i was reluctant to post this and give creedence to this jerk, but awareness is important:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2008/04/interview_david.php
...
David: Well I started to foresee something in the late 90's, when instrumental music started becoming really popular, that started saying something to me...
Interviewer: Like who?
David: Well, in general techno and the electronic movement that is less lyric oriented. That to me really became a part of the shopping culture that's really come up. Because music like that really makes you the star, you're in the forefront, and it's the soundtrack to your life. That's kind of the Night of the Roxbury guys. And that music means something else. And I think that is what music got to me. And that's why the band, if they have the right style and the right form, then they are a lot closer to being finished. I think the background is the big issue now. When bands are doing lots of harmonies and reverb, I think it's a drawing back from the foreground from having to say anything. The Flaming Lips sound was always about individuals, but they created a way out of putting mortal feeling into their songs, while seeming to still embrace the good. Which is all about the "ahhhhhhh." It's like My Morning Jacket—love the way it sounds, until you have the opposite experience. Until you're on the subway, and you can concentrate on what he's saying, and all of a sudden, you're like 'Oh my God, this guy had no idea what he was doing, and he was just hoping to get this stuff by without anyone really noticing.'" And he's done a wonderful job of it, because if you don't pay attention, you don't notice these terribly embarrassing things. If my music doesn't get heard or concentrated on, then its below the standards of regular people. If you put on a Silver Jews record at a regular office, this sort of dislike that is expressed, is not that this is egghead music. That this is other music performed with a more rudimentary singer, with not as thrilling of hooks or something. But if you put it in another context, and treat it like something that is throwing its weight, and needs to be listened to, and more interpreted . . . I need people to raise their standards, so I can have a chance. If you don't raise your standards, then I lose. Left alone with regular people and the mainstream, then I fail, in that Venn diagram.
...
how pretentious can you be? people must raise their standards to enjoy his music?
Blogs = Internet geeks with too much time on their hands that can't muster enough talent to get a real job writing.
Sorry in advance if I offend and bloggers on this board. :P
who is this guy?
I kinda like hearing people diss on MMJ - makes my love for them feel more special because I know something that they dont know.
and the silver jews=one of the worst live shows ever--no wonder malkmus would not tour w/them....it was embarrassing. they didn't even know the lyrics (although i like some of their stuff)
Y'know my first thought with this was that I should be pissed at Dave. And ohmygod, yes he is unbelievably pretentious, but I'm a huge admirer of his work, and I honestly feel bad that he doesn't get it.
He's had a rough couple years. I think he'd feel better if he could tap into the spirit of what mmj does, what they're about.
David who?
it's impossible to define what kind of music is "better than" another. there is no great objective leader in the universe who somehow decides to what "smart" people listen, and what rocks an "egghead's" face off.
i don't need to "raise my standards" in order to like a silver jews song, and i don't have to lower them to like a my morning jacket song.
music is what it is.
people like what they like.
get over it.
Quotewho is this guy?
This is Dave:
"...like my friend Gordon
(this is a true story)
who grew up in Braintree Massachusetts
and had never pictured a brain snagged in a tree..."
Sound familiar?
It's from "Self Portrait at 28" by David Berman
He's an exceptional poet and songwriter. He is also a very sad guy.
I feel like his approach to music is just very, very different from mmj.
QuoteQuotewho is this guy?
This is Dave:
"...like my friend Gordon
(this is a true story)
who grew up in Braintree Massachusetts
and had never pictured a brain snagged in a tree..."
Sound familiar?
It's from "Self Portrait at 28" by David Berman
He's an exceptional poet and songwriter. He is also a very sad guy.
I feel like his approach to music is just very, very different from mmj.
from Acoustic Citsuoca? They put that in their CD and then the guy totally disses them? That's f'ed up.
Quotewho is this guy?
I kinda like hearing people diss on MMJ - makes my love for them feel more special because I know something that they dont know.
preach!
quote from his article: The Flaming Lips sound was always about individuals, but they created a way out of putting mortal feeling into their songs, while seeming to still embrace the good. Which is all about the "ahhhhhhh."
Before Yoshi versus the Pink Robots came out I heard a lot of people talking a lot of smack about the Flaming Lips. Criticizing a band on their lyrics not being literature is more reflective of the listener than the band IMO.
And what exactly is "mortal feeling while still embracing the good"? I don't think I'm deep enough to even grasp the explaination but if it means sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall, I want my music to have none of it.
oh gooooooooooooooooooooooooood david berman shut up you write about k holes.
Quotequote from his article: The Flaming Lips sound was always about individuals, but they created a way out of putting mortal feeling into their songs, while seeming to still embrace the good. Which is all about the "ahhhhhhh."
Before Yoshi versus the Pink Robots came out I heard a lot of people talking a lot of smack about the Flaming Lips. Criticizing a band on their lyrics not being literature is more reflective of the listener than the band IMO.
And what exactly is "mortal feeling while still embracing the good"? I don't think I'm deep enough to even grasp the explaination but if it means sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall, I want my music to have none of it.
yeah its all a bunch of nonsense, maybe he should take a new career as an album reviewer for pitchfork.
here is hating on Louisville, KY and its local "rockers"....what a douche:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/31330-interview-silver-jews
Pitchfork: How long have you lived in Nashville? Where did you live before that, and what prompted the move?
Berman: Cassie [Marrett, Berman's wife] and I moved here in 1999. I'd been living in an apartment colony called Mallard's Crossing beside an office park on the outskirts of Louisville. When I looked out my window, I wasn't necessarily in "sour old Louisville," an idea of a town with which I had an antagonistic relationship. The surrounding mallscape, it could have been anywhere-- Falls Church, Plano, Toledo.
In my beery mind this display of exurban contempt was the equivalent of a lone "boo" during the silent section of a live Rodan set. Sure my neighborhood bar was a BW-3, but at least I didn't have to deal with the sullen and homely hippy women that make up so a large portion of that town's rock scene. The day after Cassie graduated from college we left. It was the Titans' inaugural season. It was a great time to move to Nashville.
Pitchfork: What made Louisville so sour for you?
Berman: Listen to the song "Van Lear Rose" on Loretta Lynn's last album, and for the words "Johnson County" replace with "Louisville," and for "miners" put "local rockers." Cassie is the Van Lear Rose. I'm the stranger who comes to town. Sprinkle in a lot of wide-bottomed hippy women.
Quote
I kinda like hearing people diss on MMJ - makes my love for them feel more special because I know something that they dont know.
Totally agreed! And besides who cares really. Let him hate, means more tickets for us.
Wow, I think Dave is mostly talking about the broad appeal of MMJ's music. I mean Jim does write some awesome melodies and amazing hooks then finishes them off with a blissful reverbed vocal. Lyrically you can compare almost nothing to Dave Berman...He's witty, highly intelligent, and has a VERY unique way with words. The Silver Jews music i.e. "Vocal sound, hooks, and melodies" are not up there with MMJ and I think that's part of what Dave is trying to say, granted I think the other part is that Jim's lyrics are not on par with Dave Berman's. I think that they both are pretty accurate statements, in a black and white world......but that would also be like saying Mariah Carey has a better voice than Stephen Malkmus. I wouldn't want my Berman lyrics with the highly emotional music of MMJ and I wouldn't want Jim's lyrics with the music of the Silver Jews.
The Flaming Lips comment. I'm assuming that the song that stirred this all up for Dave was probably "Wordless Chorus" The "ahhhh's" evoke emotion thus the title "Wordless Chorus" I'm assuming that Dave is saying the Lips use "ahhhhh's" but it's in the context of more complicated music....so he doesn't have the same problem with it, He seems to be saying they both sound really good but there is much more substance beneath it on a Flaming Lips record.
I think the thing that bothers me is that he's so concerned about the "mainstream" and "regular people"
Dave Burman response in a nut shell....
Flaming lips - Mainstream - Good
My Morning Jacket - Mainstream - Not So Good
Silver Jews - Not Mainstream - Fucking Awesome, unfortunately because he does not use reverb and go "ahhhhhhhh" he will never be deemed as good as My Morning Jacket or The Flaming Lips by the mainstream Or regular people.
Jesus christ, thanks for deciphering that Brian. Makes total sense to me now!
Isn't funny though, seems to me that somebody who is so taken with himself and his words should be able to communicate more effectively. Maybe he SHOULD use a couple of "aaahhhhs". Though, he's probably not talking to me anyway. ;)
I think you hit the nail on the head, Brian.
The difference between this guy and Jim is that this guy is concerned with making music that isn't mainstream while Jim is concerned with making good music.
I do understand what he's saying and I think it's kinda neat he's listened to the jacket enough to form an opinion. However, I think he's missing the point of mmj's music and perhaps music in general.
Who gives a fuck what David Berman thinks?
We love MMJ. That's all that matters.
Well that was an annoying read! Some people just should not be interviewed. Haha. David Berman, shut yo' mouth. I like your music, but shut your mouth. He's right though, a hell of a lot of people wouldn't give his music the time of day. Maybe because it's plain, David! MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S PLAIN. ;D
amen.
and welcome back.
Thank you kindly! It's good to be back. Hello hello everybody. 8-)
as long as this guy didn't dis RUSH, then me and him are good...
more like david BOREman
Sounds like someone is hungry for some attention.
p.s. I've listened to Silver Jews before - Tanglewood Numbers sucks.
I think when Berman speaks to the "media," he assumes most people don't know who he is. He's said alot of cryptic things before, and alot of things he didn't mean or believe, just to see if people are paying attention.
I love the Jacket and I love the Joos........'nuff said.
Oh. and about the comment on the Jews live show above.....that's a bit out of bounds i think. I mean, the guy hadn't played any show of any kind in about a decade.....and he didn't miss any words in Philly when I saw them- and that was only like the six or seventh show they had EVER played. and they were wonderful...one of my favorite shows of all time....
moving on....
Quoteas long as this guy didn't dis RUSH, then me and him are good...
who could ever hate a face like this:
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/27/lee.transcript/story.geddy.lee.1.jpg)
"he was just hoping to get this stuff by without anyone really noticing."
I understand what Dave was getting at with his answer in the interview; unfortunately I don't think he picked the best example.
I mean I think he still made his point if you take it in the context of the entire interview, but the quote above is really really off base. I think Jim is just as interested in people sitting down with his music as Dave is. I could listen to MMJ on a subway with my eyes closed and get awesome things out of it and I could jam it on the patio at a house party and it would probably enhance the vibe.....try jamming the Silver Jews at a house party where no one has heard of the Silver Jews.....it's probably not going to inspire many people to get naked for the orgy you have planned at the end of the evening.
I know I'm rambling, sorry. I'm really interested in this.
I just get the vibe that Dave is trying to come to terms with why a band like MMJ gains such huge momentum and the Silver Jews continue to sell 20,000 records with every release to the same 20,000 people...and he took it out on MMJ. It's cool Dave, I know what you're saying, I just don't think you picked the best example. Like Tracy said "Rush" would have made MUCH more sense, unless you're really into dragons and shit. ;)
It's just the way that he sings,
not the words that he says, or the band.
Im in love with this soul, it's a meaning that I understand.
Maybe David is not deep enough to understand the meaning of Jim's lyrics.
Quote
p.s. I've listened to Silver Jews before - Tanglewood Numbers sucks.
Tanglewood Numbers does suck. American Water on the other hand does not, in any way, suck. It's one of the great rock albums of the last decade.
That said, David Berman's a douche.
QuoteIt's just the way that he sings,
not the words that he says, or the band.
Im in love with this soul, it's a meaning that I understand.
Maybe David is not deep enough to understand the meaning of Jim's lyrics.
Ha, I do think that maybe Dave is a little guilty of what he's accusing others of and that is not really sitting down with the music.
It's like Bob Dylan talking shit about Led Zeppelin, except that Dave's lyrics aren't as good as Dylan's, and Jim's are better than Plant's.
Having said that....
Tanglewood Numbers
American Water
and
Lookout Mt., Lookout Sea
all AWESOME!!!
QuoteHaving said that....
Tanglewood Numbers
American Water
and
Lookout Mt. Lookout Sea
all AWESOME!!!
agreed!!
I think that Dave has done the best job of marrying music and lyrics on the last two records, yet no improvement in record sales, it probably has him frustrated.
The Malkmus solo on "Punks in the beerlight" might be my favorite Malkmus guitar moment of all time and that's saying a WHOLE lot. Not to mention so many other amazing moments by other musicians that I don't even know.
I mean the Silver Jews are fucking awesome!!!! The music is amazing (even if it doesn't hit you over the head), and the lyrics are on another dimension. I hate that Dave turned off some people by his answer to that question.
It's really interesting that Jim READ Dave, quoted him on one of his records and really designed the concept "Acousticcitsuoca" around that quote.....Then Dave LISTENS to MMJ and turns around and shits on them. Who IS your audience Dave? If you're asking me to Raise my standards, I'm going to have to ask you to grow a heart. :-*
Again, sorry for going on and on, this is one of the most interesting topics I've seen in a while.
QuoteI think that Dave has done the best job of marrying music and lyrics on the last two records, yet no improvement in record sales, it probably has him frustrated.
From what i've read it seems like the guy hardly tours or plays shows. If he wants success or recognition maybe he needs to look at himself and do the things successful bands do. Why criticize a band who seems to actually look up to him and has busted their asses to get everything they have, and deserve. "Embarrassing", really? If he wants to be an artist and do poetry readings and if that makes him happy then fine, do us a favor and quit making records.
"do us a favor and quit making records"
I understand the anger but I think the backlash is bit harsh. He makes amazing records.
"What is not but could be if.....We could be crossing this abridged abyss...into beginning.....When failure's got you in its grasp, it's just beginning"
I'm just sad that his response turned MMJ fans OFF to his music instead of ON to his music.
wow i just checked out the silver jew bastards music and i must say that his voice is quite horrible. Maybe their is a bit of jealousy berman has towards jim's voice?
i love the jews but dave berman's crack smokin ass and his yellow rotten teeth can f**k off. he is so full of himself he can't see straight.
I can't stop listening to "Lookout Mt., Lookout Sea" It's a GREAT record....period. I think the record was a real victory for the Silver Jews. He REALLY should be focusing much more energy towards being really proud of this record, rather than being worried about how the Flaming Lips and My Morning Jacket use reverb.
Wow, B, this really got under your skin eh?
yeah, I think it just really shocked me to hear Dave make a comment like that and use MMJ as the example. They are really opposite ends of the same beautiful spectrum. If you are going to make a negative point about music I think you should go OUTSIDE instead of WITHIN that spectrum to make your point.
In the end, it's about doing what you love and if people get it.....they get it. I'm sorry that Dave doesn't make much money, but neither do I.
I mean my two favorite bands of all time are probably Pearl Jam and MMJ. I made a post a while back about Gideon vs. Pearl Jam's more recent political songs.
In my opinion Eddie has been using his brain to the detriment of his heart in his songwriting as of late. What I LOVE about a song like Gideon is that it expresses what Eddie is saying in a much more emotional way? Gideon is a bit abstract, yet it's clear enough that when he screams I still want to break something, and I have a pretty clear idea of why.
MMJ.........
Gideon = perfect marriage of music and lyrics
Silver Jews......
Party Barge = Send us your coordinates I'll send a St. Bernard
both awesome.
"I need people to raise their standards, so I can have a chance. If you don't raise your standards, then I lose. Left alone with regular people and the mainstream, then I fail, in that Venn diagram."
this argument of his (and narcissism) is as old as the hills. Just look at those guys from Oasis, holy cow!
You got classical and jazz musicians who will say both MMJ and Silver Jews (and Oasis) are crap (trust me, I got a brother in law who is a jazz pianist). It's is an unwinnable debate and has no bearing on anything.
Wayne of The Flaming Lips was once asked how he felt that Britney Spears outsells him by millions. He replied something to the degree of- I'm not going to get pretentious and tell people the difference in "good" and "bad" music; if someone makes a record that moves you, be it a 12 year old girl or a 44 year old man, it shouldn't piss me off, I should be happy that people have found something that makes them happy.
Quotehere is hating on Louisville, KY and its local "rockers"....what a douche:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/31330-interview-silver-jews
Pitchfork: How long have you lived in Nashville? Where did you live before that, and what prompted the move?
Berman: Cassie [Marrett, Berman's wife] and I moved here in 1999. I'd been living in an apartment colony called Mallard's Crossing beside an office park on the outskirts of Louisville. When I looked out my window, I wasn't necessarily in "sour old Louisville," an idea of a town with which I had an antagonistic relationship. The surrounding mallscape, it could have been anywhere-- Falls Church, Plano, Toledo.
In my beery mind this display of exurban contempt was the equivalent of a lone "boo" during the silent section of a live Rodan set. Sure my neighborhood bar was a BW-3, but at least I didn't have to deal with the sullen and homely hippy women that make up so a large portion of that town's rock scene. The day after Cassie graduated from college we left. It was the Titans' inaugural season. It was a great time to move to Nashville.
Pitchfork: What made Louisville so sour for you?
Berman: Listen to the song "Van Lear Rose" on Loretta Lynn's last album, and for the words "Johnson County" replace with "Louisville," and for "miners" put "local rockers." Cassie is the Van Lear Rose. I'm the stranger who comes to town. Sprinkle in a lot of wide-bottomed hippy women.
Hey, I used to live in those apartments. Pretty damn nice as far as apts. go!
Quote
Wayne of The Flaming Lips was once asked how he felt that Britney Spears outsells him by millions. He repiled something to the degree of- I'm not going to get pretentious and tell people the diffrence in "good" and "bad" music; if someone makes a record that moves you, be it a 12 year old girl or a 44 year old man, it shouldn't piss me off, I should be happy that people have found something that makes them happy.
I love, love, love that statement. I smile when I see people really embracing music of any kind. If it's not my cup of tea, so be it. You know what, there are probably more 13 year olds that get passionate about music than 40 year olds. So Mariah Carry is going to sell more albums than Bruce Springsteen. So what? Music can't be judged, or rated in some sort of contest? As an artist, David should know that better than anyone. Did Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
QuoteDid Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
actually, i'm pretty sure he did ;)
QuoteWayne of The Flaming Lips was once asked how he felt that Britney Spears outsells him by millions. He repiled something to the degree of- I'm not going to get pretentious and tell people the diffrence in "good" and "bad" music; if someone makes a record that moves you, be it a 12 year old girl or a 44 year old man, it shouldn't piss me off, I should be happy that people have found something that makes them happy.
Just another reason to love Wayne and the Lips.
"...a lot of wide-bottomed hippy women"
...rawr
And when did the word "hippie" start getting spelled "hippy"?
QuoteQuoteDid Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
actually, i'm pretty sure he did ;)
;D Good point. You are right, he probably did! But hopefully, he didn't judge his own worth by how many people like them at the time. But again, maybe he did. I know I appreciate when someone complements me. I guess it's not so hard to understand a bit of frustration but maybe he should just direct it elsewhere.
QuoteQuote
Wayne of The Flaming Lips was once asked how he felt that Britney Spears outsells him by millions. He repiled something to the degree of- I'm not going to get pretentious and tell people the diffrence in "good" and "bad" music; if someone makes a record that moves you, be it a 12 year old girl or a 44 year old man, it shouldn't piss me off, I should be happy that people have found something that makes them happy.
I love, love, love that statement. I smile when I see people really embracing music of any kind. If it's not my cup of tea, so be it. You know what, there are probably more 13 year olds that get passionate about music than 40 year olds. So Mariah Carry is going to sell more albums than Bruce Springsteen. So what? Music can't be judged, or rated in some sort of contest? As an artist, David should know that better than anyone. Did Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
I couldn't agree less. I know I'm like the only one in the world who will defend this position but I don't think music is COMPLETELY subjective as most people seem to believe. No one can convince me that the song on taco bell's commercials has as much musical merit as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Call me pretentious but I think it's pretty egotistical to believe that your interpretation of a song is just as valid as anyone else's.
My point is, that music is supposed to make you feel good right? That's why we listen. So if you make something that makes people feel good, then mission accomplished. You know, my 5 year old girl, just isn't quite ready for deep lyrics and sad, sad songs, ya know. She is optimistic, silly and likes to dance. Bob Dylan just doesn't cut it for her.
Obviously Mozart is more tallented than Sid Vicious, but does that mean I should only listen to classical music?
QuoteQuoteQuoteDid Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
actually, i'm pretty sure he did ;)
;D Good point. You are right, he probably did! But hopefully, he didn't judge his own worth by how many people like them at the time.
yeah he only shot himself, maybe this isn't a good example ;D
Quote
Obviously Mozart is more tallented than Sid Vicious, but does that mean I should only listen to classical music?
yes, you should
only listen to the classical composers and the complexities of jazz. The rest is crap. Compared to Beethoven's 9th, the entire MMJ catalogue is crap, so why bother? And
Happy Birthday to You? Pure meritless bullshit.
I am torching all my MMJ today! I might even burn
Power Windows by RUSH :o
I will only listen to Mozart, Thelonius Monk, and The Silver Jews from here on out.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteDid Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
actually, i'm pretty sure he did ;)
;D Good point. You are right, he probably did! But hopefully, he didn't judge his own worth by how many people like them at the time.
yeah he only shot himself, maybe this isn't a good example ;D
I wouldn't say he
only shot himself... Hell, Hemingway shot himself, too... Van the Man hacked his ear off before he mortally shot himself.
QuoteMy point is, that music is supposed to make you feel good right? That's why we listen. So if you make something that makes people feel good, then mission accomplished. You know, my 5 year old girl, just isn't quite ready for deep lyrics and sad, sad songs, ya know. She is optimistic, silly and likes to dance. Bob Dylan just doesn't cut it for her.
Obviously Mozart is more tallented than Sid Vicious, but does that mean I should only listen to classical music?
I know what you mean but it's a slippery slope when people start saying things like: no music is better than any other, it's all interpretation, blah blah. I'm sorry but the beginning strings class at an elementary school is NOT as good as the London Symphony Orchestra. And the garage band down the street from me is not as good as Led Zeppelin. Some music IS better than other music. That doesn't mean I'm only going to listen to classical music it just means that some people like bad music.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteDid Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
actually, i'm pretty sure he did ;)
;D Good point. You are right, he probably did! But hopefully, he didn't judge his own worth by how many people like them at the time.
yeah he only shot himself, maybe this isn't a good example ;D
I wouldn't say he only shot himself... Hell, Hemingway shot himself, too... Van the Man hacked his ear off before he mortally shot himself.
yeah i didn't mean it that way (sarcasm). i know about the ear obviously, i think he gave it to a prostitute. he also burned his hand when a woman who he loved refused to see him.
This dude is gonna be at Grimeys on Saturday.
I do like the Silver Jews and like what they do for the most part but certainly it is a different approach. He can't even remember his lyrics and has some stand there where he recites them from what I have seen. Meaning that the lyrics are more important aspects of the song considering how there is no real melodic parts or catchy parts to them. It is him reciting poetry really. I think also that part of his dislike comes from the fact that he is best friends with Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and there is something there in that Oldham and Jim I don't think are too good of pals from what I've read. Granted I don't know any of this for sure but it seems like it probably plays a part in Berman's comments. Pretty lame and pointless comments in whatever case.
QuoteMeaning that the lyrics are more important aspects of the song considering how there is no real melodic parts or catchy parts to them. It is him reciting poetry really.
i completely disagree.....there's lots of melody...and LOADS of catchy parts on every Silver Jews record.
QuoteQuoteQuote
Wayne of The Flaming Lips was once asked how he felt that Britney Spears outsells him by millions. He repiled something to the degree of- I'm not going to get pretentious and tell people the diffrence in "good" and "bad" music; if someone makes a record that moves you, be it a 12 year old girl or a 44 year old man, it shouldn't piss me off, I should be happy that people have found something that makes them happy.
I love, love, love that statement. I smile when I see people really embracing music of any kind. If it's not my cup of tea, so be it. You know what, there are probably more 13 year olds that get passionate about music than 40 year olds. So Mariah Carry is going to sell more albums than Bruce Springsteen. So what? Music can't be judged, or rated in some sort of contest? As an artist, David should know that better than anyone. Did Van Gogh complain that nobody bought his paintings?
I couldn't agree less. I know I'm like the only one in the world who will defend this position but I don't think music is COMPLETELY subjective as most people seem to believe. No one can convince me that the song on taco bell's commercials has as much musical merit as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Call me pretentious but I think it's pretty egotistical to believe that your interpretation of a song is just as valid as anyone else's.
actually, roughly 6 years ago, taco bell's commercials featured a song by a band called shadowy men on a shadowy planet, an instrumental band from canada. they also did a song called "having an average weekend", which you know as the kids in the hall theme song. they were a good band.