I figure a bunch of people are going to represent Outkast on the P&J singles poll, which could mean a White Stripes/Radiohead showdown in this year's poll. Let's say that this represents some sort of mini culture war. If so, which band is Franken, and which is Coulter?
Some unelaborated arguments for both sides:
Stripes on the left:
band is co-ed
Red, of course, is the color of communism
Detroit: rich labor tradition (and yet wasn't the album recorded in England? Think of the slight to the Recording Engineers Union).
slopppy drummer = populism?
Stripes in favor of black people, or at least old, dead black people.
Gay friendly fashion sense
Stripes on the right:
Although they owe more to recent music than they let on, they present themselves as musical conservatives/Luddites
single contains the word "army"
Radiohead on the left:
Chomsky quotes on previous album (single?)
Title seems to be a Bush bash, even if they say it isn't
Although they owe more to old music than they let on, they present themselves (or are presented by their handlers) as musical progressives
Not entirely "rockist," in favor of dance music, on some level at least.
Radiohead on the Right:
Pretty melodies might placate restive youth and delay the revolution.
Expensive synths and other gear might encourage materialism in young fans.
I'm just riffing. Any thoughts?
― dylan (dylan), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)
don't forget white stripes frequent sops to traditional gender roles as suggesting a conservative base
― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)
OMG it's the Governor of Fun
Anyhow, the thing about "Seven Nation Army" is that Jack got that line from a boyhood mishearing of "Salvation Army". That could be like lefty sympathy for the downtrodden, right?
― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 17:40 (twenty-two years ago)
no it's faith-based charity one more mark in the right wing column
― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 17:53 (twenty-two years ago)
Nate: Nice take on that Jean Grae album, by the way. I bought it based on your review. Regarding female rappers and their reputations: Don't you think that MC Lyte earned respect as am emcee back in the day?
One More thing:
Elephant = GOP mascot
I'm sure I could find arguments in the Radiohead lyric sheet, but that would be getting into serious procrastination territory.
― dylan (dylan), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:00 (twenty-two years ago)
Is Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine pro or con socialized health care?
― Matt Helgeson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:24 (twenty-two years ago)
This seems to suggest that JW is in favor of cost-saving generic prescription meds, though:
Is there a way to find the cure for this
Implanted in a pill?
Is it just the name upon the bottle
That determines if it will?
Is the problem you're allergic
To a well familiar name?
Do you have a problem with this one
If the results are the same?
― Matt Helgeson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:26 (twenty-two years ago)
"don't forget white stripes frequent sops to traditional gender roles as suggesting a conservative base"
their cover of "Jolene" on Conan totally counters that, though.
― Felcher (Felcher), Thursday, 6 November 2003 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)
For the record, what is Meg White's stance on campaign finance reform?
― David Allen, Thursday, 6 November 2003 23:30 (twenty-two years ago)