Taking Sides: Linkin Park vs. Michael Bolton -- which is more insufferable?

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I've informed my 13-year-old brother that listening to Linkin Park is as insufferable as listening to Michael Bolton. He won't take me seriously about it. But really -- they're both absolutely grating to listen to and they were/are overexposed (thankfully Bolton's become a relic of the past). When Linkin Park came out, I was Ethan's age and I couldn't stand them even then.

― When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a moray! (Eastern Mantra), Saturday, 30 July 2005 14:51 (twenty years ago)

Bolton is, hands down, the one MOR / AOR artist that I find completely indefensible, in that everything I've ever heard by him has made me lunge for the dial.

I actually kinda like Linkin Park, fake angst notwithstanding. They're like this bizarro-world boyband version of 80s goth.

― Tantrum The Cat (Tantrum The Cat), Saturday, 30 July 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

agree, agree. no contest at all.

― Kim (Kim), Saturday, 30 July 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

yeah this is silly, obv. LP are one of the best bands in 00s mainstream rock, Michael Bolton is a very unnecessary person.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 30 July 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

For some reason, the singer from Linkin Park reminds me of Dennis DeYoung from Styx. I don't like the way Dennis DeYoung from Styx sings. I don't like the way the singer from Linkin Park sings. I don't like the way the rapper from Linkin Park raps. I don't like the way the drummer from Linkin Park plays with all arms instead of all wrists. He looks awkward, contorted, ... his drumming suffers from the fact that he is no more than an borderline amateur.
Michael Bolton is brutal. He should never have been allowed a career. But the talented musicians that have played on his recordings over the years are reason alone to find something commendable about the product. There is nothing commendable that I can find in this place called Linkin Park.

― bahtology, Saturday, 30 July 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

"One Inch Closer" isn't awful.

Therefore, Linkin Park is by the barest of margins the better.

― spanner, Saturday, 30 July 2005 16:43 (twenty years ago)

I agree that theyre both as bad as each other. get you brother some MF Doom. maybe he'll like that. in fact doom has probably sampled michael bolton and turned it into a track about incest or summat. (maybe)

― barf-b-q, Saturday, 30 July 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

The boys in Linkin Park are hot. I don't really see why they need to be anything else.

― sun, Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:05 (twenty years ago)

I had forgotten Linkin Park existed for a few months before this thread.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:12 (twenty years ago)

They're like this bizarro-world boyband version of 80s goth.

There are Depeche Mode/Linkin Park comparisons littered all over ILM.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:29 (twenty years ago)

Definitely Bolton is worse.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:34 (twenty years ago)

There are Depeche Mode/Linkin Park comparisons littered all over ILM.

That's exactly what I was alluding to!

― Tantrum The Cat (Tantrum The Cat), Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:38 (twenty years ago)

At least Bolton doesn't ice his shitcakes with retarded attempts at hip hop.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

alex otm

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 30 July 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:04 (twenty years ago)

yes

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:05 (twenty years ago)

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:20 (twenty years ago)

yes

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:24 (twenty years ago)

in a hand-to-hand combat situation, bolton would wipe the floor with those nu metal idiots - but he'd have very sore bones for a few weeks after because to put it kindly he's "getting on a bit"

― barf-b-q, Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

Those linkin dudes are trying way too hard to be all spectacular and fail miserably. Bolton, however, is spectacular at being straight-down-the-middle bland. Bolton's the better man here.(I can't believe I get to type that!) Plus, his hair doesn't try that hard either.

― p.j. (Henry), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:30 (twenty years ago)

xpost:

Linkin Park's raps are more Culture Beat than Talib Kweli. In the context of their music, this is no bad thing.

― Tantrum The Cat (Tantrum The Cat), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:31 (twenty years ago)

in a hand-to-hand combat situation, bolton would wipe the floor with those nu metal idiots - but he'd have very sore bones for a few weeks after because to put it kindly he's "getting on a bit"

I'd definitely wager Shinoda could take him, and I'd think Chester would've been forced to toughen up a bit due to all those times he (most likely) got his ass kicked in middle school. The rest, you're probably right. The furry guitarist wouldn't last five seconds.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 30 July 2005 18:33 (twenty years ago)

Say what you will, Bolton's got some pipes and can "do" soul. Plus he's hard - he said he loved you... but he lied, dig?

Also, he is a quite handsome older gentleman whose power to moisten the chairs of women of a certain age grows no weaker with the years, and reminds us that a man need not strive to look twenty-three forever to remain attractive.

http://www.michaelbolton.com/media/covers/vintage.jpg

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

Let's see Chester sell his hair. His hair, people! for 6 large.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

Michael Bolton was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1954. Few know that this Nordic-looking heartthrob whose music rustles souls and facilitates seductions is the descendant of observant Jewish grandparents who kept a kosher home. The original family name was Bolotin. Although Bolton terms himself a "rebel Jew," he says that he feels a sense of pride and strength that emanates from his heritage. "I feel some sort of ancient connection that seems to be innate in me."

That connection wasn't even shaken when Bolton's rabbi told his parents not to send the 13-year-old back to Sunday school until he could stop making jokes and start taking things seriously. But Bolton has an indefatigable sense of humor and 37 years have since passed-and he never returned to Hebrew school. "I was always sure I'd be the kid who'd get thrown out for betting on the dreidle," he says laughingly.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

It would appear that the only feasible argument for MB is that he's a better person than the LP dudes.

Which may or may not be the case, but it's certainly a lot more justifiable than any music-based arguments.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)

Let's see Chester write a big hit for KISS. (Yes, it was "Forever," but still... KISS, people!)

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:01 (twenty years ago)

~~At least~~ Sadly, Bolton doesn't ice his shitcakes with retarded attempts at hip hop.
-- Alex in NYC (vassife...), July 30th, 2005. (later)

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:02 (twenty years ago)

But The Good Dr. Bill is indeed onto something here. I have no knowledge at all of the LP's (or individual bandmembers') charitable activities, but this line on the Bolton resume will be hard to top:

In 1993, he established the Michael Bolton Foundation, now the Michael Bolton Charities, Inc (MBC), to provide assistance, education and shelter to children and women at risk from poverty, as well as physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In partnership with Connecticut Governor John Rowland, the MBC created "Safe Space," a danger-free environment for youths, to foster self-esteem, leadership skills, job training, and awareness of social issues. Since its inception, MBC has granted well over $3.7 million in funding to local and national charities.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:03 (twenty years ago)

PS - One word: Blackjack

Okay, one word and a pic

http://www.lauraforever.com/mbonthenet/images/bjgroup.jpg

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:05 (twenty years ago)

If we're talking about the music though, those adorable tykes in Linkin Park have cut a couple of tracks that I... er... don't entirely... um... dislike, which gives them an undeniable edge in this race to the middle.

For better or worse, they are the Nirvana of nu-metal, and they win.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:07 (twenty years ago)

oh holy cow, that with the fu manchu and imperial is Jimmy Haslip...one of the best bassists on the planet. He went on to join the impeccable Yellowjackets and is now making jaws drop in the supergroup power trio Jing Chi.
and that guy with the big bushy hair is Bruce Kulick, who would go on to join KISS in the mid eighties.
I have no idea who the drummer was.

― bahtology, Saturday, 30 July 2005 20:42 (twenty years ago)

There are Depeche Mode/Linkin Park comparisons littered all over ILM.

Sorry, they won't ever make anything even remotely as good as Speak and Spell!

― When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a moray! (Eastern Mantra), Saturday, 30 July 2005 21:35 (twenty years ago)

it's such a shame that Michael hasn't (yet) collided with a goose in the Fabio stylee.

― Kim (Kim), Saturday, 30 July 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

I don't understand the Linkin Park comparisons to Depeche Mode at all. Not in the slightest.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 30 July 2005 22:09 (twenty years ago)

a damned shame.

― Kim (Kim), Saturday, 30 July 2005 22:12 (twenty years ago)

Alex otm, Linkin Park = Pet Shop Boys

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 30 July 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

But The Good Dr. Bill is indeed onto something here. I have no knowledge at all of the LP's (or individual bandmembers') charitable activities, but this line on the Bolton resume will be hard to top:

Music For Relief, dude!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 30 July 2005 22:24 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides: Michael Bolton vs. Kenny G

― Edward Bax (EdBax), Sunday, 31 July 2005 01:50 (twenty years ago)

Bolton, however, is spectacular at being straight-down-the-middle bland. Bolton's the better man here.(I can't believe I get to type that!) Plus, his hair doesn't try that hard either.
-- p.j.

But voicewise, he tries TOO fucking hard, seemingly threatening to give himself a stroke with every line, which he equates with soulfulness (or just plain soul.) There are few recorded moments in pop history as insufferable as the coda to "When A Man Loves A Woman" when he starts to ad-lib all that "When a man...WHEN A MAN" stuff.

(I did like his dreidel anecdote, however. Pretty funny! I'm sure he's probably a real swell guy with a good sense of humour. If only his records were equally funny.)

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Sunday, 31 July 2005 11:32 (twenty years ago)

I don't understand the Linkin Park comparisons to Depeche Mode at all. Not in the slightest.

Oh, they're there, trust me.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 31 July 2005 11:36 (twenty years ago)

They'll never pen anything as strong as Martin Gore's weakest composition.

― The Gospel Comes to New Guinea (Eastern Mantra), Sunday, 31 July 2005 15:38 (twenty years ago)

Michael Bolton can sing better - meaning he actually hits the notes he's attempting to reach in pretty much every case, whereas Linkin Park often sing flat when trying to reach high notes. Michael Bolton's actual voice, however, is slightly more irritating, although that not to say that Chester dude's voice is any less discomforting. In terms of the music itself, "One Step Closer" wins between both artists' catalogues by quite a large margin. Further down the line, "In The End" just about ties with "How Can We Be Lovers."

For better or worse, they are the Nirvana of nu-metal, and they win.

I'm not sure what this title is supposed to mean. They are by no means the one band who propelled nu-metal to the mainstream airwaves in the way Nirvana did with grunge and alt-rock. That would be Korn. They are by no means the band who provided the "Teen Spirit" equivalent to nu-metal - that would be Limp Bizkit with "Nookie." However, neither of these bands, nor Linkin Park, won over the fans who were searching for "realness" in their metal. That was taken care of by Slipknot. Nirvana achieved all three of these in one band. Linkin Park achieved none of these. In fact, I'm pretty positive that most Linkin Park fans don't even listen to nu-metal, and vice versa.

LP are one of the best bands in 00s mainstream rock

In terms of those who scored big with multiple hit singles, there are dozens of bands who are better. I don't understand how they're so highly praised by people who I feel should know better, considering how formulaic their songcraft is. If anything, they're the Collective Soul of nu-metal.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Sunday, 31 July 2005 15:47 (twenty years ago)

who are the dozens of mainstream rock bands who scored big with multiple singles in the 00s that are better than Linkin Park?

― ejegt, Sunday, 31 July 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

yeah, I'm sorta curious about that myself. At most I can think of two.

Yes, they're formulaic as hell (they're getting a bit better at that), but the hooks and the production are fairly undeniable (though people in this thread do appear to be doing their damndest to deny it). Despite the whininess, Chester can really belt when called on to do so, and Shinoda really knows how to hold your attention as an MC, even if his flow isn't too formidable.

Try comparing some of their bigger hits to the rawk and nu-metal that was big at the time they broke out and they practically sound like a pop supernova.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Sunday, 31 July 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

Ugh, I had to say "dozens," so now I have to think of at least 24 bands.. I'll try and be quick..

Blink 182, Incubus, Queens Of The Stone Age, The White Stripes, Coldplay, AFI, Chevelle, Limp Bizkit, Staind, The Strokes, Muse, Korn, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Coheed & Cambria, Green Day, System Of A Down, Slipknot, Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, A Perfect Circle, Foo Fighters, Saliva, Gorillaz, Lit, No Doubt, Moby

I don't even like a few of these bands, but they're all far more tolerable than Linkin Park.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Sunday, 31 July 2005 18:33 (twenty years ago)

I'm not sure if Modest Mouse or Franz Ferdinand counts, but they're both way better than Linkin Park.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Sunday, 31 July 2005 18:36 (twenty years ago)

Wow, so you really hate Linkin Park (and like - or at least prefer - a lot of shit!)

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 31 July 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

I'll take "In The End," "Numb," "Faint" and "Breaking The Habit" over anything I've heard by Incubus, Coldplay, AFI, Chevelle, Muse, Korn, Coheed & Cambria, Green Day (in the 00s), System Of A Down, Slipknot, Jimmy Eat World (save maybe "The Middle"), Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Foo Fighters, Saliva, Gorillaz, Lit (depends - wasn't "My Own Worst Enemy" in the 90s?), and Moby.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 31 July 2005 19:00 (twenty years ago)

and Foo Fighters are an "in the 00s" exception too.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 31 July 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

Good, you can have them, so long as you take them away with you.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 31 July 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

How could I? They live in the hearts of millions of whiny children of all ages.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 31 July 2005 19:05 (twenty years ago)

Ugh, I had to say "dozens," so now I have to think of at least 24 bands.. I'll try and be quick..
Blink 182, Incubus, Queens Of The Stone Age, The White Stripes, Coldplay, AFI, Chevelle, Limp Bizkit, Staind, The Strokes, Muse, Korn, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Coheed & Cambria, Green Day, System Of A Down, Slipknot, Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, A Perfect Circle, Foo Fighters, Saliva, Gorillaz, Lit, No Doubt, Moby

I don't even like a few of these bands, but they're all far more tolerable than Linkin Park.

Hahaha, sooooooooooOTM -- lock thread!

― The Gospel Comes to New Guinea (Eastern Mantra), Sunday, 31 July 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

why are people so anxious to prove that they've become cranky old men who like the music from when they were teenagers best?

― Banana Nutrament (ghostface), Sunday, 31 July 2005 21:59 (twenty years ago)

"music from when they were teenagers"

so that would be Bolton then?

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Sunday, 31 July 2005 22:27 (twenty years ago)

All the bands I listed have hits from the last 5 years, none of which were during my teenage years. Just FYI.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Sunday, 31 July 2005 23:21 (twenty years ago)

Equating Michael Bolton to Linkin Park is complete and utter idiocy. Michael Bolton is one of the worst things to ever occur to popular music. He is a fucking nightmare and all of his albums should be burned. The next person to give him a microphone should be beaten severely and then locked up in Guantanamo Bay For the rest of his/her natural life. Michael Bolton is a crime against all that is good, righteous and holy and in a perfect world his music would only be used to torture ugly kittens.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:33 (twenty years ago)

Miccio is nuts -- THE MIDDLE is the WORST Jimmy Eat World hit on that album. Intolerable!!!!

― I'm Hi, Jared Fogle (ex machina), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:38 (twenty years ago)

his music would only be used to torture ugly kittens

Depending on what his fans look like, perhaps this has already happened.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:42 (twenty years ago)

Jon prefers his pussy-ass Jimmy Eat World bullshit less brazenly succinct.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:47 (twenty years ago)

and actually every time I hear "The Middle" the fascist pep amuses me less and the lyrics bother me more. Plus the singer stole his shtick from Jamie Walters.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 00:51 (twenty years ago)

haha - that's a pretty loose definition of 'hits' being applied there too.

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 01:41 (twenty years ago)

I think ILX's popism love has lost sight of the pop music culture of white overweight girls from the 'burbs....

― I'm Hi, Jared Fogle (ex machina), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:26 (twenty years ago)

i would take linkin park over michael bolton -- and franz ferdinand and modest mouse, too. all b/c of the cheesy 3d-rate depeche mode-isms, honestly. and b/c all of the other 3 suck.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:31 (twenty years ago)

jon i don't think orbit's a linkin park fan

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:34 (twenty years ago)

i know a guy named michael bolton, he's a nice dude so i'm tempted to pick him. on the other hand, having that name has made his life miserable so i think i'll pick LP.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:35 (twenty years ago)

Orbit is also OLD.

― I'm Hi, Jared Fogle (ex machina), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:36 (twenty years ago)

i am also OLD, jon!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 August 2005 02:38 (twenty years ago)

note - of the rock acts listed above the following have actually scored 'multiple hits' this decade: coldplay, staind, green day, no doubt (and linkin park of course)

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:03 (twenty years ago)

i wonder if there are 24 rock acts that have had 'multiple hits' this decade!

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:04 (twenty years ago)

i know a guy named michael bolton, he's a nice dude so i'm tempted to pick him.

That reminds me, would you stop calling me about your red stapler?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:06 (twenty years ago)

"He won't take me seriously about it."

Lol, shocking

― LOCKER ROOM TOWEL FIGHT: THE BLINDING OF LARRY DRISCOLL (Adrian Langston), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:07 (twenty years ago)

agreed, except take out TBS (for "Decade") and Gorillaz ("Clint Eastwood") and add QOTSA, Limp Bizkit, StainD, A Perfect Circle and No Doubt (in the 00s).

I'm sorta morbidly curious about what StainD song Anthony prefers to those LP songs.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:43 (twenty years ago)

ned that totally went over my head!

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:47 (twenty years ago)

Hm. You really should see Office Space.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 August 2005 03:53 (twenty years ago)

note - of the rock acts listed above the following have actually scored 'multiple hits' this decade: coldplay, staind, green day, no doubt (and linkin park of course)

This argument is completely off-point, and veering the thread into an even worse direction than its already in. But anyway, I'm not spelling this out for you. Look it up. Except for the newer emo bands and 1 or 2 others, they've all had at least a few (more than 2) popular radio songs.

Okay, I'll spell out the first one, just so we're on the same page: Blink 182 had at least 5 of these since 2000 that I can think of right now: "I Miss You," "Feeling This," "The Rock Show," "First Date," "Stay Together For The Kids" - and "Adam's Song" I believe was early-2000, so that's actually 6.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Monday, 1 August 2005 04:50 (twenty years ago)

haha it's one of many films that everyone tells me i just "have" to see but i haven't gotten around to yet. see also: the matrix.

but i think i'm more likely to see office space before that one.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 1 August 2005 04:52 (twenty years ago)

hot 100 placements by blink 182 this decade - 'the rock show' (peaked at #71), 'i miss you' (peaked at #42, you could plausibly call this a hit, though not a big hit - big hits would be what coldplay and no doubt and staind - briefly - and green day and, oh yeah, linkin park have).

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 05:01 (twenty years ago)

I almost went with Bolton for Office Space alone.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Monday, 1 August 2005 05:02 (twenty years ago)

linkin park have done nothing i can listen to at all..
michael (mullet)bolton has done brilliant power ballads and aor rock and rocks.

― bichael molton, Monday, 1 August 2005 08:30 (twenty years ago)

haha it's one of many films that everyone tells me i just "have" to see but i haven't gotten around to yet.

Heheh. Yeah, I felt the same way for a while, to the point where I got frustrated a bit with people. It *is* good, though, and advantageously changes from 'okay' to 'flat out great' the more you think about it afterwards.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 August 2005 08:48 (twenty years ago)

haha WOOOPS I also prefer Linkin Park to anything Staind dropped (big WOOPS)

and I'll give that all these bands have had "modern" "rock" "radio" "hits" even if yes, they don't matter on the big hot 100 gloryboard. for the sake of not being a pedantic monoculturalist.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 11:58 (twenty years ago)

and (to be a pedantic favoritist) I probably prefer Linkin Park's classics to any A Perfect Circle but I have a soft spot for those guys.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:02 (twenty years ago)

This is maybe the dumbest thread in the universe.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

one thing that impressed me was how linkin park were pretty much the only big (and not big in a small pond) rock act that have done it pretty much solely (and i might be wrong here but i doubt it) on the back of "modern" "rock" radio - every other big rock act with multiple hits (and not just the ones listed - the other ones i can think of: u2, maroon five, dave matthews, john mayer, kelly clarkson, avril lavigne) have done it with the tag team of adult contemporary. they're also seemingly (lemme know if i'm wrong)(and i wouldn't be shocked if i am or will be soon)(ie. let's see what the killers do) the only male act to have scored multiple uptempo hits (i call 'em "rockers"). respect to linkin park!

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

It includes the concept of Michael Bolton spicing up his hits with stabs at hip-hop. I consider that redemptive.

x-post its probably because Linkin Park's songs (Especially their BIG hits) have a very hip-hop/techno-pop feel (think of all that "Toxic" vs. "Faint" talk), while the other groups focus on a more retro-style balladry.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:19 (twenty years ago)

though I was totally weirded out that "Bring Me To Life" was actually an adult contemporary hit. Maybe "Numb" might have been if not for marketing!

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:20 (twenty years ago)

and don't forget that "Top 40" radio still exists for all these bands! It's not just modern rock and AC.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:23 (twenty years ago)

haha this girl i dated (very briefly for reasons soon to be revealed) about a year and half ago, the first time we were settling down for the physical act of love she goes 'let me put some music on'. and what does she put on? MICHAEL BOLTON. it, um, tested me to say the least. what's really odd is this girl was 18 which means she was like three when bolton was still having hits which means either she's 'i like to fuck to what my parents used to fuck to' OR she's 'listen to this great ol' rhythm and blues singer i discovered!'. either way i was nonplussed (is the word i guess).

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

they're also seemingly (lemme know if i'm wrong)(and i wouldn't be shocked if i am or will be soon)(ie. let's see what the killers do) the only male act to have scored multiple uptempo hits (i call 'em "rockers").

The Killers have already done this.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:25 (twenty years ago)

miccio i have read that there are parts of the country where top 40 radio still routinely plays rock but i remain skeptical (for the same reasons i'm skeptical when i read that 70% of america doesn't believe in dinosaurs or that iraq had something to do with 9/11)(ie. "i believe in america")(first line of the godfather that).

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

haha I live in one, buddy. We have THREE!

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

We used to have a "hits" station that didn't play rock (most popular station in town, no surprise), though, but it got sold. And know there's towns a lot more classicist in this sense than the home of Penn State.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:30 (twenty years ago)

fun fact: athens has two commercial fm radio stations - one's ac, the other's active rock but leans heavily classic rock. their 'official' target demos are 35 yr old females (the ac) and 35 yr old males (the rock)

fun fact 2: athens is a college town (emphasis on "town"). average age of an athenian is below 30.

fun fact 3: both of the commercial fm radio stations in athens routinely draw poorer ratings than the local npr affiliate.

believe it or not!

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:40 (twenty years ago)

I blame Stipe.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

This is maybe the dumbest thread in the universe.

Most OTM thing said here thus far.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

hey some of us don't have blogs ok?

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

and (to be a pedantic favoritist) I probably prefer Linkin Park's classics to any A Perfect Circle but I have a soft spot for those guys.

The soft spot is clearly on your skull, and you should really have that checked out.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 August 2005 12:59 (twenty years ago)

the soft spot's in his pants!

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

the Mer de Noms singles were real good (enough to actually get me to buy the album, which I listened to maybe once), but these days I'd say those LP classics you named (probably their four best) are proabbly better.

And Blink-182 definitely had several big hits this decade. Hot 100 isn't the only useful barometer for these things--they're also still scoring majorly on modern rock stations, MTV year-end countowns and the like (as did most of the bands bill listed, though C&C and Saliva are kinda stretching things a bit)

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Monday, 1 August 2005 13:31 (twenty years ago)

does mtv still do the year-end countdowns? i remember when they scrapped the weekly top 20 countdown ("the day the music died").

― j blount (papa la bas), Monday, 1 August 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

they don't do New Years 100s anymore, but they still do mid-Dec. top 40s (have the last two years, anyway, they'll probably get phased out pretty soon, though). And yeah, it was devestating to me at the time when they stopped the top 20s.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Monday, 1 August 2005 13:43 (twenty years ago)

http://www.lookalikes-susanscott.co.uk/New%20images/Tributes/Michael%20Bolton.jpg

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 1 August 2005 15:12 (twenty years ago)

michael bolton still looks like a constipated horse.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 August 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

I thought that was Adam Curry!

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 1 August 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

You know, I prefer John R. Bolton to Michael Bolton. That's how much I fucking hate Michael Bolton.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 1 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

Hot 100 placement DOES NOT EQUAL popularity. There was a thread about this just last week.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Monday, 1 August 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

Chart placement doesn't equal popularity? You'll be saying record companies engage in payola next.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 August 2005 22:08 (twenty years ago)

Linkin Park fail at rocking and they fail at rapping and they're utterly humorless. They lose, and if you like them so do you.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 August 2005 22:13 (twenty years ago)

blount fucks 18-year-old girls? to the tunes of MICHAEL BOLTON?!?

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 1 August 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides: Michael Bolton vs. Kenny G

-- Edward Bax (Edward_Ba...), July 31st, 2005.

doesn't even compare - kenny g got his start in the love unlimited orchestra with barry white, actually played on some semi-funky shit

― chris andrews (fraew), Monday, 1 August 2005 22:22 (twenty years ago)

Pat Metheny to thread.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Monday, 1 August 2005 22:25 (twenty years ago)

Hahaha okay, so I completely loathe Michael Bolton but he's the fucking Messiah of Music compared to Kenny "Shoot Me In The Face For The Good Of Humanity" G.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 01:23 (twenty years ago)

Truly, "Missing You Now" is one of the more magical collabs of the last 20 years. Bolton's heartfelt vocals beside G's smooth soprano-sax - it almost makes choosing sides an unbearable chore. I find it depressing that these 2 giants of AOR have yet to produce a full-album of collaborations.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 04:17 (twenty years ago)

I'll have to say Michael Bolton only because I have a more recent memory of Linkin Park. Also I can't remember anybody I know pissing me off by claiming that Michael Bolton was cool.

― daavid (daavid), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 06:03 (twenty years ago)

Is there a Linkin Park vs. Limp Bizkit thread yet? I think that would make more sense.

― daavid (daavid), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 06:06 (twenty years ago)

I'll have to say Michael Bolton

I mean LP are more insufferable.

― daavid (daavid), Tuesday, 2 August 2005 06:16 (twenty years ago)

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