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best currently active lyrical band

  • 19-11-2010 01:14AM
    #1
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭


    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
    Tagged:


«13

Comments

  • #2
    NoQuarter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,624 ✭✭✭NoQuarter


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


  • #3
    lordgoat
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 11,433 Mod ✭✭✭✭lordgoat


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

    There are loads really.


  • #4
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭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...


  • #5
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


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


  • #6
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭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?


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  • #7
    The Volt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭The Volt


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


  • #8
    squod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,702 ✭✭✭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


  • #9
    Miguel_Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,417 ✭✭✭Miguel_Sanchez


    squod wrote: »
    The View.

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

    No.

    Just no.


  • #10
    squod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,702 ✭✭✭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.


  • #11
    lordgoat
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 11,433 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


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  • #12
    30txsbzmcu2k9w
    Closed Accounts Posts: 578 ✭✭✭30txsbzmcu2k9w


    donfers wrote: »
    Alice in Chains:eek:

    Are you sure you're in the right forum?

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


  • #13
    Miguel_Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,417 ✭✭✭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.


  • #14
    30txsbzmcu2k9w
    Closed Accounts Posts: 578 ✭✭✭30txsbzmcu2k9w


    Bill Callahan


  • #15
    squod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,702 ✭✭✭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.


  • #16
    Miguel_Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,417 ✭✭✭Miguel_Sanchez


    squod wrote: »
    I listen to Tindersticks also.

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


  • #17
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭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


  • #18
    lordgoat
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 11,433 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #19
    AnonoBoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,559 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #20
    Air_Bass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 139 ✭✭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.


  • #21
    KeanSeenan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 460 ✭✭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


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  • #22
    Dan_Solo
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,069 ✭✭✭✭Dan_Solo


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


  • #23
    KeanSeenan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 460 ✭✭KeanSeenan


    donfers wrote: »

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


  • #24
    Dan_Solo
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,069 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #25
    JerryHandbag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭JerryHandbag


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


  • #26
    Jim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,181 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #27
    donfers
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭donfers


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


  • #28
    Aridstarling
    Closed Accounts Posts: 650 ✭✭✭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.


  • #29
    rcaz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭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.


  • #30
    S.M.B.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,383 ✭✭✭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.


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  • #31
    mosstin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,518 ✭✭✭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.


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