I was browsing the internet today just having a general surf and kept coming across X Factor this and X Factor that....Ooo...is Gary Barlow doing as good a job as Simon Cowell....(Are you serious? THAT's Listed on the news and I have to do a google search to find out what's going on in Libya??) And I remembered how, back home in America, in high school everyone was obsessed with American -freaking- Idol. I never understood it and have actively boycotted such shows since they came out back in 2001 (starting with Pop Idol in Britain.)
What is most annoying is how you can't deny the genius of the creators. Finally there is a show which was like drugs to the minds of the public. Even people who's musical values were of a more 'old school' fashion would "Watch the auditions, you know....cos they're just so funny..."
If you want comedy why not watch genuine comedy such as Monty Python, Bill Hicks or any of the Carry On films?? Or better yet, find a local comedy venue and go watch someone new!
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| Bill Cosby |
(And as a by the by, "As of June 2011, [American Idol] is the most watched TV series in the Nielsen ratings and is the only program to have been number one for seven consecutive seasons, surpassing All in the Family and The Cosby Show, which were both number one for five consecutive season..." according to Wikipedia...Poor Bill Cosby...now HE was funny.
I'm allowing myself once and for all to get on a soap box about this, because it's shows like this which numb the minds of the public. That's the same public musicians such as myself rely on to buy records...more and more people are beginning to prefer that dolled up, air brushed, turgid shite that rolls off of shows like American Idol, and the X Factor because it's easy! It's like the fast food of music. It feels so good when you can move along to that new track in the club, but at the end of the day it isn't intellectually stimulating, is it? I suppose people don't want intellectual stimulation these days, though. Everything is just so easy...and who knows whether that's a good or bad thing.
I have, for the past 6 years or so, thought it was a bad idea to post big opinions like this, because the truth of the matter is that I do rely on you guys to buy my music and come to gigs. And if I'm seen to be trashing your favorite show, the likelihood of you supporting me is slim. But I honestly can't sit still any longer. How can we still be settling for stupid shows like that to tell us who has talent and what the X-mas number 1 is going to be? Some angry Rage Against the Machine fans started a facebook campaign back in December 2009 to make 'Killing in the Name' the UK x-mas number 1 and not let the X factor steal it for the 5th year in a row. It worked, too. They got so much support that Rage got more downloads and by christmas we really were ROCKING around the christmas tree....so to speak ...But nothing really came of it. The new year came and went and the rage in people eventually faded. But if we are REALLY angry about how ugly the face of the music biz is these days, why don't we DO something about it?
We can, too!
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| Biffy Clyro |
(also as a side note, the 2010 x-mas No. 1 was a song called 'When We Collide' written by a great Scottish band, Biffy Clyro. But it wasn't Biffy Clyro that got the kudos for the song although I'm sure they got nice royalties..., it was some x factor wimp sporting an acoustic guitar)
Stop downloading/buying meaningless mess just because Itunes endorse it or because it's getting press and try going out to your local open mic nite. I guarantee you'll see someone who's whole heart and soul go into every word and chord they write and on a spiritual level that will echo within you until you die.Try listening to original versions of songs and supporting the people who wrote them as opposed to someone who's been produced by money spinning turd machines (record companies).
And finally, thanks for reading...My soap box and I are off, until next time.
Love
Erin
xxx
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