Word abuse: stretch out

Whenever a band throws in an extra wanky guitar solo, tries out a previously unexplored playing tactic or displays any amount of musical progression or experimentation whatsoever, without fail, some writer will pipe in and declare the band has "stretched out" their sound.

This isn't musical yoga, yo.



"Indie rock kingpins the Shins stretch out on their third album, 'Wincing the Night Away'"

"Coldplay Stretch Out On Upcoming Record"

"It’s the disc where the band stretches out and experiments"

"The average song length is about five minutes, giving the musicians room to stretch out and solo occasionally"

You know what happens when you stretch out "stretch out" too much? You get tired.

Sounds like these writers need a rest.