Top Ten Genius Artists I Don't Appreciate Enough

These are not folks for which I have "irrational hatreds." (See below.) I like the work of several of these folks just fine, and several have songs I adore. But given how widely beloved and adored they are by fans and critics alike, it's clear to me that I don't appreciate their work at the level I "should." Perhaps with more listening to a wider range of material, I would do so. So....I'm not disparaging them but it's me I'm disparaging.

10. Frank Zappa--I don't have to like all geniuses, do I? My bad. I'm sorry.

9. Tom Waits--it's not the voice that bothers me. It's the music. I'm sorry for not being more expansive.

8. Carole King--Tapestry. I know, I know. Tapestry is genius. Look, I'm sorry.

7. Bjork-I like her fine. But no more than "fine." She's the female Beck, perhaps, but I like Beck a lot more than her. I'm sorry. Truly.

6. David Gray--Look, it's not you. It's me. It's me. I'm sorry.

5. Stevie Wonder--Wait. Give me a chance. I love Stevie. Some of his work is in my list of faves. But there's a lot of dreck in his oeuvre, too. Did I mention I'm sorry?

4. Neil Young. Hey "Anonymous," deal with it, bro. (I'm sorry.)

3. Ben Folds--I like you fine, Ben. But just as friends. I'm sorry. It's me, not you. Can we still be friends?

2. Bruce Springsteen--I like Bruce plenty. A lot, in fact. Not just enough to satisfy the vortex-like neediness of his fanatical base of followers who believe he invented music. (I'm sorry.)

and for number one, I cheated.

1. Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello





Now Dylan's music I love. I love covers of the guy's music, and there's little doubt that he was the best rock lyricist ever. But I can't make it through his own albums with him singing. And I've got nothing against Elvis Costello. Man, I wish I loved him more than I do. Several of his songs are plenty great. But...he just doesn't quite hit the sweet spot with me. Oh man, I'm sorry.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

I'm so sorry.