Musiccomments

My musical rants as a response to yours. One man's music is another man's noise?

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Comments Page .. There are two kinds of music, good and bad?

This page will include comments on, and quotes from UK teletext. There are two rival page sets, The VOID and the VIBE. As far as I know they are not copyrighted, but I could be wrong on that point! I intend to paste any I send here as well. I'm afraid you can't post direct to this page, but I can, and will paste for you. See the e.mail link to the left. I have also added links to both channels below, but Hotmail etc. will not accept them as far as I am aware. Read the link on the bottom bar of the browser window.

I have to admit to not rating a great deal of current chart "music" and fear that much of that is as a result of Radio 1 playlist policy and what appears to be a bias towards the "Dance" sector. Much of the "Boyband" material is so unoriginal and merely a prancing line of faces put together on looks primarily, often without any internal writing or playing talent. Still, you can't "prance" and play at the same time I guess. Take That were an exception and a few others have made attempts at writing, but most rely on outside writers and backing tracks (or in some cases a live band which IS good.) The "vocal harmony" idea does work, but tends to produce similar songs most of the time, That pollwinners thing on TV a while back? Spot the musician! As regards the "dancing" Just LOOK closely! Dolly the Sheep is NOT the only CLONE around!

I realise that most of the comment on here is personal opinion, though I do quote, as you see below. The "manufactured" aspect has reached new heights with "Here'say". It's almost as if television has decided to send up the UK music industry! The last attempt with "Upside Down" (Orange Orange) wilted. (was an album recorded?) The current release includes covers almost anyone could have done. Let's see if it cuts the mustard! If it does top the charts it will be a major irony to my mind as it will have to dislodge a REAL talent in Eva Cassidy. The album Songbird is the total opposite in promotion terms to theirs and, from what I have heard so far really deserves number 1. That's why I mentioned her on these pages weeks back. She will have a far greater influence posthumously than Here'say!

Napster

"File Sharing"

"CDs are overpriced", you say. Granted, they probably are, notably those which satisfy CIN chart conditions. That, however is NOT a valid excuse for wholesale piracy of current music. If a track has been deleted, or as an outlet for unsigned bands, then there is a case. This is a potential for good, but if it is abused how can the creative artist be rewarded?

The links below are to the two UK television music comments pages. Please note that if you decide to contribute, to a TV page, you MUST include your postal address and phone number or your article won't be considered for publication. These details don't go on screen unless you ask.

BBC 1 and BBC 2 Ceefax. (page 561)
backbeat.ceefax@bbc.co.uk

Channel 4 Teletext. (page 452)
planetsound@teletext.co.uk

Channel

Original comment.

My comment. (unless stated)

Vibe

Andy Cheltenham

James Harrison (28/10) Your theory on Rock Music is too simplistic. Of course the roots of Rock is blues,but bands such as Led Zeppelin,Deep Purple, Pink Floyd etc. were also influenced by folk, classical and ambient.

Hmmm. How long has the term "ambient" been used in the musical context? I can't recall it before the late 90s. I suppose you could say (with hindsight) that Tangerine Dream are / were ambient?

Void Fishboy Greg

Depeche Mode synth pioneers? No they were a guitar band intil they heard Gary Numan and he suggested they try synths as they'd lost their musical direction with guitars.

Kraftwerk were the synth pioneers and Numan brought synths to the masses. These two acts have influenced more music than anyone else since the 60s. Dance music's basically Kraftwerk with a modern slant Void What was so great about synths anyway? Wretched things!

Depeche Mode pioneers of the synth? What rubbish! So Kraftwerk, Jarre, Tangerine Dream et al never happened? hmm
Arv Glasgow
Synths wretched? Eek! I accept that in the wrong hands synths sound bad. S/A/W brought music to its knees with the Yamaha DX7. But guitars can sound dreadful too (listen to Noel Gallagher play one). Try "The Man Machine" by Kraftwerk or even "Leftism" by Leftfield. In the right hands they are awesome.
Alan Charbonnier

Vibe Jan 21st. Jordan

No one ever talks about James. They are the best band musically and lyrically, not to mention the best live band. Tim Booth is a genius.

The best ever guitar playing has to be on Jimi Hendrix Red House. The song epitomises Hendrix's style and ability. Also the lyrics are good, I think Hendrix was underrated as a songwriter. The LEGEND lives. Blair.

Vibe Nov8

Chris (6/11), I completely agree. Many chart-topping groups at the moment are nothing but bland puppets who pump out uninspiring and unoriginal dirge- their sound, image and behaviour dictated by corporations bent on record sales. They are nothing but products. The charts are not a reflection of talent, but of marketing and promotional success. Big Mad Mr T

Said this when I set up the site. First week discounting and playlisting are the dominant factors. As to Westlife equalling the Beatles? There's simply NO COMPARISON!

Void Nov8

"Eminem is the only decent star we have at the moment. A talented rapper and lyricist and at least people have definite opinions about him, which is more than can be said for Coldplay". El Diablo

Void Nov8

Barney is spot on about Eminem. According to his last single he feels like quitting he's under so much pressure. Fine, please do. Do us all a favour and take your MTV-to-order "controversial" videos, your not-out-of-place-in-Southpark rhymes and crawl back under your rock.

Site comment

As regards "lyrics", boring most of the time. Subject matter? questionable. Coldplay? Listen to Blue Room if you can get it. (drive a faster car)

Continued.

Eminem's every bit as contrived as Britney, yet somehow gets respect. Most laughable line of the year: "radio won't even play my jams". Yes, they do! Far too much! He's a complete fraud. Supercamboy

Re post by Crazy Snake on the Void Nov.8th.

Prolapse "The Italian Flag" 1998 Also "Black Saturday" 1996

In reply to your enquiry, some data on Prolapse. They do not appear to have a website but I have only done a simple search using the Yahoo! search engine.

Reviews

Ghosts of Dead Aeroplanes. (1999)
New Musical Express (5/29/99, p.37) - 8 out of 10
...musically this is a leap forward....pushing hard into the territory of Stereolab and Joy Division....Prolapse are mavericks making ever more exciting and innovative music..."
Alternative Press (8/99, p.86) - 4 (out of 5) - "...one of the most brooding acts since PiL circa METAL BOX....GHOST grabs you by the boo-boo and never lets go."
CMJ (4/26/99, p.28) - "...both daring and successful in their bracing experimentalism. Juxtaposed against songs that recall earlier Prolapse efforts, these new twists make for extremely satisfying diversions.

Void Nov.11th
Alex

The Eminem debate seems to have missed a crucial element. Eminem is satirising the commercialisation of rap and the pretentiousness of rappers refusing awards, insulting fans, ludicrous bids for controversy, not trying to gain respect.

Its an attack on the music biz from within in the tradition of Frank Zappa (listen to "we're only in it for the money") Also listen to Mike Keneally, Steely Dan and why not Eric Dolphy or Stravinsky? Thats a tip write it down.

Site comment

That's a new slant. It seems to me that Rap began to go downhill with the Gangsta and F Rap entry. As soon as Parental Advisory stickers appeared it was a red rag to a bull so to speak. "Controversy" became the byword of the corporate marketeers and that was that! Bit like the fraternal rivalry used to market Oasis! That seems to have run its course. Incidentally, has Em found his Britney notepad yet?

This Page PKM 2000 Created 5th. November 2000 Edited 26th. March 2001

Napster
"File Sharing"	"CDs are overpriced", you say. Granted, they probably are, notably those which satisfy CIN chart conditions. That, however is NOT a valid excuse for wholesale piracy of current music. If a track has been deleted, or as an outlet for unsigned bands, then there is a case. This is a potential for good, but if it is abused how can the creative artist be rewarded?

The links below are to the two UK television music comments pages. Please note that if you decide to contribute, to a TV page, you MUST include your postal address and phone number or your article won't be considered for publication. These details don't go on screen unless you ask.
BBC 1 and BBC 2 Ceefax. (page 561) backbeat.ceefax@bbc.co.uk	Channel 4 Teletext. (page 452) planetsound@teletext.co.uk

Channel	Original comment.	My comment. (unless stated)
Vibe Andy Cheltenham	James Harrison (28/10) Your theory on Rock Music is too simplistic. Of course the roots of Rock is blues,but bands such as Led Zeppelin,Deep Purple, Pink Floyd etc. were also influenced by folk, classical and ambient.	Hmmm. How long has the term "ambient" been used in the musical context? I can't recall it before the late 90s. I suppose you could say (with hindsight) that Tangerine Dream are / were ambient?
Void Fishboy Greg	Depeche Mode synth pioneers? No they were a guitar band intil they heard Gary Numan and he suggested they try synths as they'd lost their musical direction with guitars. Kraftwerk were the synth pioneers and Numan brought synths to the masses. These two acts have influenced more music than anyone else since the 60s. Dance music's basically Kraftwerk with a modern slant Void What was so great about synths anyway? Wretched things!	Depeche Mode pioneers of the synth? What rubbish! So Kraftwerk, Jarre, Tangerine Dream et al never happened? hmm Arv Glasgow Synths wretched? Eek! I accept that in the wrong hands synths sound bad. S/A/W brought music to its knees with the Yamaha DX7. But guitars can sound dreadful too (listen to Noel Gallagher play one). Try "The Man Machine" by Kraftwerk or even "Leftism" by Leftfield. In the right hands they are awesome. Alan Charbonnier
Vibe Jan 21st. Jordan	No one ever talks about James. They are the best band musically and lyrically, not to mention the best live band. Tim Booth is a genius.	The best ever guitar playing has to be on Jimi Hendrix Red House. The song epitomises Hendrix's style and ability. Also the lyrics are good, I think Hendrix was underrated as a songwriter. The LEGEND lives. Blair.
Vibe Nov8	Chris (6/11), I completely agree. Many chart-topping groups at the moment are nothing but bland puppets who pump out uninspiring and unoriginal dirge- their sound, image and behaviour dictated by corporations bent on record sales. They are nothing but products. The charts are not a reflection of talent, but of marketing and promotional success. Big Mad Mr T	Said this when I set up the site. First week discounting and playlisting are the dominant factors. As to Westlife equalling the Beatles? There's simply NO COMPARISON!