http://pitchfork.com/news/37633-vampire-weekend-hit-number-one/ Vampire Weekend's new album has hit #1 in album sales, beating out mainstream artists like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and the Black Eyed Peas. Only the 12th indie title to do so since '91. Is there still hope for music? Is this even thread worthy? Idk but god damn i love this band and this album.
I actually like Vampire Weekend's album more. Only listening to it twice, I would say it's Spoon worst album. That being said, I do like it a lot.
My guess is that he's referring to completely changing their image and sound as to become more marketable. I would say it's unlikely as the new VW album is less "pop" than their debut.
"Indie" is the new "alternative." Which means we have a few short years before the indie versions of Nickelback start showing up.
They already did that, god they are so conscious of their image. The first album they were going for a "We summer in Cape Cod" look and now they are a "California band." Its like they did their undergrad at Harvard and Yale but decided they didn't want to work at their respective father's law firms and investment banks so they all got to together and decided to go do their post grad at Stanford. "He gaize! We're headed for the Contra Costa (spanish for opposite coast)!"
Back in the day bands such as Black Flag, Husker Du, Minor Threat, Butthole Surfers, Sonic Youth, Fugazi and Dinosaur Jr. were considered Indie according to the book I'm reading, "Our Band Could Be Your Life- Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991." Maybe I wasn't aware of the "Indie" sling back then, but I sure didn't consider them anything but alternative or the beginning of Grunge.
I remember a long time ago when Cobain talked about "Grunge Greatest Hits" TV ads that would appear in 20 years. I didn't think something like that would really happen. The music was too obscure haha. Less than twenty years later he was right and it made me laugh. I also never thought there would be a day when I would hear Red Hot Chili Peppers songs being played in McDonald's etc. In the mid 80's that notion would seem to be a complete impossibility. I for one embrace the insanity. Lady Gaga is much more of an artist than yall realize too, IMO.
Give me a break, any perceived change in image you're seeing is nothing compared to Kings of Leon. Before: After: I feel a lot of VW's criticism just comes across at petty. How dare these preppy kids from upper middle class backgrounds have success with their music! Don't they know there is no place in indie rock for polos! If only they wore second hand clothing and ironic t-shirts. Whatever. Focusing on the music, their new album doesn't do anything to suggest they're trying to have broader commercial appeal.
hahaha. unfotunately KOL weren't that good to begin with...but yeah, they totally changed (but it has made them money)
This type of thing confuses the crap out of me. I always thought alternative pretty much started with REM's Murmur (or maybe a few of their lesser known influences). I though Black Flag, Husker Du, Fugazi, and Minor Threat would fall closer to punk (specifically hardcore punk) than alternative, no? As far as "indie." It depends if its being used with its literal definition of a group who sells record through independent labels. Or currently it is used more to describe a genre of music starting with the likes of Pavement.
