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Post by scarecrow on Aug 11, 2003 11:10:20 GMT -5
done underrated songs so thought I would rant about some overrated (in my opinion) songs. First off, Born Of Frustration. I dislike the song intensely, not even sure why! Its also one of the few James songs that I dont even like live. Second, Johnny Yen. I absolutely LOVE it live, was definitely the highlight of gawi...live but the recorded version on Stutter just isnt in the same league as the live version. I know what im here for. Great lyrics but just seems too much like an attempt for a big hit single for my liking. Shes A Star. Tim looks hot in the video. Thats its only redeeming quality. I dont think its a bad song, just sounds as if it could have been done by any band. Doesnt feel like a James song. Finally, I think as an album Seven is vastly overrated. I dont agree with the simple minds critique but i do think its their worst album ( I know I said ages ago that ptmy was the worst album, but its grew on me! ;D) So, overrated songs and/or albums?
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jamie
Yul Brynner
Posts: 8
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Post by jamie on Aug 11, 2003 11:31:05 GMT -5
i have no idea if they are "rated" let alone over-rated but the last two albums (apart from "crash") i just cant listen to.....
did like the lil live album that came with millionaires though....
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Post by BlackHole on Aug 11, 2003 11:56:02 GMT -5
The track that immediately springs to mind is "Someone's got it in for Me". I really don't like this song and never have, and I'm totally perplexed as to why everyone, even the band themselves, seems to regard it as a masterpiece. The lyrics are painfully unimaginative- it's just a load of whining, low self-esteemed drivel, sounds like something that a comedian parodying Morrissey would sing. Not up to the usual standard of James' lyrics at all (perhaps unsurprising, as I believe it was written by Saul). The tune, meanwhile, I find bland and lifeless, lacking the clarity and passion of most James songs. I skip it every time I play Millionaires- worst track on the album by miles, and worst James song ever.
That is the only James song that I can really say I properly dislike, though other songs I find a little overrated are:
Out to Get You- by no means a bad song, I just don't get why it's rated one of the band's finest. They performed this song live every single time I saw them, and while it's definitely good, I just don't think it's that amazingly good.
Five-O- it's been explained to me why most people feel this is one of the best, if not the best, James song, and having previously considered it an average James song, I am still trying my best to see what others see in it. Been meaning to try listening to it on headphones some time to hopefully get the full effect. But as it stands, I don't quite understand the fuss and can't imagine ranking it among my favorite James songs.
Waltzing Along- while I love the album version of this song, I wasn't too keen on the way they messed around with it for the single version. I found it annoying how the band always opted to play the single version live rather than the far superior, and more atmopsheric, version on Whiplash. The jangly, upbeat and cheesy guitar sound gained by the single version IMO only helped to cause the whole song to become annoying quickly, and I don't see why they always felt they had to play it live. Weakest James single by far.
I Know What I'm Here For- this one's already been mentioned, and I agree with scarecrow on this one. It's a great song but by no means one of James' best, since it did definitely seem as though they were just trying to produce a song that would be a big hit (and failed, since it performed relatively poorly chartwise). Also the tune of the verse is basically just a speeded-up version of "Secret" by OMD.
Dumb Jam- wasn't worthy of the album if you ask me. A good tune in its own right but not very James-esque, sounded like they were trying to be another band with this one. Also the lyrics are poor. I've heard some people absolutely rave about this one- don't get it personally, I'd have relegated this one to a B-side rather than an album track.
What is it Good For- this one just doesn't do much for me, it sounds to me like just some generic slow James song with little to offer.
Alaskan Pipeline- I like the song in its own right, but feel it was a weak closer for James' final album. Definitely the weakest closing track on any James album. Like What is it Good For, I find it to be just another generic slow James song that people rave about as if it's beautiful just because it's slow.
Meanwhile, I might as well add that while I like the Laid album I would not agree with the majority that it is James' finest work. In fact, up until Millionaires I felt it was their weakest album- not to say it's bad at all, just that I feel it lacks the depth and fullness of other James albums, often being too sparse for its own good.
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Post by Johnny Yen on Aug 11, 2003 13:33:49 GMT -5
I don't really think any James song is over rated!!!
I do think I have overkilled at least three albums though. I don't really listen to Gold Mother, Laid or Seven in thier entirity anymore, just the odd track here and there occasionally. Every so often I then think 'I haven't heard X for a while (the latest wxample being Heavens, and I listen and it blows me away!)
But, I suppose I've overdone most of the 'hits'.
However, it's the fact that James realise this and alter everything (look at Sit Down on the DVD-their biggest hit) to appreciate how the endeavour to keep even the biggest hits fresh.
I tell you something else too-When I watch GAWI live, I get a lump in my throat every time. ET and Bambi's Mom dying, and James doing Sit down.
What a sensitive soul I am!!!
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Post by lostinsound on Aug 11, 2003 13:39:20 GMT -5
just that I feel it lacks the depth and fullness of other James albums, often being too sparse for its own good. Laid lacks depth? I never thought I'd hear that as a criticism of the album. I've always thought that if anything that was one of it's strengths. I think it has a lot more continuity and depth than just about any other James album. Musically and lyrically. But I am one of those people that puts Five-O as one of my favorite James songs. As far as overratted songs I've always thought She's a Star was quite bland.
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Post by Poster Saint on Aug 11, 2003 20:19:41 GMT -5
I don't know all the chronology, as in what was released when, but "How Was It For You" was a poor choice for a single. I don't know what stages of development songs like "Top of the World" or "Government Walls" were in, but to me they're much more relevant to existence and I think they would have had potential.
Ditto with "Laid". There are better tracks on the LP that could have better represented it on the radio, sadly they were ignored.
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Post by Sawdust on Aug 14, 2003 16:35:41 GMT -5
I think the track Laid is very overated... and very similar to Give it Away. Kind of quirky, short and playful. It's a shame that most people have only heard that song... as I don't think it anywhere near the best song on that album. (Laid)
I hate Low, Low, Low more than ANY other James song.
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Post by Johnny Yen on Aug 14, 2003 17:37:44 GMT -5
But Low, Low, Low has some of the best James Lyrics ever.
Just the
I'm a member of an Ape-like Race from the Arsehole end of the 20th Century is worth the price of admission alone.
and it's got a catchy little chorus
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Post by Poster Saint on Aug 15, 2003 17:01:06 GMT -5
But Low, Low, Low has some of the best James Lyrics ever. Just the I'm a member of an Ape-like Race from the Arsehole end of the 20th Century is worth the price of admission alone. and it's got a catchy little chorus I feel the same way of "Low Low Low" as I do "Dumb Jam". I think they both have some very redeeming qualities. "Low Low Low" for instance has a lot of personality on account its unique lyrics. Depending how far you want to stretch them, "Low Low Low" could easily be interpreted from the perspective of Tim putting forth the question of religion vs. science. Not the freshest of debates, but it's certainly not bubblegum or fluff. "Dumb Jam" is inferior lyrically to LLL but I must confess I love them both; I find they transmit a certain upbeat vibe despite their themes. I can see why some people could pass up either of these songs, but only when I compare them to rest of their respective LPs.
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Post by Sawdust on Sept 6, 2003 22:06:56 GMT -5
Whoops! Didn't mean to spark such a civil debate. Don't know why LOW LOW LOW rubs me the wrong way... but, I have few complaints about the song lyrically. In fact, I think it is the chorus that I dislike, ironically.
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Post by Poster Saint on Sept 6, 2003 22:47:08 GMT -5
Whoops! Didn't mean to spark such a civil debate. Don't know why LOW LOW LOW rubs me the wrong way... but, I have few complaints about the song lyrically. In fact, I think it is the chorus that I dislike, ironically. Compared to the other verses, I do see your point. It's hardly the most imaginative chorus that Tim has penned, but I think it's definitely appropriate, if not inspired. It does fit the mood though, which is why I don't think it hinders the momentum of the song. Once again, you make a valid point.
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Post by laid on Sept 29, 2003 5:41:26 GMT -5
Lose Control stands as the most overrated song in my mind. Cannot fathom why they released it as a single. It's lack of chart success was indicative unfortunately.
The live accoustic versions are good though. The contrast of the lyrics and the slower tempo make for a great mood.
Basically a song with music that didn't match up to the lyric.
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Post by pedrovaladas on Nov 1, 2003 4:01:26 GMT -5
I actually find low low low refreshing if you're a james fan, I would never dream of showing the song to someone who has never heard james before... It's just not james...
She's a star, is in my opinion the most overrated james song ever...
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Post by pedrovaladas on Nov 1, 2003 4:02:16 GMT -5
oh... and how about goal goal goal?
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Post by Poster Saint on Nov 2, 2003 23:47:07 GMT -5
oh... and how about goal goal goal? I don't think anyone regards it very highly, so I doubt it's overrated. But I'm in Canada and am completely oblivious to soccer/football. Still, if James wrote a song about sports I follow I think it might be cool but I almost guarantee I would never connect with it on the emotional level I do most of their more introverted songs.
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