M.N.-a-pa-looza

There are many bands' music that I really cannot stand. Yet, only some can be considered M.N. (in content) bands. These bands produce music that I equate on the same level as fingernails on a chalkboard. When I happen to be dialing through radio stations in the car and I come across, say The Barenaked Ladies "One Week" I instinctively scream and flail my arms trying to turn it off. Does anyone else have this reaction?

I can't even explain it but I suppose that the songs that do this to me must have something in common in terms of their structure, style and especially delivery. When I think about some bands that I really feel allergic to like, The Barenaked Ladies, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, 311, Dave Matthews Band, Blues Traveller (to name a few at the top of the list) I do find that they have this indescribable "thing." I looked up Bone Thugs -n-Harmony on Wikipedia and found a description of their rapping style. It said, "Bone's style and technique can be described as melodic yet dark and aggressive. Their flow is often interwoven at a high speed melodic pace or slow harmonic pace." For some reason this made me laugh because it sounds so ridiculous but it is also so right on.

From this description I have deduced that it is that "aggressively melodic flow and high speed harmonies" of all the above bands that I can't stand.

There is another major group of M.N. performers that really chafe my ears and make me ask "Why?" It's the breathy, growling, yowling, verbose and MAJORLY annoying style that pretty much only exists among women performers. I am talking about Paula Cole, Alanis Morissette, Jewel, Ani Di Franco and I am sure others that are not coming to mind right now. It's kind of Lillith and is given that phony corporate "womyn" label even though it's not (except for Ani) And as if the singing of these people were not bad enough they all also do this talking/rapping thing with attitude much like in the hit single "Ironic" in which Alanis sings, "Isn't it ironic, don't cha think. A little too ironic... and yeah I really do think ...." It's that end part that just really rubs me the wrong way. Practically most of that stupid song by Paula Cole "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" is done in that talking style as well. I must admit that I feel a little bad for ragging on these people since they are women but their crimes are so heinous they seem to overshadow their gender. Perhaps it is also because they are marketed as "women rockers" it makes it especially worse and embarrassing for people like me.

Stay tuned because I will most likely also bring up other musical styles that I find to be my total nightmare. Until then, maybe you can share with me some musical performers who create music that makes your ears want to rot and fall off your head.