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Post by A$AP Rosko on Sept 22, 2010 13:11:06 GMT -5
Created so as not to further derail the MMJ thread in TML
I think "best songwriter" and "best lyricist" should be treated separately as two different categories. As I said in the MMJ thread, my nominee for best lyricist is Craig Finn. Not sure who best songwriter would be, but I would think the big guns--Thom Yorke, Jack White III, Win Butler, etc. And there's probably someone more awesome that I'm stupidly forgetting.
Anyway...discuss. And there will be no mention of that emo kid Conor Oberst in this thread Just kidding.
Post by A$AP Rosko on Sept 22, 2010 13:12:36 GMT -5
Also, HOW CAN I FORGET Jeff Tweedy. For BOTH categories. His lyrics are consistently phenomenal. Especially on YHF. Not so much on the last Wilco album, though...And his arrangements are consistently interesting.
Good call on Tweedy. I think when talking about best songwriter you really have to include both the arrangements and the lyrics these days. Sufjan Stevens really stands out as a name that will be tossed around quite a bit as this generation's greatest songwriter. It's harder for me to consider Yorke because of all the work that Jonny Greenwood and the rest of the gang do in sculpting their sound. Honestly James Murphy is one of the best around in my opinion.
Sure, his career dates back to the late 70s, but Nick Cave continues to put out some of the best, most unique lyrics of the last decade.
All Tweedy, Ryan Adams, and Oberst are up for contention.
That's all I have for now.
And, I'd hardly consider Jack White a great lyricist, but one of the top overall artists (singing, guitar, output). I would consider Isaac Brock, but after "Moon & Antarctica" his output has gone way down, in quality.
Post by A$AP Rosko on Sept 22, 2010 13:41:32 GMT -5
Totally agree on James Murphy. And totally agree that the word "songwriter" should encompass all that comes with writing a song, including but not limited to lyrics. That's actually why I think "best lyricist" is and should be a different category than "best songwriter." I figured we could use this thread for both the best songwriter and best lyricist discussions
ok, maybe not slash thread, but he must be considered. While his vocal delivered is not the best, the man writes some amazing songs. Great examples would be Just Breathe, Come Back, Thumbing My Way, Off He Goes, Nothingman, and Slight of Hand. Please check these out before criticizing. Please also consider that song writting with pearl jam is a group effort, everyone contributes there own songs.
Jack White was mentioned on this thread before Neil Mother quacking Young.
Some people's obsessions I just can't understand...
"of our generation"
Now tell me though, does Cave count? He's been putting out stuff lately that is legit great songwriting? I think if an artist's genius carries over decades and their new material is comparable to or better than allot of the "best" stuff now, it should count. If that is agreeable, OP, I'd like to throw the name of one Edward Ka-Spel into the hat.
Now tell me though, does Cave count? He's been putting out stuff lately that is legit great songwriting? I think if an artist's genius carries over decades and their new material is comparable to or better than allot of the "best" stuff now, it should count. If that is agreeable, OP, I'd like to throw the name of one Edward Ka-Spel into the hat.
Yeah, I don't see why not. Some guys are late bloomers. Nick Cave is both an early bloomer and a late bloomer. Tom Waits gets consideration on this provision as well.
Now tell me though, does Cave count? He's been putting out stuff lately that is legit great songwriting? I think if an artist's genius carries over decades and their new material is comparable to or better than allot of the "best" stuff now, it should count. If that is agreeable, OP, I'd like to throw the name of one Edward Ka-Spel into the hat.
Yeah, I don't see why not. Some guys are late bloomers. Nick Cave is both an early bloomer and a late bloomer. Tom Waits gets consideration on this provision as well.
Agreed on Waits.
He'll go down as all time... don't say it's "untrue" either
Actually, I'm gonna GIVE Dan'Roo an awesome point for this (even if he was being sarcastic). Already promised to myself I was gonna give an awesome point to the first person who introduces a hip-hop artist into the mix. Hip-hop music (good hip-hop music, I should say) puts a lot of focus on the lyrics (although, as has been said, lyrics aren't the whole formula for songwriting). I was gonna say Andre 3K, but then decided I'd let someone else say Kanye and get Leno for it. Kanye may be a douchebag, but he can produce a catchy pop hook like nobody's business.
Yeah, I don't see why not. Some guys are late bloomers. Nick Cave is both an early bloomer and a late bloomer. Tom Waits gets consideration on this provision as well.
Agreed on Waits.
He'll go down as all time... don't say it's "untrue" either
It was CATEGORICALLY untrue, get it right!
But I agree with Waits going down as one of the all-time greats. He's not even human.
Not joking, as much as I hate Gaga, no one compares to Soulja Boy. NO ONE.
Totally Agreeable with this statement. I never said gaga was better, just didn't want her feeling left out.
Seemingly, this thread, who's original destination was 'Best Lyricist Ever award', has spiraled uncontrollably and is now heading directly for 'Musician who most sucks at life award', and I didnt start this one.
Post by A$AP Rosko on Sept 22, 2010 15:13:24 GMT -5
While Cohen is amazing, not sure he should be in this discussion. He has released a grand total of 3 studio albums in the last 20 years and zero in the last 5 years.
Just kidding.
