Random Music Talk XLIV: Haunted By Dalton's Ghost

[bono_man2002]

 

[cobl04]

So now there's a TV On The Radio sideshow the night before the Flaming Lips one, same venue. Very cool. I better listen to Cookie Mountain asap.

#spendingtoomuch

 

[Imperor]

I'm DVRing it, but excited to watch.

Is it two parts? Does anyone know when the second part is supposed to air?

Part two airs tomorrow. I watched about the first 35 minutes of part one tonight and was completely captivated, much in the same way I was with the Anthology documentary.

 

[lazarus]

So, umm, not a musician, but certainly connected very much to the current music industry:

Steve Jobs, biggest media figure death since Kurt Cobain?

The number of people posting stuff on Facebook, primarily inspirational quotes, is astounding, and people seem to be taking it more personally the more they reflect on how he's affected their lives.

Anyway.

Spoiler

Is Boner okay??

 

[Jive Turkey]

So, umm, not a musician, but certainly connected very much to the current music industry:

Steve Jobs, biggest media figure death since Kurt Cobain?
[/SPOILER]

I'd say even more so. But MJ's death meant more to more people than Cobain, but I guess if you're talking current popularity at the time of death, then Cobain was obviously more relevant than MJ... But I think Jobs meant more to a larger portion of the population than Cobain ever did. You might have to go back as far as Lennon

 

[cobl04]

There's no way any death since Wacko Jacko has been as been as big. Not Osama, not Jobs. Every person on earth knew who MJ was. I've seen numerous people posting "who's Steve Jobs" or the good ol' "who cares about xxx stop clogging my news feed".

 

[bono_212]

I didn't have too many people posting about it on my feed. Though there were a lot, I just mean it wasn't the only thing on my feed tonight like the day MJ died. I think part of the reason it's not AS big of an impact as some other celebrity deaths is because we all kind of knew this was coming, just not when.

 

[lazarus]

I'd say even more so. But MJ's death meant more to more people than Cobain, but I guess if you're talking current popularity at the time of death, then Cobain was obviously more relevant than MJ... But I think Jobs meant more to a larger portion of the population than Cobain ever did. You might have to go back as far as Lennon

MJ didn't ever mean anything to me, so he only came to mind after I made that post. But you already articulated my response to that exception: his death was a nostalgic tragedy, and he hadn't been relevant to music culture since Dangerous, only staying in the public eye because of his predeliction for little boys. That's almost 20 years. He may have been "popular" in terms of name recognition but wasn't impacting the culture at the time of his death. Cobain died while arguably on the brink of a creative overhaul and renaissance, Jobs in the middle of what may be remembered as his greatest triumph (the increasingly versatile iPhone).

While Jobs' eventual death was forseeable, I don't think many expected him to keep working so late in the game. And the shock comes not just from his death, but as I said above, from many people's sudden realization on the impact his achievements have had on their lives.

 

[Jive Turkey]

MJ didn't ever mean anything to me,

He did give you an avatar for about a year or so.... One in which, for some reason in my mind, Macca is in black face

 

[PhilsFan]

I have basically no Apple products because it's so expensive, so I've been a real dick about it.

I got a small iPod about four years back and that's it for me and Apple. No Macs, no iPhones or iPads.

 

[u2popmofo]

Watch Portishead on "Fallon" | News | Pitchfork

Hell yes. New song is awesome.

 

[iron yuppie]

I think that the genius, though something of a diabolical one, of Steve Jobs and Apple lies in their marketing scheme, which has been immensely successful in promoting the idea that owning the latest Apple product is a prerequisite to relevance. In my view, that strategy has resulted in a really unattractive form of corporate elitism, when in reality products like the iPod or iPhone are not terribly different than their competitors and really only make life marginally more convenient. Every day on the train, I see many people dicking around with iPhones, but they are almost always using it for something completely frivolous like Angry Birds. There is no doubt that the products are ingenious, but I am really hesitant to eulogize Jobs as an "information revolutionary" as many people are doing.

This article summarizes my feelings about Apple quite well:

Apple Claims New iPhone Only Visible To Most Loyal Of Customers | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

 

[PhilsFan]

I could really use a phone that accesses the Internet. I miss out on a lot of important shit by being disconnected every time I leave the apartment.

 

[Reggo]

So I've become interested in The Kinks. Where's a good place to start? I know Lance's Mom has quite an encyclopedic knowledge, but she's not returning my phone calls.

 

[Imperor]

Okay, so I haven't been this immediately infatuated with an artist since my initial LC! binge way back when. Loving me some Zola Jesus. Thanks again, iYup. Went ahead and ordered the limited edition LP of the new one and the Valusia EP since "Poor Animal" is the hottest jam ever. Now I'll stop talking about her.

Cobbs, I listened to that Thundercat LP this morning and also really enjoyed it. Appreciate the rec. Absolutely adored "Mmmhmm" on Cosmogramma, and this is right up that alley.

MJ didn't ever mean anything to me, so he only came to mind after I made that post. But you already articulated my response to that exception: his death was a nostalgic tragedy, and he hadn't been relevant to music culture since Dangerous, only staying in the public eye because of his predeliction for little boys. That's almost 20 years. He may have been "popular" in terms of name recognition but wasn't impacting the culture at the time of his death. Cobain died while arguably on the brink of a creative overhaul and renaissance, Jobs in the middle of what may be remembered as his greatest triumph (the increasingly versatile iPhone).

While Jobs' eventual death was forseeable, I don't think many expected him to keep working so late in the game. And the shock comes not just from his death, but as I said above, from many people's sudden realization on the impact his achievements have had on their lives.

This is all tremendously well said.

 

[bono_212]

I think that the genius, though something of a diabolical one, of Steve Jobs and Apple lies in their marketing scheme, which has been immensely successful in promoting the idea that owning the latest Apple product is a prerequisite to relevance. In my view, that strategy has resulted in a really unattractive form of corporate elitism, when in reality products like the iPod or iPhone are not terribly different than their competitors and really only make life marginally more convenient. Every day on the train, I see many people dicking around with iPhones, but they are almost always using it for something completely frivolous like Angry Birds. There is no doubt that the products are ingenious, but I am really hesitant to eulogize Jobs as an "information revolutionary" as many people are doing.

This article summarizes my feelings about Apple quite well:

Apple Claims New iPhone Only Visible To Most Loyal Of Customers | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Exactly how I feel about Apple, pretty much. Always liked Jobs though, very exciting guy, clearly cared about the things he was saying, or could at least feign it like a boss.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

I used to really hate all those hipster douchebags with their iphones... Now I'm one of them

 

[u2popmofo]

I used to really hate all those hipster douchebags with their iphones... Now I'm one of them

A perfect sign that Apple isn't hip any more.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

A perfect sign that Apple isn't hip any more.

My work here is done.

 

[PhilsFan]

The screen is peeling off of my phone. I really need a new one.

 

[nielsgov]

Watch Portishead on "Fallon" | News | Pitchfork

Hell yes. New song is awesome.

It's great indeed. I dont think I've heard such a thing as a bad Portishead song.

 

[BoMac]

I used to really hate all those hipster douchebags with their iphones... Now I'm one of them

I could have told you long ago that you're a douchebag.

 

[lazarus]

Why is there no Shuttlecock reaction to the Steve Jobs news yet??

It's like it didn't even happen until I hear Boner's heartfelt press statement where he'll likely recycle an old lyric or interview quip.

I'm going to watch the Shuttlecock iPod press conference from 2004 to make myself feel better.

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

Steve Jobs, biggest media figure death since Kurt Cobain?

Not even fucking close.

Spoiler

 

[iron yuppie]

I'm not really a huge fan of The Shins, but damn if "New Slang" isn't a great song.

 

[cobl04]

I think that the genius, though something of a diabolical one, of Steve Jobs and Apple lies in their marketing scheme, which has been immensely successful in promoting the idea that owning the latest Apple product is a prerequisite to relevance. In my view, that strategy has resulted in a really unattractive form of corporate elitism, when in reality products like the iPod or iPhone are not terribly different than their competitors and really only make life marginally more convenient. Every day on the train, I see many people dicking around with iPhones, but they are almost always using it for something completely frivolous like Angry Birds. There is no doubt that the products are ingenious, but I am really hesitant to eulogize Jobs as an "information revolutionary" as many people are doing.

This article summarizes my feelings about Apple quite well:

Apple Claims New iPhone Only Visible To Most Loyal Of Customers | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

None of that bothers me at all, I think that's genius marketing and precisely why I own an iPhone, iPod and a Mac.

Reading all the "no class/fuck you/the guy just died/etc" comments on all the Onion pieces are hilarious though. People do really seem to be taking his death personally.

So I've become interested in The Kinks. Where's a good place to start? I know Lance's Mom has quite an encyclopedic knowledge, but she's not returning my phone calls.

I haven't heard any but since no one else answered I think the general consensus is Village Green Preservation Society is where it's at.

My first will be whichever one has Lola on it though.

Cobbs, I listened to that Thundercat LP this morning and also really enjoyed it. Appreciate the rec. Absolutely adored "Mmmhmm" on Cosmogramma, and this is right up that alley.

Glad you dug! It's really enjoyable to listen to. Great stuff.

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

I'm not really a huge fan of The Shins, but damn if "New Slang" isn't a great song.

Objectively their best tune.

 

[LemonMelon]

Objectively their best tune.

Kissing The Lipless? Caring Is Creepy? New Slang is probably in my top 5 though.

 

[LemonMelon]

Hey Hey What Can I Do should have been on Zeppelin III instead of Hats Off To Roy Harper.

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

Sure, Kissing The Lipless can be tied for the top spot.

Not all that big on Caring Is Creepy, to be honest.