The Wide Angle: Stop it. You’re embarrassing yourself
Lacking any kind of musical talent other than to butcher an artists song in the solitude of my car, I — like so many fans — come from the privileged position of having an unwarranted opinion on a lot of what they do.
I’m not in the mind of any of my favorite artists, no more than I have some backdoor challenge to even artists I can’t stand, but nevertheless, it does little to stop me from forming opinions about things they do or music they put out.
I have several pet peeves in regards to acts out there: Never trying new things, releasing broken versions of other people’s songs, Justin Bieber.
Asssuredly, the Backstreet Boys probably don’t care that I think N’sync is more talented as a group. I don’t like either group or anybody under the moniker of “boy band,” but I can admit who sounds better.
Here’s a hoping a legion of formerly teen girls don’t attack me now.
One of my biggest pet peeves, however, is the inability to call it quits. The inability to retire with the full realization that they have had a great career in the eyes of their fans.
I’m looking at you, KISS … and you, AC DC.
Nobody can deny that these two bands are legends in the world of rock. The painted-faces of KISS and the aggressive, raw sound of AC DC have adorned many a T-shirt and rocked many a night.
But for the time being, I need to put all that aside in the face of facts. They just don’t work any more. They are tired-looking, in AC DC’s case anyway. Like the road has thoroughly beat them down. To their credit though the group has pounded away at tour after tour bringing their favorite songs to the fans that love them.
But there has got to be a moment where perhaps goose-lipping yourself across the stage dressed as a British school boy just gets … well, weird.
The same goes for KISS. The groups looks like its spending more time trying to remain 40 than deliver any kind of music that reminds us of partying all night through 1975.
Gene Simmons himself just appears bored. And waxy.
The point is, at some point the music starts to become tested and that, more than anything can damage the reputation of those bands we used to love. If nothing else, slow down and give us something else to look forward to.
And don’t ask Axel Rose to fill in. I’m looking at you again AC DC.