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| Feature: Enlightnement in a Warm Bottle of Cherry Coke |
Posted by
heather on Sunday, June 10, 2001 - 10:18 AM PST
hmm...I'm not quite sure anyone wants to be put through this...but I have the strong delusion that I am entitled to post whatever I want wherever I want. And, since this was a stroke of enlightenment I underwent about a month and a half ago and this is the enlightenment form...I might as well be cheesey and share. Feel free to comment and tell me how wrong I am...or to quit indulging in so much reefer...or to meerly develop a life...or whatever else you feel like putting in...that's what it's for, isn't it? Right...here it is in its entirey, I believe.
Of the many sensations induced upon consuming Cherry Coke, I recognize an unpleasant bitter aspect most strongly in the aftertaste. Maybe it's the fact that I allowed it to sit in my warm car for a couple of hours. The fact seems strange to me, nevertheless. Why should I be able to identify an evidently negative aspect of something that should be positive so easily? I can't even enjoy the so-called "wholesome" music I find running rampant like a plague over the radio waves of American pop culture. Pepsi? I find it a turn off ever since that godforsaken Brittany Spears commercial was aired. Oh, I could ignore the principle of the icon easily if only I would not be subjected to hearing a wanna-be anorexic "teeny bopper" sing that fucking song every time I took a drink. And, to add insult to injury, it is always off key -- as if it was ever "sung" in tune to begin with.
I would love to open my eyes and see this nightmare over. Unfortunately for me, my pupils are only too bare. Whatever happened to the impure, corrupted America? The innocent enjoyment in the heavy and violent music, having once been common, seems to be lost deep within the times from whence it came. What happened to rock-and-rolling all hours of the night? The genre every parent once loved to hate, as it could be identified. Yes; it still exists, but now a majority of our elders is standing back and smiling in approval of their spawns' "wholesome" interests. Remember Howard Stern being a half-assly acceptable role model? "At least he's successful," some would say with an indifferent shrug.
I could understand where some of the prejudices against modern rock come from. Fans of Marilyn Manson have always been looked down on for his "devil worship" and the other circulated rumors. What with his appearance and approach, what ignoramus could find him/herself able to accept, understand, appreciate, or even embrace him as an artist? Tool, who puts out so few albums with long intervals between each wonderful piece of new material and has restricted tours, is not seen much by the public and wouldn't be easily recognized by the unenlightened. And, after all of last year's hype with Metallica leading a strong protest against Napster, so few have retained any respect for the once masters of metal as it is known today. The few bands that are embraced by the general public and do manage to fall into the category of "rock" have, by my standards, either sold out, never had any talent worth mentioning to begin with, or just fell apart. I mourned the abandonment of Rage by Zack when I first heard about it in October while I was listening to the radio, driving my dad to the doctor's office, or something to that effect. Korn, whom I once worshiped as a young teenager for such songs as "ADIDAS" and "Dead Bodies Everywhere" now produces a wince from me at each mention of their greatest mistake, know as Issues. I honestly believe that John Davis allowed his career as it was once known to slip with the production of the latest album, which, I must admit, I was looking forward to with as much enthusiasm as any other Korn fan. I am only too grateful that I never got the chance to waste my money on that piece of crap. Then, there is Limp Bizkit and those that copy the abomination. I'm sorry, but I have wasted no love or respect on Fred Durst and his supposed "talent" and I don't plan on ever doing so, despite the helpful advice he may have provided to Aaron Lewis of Staind. His songs, I feel are worth exactly what internet junkies pay for them: nothing.
My nostalgia for a thriving culture that is now dissipating like oil in soapy water continues onto MTV. I used to be able to turn my tv on and see music videos! Not only this, but they used to be respectable. Produced from bands that I could find enjoyment in for their talent, music, and artistic sense altogether. Now, however, I find little in the way of what the channel was initially designed for. In other words, it is only in the smallest hours of the day that one might unearth a set of music videos and the likelihood that they might display people that have any respect for themselves or the culture from which the channel rose is even slimmer. Total Request Live? Even the name suggests lack of decency. Carson Daily can go to hell with all the rest of Corporate America. I find myself watching MTV solely for shows like Daria or Undressed (yes, I know). They can't even play Liquid Television anymore, and the regret for such a fact flows in great rivers, believe me.
People used to sing about sex and drugs and the pleasure of the two combined, not gloating over ripping someone's heart out and claiming lost innocence. Americans were never innocent to begin with, if you don't believe me, seek out such bumper stickers as "Proud Rioter of LA," "I'm from Missouri and I'll shoot you," or, "My kid beat up your honor student." Yes, they're funny, but they also hold some truth to them. Many people don't understand why I laugh at them when they say, "I'm going to kick your ass." Should I not be afraid? I would be frightened if you looked like you could even lift bag of ice, my dear, but I have learned through experience the potency, or lack thereof, of idle threats. Either go through with your great feat of violence, or shut u; don't waste my time trying to be something you're not, I don't perform such sadism on you. As do I feel about music, as one might guess. Have sex, masturbate, satisfy yourself in some way, but don't notify me. Do you think I care if you're a blond white chick with a Spanish name and you're horny beyond repair under the guise of being a "Genie in a Bottle." All I have to advise you is don't hold your breath. The moment that I might have an ounce of me that gives a damn is a long time in coming.
I have no problem with the appeal of sex that many corporations use in selling their product. But, just because an "artist" has no talent to really speak of doesn't mean I have to see them minimally clothed on posters, cd jackets, ads, tv, and any other forms of medium that they can find to expose themselves. It was considered taboo when Madonna came out on stage in lingerie, why is there no sound protest against Jennifer Lopez coming to awards ceremonies in clothing that better resembles nudity rather than expensive designer wear. I thought the gist of having professionals custom make your clothing was to have a one-of-a-kind ensemble that is tasteful and elegant and fits perfectly -- not expose all but every inch of your disrespected body. Don't show it to me, I don't want to see it. I wonder how appalled so many of these people would be if they knew the minute amounts of respect and the abundant ridicule they received for their actions and characteristics, altogether. The egomania is disgusting! How many of the boyband videos depict girls that must have negative self esteems drooling over these faggots? I refuse to waste my time counting it. And yet, I can understand why they would be so obsessed with themselves; they have fame and fortune that most people only dream of, but it is evident that these so-called "artists" didn't go into the business because they love what they're doing. They appear in the eyes of the public simply because they are confident that their looks can get them anywhere they want and they thirst for the the money and the adoration that I feel is wrongfully showered on them. How can I - or anyone, for that matter - respect that?
In spite of the points I have made, there are people in this world that are self-righteous enough to claim that my opinions are wrong and that I have created a double standard as far as "respectable" public figures are concerned. One must understand that I am not saying that low standards that American pop culture has fallen to is wrong. I just find the mannerisms that seem to be promoted by this particular movement as immoral and disgusting. One might note that a great deal of rock stars use narcotics. Please explain to me the reason why I should care! The gap between the amorality of these issues is too large to describe. It's not even on the same page. In fact, if you wish to address the use of drugs by musicians and other public figures, you're in the wrong book altogether. There is an overly sexual aspect of these "pop" figures that is being imbibed with the vacant values of the children that see these people as acceptable role models that is simply not healthy. One would have to be closed off to the world not to recognize the popularity of figures like Brittany Spears, Christina Aguilera, NSync, the Backstreet Boys, etc. with so many prepubescent Americans. One would also be more than slightly ignorant to deny the fact that it is dangerous to awaken the sexual senses of people so young. I have no problem with sex in the media, as I have previously mentioned, but it must be more subtle than it has been in recent years. I find it tragic to see mothers that are still babies, themselves. And what of the presence of drugs? Many of the artists that use controlled substances do not make it a public issue. Besides, I have no qualms against their afflictions if the musicians aren't dropping dead consistently and are getting inspiration for the songs they write off it. A great deal of renowned writers such as Poe and Lorca used drugs, as well. And, I personally believe that Staind's music was better for the abrasive style Aaron Lewis employed as a heroin addict as a opposed to the artist that is now sober. Drugs, like sex, are an intrinsic part of our culture and are fine if present in the public eye in discreet amounts.
In the end, a powerful breath mint, such as SMINT or Altoids can easily cleanse the aftertaste of Cherry Coke from the tainted senses of the tongue. It is possible to live with the horror brought on by American pop culture and the terribly low standards it sets for many of its younger inhabitants. However, listening or observing the products of such an atrocity with tolerant eyes and ears is a sin against the very culture from which the pop genre was accidentally spawned and is nearly impossible for one to not go insane and enjoy a killing spree much later in life once youth has passed. I am perfectly aware that such words like "pop" and "prep" will soon dissipate with the fads that have come with the terms much like "hippie" has faded with the generation preceding mine. Yet, the damage wrought by the icons and idealisms of the seemingly dominant subculture is irreparable and has and will continue to warp the fragile minds of American youth for many years until the error is seen and rectified. It is only too ironic that the Baby Boomers felt the same way about the Gen Xers as they sat smoking dope on the sidewalks and scrambling their brain waves, listening the what they called "devil music;" otherwise identified as the sweet, abrasive tones of rock: music that encouraged a completely new subculture to explode from within the depths of the then American youth and inspired many other subcultures to branch from it. If what is said is true; if history repeats itself; honestly, I'm afraid.
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| Enlightnement in a Warm Bottle of Cherry Coke | Login/Create an account | 4 Comments |
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Sickened? Don't listen to it!
by Comedian (comedian@callatg.com)
on Jun 12, 2001 - 11:34 PM
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The acidic feeling in the back of your throat isn't from the sourness of the music you patronize; if you leave a raw steak in a liter of cola it will dissolve in a week. Makes you wonder what that Low pH liquid is doing to your digestive tract? Well, reasonably, nothing. Every day your intestines are coated about 5 times with phlegm.
Ah, we come to the music of the day-- Anybody else able to remember when Devo was controversial? Not I, porque yo tengo dieciseis anos. Hell, I haven't existed a year in my life without compact disks. Yet I am surrounded by fellow towering pillars of intellect whom indulge in passing judgements on others for what kind of music they listen to. Backdoor Boys, Brititney Spear-her-ass, NSuck, Christiana Aqua-guzzler, Metallicops, Emin-beat-my-hair-bleached-ass-up-please-em, and all the other stuff out there that is set to such a simple beat that people can still enjoy listening to the music while they have stoned out their gourds. You're expecting too much of a culture that recently had a presidential election where both runners were drug addicts(you know, they squeeze Bush's brain for all the cocaine he inhaled and you'd get enough Kerosine we wouldn't have an oil problem, replant all the merijuana that Gore smoked and there wouldn't be forestry problems). "Driving that train, high on cocaine,", well, that's true. All this music is designed with a base enough beat so that you can understand it while you're chasing the dragon(opium and herion wrapped in tin foil, smoked). Reggae and techno have a simple enough base line so that all you have to hear is every 5th second of the song to dance along-- and for those of you on ecstasy or cocaine, Britney Spears videos and Eminem's lyrics are so much easier to understand, aren't they?
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Re: Enlightnement in a Warm Bottle of Cherry Coke
by callei (psanguis@yahoo.com)
on Jun 15, 2001 - 07:52 PM
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I think that we may be of an age Heather. I remember a time when cd's didnt exist. I remember the strangness of Madonna wearing a bra on tv. I also remember what the pevelant culture was like then. We had madonna mostly naked on camera instead of britney spears. we had boy bands up the wazoo (anyone remember manuto?) we had really lame music (the end of the disco era remember Solid Gold?), we had crappy rock. we had mindless government logos everywhere telling us to "say no to drugs" while our doctors were giving us ridlin.
Mainstream culture is by definition, the lowest common denominator. it is all those things that will be rejected the least, not embraced the most. American culture is based on one of the most miserable sects/cults of Christianity and we do that cult proud. Pop culture has always been this bad in America. It has always been full of limp sex, the batherings of idiots, and sick violence. Welcome to hell.
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