IDM Mailing Archive

On 20 Nov 1997, Chris Fahey wrote:

quoted 5 lines But I stand by my opinion that "Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in

> But I stand by my opinion that "Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in > Space" is pure, straight up Britpop and is downright corny, all the way > from the cheesy formulaic production to the obvious Beatlesesque melodies > to the self-consciously sophomoric lyrics. I still think that comparing > this record to Oasis is appropriate.

This is so wildly inaccurate I hardly know where to begin. The only thing about "Ladies and Gentlemen" even remotely tied to the Beatles (ergo the Britpop explosion) is Jason's quotation of Lennon's "Cold Turkey" in "Come Together." If you want to play "spot the influence", try Arvo Part, MC5, Steve Reich, Springheel Jack, Eno, the Staple Singers, Handel ... the list is practically endless. Honestly, there's so much going on in that record, I simply can't understand how you've missed it *all*. To call it "straight up" really only suggests one of two things: a) your exposure to music outside of idm is extremely limited; b) Oasis are a hell of a lot more interesting than I originally gave them credit for. Which is it, Chris? As for the "corny, self-consciously sophomoric" lyricism, it may help you to know that the title of the album is made in reference to Jostein Gaarder's book, "Sophie's World." That work tries (sometimes successfully) to express quite far-reaching philosophical ideas (on life, death, love, the universe, etc.) using highly simplified language and easily recognizable points of cultural reference (nursery rhymes, for example). "Sophie's World" was intended to function as something like a child's guide to philosophy. In actual fact, adults get more of a kick out of it, but whatever. As far as I can tell, Jason's attempted the same thing with "Ladies and Gentlemen": to express some fairly ungraspable shit (in his case, love, loss, and addiction) using the simplest, most precise, most commonly known terms available. Read Charles Belz's essay on "Rock as Folk Art" then try to that kind of project. I'll admit that "Ladies and Gentlemen" isn't an unqualified success, but come on. Jason puts a lot of thought into these things. I would have thought that the self-styled "intelligent" dance music list could have done the same. Read a book or something, John <3jp15@qlink.queensu.ca>

That brings to question....how is the most recent spiritualized? anygood? "The difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad." -Dali William.....Cordray..........urchin@io.com......86