Yet Another Year In Pop: 29

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I know this is going to come as a shock to all of you, but X Factor runners-up JLS are at number 1. Cascada's down to 2 and the Black Indie Peas are up to 3.

[Poll #1432261]

Jacko watch: you might have forgotten that some old popstar died last month but the general public haven't - Jacko still has 18 songs in the top 100.

Poll reminder: you have until tomorrow lunchtime to vote in Heat #1 of 2001.

Comments

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I think 'safe place' is a difficult phrase to pin down here - do you mean 'safe' as in 'i won't get flamed if I post this' or as in 'i won't be disagreed with if I post this'? I think EVERYTHING that gets posted here is open to discussion or disagreement, whether it is as consensus as 'Ante Up is better with Busta Rhymes on' or as split-inducing as 'Cant Get You Out Of My Head isn't Kylie's best song' (or whatever). If someone like, say, the Lex (who is v unlikely to be dissuaded once he arrives at an opinion) disagrees then its up to him to justify his reasons for disagreeing, just as it is up to you to persuade him to your point of view. For what it's worth I think you've made an admirable attempt at such persuasion in this thread. I would hope other people don't feel intimidated either but obviously this is the internet innit.

However if the discussion does descend into attacks on a person rather than on their opinion, then that's not on. Jokes are fine but they're only funny as long as the person(s) targeted find it funny. As a mod I really try to be light-handed with regard to stepping in and stopping discussion when people are actually on-topic, but if it does get out of hand then let me know and I'll try and intervene sensibly.

In the case of La Roux (whom I dislike intensely) I would be totally willing to hear a case for her defence as long as it was reasonably well grounded (ie something more substantial than 'her video is great buy it on itunes now'). In fact, that spammer coughed up some really good discussion on La Roux & her remixes. But it would have to be a VERY good argument in her case. Lady Gaga seems like a guardian angel of pop in comparison.

Thinking about it, I think one reason the Lex often gets frustrated with poptimists (and the UK charts) is that there are a huge number of casual lurkers that vote in polls (or buy singles) and never 'explain themselves' in the same way that he does, so its easy to assume that there's some big indie/r4cist/industry conspiracy afoot. Many of the lurkers probably have no opinion at all on La Roux's interviews and will tick based on her music alone - but we'll never know about it because they are lurking, and the negative impression of her remains. If that makes sense?

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Better WITHOUT Busta Rhymes on. Jesus I am illiterate today.

[koganbot]

Actually, I totally understand Lex's frustration (I get frustrated at the same things he gets frustrated at a lot more than I get frustrated at him).