I still don't understand how people can take away from a song if they don't like lyrical content. I've argued this at length already but here's a point Riley made in regards to whether the band has any input on lyrics. I also made a similar point many weeks ago: "At the end of the day, the most important thing is that he [Dustin] feels passionate about what he’s singing about, because when we’re playing them live he’s going to be feeling what he’s singing about." If Dustin makes a statement about drone warfare that I happen to disagree with, I'm not going to let it ruin my enjoyment of the song. He writes lyrics for himself, not the listener. If you connect with it, that's fine but that's not the intent. I've worked with enough singers to know that they couldn't care less what the audience thinks of their lyrics as the audience seldom understands what they're even trying to say. That doesn't mean they'll take away the listener's interpretation of their lyrics. The song means whatever you want it to mean. Yes, lyrics can be more straightforward in some cases, but it's still a personal thought/opinion/belief being put on display. Personally, I don't care what a vocalist is trying to say as long as they deliver great melodies and perform their heart out. Who am I to say: "Those words that mean so much to you are garbage.."? Or, "Your metaphor on foreign policy is so weak! Had it been better, I'd like this song more."
Because your argument doesn't make sense, it doesn't matter what Dustin feels about something or how he connects with something. It's all well and good, but if someone doesn't like the lyrics it's perfectly valid. Just because you don't care about lyrical content it doesn't mean every one else feels the same way. Lyrics are a part of a song, they can be criticized just like everything else in a song. If Dustin went in and put the lyrics to the Nae Nae in a song like Deadbolt, I would criticize the hell out of the lyrics, I know it's an extreme example, but it's kinda what you're getting at.
You don't have to like the lyrics but that shouldn't affect your overall appreciation for the song. I'm mainly responding to Nick's point above how the new songs' "lyrics and melodies are sticking points" for him. Thus, I'm responding to the lyric-related point (again). To clarify, this doesn't mean a vocalist can get a free pass to be offensive or anything like that. But, per your logic, if you're going to criticize lyrics, why can't we criticize topics? What if I said, "I don't like the topic of drone warfare. Dustin should've written about his Mars Hill experience instead. Therefore, I don't like this song as much given the topic.."? Wouldn't that be ridiculous? As long as Dustin is an active member of Thrice and is expressing himself the only way he knows how, then I'm happy to sing along to the lyrics he writes. A mulatto An albino A mosquito My Libido Yay!
That would be your opinion, I may not agree with it, but that doesn't matter. Lyrics are fair game when criticizing music, whether you like it or not.
It becomes a problem when he replies to every person who has misgivings about the lyrics tho. He mentioned he's done it before, why the need to do it again. The condescending tone of his posts are a problem as well, as if because he doesn't care about the lyrics no one should.
You can criticize lyrics and song topics if you'd like. It is patently absurd that this keeps being brought up like it's not allowed. Lyrical analysis and criticism or appreciation is a part of the listening experience for many, I'm really tired of one specific person telling people how they should respond to art.
At no point did I "tell others how to enjoy art." It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me when listeners devalue a song over lyrical content. Again, why aren't we criticizing topics while we're at it? Even his bandmates don't care what he says as long as his lyrics mean something to him and compel him enough to want to sing them over and over again for the rest of his life. Should atheists immediately devalue most of Thrice's material if they don't share Dustin's belief system? Again, criticizing lyrics is such a slippery slope. I don't mind melodies, performance, cadence, tone etc. being criticized but lyrics are a different story. At least the former items can measured or rated to some degree. Elsewhere, I read a comment from someone who disliked Black Honey's lyrics because of a traumatic bee-sting from their childhood. I don't know why Nick thinks my points are about him. I'm using his point as a general example. I'm not telling Nick how to feel, what to feel etc. I wrote my posts rather carefully for this very reason. I thought I could have a reasonable discussion about this again, but no one is willing to answer some valid questions I've raised.
If this guy keeps going on about telling others how to enjoy art I'm going to start telling him better ways to spend $800 than trying to get sent an advance of this album
I apologise to everyone for starting this back up. I didn't realise my innocent post would lead to this. Maybe if I kept up with the thread, but I didn't. Back to the point at hand I am liking these songs a lot better than I was a couple weeks back.
I cant believe we are talking about lyrical content and whether it can be judged. Is this real life. Lol Maybe Dustin should have just hummed on this or played the harmonica
I'm going to ask nicely that you please stop with this or I'm gonna boot you out of this thread. Your argument stifles conversation and debate over lyrical content, structure, themes, motifs, and much more - all of this: criticism and appreciation of art and literature is very valid and a welcome conversation on our forums. I'm growing really tired of the way you try and stop all debate about a very interesting part of art criticism to the vast majority of people.
Not encouraging anyone to act on it unless they feel the need to do so, but for the sake of keeping the peace in this thread, I'd just like to mention that the block button is an easy way filter posts that may be stressing you out from users you may be having issues with. I'm a mod and even I've used it haha. It can be nice take take a breather from certain users or discussions.