On That Note: Late to the Party

[cyclones500]

Welcome back to On That Note, a music series hosted by @MeanDean, @CycloneRulzzz and me, cyclones500. I’ll be your host this week.

In this week’s segment, “Late to the Party,” we seek music clips from esteemed artists or albums you didn’t fully explore (and then appreciate) until years, even decades, after a performer’s heyday or after an album’s release date.

Bonus info you may include: (1) what kept you from listening sooner (could be deliberate or circumstantial); (2) What led you to tune in more closely?

• Last week's OTN: The Day(s) the Music Died

 

[cyclones500]

I’ll start with an album: “Pet Sounds” The Beach Boys (1966).

For years, I had seen it on "best albums of all time" lists, but was familiar with only two songs from the disc, "Woudn't it Be Nice" and "Sloop John B."

Finally, in early 2000s, I bought the CD (stereo version). My impression, it lived up to the hype. It isn't in high-rotation anymore for me, but I often wonder how it resonated with listeners at the time ‚.. and how Beach Boys fans perceived it.

A few tracks unfamiliar to me until I heard the full LP. I omitted God Only Knows, it's among the most familiar at this point, relatively.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

I’ll start with an album: “Pet Sounds” The Beach Boys (1966).

For years, I had seen it on "best albums of all time" lists, but was familiar with only two songs from the disc, "Woudn't it Be Nice" and "Sloop John B."

Finally, in early 2000s, I bought the CD (stereo version). My impression, it lived up to the hype. It isn't in high-rotation anymore for me, but I often wonder how it resonated with listeners at the time ‚.. and how Beach Boys fans perceived it.

A few tracks unfamiliar to me until I heard the full LP. I omitted God Only Knows, it's among the most familiar at this point, relatively.

Big Beach Boys fan. Found out and got tickets as the remaining Beach Boys and those that perform with them are going to be at Stephens Auditorium in May.

 

[cyclones500]

Big Beach Boys fan. Found out and got tickets as the remaining Beach Boys and those that perform with them are going to be at Stephens Auditorium in May.

Cool!

 

[cyclones500]

Additional note: You are allowed to cite an artist that's already been posted. If possible, vary the clips you include.

 

[cyclones500]

Led Zeppelin

I was familiar with several biggies: Stairway, Black Dog, Rock & Roll, Whole Lotta Love, maybe 1 or 2 others … beyond that, I had tenuous interest in the group.

About 2 decades ago, I heard “IV” in entirety for the first time. Not long after, sample “II” and eventually the debut. In a short time, the rock-impact became more clear.

A few johnny-come-lately clips from my perspective.

 

[matclone]

I was probably 40 years late to this one, which is Stephen Stills in his prime. A few years back I got a C, S, N compilation (Carry On) put together by Graham Nash, and there was this song Johnny's Garden, and I'm thinking, hmm, I don't think I've heard this before. I really like it--where'd it come from? The answer was Manassas. No radio hits. Just a great record.

 

[jcyclonee]

I'm going to go with a whole genre. I really didn't like 90's hip-hop until about 7-8 years ago. I'm not sure a 40-something white guy should begin to appreciate the genre at that age but it happened to me. I guess I didn't like the fact there isn't much melody to it and I was uncomfortable with the lyrics.

Something happened and I started to appreciate the rhythm and the way the rappers could fit in a complex line of words to a track and still make it rhyme and seem lyrical. I'm still sometimes uncomfortable with some of the lyrics but I think that's the point of a lot of it.




It's so much better than current rap (with a few exceptions, hello Kendrick Lamar). There's way too many Drake copycats with those lazy, nasally vocals. You used to call me on my cell phone... ugh.

 

[jcyclonee]

I'm going to go with a whole genre. I really didn't like 90's hip-hop until about 7-8 years ago. I'm not sure a 40-something white guy should begin to appreciate the genre at that age but it happened to me. I guess I didn't like the fact there isn't much melody to it and I was uncomfortable with the lyrics.

Something happened and I started to appreciate the rhythm and the way the rappers could fit in a complex line of words to a track and still make it rhyme and seem lyrical. I'm still sometimes uncomfortable with some of the lyrics but I think that's the point of a lot of it.




It's so much better than current rap (with a few exceptions, hello Kendrick Lamar). There's way too many Drake copycats with those lazy, nasally vocals. You used to call me on my cell phone... ugh.

Having changed like this, @CycloneRulzzz, I guess there's a chance that I may start to appreciate boy bands. Probably not (I hope not) but who knows.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I had always knew Slayer was around with a devoted following but never really listened to them. They can make some really good hard music.

 

[cyclones500]

Nirvana

A case of reassessment, as opposed to exposure. I had heard many of the songs, but didn’t truly listen to them.

Partly, during Nirvana's breakthrough, I was at the tail-end of my “music hipster” period … I was dismissive, like, “Dude, I’ve been listening to music like this for five years already, man.” That sort of thing.

But in the late-90s, I retraced and realized, the band had an excellent grasp of rock songcraft. As iconoclastic as Cobain seemed, beneath the dissonance and angst, he was a pop songwriter at heart.


Somehow, I missed the video for this until about a decade after-the-fact. Its playful approach seems to fly in the face of a mega-serious persona.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Shocking reveal of the day. The guy who goes by cyhiphopp, didn't like rap at first.

I remember back in the YO! MTV Raps days, I just didn't get rap yet. Unfortunately I was going through my pre-teen metal phase and I prefered Headbangers Ball to YO! Now the reverse is abundantly true. I love classic hip-hop and while my favorite era is the 90s, I still go back to those 80s tracks that I ignored when I was a kid.

Odd how your tastes change.

 

[drlove]

I bought Odelay around when it came out, but never listened to it. For some reason the wife and I went and saw Beck about 5 years ago and won't miss him when he comes to town again.

 

[cyclones500]

Shocking reveal of the day. The guy who goes by cyhiphopp, didn't like rap at first.

I remember back in the YO! MTV Raps days, I just didn't get rap yet. Unfortunately I was going through my pre-teen metal phase and I prefered Headbangers Ball to YO! Now the reverse is abundantly true. I love classic hip-hop and while my favorite era is the 90s, I still go back to those 80s tracks that I ignored when I was a kid.

Odd how your tastes change.

Cool stuff. Boogie Down/KRS-One underrated.

I almost forgot about Slick Rick. According to wiki, he's the most-sampled hip-hop artist ever. I can't confirm that, but if it's true --- wow.

 

[MeanDean]

The one that popped into my head first was Southern Cross single by CSN. I was heavily into the newer pop/new wave/punk stuff at the time (1982) so absolutely missed it. It wasn't until I picked up a CD of greatest hits to replace/supplement my So Far vinyl LP that I finally heard it and realized how great the song is.

 

[mapnerd]

I didn't really like NOFX when my friends were listening to them in high school. Now they are one of my faves.

 

[MeanDean]

I knew about the Van Morrison hits and of course the early stuff with Them, but really didn't appreciate the man the way I have grown to since. It all started with picking up a used copy of Moondance at a yard sale maybe around 1982 or so. I actually had it for a while, maybe 2-3 months before I dropped needle on the record. I was blown away and really he's one of my favorite artists of all time. A couple from Moondance...

 

[cyclones500]

Neil Young

My exposure to Young was limited mostly to work w/ CSNY and a few scattered solo/Crazy Horse songs (such as “Heart of Gold,” “Hey Hey, My My,” “Rockin’ in the Free World.”). About 15 years ago, a friend turned me on to “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere” and I found my way to “Zuma.” Thatn barely scratches the surface, I’m still playing catch-up.

--> I just noticed a couple of things: (1) my "discovery period" for this topic tended to be late 90s/early 00s (2) this is the 3rd CSNY-related post in the thread so far. (Not sure if that "means" anything )

Random Young samples

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Beck was my first thought, but I see that was covered already. Once I "discovered" Beck, I would put one of his songs on every mix I made. Just a great variation from everything else at the time.

Bands like Led Zeppelin, CCR and ZZ Top would qualify as my inclusions. Radio stations loved overplaying 3 or 4 of their songs while ignoring the rest of their catalog.

Outside of "La Grange", ZZ Top's blues roots were mostly buried beneath radio plays like "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs".



When they played at Hilton in the early 90's, they actually played a lot of older tunes, much to the dismay of many of the attendees.

 

[drlove]

I'll get into grunge next decade. I'm still not there yet and should be.