OFF: 10 MOST HATED

[Stuart Hamilton]

Paul Mather <paul at GROMIT.DLIB.VT.EDU>wrote
"If I didn't know better, it's almost as if you're saying "I don't like
the Beatles because everyone else does." ;-)

I have to admit that I was neutrally---even negatively---disposed
towards the Beatles, mainly because of the "hype" I felt surrounded
them.  That was until I bothered actually to listen to them seriously
(as opposed to hearing a handful of the "hits," which was my previous
exposure).  One spin of _Revolver_ was enough to tell me I'd *seriously*
underestimated these guys!  And then _Abbey Road_ went into heavy
rotation.  (_Revolver_ is still my favourite, and, IMHO, their magnum
opus.)

You may dislike the Beatles for their critical and popular acclaim, but
I find it hard to countenance the "sloppy songwriting" allegation. Songs
don't get lodged as deep in the collective international psyche as
deeply, and endure as long as a lot of Beatles songs by being "sloppy."
Some of these songs are iconic, now.  Obviously they must
be doing *something* right. :-)

IMHO, the Beatles truly are one of the great bands (more so if you
appraise their achievements in context).

Cheers,
Paul."

Ah, now, just become something is lodged in the collective international
psyche doesn't mean it has merit.  After all, how many people still
remember the words to "Agadoo", "Y Viva Espana" or "The Birdie Song".
Musical appreciation is such a subjective matter that it is impossible
to achieve consensus.  And for my sins, I have sat through the entire
Beatles catalogue on many an occasion.  The perils of a Beatle loving
girlfriend. I can only thank the lord/deity of your choice that we broke
up long before the Beatles/Lennon anthologies:-)  The Beatles were
musical magpies who took the best elements of true innovators and
converted them into an easily palatable commercial whole.  Which is in
itself a talent of sorts.  But in the sixties, I would pick The Byrds
over everyone else.  We shall have to beg to differ.

SAH
NP The Cultivators - Mamas Kitchen
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