[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

I am not normally his target demo, and I hate stuff like Baby and U Smile etc, but his new album Believe, released 2 days ago, really is a great album with lots of great tracks.

There are at least 7 songs there that could be hailed as the feel-good tune of the summer, with Right Here (feat. Drake), Catching Feelings, As Long as you Love Me (feat. Big Sean) and All Around the World (feat. Ludacris) being the pick of the bunch.

Really enjoying the whole album. Of course, he is not MJ incarnated, but as far as 2010s pop music is concerned, maybe Biebs really is one of the best out there?

[stargirl63]

I was shocked as well, the album is one of the few I have where I don't have the urge to skip a load of tracks.

By the way, if anyone wants to know, I just graduated from uni, so not a teenage girl, nor do I have an obsession with him, like so many others do. I just appreciate his music, and I rate any body who has followed their dreams to break into music, one of the hardest industries out there to be recognised.

[Newbie123]

Get better ears.

[AdzAb95]

I have always thought that Justin Bieber was all about colossal "brand" that was built around him to transform him into a global "superstar". However, after listening to his latest album, my opinion has changed dramatically and I have now been forced to eat my words.

Long gone are the cheesy pop classics, and a new, current and mature (and I can't stress that enough) sound is echoed throughout the entire record. I would describe the album to be mainly made up of huge R&B tunes, with an occasional off-road trip taken to the dance sector. This album has proved the critics wrong; he is seriously talented, and "Believe" has a huge universal appeal with lyrics that everyone can connect to. As a male listener who doesn't care about the "brand" and is just bothered about the music, this was one of the biggest pleasant surprises I have ever had.

[Mr.Nor]

You kid right?

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

(Original post by Mr.Nor)
You kid right?

Why?

Is it that hard to praise Justin Bieber?

[Newbie123]

(Original post by AdzAb95)
I have always thought that Justin Bieber was all about colossal "brand" that was built around him to transform him into a global "superstar". However, after listening to his latest album, my opinion has changed dramatically and I have now been forced to eat my words.

Long gone are the cheesy pop classics, and a new, current and mature (and I can't stress that enough) sound is echoed throughout the entire record. I would describe the album to be mainly made up of huge R&B tunes, with an occasional off-road trip taken to the dance sector. This album has proved the critics wrong; he is seriously talented, and "Believe" has a huge universal appeal with lyrics that everyone can connect to. As a male listener who doesn't care about the "brand" and is just bothered about the music, this was one of the biggest pleasant surprises I have ever had.

1. No, Michael Jackson was "seriously talented", Marvin Gaye was "seriously talented", Jimmy Page is "seriously talented", Method Man is "seriously talented", Justin Bieber is not "seriously talented". Seriously, enough with the hyperbole - surely you're old enough/wise enough to not buy into the BS that Bieber is "talented". Very few popular artists are "seriously talented" - e.g. Kanye West IS "seriously talented", not Bieber and his team of songwriters.

2. No, Justin Bieber does NOT have "universal appeal". Popular appeal doesn't equal universal appeal. Bieber appeals to casual POP music fans - who are less concerned with artistic craft, and more concerned with how danceable/catchy a song is.

3. You're acting like "Believe" is genuinely a good album - which it really isn't. I could list you 200 albums, literally, that are better, but to save time, I'll only name a few:

36 Chambers
Illmatic
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin IV
The White Album
Is This It
Nevermind
Songs for the Deaf
Exodus
Undun - One of the best albums in the last 12 months, and it completely ****s on Bieber, so much so, that it's incomparable.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Stankonia
Aquemini
Electric Ladyland
Dark Side of the Moon

I could go on for days, but it's actually laughable how anyone can possibly think Bieber makes good music - especially when the majority of his songs are written & produced by others (although he gets songwriting credit for contributing a line or two)...

You probably think I'm being snobby, but honestly it's not that, I just don't like people showing me a bag of **** and telling me it's gold.

[Mr.Nor]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
Why?

Is it that hard to praise Justin Bieber?

If I have nothing nice to say I won't say it..

[Agenda Suicide]

I don't like the guy and I don't like his new album but there's nothing worse than people opposing him for the sake of opposing him. It's obvious the guy is mega-talented and good luck, his music is great, just not my type.

[gagaslilmonsteruk]

I think each to their own. On a public scale Justin Bieber's like marmite - you either like him or you don't. On a personal scale its like a coin, I like some songs, but don't like some of his others as much.

[Newbie123]

(Original post by Agenda Suicide)
I don't like the guy and I don't like his new album but there's nothing worse than people opposing him for the sake of opposing him. It's obvious the guy is mega-talented and good luck, his music is great, just not my type.

I don't oppose him for the sake of opposing him, I'm just against the idea that people seem to have - "Oh, if he's that famous, there must be a reason! He must be talented!"

Bieber is great at what he is - a pop star. He knows how to maintain his image (well his PR team do anyway), and the people that manage him know exactly how to make the most of Bieber's target audience.

But it actually upsets me when people, like you've just done, call Justin Bieber "mega-talented". How can you, what the, how the, huh, what, where, who, why - What?

He's more talented than normal, non-performers, but there are thousands, no millions, of musicians that have superior talent - although they don't receive the same media coverage.

How in any way is Bieber "mega-talented"? As a singer? No. As a dancer? Not better than any other modern pop star (e.g. Chris Brown). As a songwriter? Haha, no. As what then? What makes Bieber "mega-talented"?

I don't just irrationally hate him, so if you can make a logical point about what makes Bieber "mega-talented", then I'll listen - but I highly doubt anyone can.

[Hulk Hogan]

I didn't really like it. Too RnB for my likings.

[MonkeySee]

bieber needs to be shot in the kneecaps.
we need another beatles, LSD dropping, pot smoking, alcoholic rockstars

[TheRustaman]

Best =/= Popular

And 2/10 troll.

[Agenda Suicide]

(Original post by Newbie123)
I don't oppose him for the sake of opposing him, I'm just against the idea that people seem to have - "Oh, if he's that famous, there must be a reason! He must be talented!"

Bieber is great at what he is - a pop star. He knows how to maintain his image (well his PR team do anyway), and the people that manage him know exactly how to make the most of Bieber's target audience.

But it actually upsets me when people, like you've just done, call Justin Bieber "mega-talented". How can you, what the, how the, huh, what, where, who, why - What?

He's more talented than normal, non-performers, but there are thousands, no millions, of musicians that have superior talent - although they don't receive the same media coverage.

How in any way is Bieber "mega-talented"? As a singer? No. As a dancer? Not better than any other modern pop star (e.g. Chris Brown). As a songwriter? Haha, no. As what then? What makes Bieber "mega-talented"?

I don't just irrationally hate him, so if you can make a logical point about what makes Bieber "mega-talented", then I'll listen - but I highly doubt anyone can.

Lol, you see I never said he was a mega talented singer, songwriter or dancer. I said he is mega-talented. He is talented in reading people, playing to crowds, coping at such a young age with the pressures requires extreme talent.

He knows what he's doing, when he's on shows, live shows the guy can make best of bad situations when he so often get's awkward things thrown his way for who he is.

He's no Freddie Mercury, but the guy has passion, PR stunt or not I don't know how many times I've heard of him doing free concerts these past few weeks and attracting hundreds of thousands of people, he has the passion and I've seen so much of him staying ot meet fans etc.


Talent is subjective anyway, people think a dancing dog on BGT is talent, others think it is a horrendous waste of time, who are you to tell me what talented is and what it isn't and why on earth would I have to justify myself with 'logical' points to you?

[roodootoo]

I just listened to at least the first 30 seconds of all the songs on YouTube. Not a fan, but I'll give it a listen.

Hmmmmm, is it just me who finds a bit awkward to hear him trying to sing in such a sexual way when he's so young, or at least perceived as so young?

It's not my piece of cake but the rest of the album is bearable to listen to. I don't hate the guy or anything. On the other hand, Boyfriend, with the whale noises is just weird.

[JollyGreenAtheist]

Musical taste is largely subjective, so objectively labeling an album something, and giving it an accolade is misleading.

I accept that many people do enjoy Justin Bieber's music. I am not one of them, nor will I ever be whilst I remain lucid and sane.

[TheRustaman]

(Original post by Agenda Suicide)
Lol, you see I never said he was a mega talented singer, songwriter or dancer. I said he is mega-talented. He is talented in reading people, playing to crowds, coping at such a young age with the pressures requires extreme talent.

He knows what he's doing, when he's on shows, live shows the guy can make best of bad situations when he so often get's awkward things thrown his way for who he is.

He's no Freddie Mercury, but the guy has passion, PR stunt or not I don't know how many times I've heard of him doing free concerts these past few weeks and attracting hundreds of thousands of people, he has the passion and I've seen so much of him staying ot meet fans etc.


Talent is subjective anyway, people think a dancing dog on BGT is talent, others think it is a horrendous waste of time, who are you to tell me what talented is and what it isn't and why on earth would I have to justify myself with 'logical' points to you?

Like this?

[Funtry]

I don't mind Bieber himself, though I dont like his music. It's just those bloody "belieber's" I can't stand

[Newbie123]

(Original post by Agenda Suicide)
Lol, you see I never said he was a mega talented singer, songwriter or dancer. I said he is mega-talented. He is talented in reading people, playing to crowds, coping at such a young age with the pressures requires extreme talent.

He knows what he's doing, when he's on shows, live shows the guy can make best of bad situations when he so often get's awkward things thrown his way for who he is.

He's no Freddie Mercury, but the guy has passion, PR stunt or not I don't know how many times I've heard of him doing free concerts these past few weeks and attracting hundreds of thousands of people, he has the passion and I've seen so much of him staying ot meet fans etc.


Talent is subjective anyway, people think a dancing dog on BGT is talent, others think it is a horrendous waste of time, who are you to tell me what talented is and what it isn't and why on earth would I have to justify myself with 'logical' points to you?

Ok, firstly, I never demanded of you to justify your points. I merely stated that I'm not one of those people that just goes "Bieber sux!!!" and doesn't listen to anyone else's opinion - so don't get all self-righteous and start asking me who I am - OK?

Of course talent is subjective, but I think everyone with a functioning brain can agree that Otis Redding was a better singer than Cheryl Cole - yes? So there can be some objective truths regarding talent. Bieber isn't "mega-talented" as you said, because he doesn't excel in anything - a prerequisite for being "mega-talented".

Free shows and all are great, but how is that relevant? I didn't say Bieber was a bad person, I just said he's not a "mega-talented" musician. Plus, have you ever stopped to consider the flip-side to the free shows? I.e. that doing things like that will only make him even more popular as people, like you, will hold him in higher regard for such a "selfless" act? It's not like Bieber needs the money now, is it?

So, what you're saying is, Bieber's "mega-talented" because he can conduct himself professionally when he's performing shows? Hmm, exaggerate much?