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RE: Art movements and commercialism



>Here's where I might have a problem with that. What if The Rolling Stones 
>or The Kinks do a disco song? Are they "selling out" or exploring a new 
>form of music? How do you know?

Hard to say, especially if they lie a lot, like Madonna does.  ;)

Seriously, my definition depends on the underlying motivations, and not at 
all on sales figures.  I don't know that disco is a good example to use, as 
it's pretty much a passe (and therefore traditional) form of music at this 
point.  If they're interested enough to do that, I'd say it's a creative 
effort, as it's unlikely to result in any kind of big monetary or career 
payoff.  There was a time when disco was the very antithesis of rock, but I 
don't think that's true any more.

But what if The Kinks decided that they're not doing so well as rock 
artists, and that if they re-invent themselves as a rap group they might be 
able to cash in on the latest trend?  They actually have no interest in 
becoming rappers--it's just that that's what's selling nowdays, and they 
want to be on MTV. That's a little more of a sell-out, right?

Actually Aerosmith is cutting pretty close to the line.  My nephew (who's of 
the age to know) says they sold out by playing with N'Sync on the last 
superbowl gig, and in putting out an album that cashes in on the currently 
popular jaded trend.  A couple of reviews I read panned the album pretty 
heavily, too.

As for Ms. Britney, time will tell.  She does perform well, and Bob Dylan 
can't sing, either.  She may turn out to be another Madonna, who's a very 
successful entertainer, if only a modest musician.


keets


>The problem with Britney Spears is not that she is marketed cleverly. The 
>problem is she can't sing worth a damn. If she could sing like Aretha 
>Franklin I wouldn't begrudge her one bit of the clever commercial marketing 
>or breast implants. Nothing matters but talent. If you start saying that 
>commercialism separates true artists from sell outs you'll soon find 
>yourself throwing away the best work of many great artists because too many 
>people bought it.

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