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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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