I stumbled up this concept on the blog Not Too Crazy, and think that the concept is a very sound one, even if I can't agree with every example offered up (Journey, Styx or Chicago are a little light on the 'genius' for mine)!
Broadly speaking, ‘the Lindsey Buckingham Paradox’ is what happens when clearly brilliant musicians decide that they are better off away from their bandmates and venture out into solo "careers", only to somehow never again grasp their own genius in the way demonstrated by earlier efforts.
I can think of a few examples of my own, and would differ on my choices. For example, she includes Paul McCartney. If I were to list a Beatle, it would be John Lennon. Lennon’s solo work from ’69 until ’71 was pretty good, but the rest (Mind Games the single aside), well, meh. I mean really, Some Time in New York City? Try listening to that not off your nut. Give me any of the Wings albums ahead of that. I wouldn’t include Lennon though, as there are enough gems on Imagine, Rock and Roll and Double Fantasy to see his genius at work. Similarly, although McCartney’s work post-1980 was been uneven (to be kind), but seriously, go back and listen to London Town from 1978, some fantastic stuff on that.
Some of the better ones that may represent the Paradox (aside from Lindsey himself) I’ve listed below:
Frank Black: love the Pixies stuff, yet find his solo work an abomination.
Bob Mould: see Frank Black.
Roger Waters: you could probably include Dave Gilmour as well, as the Pink Floyd stuff just shits over anything else they’ve ever done.
Pete Townsend: there’s no point even going with Roger Daltry, as Pete was the genius of The Who. His solo stuff is god awful if you ask me.
Paul Weller: I may cop some flak for this, but give me The Jam (or even The Style Council) before any of his later work.
Roger McGuinn: fantastic with The Byrds, can’t say that I’d bother with the rest.
Johnny Marr: love The Smiths, but he just muddles through sans Morrissey।
Mick Jagger: have you heard his solo stuff? Urghhh… I don’t know if he counts though, because he knows enough to keep going back to Keef and the lads.
I’m sure that there are many many others. Feel free to disagree (although state your reasons, I’ll need convincing), or add any to the list!
Broadly speaking, ‘the Lindsey Buckingham Paradox’ is what happens when clearly brilliant musicians decide that they are better off away from their bandmates and venture out into solo "careers", only to somehow never again grasp their own genius in the way demonstrated by earlier efforts.
I can think of a few examples of my own, and would differ on my choices. For example, she includes Paul McCartney. If I were to list a Beatle, it would be John Lennon. Lennon’s solo work from ’69 until ’71 was pretty good, but the rest (Mind Games the single aside), well, meh. I mean really, Some Time in New York City? Try listening to that not off your nut. Give me any of the Wings albums ahead of that. I wouldn’t include Lennon though, as there are enough gems on Imagine, Rock and Roll and Double Fantasy to see his genius at work. Similarly, although McCartney’s work post-1980 was been uneven (to be kind), but seriously, go back and listen to London Town from 1978, some fantastic stuff on that.
Some of the better ones that may represent the Paradox (aside from Lindsey himself) I’ve listed below:
Frank Black: love the Pixies stuff, yet find his solo work an abomination.
Bob Mould: see Frank Black.
Roger Waters: you could probably include Dave Gilmour as well, as the Pink Floyd stuff just shits over anything else they’ve ever done.
Pete Townsend: there’s no point even going with Roger Daltry, as Pete was the genius of The Who. His solo stuff is god awful if you ask me.
Paul Weller: I may cop some flak for this, but give me The Jam (or even The Style Council) before any of his later work.
Roger McGuinn: fantastic with The Byrds, can’t say that I’d bother with the rest.
Johnny Marr: love The Smiths, but he just muddles through sans Morrissey।
Mick Jagger: have you heard his solo stuff? Urghhh… I don’t know if he counts though, because he knows enough to keep going back to Keef and the lads.
I’m sure that there are many many others. Feel free to disagree (although state your reasons, I’ll need convincing), or add any to the list!
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