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Why do the Brits have the best music?
- Thread starter acidfast7
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I've always thought that the Scandinavian countries produce the best music (this is coming from a Englishman).
I haven't heard much from Denmark. They had (have?) Aqua... Yay.
Norway has the whole "Bergen wave" that produced some really nice musicians.
You haven't heard much from Denmark?
Perhaps:
Trentemøller (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trentemøller)
or
Veto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veto_(band))
Don't forget the whole second wave Black Metal scene has roots in Norway and Sweden.
I really like Florence and the Machine and lots of other British musicians. However, the discussion is totally subjective and thus relegated to personal taste and anecdote. I wonder, why even draw such a boundary (ethnic origin)? Is it national pride that fuels the need to say "such and such is better than..."? When it comes to the arts why not just appreciate that someone has such talent. Music, art, literature, etc. spans across all nationalities and cultures. Why not just be awed at the ability manifested in humanity itself as opposed to segregating, judging, and making distinction?
Funding decisions have to made, by each government, therefore, it's imperative that comparison occurs.
For example in Iceland, "Artists" are paid a salary consistent with the assistant professor scale. 1200 per year are selected (writers/composers/painters/sculptors/etc...) and receive a salary in order to:
"to stimulate artistic creativity in Iceland and to make it possible for those artists receiving the salaries to devote themselves entirely to their respective craft."
So, yes, comparison is important. How else does the Icelandic government know whether it's getting a good return on money spent?
To say one country has better music than another is completely subjective / relative. I certainly couldn't pick between the UK and US if forced at gunpoint.
The reason I think the UK music scene is so consistently strong is their network of independent labels, and the fact that the market is small enough that indie labels stand a much better chance of getting bands up on the overall pop charts. Indies have gotten stronger in the US over the past 10-15 years, but you still don't often see singles or albums released by indie labels making a major sales/chart impact.
As for the awesomeness of Canadian bands: I think the inclusion of BTO pretty much kills your case. Don't forget Loverboy, Saga, Bryan Adams, and She Who Must Never Be Named while you're at it! On the other hand, the addition of Skinny Puppy would've been a decent consolation.
The reason I think the UK music scene is so consistently strong is their network of independent labels, and the fact that the market is small enough that indie labels stand a much better chance of getting bands up on the overall pop charts. Indies have gotten stronger in the US over the past 10-15 years, but you still don't often see singles or albums released by indie labels making a major sales/chart impact.
As for the awesomeness of Canadian bands: I think the inclusion of BTO pretty much kills your case.
Don't forget Loverboy, Saga, Bryan Adams, and She Who Must Never Be Named while you're at it! On the other hand, the addition of Skinny Puppy would've been a decent consolation. They were my favorite in elementary school. I remember when Vivisect VI came out like it was yesterday
Have you heard Black Dub? I think the lead vocals are by a Belgian, her voice is great.
The British have some great artists, I adore Amy Winehouse (crack addict and all). But best music? Competition is just too stiff. My top picks are all American.
Erykah Badu
Miles
Coltrane
Marvin Gaye
Meshelle ndegeocello
Earth, wind and fire
Norah jones
Ohio players
Nina Simone
Carlos Santana
(yes, I am old)
The British have some great artists, I adore Amy Winehouse (crack addict and all). But best music? Competition is just too stiff. My top picks are all American.
Erykah Badu
Miles
Coltrane
Marvin Gaye
Meshelle ndegeocello
Earth, wind and fire
Norah jones
Ohio players
Nina Simone
Carlos Santana
(yes, I am old)
We are about to receive yet another 'lesson'.
Hang-on while I make some popcorn.
I'm in for the ride....Now for some fried chicken...
...
As for the awesomeness of Canadian bands: I think the inclusion of BTO pretty much kills your case.
Well, the "B" lives around the corner so I kinda hafta be loyal. The Guess Who were, imho, much better. I've coming to appreciate just how good a singer Cummings was.
Pah we haven't won Eurovision since 1997.
Bloody hell, British music.
Not winning Eurovision actually is a good sign that we make the very best music in the entire world.
I don't know, OP. It was a long time between Henry Purcell and Benjamin Britten, and even they are basically also-rans.
But if your assertion is true, it's probably because of all the American R&B artists you Brits stole from.
But if your assertion is true, it's probably because of all the American R&B artists you Brits stole from.
Ah, yes. A little Infected Mushroom and Astrix? There are moments when goa/psy trance are the only things that will do.
Looking through my collection of music it's about 50/50.
I think music and arts flourish in waves, as one wave ebbs another takes it's place.
Of course the English speaking world, generally ignores other languages.
This happily is changing due to the internet.
I think music and arts flourish in waves, as one wave ebbs another takes it's place.
Of course the English speaking world, generally ignores other languages.
This happily is changing due to the internet.