The Timberlake article is really interesting. I guess branded pop is not so bad when the product comes first as it certinaly seems to have done in this case. I'm also kind of surprised to hear of Timerlake as a sort of perfect role-model, but I really can't think of any scandal that contradicts that. Well done Justimberlake!
The first brand new song (Don't Hold the Wall?) is slick, has the thrust (foreshadowing) of FutureSex but the soundworld of this new summer vibe they're going for. I'm liking, anyone have a tracklisting?
With Foals, Antidotes really is the place to start. It's essentially Party Math Rock which is such a perfect combination for some reason (as in, it's dancable, but it's not dance). Total Life Forever is also fantastic, but definitely for different reasons, kind of like the leap the WIld Beasts made from LP1 to LP2. (In fact kind of similar to the leap Bloc Party and Bombay Bicycle Club made as well...)
I was kind of dissapointed with Holy Fire though, having such high expectations and in the end it kind of sounds like a softer version of Total Life Forever (with a few exceptions such as Inhaler, My Number and Milk&Black SPiders). It's still very nice though in isolation from the rest of their work, but if you like that, I have a feeling the other two records will jump out at you even more! (Red Sock Pugie, look forward to that :D )
@ djfreshie 'His overall compositions I could avoid listening to if I wanted to (but at some point I’m going to consume something derivative of him anyway.)' I think you might have difficulty avoiding his compositions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5FOW2ekHo :p
I think you're right Michael, but I think there is something to be said for Justin's very distinctive voice and knack for melody (and the lyrics for Senorita are also delicious) that doesn't come with a producer neccisarily. So he may not be a pop genius, but I certainly think he's a pop talent beyond just being a medium for other songwriters.
Really interesting article. I think the debate becomes much simpler when the antagonist/artist is dead. Then the conundrum of giving money to Chris Brown/Wagner etc (it's nice that this is the only way they'll ever be compared together) is essentially removed.
The difficulty is with let's say Surfer Blood, if you happen to love their first album and post-beating want to order a vinyl of it, you know you will be directly contributing to the fortune (especially in Brown's case) of a criminal.
Jeez that review is harsh. It seems though that having read the, albeit quite silly, things the band has said in interviews his judgment has been biased considerably. I think I agree with Mickey, the review reaches rant-levels of unneccesary anger.
Had the band's gigantic flying mouth stayed quiet, the review would have been much more reasonable. They still would have won the Mercury prize, but when has that ever picked the most deserving band?
Why is there a visible level (though not Del-Ray levels) of hate towards Alt-J? I'm only curious because I haven't heard/read anything particularly controversial about them (yet) to warrant it.
That's a very good point, but I actually think the only reason why I now enjoy an awful lot of hip hop/ rap is because of Stereogum. A few years ago Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamarr wouldn't have even been remotely on my radar, but since the site keeps pushing it I now love them! What I'm trying to say is everyone is different but we are all important and should live in peace and harmony under the ceiling of love that is Stereogum.
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