Genius Grant, Anyone?
Posted at 11:22 AM on March 28, 2007
by Jacquie Fuller
(43 Comments)
The other day, overnight host Mac Wilson and I got into a conversation--spanning a few blog comments and two emails--where we pretty much just gushed about The New Pornographer's A.C. Newman. I called him a pop genius. Mac--always hesitant to use the word "genius"--agreed. Mac called Newman "an intelligent, well-versed writer and musician who has pretty much rewritten modern power pop."
It all got me thinking--who are the great songwriters of today? Please--don't say Dylan or anyone dead or anyone well on their way to being dead--I want to know who the new guard is. Who are the up-and-coming artists we'll be hosting university-sponsored symposiums on in 50 years? (In addition to A.C. Newman, I cast a vote for Tim Rutili of Califone.) If the Macarthur Foundation gave "genius" grants for songwriting, who would be your pick? Who will the 2040 symposium at the U of M celebrate?
Comments (43)
Steve Earle should be in the discussion about great songwriters, although he's not that much younger than Dylan.
Good call! I'm a former Texan, so Steve Earle has an extra special place in my heart. He might be as old as Dylan, but he's definitely under appreciated. I'm no ageist--let's add him to the list!
Now that age is out--can't forget Townes Van Zandt, either!
Lucinda Williams should be included as well, and I am sure others would agree. I would also include Damien Jurado, although his nomination might garner some objections.
If he keeps up what he's doing, I think Andrew Bird is on his way to being one of the true geniuses of the early 20th century.
Yes, Steve--but I think he'd be neck-and-neck with M. Ward. What's it worth to you? $100? $500? I should have $500 by 2040.
Except, of course, Townes Van Zandt is dead. (No disrespect to the music, as he WAS great.)
PJ Harvey is as good as any songwriter ever, Inara George puts out albums I can't stop listening to, and Ray Lamontagne is quite spectacular.
There are, of course, many, MANY others, but those three pop into my mind right now.
(coughing) Andy Partridge or Robyn Hitchcock!!! (cough)
That's right--I forgot I said no dead people. Should we make an exception for young dead, though? For dead-before-their-time? Maybe that's cheating.
Yes, Robyn Hitchcock! He is a genius on many levels. He's the Donald Barthelme of pop music!
(Is it narcissitic to continually comment on one's own blog post?)
Narcissistic ... doh!
By the way, I imagine Dylan would take issue with the idea that he's "well on the way to being dead."
I would have to second the Townes Van Zandt motion and add David Dondero to the list. If you've ever heard Dondero's live at the Hemlock CD -- well -- you'll run into a lot of great material.
Great, now that I'm thoroughly embarrassed, I'll keep it short:
I dig the Andy Partridge shout-out too; he and Colin Moulding are just so well-versed in the deep history of pop music, they certainly qualify as some of the more intelligent songwriters of our age. I even wrote about them a few days ago!.
Also: Sufjan. He makes Bird, Ward, LaMontagne, Oberst (who I never cared for to begin with) et al. look like child's play. Maybe not a genius per se quite yet (maybe something like Wake Up! And Feel The Delaware! would cinch it) but I think he's two steps above the aforementioned artists.
These might be totally pedestrian suggestions, or not "academic" enough, but that's a pretty accurate description of me, so so be it.
These songwriters consistently slay me...
Jeff Tweedy
Elvis Costello
Tom Waits
Individual songs / albums may vary, but overall these are some of the artists I continue to go back to when I need good old fashioned, intelligent, emotional songwriting that I can connect with.And I think they are all still growing and expanding as songwriters - while it might seem like their best work has been done, I think their impact on the craft of songwriting is going to be felt for a long time to come.
I also have major love for John Prine, a Dylan / Earle / Van Zandt contemporary who rarely gets the credit he deserves.
No love for Ray Davies?!
Oh, never mind. Davies is in Dylan's age category.
I'll throw "E" (from Eels) on the table, and will call Ali on Jeff Tweedy and raise her a Jeff Mangum.
I'll see your Jeff Mangum, and raise you John Darnielle (Mountain Goats) and Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields).
[Frick saves the "Vanilla Ice" card for later]
yes, Stephin Merritt. and i would say Mark Linkous. Jim James.
Maybe I need to throw in an Alex Chilton to see your Stephen Merritt, (even though he falls between those generations...).
Weird that no one has yet tossed in a Mos Def or a Chuck D.... seems like hip hop will be the type of songwriting that will be discussed most 20 odd years from now....
Seel: Okay, pops.
Everyone: Is it me, or does Adam Sandler look a whole lot like Bob Dylan in that new movie
?
Frick, I'll see your Stephen Merrit, and raise you a Ben Gibbard!
I'll see your Ben Gibbard and raise you John Linnell!
[still waiting to put the Leo Sayer card down]
[Raised eyebrow] I'll see eyour John Linnell, Frick, and raise you Jack White!!
[Holding Andy Gibb card close to the chest]
Ron Sexsmith
Bjork! Aimee Mann
I see the Jack White and raise you Craig Finn AND Lou Reed
I see the Jack White and raise you Craig Finn AND Lou Reed
Cheater!! Lou Reed is a Dylan contemporary (dadburn it, I KNEW those cards were marked).
I'll see your Craig Finn and raise you a Bono... (not Sonny!)
I give up. The mere fact that I forgot Aimee Mann, John Darnielle, and STEPHIN MERRITT, for crying out loud. I must have been tired when I first posted.
And by the way, if Ben Gibbard is a genius, then I am a tyrannosaurus.
Uh, it was all Frick's idea...
Ha! that was funny, Mac...
Mac?
I'll see your Craig Finn and raise you a Bono... (not Sonny!)
Uh.. that's apparently "Sir" Bono now.
Okay, forget Lou Reed. Since when have I ever read directions anyway?
Ummm.. I'll see your Sir Bono and will raise you Mark Eitzel
Frick, I'll see your Mark Eitzel and raise you a Jarvis Cocker.
Wait. What?
w00t for the most comments ever! Just think what a good Musicheads this would make!
I agree Mac.
ANd I'll raise you Mike Doughty
i can't believe i went this long without saying anything about elliott smith or wayne coyne.... how strange of me. i must have been distracted by all the anti-bono vitriol. i'm liking this positive, productive thread a heck of a lot more.
I forgot to mention Thom Yorke
Is there a prize for Most Comments Ever? I like prizes.
Why, Yes, in fact there is! Frick, show Jacquie what fabulous prizes she has won today!
[Frick pulls open the red curtain to reveal...
a gaily packaged Chia Thug, a handy item for those moments when you feel the need to pity some fool, and a full year's supply of Funyuns™!! w00t!
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