Which band do you think is the best at lyrics?

[Javs]

I'm not much of a lyric writer, and I'm looking for bands that have really good lyrics. And I'm talking really good, not shitty "I'm a poet" lyrics, but just intelligent all around.

I've always thought The Mars Volta has great lyrics.
And I'm not going to lie, Pete Wentz is a witty Lyricist.

[circatbs]

Ben Gibbard

[Jumpoff]

Propagandhi has the most intelligent lyrics. See my sig. :whistle:

[TSLROCKS]

Get ready for 400 replies saying Jesse Lacey of Brand New

[bradnewman]

Iron and Wine

[thesafeword]

"Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips..."

[Chromefox]

30H!3

That shit is depthy.

[Javs]

Propagandhi has the most intelligent lyrics. See my sig. :whistle:
Sounds pretentious.

[Jumpoff]

Only because you suck.

[Burn That Shit]

Anyone that says Brand New, Conor Oberst, or Say Anything is absolutely fucking wrong.

[TheOtherAndrew]

http://www.harrywalker.com/photos/Blitzer_Wolf.jpg

[thesafeword]

30H!3

That shit is depthy.
It's deep and from the heart.

[Chromefox]

It's deep and from the heart. Well, bowels, maybe.

[3eb23]

"I'm Just Trying To Do The Opposite Of Left, (Right)
As Long As There's The Opposite Of Death. (Life)
You Test, And I Just Might Bring The Opposite Of Life (Death)
Till There's No One The Opposite Of Right" (Left)

For more see: the man

http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2007/12/lupe-fiasco-cool.jpg

[llwilliamsll]

Jesse Lacey, Conor Oberst, and Max Bemis are gods amongst men in the art of lyric writing.

[Dr. Acula]

"I'm Just Trying To Do The Opposite Of Left, (Right)
As Long As There's The Opposite Of Death. (Life)
You Test, And I Just Might Bring The Opposite Of Life (Death)
Till There's No One The Opposite Of Right" (Left)

For more see: the man

http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2007/12/lupe-fiasco-cool.jpg

Lupe Fiasco love makes my pants tight in the crotchal region. Couldnt agree more. Good work.

[3eb23]

haha thanks dude i'm glad you're not one of those who "can't fill(feel) it like a flathead in a phillips"

[thespearkid]

Doesn't get any better than Neutral Milk Hotel. "Oh Comely" has my favorite lyrics of all time.

[Jumpoff]

haha thanks dude i'm glad you're not one of those who "can't fill(feel) it like a flathead in a phillips"

Good album in avatar. I heard he is on a hiatus though?

[3eb23]

Good album in avatar. I heard he is on a hiatus though?

you know i'm not really sure. the last thing i heard about what the eMC album, and i haven't heard any news since. i figured he was on a hiatus, but then i looked at the comments on his myspace page and some kid was like "thanks for coming to africa the other day" or something like that. i have no clue if it was to perform or what. if you find out anything down the road, that would be sweet if you could drop it in the hip hop forum.

[theguy77]

Anyone that says Brand New, Conor Oberst, or Say Anything is absolutely fucking wrong.

awww come on, oberst is pretty reputable and is really in a league above brand new and say anything. hes not the best lyricist but hes pretty fucking good.

[Jumpoff]

you know i'm not really sure. the last thing i heard about what the eMC album, and i haven't heard any news since. i figured he was on a hiatus, but then i looked at the comments on his myspace page and some kid was like "thanks for coming to africa the other day" or something like that. i have no clue if it was to perform or what. if you find out anything down the road, that would be sweet if you could drop it in the hip hop forum.

I looked it up and apparently after releasing the eMC album in 2008 he announced he was no longer releasing solo albums, just albums with eMC. I'm not a fan of the others in eMC so probably not going to follow him anymore unless he changes his mind :-(

[Hey Kevin]

Do you remember when we were
Going out for lifeguards
And snuck into the caves where
All the kids were smoking
And jeans were in our uniform
But not unless the calves were thin
And I will take a Polaroid
You will show me how to drink
Summertime, the hottest day
You remember, don’t you baby?
Paranoid, no prescription
You believed
I let you die

[Dr. Acula]

awww come on, oberst is pretty reputable and is really in a league above brand new and say anything. hes not the best lyricist but hes pretty fucking good.

I'll agree with this.

[IcedOpethBlind]

The Weakerthans

[MattDennis]

aaron marsh, andy hull, david bazan, ben gibbard, and yes...jesse lacey, are a couple of my personal favorites when it comes to lyrics.
there are plenty of great choices out there though.

[Beloved Broken]

Some of the lyricists listed already are really good. To them, I add Matthew Embree (RX Bandits), Arif Mirabdolbaghi (Protest the Hero), and Francis Mark (he really, really stepped it up on the last From Autumn To Ashes record).

[fran.182]

Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes). Though the lyrics are a bit abstract.
Brandon Boyd (Incubus).

[Fin.]

David Bazan (Pedro The Lion)
Derek Webb
Bob Dylan

[Rodeo]

Frank Turner
www.myspace.com/frankturner (http://www.myspace.com/frankturner)


Best folk artist since Billy Bragg and Gram Parsons.

[Andypeebs]

Morrissey.

[TFTpower]

Anberlin

[Sheldon]

Arctic Monkeys have some good ones. So do Belle & Sebastian, and Little Comets.

[sweetforever]

Dustin Kensrue of Thrice

[Viva Sonata]

Vendetta Red.

jk. ewwwww.

[Mikey Radigan]

Dmx.

[Neo Cassady]

The Weakerthans

Seconded.

[michelle182]

How can you say Pete Wentz over Jesse Lacey? Wentz is great and all but I don't think you can compare that to Jesse.
... Or Conor.

[bradnewman]

Doesn't get any better than Neutral Milk Hotel. "Oh Comely" has my favorite lyrics of all time.

I have to agree with this....really epic song

[26PRO]

Mewithoutyou

[3eb23]

Wrong.

hahaha i knew that was coming

[FUTMT]

Max Bemis, and Four Year Strong

[thespearkid]

Jesus died a Jew
Jewpils painted blue
Jewhaterz no it's true
Jesus died a Jew

[thesafeword]

Max Bemis, and Four Year Strong
So many things are wrong with this statement and it's not just the grammar.

[reissgoespunk]

No mention of Wes Eisold? Goddamnit.

[chipdip18]

Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, Nick Torres.

[DejaNew]

manchester orchestra, thrice, the myriad, third eye blind's got some good ones

[doyouhas?]

Issac Brock (Modest Mouse)
Bob Dylan

[BrennanHickson]

30H!3

That shit is depthy.
It's deep and from the heart.
Sincere and thought-provoking.

[ohheroine]

bob dylan

[polarbearsummer]

Greg Graffin anyone? Or am I an idiot?

[SockMonkeyRiot]

Brendan Kelly

[timbedinosaur]

Adam Young
Andrew McMahon

[IWasaCamera]

Greg Graffin anyone? Or am I an idiot?
Hmm.

[Hainzey X]

aaron weiss & schuylar croom.

two of my personal, non-obvious choices.

oh, and naturally bobby dylan.

[Charles777]

Anthony Green

[lew_1987]

This is a weekly thread.

[mongo_man101]

Sonic Boom Six anyone?

[element11790]

I think Brand New and anything with Anthony Green is excellent. Also I love Underoath lyrics :). But I'm super biased, cause they're my favorite band! lol

[Regards]

Aaron Weiss is my personal favorite.

[iszackt]

Chiodos - Baby (http://www.friendster.com/gallery.php?ktype=fmusic&kw=1&kword=Chiodos%28%20Baby), You Wouldn't Last A Minute On The Creek ;-)
(http://www.friendster.com/gallery.php?ktype=fmusic&kw=1&kword=You%20Wouldn%27t%20Last%20A%2 0Minute%20On%20The%20Creek%29)

[outrageouslyAL]

ryan ross... even you dont like panic, he has some good lyrics, esp the first album

[CopperKiddxX]

paramore: brighter and alesana: This conversation is over

[timbedinosaur]

paramore: brighter and alesana: This conversation is over
Good god, you apparently don't listen to good music. Let me guess, you're a fan of metro station?

[bowl of oranges]

Explosions in the Sky

[Jumpoff]

Good god, you apparently don't listen to good music. Let me guess, you're a fan of metro station?

Weren't you the guy that said SDRE started emo?

[timbedinosaur]

Weren't you the guy that said SDRE started emo?
Influenced greatly

[steviestare]

Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie)
Morrissey
Conor Oberst

[Hey Kevin]

Influenced greatly


hahahhahahaahaha

[FUTMT]

So many things are wrong with this statement and it's not just the grammar.

This is all from opinion of taste. Bemis is quirky and honest with his lyrics, and they're just interesting to listen too. FYS is just damn catchy.

[polarbearsummer]

Hmm.

So is that a yes?

[Hey Kevin]

hutch harris
Eric Paul
"I heard
you were a missing child at my funeral
and I heard
you were jealous of the shovel that dug my grave
death-bed as a roadside attraction
tourists would admire my condition
I am a psychic wonder
my lover put me six feet under"

[Jamekae]

Some can't stand the execution of them it, but, looking down at the lyrics, you have to admit that Circle Takes the Square can write some pretty amazing stuff.

[Jamekae]

Influenced greatly
Even though the genre of emo was present 6 years before the band had even formed?

[Esrb99]

Converge.

She burns as bright as the sun
and she falls darker than night
She shines as light as these days
And she fades faster than time
Phoenix in flames

[sk84pitch]

I relate to there lyrics there catchy and actually mean something unlike bands that talk about drugs and stuff.......

[holy_hella_me]

My vote is for 3oh!3. "Do the Hellen Keller and talk with your hips"? Yeah, lovin it.

[prlyknitswtr]

really surprised no one said Chris Conley

Jeff Martin (ex-This Day and Age)
Dallas Green
Ace Enders
Stephen Jenkins (3eb)
Nick Thomas (Spill Canvas)
Casey Crescenzo (Dear Hunter NOT treos)
Tegan Quin ( I dont like Sara's songs)
Aaron Weiss

[Divinehand]

Blake Shwarzenbach
Aaron Weiss
Mountain Goats vocalist
Bob Dylan
Conor Oberst

[11:11]

I like Andy Hull's stuff.

[Hey Kevin]

My vote is for 3oh!3. "Do the Hellen Keller and talk with your hips"? Yeah, lovin it.

that actually made me laugh
god damn it im depressed

[PengusNiugnep]

I really like Panic At The Disco's, Fall Out Boy's, Jack's Mannequin's, & Say Anything's lyrics. O:

[SureAsRain]

this thread is pretty hilarious

"bout to get fruit punched, homie"

[sweetforever]

Wrong.

:rolleyes:

[fueledbyerin]

I'm not much of a lyric writer, and I'm looking for bands that have really good lyrics. And I'm talking really good, not shitty "I'm a poet" lyrics, but just intelligent all around.

I've always thought The Mars Volta has great lyrics.
And I'm not going to lie, Pete Wentz is a witty Lyricist.

lol true about pete wentz.
i listen to some bands' (including Fall Out boy) songs and listen to their lyrics and I'm all "How do they think of these things? i mean honestly. the first thing that comes ot mind is the "scared of him/ vegetarian" verse of Don't Trust me by 3OH!3.

Anyway, I personally think that The white Stripes are pretty good. Icky Thump (the song- not the CD) has a lot of good lyrics. I just can tpick a verse I don't like. You Don't know What Love Is is also cool, it's got some cool lyrics as well.

Queen's another good one, Bohemian Rhapsady is grat, kinda like a story I guess but it mkes sense (except for that weird part with the high pitched voices and the strange lyrics. Anyone whose heard the song knows what i mean) It's funny yet has a serious topic. Abother One bites The Dust is very classic action movie, I'm just gonna say that, and Bicycle Race- that's just funny and kind of random.


There a lot of different kinds of lyrics, just like there are different types of music, so good lyrics kind of depend on what your looking for. I personally like most lyrics. I pay attention to the song most of the time. The lyrics have to match the rythm and beat of of the instuments, not to mention the sound. If you've got depressing lyrics you are not going to ply it to a tune that's upbat and vice versa.

So thats my ten cent opinion, lol.

[Poe-tryGirl]

I think The Matches are really creative in their writing. Mindless Self Indulgence is hilarious.

[girl afraid]

whoever writes lyrics for the national
morrissey
will sheff (okkervil river)
max bemis, although i'm not a fan of the overly simplistic choruses
edit: add in cat power and bob dylan, how the fuck did i forget

[lazyman]

dance gavin dance!

[downtotheriver]

mewithoutYou

The National

[xhandgunxheart]

Chris Conley, Nick Torres, Jesse Lacey, Spencer Chamberlain, Max Bemis, Shawn Harris, Kenny Vasoli, Andrew McMahon, John Nolan.

My favorites in no particular order.

[lurker411_k9]

Every Time I Die

[gnarly sky]

Jesse Lacey of Brand New.

[theguy77]

SAM BEAM BOB DYLAN CONOR OBERST

phew, had to save this page early before it got out of hand

[Hey Kevin]

Rivers Cuomo on Pinkerton

[Hainzey X]

bob dylan, of course.

[Kneeka]

i'm a delusional person i know but dallas green lyrics makes me smile.

[Ryzenfall]

"I'm Just Trying To Do The Opposite Of Left, (Right)
As Long As There's The Opposite Of Death. (Life)
You Test, And I Just Might Bring The Opposite Of Life (Death)
Till There's No One The Opposite Of Right" (Left)

For more see: the man

http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2007/12/lupe-fiasco-cool.jpg

That was pretty sweet.

[Ryzenfall]

Sleeping At Last, Thrice, Jon Foreman, Nick Torres, Anberlin, Bob Dylan, Over the Rhine, Radiohead.

[oncedarkness]

mewithoutYou

[prlyknitswtr]

Every Time I Die

"I have a very expensive pen."

"I have everything, let me show you around. Come on and smile you fuckers, its not often you get this chance."

i do agree Keith Buckley is great haha

[batmannj]

i absolutely love dustin kensrue, spencer chamberlin/aaron gillespie, and aaron weiss

[kwsqd]

Tim Kasher of Cursive and The Good Life

[Bruised26]

Best- Jack's Mannequin
Worst- Fall Out Boy

[dreamtiwas]

colin meloy.

[CourtneyKiara]

Brand New, Jack's Mannequin, Lydia, Copeland, and Over Atlantic(:

[ctexasranger]

Brand New, and Every Time I Die

[kidnapemokids]

Andrew McMahon, Jesse Lacey.

[TakeLotsWithAlcohol]

Issac Brock and a lot of stuff from Chris McCaughan.

[3eb23]

._

[The Boat]

Kele Okereke - Bloc Party
Jesse Lacey - Brand New
Pete Wentz - Fall Out Boy
Ryan Ross/Chuck Palahniuk - Panic! at the Disco
Shaun Diviney - Short Stack
Justin Pierre - Motion City Soundtrack
Shaant Hacikyan - Cute is What we Aim For (say what you want, but i think some of his stuff is pretty clever and fun, not everything has to be 100% serious)

not in that order, and i dont necessarily think any of those are the best, but they are some of my favourites.

[ctexasranger]

so i think it is safe to say that, majority rules. Jesse Lacey takes the cake :)

[eliselovesmusic]

Pete Wentz is one of my favourite lyricists. He has such a great play on words :)

But honestly dude the undisputed best lyricists in the world are Paul McCartney and my personal favourite John Lennon.

Kurt Cobain is worth a mention too.

[ctexasranger]

how did i forget, one of the most ground breaking writers to ever grace the planet, Bob Dylan. duh.

[Jumpoff]

Bob Dylan wrote propaganda songs.

[ctexasranger]

Bob Dylan wrote propaganda songs.
which ones?
the ones that he claimed weren't "protest songs" and then claimed they were after he became popular
or his whole religious phase?

[Jumpoff]

which ones?
the ones that he claimed weren't "protest songs" and then claimed they were after he became popular
or his whole religious phase?

Haha nevermind was just a minutemen quote

[ratherbedead]

Greg Graffin from Bad Religion


















www.myspace.com/larkinmusic (http://www.myspace.com/larkinmusic)

[Poe-tryGirl]

Kele Okereke - Bloc Party
Jesse Lacey - Brand New
Pete Wentz - Fall Out Boy
Ryan Ross/Chuck Palahniuk - Panic! at the Disco
Shaun Diviney - Short Stack
Justin Pierre - Motion City Soundtrack
Shaant Hacikyan - Cute is What we Aim For (say what you want, but i think some of his stuff is pretty clever and fun, not everything has to be 100% serious)

not in that order, and i dont necessarily think any of those are the best, but they are some of my favourites.
Haha, I agree with this list.

[PengusNiugnep]

Shaant Hacikyan - Cute is What we Aim For (say what you want, but i think some of his stuff is pretty clever and fun, not everything has to be 100% serious)
To be honest, I'm surprised more people didn't put him. His lyrics are very good.

[circatbs]

pretty much any lyricist from any emo band from 1985-2000

[DaKilla623]

Antischism has good lyrics, i wish they were still around... are they?

[xhandgunxheart]

I forgot to mention Dan Yemin of Paint it Black...

[carolsaidd]

jimmy eat world/brand new/osker.

yup.

[Burn That Shit]

Mock Orange and Banner Pilot both make some interesting lyrics. Some Patrick Wolf stuff is neat too.

[shimmyshakes]

really surprised no one said Chris Conley

Jeff Martin (ex-This Day and Age)
Dallas Green
Ace Enders
Stephen Jenkins (3eb)
Nick Thomas (Spill Canvas)
Casey Crescenzo (Dear Hunter NOT treos)
Tegan Quin ( I dont like Sara's songs)
Aaron Weiss

I second this.

[theguy77]

pretty much any lyricist from any emo band from 1985-2000

most legitimate folk lyricists could outwrite the fuck out of this category

[ctexasranger]

most legitimate folk lyricists could outwrite the fuck out of this category
bob dylan, neil young...

[oddwithoutend]

bob dylan, neil young...

What's your avatar?

[Rickaly]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.

[ctexasranger]

What's your avatar?


brand new/safety in numbers split

[ctexasranger]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.

please. just stop labeling bands.

[oddwithoutend]

brand new/safety in numbers split

I'm disappointed in myself for not knowing...

[Rickaly]

please. just stop labeling bands.
i didnt label.

[ctexasranger]

I'm disappointed in myself for not knowing...

its a little obscure, i dont blame you

[ctexasranger]

i didnt label.
you called chiodos emo

[Burn That Shit]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.


Are you honestly force fed your genre choices from MTV and myspace?

[Rickaly]

you called chiodos emo
they are kinda. not like the kill yourself type but they have some elements of it.

[Burn That Shit]

they are kinda. not like the kill yourself type but they have some elements of it.

Fuck it, I'm going to bed, this kid is fucking retarded.

[ctexasranger]

Fuck it, I'm going to bed, this kid is fucking retarded.

true that.
im leaving this thread.
possibly the whole forum for the night..

[oddwithoutend]

they are kinda. not like the kill yourself type but they have some elements of it.

Even the originating emo bands weren't "kill yourself" type. Not only is chiodos not emo, but they do not even fit into the category of music that people are mistakenly labelling as emo.

[Rickaly]

Are you honestly force fed your genre choices from MTV and myspace?
dude just shut the hell up and quit denying everything i say! chiodos has like never been on mtv anyway. just quit so we dont turn a perfectly good thread into a ple of shit.

[thesafeword]

Chiodos is not emo and Saosin is not hardcore. Now shut the fuck up and go back to acting like you know something with your friends.

[Rickaly]

Chiodos is not emo and Saosin is not hardcore. Now shut the fuck up and go back to acting like you know something with your friends.
...and your not badass! w/e think what you want. all i did was respond to the topic and you have to change it. one things my freinds know is that we all could prolly kick ur ass so so shut the hell up!

[oddwithoutend]

w/e think what you want. all i did was respond to the topic and you have to change it. one things my freinds know is that we all could prolly kick ur ass so so shut the hell up!

Man, first you were just an ignorant teenager, now you're just being a fuckin moron.

[theguy77]

bob dylan, neil young...

they paved the way to folk essentially becoming a genre where well orchestrated messages are a necessity. hell, look at the modern folk contemporaries. i consider iron & wine to have better lyrics than any other artist or band out there.

[oddwithoutend]

i consider iron & wine to have better lyrics than any other artist or band out there.

I think I agree. Although I consider him the best, his lyrics often fail to appeal to me.

[thesafeword]

...and your not badass! w/e think what you want. all i did was respond to the topic and you have to change it. one things my freinds know is that we all could prolly kick ur ass so so shut the hell up!
I doubt that some shit head like you and you asshole friends could kick my ass, but that has nothing to do with the fact that you know nothing about music.

[BlinkxExists21]

i think mark hoppus is a great lyricist

[Rickaly]

anberln has really good lyrics. give them a listen sometime.

[Rickaly]

i think mark hoppus is a great lyricist
yeah i agree.

[steviestare]

i think mark hoppus is a great lyricist

He has only become "great" in the past few years. Before he was just good.

[thesafeword]

Mark Hoppus is not a great lyricist, he writes stuff that is good for his music, but compared to others out there he really isn't that great. And that goes for many pop-punk bands.

[oddwithoutend]

Mark Hoppus is not a great lyricist, he writes stuff that is good for his music, but compared to others out there he really isn't that great. And that goes for many pop-punk bands.

This is all true, and before anyone disagrees with this, notice the bolded.

[Rickaly]

Mark Hoppus is not a great lyricist, he writes stuff that is good for his music, but compared to others out there he really isn't that great. And that goes for many pop-punk bands.
yeah used to be awesome when he was with blink. short, simple, and catchy as crap.

[thesafeword]

This is all true, and before anyone disagrees with this, notice the bolded.
I personally am not a fan of Blink-182, but I understand that what he writes works for his intened audiences, but as I said there are much more talented, or however you want to put it, lyricists out there. And like I said, this goes for many pop-punk bands.

[oddwithoutend]

I personally am not a fan of Blink-182, but I understand that what he writes works for his intened audiences, but as I said there are much more talented, or however you want to put it, lyricists out there. And like I said, this goes for many pop-punk bands.

Definitely agree, I actually considered making an almost identical post, then I saw yours.

[Rickaly]

i love blink. they were pop punk legends.

[oddwithoutend]

i love blink. they were pop punk legends.

Of course.

[thespearkid]

The words "great" and "lyricist" don't belong in any sentence involving Mark Hoppus, no matter what qualifiers you want to throw on it. "I wanna fuck a dog in the ass" is shitty no matter what type of music you make.

[Rickaly]

The words "great" and "lyricist" don't belong in any sentence involving Mark Hoppus, no matter what qualifiers you want to throw on it. "I wanna fuck a dog in the ass" is shitty no matter what type of music you make.
never heard that one from them lol.

[oddwithoutend]

"I wanna fuck a dog in the ass" is shitty no matter what type of music you make.

It's one of those times when you hope a lyricist is NOT speaking his mind.

[thesafeword]

The words "great" and "lyricist" don't belong in any sentence involving Mark Hoppus, no matter what qualifiers you want to throw on it. "I wanna fuck a dog in the ass" is shitty no matter what type of music you make.
Haha, that is also a good point.

[Rickaly]

It's one of those times when you hope a lyricist is NOT speaking his mind.
ya really haha

[thespearkid]

It's one of those times when you hope a lyricist is NOT speaking his mind.
Haha reminds me of that scene from Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

As far as lyrics go, call me an "AP Elitist" if you will but no one beats Neutral Milk Hotel.

[dancelukedance]

Max Bemis
Craig Mabbitt (Blessthefall and word alive shit)

[oddwithoutend]

Haha reminds me of that scene from Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

As far as lyrics go, call me an "AP Elitist" if you will but no one beats Neutral Milk Hotel.

Mangum is king.

[SanePsychotic]

i think mark hoppus is a great lyricist

What are you on? No way can he seriously be considered a great lyricist. At least not on this planet.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

mewithoutYou has great lyrics and they really fit into the music.

[nodice410]

tom petty and the heartbreakers, led zeppelin

or if your looking for more modern bands anything anthony green's been involved with.

[Joeee]

http://www.fan2band.com/di/epitaph/newfoundglory/181537_2423_43_3236.jpg (http://www.fan2band.com/dl/epitaph/newfoundglory/181537_2423_43_3236)

[theguy77]

hahahaha, people actually think mark hoppus is a great lyricist. what the fuck?

[ShimmerAndSpill]

mewithoutYou, Thrice, Northstar/Cassino.

[oddwithoutend]

Phil Elvrum of the Microphones is the best lyricist. The End.

Sam Beam is also good, Jeff Mangum is good, Phil Elvrum is the best.

[WhateverShit]

I like Tom DeLonge's Lyrics in Blink, boxcar Racer ,and AVA. Deal with it for all how disagree.:-p

[Jules9]

How has no one mentioned Thursday?

With fists raised high in tightened knots
The room explodes and now this blood is on your hands
And there is no time for a second chance
To paint my face with blood and tears and cover up
In an open book that no one reads
A misspelled word that no one know
You stole the rain
Then you turned around and tore my life in two
Just like the picture that once hung on the wall in the room that we used to share
So fold me up and put me back in the place where you used to keep your heart

You think its getting smaller?
It's been that way for quite some time now

The cadence beats down on the tar
It sounds the same as your fists raining down
(if you wanted to change the way I look at you...)
We've got to leave before the sun sets
Or maybe we don't have time(time to waste.)
It won't be long until you're gone into the night
You won't have time to paint my face with cover-up
I would have used Autobiography of a Nation but that's influenced by a poem so it's not really fair.

Jules9

[thesafeword]

I like Tom DeLonge's Lyrics in Blink, boxcar Racer ,and AVA. Deal with it for all how disagree.:-p
How can you honestly think that he is the best lyricist?
How has no one mentioned Thursday?


I would have used Autobiography of a Nation but that's influenced by a poem so it's not really fair.

Jules9
Thanks for putting your username at the end, just in case I didn't see it at the top. Great first post.

[Jules9]

Thanks for putting your username at the end, just in case I didn't see it at the top. Great first post.

Gee, thanks. Glad you thought so.

Jules9

[Poe-tryGirl]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.
WHAT?

[Poe-tryGirl]

http://www.fan2band.com/di/epitaph/newfoundglory/181537_2423_43_3236.jpg (http://www.fan2band.com/dl/epitaph/newfoundglory/181537_2423_43_3236)
These guys write terrible lyrics.

[BlinkxExists21]

I personally am not a fan of Blink-182, but I understand that what he writes works for his intened audiences, but as I said there are much more talented, or however you want to put it, lyricists out there. And like I said, this goes for many pop-punk bands.

Mark Hoppus is not a great lyricist, he writes stuff that is good for his music, but compared to others out there he really isn't that great. And that goes for many pop-punk bands.

that's true

[Bruised26]

And I'm not going to lie, Pete Wentz is a witty Lyricist.

True... But I cant stand his lyrics. They are pretty much all about sex. He needs to learn there is more to writing lyrics than That!

[thesafeword]

Sex is icky.

[Hey Kevin]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.

best new poster

[theguy77]

I like Tom DeLonge's Lyrics in Blink, boxcar Racer ,and AVA. Deal with it for all how disagree.:-p

HATE THE JOCKS, THE PREPS,
THE HIPPIE FUCKING SCUMBAGS
HEAVY METALERS WITH THEIR
AWFUL, PUSSY HAIR BANDS

so fucking punx. i mean just look at the imagery, tom has such a way with words.

[wroteurname]

this thread is pretty hilarious

"bout to get fruit punched, homie"
<3 The Wonder Years and their ridiculousness, and in their defense that's a song title, not a lyric.

And I'm just gonna bring a lil Will Sheff love to this "thread".

[wroteurname]

Kele Okereke - Bloc Party
Jesse Lacey - Brand New
Pete Wentz - Fall Out Boy
Ryan Ross/Chuck Palahniuk - Panic! at the Disco
Shaun Diviney - Short Stack
Justin Pierre - Motion City Soundtrack
Shaant Hacikyan - Cute is What we Aim For (say what you want, but i think some of his stuff is pretty clever and fun, not everything has to be 100% serious)

not in that order, and i dont necessarily think any of those are the best, but they are some of my favourites.
...

[The Boat]

...

Hey, nice input.

[GoodSausage]

Chuck Palahniuk, What?

[takemyhand]

Conor Oberst, hands down.

[NegativeCreep]

The words "great" and "lyricist" don't belong in any sentence involving Mark Hoppus, no matter what qualifiers you want to throw on it. "I wanna fuck a dog in the ass" is shitty no matter what type of music you make.

you can't really use that song as an example because it's a joke.

he has a lot of serious lyrics, whether you think they are good or not.

i personally think he is a really great lyricist. but claudio from coheed and cambria is my favorite, i like how they are able to tell a story and keep each song meaningful to people who are not interested in it. Circa Survive also has lyrics that I really like.

[Carlo Marx]

jawbreaker
the weakerthans
leatherface

[Chancetobe]

I love Manchester Orchestra and Pompeii lyrics.

[carlsonz]

if you a christian then check out underoath. emo would be chiodos.

Yea that is definitely true.


How about a little Mindless Self Indulgence, their lyrics are just all out there and I love it.

[thespearkid]

you can't really use that song as an example because it's a joke.

he has a lot of serious lyrics, whether you think they are good or not.

i personally think he is a really great lyricist. but claudio from coheed and cambria is my favorite, i like how they are able to tell a story and keep each song meaningful to people who are not interested in it. Circa Survive also has lyrics that I really like.
No Blink lyric can be qualified as "great". There are some passable ones on the self-titled but nothing "great" and rarely even "good".

[NegativeCreep]

No Blink lyric can be qualified as "great". There are some passable ones on the self-titled but nothing "great" and rarely even "good".

the thing about Blink and having great lyrics is that the point of their lyrics is to convey being in high school and being a teenager, and they do they really well, so their lyrics are great because their lyrics can ring true for sooo many kids that age and beyond.

what lyricist would you consider great?

[wroteurname]

Hey, nice input.
You do realize he's an author, not a member of Panic at the Disco, right?

[yakob89]

I would personally have to say either Death Cab for Cutie or Brand New

[IceAge/HeatWave]

i like ben gibbard. i like max bemis. i like isaac brock. the end.

[yakob89]

i like ben gibbard. i like max bemis. i like isaac brock. the end.

ooh those are way good picks too!! I forgot about max bemis. Modest Mouse is pretty good too Im in to some of their songs

[IWasaCamera]

Wow.

[wroteurname]

Wow.
Haha, good call.

[The Personist]

I don't understand why the OP thinks lyrics aren't the same as poetry. Good lyrics should be the same as good poetry.

At any rate, Justin Pierre, Stephen Christian, and Spencer Chamberlain, if they haven't already been said.

[wakinglimb]

I would have to say Anthony K. from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Brandon Boyd from Incubus....

[Kneeka]

I would have to say Anthony K. from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Brandon Boyd from Incubus....

Oh, i forgot about him.
He's not the best, but he deserves some recognition.

[The Personist]

No Blink lyric can be qualified as "great". There are some passable ones on the self-titled but nothing "great" and rarely even "good".

How are they not great? I'm not a huge Blink fan, but what is arguably great about their lyrics is that they're inimitable. No band who has followed in Blink's footsteps has come close to capturing that same youthful essence, the painful brash melodrama of growing up, in so perfect a way. They may not be deep or even aesthetically pleasing, but they are a brilliant encapsulation of the experience that is growing up.

[oddwithoutend]

How are they not great? I'm not a huge Blink fan, but what is arguably great about their lyrics is that they're inimitable. No band who has followed in Blink's footsteps has come close to capturing that same youthful essence, the painful brash melodrama of growing up, in so perfect a way. They may not be deep or even aesthetically pleasing, but they are a brilliant encapsulation of the experience that is growing up.

Good use of "inimitable".

[thespearkid]

the thing about Blink and having great lyrics is that the point of their lyrics is to convey being in high school and being a teenager, and they do they really well, so their lyrics are great because their lyrics can ring true for sooo many kids that age and beyond.

what lyricist would you consider great?

How are they not great? I'm not a huge Blink fan, but what is arguably great about their lyrics is that they're inimitable. No band who has followed in Blink's footsteps has come close to capturing that same youthful essence, the painful brash melodrama of growing up, in so perfect a way. They may not be deep or even aesthetically pleasing, but they are a brilliant encapsulation of the experience that is growing up.
As ...Is a Real Boy proved, it's possible to write about being a teenager without constant dick and fart jokes. There's a lot more to youth than sophomoric humor. For me, great lyrics should be able to work just as well as poetry as they do as songs. For example, Jeff Mangum, John Lennon, Elliott Smith, Craig Minowa, Sam Beam, a lot of Sufjan Steven's stuff, and the guy from Manchester Orchestra (his name escapes me right now) all write lyrics that are extremely poetic. As I said before, Blink's lyrics may work over power chords and DeLonge's whiny voice, but otherwise, they're just silly and fun, which does not equal great.

[The Personist]

As ...Is a Real Boy proved, it's possible to write about being a teenager without constant dick and fart jokes. There's a lot more to youth than sophomoric humor. For me, great lyrics should be able to work just as well as poetry as they do as songs. For example, Jeff Mangum, John Lennon, Elliott Smith, Craig Minowa, Sam Beam, a lot of Sufjan Steven's stuff, and the guy from Manchester Orchestra (his name escapes me right now) all write lyrics that are extremely poetic. As I said before, Blink's lyrics may work over power chords and DeLonge's whiny voice, but otherwise, they're just silly and fun, which does not equal great.

Say Anything uses completely different lyrics and approaches the idea from a completely different thematic standpoint. Bad comparison.

Further, all those lyricists are poetic; so are Max Bemis', though. "Poetic" doesn't necessarily apply to the lyrics you just mentioned exclusively. All lyrics are, for the most part, poetry, including Blink's. What determines whether something is more "poetic" than something else? That's a horrible distinction. Saying "this is more poetic or artistic" is a pretentious and arrogant supposition that there is an objective standard in art. That is an absolutely false construct that has no place in a discourse on any sort of art. When you can discuss it with a more open mind, then come back and we will do so.

[xhandgunxheart]

How are they not great? I'm not a huge Blink fan, but what is arguably great about their lyrics is that they're inimitable. No band who has followed in Blink's footsteps has come close to capturing that same youthful essence, the painful brash melodrama of growing up, in so perfect a way. They may not be deep or even aesthetically pleasing, but they are a brilliant encapsulation of the experience that is growing up.
I guess this is growing up...

As ...Is a Real Boy proved, it's possible to write about being a teenager without constant dick and fart jokes. There's a lot more to youth than sophomoric humor. For me, great lyrics should be able to work just as well as poetry as they do as songs. For example, Jeff Mangum, John Lennon, Elliott Smith, Craig Minowa, Sam Beam, a lot of Sufjan Steven's stuff, and the guy from Manchester Orchestra (his name escapes me right now) all write lyrics that are extremely poetic. As I said before, Blink's lyrics may work over power chords and DeLonge's whiny voice, but otherwise, they're just silly and fun, which does not equal great.
Poetic does not equal great either.
Sure, Blink has a sense of humor thats very apparent in their music, but that doesn't mean they are bad lyricists. They (mostly Mark, I think) approach song writing in a much more simplistic manner than all the songwriters you mentioned, but they still manage to capture so many feelings in such simple words.

I personally find nothing great in Jeff Mangum's lyrics.

[theguy77]

Say Anything uses completely different lyrics and approaches the idea from a completely different thematic standpoint. Bad comparison.

Further, all those lyricists are poetic; so are Max Bemis', though. "Poetic" doesn't necessarily apply to the lyrics you just mentioned exclusively. All lyrics are, for the most part, poetry, including Blink's. What determines whether something is more "poetic" than something else? That's a horrible distinction. Saying "this is more poetic or artistic" is a pretentious and arrogant supposition that there is an objective standard in art. That is an absolutely false construct that has no place in a discourse on any sort of art. When you can discuss it with a more open mind, then come back and we will do so.

there is an objective standard to an extent in lyricism. subjectivity determines the style you prefer but to say that blink's lyrics are at all comparable or on the same level as a lot of the writers taht SHOULD be mentioned in this thread is absurd even if we're relating it specificlly to the type of music. blink does a poor job at creating introspective, original, or intelligible ways to channel their messages and if it fails to do all those things it cant even really be classified as a form of art whatsoever. and no, simply rhyming does not count.

[thespearkid]

Say Anything uses completely different lyrics and approaches the idea from a completely different thematic standpoint. Bad comparison.

Further, all those lyricists are poetic; so are Max Bemis', though. "Poetic" doesn't necessarily apply to the lyrics you just mentioned exclusively. All lyrics are, for the most part, poetry, including Blink's. What determines whether something is more "poetic" than something else? That's a horrible distinction. Saying "this is more poetic or artistic" is a pretentious and arrogant supposition that there is an objective standard in art. That is an absolutely false construct that has no place in a discourse on any sort of art. When you can discuss it with a more open mind, then come back and we will do so.
That's the whole point of my comparison. Say Anything does the exact same thing Blink does without having to resort to subpar lyrics so I don't find "they're just capturing teenage emotion" to be validation for dick jokes.

I never said Bemis' lyrics weren't poetic (I do consider him a great lyricist), he's just not one of my favorites. To say all lyrics are poetry is debatable but I said lyrics that are good enough to stand alone as poetry, well-done poetry. It has nothing to do with being "more poetic", just being better. You're basically trying to convince me that "Roses are red/Violets are blue" is equally poetic as, say, Poe' The Raven, which just isn't true and there's nothing arrogant or pretentious about it. One is great, one is not, but they're both poems. Same with comparing First Date or Feeling This to Neutral Milk Hotel's Oh, Comely or Sufjan Stevens' John Wayne Gacy Jr. They're both poetic, just one is better than the other. If it's arrogant to say that metaphors, imagery, and other POETIC DEVICES make some lyrics more poetic than others, than every English scholar I've ever met is a pretentious prick.

[thespearkid]

Poetic does not equal great either.
Sure, Blink has a sense of humor thats very apparent in their music, but that doesn't mean they are bad lyricists. They (mostly Mark, I think) approach song writing in a much more simplistic manner than all the songwriters you mentioned, but they still manage to capture so many feelings in such simple words.

I personally find nothing great in Jeff Mangum's lyrics.
If you can't appreciate Jeff Mangum's lyrics but praise Blinks, then you don't know the first thing about what makes great lyrics. I would blame it on your age but users on this site tend to get pissed whenever anyone insinuates that their taste in music may just have something to do with their age (for some reason.)

[The Personist]

there is an objective standard to an extent in lyricism. subjectivity determines the style you prefer but to say that blink's lyrics are at all comparable or on the same level as a lot of the writers taht SHOULD be mentioned in this thread is absurd even if we're relating it specificlly to the type of music. blink does a poor job at creating introspective, original, or intelligible ways to channel their messages and if it fails to do all those things it cant even really be classified as a form of art whatsoever. and no, simply rhyming does not count.

You can't say something isn't art because it doesn't appeal to you. That's fallacious. There is absolutely no objective standard in art. There is a verisimilitude of objectivity that persists in order to give some people the sense of being better than others; however, in a discussion of art, you can't say there is a universal standard. It's foolish. I'm not trying to say that Blink is as clever, deep, or insightful as Say Anything, but I am saying that both bands are artistic. Franz Kafka said, "A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us." In other words, art's purpose is not to conform to a standard of beauty or intricacy, but to move the consumer of the art: the viewer, the reader, or the listener. Blink's lyrics don't incite catharses or epiphanies, but they move the listener--be it to laughter or to see that someone understands their frustration. As an artist, nothing frustrates me more than people's insistence that there is objectivity in the art world. That alienates a lot of people from enjoying the beauty therein; they either think it's boring and for snobs, or they think they could never achieve such a high standard. I'm not saying Blink is a godsend or that I love their lyrics and think they're deep or moving, but I do consider them art nonetheless.

[xhandgunxheart]

That's the whole point of my comparison. Say Anything does the exact same thing Blink does without having to resort to subpar lyrics so I don't find "they're just capturing teenage emotion" to be validation for dick jokes.

I never said Bemis' lyrics weren't poetic (I do consider him a great lyricist), he's just not one of my favorites. To say all lyrics are poetry is debatable but I said lyrics that are good enough to stand alone as poetry, well-done poetry. It has nothing to do with being "more poetic", just being better. You're basically trying to convince me that "Roses are red/Violets are blue" is equally poetic as, say, Poe' The Raven, which just isn't true and there's nothing arrogant or pretentious about it. One is great, one is not, but they're both poems. Same with comparing First Date or Feeling This to Neutral Milk Hotel's Oh, Comely or Sufjan Stevens' John Wayne Gacy Jr. They're both poetic, just one is better than the other. If it's arrogant to say that metaphors, imagery, and other POETIC DEVICES make some lyrics more poetic than others, than every English scholar I've ever met is a pretentious prick.
Your father made fetuses with flesh licking ladies,
While you and your mother were asleep in the trailer park
Is shitty. I see no "amazing" or "poetic" (in your sense of the word) qualities in these lyrics.
Fate fell short this time
Your smile fades in the summer
Resonates with me so much more. I'm not saying Mark is the best lyricist. I voiced my opinions earlier in the thread on that. However, I am saying that Mark is a good lyricist and, in my opinion, better than Mangum.

[The Personist]

If you can't appreciate Jeff Mangum's lyrics but praise Blinks, then you don't know the first thing about what makes great lyrics. I would blame it on your age but users on this site tend to get pissed whenever anyone insinuates that their taste in music may just have something to do with their age (for some reason.)

Neutral Milk Hotel is the most overrated band I've ever heard. Mangum is an awful singer and his lyrics are an exercise in sounding poetic and deep. I'm older than the guy you quoted, I have somewhat similar tastes (though we disagree on several key points), and I think Mangum is full of it. I hate to break it to you, but Jesse Lacey and Max Bemis do far better work than that guy ever did.

[IWasaCamera]

haha

[oddwithoutend]

Is shitty. I see no "amazing" or "poetic" (in your sense of the word) qualities in these lyrics.

Resonates with me so much more. I'm not saying Mark is the best lyricist. I voiced my opinions earlier in the thread on that. However, I am saying that Mark is a good lyricist and, in my opinion, better than Mangum.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has better lyrics than any blink 182 song. Comparing your least favourite NMH line with your favourite blink line is hardly a study.

[The Personist]

That's the whole point of my comparison. Say Anything does the exact same thing Blink does without having to resort to subpar lyrics so I don't find "they're just capturing teenage emotion" to be validation for dick jokes.

I never said Bemis' lyrics weren't poetic (I do consider him a great lyricist), he's just not one of my favorites. To say all lyrics are poetry is debatable but I said lyrics that are good enough to stand alone as poetry, well-done poetry. It has nothing to do with being "more poetic", just being better. You're basically trying to convince me that "Roses are red/Violets are blue" is equally poetic as, say, Poe' The Raven, which just isn't true and there's nothing arrogant or pretentious about it. One is great, one is not, but they're both poems. Same with comparing First Date or Feeling This to Neutral Milk Hotel's Oh, Comely or Sufjan Stevens' John Wayne Gacy Jr. They're both poetic, just one is better than the other. If it's arrogant to say that metaphors, imagery, and other POETIC DEVICES make some lyrics more poetic than others, than every English scholar I've ever met is a pretentious prick.

Feeling and emotion are more important than aesthetic in art. The fact that you overlook the emotive content of art makes it hard for me to have this discussion with you, since you're so convinced that the superficial beauty is what counts.

Mangum's lyrics are aesthetically awful, by the way.

[oddwithoutend]

Neutral Milk Hotel is the most overrated band I've ever heard. Mangum is an awful singer and his lyrics are an exercise in sounding poetic and deep. I'm older than the guy you quoted, I have somewhat similar tastes (though we disagree on several key points), and I think Mangum is full of it. I hate to break it to you, but Jesse Lacey and Max Bemis do far better work than that guy ever did.

Jeff Mangum > Max Bemis > Jesse Lacey

The reason being jesse lacey is unoriginal, max bemis is original but has too many meaningless/easy, bullshit lines.

Mangum, on the other hand, cannot be full of it. He caused me to rethink my entire outlook on life with his words.

[xhandgunxheart]

If you can't appreciate Jeff Mangum's lyrics but praise Blinks, then you don't know the first thing about what makes great lyrics. I would blame it on your age but users on this site tend to get pissed whenever anyone insinuates that their taste in music may just have something to do with their age (for some reason.)
Blink has good lyrics. Not the best, but good. NMH is a bad band in my opinion. You cannot say that depreciates the value of my opinions on anything. You can't blame anything on my age either.

My list of the best lyricists from earlier in the thread:
Chris Conley, Nick Torres, Jesse Lacey, Spencer Chamberlain, Max Bemis, Shawn Harris, Kenny Vasoli, Andrew McMahon, John Nolan, Dan Yemin, and Chris Carrabba.

[xhandgunxheart]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has better lyrics than any blink 182 song. Comparing your least favourite NMH line with your favourite blink line is hardly a study.
I compared two songs that the person I quoted mentioned. There are Blink lines I like much more and NMH lines I like much less.

Jeff Mangum > Max Bemis > Jesse Lacey

The reason being jesse lacey is unoriginal, max bemis is original but has too many meaningless/easy, bullshit lines.

Mangum, on the other hand, cannot be full of it. He caused me to rethink my entire outlook on life with his words.
Just because his affected you doesn't mean their good. Blink affected me, and you're saying they aren't good.

[The Personist]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has better lyrics than any blink 182 song. Comparing your least favourite NMH line with your favourite blink line is hardly a study.

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is an exercise in aural agony. It's unpleasant to listen to and the lyrics are intentionally cluttered and made to be dense so as to make them more obscure and therefore more beautiful in the eyes of people who think that because they can't understand something, it's fantastic.

[oddwithoutend]

I guess if you don't "believe" Mangum, fair enough. I do, though.

[The Personist]

Jeff Mangum > Max Bemis > Jesse Lacey

The reason being jesse lacey is unoriginal, max bemis is original but has too many meaningless/easy, bullshit lines.

Mangum, on the other hand, cannot be full of it. He caused me to rethink my entire outlook on life with his words.

So you live a life of inane surrealism now? That's awesome.

Max Bemis > Jesse >>>>>> Mangum.

[oddwithoutend]

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is an exercise in aural agony. It's unpleasant to listen to and the lyrics are intentionally cluttered and made to be dense so as to make them more obscure and therefore more beautiful in the eyes of people who think that because they can't understand something, it's fantastic.

I am talking about the specific song, just in case there is confusion. I understand it perfectly, and it changed the way I look at life.

I do not like something more when I can not understand it, I like something more when I am free to interpret it how I want to.

[oddwithoutend]

So you live a life of inane surrealism now? That's awesome.



Haha

[The Personist]

Blink has good lyrics. Not the best, but good. NMH is a bad band in my opinion. You cannot say that depreciates the value of my opinions on anything. You can't blame anything on my age either.

My list of the best lyricists from earlier in the thread:
Chris Conley, Nick Torres, Jesse Lacey, Spencer Chamberlain, Max Bemis, Shawn Harris, Kenny Vasoli, Andrew McMahon, John Nolan, Dan Yemin, and Chris Carrabba.

You forgot Matt Pryor, you ingrate!

But I like this list.

[xhandgunxheart]

You forgot Matt Pryor, you ingrate!

But I like this list.
I like Matt. I love Matt. He's not one of the best.
Same with Anthony Raneri.

[The Personist]

I am talking about the specific song, just in case there is confusion. I understand it perfectly, and it changed the way I look at life.

I do not like something more when I can not understand it, I like something more when I am free to interpret it how I want to.

I was talking about the song, too. It's a bad song on a bad album, in my opinion. I really don't think his lyrics are open to any sound interpretation because he takes the idea of stream-of-consciousness past its breaking point.

[The Personist]

I like Matt. I love Matt. He's not one of the best.
Same with Anthony Raneri.

Casey Crescenzo from The Dear Hunter and Dustin Kensrue from Thrice should be on there, too.

IMO

[oddwithoutend]

I was talking about the song, too. It's a bad song on a bad album, in my opinion. I really don't think his lyrics are open to any sound interpretation because he takes the idea of stream-of-consciousness past its breaking point.

Jesse Lacey takes being unoriginal and artistically dishonest past its breaking point.

[xhandgunxheart]

Jesse Lacey takes being unoriginal and artistically dishonest past its breaking point.
I'm going to make lots of claims that are unrelated to the arguement and not back them up! YEAH!

[The Personist]

Jesse Lacey takes being unoriginal and artistically dishonest past its breaking point.

That statement couldn't be more wrong. Artistic doesn't mean pretentiously cluttered with vagaries and surrealistic twists and turns.

I also fail to see the dishonesty. Maybe it's just you don't like him? I mean, it is cool to hate Brand New these days, never mind them being one of, if not the most, talented bands in the scene who have released arguably one of the strongest albums in a long time (The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me). Gotta have that indie cred!

[oddwithoutend]

I'm going to make lots of claims that are unrelated to the arguement and not back them up! YEAH!

It is not unrelated. He thinks jl is better than jm, I think vice-versa. I backed up my opiniong in the exact way he backed up his latest point.

Jesse Lacey wishes he could write like Mangum. Like I bet if you asked him, he would say "Yes, I wish I could write as well as him". He takes inspiration from him. He copies Morrissey too. He writes about nothing important, and when he tries to, he comes off like he hasn't ever actually been through anything in his life, but instead tries to copy other people who come acrossed as honest poets.

[Jumpoff]

Artistic doesn't mean pretentiously cluttered with vagaries and surrealistic twists and turns.

Exactly his point. :-d

[oddwithoutend]

That statement couldn't be more wrong. Artistic doesn't mean pretentiously cluttered with vagaries and surrealistic twists and turns.

I also fail to see the dishonesty. Maybe it's just you don't like him? I mean, it is cool to hate Brand New these days, never mind them being one of, if not the most, talented bands in the scene who have released arguably one of the strongest albums in a long time (The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me). Gotta have that indie cred!

Brand New is my favourite band. Jesse Lacey is not the best lyricist.

[The Personist]

It is not unrelated. He thinks jl is better than jm, I think vice-versa. I backed up my opiniong in the exact way he backed up his latest point.

Jesse Lacey wishes he could write like Mangum. Like I bet if you asked him, he would say "Yes, I wish I could write as well as him". He takes inspiration from him. He copies Morrissey too. He writes about nothing important, and when he tries to, he comes off like he hasn't ever actually been through anything in his life, but instead tries to copy other people who come acrossed as honest poets.

Mangum comes across as a loon. Morrissey is good, yes, but Lacey merely draws inspiration from them. He isn't a hack. You're just allowing this to become an argument of "MANGUM DID IT FIRST!" Not at all. He inspired Jesse, and Jesse's lyrics do contain ELEMENTS of NMH's style, but Jesse himself has used those elements and created a better product. As a poet, I fail to see how Jesse's writing is disingenuous.

[The Personist]

Exactly his point. :-d

Then he's making the point in reference to the wrong authors.

[xhandgunxheart]

It is not unrelated. He thinks jl is better than jm, I think vice-versa. I backed up my opiniong in the exact way he backed up his latest point.

Jesse Lacey wishes he could write like Mangum. Like I bet if you asked him, he would say "Yes, I wish I could write as well as him". He takes inspiration from him. He copies Morrissey too. He writes about nothing important, and when he tries to, he comes off like he hasn't ever actually been through anything in his life, but instead tries to copy other people who come acrossed as honest poets.
I'm sure Jesse would jump at a chance to suck Mangum's dick, but I still think he's a better lyricist.

This argument is going nowhere, because neither of us is ever going to agree with the other on such a subjective topic.

[Jumpoff]

Jesse's lyrics are pretentiously cluttered with vagaries and surrealistic twists and turns..I don't see how you can deny it. Any time he has tried to write a song that wasn't simple lyrically it's had that exact problem.

And I do like TDAG. That's beside the point.

[oddwithoutend]

Mangum comes across as a loon. Morrissey is good, yes, but Lacey merely draws inspiration from them. He isn't a hack. You're just allowing this to become an argument of "MANGUM DID IT FIRST!" Not at all. He inspired Jesse, and Jesse's lyrics do contain ELEMENTS of NMH's style, but Jesse himself has used those elements and created a better product. As a poet, I fail to see how Jesse's writing is disingenuous.

There is nothing wrong with you not "believing" mangum, as I said earlier. In likely the same way, i do not "believe" jesse lacey. The difference is, i would say, that i have references to his inspirations that did seem more believable to me, so that kind of adds credibility to my opinion.

Sure, I would have to look into Mangum's mind to know for sure, but since he genuinely caused me to rethink my life, and become happy in a time where i was depressed with the points he made through his lyrics, i am forced to give him credit. I feel like i am happy about life for the very same reason that he is.

[The Personist]

Jesse's lyrics are pretentiously cluttered with vagaries and surrealistic twists and turns..I don't see how you can deny it. Any time he has tried to write a song that wasn't simple lyrically it's had that exact problem.

And I do like TDAG. That's beside the point.

What song has that problem? His most complex--Play Crack The Sky, Limousine, Jesus, among others--are his most beautiful and moving.

[oddwithoutend]

I'm sure Jesse would jump at a chance to suck Mangum's dick, but I still think he's a better lyricist.

This argument is going nowhere, because neither of us is ever going to agree with the other on such a subjective topic.

I really hate the blowjob references at times like this, but yeah, subjective blah blah blah, we can stop arguing.

[Jumpoff]

You explode, you firefly, you tiny boat with oars,
Feather oars
The world tilts back and pours and pours
And so, you satellite, you tidal wave,
You're a big surprise


A whisper from your father couldn't fix it.
Your whisper's like a bridge, he's a river span.


Do you miss the blend,
Colors she left in your black and white field?
Do you feel condemned just being there?

Do I divide and fall apart?
'cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
And the ship went down in sight of land

Just a few examples where he tries to be deep and it comes off as forced.

[ctexasranger]

What song has that problem? His most complex--Play Crack The Sky, Limousine, Jesus, among others--are his most beautiful and moving.


to be completely honest, i know ill probably sound overemotional (which im not), but the first time i heard play crack the sky my eyes filled with tears. i think that says a lot. ever since, brand new has been my all time favorite band.

[oddwithoutend]

What song has that problem? His most complex--Play Crack The Sky, Limousine, Jesus, among others--are his most beautiful and moving.

Very good songs, Limousine struggles lyrically in my opinion, but it is the furthest he tried to go. He kind of went a little bit less deep with Jesus and Play Crack the Sky, and the result is great.

[oddwithoutend]

Play Crack the Sky is among his best.

[Jumpoff]

The songs I took those lyrics from are actually my favorite Brand New songs :-d

[xhandgunxheart]

You explode, you firefly, you tiny boat with oars,
Feather oars
The world tilts back and pours and pours
And so, you satellite, you tidal wave,
You're a big surprise
I absolutely love those lyrics.

[oddwithoutend]

The songs I took those lyrics from are actually my favorite Brand New songs :-d

This is a good point, though.

Brand new is my favourite band, and jesse lacey's lyrics appeal to me sooooo much. However, personal appeal is different than greatness. Sam Beam is an amazing lyricist, but how often can i relate to him and genuinely love what he is conveying? Seldomly.