I bought the Wire the other day for the first time in years. I was seduced by the cover image and headline. Something about New Weird America or somesuch, which kind of struck a chord. After reading the article though I was much less intrigued. It all came across as just more art wank; earnest music for people who do, you know, music. Not my cup of tea at all, although if anyone wants to send me some of the CDs so I might have chance to change my opinion, well, that’s fine. And actually, on the subject of recorded music, uh, they did say something in the article about this ‘scene’ being all about live moments with the CDs kind of just snapshots of work in progress, and whilst, hey, I love the idea of snapshots and works I progress (aural sketchbooks if you will), I still have this mistrust of live music and a love instead of the recorded artefact. Maybe it’s because I’m a good consumer, or maybe it’s just because I’m anti-social. Whichever… it’s just I’ve always cherished the memory of hearing recorded music in my own context more than that provided by that of a ‘live’ situation. So whilst, say, seeing the Clientele play in a North Devon village street was a wonderful thing, if forced to choose a single Clientele moment I’d still plump for sitting in the attic, gazing out the window on tear stained skies and billowing sheets, hearing Alasdair sigh that ‘it’s a Saturday’. I guess it’s just the way I am.
The rest of the Wire was dull as ditchwater, which wasn’t really a surprise. I remember when I bought it religiously each month, but that’s a long time ago and I’m not sure what’s changed most: me, the Wire, or the cultural landscape. Maybe it’s a bit of all three. It just seems sad that in these times of complete fragmentation of style, there is a need to further compartmentalise, to really go all out on a kind of meta-categorisation of sound. When really, who cares?
And if we must have meta-categorisation, then I’m plumping for the sounds of ‘anti-folk’ over this ‘new free folk’ anyday, particularly since the Schwervon! CD dropped into my hands recently (thanks to the fine Shoeshine organisation). It’s great! It makes me smile! It makes me laugh! What more needs to be said?
posted by duke harringay at 1:09 PM
The kid next door seemed to appear out of nowhere yesterday, along with her friends. Suddenly there was the sound of squeeling, and a red shirted body leaning out the first floor bay window, writing ‘Morgan’s room’ on the wall below in what appeared to be blue hair colouring foam (naturally a heart and a flower punctuated the text). Later there was more squeeling and objects were thrown from the window at what we assumed was the little sister, herself shouting in the back yard. Very annoying…
Later yet there was the sound of music and the sight of them all lounging around, laughing, sharing a joint, being kids. We scowled and grumbled about where their mother was, but really we were just jealous. Jealous of the youth we no longer have, of the relief and release of teen ‘rebellion’.
posted by duke harringay at 1:08 PM 