Tuesday, September 20, 2011

SAVE US JOE STRUMMER!

I've had it. I've completely had it. I've had it with beards! I've had it with acoustic guitars! I've had it with singer/songwriters who've never lived off campus or held a job. I've had it with waifish, warbling vocals. I've had it with the fact that the word "I" is the most popular word in music these days.
I've had it with the entire indie music scene. I've had it with the well intentioned incredibly talented musicians who spawned what has come after: a horrific, hellish, musical mash-up of mediocrity (I'M LOOKING AT YOU THOM YORKE, DECEMBERISTS, I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU).

The entire world is going to hell in a hand basket!
Unemployment is rampant, corporations are people, Political parties have abandoned any notion that they are representing the people, and the only crap I hear is acoustic, saccharine, England Dan and John Ford Coley late 70's beard music.
I hate to drop this bomb, but we are reliving 1972.
Here's the proof:
Lady Gaga = David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust.
Every other waifish acoustic crap band = Gilbert O'Sullivan and Nillson (chart toppers of 1972 with "Alone Again" and "Without You" dis-respectively).
The entire hip-hop community = Studio 54 disco baloney.
It's horribly self indulgent, post-ironic, new-millenial, emo, clap trap.
Finally, Katy Perry = Abba (I gave this analogy papal dispensation, so sue me).

Where's the rage ladies/gentlemen? Can you all just for a moment stop whining about your feelings and turn it up... Where's this generations "Career Opportunities" Where's "London's Burning?", where's "God Save the Queen?" Where's "Blitzkrieg Bop?" Where's "Lust for Life?"

I may be dating myself but there was a time when music, just for a moment, made the bastards scared. When something as powerful as the marriage of melody and words was not completely controlled by the same corporate/government entities who are denying the parents of hungry children an extension of unemployment benefits. Once, music had the power to win hearts and minds. Now it all sounds like a hallmark card.

Music reflects the time, and times are tough. Why isn't music?

This about sums it up for me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCEeAn6_QJo