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Does mainstream = bad?

Viridian

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who is Walter Benjamin?

A literary critic. He wrote a famous essay about the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction and how it created what we know as "culture industry". Look 'im up. :)
 

Elfboy

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A literary critic. He wrote a famous essay about the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction and how it created what we know as "culture industry". Look 'im up. :)

did he host a documentary called "Why Beauty Matters"? if so, I know who he is and I agree with him :D (minus all the references to Plato. Aristotle ftw :solidarity: )
Edit: if not, I'm talking about the wrong guy :yes:
 

Elfboy

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Ace of Base is as bad as The Partridge Family.

Ace of Base with the new singers is not so great; Ace of Base with the old singers is AMAZING.
you trippin' son
 

Orangey

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no it isn't. that's like saying it's philosophically impossible to justify wanting to have a bigger house, nicer clothes, better food or a more comfortable bed. the answer is simple, it's more pleasurable

Those are bad analogies. Think harder.

I don't think it's impossible to rank musicians in order of least to most aesthetically pleasing, but my list will be different from most others, most probably.

Exactly, which is why the important word is philosophically. There is no way to "objectively" justify taste. Not even reference to musical structure/complexity is sufficient, because then you'd have to explain why that structure is better.
 

Thalassa

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Ace of Base with the new singers is not so great; Ace of Base with the old singers is AMAZING.
you trippin' son

No, you trippin.

Those of us who remember when Ace of Base was new...and who were even in the target age group at the time...realize how much it's like a terrible rip-off of ABBA. I listen to a lot of music, too. A lot of music. My mind is full of a library of 20th century music of all different decades and genres.

But Ace of Bass just fucking sucks, man.

Of course, art being subjective, you might think they're superior to some groups I like.

Which means, we win, you lose, your argument was meaningless, have a nice day!
 

Elfboy

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Those are bad analogies. Think harder.
Exactly, which is why the important word is philosophically. There is no way to "objectively" justify taste. Not even reference to musical structure/complexity is sufficient, because then you'd have to explain why that structure is better.

actually, if you are talking about vocal qualities or timbre in various instruments, science can prove that certain sound combinations produce a more soothing sound response in humans as opposed to others that are more grating on the ears.
 

Orangey

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I don't think it's impossible to rank musicians in order of least to most aesthetically pleasing, but my list will be different from most others, most probably.

A literary critic. He wrote a famous essay about the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction and how it created what we know as "culture industry". Look 'im up. :)

Don't forget this clown: Adorno is suffering from incontinence of the brain.

actually, if you are talking about vocal qualities or timbre in various instruments, science can prove that certain sound combinations produce a more soothing sound response in humans as opposed to others that are more grating on the ears.

That doesn't say anything about why it's better. Surely some sounds that would count as displeasing or dissonant are used in what many consider to be "good" music.

In (ab)using scientific information, you are confusing is for ought.
 

Rail Tracer

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actually, if you are talking about vocal qualities or timbre in various instruments, science can prove that certain sound combinations produce a more soothing sound response in humans as opposed to others that are more grating on the ears.

And so far, the AoB video you have on your profile is grating on my ears.
 

Randomnity

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Ace of Base with the new singers is not so great; Ace of Base with the old singers is AMAZING.
you trippin' son

lol. I actually like some ace of base songs because they're fun. I would still not call them a good band by any stretch of the imagination let alone "AMAZING". lol.

I don't know why you bother to judge other kinds of music if your standard for liking things is that low. I say that as someone with extremely low thresholds for enjoying music. :laugh:
 

Elfboy

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lol. I actually like some ace of base songs because they're fun. I would still not call them a good band by any stretch of the imagination let alone "AMAZING". lol.
I don't know why you bother to judge other kinds of music if your standard for liking things is that low. I say that as someone with extremely low thresholds for enjoying music. :laugh:

because I don't judge the types of music, I judge the INTENT of the music.
 

Thalassa

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Let's not forget Hanson and the Osmond Brothers.

I'd honestly rather listen to this song than anything by Ace of Bass.


But what do I know? I'm just one of those plebes who doesn't get invited to the opera.
 

violet_crown

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opera is supposed to be exclusive, it's not supposed to be this cheap, mass produced thing that every simpleton you meet can understand. making an art form popularized makes it people pleasing, thus loosing it's integrity and authenticity.

Poor Mozart just wanted it too bad, I guess. :(
 

Thalassa

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because I don't judge the types of music, I judge the INTENT of the music.

wait...wait...how are you so sure that Ace of Bass has some fabulous artistic intention? In what way? I do not glean this from their lyrics. I mean seriously I thought that the lyrics to "All That She Wants" were retarded even when I was a kid. They didn't become any clearer to me as I aged, either, even though this happened with other pop songs...I understood the lyrics better as I became an adult.

I really love some 80's New Wave pop...like I take The Church and Depeche Mode much more seriously than Rick Astley. That may simply be because my own particular world view aligns with theirs better, I don't know. I like some really shallow 80's pop, though. But it's just so great! I love it!

I think Ace of Bass is absolute garbage in comparison. So I'd like for you to list out some bands that you think are terrible, so I can get a better idea of what you think is so lame and for the masses...because right now I'm just in a state of utter hilarity comparing your pretentiousness about music to this new-found insight that you love Ace of Bass.
 
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