Lars is a very one dimensional player. Although capable, there are far better metal drummers then him
Roger Taylor is a very gifted musician. He plays with a very natural swing, and is able to play convincingly in different styles. He also generates a great deal of power. A much better player than Lars Ulrich.
Neither player comes close to Neil Peart or any of the drummers who played in Frank Zappa's band over the years.
Why do people compare musicians?
Lars may be a technically better player, but that's about the only thing that can be compared here. Everything else comes down to opinion and taste.
The Real Wizard wrote:
Why do people compare musicians?
Lars may be a technically better player, but that's about the only thing that can be compared here. Everything else comes down to opinion and taste.
That's why we discuss it. Of course, I think we would all think pretty much the same thing, but it's still nice to let our opinions be known. If we couldn't discuss our opinions on people and things, what the hell would we be doing on this website?
Fair play.
Naturally I meant "competition," which can lead to short-sighted statements about the music as a whole. Comparison is healthy and all, but every second youtube clip has "singer X is better than singer Y, therefore band Y sucks" type banter.
I guess I just don't like things that lead to some kind of partisanship. Maybe it's the hippie in me.
As a big fan of both bands and drummers I would probably say that most of the stuff Roger plays blows Lars out of the water. Brighton Rock for instance or almost anything from the 70's albums.
I did notice their physical similarities a long time ago, they DID look similar, just compare Roger from the early 70s with Lars from the late 80s/early 90s.
But as musicians ... Both used to be excellent drummers but both suck now. But Roger was always an excellent singer. I heard singing Lars once and I don't want to hear him again
While Roger mignht not master the use of double-bass drums, he plays much tighter than Lars who seems to forget the basics of his instrument...
Anyway, there are many better drummers out there than the two of them.
'better' is very objective. Others that can play all the technical stuff and do double kick work etc? Yes. Drummers that can play with feel, taste, and perfectly match the song? Not many better than RT. I know which I'd describe as 'better'.
Lars was much shorter than Roger Taylor and therefore is the inferior drummer. The only thing short drummers are good for are double kick work.... and who the hell needs that crap anyways?
To cmsdrums: in the 70's, Roger was clearly a fantastic drummer according to your criteria. In the 80's..well..there was a drummer in Queen?
I could name dozens of drummers who match the technical and feel-taste items.
Good point. However you could argue that what they did in the 80's (bland playing and lots of machines) actually still suited the songs (although I'm not a fan of that approach)
