On Thu, 27 Apr 1995, vilexile wrote ">":
On Wed, 26 Apr 1995, g303 wrote ">>"
quoted 7 lines What is your problem with _Spanners_?
> > What is your problem with _Spanners_?
>
> I simply don't like it. I don't have a moral problem with it, if that's
> what you mean. It obviously had a lot of work put into it, etc. I think
> it shows the band falling to pieces, which is kind of sad. I could go
> through it rubble by rubble and point out what I think doesn't work about
> it, but that would be kind of lame.
I'm not sure what other people think, but empty criticism, is at best
foolish and at it's worst, dangerous. People read what you say and might
have been put off buying what they might have considered to be a brilliant
work, by your quick easy jibe.
This is why this list is curiously devoid of criticism. People don't want
to slag things off (generally) but in any case can't be arsed to write
considered reviews. And besides you don't review something you don't
like. So you keep stumm.
I mean I could say ooo.. lets see.. errr.. FSOL are a bunch of pretentious
wankers who built their reputation on the base of one (admittedly good)
track (Papua..). Or that the Orb are the most over rated bunch of self
righteous tossers ever and that all their music is boring. (eee, I enjoyed
that! :)
I don't say those things (whether i believe in them or not) because I
haven't the time to qualify these statements. I just ignore all FSOL/ORB
posts.
Your bit above, however does qualify your previous criticism.
Lost my thread a bit there, but anyway...
quoted 4 lines btw Some of the stuff on the Plaid EP is over 3 years old.
> > btw Some of the stuff on the Plaid EP is over 3 years old.
>
> That's been made pretty clear, actually. My understanding is that it's
> half old and half new?
Correct.
quoted 3 lines When their music works, it's timeless anyway, so
> When their music works, it's timeless anyway, so
> it hardly matters. It's nice to see a kind of evolution except I don't
> know which tracks are old and which are new.
Not hard to tell.
quoted 4 lines Does it really matter what the name is? Listen to it. If you like it, buy
> > Does it really matter what the name is? Listen to it. If you like it, buy
> > it. Period.
>
> What exactly is your point?
Ultimately *music* is music. It is not names/labels/limited editions etc.
people should not be prejudiced by any of these things. The only way to
buy music is by listening to it.
You *can* buy labels or names, but you're not guarenteed *music*, only a
nice bit of packaging (eg ABIV). There is of course nothing wrong with
this, in the same sense of there being nothing wrong with stamp
collecting. I don't collect stamps btw, but I do collect records both for
*music* and *packaging*. Christ, that's honest of me. I'm sure many others
would own up to this under pressure.
quoted 1 line I bought Spanners on the merit of their name.
> I bought Spanners on the merit of their name.
So don't critise the music. You didn't buy it for the music you bought it
for the packaging. They have a good reputation, but you can't really slag
'em off for just one release, if it had been universally panned, ok, but
it wasn't.
quoted 4 lines I am not disappointed enough in it to wish I hadn't purchased it--only
> I am not disappointed enough in it to wish I hadn't purchased it--only
> enough that they are no longer my favorite band. Clearly the name doesn't
> matter to me *that* much or I would like all the BDP releases equally,
> yes?
You obviously have little faith to dis them after one (in your opinion)
release.
quoted 4 lines What DOES matter with regard to the names is that generally they are
> What DOES matter with regard to the names is that generally they are
> chosen to represent something, either stylistic or re the working
> arrangements. I don't place value on that in itself, but it's a nice
> guide, both for purchasing and for following the development of an artist.
I totally agree with that. Labels/names etc are STYLE GUIDES ONLY. People
shouldn't whinge if they get burnt, buying this way. Maybe they should have
listened to it first, if they were only after music, and not the packaging.
quoted 2 lines But then I really don't see what you're getting at so maybe that's not
> But then I really don't see what you're getting at so maybe that's not
> the kind of answer you were looking for.
It was exactly the answer I was looking for. Thank you.
This 'name' business is not just limited to Spanners etc. The unecessary
fuss kicked up over the Evolution compilation, repeat compilation, is a
kind of similar thing, (or something.)
:)
I'm all for criticism. But considered critism please.
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