Re: (313) We need more serious criticism of techno! (long rant)
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quoted 4 lines I think "this track sucks" (as Spike or Larry) would say is as concise as it=>I think "this track sucks" (as Spike or Larry) would say is as concise as it=
> gets. True, sometimes that come off as obnoxious, but I respect them for=
> having the honesty and courage to say that a track sucks or that the rave=
> scene is shit. I cant say that for all people out here.
I thought Base 10 was too cool for me at first...but now I have some of Spike's
worst one's stuck in my head - "it's like when your D drops the towel" or
"attaches her mouth (tongue et als) to your ear." I think this is good!
The writing sticks with me. There is the throuw your hands up and shrug
approach of "You have to LISTEN to the music, not read about it." I would
say this is 95% true...but part of the enjoyment comes from a MEMORABLE review,
like one in PX's Base10. Usually "descriptive" reviews misguide me...this can
set up a nice suprise when you actually HEAR the record and its completely
different than you had thought.
Basically I like reading almost any type of review if it's about something
I love. Sasha's review of the As One album was gushy, and I identified with
that...if something sounds that powerful, fuck...gush. Exaggeration can be
a barometer in some senses...which brings us back to the value of Base 10
style writing...
quoted 3 lines reviews of books in the NYT Review of Books.>>reviews of books in the NYT Review of Books.
>I'll be sure to buy a New York Times styleguide the next time I do my=
> reviews. ; )
All I have to say is that if music is analagous to language (which it is, but
not necessarily for everyone), techno is NOT standard English. It's anything
but that...thank god. Music would suck if there was some style manual for it.
I could go off on the music/language thing but I'll protect y'all and won't...
quoted 3 lines Does the constant subliminal link between IDM and drugs (the>>Does the constant subliminal link between IDM and drugs (the
>>assumption that IDM is somehow improved by the consumption of
>>psychotropics) bug anybody besides me?quoted 8 lines I agree with you here. It annoyed me so much I stopped spinning and=>I agree with you here. It annoyed me so much I stopped spinning and=
> supporting the "rave" scene. If you need something else to enhance your=>
> appreciation of techno, I think you must be missing something in your life.=
> A lot of people at raves "glamorize" drugs and I find that disgusting. BUT,=
> It comes down to this: its their body and they have the right to do=
> whatever they want with it. If they think dropping some acid gives them a=
> richer understanding of "idm", its their right. The music is all I will=
> ever need.
Mmm, same here. Same here to the nth degree. But merely my perspective. I
would like to see this aspect discussed (ozy?) with some music makers. If I
didn't treat it as something funny, Luke Slater's answer to how to get someone
into a groove - "Sit 'em down with a rather large spliff!" - would probably
piss me off. THis is everywhere. It doesn't have to be combatted, since lotsa
music made on/by/for drugs is way up there and everyone should have the
choice to do what they want. BUT it's refreshing and reassuring to see there
are others out there who think drugs aren't necessary; its the music. I
feel like throwing the fuck up when I read about anyone saying techno or
electronic music revolves around drugs. I don't know how true it is, but I've
read that many of the original techno pioneers don't/didn't use drugs...this
is an encouraging thought for me. (BTW, I'm not talking about Kraftwerk ;-)
I'm referring to a quote about the Detroit guys in "MAchine Soul" from an
old Village Voice)...
-morgan geist