NationStates Jolt Archive

Which one do you think it is?

I dont care how much flak i get for this:

Simon and Garfunkel.

Its not that they sucked completely, or didnt have a few cool tunes, its just that all the pretentious falsetto warbling, and use of even more pretentious poetry references, made it nearly intolerable.

For the moment, I pick these guys.

Until I think of a better one.

But..of the ones listed above:

I fuggin' hate Chicago.

Three Dog Night, too!

I don't know, ELO and Emerson, Lake and Palmer are good choices, but then there is Yes...and some others I'm blanking out from my former Progrocker roommates collection...

I don't know, ELO and Emerson, Lake and Palmer are good choices, but then there is Yes...and some others I'm blanking out from my former Progrocker roommates collection...


Agreed.

Yes bores me to tears.

They fall into the "I dont care how talented they are, they still suck" category.

Like Rush.

*hides*

King Crimson. All that larks tongues in aspic and 'influenced by bartok' crap.

Is there any doubt about it?

King Crimson. All that larks tongues in aspic and 'influenced by bartok' crap.

Is there any doubt about it?
I literally was coming back to rant about sitting through my roommates King Crimson concert film. They're hard to beat.

I literally was coming back to rant about sitting through my roommates King Crimson concert film. They're hard to beat.

I know. My dad's a big fan. Later I had a roomate who enjoyed Tool. It's like it never ends.

I know. My dad's a big fan. Later I had a roomate who enjoyed Tool. It's like it never ends.

I love Tool! Can't say I know King Crimson though.

It was before my time, i say Led Zepplin...

I don't know, ELO and Emerson, Lake and Palmer are good choices, but then there is Yes...and some others I'm blanking out from my former Progrocker roommates collection...
I'm going with ELO for the win, simply because they put the word "orchestra" into their name. You're not supposed to be an orchestra if you're gonna rock, I don't care how "prog" you are.

And I would submit, for further consideration, any band of the period who wrote songs about mysticism, magic, elves, or who dressed in crushed velvet.

I'm going with ELO for the win, simply because they put the word "orchestra" into their name. You're not supposed to be an orchestra if you're gonna rock, I don't care how "prog" you are.

And I would submit, for further consideration, any band of the period who wrote songs about mysticism, magic, elves, or who dressed in crushed velvet.
What about Mettalica and the SFO?
That kicked arse!

They fall into the "I dont care how talented they are, they still suck" category.

Like Rush.

*hides*

*Agrees...but does not hide*

I'll stand by my words, damn it! :p

What about Mettalica and the SFO?
That kicked arse!
Yeah, but Metallica never claimed to be the orchestra. I mean, what they did was pretty pretentious, but it's not like they changed their name to the "Metallic Symphonic Orchestra" or something.

I'm going with ELO for the win, simply because they put the word "orchestra" into their name. You're not supposed to be an orchestra if you're gonna rock, I don't care how "prog" you are.

And I would submit, for further consideration, any band of the period who wrote songs about mysticism, magic, elves, or who dressed in crushed velvet.
That's certainly true, but Emerson, Lake and Palmer actually tried to play orchestral songs (causing me confusion between the two bands that I reluctantly lost when I shared a place with the aforementioned progrocker), so it's hard for me to weigh the two...

As for the last bit, after finally listening to the lyrics from all those bands, rockers beating up or making fun of gamers is a glass house situation...

Yes and Genesis were awful, but for my money Van Der Graaf Generator would take some beating for sheer pretentiousness

That's certainly true, but Emerson, Lake and Palmer actually tried to play orchestral songs (causing me confusion between the two bands that I reluctantly lost when I shared a place with the aforementioned progrocker), so it's hard for me to weigh the two...

As for the last bit, after finally listening to the lyrics from all those bands, rockers beating up or making fun of gamers is a glass house situation...
Yeah, the first time I ever heard Mussourgsky was an ELP version of "Pictures at an Exhibition."

Yes

The most pretentious has to be either

The Alan Parsons Project

or

Colliseum II.

Led Zepplin.

I'm not sure how classical elements in rock music = pretentious. I thought it was a logical sidecourse for evolution. Or maybe anything becomes better when you add classical influences. Anyway, ELO rocks.

I will be stoned and crucified for this but, nevertheless, I'm going with KISS!!!

I will be stoned and crucified for this but, nevertheless, I'm going with KISS!!!

They weren't pretentious, just silly and campy.

I will be stoned and crucified for this but, nevertheless, I'm going with KISS!!!

Actually, I second that. I can't think of any other band that has to put on several hours of makeup and pyro to play songs that any band could have come up with.

Neil Young

OMG you guys are going to make me cry. :(

I was just taking a break from obsessively trying to play Robert Fripp/King Crimson a lot faster than it really is on my guitar, and here you guys are telling me you don't like that stuff. And Yes, and Rush... :(

I always thought ELO was too poppy and mainstream and stupid for my taste, personally.

But this post takes the cake. :(

The most pretentious has to be either

The Alan Parsons Project

or

Colliseum II.

I don't know who Colliseum II is, but the Alan Parsons Project... OMG, that was like, my favourite thing from... about... age ten until forever. I liked the Alan Parsons Project so much that I went 32 days listening to part of 'Eye in the Sky' on loop in both my bedroom and my headphones.

By the way, I thought it was twelve and I had no idea what pretentious meant. I thought the Alan Parsons Project were the coolest guys on the planet. I wanted to grow up to be so Alan Parsons Project Cool that I could be like the guy in 'You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned' and be like LET'S GO and suddenly play this awesome guitar solo and people would be like WOW SHE IS SO AWESOME SHE'S AS COOL AS THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT *thinks Floydistan is the coolest person on the planet*. -- So I tried in vain about 80 million times when I was elevenish-twelvish to play that damn guitar solo and sound as cool as that guy, but it never worked.

By the way, if it isn't obvious, I was completely socially retarded and had never even heard the Spice Girls until about four months ago in the locker room at school this song that's like TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT and it's very annoying came on the radio. :D

Wow...nobody mentioned Pink Floyd yet.
I'll say Led Zeppelin, with Floyd getting the honorable mention.

Wow...nobody mentioned Pink Floyd yet.
I'll say Led Zeppelin, with Floyd getting the honorable mention.

That's 'cos Pink Floyd is AWESOME! =D

I think music has gone way downhill since Pink Floyd, and I'm 16. Look at the shit that passes for good music right now.

David Bowie

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Parliament

Do I win the thread?

Parliament

Do I win the thread?
No, because you're trying too hard.

No, because you're trying too hard.

OK I will back down a full 7% on the pretentious meter and still win the thread.

Alice Cooper

They put out a disco album.
They drop band members with abandon.
They made one of the worst movies of all time.
They've put themselves on every tangible item imaginable.
They may well be the MOST PRETENTIOUS BAND OF ALL TIME!!!

They are...
http://www.kissasylum.com/photos/kiss_darkhorse1.jpg

They put out a disco album.
They drop band members with abandon.
They made one of the worst movies of all time.
They've put themselves on every tangible item imaginable.
They may well be the MOST PRETENTIOUS BAND OF ALL TIME!!!

They are...



The rolling stones?

KISS?

Yes, KISS! Congrats! Thanks for playing!

The Floyd, followed closely by Led Zeppelin.

That's 'cos Pink Floyd is AWESOME! =D

I think music has gone way downhill since Pink Floyd, and I'm 16. Look at the shit that passes for good music right now.It's better than most of the shit that passed for good music in the '70s.

-snip- Simon and Garfunkel.

Was the first to come to mind. I figured they would be in the poll.

I don't know who Colliseum II is, but the Alan Parsons Project... OMG, that was like, my favourite thing from... about... age ten until forever. I liked the Alan Parsons Project so much that I went 32 days listening to part of 'Eye in the Sky' on loop in both my bedroom and my headphones. [snip]

Let us be clear about something here. Pretentiousness =/= Crap music

Being pretentious is thinking that you are doing something of world shattering importance, that your message will chanvge society for ever etc. The APP were good musically, otherwise they would not be remembered today, but they took themselves way too seriously.

Let us be clear about something here. Pretentiousness =/= Crap music

Being pretentious is thinking that you are doing something of world shattering importance, that your message will chanvge society for ever etc. The APP were good musically, otherwise they would not be remembered today, but they took themselves way too seriously.
They'll always have a special place in my heart for this one reason. You see, I'd forgotten just how bad the movie "LadyHawke" was. I mean, I knew it was cheesy--how could it not be? 13th Century or so France, Rutger Hauer on a black horse turns into a wolf at night, Michelle Pfeiffer is a hawk by day, Matthew Broderick is a thief who escapes from prison and has to bring them together.

But I'd forgotten the worst part--the score was by the Alan Parsons Project. Trust me, there are few odder things in film than seeing a 13th century French knight riding across the plains on his black stallion to the sound of earnest synthesizer music. It took cheesy to a whole new level.

That's 'cos Pink Floyd is AWESOME! =D

I think music has gone way downhill since Pink Floyd, and I'm 16. Look at the shit that passes for good music right now.

I like smart kids! This post restores my faith in America's youth!!! Good job!!!

Let us be clear about something here. Pretentiousness =/= Crap music

Being pretentious is thinking that you are doing something of world shattering importance, that your message will chanvge society for ever etc. The APP were good musically, otherwise they would not be remembered today, but they took themselves way too seriously.

Exactly, so let me reiterate, if I may...Neil Young!!!

OK I will back down a full 7% on the pretentious meter and still win the thread.

Alice Cooper

Pretentious?

Cooper?

Thats honestly not what he was going for.

Parliament

Do I win the thread?
Not even an honorable mention. Maybe we can sift around in a box for a 'Participant' ribbon by having the pretence to ask, "Do I win the thread," though...

I suppose I should also mention David Bowie.

Not that Bowie isnt/wasnt cool, or didnt have some really good music...

But Bowie likes Bowie.
Bowie thinks Bowie can sing much better than Bowie really can, I think.

Bowie fans also think everything he wipes his ass on is the very definition of high art.
Thats just not the case for anyone.

So while not the most pretentious, he should earn a mention.

Not even an honorable mention. Maybe we can sift around in a box for a 'Participant' ribbon by having the pretence to ask, "Do I win the thread," though...

How about this one?

http://store.dinntrophy.com/images/product/popups/ribbons/large/l_green(0)

You didn't include any glam rock bands.

After glam I would put punk. All hype, little worth.

Rush. No doubt about it. "Objectivism" doesn't make for good rock lyrics. Most of their songs read like "Atlas Shrugged". They're so preachy they make Hawkeye Pierce look like the tax collector in the back of the temple.

OK, how did Grand Funk Railroad end up on this poll? They weren't pretentious in the least; just good ol' Foot Stompin' Music!!! :cool:

Not even an honorable mention. Maybe we can sift around in a box for a 'Participant' ribbon by having the pretence to ask, "Do I win the thread," though...

You arent familiar with Parliament is the only explanation.

Pretentious?

Cooper?

Thats honestly not what he was going for.

He not succeeded spectacularly.

Let us be clear about something here. Pretentiousness =/= Crap music

Being pretentious is thinking that you are doing something of world shattering importance, that your message will chanvge society for ever etc. The APP were good musically, otherwise they would not be remembered today, but they took themselves way too seriously.

I suppose I could toss the Who in there then by that standard. Tho' I actually quite like them.

Rush would count if they didn't actually say intelligent things.

Neil Young, on the other hand, doesn't say intelligent things.

Yes and ELO are probably the two most pretentious bands. Maybe the Rick Wakeman solo stuff. Maybe the Strawbs.

I love the Strawbs, but I have to admit they're pretty pretentious.

Rush would count if they didn't actually say intelligent things.

Neil Young, on the other hand, doesn't say intelligent things.

Yes and ELO are probably the two most pretentious bands. Maybe the Rick Wakeman solo stuff. Maybe the Strawbs.


I love the Strawbs, but I have to admit they're pretty pretentious.

Sorry, no. The Who's lifehouse project for the win.

You arent familiar with Parliament is the only explanation.
I have their complete catalog. And Funkadelics. You aren't familiar with prog rock, the only explanation.

Haha!

Dem most pretentious band of the 70's, mon, was da Wailers pre-Rasta.

Oh, wait, that was the '60's. How about K-C and the Sunshine Band?

I have their complete catalog. And Funkadelics. You aren't familiar with prog rock, the only explanation.
I have to admit that I puzzled a bit when I saw that as well. I mean, not only isn't George Clinton anything but pretentious, but Parliament as prog rock? In what Bizzarro dimension?


Neil Young, on the other hand, doesn't say intelligent things.
Sorry dude, but Neil Young is one of the premier US songwriters of the last forty years, and whatever you may think of him, is not prog rock, the subject of this thread.

Haha!

Dem most pretentious band of the 70's, mon, was da Wailers pre-Rasta.

Oh, wait, that was the '60's. How about K-C and the Sunshine Band?
I don't think you can call KC and the Sunshine Band pretentious either. They never pretended to be anything other than what they were--a disco, shake-your-booty band. They never acted like they were making high art.

I have their complete catalog. And Funkadelics. You aren't familiar with prog rock, the only explanation.

Possibly you are too familiar with them then. Isnt Funkadelic his 80s project?

Sorry dude, but Neil Young is one of the premier US songwriters of the last forty years, and whatever you may think of him, is not prog rock, the subject of this thread.

I thought that idiot was Canadian until a couple of years ago! Still, he is the most pretentious twit, not just of the 70's but, quite possibly, of ALL TIME!!!

I have to admit that I puzzled a bit when I saw that as well. I mean, not only isn't George Clinton anything but pretentious, but Parliament as prog rock? In what Bizzarro dimension?
Sorry dude, but Neil Young is one of the premier US songwriters of the last forty years, and whatever you may think of him, is not prog rock, the subject of this thread.


Im sorry I read the OP where nothing at all is mentioned about progressive rock. It asks what the most pretentious band of the seventies was. Not rock. Not "prog". Simply band.

Possibly you are too familiar with them then. Isnt Funkadelic his 80s project?
You're straining too hard to come up with some 'out of the box' choice. Sometimes the obvious choices, like the prog rock bands, are obvious because they are also the more accurate choices.

And that straining to look like an 'outside thinker' is really pretentious in and of its self, which earns you the Participent ribbon Booney found for you.

You're straining too hard to come up with some 'out of the box' choice. Sometimes the obvious choices, like the prog rock bands, are obvious because they are also the more accurate choices.

And that straining to look like an 'outside thinker' is really pretentious in and of its self, which earns you the Participent ribbon Booney found for you.

And yet despite the attacks on myself and you calling me pretentious for doing so I stick with Parliament as the most pretentious band of the 70s. Strange how opinions vary but attacks on character do not.

And yet despite the attacks on myself and you calling me pretentious for doing so I stick with Parliament as the most pretentious band of the 70s. Strange how opinions vary but attacks on character do not.
We're gonna need that wood.

We're gonna need that wood.

When the oil runs dry?

Rush. No doubt about it. "Objectivism" doesn't make for good rock lyrics. Most of their songs read like "Atlas Shrugged". They're so preachy they make Hawkeye Pierce look like the tax collector in the back of the temple.

You're kidding, right?

The only thing really close to Objectivism Rush released was "2112". And Neil really didn't mean to make it so close to Rand's Atlas Shrugged (he commented on this, actually). After looking at the lyrics, he noticed just how similar it was, and since he didn't want to be accused of plagiarism, he decided to add a little inset note on the gatefold sleeve that said "With acknowledgement to the genius of Ayn Rand". And you know what? It kept the frothing Randroids off his back.

Hemispheres shows that Peart is no tool, and that he really does think for himself (very meaningful lyrics that question Rand's philosophy, among others). Maybe you should actually listen to Rush before opening your mouth and looking like a dip.


Keeping on-topic... I'll have to say Queen, without a shadow of a doubt. They rocked (and still do, even if they're only survived by recordings), but wow...

Keeping on-topic... I'll have to say Queen, without a shadow of a doubt. They rocked (and still do, even if they're only survived by recordings), but wow...

That's what my girlfriend said! I was crushed when she said it and I'm crushed that you've said it!!! You people hurt my tender feelings!!! :(

Keeping on-topic... I'll have to say Queen, without a shadow of a doubt. They rocked (and still do, even if they're only survived by recordings), but wow...

I've never thought of queen as pretentious, more outrageously camp. Either way, good music though.

The Rolling Stones?


If anybody ever needed to go a size up in pants, it was Mic jagger

Why is Kansas on the list? I don't know what was so pretentious about Kansas. I think a mix disk of Kansas songs has been in the car CD changer forever and my parents have every Kansas LP, and though I've never sat down and listened to all of any one of them (Even Leftoverture and Point of Know Return... Shame on me, but they're so musty), I never thought it was pretentious music. I was just at one of their shows not too long ago, and it was really good.

You're kidding, right?

The only thing really close to Objectivism Rush released was "2112". And Neil really didn't mean to make it so close to Rand's Atlas Shrugged (he commented on this, actually). After looking at the lyrics, he noticed just how similar it was, and since he didn't want to be accused of plagiarism, he decided to add a little inset note on the gatefold sleeve that said "With acknowledgement to the genius of Ayn Rand". And you know what? It kept the frothing Randroids off his back.

Hemispheres shows that Peart is no tool, and that he really does think for himself (very meaningful lyrics that question Rand's philosophy, among others). Maybe you should actually listen to Rush before opening your mouth and looking like a dip.

"Freewill" comes from Permanent Waves and is every bit as preachy and Randish in spirit as 2112. So much for your ad hominem response, DIP :p

Agreed.

Yes bores me to tears.

They fall into the "I dont care how talented they are, they still suck" category.

Like Rush.

*hides*
Thanks for saving my the extra keystrokes...

Spinal Tap

Angel. Casablanca Records other rock act. They all dressed in white, used mirrors to "appear" and "disappear" on stage, and actually had a lead guitarist who had apparently decided that Punky Meadows was a good name to go by.

Spinal Tap

:p

Which one do you think it is?
Skynyrd.
And yes, i know what "pretentious" means.

Angel. Casablanca Records other rock act. They all dressed in white, used mirrors to "appear" and "disappear" on stage, and actually had a lead guitarist who had apparently decided that Punky Meadows was a good name to go by.Wow, that sounds cool. Are they related in any way to Angel Witch?

He not succeeded spectacularly.


My apologies.

I said that, in an attempt not to belittle you on this forum.
Instead, I chose to suggest that you may not have caught on to what he was going for.
Not being a fan of his music, or even familair with it, would probably exscuse you for suggesting Alice Cooper is/was pretentious.

Instead, Ive read some other posts you've made on this thread, and I can only conclude that your tatse in music is rather ...dull.
That is to say, I really dont think you know what youre talking about.

Alice Cooper sung about things that are taboo.
Necrophelia, madness, death, and killing your loved ones.
Things that you didnt really talk about at that time.

Its not high art, nor did Alice Cooper ever claim it to be so.

In fact, Cooper is SO not pretentious, his kids didnt even know he was a rock star, until thier teens.
He was "dad" to them, or "Vincent", not "Alice".

Cooper has actually always maintained that "Alice Cooper" is merely a stage character.


Sorry, my friend, but I must conclude that you are musically inept.

You're kidding, right?

The only thing really close to Objectivism Rush released was "2112"....snip..Hemispheres shows that Peart is no tool........more snip...

I dont know about him, but Im not kidding.

Im more than familiar with Rush, and I still think theyre lame.

Once again, its not that these guys are untalented.
In fact, supremely the opposite of that.
In fact, they do have a couple of albums I like.
Not love...but like...

Thing is, with all the talent in the world...2112, or Hemispheres is the best they could do?

Im not saying these arent good albums, but in the sense of talent, these guys are a real let down.

The lyrics get preachy, and Geddy Lee's voice is a blatant rip-off of the singer from Budgie.
Wich wasnt all that great to begin with.
The man can play bass, but his voice is rather hit-or miss.

Light, airy rock, with long progressions, and preachy lyrics....gets old quick.

Rush is mediocre at best.
As for Pretentious....oh hell yes.

Yes... just no...

I'm highly surprised to find that anyone who is sane might be bothered to remember any seventies-band other than ABBA...

I'm highly surprised to find that anyone who is sane might be bothered to remember any seventies-band other than ABBA...

Most of us have chosen to forget ABBA

Most of us have chosen to forget ABBA


*checks sales of a certain musical*
Thus proving your insanity.
*SMIRK*

Which one do you think it is?
The Monkees

The Monkees

That was the '60s. Try again.

I'm highly surprised to find that anyone who is sane might be bothered to remember any seventies-band other than ABBA...
How was ABBA pretentious? Vapid, sure, but pretentious?

Sorry dude, but Neil Young is one of the premier US songwriters of the last forty years, and whatever you may think of him, is not prog rock, the subject of this thread.
Nothing in the question mentions prog.

And he was born in Toronto and grew up in Winnipeg. That sounds pretty Canadian to me.

Sorry for digging this thread out of its day-old grave, but - Kansas. It has to be Kansas. They're way too self-important sounding with too little talent to back it up. ELP is pretentious as well, but at least Keith Emerson could outplay 99.99% of the pianists in the world, and as a band they were hilariously overblown. I don't think they took it so seriously.

They put out a disco album.
They drop band members with abandon.
They made one of the worst movies of all time.
They've put themselves on every tangible item imaginable.
They may well be the MOST PRETENTIOUS BAND OF ALL TIME!!!

They are...
http://www.kissasylum.com/photos/kiss_darkhorse1.jpg
I've met them. Full of themselves, yes, but not pretentious. They consider themselves to be entertainment, not art. Of course, maybe considering themselves entertainment is pretentious ;)

How was ABBA pretentious? Vapid, sure, but pretentious?
No, Bog is saying they are the only 70's band worth remembering (troll), not that they were pretentious. Is it pretentious to have the best produced music of the era (apart from Steeley Dan)?

I've met them. Full of themselves, yes, but not pretentious. They consider themselves to be entertainment, not art. Of course, maybe considering themselves entertainment is pretentious ;)

I found the concept of a KISS thong for $60 at the last show I went to be a sign of being pretentious. Never mind the $120/each tickets! (okay, it was with Aerosmith, but still...)

I own the first seven albums put out by The Moody Blues (late sixties, early seventies), and they are honestly some of the most pretentious recordings I have ever heard. That said, I also think they are great music.

In fairness, The Moody Blues did end that seven album streak on the song "I'm Just A Singer In A Rock & Roll Band".

I've met them. Full of themselves, yes, but not pretentious. They consider themselves to be entertainment, not art. Of course, maybe considering themselves entertainment is pretentious ;)
Well, to be entertainment, you have to entertaining...

Im sorry I read the OP where nothing at all is mentioned about progressive rock. It asks what the most pretentious band of the seventies was. Not rock. Not "prog". Simply band.
You're right--I apologize. I think I projected the poll choices and my own biases into the discussion.

I found the concept of a KISS thong for $60 at the last show I went to be a sign of being pretentious. Never mind the $120/each tickets! (okay, it was with Aerosmith, but still...)

Aerosmith?

Are you a masochist?

Aerosmith?

Are you a masochist?

It's amazing what I will do for that woman. :)

It's amazing what I will do for that woman. :)
Doesn't something like that qualify as spousal abuse?

Aerosmith?

Are you a masochist?
Dammit... you got "Dream On" stuck in my head...

Dammit... you got "Dream On" stuck in my head...

You got it going in my head for a few seconds there, but I easily drowned it out with Rush's "YYZ". :D

You got it going in my head for a few seconds there, but I easily drowned it out with Rush's "YYZ". :D
I had to cure it with Dream Theatre and Black Sabbath. It was a harsh 15 minutes, but I think I'm through the worst of it.

Doesn't something like that qualify as spousal abuse?

To be fair, she does put up with my inexplicable love of "Tio's Super Burrito" at Margarita's and the inevitable... well, you get the idea.

Motley Crue.

Motley Crue.They're '80s.

I found the concept of a KISS thong for $60 at the last show I went to be a sign of being pretentious. Never mind the $120/each tickets! (okay, it was with Aerosmith, but still...)
That's not pretentious! That's capitalism, baby! Gene is alll about the bottom line ;)