You might be a Rockist if . . .

Discussion in 'Movies, TV and Music' started by Crimen y Castigo, Nov 1, 2004.

  1. Crimen y Castigo

    May 18, 2004
    OakTown
    Club:
    Los Angeles
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hate to get all Foxworthy on y'all, but this was a fairly interesting article in Sunday's NYT on Rockism.

    "...A rockist isn't just someone who loves rock 'n' roll, who goes on and on about Bruce Springsteen, who champions ragged-voiced singer-songwriters no one has ever heard of. A rockist is someone who reduces rock 'n' roll to a caricature, then uses that caricature as a weapon. Rockism means idolizing the authentic old legend (or underground hero) while mocking the latest pop star; lionizing punk while barely tolerating disco; loving the live show and hating the music video; extolling the growling performer while hating the lip-syncher ...
    ...
    ... Like rock 'n' roll itself, rockism is full of contradictions: it could mean loving the Strokes (a scruffy guitar band!) or hating them (image-conscious poseurs!) or ignoring them entirely (since everyone knows that music isn't as good as it used to be). But it almost certainly means disdaining not just Ms. Simpson but also Christina Aguilera and Usher and most of the rest of them, grousing about a pop landscape dominated by big-budget spectacles and high-concept photo shoots, reminiscing about a time when the charts were packed with people who had something to say, and meant it, even if that time never actually existed. If this sounds like you, then take a long look in the mirror: you might be a rockist ..."



    Now, I've never seen this term before Sunday.
    But much like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and his relationship with pornography -- which I've also never, ever seen -- I seem to recognize it innately.

    There's an argument in my head about the appreciation of musicianship, the relationship between songwriter and listener, and the irrational yet deeply personal response to music of any origin that speaks to the Muddy Waters, Stephen Merritt, and Britney Spears trajectory of pop appreciation -- but I don't have the time or brain power to spit it out right now because I'm in existential paralysis waiting for tomorrow to be over.

    So I'm going to go and try to find "Toxic" on a free download somewhere to (blissfully) anesthetize the way that I feel.


















    .............................................................................................Radio.Radio.
     
  2. chad

    chad Member+

    Jun 24, 1999
    Manhattan Beach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like music.
     

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