the only way in which i agree with this is that pure "lists" without
any exposition do nothing to help. some description, and even
links to soundclips would be helpful.
i don't think best-of lists need to be ranked or rated. simply "this
stuff came out this year, this is what it sounds like, this is why i like
it".
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "robert stanton" <industrialrobot@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 09:36:08 -0600
quoted 3 lines Hello list,
>Hello list,
>
>I think that the 'best of 2003' concept is not a productive thread
topic,
quoted 3 lines and as such would advise list-members to forgo writing one.
>and as such would advise list-members to forgo writing one.
>
>As some of you may recall, I once ran a site devoted towards
'reviewing'
quoted 1 line electronic music and was very much a part of the whole 'rating
>electronic music and was very much a part of the whole 'rating
albums'
quoted 1 line schema. Since that has ended, however, I have had time to
>schema. Since that has ended, however, I have had time to
reflect on the
quoted 1 line status of music in contemporary society and have found that even
>status of music in contemporary society and have found that even
in the
quoted 1 line 'underground,' it is viewed as and expected to be an industry.
>'underground,' it is viewed as and expected to be an industry.
This should
quoted 1 line not be surprising considering that 'popular' music is an industry
>not be surprising considering that 'popular' music is an industry
that we
quoted 1 line are constantly exposed on a daily basis; what transpires, then, is
>are constantly exposed on a daily basis; what transpires, then, is
a
quoted 1 line connection with music as pertaining to some 'industry,' whatever
>connection with music as pertaining to some 'industry,' whatever
it may be.
quoted 2 lines The purpose of most music 'reviewing' today is to provide, then, a
>The purpose of most music 'reviewing' today is to provide, then, a
>consumptive schema for what is being reviewed; what ultimately
comes to the
quoted 1 line fore is whether or not the album is worth purchasing. Partly as a
>fore is whether or not the album is worth purchasing. Partly as a
result of
quoted 2 lines this, critical interpretation is limited or ignored altogether, and the
>this, critical interpretation is limited or ignored altogether, and the
>significance of any one piece of music is dissolved into exchange
value
quoted 3 lines instead of use value.
>instead of use value.
>
>'Best of' lists must be viewed in this context as they are, typically,
lists
quoted 1 line of recommendations to purchase based upon someone else's
>of recommendations to purchase based upon someone else's
abstract notions of
quoted 1 line worth. The most one usually receives is an artist and album,
>worth. The most one usually receives is an artist and album,
along with a
quoted 1 line sentence or two of why the album is 'good,' which essentially
>sentence or two of why the album is 'good,' which essentially
translates
quoted 1 line into why it should be consumed. Thus, 'best of' lists are nothing
>into why it should be consumed. Thus, 'best of' lists are nothing
more than
quoted 1 line advertising (as much as we would like to believe they are
>advertising (as much as we would like to believe they are
expressions of
quoted 1 line personal aesthetic) and contribute to a standardization of music.
>personal aesthetic) and contribute to a standardization of music.
This
quoted 1 line occurs because the small descriptions become templates for
>occurs because the small descriptions become templates for
further
quoted 1 line production (this word was chosen explicitly for its meaning) of
>production (this word was chosen explicitly for its meaning) of
music in the
quoted 1 line future. In popular music, a conservatism develops regardless of
>future. In popular music, a conservatism develops regardless of
artistic
quoted 1 line endeavors in part because of the limited forms allowed by the
>endeavors in part because of the limited forms allowed by the
culture
quoted 1 line industry; all else is regarded as 'alien' and thus 'not good.' Of
>industry; all else is regarded as 'alien' and thus 'not good.' Of
course
quoted 1 line this effect is minimal in the lesser-known musics as they are
>this effect is minimal in the lesser-known musics as they are
less dominated
quoted 1 line by a hierarchy of public opinion and culture industry
>by a hierarchy of public opinion and culture industry
dissemination; still,
quoted 1 line we can see the early fragments of this developing here as well,
>we can see the early fragments of this developing here as well,
as many
quoted 1 line yearn for the 'good old days.' This is why I feel 'best of' lists are
>yearn for the 'good old days.' This is why I feel 'best of' lists are
not
quoted 1 line useful in the least, and a new way of expressing opinion must be
>useful in the least, and a new way of expressing opinion must be
created.
quoted 2 lines I would like to present the idea of a collective listening and
>
>I would like to present the idea of a collective listening and
discussion of
quoted 1 line albums that members feel are excellent (not necessarily
>albums that members feel are excellent (not necessarily
exclusively from
quoted 1 line this year). While I am not sure what the exact result of this would
>this year). While I am not sure what the exact result of this would
be, it
quoted 2 lines most likely would disrupt the pattern of 'this is good so consume'
>most likely would disrupt the pattern of 'this is good so consume'
>mentality, bring participating listmembers closer, and potentially
return
quoted 1 line thoughtful listening and discussion to the music. If enough are
>thoughtful listening and discussion to the music. If enough are
interested,
quoted 1 line I will be happy to set up the framework for such an endeavor
>I will be happy to set up the framework for such an endeavor
(others would
quoted 6 lines be welcomed to lead, of course).
>be welcomed to lead, of course).
>
>Regards,
>Robert
>
>__________________________________________________
_______________
quoted 1 line Dont worry if your Inbox will max out while you are enjoying the
>Dont worry if your Inbox will max out while you are enjoying the
holidays.
quoted 8 lines Get MSN Extra Storage! >Get MSN Extra Storage! http://join.msn.com/?PAGE=features/es
>
>
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