tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post5288175699163423348..comments2023-12-20T13:18:01.227-05:00Comments on A Deeper Shade Of Soul: A Friend Writes In...Ben Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135273501384239424noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-38817150748388988472007-07-15T15:30:00.000-04:002007-07-15T15:30:00.000-04:00I like Spoon. They're a good band. But for whate...I like Spoon. They're a good band. But for whatever reason, I don't really feel anything when I listen to them, and I go to music to experience feeling - whether it be joy, sadness, despair, lust, regret, happiness, etc. When I listen to them, I hear Spoon, nothing more, nothing less, and unfortunately, that's not enough for me to feel any satisfaction when I listen to them.Ben Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03135273501384239424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-70670602499950585632007-07-15T00:38:00.000-04:002007-07-15T00:38:00.000-04:00I too have listened to the new Spoon record. And ...I too have listened to the new Spoon record. And I have to say, they <I>do</I> make it better... <BR/><BR/>They're a band that's never disappointed me, either live or on record. They grow with each album, incorporating additional influences and delivering ever more interesting songs (lyrics and structure). <BR/><BR/>They (like the White Stripes) epitomize what I want from a modern band. <BR/><BR/>They are relevant in the present, rather than another of the litany of bands that are forever capitalizing on the success of their first record (see: Counting Crows).<BR/><BR/>Seeing them live (I have tickets to both) carries with it the excitement of seeing them play songs from their new album rather than the ever-fading hope that songs from their "seminal" record will be featured.<BR/><BR/>What they're doing right now actually matters. It's not unlike why Amy Winehouse is relevant where plenty of other "retro" soul artists aren't. It's because she's relevant in the present.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-58331861908827667512007-07-14T17:44:00.000-04:002007-07-14T17:44:00.000-04:00I share your friend's disgust, especially with all...I share your friend's disgust, especially with all things McCarren Pool, but I try to look at lulls like the one we're experiencing now as the motivating force for the next wave of important music. And until that day comes, we can use this time to not worry about new releases and instead discover and enjoy all the wonderful music of yesteryear, like wicked Pickett. On the Dick Cavett show, Zappa once pointed out that every music trend is accompanied by a fashion/style trend. I think many of us have just grown tired of the current trends in rock, both musically and stylistically. And not only can I not afford to dress the part, I can't afford to spend another hour on mediocre, indie rock albums. <BR/><BR/>As Dylan wrote in his poem, Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie, "And it ain't in the ones that ain't got any talent but think they do<BR/>And think they're foolin' you<BR/>The ones who jump on the wagon<BR/>Just for a while 'cause they know it's in style<BR/>To get their kicks, get out of it quick<BR/>And make all kinds of rnoney and chicks<BR/>And you yell to yourself and you throw down yer hat<BR/>Sayin', "Christ do I gotta be like that?"<BR/><BR/>No, you don't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-81512884065871871262007-07-12T10:56:00.000-04:002007-07-12T10:56:00.000-04:00thankfully the arcade fire are bringing it irony f...thankfully the arcade fire are bringing it irony free.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-50378975960455627762007-07-10T17:18:00.000-04:002007-07-10T17:18:00.000-04:00Well, given the fact that most "stars" nowadays ar...Well, given the fact that most "stars" nowadays are absolutely faceless and have no individuality at all anymore given the industry's molding tactics, what do you expect? Eunuchs are not exactly famous for their sexual vibes... neither are any of these "persona's". I don't mind music being sexless to be honest, after Prince, everything has been said and done in that department pretty much, but I do regret it is all so soul-less, so totally devoid of anything "real". There's just "nobody home".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32134713.post-62171563599133865122007-07-10T17:16:00.000-04:002007-07-10T17:16:00.000-04:00This is my reply:Cassandra Wilson--Love is Blindne...This is my reply:<BR/><BR/>Cassandra Wilson--Love is Blindness<BR/>Raul Midon--If You're Gonna Leave<BR/>Lucinda Williams--I Changed the Locks<BR/>Maroon 5--Secret<BR/>Morphine--You Look Like Rain<BR/>Paolo Nutini--These Streets<BR/>Ray LaMontaigne--Jolene<BR/>White Stripes--Seven Nation Army<BR/><BR/>I hope your friend finds these tunes reassuring; I know they're not rock but they aren't snivelling irony. <BR/><BR/>I've always intensely disliked the smashing pumpkins because they are just weak. They radiate weakeness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com