Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"The Future"
Click this for a large view of the first in a series of pieces. This one's "The Future".
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Return of Rock
I often think, "What's wrong with music today?" and very rarely can I put my finger on exactly what it is. Not only that, but I enjoy a lot of music that is new. A good deal of it is good.
But there's something wrong with music today. And I'm talking more about indie stuff. Because there's nothing wrong with popular music: it is what it is, popular music. Most of it will be shit: this isn't 1967 where they're playing all of Sgt. Pepper on the radio. I'm concerned with the stuff that's supposed to be cool and hip and also, you know, awesome. So when I survey the indie musical landscape of today, this is what I think:
No fucking balls.
The theme of the day is your Animal Collective, your Beach House, your Grizzly Bear. Music that is lush and pretty and sonically interesting - whatever. This music has no teeth. This music is not threatening your parents. If you put this music on in the car with them they'll either not even realize there's music playing; momentarily believe that they're at the dentist or in an elevator; or just look confused, like, What is this strange music, Jeffrey?
There are some exceptions to the rule, of course. Liars comes to mind immediately. Also, St. Vincent. But it's a struggle for me. I'm sure there are thousands of people who, if they read this, would say, "You're wrong, bro, this band and that band, they are fucking RIGHTEOUS." I'm sure it's true, but, as someone who is more than a casual fan but less than a fanatic (close) I don't hear about too much music that has balls.
I've been reading through the history of punk ("Please Kill Me") and, man, do we live in some boring times. Like I said, here's a lot of great music out there but that doesn't change the fact that most of the respected musicians in the indie scene today are soft. And soft music makes for soft people, which is exactly what I see when I go to shows: skinny dudes looking real fem and wimpy.
I think it's a shame. And that's why I think that the next big music explosion will be the return of balls to music - which you could simply call the return of rock n roll. Of course, it won't be The Stooges, it won't be the MC5. But it will be rock n roll again, whatever form it takes when filtered through the ages to today.
I'm talking about the blues. I'm talking about blood. I'm not talking Grizzly Bear stroking their instruments, and I'm certainly not talking about dudes sitting behind consoles pushing buttons. Fuck button pushers.
Jack White knows what's what. I'm not too into all of his other bands, but when he's with the White Stripes he knows how to rock. He goes for it. Is it any coincidence that he is one of the biggest men in music? Bigger than the fucking indie scene? I don't think so.
I hope I am at the forefront when the return occurs. I wanna be a part of it. I'm sick of what is hip. What's hip isn't hip, not really. I don't get it, I guess. It all seems so calculated and - wait for it - pretentious. And why the fuck is wearing a Middle Eastern scarf deal so fucking cool?!
Music will be big again in a big way - in a way that matters to a lot of people - when rock returns and people get a little more angry. And not specific anger, but just general anger, pissed of at everything and nothing. Musicians are too smart nowadays. Rock and roll comes from your crotch, not from your head. Hopefully, musicians will smarten up and get dumber so we can have a scene that once again is about music that will seriously piss off authority.
But there's something wrong with music today. And I'm talking more about indie stuff. Because there's nothing wrong with popular music: it is what it is, popular music. Most of it will be shit: this isn't 1967 where they're playing all of Sgt. Pepper on the radio. I'm concerned with the stuff that's supposed to be cool and hip and also, you know, awesome. So when I survey the indie musical landscape of today, this is what I think:
No fucking balls.
The theme of the day is your Animal Collective, your Beach House, your Grizzly Bear. Music that is lush and pretty and sonically interesting - whatever. This music has no teeth. This music is not threatening your parents. If you put this music on in the car with them they'll either not even realize there's music playing; momentarily believe that they're at the dentist or in an elevator; or just look confused, like, What is this strange music, Jeffrey?
There are some exceptions to the rule, of course. Liars comes to mind immediately. Also, St. Vincent. But it's a struggle for me. I'm sure there are thousands of people who, if they read this, would say, "You're wrong, bro, this band and that band, they are fucking RIGHTEOUS." I'm sure it's true, but, as someone who is more than a casual fan but less than a fanatic (close) I don't hear about too much music that has balls.
I've been reading through the history of punk ("Please Kill Me") and, man, do we live in some boring times. Like I said, here's a lot of great music out there but that doesn't change the fact that most of the respected musicians in the indie scene today are soft. And soft music makes for soft people, which is exactly what I see when I go to shows: skinny dudes looking real fem and wimpy.
I think it's a shame. And that's why I think that the next big music explosion will be the return of balls to music - which you could simply call the return of rock n roll. Of course, it won't be The Stooges, it won't be the MC5. But it will be rock n roll again, whatever form it takes when filtered through the ages to today.
I'm talking about the blues. I'm talking about blood. I'm not talking Grizzly Bear stroking their instruments, and I'm certainly not talking about dudes sitting behind consoles pushing buttons. Fuck button pushers.
Jack White knows what's what. I'm not too into all of his other bands, but when he's with the White Stripes he knows how to rock. He goes for it. Is it any coincidence that he is one of the biggest men in music? Bigger than the fucking indie scene? I don't think so.
I hope I am at the forefront when the return occurs. I wanna be a part of it. I'm sick of what is hip. What's hip isn't hip, not really. I don't get it, I guess. It all seems so calculated and - wait for it - pretentious. And why the fuck is wearing a Middle Eastern scarf deal so fucking cool?!
Music will be big again in a big way - in a way that matters to a lot of people - when rock returns and people get a little more angry. And not specific anger, but just general anger, pissed of at everything and nothing. Musicians are too smart nowadays. Rock and roll comes from your crotch, not from your head. Hopefully, musicians will smarten up and get dumber so we can have a scene that once again is about music that will seriously piss off authority.
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