Preventive Maintenance

The mission statement of this blog from the very first post in 2008 was to create conversations similar to those that used to occur at record stores, or even better, those wonderful debates that happened among friends while listening to music.

I don’t know exactly when it started, but at some point, music fans stopped duking it out and debating the good versus the bad. I spent entire summers sitting on car hoods in Sheepshead Bay arguing with my buddies over who was better, Tony Iommi or Ritchie Blackmore, Ringo Starr or Charlie Watts. As quickly as we caught fire, we’d put that fire right out and we’d be off for some pizza, laughing with each other.

It was an event trying to sell your favorite over your friend’s favorite. We’d have exhibits A-G---cassettes, 45s, magazines---all making a case for why we thought this band sucked or why that band was better. In the end, we even changed some minds. 

 

Now, heaven forbid you say you think something stinks, it’s a choir of “Just move on. Let the people enjoy what they enjoy. Let the kids have fun. You don’t have to listen to it. Why ruin it for everybody?”

Why? Because it’s FUN to ruin it for everybody! It’s NOT all good! I don't want to pretend to like crap just to be diplomatic. I want to talk about it! That's the whole point of this damned place, to talk about the music we listen to. To share good and bad. To possibly change some minds.

 

I wrote what I thought was a solid piece about Beyonce's new release. I didn't trash the music, though some of it did make me cringe. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed a few songs and said so. My opinions on the agenda, the roll out, the labeling and the overall campaign of "Cowboy Carter" were not so positive and that seemed to ruffle some feathers. I don't mean the normal back and forth that happens in the comment section. As a matter of fact, C In California and I were having a pretty solid conversation about it, one that was exactly like those I mentioned up top. But then, a few people had to ruin it.

 

I received a few private comments, or to be more precise, threats. I was called a racist. Another more disturbing message was from someone threatening me. Yes, I've received comments like this before and usually I just delete and keep moving. But this one seemed a little too specific and it rattled me, so I took down the Beyonce post. I guess trolls come with the territory, but it still isn't much fun having to read this shit.

 

I could just post videos and zip files with no commentary at all and turn off the comments. But that wouldn't be any fun. That I think "Cowboy Carter" was a premeditated move to sell records, cause a stir and get a Grammy should not ruin your listening experience. The negative comments about reggae, hair bands and Todd Rundgren that I see time and again don't ruin mine. But I keep sharing that music in hopes of finally pushing a button. Hell, just yesterday Shriner said, "This might be the album that finally does it for the Lemon Twigs for me."

 

Okay. I'll shut up now.

Oh, one more thing.

 

I think it was Irving Berlin who said something to the effect of, "Popular music is popular because people like it."

 

I'd like to add, "McDonald's sells billions and billions of burgers a year, but that doesn't mean they are good for you."