Is Ed too Cliché? Options

[Jim]

The TOPIC clearly is that Ed's music is terrible.

Why did it happen? How did a man they was once able to write amazing lyrics become the pathetic cliche that he is today? Was it the pressures of fame? The pressure of maintaining a certain lifestyle that he had become accustomed to? Maybe it just wasn't fun for him anymore, but he had no other career options?

What does everyone think?

[Aitkens]

drugs, swelled ego, lapdogs telling him what he wanted to hear and not the truth. blind fanbase that keeps buying his garbage and telling him that it's gold.

[Jim]

I'll admit I made this original post when I was not in a good mood, so maybe the title is a little harsh. I seem to be unable to edit it now, but maybe a better title would be "Is Ed too Cliché?"

Anyway, I do sometimes wonder what happened. Maybe it's just me? Ed does not seem very genuine in his songs, it seems forced and contrived. Perhaps it's just the nostalgic memories for me? I think that's part of it, but I really do also feel like Ed just puts on a happy face...like the passion is gone. It's hard for me to describe what I could easily use as an example of this, I guess it's just something one can feel if they've been a fan for a long time.

[alexou]

he really tried too hard to find what the women wanted to hear. Seriously, with all the girly moves in TDTH tour he developped something there. He became greedy I guess as well, so he doesn't see music as an art anymore, but just as a way to earn money by touring. This gives terrible music. At least Bon Jovi are better to create generic music for girls. Ed simply doesn't have it.

This post has been edited by alexou: Mar 18 2013, 10:43 pm

[Jim]

he really tried too hard to find what the women wanted to hear. Seriously, with all the girly moves in TDTH tour he developped something there. He became greedy I guess as well, so he doesn't see music as an art anymore, but just as a way to earn money by touring. This gives terrible music. At least Bon Jovi are better to create generic music for girls. Ed simply doesn't have it.

I do remember seeing them on the TDTH tour...and that was when they lost their magic for me
I remember being very disappointed that the band would play the same songs every night...not that I was at every show, I only went to a couple shows on the TDTH tour. But we all knew they played the same setlist every night...at least the fans who used the Internet knew. Hell, we all knew that Ed would try to sell the crowd on the super-hyped New Year's Eve show to ring in the year 2000...a show that never happened despite Ed talking about it every night at one point. The show was so fake to me, I can't even imagine what it must have been like for the band. They had to play the same songs nearly every night, hear Ed's almost never-changing crowd interactions night after night. Maybe this is why all the passion went away?

[alexou]

I do remember seeing them on the TDTH tour...and that was when they lost their magic for me
I remember being very disappointed that the band would play the same songs every night...not that I was at every show, I only went to a couple shows on the TDTH tour. But we all knew they played the same setlist every night...at least the fans who used the Internet knew. Hell, we all knew that Ed would try to sell the crowd on the super-hyped New Year's Eve show to ring in the year 2000...a show that never happened despite Ed talking about it every night at one point. The show was so fake to me, I can't even imagine what it must have been like for the band. They had to play the same songs nearly every night, hear Ed's almost never-changing crowd interactions night after night. Maybe this is why all the passion went away?

Agreed. A static setlost is never good. In fact routine is never good, particularly for artists. It kills creation. They were not rehearsing anymore and they were not ready to do everything to stay on top. Plus Ed wanted to create alone without other member's input.

[Bremang]

The TOPIC clearly is that Ed's music is terrible.

Why did it happen? How did a man they was once able to write amazing lyrics become the pathetic cliche that he is today? Was it the pressures of fame? The pressure of maintaining a certain lifestyle that he had become accustomed to? Maybe it just wasn't fun for him anymore, but he had no other career options?

What does everyone think?

I think after all the success, he just became happier and got old. His voice just can't shred like when he was younger. Once that happened, everything had to change to accommodate his vocal capability and feelings, softer songs. It was an issue of inspiration and vocal strength. I'm sure if he had the ability to be super vital and visionary, he would have kept it up. He put out great stuff in the studio recordings and of course all the unscripted crazy shit he did on stage...that run lasted for a long time. Can't hate that much in the end.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Mar 20 2013, 12:00 am

[figure8]

I think after all the success, he just became happier and got old. His voice just can't shred like when he was younger. Once that happened, everything had to change to accommodate his vocal capability and feelings, softer songs. It was an issue of inspiration and vocal strength. I'm sure if he had the ability to be super vital and visionary, he would have kept it up. He put out great stuff in the studio recordings and of course all the unscripted crazy shit he did on stage...that run lasted for a long time. Can't hate that much in the end.

I don't agree with the statement about the vocals - even with the software vocals you can still record good albums which are not cliche, but this is not the case when it comes to Ed. There is just no more originality left.

[KarmaIsAB]

I don't agree with the statement about the vocals - even with the software vocals you can still record good albums which are not cliche, but this is not the case when it comes to Ed. There is just no more originality left.

I don't understand how someone who originally had so much passion, as evident in his earlier CD's, can let themselves be so morally corrupt. His music lacks originality, because it was fake to begin with. It is so clear to me that starting around BOP, his music revolves mostly around a certain famous (foreign) recording artist that Live once did a duet with.. look at the back and forth in CD lyrics (seriously), but evidently was cut off (concept video for Heaven, anyone? Yin, yang junk). SFBM has to do with someone who posted in the spirituality section on the FOL board. Since that, I've not been bothering to keep track, as I feel it is rather painful to have been such a fan and realize what a huge douche Ed is, and then can only imagine how those who are actually close to him must feel. I really feel like time was wasted, his music is a sham, and now I can't reconcile even liking all the earlier material because it's all such a joke. I hope commercial christianity is helping the pocketbook, Ed! sell-out

[SinfulEyes]

I don't understand how someone who originally had so much passion, as evident in his earlier CD's, can let themselves be so morally corrupt. His music lacks originality, because it was fake to begin with. It is so clear to me that starting around BOP, his music revolves mostly around a certain famous (foreign) recording artist that Live once did a duet with.. look at the back and forth in CD lyrics (seriously), but evidently was cut off (concept video for Heaven, anyone? Yin, yang junk). SFBM has to do with someone who posted in the spirituality section on the FOL board. Since that, I've not been bothering to keep track, as I feel it is rather painful to have been such a fan and realize what a huge douche Ed is, and then can only imagine how those who are actually close to him must feel. I really feel like time was wasted, his music is a sham, and now I can't reconcile even liking all the earlier material because it's all such a joke. I hope commercial christianity is helping the pocketbook, Ed! sell-out

Ed has been too cliche since 2001. Why else do you think he has a small fraction of the fans he once had?

[Redrock]

Ed has been too cliche since 2001. Why else do you think he has a small fraction of the fans he once had?

Having seen LIVE numerous times since '92 it was a downer to see them after 2000. Although the last time in '06 I was impressed despite Ed's LaLaLa's.

Question: What drugs was Ed using? He was whacked in '02

[SinfulEyes]

Having seen LIVE numerous times since '92 it was a downer to see them after 2000. Although the last time in '06 I was impressed despite Ed's LaLaLa's.

Question: What drugs was Ed using? He was whacked in '02

Maybe the drugs is what changed him.

Once Ed sang that crappie wannabe poprock Live was over in the eyes of real fans.

[alexou]

It is true that the 2 times I saw them in 2006, Ed's voice was way better than in the 2001-2004 era. Mystery in concert surprised me. In fact the worst was really the girly moves and the fact that he needed to show his muscles by taking his shirt off...

[Bremang]

I've had a different experience then...I've seen Live 1997-2007......Ithaca NY 2003 was my favorite, 2005, 2006, 2007 I thought were terrible. I also didn't like 2000 w. counting crows, but 1997,1999 were great.

[alexou]

Of course nothing compares to 1997. I saw them january 2000 and was a bit dsappointed by the same setlist everynight even if it was a very good show after all.