Artists who improve as they get older?
Posted by: JamieL_v2 on 18 August 2010
I guess it is one of the rock cliches that good rock music can only be written and played by those in the flowing of their youth.
To some extent I do tend to agree with that, much of the music I most enjoy is from when artists are struggling to find their voice, or enjoying the peak of creativity that comes as they become comfortable with their craft in the years that follow on immediately.
There are a few exceptions I to this for me. I know I bang on about Mark Kozelek, but I do think that over the last few years he has been writing his best music, and that his guitar playing and voice have both matured.
There are other artists I think have reached peaks later in their career, but perhaps not quite at the heights of their youthful flowering. I love the last two King Crimson studio albums 'The Power to Believe' and 'The Construction of Light', perhaps not 'Red' or 'In the Court of the Crimson King'. I also love Bowie's two mid 90's albums '1.Outside' and 'Earthling', but they are not 'Hunky Dory' or 'Ziggy Stardust'.
Miles Davis had several periods of great creativity, and perhaps with jazz there are (many) more examples. Classical I am sure is largely exempt from this cliche.
Live I find it very different, I have greatly enjoyed artists of all ages performances.
Very subjective I know, some will have very differing opinions on the same artist, but which artists do people think have improved with age?
To some extent I do tend to agree with that, much of the music I most enjoy is from when artists are struggling to find their voice, or enjoying the peak of creativity that comes as they become comfortable with their craft in the years that follow on immediately.
There are a few exceptions I to this for me. I know I bang on about Mark Kozelek, but I do think that over the last few years he has been writing his best music, and that his guitar playing and voice have both matured.
There are other artists I think have reached peaks later in their career, but perhaps not quite at the heights of their youthful flowering. I love the last two King Crimson studio albums 'The Power to Believe' and 'The Construction of Light', perhaps not 'Red' or 'In the Court of the Crimson King'. I also love Bowie's two mid 90's albums '1.Outside' and 'Earthling', but they are not 'Hunky Dory' or 'Ziggy Stardust'.
Miles Davis had several periods of great creativity, and perhaps with jazz there are (many) more examples. Classical I am sure is largely exempt from this cliche.
Live I find it very different, I have greatly enjoyed artists of all ages performances.
Very subjective I know, some will have very differing opinions on the same artist, but which artists do people think have improved with age?
I think Justin Bieber gets better and better. I can't wait for his voice to change. Then he's REALLY gonna rawk... 