Do you find that "hipsters" often hate Muse? And is it mainly because of Pitchfork?

[Slick]

Okay, for starters, I am in no way trying to generalize anyone, nor am I claiming that negative opinions of Muse are invalid.

But a lot of my friends around here (Seattle) seem to have an irrational hatred for the band. They're generally into indie rock, usually lo-fi stuff that tends to bore me. I only use the term "hipster," by the way, because that's what they're generally called, but I usually refer to them as "indie kids" if I have to label people. I mention Muse a lot in conversations about music, and I'm surprised at how many people consistently rank Muse among their worst or most hated bands.

I feel like this hatred toward Muse is fueled mostly by the fact that they don't have a minimalist, lo-fi sound. From what I've noticed, websites like Pitchfork (worshiped to an unhealthy degree by Seattle indie kids) like to imply that liking grandiose, "over-the-top" music is the same thing as having bad taste. Now, I can see how Muse's style and lack of subtlety might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I don't get why that makes them so deserving of animosity. I also don't believe for a second that there even is such a thing as "bad taste" in music.

I think a lot of this is just my annoyance at Pitchfork for targeting Muse so heavily. And I guess I can see why; Muse is the opposite of everything these people look for. But why is it that Pitchfork and the indie/"hipster" community get to decide that minimalism and avant-garde lo-fi is now synonymous with "good taste"?

[Obi]

I agree to an extent. I mean, I love a lot of minimalist music (piano-wise in particular) and lots of ambient stuff. However a good dose of OTT is great every now and then.

Pitchfork are generally elitist buggers though. Once they get an idea in their head, it's hard to change their mind.

[Wendigo]

I don't know, I've never knowingly met a hipster.

[Obi]

Originally Posted by sventington

I don't know, I've never knowingly met a hipster.

That's because they don't leave their houses.

[Juicy Boy]

I was under the general impression that hipsters were the kind of people who listen to slightly left-of-center stuff, like The Killers, Manchester Orchestra, MGMT, etc. I usually refer to the indie people as just "indie kids."

I actually used to consider myself a hipster, until I realized that I'm not really in-line with them (and that the term "hipster" tends to be derogatory). Now I just refuse to define myself.

On the topic of Pitchfork: yes, they tend to be elitist, and rather vitriolic about it as well. I believe someone on these forums put it best when they said Pitchfork's opinion usually boils down to "This fails to be indie rock in every sense of the word. It also sounds exactly like Radiohead. The end."

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by Obi

That's because they don't leave their houses.

I kind of doubt they exist.

[Furygirl]

I use the term hipster alot, but it's mostly my silly, slightly negative, middle-aged way to refer to the "cool kids." I don't think Muse is dark enough for the indie crowd. And the way Matt has been dressing lately is probably seen as too "off the wall" for the indie hipsters.

[Obi]

Originally Posted by sventington

I kind of doubt they exist.

That's because no hipster openly admits it. It's an unwritten rule of being a hipster, to say you are a hipster would mean you're not a hipster.

You know deep down who is one though.

Yeah, I'm talking bollocks now but even check Urban Dictionary - it's all there

[Obi]

Originally Posted by Juicy Boy

I was under the general impression that hipsters were the kind of people who listen to slightly left-of-center stuff, like The Killers, Manchester Orchestra, MGMT, etc. I usually refer to the indie people as just "indie kids."

Not sure about that. Killers are as mainstream/centre/middle-of-the-road you can get.

When I think of Hipsters I tend to think of "Lo-Fi" groups and "Folktronica" or whatever they call it.

[-megan-]

I think of myself as an indie/hipster kid.
Not afraid to admit it. :P
and I ADORE Muse.

I do know a lot of other indie kids who dislike them though, it amazes me. And they're are usually supposed to be the ones with the cool taste in music.

[Futurellama]

Three reasons: Pitchfork, Twilight, pisspoor singles

[choco_chia83]

Originally Posted by Obi

That's because they don't leave their houses.

and they spend their time on /mu/, bashing metalheads and kissing Thom Yorke's ass.

[supermassive_cave]

i really dont have an opinion on this cuz i dont know any hipsters and dont even bother to visit pitchfork, so yeah.
btw-megan-your av is

[syzygy]

I like Indie...like Kasabian and stuff like that who are called 'Indie' but I'm not a big fan of all the independent labels. I'm not sure what they're supposed to be called

If I'm not mistaken all of the really annoying bands like All Time Low are supposed to be 'indie' right? They're pretty mainstream. I bet these Pitchfork people don't like Muse because everyone in Europe is talking about them and not the beloved crap bands like All Time Low.

Imo.

[-megan-]

Originally Posted by supermassive_cave

btw-megan-your av is

Thanks !