Let the Games begin 2012 Olympics

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Anyone watch the closing ceremonies? It was alright, I preferred the opening ceremonies. Eric Idle leading a singalong of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was a highlight. The Spice Cougars still look good. The Who should have packed it in years ago, while Queen without Freddie Mercury is an absolute disgrace.

[North Guy66]

The Who was the highlight (along with Eric Idle). Roger Daltrey still has the pipes and Pete Townshend is still a wizard with the guitar.

Annie Lennox was good too.

[hello lady]

I loved it all.I heard from my nieces that were there, they said it was awesome. The UK did well.

Eric Idle is my idol

[Gemini]

The closing ceremony was a bit disappointing. Billed as a British Symphony of Music it only seemed to focus on the rock side of music. I did see one marching band, did not hear any bagpipes, Irish/Scotch/Welsh singing/music. Bagpipes can be entertaining so can Irish music and dancing. The Welsh have great choirs which I think sang one song at the closing ceremony. Britain has contributed a lot in the way of pop/rock music but it's music reaches far beyond that.

[Replacement]

With the visual technology available today it was really a little underwhelming I thought. They seemed to make a conscious decision to not use much imagery. I think even the fixed floor stage concept limited what they could do production wise.
Plus, not to nitpick, but if they're going to go big on the intersecting roads leading to center stage thing and complete with London taxicabs then I'm surprised nobody thought the center intersection should be a traffic circle.

Choice of music was a bit off given all the great artists/music they could put out there. The Muse? really? Jessie J? Who dat? Couple rap artists I never heard of and don't care to.
A token version of Pink Floyd with one member(sheesh, knock your socks off guys) Token version of Queen with two members(Isn't the bassist still alive?) and I'm a big The Who fan but it just didn't work imo.
Then a token version of Oasis (can't even get that band back together for the gig?, its only the Olympics..)

When one thinks of the magnitude of an event like this in London and all thats gone on in London since the last time (1948 ) I'm amazed how little they were able to make out of that. This has been largely the cultural epicenter of the English Speaking world since the last WW, or before it for that matter. I would expect a more interesting delivery and program.

I think Vancouver did them better in terms of opening/closing ceremonies. Which isn't saying a lot either.

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by Replacement

The Muse? really?

First of all, it's just Muse. And second of all, they're one of the biggest selling, most talented, and best known acts out of England currently. They have been nominated for numerous Grammies, won one, have won numerous other awards, sold 15 million albums, and been around for 15+ years.

As far as English Rock acts go currently, Muse would be top 5 or top 3 easily in terms of notoriety and critical acclaim, if not #1.

You should get out more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ceived_by_Muse

[Dialog]

Mind The Generation Gap

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

First of all, it's just Muse. And second of all, they're one of the biggest selling, most talented, and best known acts out of England currently. They have been nominated for numerous Grammies, won one, have won numerous other awards, sold 15 million albums, and been around for 15+ years.

As far as English Rock acts go currently, Muse would be top 5 or top 3 easily in terms of notoriety and critical acclaim, if not #1.

You should get out more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ceived_by_Muse

Muse=A bunch of insipid drivel. The kind of garbage people listen to when they're not listening to Lady Gaga.


I'd rather associate the UK with the many great artists that have come from there.

At least they had a remnant of Oasis up there. Radiohead not really the ticket with Olympics I guess.

But much to my eternal chagrin I live in a Madonna universe.

Things have gone so far downhill since the Beatles.

[North Guy66]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Choice of music was a bit off given all the great artists/music they could put out there. The Muse? really? Jessie J? Who dat? Couple rap artists I never heard of and don't care to.
A token version of Pink Floyd with one member(sheesh, knock your socks off guys) Token version of Queen with two members(Isn't the bassist still alive?) and I'm a big The Who fan but it just didn't work imo.
Then a token version of Oasis (can't even get that band back together for the gig?, its only the Olympics..)

When one thinks of the magnitude of an event like this in London and all thats gone on in London since the last time (1948 ) I'm amazed how little they were able to make out of that. This has been largely the cultural epicenter of the English Speaking world since the last WW, or before it for that matter. I would expect a more interesting delivery and program.

I think Vancouver did them better in terms of opening/closing ceremonies. Which isn't saying a lot either.

I didn't know who the heck Jessie J. was until I watched the closing ceremonies. She sure got a lot of airtime for a musical featherweight, considering the wealth of superstar artists the UK has at its disposal.

It would also be a nice touch for the producers to pay homage to the British punk rock scene. Punk is more part of British cultural history than the generic rap played during the closing ceremony.

Just wondering where were the Rolling Stones, Supertramp, Clash, Coldplay, and Adele?

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Dialog

Mind The Generation Gap

Not really.

Thievery corp
The Kills
The Dead Weather
St. Vincent
Shortwave set
Mercury Rev
Fleet Foxes
Radiohead
Danger Mouse
The Black Keys
Raconteurs
Sigur ros
Sleigh Bells
CSS
Gnarls Barkley
Deerhunter
Atlas Sound
Dead Can Dance

Are currently on my mp3 player. I just like music that is eclectic and original. Doesn't matter what decade it is.

Oh, and NBC had enough sense to show commericials during the Muse performance. Too bad I wasn't watching that one..

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by North Guy66

I didn't know who the heck Jessie J. was until I watched the closing ceremonies. She sure got a lot of airtime for a musical featherweight, considering the wealth of superstar artists the UK has at its disposal.

It would also be a nice touch for the producers to pay homage to the British punk rock scene. Punk is more part of British cultural history than the generic rap played during the closing ceremony.

Just wondering where were the Rolling Stones, Supertramp, Clash, Coldplay, and Adele?

Yeah, we seem to agree on just about everything. Agreed that the Clash would be interesting. London Calling of course being a natural. Even the Sex Pistols screeching "God Save the Queen" rule britannia, haha.

Absolutely its mindless to have a few rancid brit rappers up there. Not exactly what the world considers as British music. Yeah, focus on forms they are pioneers in rather than just another artist.

Jessie J whoever she is looked good in tight threads I guess. Seemingly the only reason she was up on stage. Yeah, she really evoked Freddy Mercury.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Token version of Queen with two members(Isn't the bassist still alive?)

John Deacon is alive but wants no part of any of the numerous quasi-reunions of the other two guys.

Originally Posted by Replacement

Then a token version of Oasis (can't even get that band back together for the gig?, its only the Olympics..)

The Gallagher brothers' hate for each other is stronger than the Olympics.

As for the Clash, a reunion without the late great Joe Strummer would be even more pointless than a Freddie-less Queen.

[Dialog]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Not really.

Thievery corp
The Kills
The Dead Weather
St. Vincent
Shortwave set
Mercury Rev
Fleet Foxes
Radiohead
Danger Mouse
The Black Keys
Raconteurs
Sigur ros
Sleigh Bells
CSS
Gnarls Barkley
Deerhunter
Atlas Sound
Dead Can Dance

Are currently on my mp3 player. I just like music that is eclectic and original. Doesn't matter what decade it is.

Oh, and NBC had enough sense to show commericials during the Muse performance. Too bad I wasn't watching that one..

The focus of the opening and closing ceremonies was pop; mainstream pop.

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Muse=A bunch of insipid drivel. The kind of garbage people listen to when they're not listening to Lady Gaga.

What an idiotic statement. Muse is progressive, experimental rock. They're like the modern equivalent/combination of Rush and Pink Floyd. How you associate that with Lady Gaga, other than a poor and blatant attempt at trolling, I have no idea.

[PrairieBoyinExile]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Muse=A bunch of insipid drivel. The kind of garbage people listen to when they're not listening to Lady Gaga.


I'd rather associate the UK with the many great artists that have come from there.

At least they had a remnant of Oasis up there. Radiohead not really the ticket with Olympics I guess.

But much to my eternal chagrin I live in a Madonna universe.

Things have gone so far downhill since the Beatles.

Radiohead is in a league of its own, and would never participate in something like the Olympics anyway. Their albums have been rated best of the decade for both the 90s (Ok Computer) and 2000s (Kid A). Muse, though not remotely comparable to Radiohead, are a far more interesting band than Oasis.

[North Guy66]

David Bowie turned down the offer to sign off Sunday night's Olympic Games closing ceremony with a performance of Heroes, one of several high-profile acts who passed up the chance to perform in front of a global TV audience of hundreds of millions at the finale of London 2012.

Organizers of the £15m show had also hoped to persuade the Rolling Stones, Kate Bush and the Sex Pistols to appear in what was intended to be a history of British music. Even the Who, who did close the Games with a medley ending with My Generation, turned down the request to play twice, according to industry sources. But a decision by the band to announce a US tour in July swayed them, given the scale of the promotional opportunity.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012...osing-ceremony

Obviously there were some big time artists who rejected performing at the Olympics.

[Alex.L]

The brothers of Oasis won't even play on the same day at a festival because they might run into each other / there might be talk of a reunion. I'm sure the organizers tried, but there was never really any hope that it might actually happen.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

I've heard that Bowie has been in iffy health since his heart surgery from a while back.

[moahunter]

^i don't think he ever really recovered properly from the health problems due to his cocaine addiction.

[MrOilers]

David Bowie hasn't performed since his 2004 tour. He doesn't need to tour, either - I believe he's still the richest musician in the world, because he owns all of the rights to his songs.


I wish Iron Maiden could have performed. THAT would've been great... he he.

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

What an idiotic statement. Muse is progressive, experimental rock. They're like the modern equivalent/combination of Rush and Pink Floyd. How you associate that with Lady Gaga, other than a poor and blatant attempt at trolling, I have no idea.

Even equating Muse with Radiohead, Pink Floyd, or Rush is amusing. Few fans of those artists would do that although its interesting that you do.

Muse is vacant mush posturing to be something its not. An album based on the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics that sounds like dueling jackhammers. lol.

Its your ears.

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by PrairieBoyinExile

Radiohead is in a league of its own, and would never participate in something like the Olympics anyway. Their albums have been rated best of the decade for both the 90s (Ok Computer) and 2000s (Kid A). Muse, though not remotely comparable to Radiohead, are a far more interesting band than Oasis.

Oasis have written infinitely more memorable songs that will last the test of time than Muse. Wonderwall for instance being an epic moment in the closing ceremonies even played without the band whereas Muse's sonic slush written expressly for the event is hardly listenable. So bad really that NBC didn't even cover the song. It was an easy edit decision for them.

In fairness I seem not to be able to acquire the Muse taste but then it takes along time for anybody from what I've heard.

[Alex.L]

Regardless of anybody's taste in music, Muse is widely regarded as one of (if not 'the') best live rock acts in the world. Their stage/performance/etc is ridiculous.

The decision to ask Muse to play (and also to write the official 'song of the Olympics' for London) was a no-brainer, and I highly doubt anybody who had a say in it argued against them.

I get that you don't like them, but they are one of the top-billed acts in the world right now, and absolutely rival or equal Radiohead as far as headliner-ability goes. Comparing any band to Pink Floyd, and The Beatles is just silly.

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Dialog;459244..[/QUOTE

The focus of the opening and closing ceremonies was pop; mainstream pop.

I'm always guilty of missing these finer details.

Danny Boyle, who produced the opening ceremony, has a much more intune ear that definitely wanders off of what pop music typically is.

Was he not involved in producing the closing ceremony?

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Ander

Regardless of anybody's taste in music, Muse is widely regarded as one of (if not 'the') best live rock acts in the world. Their stage/performance/etc is ridiculous.

The decision to ask Muse to play (and also to write the official 'song of the Olympics' for London) was a no-brainer, and I highly doubt anybody who had a say in it argued against them.

I get that you don't like them, but they are one of the top-billed acts in the world right now, and absolutely rival or equal Radiohead as far as headliner-ability goes. Comparing any band to Pink Floyd, and The Beatles is just silly.

WE have our handshake here sir.

kudos

[Marcel Petrin]

It's entirely obvious from the context of my post I was not "comparing" Muse to Pink Floyd in terms of artistic merit or critical acclaim, but genre. Anyone who thinks that there's a significant overlap of Lady Gaga and Muse fans is entirely delusional.

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

It's entirely obvious from the context of my post I was not "comparing" Muse to Pink Floyd in terms of artistic merit or critical acclaim, but genre. Anyone who thinks that there's a significant overlap of Lady Gaga and Muse fans is entirely delusional.

Sorry I got it wrong.

Muse and Twilight then.

enjoy


I'm kidding around. Don't take it all so seriously.

I was playing with generational reference as much as other people in the thread are allowed to each time they bring up the generation gap.

Which is fair enough to toss back either way.

ps when you state:

"Muse is progressive, experimental rock. They're like the modern equivalent/combination of Rush and Pink Floyd."

lol, Its considered obvious that you mean something entirely different. Nice back pedal.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

I wish Iron Maiden could have performed. THAT would've been great... he he.

Did they trot out that old stapple, Ozzy, like they did for the Queen a while back?

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by Replacement

ps when you state:

lol, Its considered obvious that you mean something entirely different. Nice back pedal.

So when I mention the genre they play, and two other past bands that also played a similar style of music, that somehow means I'm equating them?

[Replacement]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

So when I mention the genre they play, and two other past bands that also played a similar style of music, that somehow means I'm equating them?

If you don't like being called on it choose your words better.

Again, this was your statement:

What an idiotic statement. Muse is progressive, experimental rock. They're like the modern equivalent/combination of Rush and Pink Floyd. How you associate that with Lady Gaga, other than a poor and blatant attempt at trolling, I have no idea.

So in sum you recoiled from my joke comparison about Lady Gaga and you then seriously proceed to suggest even worse comparisons. OK..and yes, "equivalent" means equate..

You're fast with the "idiotic" comments but then proceeded to make one. Not sure why you'd do that in the same post you were calling me out on.

Not only are you stating a comparison there you asserted Muse are equivalent to Rush and Pink Floyd combined.

hyperbole?

delusion?

empty accusation?

Anyway, no worries.

[SteveB]

The premis was "the opening ceremony is like a wedding, the closing like a wedding reception" they wanted a party using atheletes as an audience (mosh pit). That influenced the choice of music.

[PrairieBoyinExile]

Originally Posted by Replacement

Oasis have written infinitely more memorable songs that will last the test of time than Muse. Wonderwall for instance being an epic moment in the closing ceremonies even played without the band whereas Muse's sonic slush written expressly for the event is hardly listenable. So bad really that NBC didn't even cover the song. It was an easy edit decision for them.

In fairness I seem not to be able to acquire the Muse taste but then it takes along time for anybody from what I've heard.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wonderwall appeals to a lot of people because it's a lowest common denominator pop song. There's nothing challenging about it, and I certainly don't find it memorable.

Radiohead are just in a different league in terms of critical acclaim. The only other contemporary band that comes close is Arcade Fire. And I would say they are comparable to the Beatles or Pink Floyd in terms of the quality of the music; in fact probably better. The difference is that those groups came from a different era when technology available to create music was far more primitive.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by PrairieBoyinExile

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wonderwall appeals to a lot of people because it's a lowest common denominator pop song. There's nothing challenging about it, and I certainly don't find it memorable.

Radiohead are just in a different league in terms of critical acclaim. The only other contemporary band that comes close is Arcade Fire. And I would say they are comparable to the Beatles or Pink Floyd in terms of the quality of the music; in fact probably better. The difference is that those groups came from a different era when technology available to create music was far more primitive.

I love Radiohead.

I always find it funny when people say somehing to the effect that "writing pop songs is easy / trash / not challeneging", as if it was true. If it was true, everyone would be out there making money doing this easy thing. The reality is quite different, it isn't easy. Making music that appeals to more people, rather than fewer people, is harder, not easier. Wonderwall is an awesome song on a truely awesome album (IMO). I peronally wouldn't say its better or worse than, say, OK Computer, just different.

[MrOilers]

Originally Posted by moahunter

Did they trot out that old stapple, Ozzy, like they did for the Queen a while back?

You are thinking of Black Sabbath. But now that you mention it... Ozzy would've been good for a laugh.

[PrairieBoyinExile]

Originally Posted by moahunter

I love Radiohead.

I always find it funny when people say somehing to the effect that "writing pop songs is easy / trash / not challeneging", as if it was true. If it was true, everyone would be out there making money doing this easy thing. The reality is quite different, it isn't easy. Making music that appeals to more people, rather than fewer people, is harder, not easier. Wonderwall is an awesome song on a truely awesome album (IMO). I peronally wouldn't say its better or worse than, say, OK Computer, just different.

You assume that everyone is motivated by money alone. There are musicians out there who actually have talent and artistic integrity, and would rather be well-off making great music than multi-millionaires making horrible music. I understand that doesn't fit into your capitalist worldview. If you want to argue that a Nickelback album was more difficult to create than Kid A or OK Computer because it was more popular, go ahead. I'm not the only one who will think you're clueless.

[Dialog]

Oasis really dropped off after "What's the Story..."

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by PrairieBoyinExile

You assume that everyone is motivated by money alone. There are musicians out there who actually have talent and artistic integrity, and would rather be well-off making great music than multi-millionaires making horrible music. I understand that doesn't fit into your capitalist worldview. If you want to argue that a Nickelback album was more difficult to create than Kid A or OK Computer because it was more popular, go ahead. I'm not the only one who will think you're clueless.

You're talking to someone who thinks Bryan Adams is a guitarist on par with Jimi Hendrix