Genre rockist beef (again)

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Crikey, dance music beef is sprawling over the blogosphere following Todd Burns's dissection of Justice & Simian Mobile Disco fans over at Village Voice (thanks to Fluxblog for the link). Here's Idolator's view on the subject. All these articles I've linked to bring up reasonable points. ( So I'm going to ramble away about it under here. Contains a DIAGRAM! )

Bits To Read

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

New Pitchfork column about the "test of time" - big debts to Dubdobdee and Koganbot and a big uncredited debt to epicharmus who is the LIVING CONSCIENCE OF DAVE MARSH and has kept the quote that starts the column alive. I'm glad I remembered it as it gave me a framing device that much improved the piece, which even so isn't one of my favourites.

Meanwhile, earlier this week on Poptimists we talked about the return of UPBEAT POP and the Grauniad today includes not one but TWO bits about this - Jude Rogers' column about whimsical bands (mentions the accursed WOMBATS who I had somehow forgotten), and this intriguing piece on Radio 1 ditching rock for pop. Caroline Sullivan (for it is she) obviously disapproves. You probably will too given that by pop they mean Scouting For Girls. (Not that I'm denying that's what SFG are). Readers may remember that SCIENCE predicted the pop revival some months ago and now here it is.

POP TRUMPS: Week 2

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Time for another round of Pop Trumps! The rules of the game are described here, but it's dead simple really. Grade the popstar below in various categories from 0-10, Whether 10 is 'good' or 'bad' is up to you, but it will 'beat' a lower score. 5 is average score - put that if you really don't know what mark to give.

( This week's contestant is: )

R Kelly ratings:
- Singing voice/musical ability: 6
- Consistency: 4
- H0TTness: 4
- Dancing Skillz: 4
- Chart success: 7
- Extra-curricular activity: 7
- Party Animal Rating: 7
- Eccentricity: 9
- Legacy: 5
- Best track: Ignition (remix)
- Botherdness rating*: 31

*How many people cared enough to vote :-)