Gosh, if I were britishy, I could be listening to Robbie Williams

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Anglophilia is the socialism of the tedious

http://www.newyorker.com/critics/music/articles/060605crmu_music

― timmy tannin (pompous), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 14:46 (nineteen years ago)

Coldplay’s better songs are miniature epics that suggest vast stores of emotion

Excuse me, I just died inside.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 14:56 (nineteen years ago)

He looks like a young Sean Connery gone to seed, and delights in bragging about his dissolute behavior

He always reminds me of Norman Wisdom

― No Ring Goes Like a Ringo Goes (Dada), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 14:59 (nineteen years ago)

If your songs are cynical, ironic, or misanthropic, and loaded with references to Tesco or “tracky bottoms tucked in socks,” Americans may simply turn the dial

Well, that's us out of the game, then.

― pwdre ser (Welsh for rot of the stars) (kate), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 15:02 (nineteen years ago)

I could've sworn the Kinks referenced Tesco in "Low Budget" but apparently I'm wrong...unless they changed it on a live album. I'm about 100% sure that *someone* mentioned it in a song that got play in the US...Mott The Hoople? Bowie? Can't remember.

― dlp9001 (dlp9001), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 15:17 (nineteen years ago)

... I think you're right

― No Ring Goes Like a Ringo Goes (Dada), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 15:21 (nineteen years ago)

As mentioned on the teenpop thread, the far greater crime is that the US is missing out on regular supplies of Euro novelty dance groups!

― Eppy (Eppy), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 15:55 (nineteen years ago)

This entire thesis is built on a glaring fallacy - the assumption that people listen to lyrics. Robbie Williams doesn't provide the right kind of hooks - his are too sweet, too minor-key, too Euro; James Blunt does - his choruses are the kind of mush in C major that Americans go for.

― joseph cotten (joseph cotten), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:14 (nineteen years ago)

"British comedian Keith Allen"- wtf?

― Neil Stewart (Neil Stewart), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:26 (nineteen years ago)

I agree it should be "British pseudo-comedian Keith Allen" but other than that what's the problem there?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:27 (nineteen years ago)

Sorry, I was going to comment on Frere-Jones repeating the myth of the Arctic Monkeys getting big due to Myspace, but then I saw KA described as a comedian and the red mist descended...

― Neil Stewart (Neil Stewart), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:30 (nineteen years ago)

The Arctic Monkeys are an independent rock band

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 17:31 (nineteen years ago)

I agree it should be "British pseudo-comedian Keith Allen" but other than that what's the problem there?

I'm British and I've never been able to figure out quite what he's famous for, except being an obnoxious goon who thinks he's well 'ard.

a less belligerent version of U2

Oh, Sasha!

FWIW, I've recently come to the realisation that Coldplay sounds like (a less belligerent version of) Sigur Ros, only with words.

― Rombald, Tuesday, 30 May 2006 18:35 (nineteen years ago)

The good news is that Arctics Monkeys are FAILING. Fantastic. Bad news is they'll be back over here soon.

― gekoppel (Gekoppel), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 18:41 (nineteen years ago)

But in general: That article was FUCKING terrible.

And he describes Robbie Williams in a way which makes him sound quite good... especially as the song "Kids" is a tune-shy piece of dreck...

― gekoppel (Gekoppel), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 18:43 (nineteen years ago)

Rombald, Keith Allen did stand-up before getting involved in Comic Strip productions (along with his brother), and technically qualifies as a comic actor to this day on account of his numerous appearances in various films and TV shows since.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:19 (nineteen years ago)

everything i've read by this guy + the adoration he gets leads me to believe he's got a file of grainy b&w photos that capture ilxors in compromising positions

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:24 (nineteen years ago)

Well, that's us out of the game, then.

Chances are, with lyrics about "Llewellyn Gwafflt kwnnngydwwannt grrrwt ywrry gwandahyrr", most people will turn the dial anyway :)

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

Interesting article btw.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 20:43 (nineteen years ago)

"Llewellyn Gwafflt kwnnngydwwannt grrrwt ywrry gwandahyrr"

I speak Welsh. The part about you I believe, but I don't believe that a zebra would stoop so low.

― JTS (JTS), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 22:00 (nineteen years ago)

FWIW, I've recently come to the realisation that Coldplay sounds like (a less belligerent version of) Sigur Ros, only with words.

I think Sigur Ros make the kind of records Chris Martin would make if he didn't want to sell any. Sigur Ros have more poignant lyrics.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 22:45 (nineteen years ago)

I was hoping Stormy got sauced and started this thread.

― ((((((DOPplur)))n)))u))))tttt (donut), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 22:59 (nineteen years ago)

I wish I could remember what he first became famous for - used ot think he was the genius of his generation...but it was so long ago I can't even think of anythnig he was in years ago ...apart from guest appearences on everything.

did'nt he throw darts at the audience at some early stand up gig ?

― grapple (grapple), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 23:10 (nineteen years ago)

for a second there i thought that new yorker article was written by the guy who plays Ali G

― grapple (grapple), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 23:12 (nineteen years ago)

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