MOG

Because I question.

Oh yeah cause that makes a lot of sense.

Ummm .. :-)

Exactly!!

Hmmm...
Audrey Hepburn was Belgian, you know.

Actually, to answer your question Lester, if you ignored the big media and just looked at what real people who care about music say - maybe somewhere like Mog - you would increase your chances of getting reliable and informed opinion. But, yes, with the big names the ether is probably contaminated to such an extent that you have to accept it as part of the package.
I genuinely believe that music changes once it gets popular. The grooves and digits on the physical media remain the same. But what you hear is different.

I'm also partial to this. But who knows em? Maybe they need a train wreck, too.

Trainwreck, trainwreck, trainwreck!

How about a nice old-fashioned bus plunge for a change?

Max probably makes a point on music changing with popularity, the whole postmodern thing or whatever. And in his own way I suppose he is reiterating your point, lester. Which would mean that I am reiterating max's reiteration of your point, so hopefully someone will come along and reiterate my reiteration of the reiteration of your point, because I think at that point it qualifies as a quorum, and it is only with a quorum that we can get things done. And damn I want to see some things get done.

I don't know that I would consider mog to be the answer, though. If memory serves, I first heard of Ms. Winehouse via mog on posts that went something like, "Oooh, her voice is sooo good and she's sooo sexy." Yes, I am paraphrasing there, but only slightly. Perhaps that is media's influence on moggers, or perhaps it is just the kind of thing Joe Dumbfuck is looking for. I'll have to check with McLuhan on that one.

And while we are questioning things, why is it that every other mog post these days has a picture of the band, or at least the hot one from the band? It is as though people are just saying, "I know the music kind of sucks, but did you see how hot she is?"

Ummm, I have marinate on that for a spell...

It can be hard making your own mind up about things. Especially when you have rely on other people to tell you that the things exist in the first place.
Checking out Sharon Jones. I like the look of her.

She sure is pretty.

Oh, Max! The savvy consumer's got nothin' on you.

Remember that steak that gets sent through the molecule transporter in "The Fly"? The one with Jeff Goldblum? And Gina Davis takes a bite of the reassembled steak, and is amazed at the detailed sight, sound, smell, feel, and taste of it? And still, after a few chews, she spits it out in disgust. Something's off. Something's wrong.

I can see there is a Bar B Que going on here and I think it has my name on on it.

I am conflicted Lester.

I wasn't going to, but now I feel compelled to comment on your post. I ask these questions with no implied malice.

Do you really think I am so shallow, that I am easily influenced by the media concerning my tastes in music? If anything, I am a poster boy for independent musical tastes and opinion.

Even though I didn't listen to Back to Black, I did listen to Frank. It didn't work for me. I am willing to try the other album and said as such on my page. Isn't that good enough? Does everyone have to like everything? Shouldn't I be allowed to change my mind?

Why can't I ask for opinions and start discussion? I find it helps me come to conclusions. Why is it not okay for me to voice negative opinion?

Is there such a thing as "objective Judgement"? Don't we bring all kinds of preconceived notions, old ideas, and tastes to the table making our "judgement" completely subjective?

I'll let your answers shape further discussion here and on my page.

"...just what if you let the music stand on it's own and you judge objectively?"

Maybe it's just me, but I've tried, and I fail to see what all the fuss is about said trainwreck. I don't think she can sing. Frankly, I think she SUCKS. The impending trainwreck (which I really could care less about), though, continues to bring mass media attention by the bushel to an otherwise-mediocre white girl trying to sing something Black.

That's my two cents, for what it's worth.

I just don't want to try any longer with Amy Winehouse. She's just unlistenable to me. Her voice hurts my ears.

Hello nurse!!

That got a laugh Les.

Second Audrey Hepburn reference today, second one I didn't get. Is this the new Saturday theme?

Okay, I'm game.

Well, if I died in a plane crash while putting out a fire, I'd sure hope she's the angel I'd meet!

I'd bet £5 that Tracey Emin listens to Amy Winehouse.
http://www.tracey-emin.co.uk/

my musical influence has rarely been influenced by the media- micheal jackon,maybe.hell, i've heard some horrible things about a few of the musicians i listen to, but i still listen to them. that being said, winehouse's trainwreck of a life is fun to watch when you're high or bored, and as for musical merit i know multiple artists who sing tens times better and with more soul than she does so she isn't very special in my book.

i think what's most fascinating for some people is the fact that she derailed so early in her mainstream career: you have countless people finally taking notice of your talent and the in tha moment you just let it slip away(?). that's a 'wow and huh' thing for many people.

I get to see her pic every night in the tabloids as I go home. Somehow it's making me like her music all the more. It's a fantastic piece of arangement and production and she can really nail an emotion. Seeing as she has 24hr pap feeding frenzy outside her house I'm not surprised she's gone off a cliff - that has to do your head in. The media paps only care about her and Lily Allen; anyone else and you can live your hellish drug-fuelled life in privacy.

I would never buy an album based on the cover, but...Sharon Jones sure looks tasty.

Isn't Audrey Hepburn Dutch? (She still lives in our hearts.)

I never paid attention to the tabloid press (which are what most media outlets have become today) - as I really don't care what so-and-so likes to eat for breakfast, who's zoomin' who, or any of that malarkey. I always let the art speak for itself - with no need to understand what particular tortures or bad childhood traumas or even what drugs might be accounting for what I'm hearing... as the total experience of a person makes up who they are and will eventually come out on wax - if they're being honest at all in their approach and delivery. Simply put, Amy Winehouse is an excellent artist - killer vocalist - end of story - and _hopefully, she'll get it together, won't burn out too soon, and continue to deliver for us.