Let's talk about BALLADS

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The giveaway CD for Thursday's Poptimism will be an ALL-BALLAD special. I'm taking here about the modern usage of the word to mean 'slow song', rather than the older 'story song'.

Ballads seem to get short shrift from Poptimists - criticisms of pop or R&B albums, for instance, often turn on a "too many ballads" claim. The list of NOW poll winners here is short on them too (Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", Portishead's "Glory Box", maybe a couple of others).

What are some of your favourite ballads? Do you have trouble enjoying slow pop songs? Why do you think that is, if so? Do some genres suit 'ballads' better than others? (Some of the people who complain about R&B ballads might be Low or Will Oldham fans, for instance!) When does a song stop being a ballad? And so on - plenty to talk about, I'm sure.

I do want ballad recommendations, however the giveaway CD has already been made and is GREBT, a chronological journey through balladry from the 50s to last week.

Comments

[koganbot]

There is a great remixed version of that Rihanna slowie with reggae beat added, which means it is no longer ballad. (Original version of Rihanna slowie obv. not on Tom's playlist as there was no entry for "Totally self-absorbed, compulsive, and pathological immersion in one's own 'guilt.'")

[mostlyconnect.livejournal.com]

That is really OTM! I will try and hear this raggae thing.

[mcarratala.livejournal.com]

You're right, the reggae beat does perk it up no end. Reggaefied rnb, along the lines of the version of You Don't Know My Name, is turning out to be an intriguing business.