I want to thank the fine people of Stereogum nation for believing in me enough to get me in the worst comments of the week.
Let's try for something better next week. With some effort on my part and a little help from your index fingers, together, we can do this.
Also, on a more serious note, it's not "mandatory" to be liberal/left-wing/any preset socially constructed label whatsoever in order to enjoy fine, independent music. It just happens that many people are because the musicians and their fans share similar ideas that deal in freedom of pure expression and sheer equality. I'm not saying those don't exist on the "other side" but there is a clear traceable history of the lack.
At the end of the day (to be trite), separate the politics from the music. You can love Morrissey/The Smiths without giving a damn about Thatcher, the Royal Family, or anything. Just enjoy the music. That's all that's going to matter in the end anyway.
I really don't think any musician's album needs a trailer for itself. It's gaudy. Don't get me wrong, I'm decently excited for this to drop too, but the grandiose "teasers" and "trailers" feel so affected.
"Many of the songs on The National, Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, and the EPs are good — “Murder Me Rachael” and “Available” in particular introduced The National to many of their most ardent fans — but they’re not great, and the band itself is divided on how their earlier material should be received. Regardless, including them on this list of the National’s 10 best songs would have come at the expense of other, better songs that appeared on band’s last three albums, so no songs from those early releases made it onto this list."
If even the band don't know how they should deal with their older materials I think it's an okay, if risky, judgment call to not include them. It's a solid list based on the premise laid out.
I'm a bit confused about this article. It really seems like the author finds Undertow to be a sub-par and ultimately weak Tool album. Every one of these anniversary articles I've seen before this do the opposite and shower it with praise.
I had no idea SXSW cost that much to attend. I've been dreaming of going for years but after reading up on prices and learning that artists see little to no of that enormous cost just depresses me.
Aside from the exclusion of "Ceremony" (which, as much as I am loathe to admit, I can understand because of all the arguing that song can bring on) I would say this list is pretty much rock solid. I do feel a track or two from Technique should be on here, at least "Love Less." Also some personal favorites were left off like "Leave Me Alone" but again, solid list.
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