Sheer Brass Neck 08.05.2012 21:10 |
A national music columnist wrote this last week about groups that should rethink their current plans. Ouch. "They were the champions. Too bad most of Queen's surviving members didn't have the sense to retire undefeated. Instead, as you may have read, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor are preparing to hit the road again with singer Adam Lambert stepping into the late Freddie Mercury's pointe shoes. And if that isn't horrifying enough, they're also launching their hand-picked Queen Extravaganza tribute band, whose tour kicks off in late May. There is a word for this sort of stuff. And that word is: Wrong. So very, very wrong. Is there anyone aside from the musicians and their accountants who truly believes the best way to honour Queen and Mercury's legacy is to trot out a legion of ersatz Freddies? Honestly, they'd be better off with a hologram -- which, ironically, is the one thing Taylor has definitively ruled out." I guess this didn't make it to Brian's e-mail with the tons of people who emailed approving the AL and QE plans :) |
MadTheSwine73 08.05.2012 23:15 |
I wonder if this will do anything... |
Sheer Brass Neck 08.05.2012 23:59 |
Nope, just posted it as it represents a pretty healthy group of people who think it's an embarrassment, and sometimes people here never look beyond these pages for what non QZ'ers think. |
Michael Allred 09.05.2012 17:13 |
Sheer Brass Neck wrote: Nope, just posted it as it represents a pretty healthy group of people who think it's an embarrassment, and sometimes people here never look beyond these pages for what non QZ'ers think.and you never seek out the positive things said about the shows from non moanzoners. |
GratefulFan 09.05.2012 17:16 |
That piece was syndicated across multiple publications, but the comments in the one that ran in The Sun were the most amusing. Can always count on those Glamberts to come out and bleed often hilarious outrage for their guy. http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/04/reunited-and-it-feels-so-wrong?noimage=true It's the kind of column though that can seem superficial and snotty. Does anybody really want them to have retired? I just puzzle over the choices and the almost complete dearth of attention to their non hit material, to their most dedicated and broadly appreciative fans. Sometimes I wonder if Fred's death sealed this path in some ways. The way he is absent, and the way he is present. |
Micrówave 09.05.2012 17:17 |
A national music columnist wrote this...Well, there's your first problem. |
waunakonor 09.05.2012 17:41 |
I've just got one question; how exactly is Queen+Adam Lambert an insult to Freddie Mercury's memory? How do we know that he is unhappy with how things turned out? How is John Deacon any better as a voice for Freddie than Brian or Roger? I don't even know myself. Maybe Brian and Roger are ruining his name, maybe they aren't. It's food for thought. |
Sheer Brass Neck 09.05.2012 22:26 |
Michael Allred wrote:Nope, that's Brian May, someonewholovesadam and your job.Sheer Brass Neck wrote: Nope, just posted it as it represents a pretty healthy group of people who think it's an embarrassment, and sometimes people here never look beyond these pages for what non QZ'ers think.and you never seek out the positive things said about the shows from non moanzoners. If I post a legitimate question as a thread, will you respond to it honestly Michael? |
inu-liger 10.05.2012 05:29 |
GratefulFan wrote: It's the kind of column though that can seem superficial and snotty. Does anybody really want them to have retired? I just puzzle over the choices and the almost complete dearth of attention to their non hit material, to their most dedicated and broadly appreciative fans. Sometimes I wonder if Fred's death sealed this path in some ways. The way he is absent, and the way he is present. That columnist is an idiot. He got quite a bit of flak and criticism on Twitter over this article not just from Queen and Adam Lambert fans, but Tool fans as well. His choice of picture to represent himself in the articles doesn't certainly do him any favours, it only makes him look five times more grumpy than Dr. May on a bad day! |
Holly2003 10.05.2012 06:16 |
I suspect those going to Hammersmith will have a great time. It's a fantastic venue for rock concerts and just seeing Brian and Roger there would be great, regardless of who is singing. As for Lambert, I don't appreciate his voice or style of singing at all. However, I suspect he will find it easier to operate as a front man at Hammersmith rather than at the cancelled outdoor festival. It will be interetsing to hear how he handles the big outdoor shows before Hammersmith. Also, those who go will enjoy Hammersmith because concerts are always better when you attend them than when you listen to them afterwards. I saw The Cult at Wembley a long time ago and it was great. But when I finally got a bootleg of the show a few years ago it was underwhelming. So I suspect Queen + Lambert will get rave concert reviews (and maybe deservedly so) but if they release a live show (or decide to do some studio work) I suspect the outcome will be less than impressive. Either way, my main reaction/ emotion is bleuugh! How can anyone over the age of 16 get excited by this? Okay, seeing Brian & Rog is great but imagine who they might be playing with instead. Jimmy Page? Foo Fighters? There's so many interesting collaborations (as opposed to collab-abortions like Queen+ Five) they might do but choose not to. My interest level in "Queen" (I'd rather call it Queen- than Queen+) is about 3% at the minute. And falling! |
thomasquinn 32989 10.05.2012 08:03 |
Brian and Roger are old men who apparently need money and value attention over dignity. They are destroying themselves in the process, and I refuse to waste any more time on their idiotic schemes. It seems I was wrong about Brian all along - he was never a decent guy, just very very sad. |
tcc 10.05.2012 08:30 |
I think it is the continuous effort to do something and to keep having a project to work on that makes people like Brian and Roger young and able to go on living with a sense of purpose in life. They are so full of energy that they just cannot retire. So, whether we agree with what they choose to do or not, let us feel happy that our favourite band members still have the drive to do what they like best, that is, to play music. |
malicedoom 10.05.2012 09:05 |
Whatever. I'm going to see them on June 1st. I'm really looking forward to it. That columnist can go sodomize himself with an axe. |
Micrówave 10.05.2012 09:56 |
Brian and Roger are old men who apparently need money and value attention over dignity. They are destroying themselves in the process...Ok, really? I fail to see the point of non-artists beliefs that THEY know what the surviving members of Queen should be doing. I think they have sold a few more records than you and the lot combined. What gives anyone the thought that THEY know what is wrong and right for a former celebrity to be doing with their lives. I would think you would have to have some sort of common reference, which you don't. That's the whole point of being an artist, isn't it? Having the creative freedom to try something new? Who cares if you call on former resources to get your stuff out there? If you don't like it, shut up and just don't buy it. Who are you, anyway? |
GratefulFan 10.05.2012 11:16 |
There is a common reference in what other artists have done with their careers at comparable stages. I think people are certainly competent to note that some choices seem to leave more lost than gained. |
GratefulFan 10.05.2012 11:48 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote:It seems I was wrong about Brian all along - he was never a decent guy, just very very sad.I missed this bit first pass. Evidence of bad taste in singers maybe, but of poor character or indecency? Silly. |
Sheer Brass Neck 10.05.2012 15:25 |
Microwave said: "I fail to see the point of non-artists beliefs that THEY know what the surviving members of Queen should be doing. I think they have sold a few more records than you and the lot combined. What gives anyone the thought that THEY know what is wrong and right for a former celebrity to be doing with their lives. I would think you would have to have some sort of common reference, which you don't." Okay Microwave. You have nearly 7000 posts here, lots very good and you're a bit of a wag. You believe strongly in your opinions, which is great, but I ask you given that lead up, what gives YOU, or ANYONE on this forum, or any forum in the internet world the thought that THEY know what is wrong or right for anyone other than themselves? They don't but they come here to discuss it. If Brian and Roger release an album of the sounds Freddie made while devouring mountains of cocaine as a Queen record, does the fact that they've sold more records than all of us combined mean that we should accept it, or that they know better than us? Can't agree with you there. |
waunakonor 10.05.2012 15:58 |
Holly2003 wrote: How can anyone over the age of 16 get excited by this?Yay! That means I can still get excited about this, according to your standards! |
Micrówave 10.05.2012 17:45 |
Sheer Brass Neck wrote: If Brian and Roger release an album of the sounds Freddie made while devouring mountains of cocaine as a Queen record, does the fact that they've sold more records than all of us combined mean that we should accept it, or that they know better than us? Can't agree with you there.Well, you bought Made In Heaven so I guess you accepted it. Cocaine or not... they DO know better than us. They've got the skins on the wall (or platinum awards in this case). To accuse them of destroying their legacy because YOU don't like their album? That's absurd. Just don't buy it. My point is "who the #@!$ are you?" to the collective Brian haters. One album purchase doesn't make you a better career manager than who they've got on payroll |
john bodega 11.05.2012 00:16 |
*shrug* No, they've genuinely lost the plot. It's very nice that they still know how to put bums on seats, but if you want a remotely artistic discussion then it's clear that Roger and Brian make all of their decisions via blindfolded, dart-throwing monkeys. WWRY Musical. |
Micrówave 11.05.2012 09:52 |
Yes, well at least their getting there stuff out there... I don't see the need to attack the character of BM or RT. I haven't seen Zebonka & The TQ Band, The Microwave Project, Inu-liger & The Machine, or anyone else's smash records yet, so I guess it's cool that we tell them what they really should be doing. We would know. |
Michael Allred 11.05.2012 10:04 |
Sheer Brass Neck wrote:A legit question? from you? I'd be shocked but go ahead however I am always posting honestly.Michael Allred wrote:Nope, that's Brian May, someonewholovesadam and your job. If I post a legitimate question as a thread, will you respond to it honestly Michael?Sheer Brass Neck wrote: Nope, just posted it as it represents a pretty healthy group of people who think it's an embarrassment, and sometimes people here never look beyond these pages for what non QZ'ers think.and you never seek out the positive things said about the shows from non moanzoners. |
Sheer Brass Neck 11.05.2012 20:12 |
Okay, here goes, thread coming up Michael, with your name in it, and without prejudice. |
john bodega 12.05.2012 06:09 |
"I don't see the need to attack the character of BM or RT" I don't see the connection between 'attack' and 'observation'. Being a Queen fan these days is like having a friend that continually acts like an idiot and does stupid things, and trying desperately to keep that friendship alive. Being an apologist for someone who literally doesn't give a fuck anymore is too emotionally draining an experience for me to want to take part of. You're left there having to list all of their flaws and then at the end of it still have enough breath left over to say " ... but he's alright". I remain steadfastly supportive of the goodies they've thrown our way in the past 10-15 years. The latest doco, Brian busting out Bijou in '08, their show at the Prince's Trust. Awesome stuff. I didn't even hate the album entirely, MOR as it was. What I just can't understand is why should anyone remain slackjawed and approving when Queen gets it wrong though? Seriously? What is the actual difference between expressing a favourable opinion on something as opposed to a negative one? If the internet had a moratorium on posting honest commentary, no one would be able to say what they really think about One Direction, Jersey Shore, Michael Bay or Kim Kardashian. I'm willing to put money down on the idea that all four of those horrid phenomena came about (in part) because no one's allowed to complain about anything anymore. If something sucks, you're supposed to just stop thinking about it and enjoy it, as though the idea of something intellectually stimulating isn't going to be enjoyable as well. Fuck that noise, is all I can say. Fuck it right in the ear. |
john bodega 12.05.2012 06:14 |
"I guess it's cool that we tell them what they really should be doing. We would know" Common fuckin' fallacy, this one. There are two sides of the equation - the guy that makes the stuff, and the guy that consumes the stuff. You're assuming that only one of these guys is allowed to have an opinion; well, that's bunkum. I don't need to be a plumber to know shit plumbing when I see it. I could just ignore it, but maybe I want better. As a creatively inclined person for whom the business has basically stalled lately, it's not news to me that it's a tough fuckin' job and that it sucks when you hear someone shooting you down. But A) Brian can't hear me, so it doesn't matter. And B) Roger and Brian are in a pretty enviable position to put music out. They're too hung up on the idea of whether it'll sell or not to just get off their arses and do it, and to me that's hard to stomach. The problem is that, in spite of what you say, they aren't 'getting it out there'. Q+AL and the Extravaganza are creative cul-de-sacs. I'll say this much about Q+PR - I hated the guys nauseating voice, but at least they put a fucking album out. |