The Everymen are always busy. They recently released a great EP of Jonathan Richman covers called Hey Who Wrote These Songs? They're putting the finishing touches on the full-length follow-up to 2012's New Jersey Hardcore, and they maintain a relentless touring schedule that will see them doing a live performance of The Mario Opera (Yes. That's a rock opera based on Super Mario Brothers.) this Saturday at Joe's Pub.
The Everymen's leader, Mike V, is one of our friends here at CoolDad Music and a man with opinions. One need only check out the in-depth interview he did with me for Speak Into My Good Eye to realize that Mike is not afraid to take a stand on something.
I thought, therefore, that it would be fun to get Mike's opinions on some of the pressing issues of the day, musical or otherwise. Mike graciously took some time from his busy schedule to participate. For our first installment, I decided to go with something musical.
I should say that, while Mike V and I agree on a great many things, all I did was ask the question. Mike V's opinions are all his very own.
CDM: I know you're a Katy Perry fan. Both she and Lady Gaga released singles from their upcoming, sure to be huge, albums recently. They're battling it out (along with Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus) for chart supremacy. Lady Gaga even went so far as to announce a contest via Twitter encouraging her fans to purchase the single. The prize is a trip to meet her at London's iTunes Festival:
"The 2 fans w the most purchase/gift screenshots, radio requests, 'Applause' selfies/video, will fly international to meet me+watch the show!"
So, very simply, "Applause" vs "Roar." Discuss.
MV: In the past few years I've warmed a bit to Lady Gaga. I still think she's an idiot (but my opinion doesn't carry much weight so who cares) who has pretty good tunes and the most benign voice on earth. In other words, she's a 21st century Madonna.
Much like Madge she's all style, no substance with a crack team writing good tunes for her. And -- most importantly -- she really can't sing either. Her brash image is really what's made her.
But I can't take seriously any major artist on a major label selling albums at major retailers who try and retain some sort of artistic, political or genuine stance (*cough* Rage Against The Machine *cough*). You're a pop star and you're a creation of a marketing machine that's trying to sell as many records as humanly possible. And you know what, that's fine. Accept it. Own it. That's why I love Katy Perry. And Kelly Clarkson. And Christina Aguilera. They don't try to pose and they don't try to pretend and they don't play punk rock dress up (*cough* P!nk *cough*). They realize that they're more of a commodity than they are an artist. And they own it. And that is far more real than any protest song Zach De La Rocha's ever written.
Katy Perry, on the other hand, is a genuine talent. Girl can shake the walls with that voice and I'll take true talent and craft over stunty zaniness any day.
But you asked me about the songs so let's get to the songs.
"Applause." It's not really a song. That's not really a chorus. And that's what pop songs are about, right? Hooks. Choruses. Singing along. Right? "Applause" is just kind of a drone with words and a stupid video reminding us, yet again, that Lady Gaga is such a freak. You can do better, Gaga. You've done better.
Katy's kind of in the same boat here. Um. Whatever. This hook sucks shit. Not to mention that it's about 12 bars long. So yea. Kind of snoozy. It makes me wonder: Are people even trying anymore? Between this and the fucking remake of Red Dawn I feel like we as a creative species have just given up. But then I listen to the new Queens Of The Stone Age record. And I am calmed.
But I guess that's it this year, huh? This is the year pop music abandoned hooks. From the great songs (that Bruno Mars jam) to the sorely overhyped ones ("Blurred Lines." Which, by the way, I'm surprised that no one's pointed out is a fucking blatant rip off of "Sexy Back." That song ruled.), most pop music of this past year is completely and remarkably devoid of the hooks that make pop tunes so great. I guess we'll have to wait until next year for another "Crazy" or whatever.
So it's a push. Both of these songs fucking suck. If you need me I'll be listening to "Firework."
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So there you have it. Watch this space for future installments of "What Does Mike V Think Of..."
Thanks, Mike.
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