Well, especially when someone's making a career out f it, just sounds silly. I mean, you must really love your day job if you could sit down in an afternoon and make something similarly praised and all that but choose not to.

I can walk probably a block in either direction from my house and find 5 skilled musicians. Isn't it all about aesthetic choices?

Dear god...... Dude, it was just hyperbole. I really didn't feel like explaining that because I didn't think it was necessary. I can't play one fucking instrument. So, no, I don't really believe I could make anything that anyone besides my mom would want to hear. If it sounded silly, that was the point.

the "anybody could do this" argument is as dumb as it gets.

piss off Drinky.

I take that as "no".

That's all I was saying. Thanks.

fucking populist attitude of "I could do that," etc. is what is wrong with this entire country.
Fine if you don't like it. But denying the craft involved is something. The kid can play the shit outta that piano, among other things. And I think he's doing interesting things in the production. It's a creative, interesting hybrid.

fuck all of you, what are you talking about?

Jesus Christ, what does populism have to do with anything (is everything now a red state/blue state issue?). As far as "denying the craft," my grandmother can knit some highly skillet yet tacky sweaters. Am I suppose to appreciate her artistry? Give me a fucking break.

Just because you like it, doesn't make it good.

Everyone got their panties in a twist because I think James Blake is pretty crappy. Mostly, people haven't really defended Blake but attacked my flawed logic and other shortcomings.

Well all you really said was "he sucks", and there's not much real defense against that other than "nuh-uh, he's great" so what do you expect?

Not really but okay.

So what were you saying?

Anybody could do what he does? Even as hyperbole, what does that mean? It's amateurish? But you said it's really all about aesthetic choices, not ability?

So what were you saying?

First, this is boring as fuck. But I'm willing to accept that one man's boring as fuck is another man's intimate/mood/ambient music.

Second, when he sings the high notes, it sounds like the cats who fuck under my house.

Third, it's overly emotional/wrought to the point it sounds completely artificial.

Finally, it sounds like a lot of stuff that I heard at my high school talent show where the arty kids sadly performed their own music and it just sounded like a poorly done knock-off of Don Maclean's Vincent. And I realize this is a cover but I think it's fair to all of the songs I've heard.

Now, when he's not playing live and he's fucking around with the electronics on his recorded music, he obscures all of this in a haze of production that removes what little melody and rhythm that exists in the songs, which makes it completely unlistenable and somehow more boring.

In conclusion, it comes off like someone who can't write songs obscuring that fact in production, which makes it sound even worse. Basically, he sucks.

Man, I gotta hear this now.

OK, I disagree with you.

While I think it's a little pompous overall, mostly because he's British, I think it's sonically interesting, and emotionally invested, whereas most music tends toward one end of the spectrum or the other. He manages to blend sentimentality with a bit of originality and creativity. I don't mind the way and the extent to which he affects his voice, because I think he's using it as a facet of the composition, not to underscore it as a standalone vocal. Listen to "I Never Learned to Share". His voice is the only constant, while the music morphs to it. That track is fucking rad and adventurous.

My only real criticism, aside from his character, is that the album is homogenous, whereas the style of his EPs is relatively varied. I think he could have shown a bit more of his depth on this record.

OK, now disagree with me.

same story across the board. like i said, sir james' directive.

It's hilarious that Kingfish thinks he has it all figured out.

He's like that dumb ass kid in the neighborhood when I was young that tries to sound all smart, but really has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. He would then be pelted with rocks and chased off the block.

"I Never Learned How to Share" is mindbogglingly good.

But I don't like 80% of what is posted on here so who cares.

He recorded and looped his voice live so it was interesting to see him doing the "production" as part of the performance.

apparently Bjork was there.
Brooklyn Vegan certainly gave good reports....

"James Blake was impeccable live. Wow." - Tyler McCauley
"James Blake concert was beyond words. He's doing something uniquely powerful. Confirmed for me that he is the artist of 2011." - Jakob Dorof
"whoaa that is bjork up in this james blake concert. would take a picture but it wouldnt matter. bitch is wearing a lace veil!" - Andrew

"Oh, hi," said a timid James Blake as he sat down behind his keyboard to make his US debut for a very approving crowd at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Blake, accompanied by a guitarist and drummer, quickly captured the audience with his distinct brand of electronica that wavers between delicate arrangements and venue-shaking bass drops. The set largely consisted of material off of his debut full length, including fan-favorites "The Wilhelm Scream," "I Never Learnt To Share," and his compelling cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love." The most impressive part of the night, however, was the audience's reaction to the album's two-part epic; "Lindisfarne." The song's silent passages commanded the entire venue to follow suit, literally making it possible to hear a pin drop between Blake's sparse melody lines. After James Blake and his band left the stage, Blake came back on by himself for a much deserved encore, and performed his piano/vocal rendition of Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You."
This is not the last America will be seeing of James. He's appearing at SXSW this week before returning to Europe for a number of dates in late March and April, and will be back in May for a proper US tour including sold out shows at Bowery Ballroom and Le Poisson Rouge.
The show was opened by the trippy, trancey duo Ford & Lopatin, who were joined on stage by Prefuse 73. Ford & Lopatin will also be at SXSW.

I thought this thread was about that 'You're Beautiful' guy.

Andrew is a douche bag.

Having given this is preview, I think I'd almost prefer that Blunt guy.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Are you trying to say I don't know the reasons why I don't like something? Sorry, I didn't just say "worst music ever" or "you're so dumb." I know you really only understand discussion in those terms. It's my opinion on music and I listen to as much of it as anyone. It's not like I'm trying to explain quantum physics and making shit up. Feel free to like the new buzz band of the week all you want.

And anytime you want to chase me anywhere, feel free to try that too.