Time for the naming of a new genre, boys and girls. Yes, that's right: Nice Rock is here!
A new bunch of bands have come around recently that I recommend to others and when they ask me what they are like, I usually say something like, "They're nice! You know, nice." This is not a negative criticism; in fact, I really like Nice Rockers. They pump you up in a kind of wistful, clean sort of way. Contrast this, if you will, with Tool, who make you want to acquire destructive evil superpowers (more on this later). Suffice to say, Nice Rock bands make you feel good, but they are not guilty pleasures that make you wonder whether you are selling out by listening to them.
One of the bands that made me notice that this genre existed was Keane. When I first heard "Somewhere Only We Know," I wondered if I was going soft. I mean, these guys jammed, you know, but in a decidedly un-man-jammy kind of way. Was I too womanly for groovin' like the dickens and belting this stuff out as I drove to work? The answer worked out to something like: "I am more womanly than I would like, but I am o.k. with that because this music is nice." Hence, the genre's name.
Other examples of Nice Rock bands include Pernice Brothers, The Vinyl Skyway, David Gray, and sometimes, Matthew Sweet (note: this link goes to his management's MySpace page, but his music is there). They focus heavily on melody and everything sounding concordant with all the other elements of the song. There is almost no room for any notes that lend an edge to the song in which they reside; edges are not desirable. Instead, Nice Rockers formulate their songs to be listened to without much work. Their songs just kind of flow into your ear and swoosh around, like a sweet white wine.
Nice Rockers are not to be confused with the neo-folk movement that is springing up around folks like Iron and Wine (if I could put fireworks here, I would), Sufjan Stevens, and Devendra Banhart. Those guys are nice, too*, but not at all in the same way.
So there you have it. Nice Rock. Use your new knowledge wisely, fools.
* Well, Devendra Banhart not so much. I hate his music, but realize that he is important to the movement. Kinda like Bob Dylan, who also sucks.
A new bunch of bands have come around recently that I recommend to others and when they ask me what they are like, I usually say something like, "They're nice! You know, nice." This is not a negative criticism; in fact, I really like Nice Rockers. They pump you up in a kind of wistful, clean sort of way. Contrast this, if you will, with Tool, who make you want to acquire destructive evil superpowers (more on this later). Suffice to say, Nice Rock bands make you feel good, but they are not guilty pleasures that make you wonder whether you are selling out by listening to them.
One of the bands that made me notice that this genre existed was Keane. When I first heard "Somewhere Only We Know," I wondered if I was going soft. I mean, these guys jammed, you know, but in a decidedly un-man-jammy kind of way. Was I too womanly for groovin' like the dickens and belting this stuff out as I drove to work? The answer worked out to something like: "I am more womanly than I would like, but I am o.k. with that because this music is nice." Hence, the genre's name.
Other examples of Nice Rock bands include Pernice Brothers, The Vinyl Skyway, David Gray, and sometimes, Matthew Sweet (note: this link goes to his management's MySpace page, but his music is there). They focus heavily on melody and everything sounding concordant with all the other elements of the song. There is almost no room for any notes that lend an edge to the song in which they reside; edges are not desirable. Instead, Nice Rockers formulate their songs to be listened to without much work. Their songs just kind of flow into your ear and swoosh around, like a sweet white wine.
Nice Rockers are not to be confused with the neo-folk movement that is springing up around folks like Iron and Wine (if I could put fireworks here, I would), Sufjan Stevens, and Devendra Banhart. Those guys are nice, too*, but not at all in the same way.
So there you have it. Nice Rock. Use your new knowledge wisely, fools.
* Well, Devendra Banhart not so much. I hate his music, but realize that he is important to the movement. Kinda like Bob Dylan, who also sucks.
2 comments:
Nice! This genre's been needing a name for a while. I've been calling it "Rock for Wimps," but your label is a lot more generous.
You'll have to include Coldplay, Travis and Snow Patrol, for sure. They're pretty much the definitive Nice Rockers.
But you know, kevan, as I define Nice Rock, I think the band has to actually be good.
Just my personal opinion, but the three bands that you mentioned have been nothing but a disappointment to me, especially Snow Patrol. When I heard "Spitting Games," I thought these dudes were gonna rock, but alas, they put out all this wussy, typical BS that contributes nothing to music as a whole.
With those bands, I am not generous, I guess. Love your page, kevan.
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