The Manilla Envelope
Monday, October 03, 2005
Music, Humour, the Press and Mediocrity
There's a lot of humour in music. This humour can manifest itself in many ways, certain band dress like derrided eighties outfit and get props for being 'simply outrageous' or 'wow, they really pulled it off' No, they didn't. They are just half famous and can get on TV during Glastonbury essentailly their music is shit or at best a bad copy or a really bad idea. If you want to laugh at music why not watch X Factor.
The whole 'look at us being wacky and entertaining' with music is actaully playing it safe because if you really suck (and they usually do) then you can always say that was the point and avoid embarrassment by actually trying. For example, all this shit we are fed like the Darkness, Scissor Sisters, the student wankers, sorry I mean the Kaiser Chiefs, a lot of other bands that begin with THE. I have more respect for 2 Unlimited, now they were funny!
If people want to start a band after listening to these poseurs then they need to take a look at themselves because they've simply just read a few music magazines to fuel their careerist rock star aspirations. Have ambition sure, but don't abuse your position as 'media icons' by being 1.not clever
2.not funny
3.shit
PRESS
I can't help but think that, despite existing elsewhere, this a particularily British disease. Just like rampaging football hooligans and often worse. As much as it pains me laud Americans its hard to see them tolerating such crap. In this country the press seem content with promoting this dross with the usual weapons of hype and trend-making.
Here is a roll call of the many genres the Great British music press have concoted in order to make our sad lives better.
New Wave of New Wave, Romo, New Acoustic Movement, Electroclash, Skinny Jeaned Boys with the Converse and Matching Haircuts band, hardly timeless stuff.
Sometimes I don't know who annoys me more, the bands who regurgitate this lame-ass rubbish, the people who write it up or the people who lick it up like starved puppies.
