Is it Possible for a Fanbase to Think That Their Favorite Band Has Gotten Better?

[akf091]

While looking at boards for my 3 favorite bands (DMB Phish and Umphrey's) ive noticed that as the band progresses the fanbase seems to get more and more annoyed. In all three cases what the band is doing now is always put down because what theyve done in the past. The majority of people around here would never consider anything the band has done since the big 3 on the same level as the big 3. People (including myself) also complain all the time about set list variation. With umphreys mantis in my opinion was an incredible record but a lot of people seemed to think it was no where near as good as previous records (anchor drops, local band..). And with Phish everyone complains theyre not as good now that trey is sober and not exploring darker jams, and although phishs studio work isnt as highly praised, most people in that fanbase refuse to put joy up there with older albums. So it got me wondering whether these bands just aren't as good and creative as they used to be or whether their fanbases just love the old ways so much that they refuse to accept anything new? What do you guys think?

[canes101190]

How did the Phish fan base react to Joy? I thought it was a great album.

The only people you hear bitching are most of the long time fans that can't get out of the 90's. Most of the people on this site love this band (I find it funny I even have to say "most") and then there are some who feel the need to bash them for everything they do. It's tough to accept something new when the old stuff is what you fell in love with, and you see that alot around here. Bands change every year, and whether people like to admit or not, it's for the better this time with DMB. They're on fire as of late and this album is a clear example of that, however you'll find many people, and most who will likely be in this thread sooner or later, that will argue against that. It's like that with every band though, not just DMB.

Bottom line, enjoy the music, ignore the douchebags.

[courtzdmb]

Originally Posted by canes101190

How did the Phish fan base react to Joy? I thought it was a great album.

The only people you hear bitching are most of the long time fans that can't get out of the 90's. Most of the people on this site love this band (I find it funny I even have to say "most") and then there are some who feel the need to bash them for everything they do. It's tough to accept something new when the old stuff is what you fell in love with, and you see that alot around here. Bands change every year, and whether people like to admit or not, it's for the better this time with DMB. They're on fire as of late and this album is a clear example of that, however you'll find many people, and most who will likely be in this thread sooner or later, that will argue against that. It's like that with every band though, not just DMB.

Bottom line, enjoy the music, ignore the douchebags.

[canes101190]

I feel like that'd be a great line to say before taking a shot. I'd drink to that.

[Resatka]

Fuck the haters

[canes101190]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAaR3SADgvw

[Resatka]

Originally Posted by canes101190

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAaR3SADgvw

That was at my school! Dave and Tim also played here two years ago.

[thehammer316]

uh, I would say yes or they would not be around for 20 years or so

[SmoothG]

Maybe they are playing better together as a group. That doesn't take away from the fact that many of the songs (read: ED, SU, BW) are far worse than the ones they were playing ten years ago.

[VanHorneDog]

the band has gotten better, anyone who disagrees is just acting like MistretedLewis.

[MOWJO8185]

Originally Posted by VanHorneDog

the band has gotten better, anyone who disagrees is just acting like MistretedLewis.

I'd disagree. There are people like myself who thinks the new stuff is great but still prefers the old stuff. I don't really think DMB has gotten better, but I don't think they've gotten bad.

[canes101190]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

Maybe they are playing better together as a group. That doesn't take away from the fact that many of the songs (read: ED, SU, BW) are far worse than the ones they were playing ten years ago.

I wouldn't include BW under that. Those songs aren't "far worse" than anything off the Big 3. Stand Up and Everyday have been absolute failures on stage. Big Whiskey fits in very nicely with the Big 3.

[coolhotwaves]

I've been around since everyday era, and trust me, there was just as much complaining back then. I think fans are more happy with dmb than they have been in a long time.

[LadyMadonna68]

Originally Posted by VanHorneDog

the band has gotten better, anyone who disagrees is just acting like MistretedLewis.

Couldn't disagree with you more...the 90's decade had maybe 2 or 3 bad songs, and even those were decent. The 00's has shown us the worst of the band musically, IMO.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by canes101190

Big Whiskey fits in very nicely with the Big 3.

Agree to disagree.

[kav2312]

Originally Posted by canes101190

I wouldn't include BW under that. Those songs aren't "far worse" than anything off the Big 3. Stand Up and Everyday have been absolute failures on stage. Big Whiskey fits in very nicely with the Big 3.

Now I am not one who regularly bashes the band or management decisions, but i cannot say that BW fits nicely into the big 3. IMO, Lithog and Squirm are the only songs on BW that fit nicely with the big 3. I am not saying that I dont like Big Whiskey, cause i am extremely happy with it. I am just curious on how you could classify it on the same level with BTCS, UTTAD, Crash, or even most of LWS/BS?

[dmblova4eva37]

my problem with ants is how negative some of you guys are. DMB isnt going to be around forever so enjoy them while they last. And so what if SU and ED where sub par albums for the guys its still better than half of the music out there today. One last thing let the band play what they want to play. Stop complaing about them not playing Last Stop. Enjoy the band beacuse one day you will see AM.org home page say DMB has broken up, and you will know that you should have appreciated every moment

[canes101190]

Originally Posted by kav2312

Now I am not one who regularly bashes the band or management decisions, but i cannot say that BW fits nicely into the big 3. IMO, Lithog and Squirm are the only songs on BW that fit nicely with the big 3. I am not saying that I dont like Big Whiskey, cause i am extremely happy with it. I am just curious on how you could classify it on the same level with BTCS, UTTAD, Crash, or even most of LWS/BS?

No, I'm saying that it fits nicely along with that material on the stage. The Stand Up and Everyday songs stick out like sore thumbs in a set, but BW is a great complement to the older songs, IMO of course.

[PantalaNagaMan]

95% of the ED and SU songs do not fit in a set because studio wise - and translated live, they sound force - they don't sound fun, they aren't that entertaining - and it just appears to be rushed efforts at decent DMB ideas. Big Whiskey, was drawn out - it was a process - and it shows. Each song has intricate parts that make them spectacular live. Each song fits very well live, and is musically spontaneous yet fitting. You can tell they all worked together, it doesn't seem forced at all. This album was just as much good for them as it was for us. And I know, they know that.

[joyride7tbowa]

people will keep bitching how they will never match "the big 3". me? i will not give a shit what any of those people say and i will continue to love the band more and more

[Socks]

fuck DMB they suck

[bloodybob]

Sure it's possible.

John Mayer got wayyyy better.

Viva la Vida is probably Coldplay's best album, IMO.

Radiohead: plenty of people think In Rainbows is their best work. Some who hailed OK Computer as a masterpiece later admitted that Kid A topped it when it came out. Obviously some still like OK Computer the best, but there is a large portion, if not majority of the fanbase who thinks it's been topped.

The Beatles: went from pretty much exclusively lighthearted love songs to pioneering psychadelic rock to simply shitting albums of epicness.

Sigur Ros, The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket and Animal Collective continually top themselves.

^Those are some examples that popped into my head. It is very difficult though, especially for bands with long careers, to continue to make quality music. It's just creatively difficult to have enough to keep things new and interesting, but not abandon what made people first fall in love with you.

[kav2312]

Originally Posted by canes101190

No, I'm saying that it fits nicely along with that material on the stage. The Stand Up and Everyday songs stick out like sore thumbs in a set, but BW is a great complement to the older songs, IMO of course.

Ok i misunderstood you there, and i agree.

[bluesbrother41]

Originally Posted by bloodybob

Sure it's possible.

John Mayer got wayyyy better.

Viva la Vida is probably Coldplay's best album, IMO.

Radiohead: plenty of people think In Rainbows is their best work. Some who hailed OK Computer as a masterpiece later admitted that Kid A topped it when it came out. Obviously some still like OK Computer the best, but there is a large portion, if not majority of the fanbase who thinks it's been topped.

The Beatles: went from pretty much exclusively lighthearted love songs to pioneering psychadelic rock to simply shitting albums of epicness.

Sigur Ros, The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket and Animal Collective continually top themselves.

^Those are some examples that popped into my head. It is very difficult though, especially for bands with long careers, to continue to make quality music. It's just creatively difficult to have enough to keep things new and interesting, but not abandon what made people first fall in love with you.

good examples

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by joyride7tbowa

people will keep bitching how they will never match "the big 3". me? i will not give a shit what any of those people say and i will continue to love the band more and more

I never understood this mentality. So, it DMB puts out Stand Up Part II you will just love them more and more?

I mean, I will always love their great albums, but I refuse to embrace the shit they put out just because they are DMB.

[Prime Minister]

Big Whiskey is on par with the big three, imo.

This place suffers from the too cool for school syndrome. Somehow it's hip to bash a band for hours, days, months, years on their biggest fan site. I will not succumb.

The day I'm no longer impressed with this band I won't be here, thats for sure. I'd be living.

Most of the people bitching are just stirring shit.

[joshizzle3]

Originally Posted by bloodybob

Viva la Vida is probably Coldplay's best album, IMO.

the only one i don't agree with (also, kid a > anything else)
Rush of Blood for me.
but good examples

[CGTP13]

Originally Posted by Resatka

Fuck the haters

Well put my friend.

One day this band won't be around and people will wish they didn't bitch about them constantly. People change, bands change. Embrace the change or GTFO.

[Prime Minister]

Originally Posted by CGTP13

Well put my friend.

One day this band won't be around and people will wish they didn't bitch about them constantly. People change, bands change. Embrace the change or GTFO.

Yup.

[joyride7tbowa]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

I never understood this mentality. So, it DMB puts out Stand Up Part II you will just love them more and more?

I mean, I will always love their great albums, but I refuse to embrace the shit they put out just because they are DMB.

i like all of standup. i think its their worst album, but i still dont hate any of it at all. and i dont love anything dmb JUST because its dmb. i love every song for its own reasons. if they put out a standup part 2 i would be SOOOOO dissapointed after BW and knowing they could have done worlds better than that, but it still wont make me love them anyless. they still have changed my life and i wont stop loving all of their amazing classic songs