(NW) Jerry Seinfeld vs Rodney Dangerfield

[NuWaveRx]

Ok. weird thread title, I know

Here's what I mean. We've had several threads about "cheesiest" band, etc recently. I know in my case there are several NW acts that kind of fall into two categories:

Seinfeld: The critical darling, loved by millions, the casual fan and hardcore junkie alike. Ages well. Noted as a vanguard artist. Yet I have one or two friends who just don't "get" Seinfeld. They don't think he's funny. So a Seinfeld act is one that matches the above statements only it's you that don't "get" why people like the band. You've tried to get into them, but its no go.


Dangerfield: Critically dismissed. Reviled by your NW friends back in the day (Perhaps derided or ignored by the posters here at NWO)--but you see something everyone else dosen't--even though they "get no respect" from the music world at large they are one of your favs.

SO what one artist is your Seinfeld and your Dangerfield?

For purposes of this post--let's keep pretty loose definitions of what is NW or alternative music--but let's try to stay within some boundries (i.e. please no votes for Gino Vanelli for your Dangerfield. [;)]) '90s alt bands are ok, too.

I'll get the ball rolling:
Seinfeld: The Pixies. I know I know--Everyone loves them. They have undeniably changed the alt music landscape. Most critics feel they can do no wrong. But I've tried and just can't get into them. A lot of their stuff just seems too unmelodic to me.

Dangerfield: Men Without Hats. Yeah I know. Cheesy. One-hit wonder. Ridiculous videos. Pompous lead singer. etc. etc. But I think these guys were brilliant in their day (Sideways did suck, though). Both Rhythm of Youth and Pop goes the World are IMHO oustanding pieces of melody, fine keyboard work, and, good dance beats. Must non NW audiophiles I've ripped PGTW for really like it, too. But they get no respect, none at all I tell ya!

Let the fur fly.....

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Well ....... I get what you're trying to do with the comparisons but I know plenty of people (myself included) who think Seinfeld blows goats. His stand-up is at the lower levels of mediocre at best (and that's on a good night). The success of his show is mainly due to the brilliance of the supporting cast. I think we have at leat a half a dozen people on this board who are consistently funnier than Seinfeld.

But anyway - my choices:

1st category - The Jam.

2nd category - Talk Talk.

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br> ...The success of his show is mainly due to the brilliance of the supporting cast. I think we have at leat a half a dozen people on this board who are consistently funnier than Seinfeld...
[/quote]


Absolutely right on both counts.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/spinning6.gif">

[waukena]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Well ... His stand-up is at the lower levels of mediocre at best (and that's on a good night). The success of his show is mainly due to the brilliance of the supporting cast.
[/quote]

Also agreed...I like the show but a lot of that was Larry David, which is strange because I can't stand his HBO show...

Cat 1: New Order (shocking)
Cat 2: Agent Orange

(though not cheesy, they never got the acclaim they deserved. They were too often pawned off as a Husker Du wanna be, which is crap)

[WolverineSyr]

I'm a little dense this morning, so forgive me if I have misunderstood the directions.

Seinfeld = Frankie Goes to Hollywood. All hype, self-important, little or no substance, with only minor and momentary flashes of something worthwhile. Basically boiled down to one note hacks who cruised on image alone, fooled the public into thinking they meant something. I wanted to like them, but was disappointed when I realized they were manufactured crap.

Rodney Dangerfield = Iggy Pop. An old warhorse, stuck with it throughout adversity, always put on the back burner, annoyed people, hit enough sour notes, but all in all gave a solid body of work. Could be dismissed as a one-note hack, but really found a formula that worked, stuck to it, survived and influenced a generation. Used his influence to help other newer performers. Never found much to like about him, but always respected who he was/is and what he represents.

[NuWaveRx]

[quote]
Rodney Dangerfield = Iggy Pop. An old warhorse, stuck with it throughout adversity, always put on the back burner, annoyed people, hit enough sour notes, but all in all gave a solid body of work. Could be dismissed as a one-note hack, but really found a formula that worked, stuck to it, survived and influenced a generation. Used his influence to help other newer performers. Never found much to like about him, but always respected who he was/is and what he represents.
[/quote]

I agree. I always admired his bluntness: he is who he is and you can take it or leave it.

[Panorama]

Well, I'm a little biased -- I'm a moderator at http://www.seinology.com/
My user name is Twix -- so guess where my loyalty lies -- I've seen Jerry perform live twice -- in 1988 and in 2004.

[KYYX4ever]

Cat 1: Erasure. I never could get into them. They just always sounded too overproduced and "clean" to me. That's just me, though. Vince Clarke's work with Yaz was much, much better.

That is funny about labelling Cat. 1 with "Seinfeld"...I never thought Seinfeld was funny. But, to me, I guess I just didn't "get" him.

Cat. 2: A Flock of Seagulls. Maybe many of us NWO diehards respect the Gulls, but lots of other folks dissed/ diss them as silly fluff with little substance. Think again! lots of intricate synth and guitar work, coupled with tight drumming and throbbing bass, and a surprisingly dark undertone.

[ghosty]

I thought Rodney Dangerfield always had WAY more critical respect than Jerry Seinfeld. Is'nt Dangerfield more or less worshipped?

...but my Seinfeld act would be The Fall...a handful of interesting stuff but I think they tread water most of the time. Seems like evrything they put out is deemed a classic by the elitist rock mafia though. Ho hum.

[NuWaveRx]

Looks like I picked a bad metaphor for comparison [:I]
Also looks like a good idea for a poll on the NNNW board

[i_like_lectric_motors]

[quote][i]Originally posted by ghosty[/i]
<br>I thought Rodney Dangerfield always had WAY more critical respect than Jerry Seinfeld. Is'nt Dangerfield more or less worshipped?

...but my Seinfeld act would be The Fall...a handful of interesting stuff but I think they tread water most of the time. Seems like evrything they put out is deemed a classic by the elitist rock mafia though. Ho hum.
[/quote]

GHOSTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're dissing The Fall? What is wrong with you? LOL! Just kidding. I am a major Fall fan but even I see your point. It can get monotonous at times. I honestly think Mark E. Smith just gets so bogged down by the weight of just having to be Mark E. Smith that he overestimates the brilliance of his own ideas. And it gets really tiring trying to keep up with the neverending stream of compilations, live cd's etc. that they insist on putting out. I think The Fall are at their best when they keep things simple. I just love when they get locked in and really hit on all cylinders, like on "Guest Informant" (my fave Fall song - yeah i know it's a weird choice). I just picked up the 6 disc Peel sessions box set and I absolutely love it. No way in Hell I could listen to it all at once though. [:D]

[ghosty]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by ghosty[/i]
<br>I thought Rodney Dangerfield always had WAY more critical respect than Jerry Seinfeld. Is'nt Dangerfield more or less worshipped?

...but my Seinfeld act would be The Fall...a handful of interesting stuff but I think they tread water most of the time. Seems like evrything they put out is deemed a classic by the elitist rock mafia though. Ho hum.
[/quote]

GHOSTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're dissing The Fall? What is wrong with you? LOL! Just kidding. I am a major Fall fan but even I see your point. It can get monotonous at times. I honestly think Mark E. Smith just gets so bogged down by the weight of just having to be Mark E. Smith that he overestimates the brilliance of his own ideas. And it gets really tiring trying to keep up with the neverending stream of compilations, live cd's etc. that they insist on putting out. I think The Fall are at their best when they keep things simple. I just love when they get locked in and really hit on all cylinders, like on "Guest Informant" (my fave Fall song - yeah i know it's a weird choice). I just picked up the 6 disc Peel sessions box set and I absolutely love it. No way in Hell I could listen to it all at once though. [:D]
[/quote]

Ironically I loved "The Real New Fall Album". Thought it was great. Maybe the best they'd done in years. You're right, They simply need a bit of quality control.

[ghosty]

BTW: "Seinfeld" was a great show. Loved it. He'll probably reach Dangerfield status with the passage of time.

[DayGloJo]

Seinfeld = U2

Dangerfield = Sisters of Mercy

DayGloJo

[design_femme]

does have to be 80s? Because the first band that came to my head for Seinfeld was Nine Inch Nails. Don't get me wrong, I liked [i]Pretty Hate Machine[/i]. I think the "Closer" single is sexy and brilliant. But for the most part, I don't think Trent is the most ingenious so-called "alternative" artist out there, you know? He's essentially makes rock music with a bit of a (barely) industrial edge. A little peppering of something interesting here and there, but nothing innovative or original. But critics loved him for years. Hrm. Maybe it's just me.

For Dangerfield: gosh, this one is hard. I'll go with OMD, even though I don't have all their releases. To many, their music sounds dated, cheesy, and blippy. But I think they were brilliant. McCluskey is wonderful to listen to, even when he cracks his voice on "Joan of Arc" or goes off key (no worse than Bernard Summer, right?). But McCluskey puts forth all emotion in every song. I only have their Best Of album, but damn, it's impressive as all hell.