The general pop/rock - music thread Page 39
Quote: Oldrocker @ August 4 2013, 8:38 PM BST
Quote: Horseradish @ August 4 2013, 7:22 PM BSTThanks for your thoughtful comments. The most important point is that your children are doing well. Best wishes to them. On Rizzle Kids, I agree that the new song is not a step forward. Where next? They no doubt have the potential for acting. I would say that it is their presentation that convinces me mostly.
I won't do your comments full justice in just a few sentences. Our generations tend to emphasise lighter parenting - ie in influence - knowing what the earlier Establishment could feel like. But there would have been no punk politics, or indeed punk culture, without that Establishment. The art was a reaction, albeit manipulated by savvy mavericks like McLaren. Earlier, swathes of 60s music from Joan Baez to the Doors would have been a shadow of themselves without wars to battle. One thing usually depends on another.
I have big doubts about our generations and can be very critical of them. The natural leaders permitted themselves to be oppositional in youth and then decided to turn everything into money. They also lack grit on account of never having experienced true hardship. Consequently, the independence of youth that is rightly encouraged in the family home is, in truth, heavily controlled systemically via overt commercialism. To be able to revive what is truly organic, you would have to take families into a remote community now. It couldn't have links with standard education, media, internet etc, all of which can be a colourless blanket.
While I have mentioned politics, my concern is not about the absence of political comment per se. To some extent, politics has always been in its own domain. Just like The Jam did, Rizzle Kicks, Ghostpoet and many others can spin a reasonably meaningful lyric. It's not musical ability per se either as that is shown by by many in this era as in any other. But only in the dynamic of true rebellion can creativity really thrive. In fact, it tends to be a great diversion away from actual aggression. By contrast, when pounds and dollars are so authoritative, I don't think it helps originality. There is also considerably less evolution. That's a pity.
Another part of it is the disconnection with far longer-term history. For example, the rock guys of the very early 1960s were interested in old blues. I don't think that many expected to make a career of it or even a mint in just two years. Had they done so, it would all have been different. These themes apply to a lot of spheres. They certainly also apply to comedy. That is why this forum is fulfilling a purpose. The vista needs to be far broader than the here and now or what is taught efficiently by those who only breathe in markets.
Lucidly and eloquently put.
Politics and Economics shape our lives as always.
Perhaps the current malaise accounts for the fact that there are very few genuine heavyweight artists flourishing right now, though personally I feel there is a lot of good music around.
It's hard to say who, out of the newer artists, might go on to create a substantial run of great work.
The artists I consider heavyweights right now, and still at/near their peak, would include Radiohead, Eeels, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Beck - who all emerged in the 1980s/90s.
My only tip for greatness from the newer crop would be The xx, based on their incredible first album, and seeing them live on tour.
PJ Harvey has just released a new song in support of Shaker Aamer:
Quote: George Kaplan @ August 4 2013, 8:50 PM BSTThe artists I consider heavyweights right now, and still at/near their peak, would include Radiohead, Eeels, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Beck - who all emerged in the 1980s/90s.
I can second that list.
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ August 4 2013, 8:52 PM BSTI can second that list.
Cool! 
Quote: George Kaplan @ August 4 2013, 8:50 PM BST
It's hard to say who, out of the newer artists, might go on to create a substantial run of great work.
The artists I consider heavyweights right now, and still at/near their peak, would include Radiohead, Eeels, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Beck - who all emerged in the 1980s/90s.
Hadn't considered it in those terms but you are absolutely right. I'd add Damon Albarn to that list although I'm not as big a fan of his as might be anticipated. Blur, Gorillaz, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, Mali Music, solo, production for Bobby Womack.......it's hard to fault the range. PJH is the real thing, even with two key awards now. Have been resistant to the xx but will give them another go on your recommendation.
(O's very good poster omits the 80s. The hand would be holding a pint glass)
Quote: Horseradish @ August 4 2013, 9:07 PM BST(O's very good poster omits the 80s. The hand would be holding a pint glass)
Or something like that:
Quote: Horseradish @ August 4 2013, 9:07 PM BSTHadn't considered it in those terms but you are absolutely right. I'd add Damon Albarn to that list although I'm not as big a fan of his as might be anticipated. Blur, Gorillaz, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, Mali Music, solo, production for Bobby Womack.......it's hard to fault the range.
Yes, I agree about Damon. He's always exploring, and has a restless, roaming spirit. Similarly, I'd add Jack White to my list - possibly in fact the out-and-out genius in the pack, almost from another world/planet/solar system.
Quote: George Kaplan @ August 4 2013, 10:09 PM BSTYes, I agree about Damon. He's always exploring, and has a restless, roaming spirit. Similarly, I'd add Jack White to my list - possibly in fact the out-and-out genius in the pack, almost from another world/planet/solar system.
Agree Jack White.
Konono No 1 - Lufuala Ndonga
Just a couple of fun things:
The Rumble Strips - Alarm Clock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp4C-54u3o8
Mama Rosin - Le Pistolet
Bought this for a fiver today (a Swiss fiver):
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ August 6 2013, 6:50 PM BSTBought this for a fiver today (a Swiss fiver):
That's one I haven't got on CD.
Took to Bruce late. Now a big fan.
This isn't a song. It's a film that conveys five senses.
Bruce Springsteen - 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
Quote: Horseradish @ August 6 2013, 8:41 PM BSTThis isn't a song. It's a film that conveys five senses.
Most of the songs of his first three albums are sonic and lyrical epics. One could say it's progressive rock interpreted by an American working class poet: Saxophones instead of hammond organs, backyard dramas instead of fairies and dragons.
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ August 6 2013, 8:56 PM BSTMost of the songs of his first three albums are sonic and lyrical epics. One could say it's progressive rock interpreted by an American working class poet: Saxophones instead of hammond organs, backyard dramas instead of fairies and dragons.
Yes. I like them all.
Earlier comments on prog rock come with exceptions but I'm not racing in on that one. 
(As for standard heavy rock, it has to be Welsh - I haven't a clue why)
He;s still going.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151751889278048&set=vb.8185613047&type=2&theater
Well done Wilko.
Quote: Chappers @ August 6 2013, 10:42 PM BSTHe;s still going.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151751889278048&set=vb.8185613047&type=2&theater
Well done Wilko.
Very good to see. There's an article in the online Independent.