pop singer. (despite telling me I'm wrong)

I gave you examples, with explanations which you choose to ignore. You live in a bubble and refuse to acknowledge points made outside of the bubble. (this does not apply only to this thread, but it is recurring pattern on these boards.) I mean go ahead and have fun in your little bubble, but don't tell me I'm not going out of my damn way to give you a legitimate explanation backing up my points. (whereas you are not apparently obligated to.)

You haven't heard very many of Bieber's songs, which accounts for your incorrect statements above. His biggest hit Baby is only averagely-good, but it is good. But that's a matter of taste perhaps. Check him out and you may find his music infectious.
Stop making assumptions. Where on earth did you get this idea that I haven't heard any of his mediocre pop songs? Why do you think I'm having this discussion in the first place?

Bieber fever is catchy, so watch out! He IS really special in a lot of ways. You can't manufacture something like Biebermania, however much you can correctly speak of the limits of a phenomenon like that.
Of course you can....
Last edited by Felix5; 04-24-2012 at 02:58 PM.







Post#145 at 04-24-2012 03:20 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
What does that mean? What is passion? Show me specific examples of a "lack of passion"
I can't do that. I had listened to the medley you posted and that's how those songs strike me.

Oh and by the way no, I don't think a song is "good" unless I like it.
You just said this!! So if he doesn't 100% write his own music, I can't give him the credit Harry Nilsson gets as a pop songwriter and singer(Ugh don't even get me started on Justin Bieber's use of auto tune...)
I'm not comparing Justin Bieber to Nilssen; you are.

Prove them wrong with facts, don't just say they're wrong Eric.
I already posted my refutations to your statements, earlier in this thread.

Yes he did, Kanye West!
Not true. He had no connection until Scooter Braun called him because of what he saw on you tube.

Neither do you!! You don't know anything about Justin Bieber's songwriting process, recording process, post production process, even marketing process. You didn't even know how he got into the business, you said yourself you were also completely ignorant of pop music in the past 20-30 years...
But I've been looking into Justin now and I have learned a lot about him.

I don't know everything about how his music is made, and I'm sure you don't. I know he plays 4 instruments and put out acoustic versions of his songs (the album on which "Pray" also appears).

1. no it's not, people blatantly refuse to acknowledge Nilsson's early work from the late 50s, early 60s (filled with the vocal layering we now here incessantly in pop song writing-Justin Bieber's work comes to mind) including yourself.

There are plenty of early demos you can find online.
How does that mean that Nilssen made modern pop music possible? The Beatles did a lot more.
2. Neither is your opinion on Justin Bieber. "This is beautiful, here!!" Is not a fact....it's not even supporting your opinion that Justin Bieber is a "great songwriter" in anyway whatsoever.

I gave you examples, with explanations, which you choose to ignore. You live in a bubble and refuse to acknowledge points made outside of the bubble. I mean go ahead and have fun in your little bubble, but don't tell me I'm not going out of my damn way to give you a legitimate explanation of why Justin Bieber is a poor example of a pop music.
I can't believe I'm doing this! Arguing over Justin Bieber. What a trip!!! But it's fun, it's OK. Thanks for playing Felix5.

You "go out of your way," and yet your statements are false. I didn't ignore anything.

Stop making assumptions. Where on earth did you get this idea that I haven't heard any of his mediocre pop songs? Why do you think I'm having this discussion in the first place?
How can you make such inaccurate statements about them? Saying that all the sound on them is electronic. That is not a matter of taste, which you have every right to. It's just false. Wikipedia has all the details about "Pray" for example.

Yes, you can manufacture pop star manias. I just I think this one is a bit more than usual; and of course Bieber is not manufactured at all, according to the producers themselves at least. I listened to Scooter and the others, and what they say about Bieber sounds sincere and convincing to me.
Last edited by Eric the Green; 04-24-2012 at 03:59 PM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#146 at 04-24-2012 03:50 PM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
Bieber's "music" has nothing. It soars to no heights, it reaches no lows
Pray does.

I just found Duran Duran's Save a Prayer. Interesting to compare the two.
Last edited by Eric the Green; 04-24-2012 at 03:53 PM.
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#147 at 04-24-2012 07:58 PM by Odin [at Moorhead, MN, USA joined Sep 2006 #posts 14,442]
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Quote Originally Posted by Felix5 View Post
What does that mean? What is passion? Show me specific examples of a "lack of passion?"

"I don't like this" doesn't mean it's not a good pop song...or a well written one.

You do understand the difference, correct?

"

You just said this!! So if he doesn't 100% write his own music, I can't give him the credit Harry Nilsson gets as a pop songwriter and singer(Ugh don't even get me started on Justin Bieber's use of auto tune...) because Harry Nilsson did write his music (with the exception of a few covers sprinkled in)



Prove them wrong with facts, don't just say they're wrong Eric.



Yes he did, Kanye West!



Neither do you!! You don't know anything about Justin Bieber's songwriting process, recording process, post production process, even marketing process. You didn't even know how he got into the business, you said yourself you were also completely ignorant of pop music in the past 20-30 years...and in fact Justin Bieber until a week ago...

I remember when Justin Bieber was just some little kid posting videos on youtube! I remember when exactly he got noticed...by Kanye west and blew up into a teeny boppy pop sensation...



1. no it's not, people blatantly refuse to acknowledge Nilsson's early work from the late 50s, early 60s (filled with the vocal layering we now hear incessantly in pop song writing-Justin Bieber's work comes to mind) including yourself.

There are plenty of early demos you can find online, released on cd.

2. Neither is your opinion on Justin Bieber. "This is beautiful, here!!" is not a fact....it's not even supporting your opinion that Justin Bieber is a "great songwriter" in anyway whatsoever. What you find beautiful, I may find hideous, what you find hideous, I might find beautiful. But it's really not about that, it's about the fact, that I went out of my way to go into good pop songwriting and you did nothing to even back up your statement that Bieber is a good pop singer. (despite telling me I'm wrong)

I gave you examples, with explanations which you choose to ignore. You live in a bubble and refuse to acknowledge points made outside of the bubble. (this does not apply only to this thread, but it is recurring pattern on these boards.) I mean go ahead and have fun in your little bubble, but don't tell me I'm not going out of my damn way to give you a legitimate explanation backing up my points. (whereas you are not apparently obligated to.)



Stop making assumptions. Where on earth did you get this idea that I haven't heard any of his mediocre pop songs? Why do you think I'm having this discussion in the first place?



Of course you can....
Eric is a typical Boomer, he thinks his tastes are the holy writ of Truth.
To recommend thrift to the poor is both grotesque and insulting. It is like advising a man who is starving to eat less.

-Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man under Socialism







Post#148 at 04-27-2012 11:04 AM by Eric the Green [at San Jose CA joined Jul 2001 #posts 22,504]
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Put down my 99cents for "Pray" hey the first time I have bought a current pop/rock song in 35 years. And to think it's from one of the "biggest stars," which means a lot of people like the song too; that hasn't happened in "like" 40 or 45 years. "like" wow!
"I close my eyes, and I can see a better day" -- Justin Bieber

Keep the spirit alive,

Eric A. Meece







Post#149 at 04-27-2012 12:51 PM by Chas'88 [at In between Pennsylvania & Pennsyltucky joined Nov 2008 #posts 9,432]
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Quote Originally Posted by Eric the Green View Post
Put down my 99cents for "Pray" hey the first time I have bought a current pop/rock song in 35 years. And to think it's from one of the "biggest stars," which means a lot of people like the song too; that hasn't happened in "like" 40 or 45 years. "like" wow!
As much as I hate to say it, but evidence that culture is taking a turn for "broad" appeal?

~Chas'88
"There have always been people who say: "The war will be over someday." I say there's no guarantee the war will ever be over. Naturally a brief intermission is conceivable. Maybe the war needs a breather, a war can even break its neck, so to speak. But the kings and emperors, not to mention the pope, will always come to its help in adversity. ON the whole, I'd say this war has very little to worry about, it'll live to a ripe old age."







Post#150 at 04-27-2012 01:09 PM by Earl and Mooch [at Delaware - we pave paradise and put up parking lots joined Sep 2002 #posts 2,106]
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Tommy Roe – jammed up and jelly tight, ready to perform again By Al Carlos Hernandez on April 11, 2011

HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) – Tommy Roe is the undisputed King of Bubblegum Pop Music. His style of writing and performance is the musical platform for contemporary artists like Justin Bieber.
"My generation, we were the generation that was going to change the world: somehow we were going to make it a little less lonely, a little less hungry, a little more just place. But it seems that when that promise slipped through our hands we didn´t replace it with nothing but lost faith."

Bruce Springsteen, 1987
http://brucebase.wikispaces.com/1987...+YORK+CITY,+NY
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