tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post7554913304209312198..comments2024-03-24T09:13:28.758+00:00Comments on The Plashing Vole: Why Ben's Wrong, or, How I Learned To Love St EtienneThe Plashing Volehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-54301643800786857222012-05-27T17:09:25.282+01:002012-05-27T17:09:25.282+01:00http://daysofenlightenment.wordpress.com/2012/05/2...http://daysofenlightenment.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/wed-23rd-may-2012/Anus Horribilushttp://www.daysofenlightenment.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-83641452313423143182012-05-24T11:50:02.908+01:002012-05-24T11:50:02.908+01:00Jim: right on all points.
Phil: you recommended ...Jim: right on all points. <br /><br />Phil: you recommended the Dodgy singer's solo gig. I should have disembowelled you for that. Posh bloke with new synthesiser = hours of hell.The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-61306935077189896742012-05-23T22:14:11.719+01:002012-05-23T22:14:11.719+01:00Vole, this reminds me of the time you printed off ...Vole, this reminds me of the time you printed off the entire UN Declaration of Human Rights in an attempt to win an argument that had finished...<br /><br />However, "Staying out for the Summer" rivals Cast's "Finetime" and anything by Reef as the shittest song most likely to ruin your indie night 1995.Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-61628355696644525862012-05-23T15:59:43.508+01:002012-05-23T15:59:43.508+01:00Nah - Ben's right. St. Etienne really are awfu...Nah - Ben's right. St. Etienne really are awful. And Dodgy are ace. Sorry mate. <br /><br />...Although you were spot on about Spiritualized, if that's any consolation.Philnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-813337142617698482012-05-23T15:03:58.033+01:002012-05-23T15:03:58.033+01:00I don't think I was making a binding argument ...I don't think I was making a binding argument applicable to all music, or even all music by every band. <br /><br />And obviously it's true that music by people of whose politics I approve can be bad music. Hello, Blaggers ITA. <br /><br />I don't think emotional responses to cynical music are fake - I just think the listener's been short-changed and conditioned when they are capable of getting greater emotional fulfilment from better music. I know this is very Frankfurt School, but that's how I roll.The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-79890241059188112112012-05-23T14:14:04.703+01:002012-05-23T14:14:04.703+01:00OK. So take the Pet Shop Boys. All of their music ...OK. So take the Pet Shop Boys. All of their music does what you are talking about, but only some of their music is good. It follows, does it not, that critiquing consumerist culture does not, in itself, make something good.<br /><br />Your argument is basically that if you are clever enough, "if you listen hard enough" you can see what St. Etienne are doing. (and, in return, if you are moved by production line pop you have in some way been duped, because authenticity is "no longer possible" - therefore your emotional response is fake.)<br /><br />This is quite a neo-religious reaction to music. If there is no god then any reaction to music is authentic beause it is a chemical process free from any spiritual aspect. Far from nothing being authentic, everything is authentic. To search for meaning in a godless society is nonsense, but so is to claim hierarchies of exchange. All emotion is equally valid.<br /><br />Oh, and St. Etienne are like well bollocks innit.Benjamin Judgehttp://benjaminjudge.comnoreply@blogger.com