Have you lived under a rock for the past 15 years? Or should I say the past 30 years? Lol
I'm not one to judge, I love songs most people hate and viceversa, but to say in 2016 that BJ has uninspired cliché ladden lyrics to appeal to the masses is like saying the sky is blue. We know, hell I'm sure Jon knows, but it's his proven formula and frankly if I was him I'd do the same because it keeps them on the radio and people still buy tickets to their tours. They haven't faded into obscurity like 99% of the critics predicted. When he proved to the world in the 90s that he was more than a pretty face in another forgettable band, who supported him? It's obvious that not enough people or not the right people. Learn to deal with it, he can't or doesn't want to live off die hards so we are not his target anymore.
He can write terrific lyrics, remember BB, it was only a year ago. He can, but he won't in a regular album, specially not in the singles. MAM was not the exception to the rule, they took a small calculated risk within a frame, most LH is the same old crap but with a little touch of experimentation which always appeals to the critics. Taking the risk too further will backfire even more than the whole country-fied BJ did. No margin for the singles, they have to be perfectly crafted for the radio, it's sad but to me it's obvious that Jon doesn't trust his fanbase to buy an album with Teardrop as a single for ex. Too dark, too depressing, they are trying to get all artsy in their 50s that's ridiculous, where is the anthemic song everybody is waiting for, they are trying too hard to be Springsteen/Bono/Whatever artist is considered serious... Can you imagine the reviews, because I'm sure they would be petty close to what I just wrote. Again, MAM was a ballad, they are also known for their power ballads, so it wasn't too much of a risk and besides ballads should have more intimate lyrics so if they sound more deep than usual there's nothing to be worried about. But that's it, they only have 2 choices, pop rock anthem with their usual uplifting message or ballad. Critics would say same old same old either way not because they care about the input but because they don't freaking care about BJ in 2016 (or 2013, or 2009...). It won't impact the general public. Commercial radios would play the single without any judgement and both casual fans and general fans of that type of music would know BJ is still making music that sounds like them so surely new tour would be great as usual.
That does ruin the albums for me to be honest, I can hate an album but love to death some of the songs which in the end means I barely listen to them anymore cos I usually listen to CDs and I hate skipping songs. Its the BJ paradox and I've come to accept it because I've come to accept that's the only way we are still listening to them in 2016.
It's their fault that the majority of their fans want this bland safe music? It is because they chose this road after TD and never looked back. But it's also true that every time they deviate from the norm the backlash is huge and lasts forever and the same fans that love many introspective, experimental songs from the boxset and the b-sides bitch and moan when the albums don't sound like BJ, don't have ten minute solos, don't have powerful solos, or when there are too many slow songs, pretentious lyrics. We want to have our cake and eat it and I can understand why Jon would say screw them, let's do what we are good at and play for stadiums full of simpler fans that enjoy dumbed down easy clichés
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These days what's left of me ain't no Prince Charming
We know Jon, we know
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08-12-2016, 06:16 PM
