The final bracket in round #3...
#1 Bob Dylan vs. #4 Rage Against The Machine
#3 Motley Crue vs. #2 Eminem
#1 Sam Cooke vs. #5 Janis Joplin
#3 The Byrds vs. #7 Jethro Tull
#1 Michael Jackson vs. #4 Judas Priest
#3 Garbage vs. #2 Abba
#1 Billy Joel vs. #5 Bloc Party
#3 The Killers vs. #7 XTC
From this point forward, things are going to fly rather quickly. Look for the Championship match to happen on September 9th...
#1 Bob Dylan
#3 Motley Crue
Not a fan of Motley Crue, but Eminem is a shock value merchant who's made more sales based on riling up fake controversy than based on his actual talent.
#5 Janis Joplin
Fear the rasp!
#7 Jethro Tull
Very close matchup. Jethro Tull's top albums are just a little bit higher on my list.
#1 Michael Jackson
Probably a joke matchup.
#3 Garbage
Garbage is okay. Abba is overpolished dance pop.
#7 XTC
The Killers have a few really good songs but no consistently good albums. This could be another AM/non AM split vote.
Slicks votes... DYLAN... CRUE... SAM COOKE... BYRDS... PRIEST... GARBAGE... BLOC PARTY... THE KILLERS...
Slicks Predictions...
DYLAN -- Rage will put up a fight, but will still only get 25% of the vote...
TOSS UP -- Lots of matchups are too close to call...
TOSS UP -- See above...
TOSS UP -- See above...
JACKO -- The king of pop should win, look for Priest to put up a fight though...
TOSS UP -- Another one, too close to call...
BILLY JOEL -- Should win, not by much though...
TOSS UP -- 5 of the 8, too close to call...
Bob Dylan
Eminem
Sam Cooke
The Byrds
Michael Jackson
Garbage
Bloc Party
XTC
Today’s only twinge is having to vote against ABBA, an outstanding group who made very happy music with very, very depressing lyrics (seriously—listen closely some time). But Garbage was one of my favorite bands for a little while, and at least when Shirley sings depressing lyrics she sounds like she has both a sneer and a hangover.
#1 Bob Dylan: In situations like this where I know little by both artists, I base my decision on whose discography I'd rather be isolated with for a year. I think I'd get more out of playing Dylan than Rage.
#3 Mötley Crüe: They were the pinnacle of hair metal, a genre I loved at one time, and still enjoy from time to time. "Kickstart My Heart" will always be in my top 100 songs, and Dr. Feelgood is a decent album, as is their debut. It's embarrassing to admit, but though I know how to make the ö symbol (Alt+148) from Björk, I know the ü symbol (Alt+0252) from the Crüe!
#1 Sam Cooke: Same argument as with Dylan.
#7 Jethro Tull: And again!
#1 Michael Jackson: No contest.
#2 ABBA: Tough, tough choice, as I like some songs by both, but something holds me back from loving either one. In this case, I've actually purchased an ABBA album (The Visitors), so they get the edge.
#1 Billy Joel: I used to quite like "I Go to Extremes".
#7 XTC: I don't really know much of their material, but they're intriguing.
Favorite artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite I didn't vote for: Garbage
Favorite album: Bad
Favorite song: "Kickstart My Heart"
Bob Dylan
Eminem
Sam Cooke - Easy choice. Don't care for Joplin's wailing.
Jethro Tull - While the Byrds are more important, I still have too much love for Aqualung.
Michael Jackson - I am not a fan of heavy metal, but kinda have a soft spot for Judas Priest.
Garbage - Abba is terribly overrated.
Billy Joel - Been reconsidering BJ in light of the discussion on him in other threads. It is hard to overstate how ubiquitous Joel's music was in the early and mid-80's, at least for me growing up in the NY area. He was this kind of agreed upon artist that could be played when you were in the company of your parents. I think this, as much as his music, invited a long backlash against him for me. It may take me a while to unpack my true critical feelings on him.
XTC - They are hit or miss for me, but Skylarking is a fine album.
Fave - Dylan, natch.
Favorite not voted for - The Byrds
winners in 3.16...
Bob Dylan 77.1% / Rage Against The Machine 22.9%
Eminem 51.4% / Motley Crue 48.6%
Sam Cooke 61.8% / Janis Joplin 38.2%
The Byrds 64.7% / Jethro Tull 35.3%
Michael Jackson 76.5% / Judas Priest 23.5%
Abba 52.9% / Garbage 47.1%
Billy Joel 65.6% / Bloc Party 34.4%
TIE *** The Killers & XTC 50% each ***
