[rosa]

Hi Sophie!

Isn’t a fontanelle the soft spot on a baby’s head?

xo, & welcome,
Rosa

[rosa]

</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font> If they are "to thine own self, true", and provide evidence, such as bad, popular music, or great, not-so-widely known music, or even utterings that may prove no more ultimate a purpose than therapy or healing, is the person showing artistic ability as a result of interpreting and expressing nature? </font><hr></blockquote><font>I agree with you, although people might challenge you on your definition of ‘ability’. Does ‘ability’ mean ‘skill’ or ‘accurate translation of brain to paper/voice/guitar’?

Someone once said that there is no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ art, only ‘true’ or ‘false’. I tend to agree.
</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font> To the defense of criticism, I think a person’s judgment of another’s attempt at expressing their nature deserves recognition as being valid within the scope of their intended views. Whether the origin of the critique is based on a certain amount of or type of experience may come secondary to the earnestness and courage expressed by the critic. </font><hr></blockquote><font>I guess the thing that bothers me is that critics are always coming up with new and creative ways to insult things, rather than new and creative ways to herald them. I think that music critics in particular (especially young ones) are guilty of this. They seem to strive for chic misanthropy but it’s really just laziness. Not listening to the albums attentively, not considering all aspects, not doing the research.

I do my best to avoid reading reviews of albums because they are never written objectively. Critics tend to tell you what they THINK of the record, as opposed to telling you what it SOUNDS like and leaving you to draw your own conclusion as to whether it’s an album you’d be interested in buying.

I don’t agree that a critic’s earnestness is more important than the broadness of his experience. That’s just my opinion. I think that people should refrain from commenting on things they know little/nothing about (unless it’s to ask a question, of course), especially if the object is to slander or to simply fill a writing assignment from one’s editor. I can’t think of any other profession where a worker would be allowed to compensate for lack of experience simply by being earnest.

‘There is no such thing as a mixed review.’ – J Mascis

<small>[ 09-01-2002, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

Wesley Willis has had an intense, broad impact on both hip hop & spoken word; I just read some articles about him earlier this year. The Beastie Boys are big fans, as are the Chili Peppers, Henry Rollins, etc.

I haven’t heard any of his work but from what I’ve read, he reminds me a lot of Daniel Johnston; mentality-wise, art-wise, etc.

I find that the so-called mentally ill are frequently tremendous artists. But unfortunately there are people who disregard their capabilities & treat them like sideshow freaks, and who go to shows expecting only the insanity and not the genius. You get what you give, I guess.

xo
Rosa

[rosa]

I wonder if J has a new appreciation for touring since his accident? I’ve never heard about him touring for such long stretches. I even remember him being quoted as saying that long tours were a ‘gratuitous avoidance of life’, haha.

Not that I’m complaining, of course.

[rosa]

Mantis, I wasn’t labeling, I was asking. I don’t personally subscribe to political bipartisanism but the parties do indeed exist, officially. So <img>

<img> Your email is coming.

xo.

<small>[ 08-29-2002, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font>I know I’m going to be attacked (probably by Rosa) for labeling, but broad labels are helpful. </font><hr></blockquote><font>Haha. This, from someone whose longstanding quote was ‘Ban the PMRC!’ Sometimes I think you should be a card-carrying member <img>

But my quest to thicken your perspectives has become futile. You’re a nice kid. I just think you need to get out of the midwest, if only for a vacation. Maybe travel to a more diverse part of the country, where the boundaries between people fluctuate and dissolve, and where important decisions are made about domestic policy.

And back to the topic at hand. I think what you’re trying to do here is replace modern bands with the bands from which they drew inspiration. Which would be like saying, ‘don’t listen to Rosa, listen to her dead Grandfather instead! Now THERE’S talent!’

Essentially, all music is influenced by SOMEone. For every generation, music, politics, technology, etc. are handed down, altered, and expanded upon. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But I think it’s erroneous, and dangerous, to get so caught up in revisionism that young bands don’t get a chance to be heard. It’s also a disservice to the pioneer artists, who worked hard (artistically, beaurocratically) to give young people that very opportunity. I don’t suppose you vote Republican?

If you go around cutting chunks out of things you will inevitably chop off some of the more useful parts. Pop music has its place in our culture, even if elitist lemmings (not necessarily you, dear Malc) think it’s unnecessary and unlistenable. Art isn’t always bad simply because it’s popular, although popularity and art don’t always have the most healthy of relationships. Pop music is both a shining example of capable songwriting and ingenius marketing, and a vulgar display of materialism and sexual exploitation. I think it’s actually a fascinating commentary on our culture. And it’s part of a bigger whole, which should be examined, not censored.

I say, listen to whatever pleases you. But please, paws off my collection.

I don’t hate you, Malk. Just giving my input, as you requested.

Take care,
Rosa

<small>[ 08-29-2002, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font> Um, would this be the wrong thread to mention that I happen to like the Chili Peppers?
</font><hr></blockquote><font>Would this be the wrong thread to mention that you have my heart in that little bucket of sweet Mantis lovin?

I figured the Peppers might be too raunchy for you. Oh, the pleasant ways in which you surprise me.

xo,
Rosa

[rosa]

Yeah, I would never have paired up any of those bands. Not that I’m god. But you know.

Manson is loud and angry. The Cure are soft and whiny (sorry Tony). Perhaps the lipstick is the common link, or something?

I would also never equate RATM with Fugazi. Totally different, musically and strategically.

As for the Creed/U2 connection. I don’t even like U2 but I’m insulted on their behalf.

</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font> Am I an idiot? Please share! </font><hr></blockquote><font>Well, since you asked <img>

j/k

xo,
Rosa

<small>[ 08-28-2002, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

</font><blockquote><font>quote:</font><hr><font> racism is dying, feminism is practically unneccesary </font><hr></blockquote><font>Wow. Adore you, Malky, but please don’t force me to bite your head off.

xo
Rosa

<small>[ 08-28-2002, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

Hey RJ, best of luck with your travels. I’m in San Fran so I’ll be an hour & a half away; we should hang out.

Seattle is a miserable little town. But hopefully you have something entertaining planned for your visit(s) there. I think I can guess that there will be some sort of pilgrimage involved <img>

take care, & keep in touch,
Rosa

[rosa]

Someone recently told me that Godsmack actually took their name from an AIC lyric. I haven’t heard them but it makes sense that they’d sound like a ripoff band.

I’m not familiar with a lot of the groups mentioned in this thread. But let me take this opportunity to say that I cannot STAND Sheryl Crow and it sickens me to see her share the stage with all these rock legends. Her voice is awful and her lyrics are stupid. I suspect people enjoy her because she’s a woman who can put a few chords together, and she has good legs.

I can’t knock all the pop crap because some of it is catchy, and if it makes me dance, it can’t be all bad. Manufactured hits might be disingenuous but I think they have a place in our society, even if it’s just as commentary on our hedonistic culture. *shrug*

I’m a slaaaaaave for freakscene.

Rosa

[rosa]

I didn’t know the one opened in L.A. already. I will expect a report, br.

The one here in SF is like a big treasure trove; my only complaint is that the employees (including Eric, haha) tend to suffer from ego gigantism and an overinflated sense of purpose. They act like frickin bouncers and roadies; pretending to know everything about every band, but actually all they do is twiddle the knobs. Or something.

It’s late, and I’m bitter. But I’d still go to Amoeba anytime to sift thru the goods. I first met J there *heavy teenybopper sigh* and of course have also scored some sweet treasures. I love the $2 used tapes.

And lots of hot guys shop there. <img>

xo
Rosa

[rosa]

It seems like copyrights have been bent, ignored, abused, and manipulated for ages. VHS tapes, for example; computer software, NBA merchandise. People were bootlegging Grateful Dead concerts from the 1960s on out.

I’m not saying it’s right or wrong. I just wonder why the government is deciding to intervene now. It can’t simply be because computers are so prolific, because everyone has a VCR, and people were never arrested for that.

As far as which companies have the politicians’ ear, perhaps you could enlighten me; I haven’t really heard anything about Universal or WEA or BMI holding any kind of political clout. Please share; you seem to have a better sense of the politics than I <img>

xo
rosa

[rosa]

Why IS the government so interested in shutting this down? What’s in it for them? Are they really sitting in the pocket of the music industry? Because I find that hard to believe. I thought it was all big accounting firms, energy (oil, electric, etc), and guns.

You know? Like Allison said, why spend so much time on this one issue when there are larger concerns at hand? Does the recording industry really constitute a significant percentage of political supporters? Or do the feds hope that cracking down on file-sharing will be a first step toward regulating other online enterprises?

off to hobby hour,
rosa

<small>[ 08-11-2002, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

Now, Half-Man. Would that be ‘bondage bestiality’ as in ‘bondage AND bestiality’, or ‘bondage / bestiality.’ Because that’s a really important distinction.

<img>
Rosa

[Author]

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