TC is one of those artists that I wanted to like, and I can hear that he's talented, and he's associated with several artists I *do* really like, but... I just can't get into more than 1-2 songs... for reasons.
This is something I've noticed quite a bit over the last 20 years, with the rise of artists self-publishing online: actual prodigies and/or highly-trained musicians who try to take the focus off that by being goofy in some way (which is a direct result of the 90s pushing a "rags to riches" narrative where people who come from privilege aren't seen as "authentic" — being a highly-trained musician has long been one of the hallmarks of privilege).
There's a certain dissonance for me when I hear his music, but then his words and aesthetic are unserious, and downright stupid sometimes. Same with MonoNeon — it just feels like he's trying too hard, even though he's a great musician. I mean, I get it.. it just doesn't do anything for me — and kinda feels like I'm purposefully being distracted from the fact that it's all pretty traditional and there's not really anything new happening... b-b-b-but it's... "funny". There's also the issue of reliance on widely-known IP (his name) that kinda rubs me the wrong way, too.
All that said, I do respect him as an artist even though I don't usually choose to listen to his music.
He shares an ironic goofiness with artists like Mac DeMarco or Todd Terje—an "Adult Swim" vibe, if you will—that I can understand isn't for everyone. He and DeMarco combine it with a kind of kitchy earnestness that I like, though. It keeps me on my toes.
That's the thing: I kinda feel like with MDM, the "ironic goofiness" is completely inline with everything else: the production, the performance, the guitar itself... and I'm pretty sure he doesn't really sing about beating his meat. Though, TBH, I really only liked his first 2 albums and he hasn't been someone I listen to regularly in almost a decade now (which is kinda weird to think about)... so, I could be wrong.
TC really just feels like forcing two things together that don't fit.. and I kinda like one of those things, so it's a bit frustrating.
A more extreme example would be something like ClownCore. It's like, ok.. you kinda got something here... aaaaand you're talking about poop. Louis Cole is actually an amazing musician.. if he would have just fleshed that out a bit, and took it slightly more seriously, it probably would have turned out pretty fucking cool.
I remember thinking their popularity might put one of my favorite bands, Jerseyband, in the spotlight... because they were a proper Jazz Metal band... and surprise, they kinda have the same problem with being goofy. Fortunately, most of their songs are instrumentals, so there's fewer opportunities to ruin the vibe.. they still do.. or did occasionally. It was mostly their stage outfits their goofiness manifested itself: https://ifrqfm.substack.com/i/44350978/jerseyband-tonic-new-york-ny
TC is one of those artists that I wanted to like, and I can hear that he's talented, and he's associated with several artists I *do* really like, but... I just can't get into more than 1-2 songs... for reasons.
This is something I've noticed quite a bit over the last 20 years, with the rise of artists self-publishing online: actual prodigies and/or highly-trained musicians who try to take the focus off that by being goofy in some way (which is a direct result of the 90s pushing a "rags to riches" narrative where people who come from privilege aren't seen as "authentic" — being a highly-trained musician has long been one of the hallmarks of privilege).
There's a certain dissonance for me when I hear his music, but then his words and aesthetic are unserious, and downright stupid sometimes. Same with MonoNeon — it just feels like he's trying too hard, even though he's a great musician. I mean, I get it.. it just doesn't do anything for me — and kinda feels like I'm purposefully being distracted from the fact that it's all pretty traditional and there's not really anything new happening... b-b-b-but it's... "funny". There's also the issue of reliance on widely-known IP (his name) that kinda rubs me the wrong way, too.
All that said, I do respect him as an artist even though I don't usually choose to listen to his music.
He shares an ironic goofiness with artists like Mac DeMarco or Todd Terje—an "Adult Swim" vibe, if you will—that I can understand isn't for everyone. He and DeMarco combine it with a kind of kitchy earnestness that I like, though. It keeps me on my toes.
That's the thing: I kinda feel like with MDM, the "ironic goofiness" is completely inline with everything else: the production, the performance, the guitar itself... and I'm pretty sure he doesn't really sing about beating his meat. Though, TBH, I really only liked his first 2 albums and he hasn't been someone I listen to regularly in almost a decade now (which is kinda weird to think about)... so, I could be wrong.
TC really just feels like forcing two things together that don't fit.. and I kinda like one of those things, so it's a bit frustrating.
A more extreme example would be something like ClownCore. It's like, ok.. you kinda got something here... aaaaand you're talking about poop. Louis Cole is actually an amazing musician.. if he would have just fleshed that out a bit, and took it slightly more seriously, it probably would have turned out pretty fucking cool.
I remember thinking their popularity might put one of my favorite bands, Jerseyband, in the spotlight... because they were a proper Jazz Metal band... and surprise, they kinda have the same problem with being goofy. Fortunately, most of their songs are instrumentals, so there's fewer opportunities to ruin the vibe.. they still do.. or did occasionally. It was mostly their stage outfits their goofiness manifested itself: https://ifrqfm.substack.com/i/44350978/jerseyband-tonic-new-york-ny
That I know who Thundercat is, is my only claim to being cultured.