Black Eyed PeasOkay, first off, dramatic title, but I know myself that on this website I skim down artist pages, and only bold titles grab my attention. Hell, there's a good reason for it; journals here have went mostly to piss since every user and their mate decided it would be a good idea to post 'My top albums' lists ad infinitum.
It's been a while since I vented my thoughts, and looking through past journals and comments, it invigorated me, to an extent where I wish to share something that's been driving me crazy for quite a while.
The X-Factor, never off our red-banner tabloids (What's Afghanistan matter when Tiger is about, eh Sun?) or TV screens was angry to discover this week that the funk/rap metal band Rage Against the Machine's classic song
Killing In The Name had been chosen to spoil the fun.
On Facebook, the group is hundreds of thousands strong, a casual look at the shoutbox here on Last Fm tells us a similar story, and every rock/music blog and magazine has been shouting about it. Now, I'm all for a shake up of the mainstream charts and system. It's refreshing to see the 'alternative' music scene get their share of the publicity pie.
What annoyed me was that arrogant, smug bastard Simon Cowell's reaction. For all his millions, that man has no class - he argued that such an online movement was 'stealing' his TV show competitor's chance at a big hit. The way he said it made him sound as though he feels that every Christmas, the X-Factor winner has a divine right to a Number 1 hit. His shown has been denying EVERYONE for YEARS.
If you look at what I listen to, you'll realise I've never cared for what's top of the charts, I couldn't name you a Mika song and I detest Nickleback. That's all and good, everyone has non-subjective tastes. But what I hate is programs like the X-Factor, that manufacture talent, that water down original versions, pollute any sense of artistic meaning in music, and ram their own views down the throats of millions. This show is an abomination; a macabre mixture of the freak-show auditions, ratings squeezing rounds and then what is usually a vastly overrated, unprepared winner. How many have swam, not sank? JLS? I personally wouldn't call that talent, but each to their own.
In short, The X-Factor, and to a certain extent shows like 'I'm a Celebrity...' and 'Big Brother' are mindless, inane shows, devoid of meaning or a context in reality. Every year, I watch masses of people turn into cogs in a greater industry machine. Call me a typical black metal 'Grim' person but it disgusts me.
Buy the RATM single, hell, buy two. It's about time such trivial filth gets a slap in the face, and the X-Factor has got one, whether they get their coveted number one or not. I just hope that in result of this competition, people stop taking what they are given for granted, and look for some real, tangible meaning in what they listen to. I know some people will argue otherwise, but I can't imagine being emotionally connected toGimme More without being a little shallow. When with others, particularly in a school, or social environment I feel such disparagement at what goes for meaningful music in popular culture.
Is there a difference between a musician and an artist?
PS: Hope that was coherent and better than another '20 Questions about your top 50' journal. Opinions are welcome. Thanks.
UlverKatatoniaOpethSlayerSodomAnaal NathrakhMetallicaExodusArcturusMastodonJesuIsisNeurosisAnthraxGod Is an AstronautAnathemaParadise LostDevilDriverCarcassDarkthroneDeathspell OmegaDark TranquillityDownHead Control SystemIron MaidenNapalm DeathNilePanic CellSanctitySatryiconAbigail WilliamsSlipknotTriviumStone SourTestamentVenomMardukBurzumSolefaldIhsahnAudioslaveGodfleshShiningLifeloverGnaw Their TonguesSuicide SilenceWaking The CadaverBring Me the HorizonEvilePanteraNecrophagistDeicideCannibal CorpseEntombedDaathThe Bloody BeetrootsAngels & Airwavesblink-182MaeOneRepublicDarkthroneThe BeatlesRadioheadSleepOMIntronautSnow PatrolThe KillersBritney SpearsLemarLady GaGaMuseOasisLamb of GodLeviathanMeshuggahMorbid AngelAgallochChristina AguileraMichael JacksonMariah CareyManic Street PreachersIan BrownP!nkMichael BubleAlexandra BurkeEarthSunn O)))CobaltDimmu BorgirParamoreMy Chemical RomanceCeline DionDashboard ConfessionalMy Bloody ValentineBullet For My ValentineAvenged SevenfoldNirvanaMadonnaRobbie WilliamsSusan BoyleABBAPink FloydBlack Eyed PeasKanye WestTaylor SwiftJay-ZEminem50 CentNasDarkspaceRosettaScar SymmetrySolitude AeturnesTexturesTaake
Didn't want to sound pretentious, and for those who tl;dr'd...
It's been a while since I vented my thoughts, and looking through past journals and comments, it invigorated me, to an extent where I wish to share something that's been driving me crazy for quite a while.
The X-Factor, never off our red-banner tabloids (What's Afghanistan matter when Tiger is about, eh Sun?) or TV screens was angry to discover this week that the funk/rap metal band Rage Against the Machine's classic song
Killing In The Name had been chosen to spoil the fun.On Facebook, the group is hundreds of thousands strong, a casual look at the shoutbox here on Last Fm tells us a similar story, and every rock/music blog and magazine has been shouting about it. Now, I'm all for a shake up of the mainstream charts and system. It's refreshing to see the 'alternative' music scene get their share of the publicity pie.
What annoyed me was that arrogant, smug bastard Simon Cowell's reaction. For all his millions, that man has no class - he argued that such an online movement was 'stealing' his TV show competitor's chance at a big hit. The way he said it made him sound as though he feels that every Christmas, the X-Factor winner has a divine right to a Number 1 hit. His shown has been denying EVERYONE for YEARS.
If you look at what I listen to, you'll realise I've never cared for what's top of the charts, I couldn't name you a Mika song and I detest Nickleback. That's all and good, everyone has non-subjective tastes. But what I hate is programs like the X-Factor, that manufacture talent, that water down original versions, pollute any sense of artistic meaning in music, and ram their own views down the throats of millions. This show is an abomination; a macabre mixture of the freak-show auditions, ratings squeezing rounds and then what is usually a vastly overrated, unprepared winner. How many have swam, not sank? JLS? I personally wouldn't call that talent, but each to their own.
In short, The X-Factor, and to a certain extent shows like 'I'm a Celebrity...' and 'Big Brother' are mindless, inane shows, devoid of meaning or a context in reality. Every year, I watch masses of people turn into cogs in a greater industry machine. Call me a typical black metal 'Grim' person but it disgusts me.
Buy the RATM single, hell, buy two. It's about time such trivial filth gets a slap in the face, and the X-Factor has got one, whether they get their coveted number one or not. I just hope that in result of this competition, people stop taking what they are given for granted, and look for some real, tangible meaning in what they listen to. I know some people will argue otherwise, but I can't imagine being emotionally connected to
Gimme More without being a little shallow. When with others, particularly in a school, or social environment I feel such disparagement at what goes for meaningful music in popular culture. Is there a difference between a musician and an artist?
PS: Hope that was coherent and better than another '20 Questions about your top 50' journal. Opinions are welcome. Thanks.
UlverKatatoniaOpethSlayerSodomAnaal NathrakhMetallicaExodusArcturusMastodonJesuIsisNeurosisAnthraxGod Is an AstronautAnathemaParadise LostDevilDriverCarcassDarkthroneDeathspell OmegaDark TranquillityDownHead Control SystemIron MaidenNapalm DeathNilePanic CellSanctitySatryiconAbigail WilliamsSlipknotTriviumStone SourTestamentVenomMardukBurzumSolefaldIhsahnAudioslaveGodfleshShiningLifeloverGnaw Their TonguesSuicide SilenceWaking The CadaverBring Me the HorizonEvilePanteraNecrophagistDeicideCannibal CorpseEntombedDaathThe Bloody BeetrootsAngels & Airwavesblink-182MaeOneRepublicDarkthroneThe BeatlesRadioheadSleepOMIntronautSnow PatrolThe KillersBritney SpearsLemarLady GaGaMuseOasisLamb of GodLeviathanMeshuggahMorbid AngelAgallochChristina AguileraMichael JacksonMariah CareyManic Street PreachersIan BrownP!nkMichael BubleAlexandra BurkeEarthSunn O)))CobaltDimmu BorgirParamoreMy Chemical RomanceCeline DionDashboard ConfessionalMy Bloody ValentineBullet For My ValentineAvenged SevenfoldNirvanaMadonnaRobbie WilliamsSusan BoyleABBAPink FloydBlack Eyed PeasKanye WestTaylor SwiftJay-ZEminem50 CentNasDarkspaceRosettaScar SymmetrySolitude AeturnesTexturesTaake
Didn't want to sound pretentious, and for those who tl;dr'd...
