Thanks for your comments

I was just disgusted at the extremes marketing execs go to find a niche for complete dickheads and degenerates, that's all, but as they say, things that are shocking, sexy or rebellious are instantly appealing to people. And, yes, I suppose being a dickhead could be Fred Durst's art, as Eminem's and Insane Clown Posse's, too. And Britney Spears' art could be selling sex. I have nothing against marketing your band, per se. Funny how analytical it all got, though, on philosophical levels, when I'm almost positive everyone agrees with Frontline's "somewhat sensationalist" slant to the story (basically, how are these "purveyors of cool" influencing our kids? I think it did a damn good job showing that life does imitate art, so media does have some measure of accountability, after all). I understand we all want to be open-minded. It just sounds like a person has no right to complain anymore due to everyone's inalienable right to be a nuissance and a menace.

Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev: Thanks, but unfortunately, I guess there really AREN'T many bands that pull that trick off. I pretty much own or have heard all your suggestions, so, unfortunately for me no new stuff. Drat. And, while I understand that guy's point about "slow evolution of musical style" that these albums don't just "happen" (or whatever), I'm not talking about behind-the-scenes experimentation. I'm talking about, "Listen to their last album. Now listen to this one. Is that the same band?" Flaming Lips "Zaireeka!" is an amazing piece of wizardry (utilizing 4 CDs in 4 CD players simultaneously to get a 8x stereo effect) but it didn't compare to the production or song structure on Soft Bulletin. And previous to that, they were, as someone said, merely "noisepop" with varying degrees of success. Flaming Lips reinvented themselves on almost every album, but nothing like what they've become.

As for Mercury Rev, I thought "Boces" and "Yerself Is Steam" were absolutely fantastic when I was in high school and really into those "sonic" sorts of bands. Unfortunately, now I find those albums almost entirely unlistenable, what with the long stretches of noise and very dramatic soft/loud production. It's like I'm straining to hear nonsense babyish vocals and then, BAM: "YOU MAKE IT CONNECT! MAKE IT CONNECT! AND THAT'S IT! HOLES IN MY HAND, HOLES IN MY HEAD (or is it holdin' my head?) AND THOSE SLOW MOTION BLUES! I'M FREE-EEE-EEE, FREEEEEE, FREE, EEE, EEEeee" and I have to adjust the volume before I jump out of my skin. Plus, lyrics like that don't do much for me anymore. It's drug-induced addlebrain cutesy nonsense and I do believe both psychepop bands have progressed far beyond that, which is basically all they were back then.

NOTE: "Hit To Death In The Future Head" still cheers me up when I remember to listen to it.

Cheers. Time for bed...