best currently active lyrical band

donfers

I say band because there are plenty of singer-songwriters out there who fancy themselves a spoets, step forward Morrissey and Dylan but within a band dynamic it's harder to find decent lyric, especially when you have drummers and guitarists staking prioritising their solo parts to the song above your fancy dan lyrics or having to fit your beautiful prose into a more constrained and mutually agreed musical format

....anyway the point is what bands out there are producing the best lyrics?

Not many that I can think of, I am struggling and need your help but enough about me, can you think of any currently active bands that have quality lyrics?

I suppose defining what quality lyrics are would help

NoQuarter

I always thought alex from the arctic monkeys wrote top class lyrics!

lordgoat

Wilco, Belle and Seb, The Mountain Goats and The Magnetic Fields.

There are loads really.

donfers

lordgoat wrote: »

Wilco, Belle and Seb, The Mountain Goats and The Magnetic Fields.

There are loads really.

I disagree, I think there are very few


wilco I was going to mention but since a ghost is born their lyrical output has been a bit soulless

belle and seb have been producing the same bedsit quirky self-pitying stuff forever and it's getting a bit tiring

the mountain goats, I have no knowledge of

and the magnetic fields are basically a one-man cabaret act, a vocie that grates after a while, interesting lyrics yes but far from great

good try but next...

The Volt

I always admire introspective lyrics. Alice in Chains still rule at that. Alter Bridge aren't far off

donfers

Voltwad wrote: »

I always admire introspective lyrics. Alice in Chains still rule at that. Alter Bridge aren't far off

Alice in Chains:eek:

Are you sure you're in the right forum?

The Volt

Alternative/Indie... it's a grey area :pac:

squod

The View.
Edit I should have posted videos



http://www.youtube.com/user/v1ew06SME#p/u/3/kS4mfekJ5fk

http://www.youtube.com/user/v1ew06SME#p/u/10/Kz0db-uwN90

Miguel_Sanchez

squod wrote: »

The View.

"I've had the same jeans on for four days now."???

No.

Just no.

squod

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

"I've had the same jeans on for four days now."???

No.

Just no.

Wow me then. Lets see your choice.

lordgoat

donfers wrote: »

I disagree, I think there are very few


wilco I was going to mention but since a ghost is born their lyrical output has been a bit soulless

belle and seb have been producing the same bedsit quirky self-pitying stuff forever and it's getting a bit tiring

the mountain goats, I have no knowledge of

and the magnetic fields are basically a one-man cabaret act, a vocie that grates after a while, interesting lyrics yes but far from great

good try but next...

Look harder there's plenty out there if you're willing to spend the time.

I also love the little boxes you put some of these bands in. Is the irony of calling B&S self-pitying while lauding the smiths in your first post intentional.

Also Stephin Merrit is far from a cabaret act. I think you're summation of the mountain goats can be applied to more than just them

so poor effort must try much much harder.

30txsbzmcu2k9w

donfers wrote: »

Alice in Chains:eek:

Are you sure you're in the right forum?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock :rolleyes:

Miguel_Sanchez

squod wrote: »

Wow me then. Lets see your choice.

At the moment I'm quite liking Menomena, Tindersticks and Bonny Prince Billy not just for their lyrics but also for their incredible music.

I'm sorry but The View can't really compete in that sort of league.

Actually their lyrics aren't even the best coming out of Scotland.

Off the top of my head Belle and Sebastian, Frightened Rabbit and even We Were Promised Jetpacks trump them in that regard.

30txsbzmcu2k9w

Bill Callahan

squod

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

At the moment I'm quite liking Menomena, Tindersticks and Bonny Prince Billy not just for their lyrics but also for their incredible music.

I'm sorry but The View can't really compete in that sort of league.

I listen to Tindersticks also. Shame about the other choices.

Miguel_Sanchez

squod wrote: »

I listen to Tindersticks also.

Well I'm sure you'll admit then that Tindersticks really outstrip The View lyrically.

donfers

lordgoat wrote: »

Look harder there's plenty out there if you're willing to spend the time.

I also love the little boxes you put some of these bands in. Is the irony of calling B&S self-pitying while lauding the smiths in your first post intentional.

Also Stephin Merrit is far from a cabaret act. I think you're summation of the mountain goats can be applied to more than just them

so poor effort must try much much harder.

chill out mate, just my opinions, try not to let it get to you so much, music is after all a matter of subjective taste

lordgoat

donfers wrote: »

chill out mate, just my opinions, try not to let it get to you so much, music is after all a matter of subjective taste

my reply is pretty much the same tone as yours so...

Also i find these type of threads quite dull when the OP just dismisses posters suggestions and doesn't even try to have a discussion. All your posts since your first have been dismissive and as i said it wears thin quickly.

AnonoBoy

Good thread.

I'm going to suggest Snow Patrol and if anyone suggests that they're not the best band ever I'm going to counteract with "yeah well I think they are, and your choices are terrible."

And then I'll suggest Coldplay and see where that gets us.

Air_Bass

Personally speaking, Lyrics wouldn't be the most important factor in deciding whether I like a band or not. The Vocal/Singing style and sound of the instruments (meaty guitar tone, crisp drum sound and dirty bass, and any other muso-speak you care to mention!) would take a higher priority than lyrics, for me.
Anyhoo, I do like the lyrics of Pulp (they've re-formed so technically they're 'current') and Villagers. Arctic Monkeys are good too, especially that first album.

KeanSeenan

of Montreal, Joanna Newsom, Sunset Rubdown...hmm..I quite like LCD Soundsytstem's lyrics, which are apparently all written on the spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iW5U4i-Z74

Why?'s lyrics are great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Czl5nlcLpE

Dan_Solo

I really don't get this thread at all.
Sorry.

KeanSeenan

donfers wrote: »

....anyway the point is what bands out there are producing the best lyrics?

.

Dan_Solo

Now pigiron is always a fine reason, but meat and poison and all that.
I will offer that Weezer without doubt write the worst lyrics of any band, not just indie ones.

JerryHandbag

Manic Street Preachers. Some great lost lyrics by Richie Edwards were used on the Journal for Plague Lovers album

Jim

donfers wrote: »

the mountain goats, I have no knowledge of

Wouldn't really put them in that category as the "band" albums are really just John's guitar music with other instruments set around it.

donfers

one I just thought of is eels...again you could say it's a one man vehicle but impressed by his lyrics nonetheless

Aridstarling

WHY?, Joanna Newsome, Conor Oberst, Wilco, Mountain Goats, The Hold Steady, Coma Cinema, The National, Laura Marling, Perfume Genius, Sufjan Stevens, Swans, Bill Callahan... The list goes on.

rcaz

KeanSeenan wrote: »

I quite like LCD Soundsytstem's lyrics, which are apparently all written on the spot.

One that only stood out to me Yesterday;

Drunk girls know that love is an astronaut,
It comes back but it's never the same

Class.

Massive +1 on The Magnetic Fields. Dismissing Stephin's ability like that is silly.

S.M.B.

Aridstarling wrote: »

WHY?, Joanna Newsome, Conor Oberst, Wilco, Mountain Goats, The Hold Steady, Coma Cinema, The National, Laura Marling, Perfume Genius, Sufjan Stevens, Swans, Bill Callahan... The list goes on.

And this list contains a sh*t load of solo artists. Did you even read the OP?

I actually think it's an interesting topic.

mosstin

Irish - Cathal Coughlan solo or with Fatima Mansions
International - Mark Eitzel solo or with American Music Club and, personally speaking, the finest wordsmith of the last 30 years.

ColmDawson

......................Why?
Why?...................................Why?
....................Why?
................................Why?
Why?
..................Why?
...............................Why?

mosstin

ColmDawson wrote: »

......................Why?
Why?...................................Why?
....................Why?
................................Why?
Why?
..................Why?
...............................Why?

This is not a thread for posting song lyrics.

thesultan

Eddie Vedder,Alex turner, Paul Smith (Maximo Park),Nicky Wire

ValJester

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Now pigiron is always a fine reason, but meat and poison and all that.
I will offer that Weezer without doubt write the worst lyrics of any band, not just indie ones.

Even Pinkerton-era?That's some damn fine songwriting.

Rds1989

2 words-The Shins, case in point:

Saint simon


I Will not post up entire songs.

liah

I quite like Two Gallants. Maybe not the best but very underrated imho, their whole wild west theme is class and they're beautifully written.

Scuid Mhór

The Arcade Fire?

Dan_Solo

ValJester wrote: »

Even Pinkerton-era?That's some damn fine songwriting.

Oh the tunes are always great, but the lyrics?:eek:
Bon Jovi write better!

pappyodaniel

Lyrically there's few artists can match the social commentary of Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

Andy-Pandy

Modest Mouse

pickarooney

Do/does The Divine Comedy count?

homerun_homer

ValJester wrote: »

Even Pinkerton-era?That's some damn fine songwriting.

I like that album but lyrically it's not worthy.

When I think of great lyricists I think of Richie Edwards, Kurt Cobain, Nick Cave etc. Not Rivers Cuomo.

Lyrics about Holocaust, Suicide, Murder and eh... Japanese fan girls.

Amazotheamazing

Okkervil River
The Hold Steady

Both are bands moreso than just being a songwriter with a backing band, imo. As lyricists, Will Sheff and Craig Finn are way out in front of all other comers, imo.

Kold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyY7Yvx2PYA

ImcompotentFool

The Hold Steady without a shadow of a doubt. Craig Finn is brilliant with wordplay and internal rhyming as well as putting humour and sincerity into their songs.

deeks

Surprised a thread about lyrical bands has gone four pages without a mention of Elbow.

I personally think Guy Garvey writes some of the most beautiful lyrics in music today.

Oisinjm

deeks wrote: »

Surprised a thread about lyrical bands has gone four pages without a mention of Elbow.

I personally think Guy Garvey writes some of the most beautiful lyrics in music today.

Have to agree here. Surprised no one has mentioned The National also. Thought there was some great stuff in the last album.

KeanSeenan

I thoroughly enjoy So Cow's lyrics.

Miguel_Sanchez

KeanSeenan wrote: »

I thoroughly enjoy So Cow's lyrics.

Brian Kelly has a great sense of humour in his lyrics alright.

bluto63

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Lyrically there's few artists can match the social commentary of Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

Bit hit and miss for me. He gets far too preachy at points. Some stuff is very good though.
I'd also agree, the National, fantastic lyrics.