The History Of Pop Part 49 aka Listen to Iron Maiden baby with me

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

A very mixed bag, Now 49 - for every Destiny's Child making a (somewhat delayed) bow in a Now poll, there's a Dido. For every Mis-Teeq, a Marti Pellow. A number of strong candidates should make for an intriguing poll.

The last Now poll was the closest for AGES, with Gorillaz finally beating Shaggy and Nelly F by one vote - "Clint Eastwood" is the lowest-rated winner ever, which makes up slightly for it being the first one I don't actually like.


[Poll #740592]


THE TICKNESS

Comments

Re: Mis-Teeq

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

the distinction isn't based on anything sonic - it's to do with who Felix and Simon are as individuals versus who Alesha, Sabrina and Su-Elise are as individuals. The latter are pop stars, a viable pop group project, with the pop image - the former are not.

Ms Dynamite is better yes - she should have maybe MCed on more than four songs ever.

(PS I got your CD last night! Haven't listened yet but thanks v much)

Re: Mis-Teeq

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

"it's to do with who Felix and Simon are as individuals versus who Alesha, Sabrina and Su-Elise are as individuals. The latter are pop stars, a viable pop group project, with the pop image - the former are not."

This seems pretty flimsy tho. I'm not sure exactly on what basis you're judging them now. Neil Tenant and Chris Lowe are both pop stars, for example. Maybe even Pop Stars. Liam Howlett too, although he'd dismiss this and say he was a Rock Star probably.

Your personal 'pop image' idea/definition seems too restrictive and I question the benefit of that.

Obv. people can be more than one thing i.e. obv. Jaxx are Superstar DJs, production mavericks, Dahnce bastions or whatever as well as 'pop stars'.

But is that the trouble? Do you have to be ONLY one thing to be a proper Pop star? If so, why?

Re: Mis-Teeq

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

It's not flimsy! It seems perfectly obvious to me - the pop star, as in the singer(s) destined for teenage posters, have to project a certain image, and it's a v traditional one - young, vaguely sexually attractive, vaguely fashionable, looks good in Smash Hits (RIP) photo shoots. Basement Jaxx aren't even frontpeople most of the time! Which isn't to say they don't make pop music, but it'd be like calling Richard X or Xenomania popstars instead of Girls Aloud.

Re: Mis-Teeq

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

remember to capitalise Pop Star if you're talking about bedroom wall poster material, or it will get even more confusing!

of course lots of Indie bands are young, vaguely sexually attractive, fashionable and look good in photo shoots, maybe even Smash Hits shoots. remember Smash Hits used to interview Indie bands too (maybe just in the 80s?). i wonder if anyone anywhere ever put up a Pet Shop Boys poster?

i'm just not sure how useful this narrow definition of Pop Star or pop stars is anymore (or ever was). hence the original question over 'importance'.

and if Mis-Teeq were still going that would give the argument an added dimension of interest. looking fwd to the Alesha stuff tho.

Re: Mis-Teeq

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Those indie bands were arguably Pop Stars too - I'm not sure if being a Pop Star is a genre thing. Pete Doherty is more of a Pop Star than Richard X. Paris Hilton is more of a Pop Star than either.

Maybe the word I'm looking for is 'celebrity' - obv Mis-Teeq were not the most slebby of slebs, but they had that glitz about them which Felix'n'Simon, bless them, don't (which is why they get Pop Stars like Dizz, Kele le Roc, JC Chasez in!)

Re: Mis-Teeq

[mostlyconnect.livejournal.com]

The Lex is... actually right?