Do you like reading "Music Writing"?

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

I don't think I do.

Internet mutual interest groups drew me into usenet and bulletin board (ahem) discussions about music, but i think i was only ever in there, for a "i like x" "really you should try y" "i recommend z then" sort of stuff, and general chat about stuff i like. I noticed some time ago that i don't think i get talking about stuff you don't like - it happens a lot on the internet, and i dip into those conversations. But i find it baffling that anyone would sustain much of a conversation (beyond "wow that's really popular even though i think it sounds rub") IRL about a band or piece of music they don't like all that much. (Mentioning no names.) I like hearing people being enthusiastic and passionate because i like to be enthused. And i like a lot of music.

now i've read quite a bit of the internet by now (maybe half of it), and you may not know this but the internet is a fertile place to find all manner of musing on music. And a lot of it bugs me. The language used doesn't chime with my experience of music at all. Where is the conflict in all this music, when all i see is plurality? You don't get this when people talk about contemporary clothing (eg off the top of my head there). Another minor thing, but the "music is food" metaphor (nourishing, balanced diet, "x is good for you") is balls too.

I'm sure i'll think of other stuff.

(ps the chart still hasn't been re-calced yet, but i'll be there when it is)

Comments

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

actually a very GPWM. at first i was thinking, no, that's not the same, but a second thought, and you are right, they do dissect in sarcastic detail why "Sienna Miller has finally fuXoRed up (the dozy tart) HA HA HA HA" (i paraphrase). it can be needlessly nasty, school yard level stuff.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I think 'ranting' is usually the direct route to lameness. The Tanya pieces I dislike most for instance are the ones which are just abuse, the best ones are the ones where her 'criticism' is based on some ludicrous grammatical error or summat.

Bits of last night keep coming back to me. "OMG you must go and see [comedian's name thankfully forgotten] Tom. He's like an 18 year old Bill Hicks"

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

No offence to any ranters! Some people do it well! My prejudices have been hardened on the coalface of the interweb and GeoCities homepages with a "rants" section.

[zenith.livejournal.com]

23!!!11!!