Anyway, my somewhat AJ related content is related to 80's new wave. =20
While, I try not to get into too many general music observations, I could=
not help but notice the increasing influence in some of the new wave=
conceits in electronica/AJ. I got a free compilation recently and could=
only say "yecch" when I heard such illuminaries as GusGus, Jimi Tenor and=
Sneaker Pimps (hey, there were a lot worse drivel on this thing but I=
figured if I was going to complain it might as well be on the people=
getting the most hype). I recognize it could simply be a problem with song=
selection (I like Sneaker Pimps "6 underground") but the song on the comp=
(sorry I can't remember the name) stinks. The Jimi Tenor song was boring=
and repetitive and GusGus's "polyesterday" was imperceptibly drab. (I want=
to make it clear that while I am complaining about specific songs, I was=
sufficiently unimpressed that I will not likely ever buy anything by these=
folks). I thought the lyrics of the early eighties had some laughable=
conceits but this stuff brings back some bad memories. I am particularly=
concerned because some of these groups have decent musical moments. A case=
in point is Ragga and the Jack Mack Orchestra (more Icelanders!). There=
single "Where are they now?" was musically interesting (trip hop and=
strings and powerful vocals) and I kind of liked the lyrics (vague but=
possibly compelling). Now, I hear "Man in the Moon (Mamma)" and I am=
dragged kicking and screaming to the stupid posturing of the worst early=
80's lyrics. The music is quite good and some of you may like the house=
mix done by Dimitri from Paris or some of the D'nB mixes but the lyrics are=
bad.
I do not wish to get a debate about majors v. majors in smaller clothing v.=
smallers in major clothing v. real smallers (as I really don't care) but if=
this is what the majors are throwing on the wall hoping to stick, the great=
AJ/electronica sellout that has been debated here will simply go by for=
lack of interest. You can be happy or sad accordingly. It is wise=
practical advice to be extremely wary of the majors because your money will=
likely be better spent elsewhere.
Jim
"What's breaking into a bank compared with founding a bank?"
<color><param>0000,8080,0000</param>
</color>--Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). Mac, in *The Threepenny Opera *,
act 3, sc. 9.