It is not true that everything has some merit. Some things are better than others.

However, I think we do live in more enlightened, less judgmental times, musically speaking. Some of the things we rejected in the past for reasons of fashion were good and deserve re-visiting. But just because we can now say that some power ballads weren't that bad doesn't entitle the rest of the genre to ride back into our consciousness on their coat-tails.

Be careful with that box, Pandora.

I think, I'm right in saying that Celine Dion has never written a song in her life. I'm not really interested in people that don't write there material. You're just really a couple of steps away from X-factor.

Having said that, I've got a massive soft spot for the last Mariah Carey album. But please don't tell anyone that.

Basically I agree with you dude - I'm not really a fan of Celine either but my point was that I don't think she really deserves all the venom that she gets - there are much worse performers out there. I'm also more interested in artists who write their own songs but bear in mind that (as far as I'm aware) Elvis didn't write his own material either - so songwriting isn't the only criterion to judge an artist by! cheers

I had Elvis right at the front of my mind when I wrote that. He's never done anything for me yet. He might one day though.

My Heart Will Go On is gut-wrenchingly bad, without that I think people would pretty much leave her be.

called "Many happy returns Jesus, here's a pile of crap"

Celine - she's so bad and I preferred the old nose and she does take herself far far too seriously, the earnestest (!) of the earnest.

Concept Albums - Can't think of a good one, even from the Mighty "Rush", and how bizarre is it that the Manics are worshiping at their altar lately as though they've finally come out.

People are even sneakily doing them now, Killers and that bloody Cincotti who wanted to be Buble but now has become Dean Friedman by finding a Bernie Taupin like character to help him on his way, totally infectious crap in a Take That "Bad For Good" way.

Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Latex Faced, Tory Flag Waver has a face you just want to punch and his tunes provide the motive.

Power Ballads - No and all the groups you mention enhance my case but you missed Bon Jovi's (We Rawk but we are sensitive too!) "Bed Of Roses"

here are a few good ( or at least half-decent ) concept albums..
'What's Going On' Marvin Gaye
'Arthur Or the Decline and Fall Of The British Empire' The Kinks
'Village Green Preservation Society' The Kinks
( In fact...quite a few of the Kinks later 70's output seemed to be half-decent concept albums )
'Aqualung' Jethro Tull
and 'Thick As a Brick' has it's moments too ( although best not mention 'A Passion Play' eh? )
'Songs For Swinging Lovers' Frank Sinatra ( sometimes referred to as the original concept album together with...)
'In the Wee Small Hours Of The Morning'
'SF Sorrow' The Pretty Things
Anything by Frank Zappa
'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' The Beatles
'Their Satanic Majesties Request' The Rolling Stones
'Hey Venus' Super Furry Animals
Early Van Dyke Parks albums
'Frank's Wild Years' Tom Waits
'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake' The Small Faces
I'm sure I could go on but my dinner's ready.

On the good side lets not forget The Who, Tommy obviously, Quadrophenia which has its moments and arguably Who's Next.

I have always loved Blows Against The Empire (Jefferson Starship) but that may be my age....us old hippies etc.

Not sure I'd agree about Satanic Majesties. A couple (well one) good song. I remember what a relief it was when Banquet came out and we felt the Stones were back.

BTW is Exile a concept album? (heroin, French Chateau, Muddy mix...)

I've no idea. I can't for the life of me think of one song she's performed. Or Maria Carey. I reckon there's no such thing as good music: there's simply music I like, music I don't like and a whole host of background stuff in between. (And a host of stuff that moves from one category to the other in the course of time.) I'm sure they've probably both recorded a few decent tunes in their time but since for me they reside in that musical hinterland, I haven't got the time or inclination to wade through it when I know I've a much, much better chance of finding something I like elsewhere. Life's too short...

really ought to include "The Snow Goose" by Camel, a much under-appreciated band IMHO.

I quite agree Mark. Had my dinner not been imminent I'm sure I would have added this fine ( and unfairly maligned ) piece to my list. So many people now deride Camel's famous appearance on OGWT as being the apogee of so-called 'prog' ( they- shock horror- performed the title track with a...string quartet! ) but, at the age of thirteen ( and allowed to stay up late ) I found it truly inspirational. I was almost tempted to give up my dreams of being Jimmy Page and formed embryonic notions of being chief oboe with the London Philharmonic. But then punk arrived. You know how it is.

Batman whacked me over the head with a vase, and yelled: T'pau!' I replied groggily: 'Don't you mean Kapow?' 'Nope,' he averred 'I had china in my hand,'
I'm here all week....

ps Greatest concept album - Spiritualized's Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space. Gets me through the heartache days