> My only regret, then, is that we are not more homogeneous in the U.S.,
> because then we'd get to see Jamiroquai, Omar, Portishead, etc. a hell of a
> lot more over here! And then maybe the entire nation wouldn't be so divided
> over things like O.J. Simpson. Maybe trends could sweep us up more
> successfully, as they do in the case of music in the U.K., so that our
> varied histories and beliefs do not end up alienating us from each other as
> they do so often...
> Victor E./
I'd have to agree with you on this one. To use an old cliche, we're a
big melting pot of cultures here in the U.S. I also think it does
contribute to many of our problems as you suggest. It's almost as if
people are losing identity with their respective cultures by growing up
in the U.S. and becoming "americanized". We don't have a culture, or what
we do have is a combination of others. I mean, what exactly is american?
Football, basketball? Well, we have surely capitalized on sports in the
US, where else can you be a multi-millionaire for being an athelete and
holding up a Nike shoe in front of you? One might also remember the
somewhat heated indie label debate of last month? Lots of strange
influences here on the music scene. Some of it good, some of it bad. And
I think you could point out lots of pros and cons to it. The Music here
is quite diverse, but perhaps not at first glance. I really dislike most
of the new crap that comes out (Hootie and the Blowfish can go BLOW each
other for all I care) But if you look a little harder, you can find some
great stuff! Not all of which is from within the U.S. of course.
Tim Arland
tca@cerfnet.com
http://www.greyboy.com