I will say two things and then change the subject:
1) Just because Mommy likes them doesn't make it a quality album [does
this make Hootie and the Blowfish geniuses?]; nor the fact that it has a
polished, well-produced sound make it a quality album [does this make
Frank Sinatra a genius?]. I have listened to 'In Sides' quite a number of
times, probably more than those who voted for it as best album of the
year. My conclusion is still the same: it is brain candy, aimed at the
18-25 year-old market. Tasty brain candy, but empty-calorie/commercial
material, and certainly not worthy of a 'best of' label for the year, much
less the decade. I have the same respect for Orbital's music as I do for
Grisham's novels: it's icing on top of an empty cake. Icing is nice, but
it doth not a cake maketh.
[And if you doubt its commercial aspects, please note the various radio,
video, and live promotions Orbital used in the US (let alone in the UK) to
move the product. I have never seen this level of advertisment for an
electronic album before. <LOL> and <giggle> all you please; draw your own
conclusions.]
2) An opinion is an opinion. Thought I made this quite clear, but it seems
that folks sometimes need reminding. Facts are facts, however, and that
'In Sides' is different in its commercial aspects should be obvious to
anyone paying attention. Again, draw your own conclusions.
To start even more shit, and perhaps a more interesting thread:
Notice that most of the IDM artists and their fans are white males with a
tonne of disposable income? Is this merely coincidence? Should this be
more than mere chance, why is this so? Why, in fact, did this list earn
the name '*intelligent* dance music,' as opposed to any other name? Does
this moniker have a racial basis?
Love,
Alex
On Now: Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue."
Alexander ("Alex" will do nicely) Peter Reynolds
polygon@jhu.edu
http://jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/~polygon
http://www.jhu.edu/~jhufilm
-
Senior User Consultant
Homewood Academic Computing, Johns Hopkins University, Homewood Campus
Baltimore, MD USA