Zero Sum
I don’t flatter myself that everything I like is good.
This has confused a great many people over the years, as most people seem to think that if they like a thing, it must objectively be “good.”
If you turn on the television, though, it should be abundantly clear that people like all kinds of things that just plain suck. Someone out there watched JAG, y’all. Dancing with the Stars?
So, yeah. I love Grey’s Anatomy, but c’mon… it’s basically one huge battle of the Mary Sues. I know that. I’m not blind.
This applies to all sorts of stuff. Doritos. Bill Clinton. Somethingawful.com. Enthusiasm for something doesn’t mean I’m unaware of it’s faults.
It does keep my ego in check, though, as I’m not under the illusion that my taste is so impeccable and beyond reproach that my merely liking a thing elevates it to high art, worthy of much intellectual masturbation.
NO! I say.
My taste is middling in many respects, and downright bad on occasion. I like a lot of crap. And, I am more than willing to do much useless intellectualizing about total crap.
But, at least I’m honest about it.
So, in the spirit of honesty, I’ll let you know, I’ve listened to Year Zero 8 or 9 times in the last three days, which is pretty unusual for me, as, ya know… I’m not 4 and don’t particularly like leaving things on repeat.
I’m in love with this album.
Loooove, I tell you.
However, this is the album wherein Mr. Reznor finally crosses the line.
Intergalactic rock, y’all.
Cue The Final Countdown.
So far as I’m aware, only one person has managed to write songs from the viewpoint of space aliens and still retained their dignity.
David Bowie.
Now, lucky for Reznor, he’s touched that with is The Bowie. So, he’s maybe not quite as bad off as say, Geddy Lee.
But, still.
Space aliens?
We all know that’s lame, right? In fact… the whole thing is very Dark Side of the Moon meets Cyberpunk. And… that’s not cool. That’s… decidedly uncool. That’s uncool the way that say, Bladerunner is uncool. Or, Shadowrun. Or, Ghost in the Shell.
Which is to say… it’s a comic book that would like to be considered a “Graphic Novel.”
So… if you’re the graphic novel type, this might be right up your alley. And, if you’re the “Gosh, Nine Inch Nails would be better if he’d just stop whining about how hard it is to be a famous rock star” type… he’s stopped whining. So as to sing songs from the perspective of aliens and right-wingers.
You have all been duly informed.
tags: music
I’ll see your Grey’s Anatomy and raise with my watching (and enjoying) the last few episodes of The OC after having never seen any previous episodes.
— Luke Apr 18, 11:08 PM #
Ooh. Thanks to a television that only got UHF reception, I saw the last season of Dawsons’s Creek, after having ignored it for years.
I did manage to avoid the OC in it’s entirety, though.
— Veronica Apr 19, 10:21 AM #
OK, am I the only one who can’t stand Meredith? (“Seriously?”) Every word out of her mouth sounds like she’s reciting a speech, and I am so over her helpless little girl act. And what is the deal with the eyes half closed and lips pouted out all the time? Is that supposed to be hot? Sultry? Yeah, so I like some stupid tv too, but Torres (Callie), Bailey, and Cristina are my girls. I just don’t know what all the fuss is about Meredith. Like she gives a shit what I think—but still.
— morecowbell Apr 20, 10:06 PM #
I think I’d like Meredith more if it weren’t for Derrick. He grates. I loooved what her mother said to him. However, I think that the eye thing is just how Pompeo’s face works. She’s a squinty little thing.
I find Christina terribly boring. Same with Burke. “Oh, look, they’re being type A and dysfunctional again. What a shock.”
I like Torres and Bailey rocks. More Bailey, I say! An episode with no Bailey is an episode wasted!
— Veronica Apr 21, 02:40 AM #
Right there with you—Bailey is tops. In my house, we think she should have her own damn show. George is an idiot for choosing Izzie’s izzies over Callie. Hello?!
OK: I am actually discussing Grey’s Anatomy online, wtf? Signing off now…
— morecowbell Apr 23, 04:08 PM #
Eh. See, I think Callie could do better than George. I can’t figure out why they were together in the first place. I thought she and Mark were a better match.
And, HA! Where else is it acceptable to talk about GA? Hee. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to risk it in person!
— Veronica Apr 23, 04:37 PM #
True. Good point. So,
Yes: McDreamy? blech. they deserve each other. Never did see the appeal there.
George: exactly—he should be grateful to lick Callie’s boots. Of course, there are many who’d probably love to do that.
— morecowbell Apr 24, 11:34 AM #
I think that Derrick and Burke should hook up. They could get together and compare scowls, or like, argue about who’s the bestest, bestest surgeon. No, really the bestest. In the world.
Then Christina could hook up with someone that doesn’t make her feel bad every freaking episode.
— Veronica Apr 24, 12:10 PM #
Oh dear. Aliens? The poor boy really has lost his mind this time. I knew that moving to LA and getting all buff was a bad sign.
— CassandraSays Apr 24, 08:09 PM #
What is UP with that? He’s such a little dude to get all ripped. It just reeks of short man’s complex and mid-life crisis!
— Veronica Apr 24, 09:34 PM #
Hey, look on the bright side. At least he doesn’t look like Glen Danzig (yet).
— CassandraSays Apr 25, 05:25 PM #