Songfacts sounds off against Guitar Hero and American Idol

[packerfan8675309]

While this may be more suitable for General (wasn't completely sure) I felt I should share this incredibly stupid piece of writing with you.

http://www.songfacts.com/blog/writing/the_2000s_was_the_worst_decade_for_music_ever_/

In the article they talk about how the past decade was the worst in music history, which may be factual but then go on to list American Idol and Guitar Hero as reasons why.

"Harmless, right? After all, it's just plain good fun, isn't it? Well, sort of. Winners of American Idol and players of the Guitar Hero / Rock Band series of video games start to think of themselves as musicians on the same level as professionals - and American Idol contestants get treated that way by the media, until the next season. Our beef is with the amateur-hour effect on music - and the fact that more bands are making their music "Guitar-Hero friendly," in the hopes of spreading their fame through the game. This causes the intricate solos to be replaced by Fisher-Price 1-2-3-4 riffs that a toddler could play."

I don't even know where to start.

[bengino]

If i were to ever hear anyone claim that they were musician's because of the games that they play like "OMG, i'm a great guitarist i can play this song on Expert and everything", i'd have to slap them... HARD. I've been playing these games since Guitar Hero 1, and have no ambitions of being a great musician. I have had the want to learn instilled in me, but under no circumstances does me beating a song on expert make me believe that i can take a real guitar/bass and play it flawlessly.

As for American Idol, that goes without saying, aside from maybe 2 winners, does anyone know what happened to many of those "stars"? Calling Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino (i think her name was)

[CCDaDon]

O_O

I can see bashing games as a way to get popular, because it is kinda sad that this has become the way to learn of new music, but their reasoning why it's hurting the business HURTS MY BRAIN.

If a band wants to get popular from the games, wouldn't they have to make more intricate solos than easy riffs? Do they know of the instant popularity skyrocket of Dragonforce and Buckethead for their stupidly dumb solos? The reasoning just makes me wonder if the writer has his brain or not.

[A New Pyro Fool]

This is just one person's opinion, no?

[packerfan8675309]

I also feel it is supremely unfair to compare American Idol winners to Guitar Hero players. Sure I might not like their music, but that is extremely unjustified.

I would like to know of some of these bands that are crafting their music to Guitar Hero and Rock Band the wrong way.

[packerfan8675309]

This is just one person's opinion, no?

I dont really see the point of that comment, but no not really. They said at the top of the article that it is based largely on the commentary had in the forums on the site and I assumed that it was a staff effort to compose the article as no formal author is listed.

[chumsicles]

Here's the opposing viewpoint (http://www.songfacts.com/blog/writing/the_2000s_was_the_best_decade_for_music_ever_/)

[Blackjack041277]

...players of the Guitar Hero / Rock Band series of video games start to think of themselves as musicians on the same level as professionals.LOL! They do?


more bands are making their music "Guitar-Hero friendly," in the hopes of spreading their fame through the game. This causes the intricate solos to be replaced by Fisher-Price 1-2-3-4 riffs that a toddler could play.LOL! They are? (for example....?) *English teacher moment*

More of the same nonsense from people who might as well have started asking gamers why they don't get a real gun and shoot some real Germans when Call of Duty and games like that started becoming so popular.

[A New Pyro Fool]

I dont really see the point of that comment, but no not really. They said at the top of the article that it is based largely on the commentary had in the forums on the site and I assumed that it was a staff effort to compose the article as no formal author is listed.
There is a method to my madness. No need to defame it. For that matter, I don't see the point of posting this article. The article complains about Guitar Hero; not Rock Band. When you assume, you make a butt of you and me.

If it is one person's opinion on a website that isn't particularly a staple of the internet, then its presence does not matter. However, it is a product of many opinions, thus becoming a multiple becoming multiple opinions on a website that is still not important. In fact, after re-reading the OP, you yourself say that it is "stupid."

Personally, I'm not particularly phased by the music game comments since I don't consider myself a music star by any means. Also, the author clearly does not acknowledge the difficulty of the games or that real musicians who have played the game have failed miserably. Music games and playing real instruments are two completely different skills that are only tied from the idea that they are both music-related.

I apologize for the extremity of my comments. I am incredibly tired and in the process of writing a term paper. This is merely procrastination, which I am a champion at tonight I might add.

[Flux_Capacitor22]

I found it amusing that the only music he used to support his argument was mainstream radio music.

[wrldindstries302]

The 2000s are second only to the 90s in terms of amazing music produced, and as time goes on and I hear music released from the eras, the gap becomes smaller and smaller.

imo of course

[WingsOfSteel]

"the fact that more bands are making their music "Guitar-Hero friendly," in the hopes of spreading their fame through the game. This causes the intricate solos to be replaced by Fisher-Price 1-2-3-4 riffs that a toddler could play."

Ah, yes, because music from 2000 - 2005 was characterized by the prominence of "intricate solos" and "Fisher Price 1-2-3-4 riffs" were practically unheard of until 2005. Also, music quality is determined by its technical difficulty, just ask the Ramones, Nirvana and Bob Dylan.

This goes beyond crappy opinions, these are facts that have no basis in reality.

[Baanu_Rass]

Our beef is with the amateur-hour effect on music - and the fact that more bands are making their music "Guitar-Hero friendly," in the hopes of spreading their fame through the game. This causes the intricate solos to be replaced by Fisher-Price 1-2-3-4 riffs that a toddler could play."






If a band wants to get popular from the games, wouldn't they have to make more intricate solos than easy riffs? Do they know of the instant popularity skyrocket of Dragonforce and Buckethead for their stupidly dumb solos? The reasoning just makes me wonder if the writer has his brain or not.

Once more for emphasis.

[gagnon49456]

I think real musicians should look favorably on these games specially considering for one how many kids are buying up classic albums by Rolling stones, the who the Beatles or would have even really had many of the more obscure bands in the games even on their radar. I never knew how much of a rabib fan of Muse I was till I played Knights on GH3 and checked out their Discography. Also right now in a Guitar center near you I can guarantee that there is at least one eight year old playing sweet child of mine or shredding like the kids in Black Tide right now Because he/she got interested in playing the real thing playing with plastic. So kids having better taste in music and getting interested in learning to play themselves is Bad...Hmm
To bad a few too many "TRUE" Musicians are D-bags. Also I hate American Idol, but love Kelly Clarkson's music so even on that boat talent shines through when its truly there.

[I8Snow4Aurora]

I find it amusing, sort of, how some of these musicians feel so threatened by GH and RB. They are so into themselves that they think that someone playing pretend instruments is causing the general public to not appreciate just how talented these certain jealous musicians are.

They're like, "look at me. I really do have the talent unlike these people playing the games." The sad thing is that these musicians don't realize that we all know it's just a game and none of us gamers really believes that we could ever be as good as those egomaniacs.

The funny thing to me is that most of these musicians that I have heard say negative things about RB/GH are really just marginally talented themselves such as John Mayer. These people that have a problem with music games are seriously insecure.

[GodKilla666]

sounds like the author just sucks at these games. probably fails on medium or something. theres always gonna be that someone who makes a fuss over other people having fun. jealous much?

[weirdphil]

soundfacts? More like elitist-bias-uneducated-I-post-this-sort-of-garbage-everyday-just-so-I-can-get-hits-on-my-webpage-for-my-opinions.com, amiright?

The best thing you can do with garbage on the internet like this is to not give it attention. Out of sight out of mind. A dude wants to get a bunch of hits on his blog so he can get a raise from his boss: what's the quickest solution?

1) Write a bogus article about the economy and blame it all on the new trandy video game. (Remember hot coffee from GTA, or the OMGalienSEX from Mass Effect? Both Rated M anyway, who buys these games for their kids anyway?)

2) Write a totally false article about Wii/PS3/360 that throws one on a pedistal and the other in the garbage bin and gets one group all defensive, and the other group gets all high-and-mighty and flames the targeted group. Guess what? You're all suckers! You've just put 250 comments from a stupid flamewar attached to a false article.

The article may be full of crap, but it's the people who hate the opinions enough to flame them on their own page that are giving these idiots the attention they want. You may see a stupid flame war now, I can tell you that this dude's boss is seeing a ton of traffic being directed to that blog/article and traffic = money.

[Ehfahq]

There is a method to my madness. No need to defame it. For that matter, I don't see the point of posting this article. The article complains about Guitar Hero; not Rock Band. When you assume, you make a butt of you and me.


""Harmless, right? After all, it's just plain good fun, isn't it? Well, sort of. Winners of American Idol and players of the Guitar Hero / Rock Band series of video games start to think of themselves as musicians on the same level as professionals........"

:rolleyes:

[afterstasis]

i couldn't force myself to read that, so i can't truly comment... it would be like bullying a little kid with a cast on his leg (or his brain, in this case).

[kiggidykev]

Kind of a laugh to read that, especially the part about "Winners of American Idol and players of the Guitar Hero / Rock Band series of video games start to think of themselves as musicians on the same level as professionals". Stereotype much?

[afterstasis]

Kind of a laugh to read that, especially the part about "Winners of American Idol and players of the Guitar Hero / Rock Band series of video games start to think of themselves as musicians on the same level as professionals". Stereotype much?

the funny thing is that anyone who sings (or plays any instrument) is just as much of a musician as the professionals.

making money with music doesn't mean you're making music any more or less authentic than a teenager singing in front of a bunch of judges.

[bermuddy]

isnt the winner of american idol a professional?

edit: eff your ninja skills.

[Ehfahq]

Has anybody on these boards ever meet somebody who plays GH/RB and actually thinks they are musicians like the article describes.

Ive been playing these games for years and ive yet to meet one.

[kiggidykev]

Yeah, I've also yet to come across someone who plays a music video game and calls themselves a musician.

On the other hand, I've met a LOT of people who play real instruments and like to tell me all about how music games are insulting compared to what they do.

[afterstasis]

On the other hand, I've met a LOT of people who play real instruments and like to tell me all about how music games are insulting compared to what they do.

i've noticed these folks also have a tendency to be the type who look down on musicians who play cheaper instruments, don't play as technically as they do, approach their music less professionally, etc...

anyone got any idea what i'm trying to say? :p

[zack10house]

the type who look down on musicians who play cheaper instruments

I hate those guys :p so what if I'm playing a 100 dollar Strat knock-off? I can actually PLAY it, I'm not just like "look at this piece of wood I spent 1200 dollars on to get girls" (seriously, the kid I'm referring to doesn't even have an amp, but he feels the need to show off his guitar to EVERYONE)

.../off-topic

[kiggidykev]

i've noticed these folks also have a tendency to be the type who look down on musicians who play cheaper instruments, don't play as technically as they do, approach their music less professionally, etc...

anyone got any idea what i'm trying to say? :p

Maybe they're just eager to find a reason to look down on people :)

My sister's new boyfriend made a great first impression at New Years. They came over for drinks, and he says "I was so excited when I saw all the guitars here, but then I noticed that most of them are for that video game and one is a pillow. Too bad you don't have any REAL ones"

[Ehfahq]

anyone got any idea what i'm trying to say? :p

I know exactly what you are saying. My ex-bandmate manages a Sam Ash. Ive seen this people time and time again. Its really annoying when somebody with talent feels the need to gloat about it and put others down.

[hawkofva]

"...most of them are for that video game and one is a pillow."

Photos necessary.

[bermuddy]

Maybe they're just eager to find a reason to look down on people :)

My sister's new boyfriend made a great first impression at New Years. They came over for drinks, and he says "I was so excited when I saw all the guitars here, but then I noticed that most of them are for that video game and one is a pillow. Too bad you don't have any REAL ones"

your sister could do better.

[kiggidykev]

Photos necessary.

It looks like this (http://thoughtsatlarge.com/myPictures/Meg%20-%20guitar%20pillow.JPG) except it's red and there's no little girl holding it. That cost extra.


your sister could do better.

Well she did stop seeing the guy that was a very vocal anti-Weezerite, so this is a step in the right direction

[afterstasis]

pfft, i bet that little girl thinks she's frickin' courtney love with that stupid pink guitar! i always figured pillows would be the downfall of rock music!

[back_blows]

Has anybody on these boards ever meet somebody who plays GH/RB and actually thinks they are musicians like the article describes.

Ive been playing these games for years and ive yet to meet one.

You've never met Thad Jarvis? He plays Guitar Hero, acoustically.

[Ehfahq]

Hahaha

nice reference.

[oogabooha]

But at the same time, you do have to realize that GH/RB IS just a videogame, but it is another new form of distribution.

I will also agree that GH/RB has spawned a whole new generation of douchebags in the way that there are people that play GH/RB and think that they can move onto real guitar, and when they play it they are extremely mediocre, yet they don´t want to be associated with that and act like they are complete pro´s at the instrument. I get flamed by those douches when I play real instruments and I also play RB.

[overdriveguitarman]

But at the same time, you do have to realize that GH/RB IS just a videogame, but it is another new form of distribution.

I will also agree that GH/RB has spawned a whole new generation of douchebags in the way that there are people that play GH/RB and think that they can move onto real guitar, and when they play it they are extremely mediocre, yet they don´t want to be associated with that and act like they are complete pro´s at the instrument. I get flamed by those douches when I play real instruments and I also play RB.

I don't understand this.

What? I played GH3 and that influenced me to learn real guitar and I have been playing for over 2 1/2 years now every week with lessons from the beginning. And I think I am actually doing very well, I now can listen to a song and be able to play it by ear, and I make my own songs.

I think someone can move on from GH/RB and become a very solid guitar player if they really try.

[oogabooha]

I don't understand this.

What? I played GH3 and that influenced me to learn real guitar and I have been playing for over 2 1/2 years now every week with lessons from the beginning. And I think I am actually doing very well, I now can listen to a song and be able to play it by ear, and I make my own songs.

I think someone can move on from GH/RB and become a very solid guitar player if they really try.

Agh, how do I phrase this, I knew I put that sentence wrong. There is a new generation of douches that (at least where I live) try to become elitists, and think they are great at the guitar and don´t want to be associated with GH/RB. Yes, there are people who go from RB to real guitar/other instrument and have a passion for it, but for every one of those, theres always a person that gets turned onto the guitar in a wrong way because of these games, and is a complete douche to everyone around them.

[wolfdarkside]

So, MTV and VH1, as you expand from one to two to five channels, could you, I dunno, show just one music video? Like, per year? Just humor us on this.
they got it right on mtv, but vh1 classic plays rockumentaries and music countdowns round the clock. evn the movies are music-relative....plus they play loads and loads of concerts at a certainpoint of the year....
this writer needs to get some of his "facts" straight.

Grunge is the cockroach of rock; it does not evolve because it accidentally found the perfect survival strategy the first time, so now it only needs to worry about reproducing itself as fast as possible. Emo, nu-metal, and sludge are all pretty widely hated and yet adored by a tiny cult. Good rap and hip-hop are awesome, but... is there any left? They're losing steam. Seriously! Go out and shock people again, rap and hip-hop! House/dance/techno is disappearing up its own derivative backside. And, oh, country, pop, and gospel get picked on, but no different from any other decade. Goth is still stuck in Hot Topic, and the more goths complain about Hot Topic, the more we see shopping there.

NO! rap and pop is the overflow! nu-metal introduce people into heavier music, thus getting people interested in acts that are actually good and deserve attention! country is just fine where it is right now, its not flowing into every musical station, its not full of crazy pop divas. and what happened to blues, it matters too! its kind of what created rock and pop in the first place
and what does GOTH have to do with MUSIC! dear god....

Think about that. Do you know why Ozzy, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Cure are still touring and finding a new generation of fans? It's because we haven't found a replacement yet! This is painful and embarrassing. We're going to end up with Ozzy hobbling out onto the stage (The Canceled Retirement Tour 2033) with a walker and a colostomy bag going, "You haven't found anybody to fill my shoes yet? I'm bloody tired!"
WHAT?!?!?!?
its because they are THAT GOOD! people like them so much they want to see them tour as many times as possible!

Between AIDS and drugs, a whole generation of musical talent got wiped out.

Kurt Cobain, Nirvana (42)
he killed himself because he was in pain! it wasnt just the drugs! and even more, that stuff as been around since the king presley himself...there isnt any hole, thats just what happens! this is an average sized list with names that shouldnt even be there....

A 99-cent single download to your iPod just doesn't feel the same. It's harder to wrap up 1s and 0s and give it to someone for Christmas.
called a gift card by most, but ok....and yes you can still buy real albums with all of this and that....

Metallica Oh, how the mighty have fallen! 1980s Metallica: Ass-kicking metal gods. 2000s Metallica: Wimpy, whining wet blanket
im not even going to say how screwed that sentence is. i'm sorry, but whats your definition of a whining blanket? a whhole metal album that was themed to death? im confused now.

this writer needs to get his "facts" straight.

[wolfdarkside]

i think this influences drums more nowadays, as i know drummers who can play everything on expert and think theyre the best drummers ever, but they just get this blank look on their face when they hear the word "fundamentals". it just destroys me when a kid talks of how awesome he is when he cant even hold the stick right, let alone traditional grip. give him a piece of sheet music, it'll be like giving a monkey a pencil and telling him to write his name. and they even play rolls and such wih one hand....wth!

i mean, if you actually took the time to learn drums instead of just showing off on rockband, its not so bad. even more, you could have been like me and got a drumset before rockband even came out!

i understand how guitarists get affected by this, with people thinking they can immediately pick up a guitar and play those insane solos just because they could play a copy of it that is translated into 5 little buttons on a piece of plastic. thats not even a full octave! just one guitar string can play 3 different octaves!
/rant.

[overdriveguitarman]

i think this influences drums more nowadays, as i know drummers who can play everything on expert and think theyre the best drummers ever, but they just get this blank look on their face when they hear the word "fundamentals". it just destroys me when a kid talks of how awesome he is when he cant even hold the stick right, let alone traditional grip. give him a piece of sheet music, it'll be like giving a monkey a pencil and telling him to write his name. and they even play rolls and such wih one hand....wth!

i mean, if you actually took the time to learn drums instead of just showing off on rockband, its not so bad. even more, you could have been like me and got a drumset before rockband even came out!

i understand how guitarists get affected by this, with people thinking they can immediately pick up a guitar and play those insane solos just because they could play a copy of it that is translated into 5 little buttons on a piece of plastic. thats not even a full octave! just one guitar string can play 3 different octaves!
/rant.

Out of curiosity, what is the correct way to hold the stick? And the different ways?

Someday I hope to get a drum set.

[aggiesrul8]

I still would like to meet the folks who think they can play the guitar like Angus Young because they play expert guitar on Rockband??

Also, on a related note, this article makes me laugh just thinking about bands recording music these days and stopping during the middle of a song, and yell, "Damnit, this will not be easy enough on Rockband/Guitar Hero. Do over biotches. From the top."

Really??

[Ehfahq]

i think this influences drums more nowadays, as i know drummers who can play everything on expert and think theyre the best drummers ever.

Ive never seen nor meet these people. When people proclaim on this site that they are great drummers its in regards to the game.

[jonoo24]

I can play most songs on expert drums. I do not consider myself a good IRL drummer at all but i am sure as hell better than anybody who hasn't played rockband drums or real drumming.

[wolfdarkside]

Out of curiosity, what is the correct way to hold the stick? And the different ways?

Someday I hope to get a drum set.

go to vicfirth.com for stuff like that, they have everything you need. plus they are a huge drumstick manufacturer!!!

one more thing- dont get pro-marks. they break much quicker than other brands.

[JesusSilencio]

To be honest, I would argue that the people on American Idol are musicians, as they are actually singing and performing.


go to vicfirth.com for stuff like that, they have everything you need. plus they are a huge drumstick manufacturer!!!

one more thing- dont get pro-marks. they break much quicker than other brands.

Yeah, vicfirth has some good videos. The basic idea (for match grip) is to grip the stick between your thumb and first finger (this is called the fulcrum), then let the other fingers loosely wrap around the stick.

I use promarks for drum set, specifically because they don't break as easily as other sticks I've used. Maybe it was just the specific type of sticks you used...

[bmaninc]

I cannot begin to debunk this.

[ArmsAreLoud]

There's just soooo much wrong with this, I don't even know where to start.

[toymachineSH]

SongFacts has a problem with morons not GH and AI

[CCDaDon]

SongFacts has a problem with morons not GH and AI

If so then they'd have a problem with themselves, wouldn't they?

[toymachineSH]

touché

[SequenceF]

That article spoke truth.

Especially about the lack of.....anything....in the first decade of the 21st century. From a cultural standpoint, 2000 to 2009 will be remembered for being unrememberable.

[toymachineSH]

you have to be smart enough to find something of substance to listen to :P

[Joey-Z]

I agree with toy. Most of the good stuff just isn't mainstream, so you don't know about it unless you find it yourself.

[Baanu_Rass]

That article spoke truth.

Especially about the lack of.....anything....in the first decade of the 21st century. From a cultural standpoint, 2000 to 2009 will be remembered for being unrememberable.

Wait 20 years and see if your opinion is the same.

[Fennz]

I don't even know where to start.

This pretty much sums it up.