Lemonade Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Looking at the kind of 'alternative' bands that have been popular in the last 10 years or so, very few of them feature outstanding guitarists. Most of the popular bands play fairly straightforward chords, and simple lead parts, and speaking as a fairly average guitarist myself I rarely find modern rock stuff that I can't play along with. The likes of Green Day, Nirvana, White Stripes, Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, all the punk bands from the early 00's, all the current emo bands, the 90s grunge bands, there's rarely a guitar solo to be heard among them, and it's not often now you'll hear a guitarist be praised for his amazing guitar skills.Of course there are still bands who do this, but talking from a more mainstream point of view, it's been a long time since I was impressed with a guitarist. Back in the poodle rock days of the 80s, no band worth their salt didn't have a minute and a half guitar solo with finger tapping, pickslides, widdly noises etc. and while I am sure there are people in bands these days that could still do this, they would probably have the piss taken out of them if they tried. Not to mention all the fills etc. between riffs.I've sort of lost the point I was trying to make in the middle of that, but I think what I was trying to say is that in modern rock circles it seems to have become uncool to be very good at your instrument, the likes of Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, Angus Young, Slash, Randy Rhodes, Eddie Van Halen etc and other 80s rock legends can play the ass off any guitar but their fast style seems to have become a thing of comedy to be made fun of. Back then it was a pre-requisite for a band to have a great lead guitarist, and all supremely talented musicians, but now it doesn't seem to matter worth a shit. So what's changed?Anyway, I've lost my point again, but I'm sure you know what I'm trying to get at. "You don't have to be a great musician to be a great musician". Discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Gold Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I think you said it yourself... scorching solos are just really funny. See Estrella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain America Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 S w o r d m a s t e r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntedbyafreak Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I find that the first thing I look for in a band is their haircuts. After that, what does it matter?Seriously though, I'm glad the guitar solo isn't around at the moment. Hair metal sucked and I don't like listening to people masturbate for 3 pointless minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Manic Street Preachers always struck me as a band who managed to do the guitar god thing AND retain NME style credibility.PS It is correct that Nuno Bettencourt should be the subject of derision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonade Posted July 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Manic Street Preachers always struck me as a band who managed to do the guitar god thing AND retain NME style credibility.PS It is correct that Nuno Bettencourt should be the subject of derision.How could youmake fun of this man? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimyReizeger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 A lot of trends in mainstream culture baffle. However, isn't this one brought about solely through the very saturation you speak of, back in 80s? To expand, what about the move from simple overt masculinity (embodied by the solo) to 'metrosexuality', snivelling emo kids and irony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimyReizeger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 PS It is correct that Nuno Bettencourt should be the subject of derision.For being an awesome guitarist or because the image doesn't stand up to contemporary ideas of what's cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 For being an awesome guitarist or because the image doesn't stand up to contemporary ideas of what's cool?'Cause he's a knob. (And I can assure you I held that view in 1991 as well.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfer_Rosa Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I don't think it's the case that there havn't been any good guitarists since the 80s. People are just more inventive and can use their talents in ways other than a solo or some "hot licks". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeble! Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Guitar solos are awesome! I mean, come on - paradise city wouldn't be the absolute epic that it is without that flashy and reasonably lengthy solo at the end, y'know? Guitar solos are cool, and they always will be! (well, for me at least...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovers_spit Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Technical skill doesn't necessarily make a good song, and often, doesn't.I rate Bright Eyes music well above Joe Satriani cos he has amazing lyrics and nice chord sequences, and Conor Oberst barely plays the guitar.That's one example, but theres plenty more.People get fed up with long solos that lead no where and are just guitars being self indulgent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I rate Bright Eyes music well above Joe Satriani Me too. But I can't help getting sad thinking about the bunnys dying whenever I hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovers_spit Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Me too. But I can't help getting sad thinking about the bunnys dying whenever I hear it.Shouldn't buy into the whole emo stereotype that he's tagged with.Have you actually sat down and listened to any of his last 2-3 albums? His lyrics are ridiculously clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Shouldn't buy into the whole emo stereotype that he's tagged with.Have you actually sat down and listened to any of his last 2-3 albums? His lyrics are ridiculously clever.You do realise he's talking about Watership Down/Art Garfunkel don't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 You do realise he's talking about Watership Down/Art Garfunkel don't you?And yet they say emos have no sense of humour... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimyReizeger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I rate Bright Eyes music well above Joe Satriani cos he has amazing lyrics and nice chord sequences, .To go back to the original question; what exciting, progressive element has replaced the guitar solo? Lyrics and chord sequences are old fundamentals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatHand Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 A good guitar solo is one that is part of the music rather than the "and now for the guitar solo" sort of thing and leaves you wanting more. I rate Pearl Jam for having great guitar solos that are part of the piece of music.YouTube - Pearl Jam - WISHLIST One of my favourite guitar solos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimyReizeger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 'Cause he's a knob. .)For the purposes of the thread could you explain this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 For the purposes of the thread could you explain this?He's just a total knob, what other explanation is necessary?Other well known knobs in bands:J Kay out of JamiroquaiDamon Albarn (the bass player's a knob as well)Paul WellerMIke Love out of The Beach BoysElton JohnDavid CrosbyStingPete TownshendLars Ulrich and James Hetfield out of MetallicaJohn LydonKele OkerekeBjorkAxel RoseRufus WainwrightBonoBilly CorganNoel and Liam GallagherMadonnaI'm sure more will come to me later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeble! Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Malmsteen. He's a knob.He can play guitar like a motherfucker, but he is a total knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Malmsteen. He's a knob.He can play guitar like a motherfucker, but he is a total knob.Good catch. He is a complete bell end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimyReizeger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 He's just a total knob, what other explanation is necessary?Other well known knobs in bands:J Kay out of JamiroquaiDamon Albarn (the bass player's a knob as well)Paul WellerMIke Love out of The Beach BoysElton JohnDavid CrosbyStingPete TownshendLars Ulrich and James Hetfield out of MetallicaJohn LydonKele OkerekeBjorkAxel RoseRufus WainwrightBonoBilly CorganNoel and Liam GallagherMadonnaI'm sure more will come to me later.So basically you just hate successful people who dare to have a bit of arrogance. Musical value out the window.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 He's just a total knob, what other explanation is necessary?Other well known knobs in bands:J Kay out of JamiroquaiDamon Albarn (the bass player's a knob as well)Paul WellerMIke Love out of The Beach BoysElton JohnDavid CrosbyStingPete TownshendLars Ulrich and James Hetfield out of MetallicaJohn LydonKele OkerekeBjorkAxel RoseRufus WainwrightBonoBilly CorganNoel and Liam GallagherMadonnaI'm sure more will come to me later.Why is Rufus Wainwright a knob? I've never heard anyone say that about him before... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Why is Rufus Wainwright a knob? I've never heard anyone say that about him before...Please bear in mind that this is nothing to do with their musical ability and that I think Rufus Wainwright is a very talented and intelligent individual.However... he's just a bit too intelligent for his own good, totally up his own arse (insert your own obvious gay puns here), and just an all round knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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