Has The Music Industry Really "Gone Too Far"?

Quite a while ago now, I mentioned that I had seen an article in the Daily Mail about how pop music is too mature for young children. I have now found this article, check it out using the link below;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1301974/Mike-Stock-Pop-charts-porn-putting-children-risk.html

Now, Mike Stock may be one of the greatest and most influential men in pop music, and although I respect the experts in this profession, I must say I disagree with his view completely. Being a huge fan of the music industry (and hoping to maybe even one day go into music journalism) I feel that we need some insight into this article that the Mail produced.

Mr Stock believes that today's pop stars, such as Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, are not keeping values that are important in the "modern world". What the Daily Mail does a lot in this article is compare these artists, especially Lady Gaga, to the Kylie Minogue of the 80's, one of the most loved pop stars in history with hits such as "I should be so lucky". This is where my first issue with this article comes in. What are the "values" that are important in a modern world, and how are artists like Lady Gaga and Britney not upholding these values?
     It is vital to consider the changing values of society and of young people in society. This is very clearly mirrored in the way Kylie herself has changed. It is all well and good saying that in the 80's music was more innocent, but is it the pop stars fault or society's fault that music has become more "sexualised"? I am sure everyone over the age of 16 can remember the video for "I just can't get you out of my head" by Kylie, a much more sexualised video. True, this isn't quite as raunchy as Lady Gaga can be, but once again isn't this merely a measure of changing time? Young people aren't as innocent and protected as they used to be, we know about sex, we know about drugs, that doesn't mean we are all out getting our clothes off because of the music videos we see.

   Another issue I have with this article, Mr Stock's line; 'These days you can't watch modern stars  -  like Britney Spears or Lady Gaga  -  with a two-year-old." Maybe this is because this music isn't aimed at two-year-old's. It might be possible that Mr Stock is insinuating that all pop music should be suitable for children of all ages. When Lady Gaga writes her songs she doesn't think "oh I simply must make this child friendly!". She writes what she feels and it just so happens that this music is more suitable for an older audience. If you expect all pop music to be child friendly you may as well expect all music to be child friendly, that is how diverse our charts can be. Can you imagine seeing reports of how people are unhappy because their child listened to Marylin Manson or Megadeth and it wasn't "child friendly"? NO, because different music is aimed at different age groups. If you do not want your child to listen to such music, don't let them, it is that simple.

One of the things that got to me the most about this article was the example the Daily Mail uses to show how music has changed.  It gives us an example of Kylie's lyrics from "I should be so lucky" - "I'm dreaming you fell in love with me...but dreaming's all I do" from the 80's. This is then compared with lyrics from Lady Gaga's "Lovegame" - "I'm educated in sex, yes...I wanna take a ride on your disco stick". While this is clearly more sexualised than Kylie, it is also a very extreme example. Being a fan of Lady Gaga, I know this is one of the raunchiest tracks on the album, which the Daily Mail have used to lead people to believe that "This is what all pop music is like". NO once again! Taking another song from this week's chart, All Time low by The Wanted, sample lyric; "I'm in pieces, it seems like peace is the only thing I never know". This may be more sombre than Kylie, but there is clearly no sexualisation. This is coming from a track that was number 1 several weeks ago, proof that not all the music in the charts is sexualised.

As society changes, the arts change and music changes. Young people may be subject to more sexualised images, but is that necessarily the great evil it is made out to be? For parents of young children, you can stop them watching these music videos, you should be monitoring what they watch, but we cannot expect artists and musicians to change because some mothers aren't happy. And, cynical as it is, at the end of the day The Music Industry is there to make money, and if "sexualisation" is what it takes right now, nothing will stop them.

Domestic duties

Yes, I am ashamed to say I have been neglecting my blogging commitment! I do however have a very good reason for this!
     For all this week I have been left in charge of my house. Apparently this was my chance to become a domestic goddess and learn to live independently. Little did I know how time consuming this is! Washing clothes is fine, shove them in, put it on for an hour, job done! Hanging them out to dry becomes slightly more difficult.
     For example, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I've been doing this week is to look outside to check the weather. Most mornings my judgement is "oooh it looks nice, sunny, nice breeze... GET THE WASHING OUT QUICK". So I grab my jumper, run downstairs and rush outside in my pyjamas and flip flops, just to get this washing out on the line. Five minutes later, it throws it down. I did not realise how irritating the weather can be when you have washing to hang out.
   However, the weather can also have the opposite affect. Before I went to work on Thursday I didn't hang out the washing, as I was unsure weather wise. Then it was sunny all morning, and I was quite upset, as I knew I had missed my chance. Then around 2pm it rained, and I just thought "HELL YES, I WAS RIGHT, HAHAHAHA". Never had I been happier to see it rain... This is what domestic life does!!
    And as for ironing? Well..... How do people find the time for this? To stand in the same position for half an hour to make sure your clothes are straight? Even towels and socks and things, that no-one sees?! Although it is oddly therapeutic, that is until you get the one t-shirt that you cannot get the crease out of. Oh my, listen to me, I'm starting to sound like a middle aged mother!
    I have also been cooking this week, and so far none of my friends have died! My Toad in the Hole was actually rather damn good, I'm tempted to make it again, despite my recipe being for 4 people, I think I could take it.... I am only cooking for myself this evening, so its back to chicken burgers and sweet potato wedges. Even us domestic goddesses need a rest!

Why did I write this entry? I wanted to justify my apparent lack of commitment! Also, I'm putting together what I hope will be a nice lengthy blog, inspired by an article I read in the daily mirror (not my paper, my aunty's), about how pop music is all about sex and forcing kids to grow up faster etc.. What an age old argument.... I shall get working on that asap! Although I do appear to be drowning in features for Sheffield Music Scene as well!

Off to listen to Taking Back Sunday's acoustic "Live From Orensanz" album. I wish I could review it, but it would be far too bias, albeit a very honest bias. This is fantastic, like all their albums :) 

Album Review: Nobody's Daughter, Hole, May 2010

Although I have always been somewhat of a fan of Hole, it is never been in a serious way. Previously, some songs have been fantastic, while others have been dire. This of course was before I heard their latest album, Nobody's Daughter. This is Hole's first album in 12 years, since the release of Celebrity Skin in 1998 (which happens to be my second favourite Hole album).

  But what is so different about this Hole album? The riff at the start of the opening title track captures you in the first instance, a haunting melody that lingers in your mind long after you have listened to it. The lyrics are powerful and as deep as ever. The tracks on this album vary from furious (Skinny Little Bitch, How Dirty Girls Get Clean) to songs that will tear your heart open (Honey, For Once In Your Life)

Being a fan of acoustic songs, Honey was one of the first songs that really made me sit up and think "wow, they've really got it on this album". Four simple chords create a sound so sorrowful it sends shivers down your spine, and Courtney Love's variation between almost calm to almost tortured vocals gives this track a wonderful grunge edge despite the acoustic verses. Lyrics such as "Why was I not good enough to save you from destruction? And your end and my beginning they need no introduction" leads us to believe that this track can only be about one certain man...

Another fantastic track on this album is Samantha, the first song that was performed live from the new album on the Johnathan Ross show in February. What I love about this track is it seems to be in 3 separate parts. Part 1, sample lyric "watch her wrap her legs around this world, can't take the gutter from the girl" reminds us of Hole's earlier, more angst-y days, and the way these lyrics are used over more mellow guitar melody makes it fascinating to listen to. Love's vocals specially shine on this track. For anyone who has listened to Hole or Courtney Love before, you may know that she is not the greatest singer ever to grace the Earth, but then again that's not what Grunge is about. It is on part 2 of the track that the vocals begin to give you goosebumps; "through villages of Ether, my Crucifixion comes, Will you sing my hallelujah? will you tell me when its done?". The song takes on a more raw edge with guitar melodies that remind me of an older Hole. However, it is in the third section that we hear the true Hole "grunginess", reminiscent of the 90's and making any girl like me want to go out and show the world who's boss; "If you were on fire I would just throw Kerosene, coz I love so much I hate and I hate what you have seen in me". This song is an ultimate dirty girl power song, if you feeling like getting your rage on or you need to recover from a broken heart,this is what you have to listen to.

This album may be more commercial, and older fans may be angry that perhaps some of the rage isn't there. But now, the songs maintain the rage while actually sounding good. Love's vocals have seriously improved, the guitar melodies are haunting, catchy and in some cases make you want to go out and punch the first guy who causes you trouble. Its not a feminist album at all, but when you're a young girl who needs firing up, Hole will deliver.


If you like Hole, try Garbage - Greatest Hits. 

Time

Explain to me how, even though I've been off school for several weeks now, I still don't seem to have much time?
Lets see what this time is taken up with....

1. My job. But I can't really say this seeing as at the very most I work 2 days a week. If you want to help me at my job, visit www.limited2animals.com and buy things, this way I can package them up for you and this will be good! Seeing as I used to be a cuddly toy enthusiast, when I wrap things for postage, I usuallt end up making clothes for the animals. Last time I made a pink cape for a badger doorstop. I like to think that when the recipient opened the package, they thought "I am SO GLAD she didn't suffocate this badger! Look how warm and cosy he looks in his cape with a hood!!"
2. Parties. I can't complain about this. I mean, look.

New people, like there always used to be. I like it when new people drink together and become close friends straight away. This was Saturday night, staying up until 5am. I can't even remember what kept me awake until that time in the morning. All I remember is waking up at 8am and thinking "oh no, I need to shower and go to work". The combination of party and work isn't good.
   3.    Writing. I've got seriously back on track with the e-zine I write for, the wonderful Sheffield Music Scene. Check it out at http://www.sheffieldmusicscene.info/018/index.html that's the last issue. I'm pretty certain the next issue will just be lots of me. Not being able to say no to things is a blessing and a curse.#
  4. Home jobs. This morning I alphabetised my books. It was very enjoyable! I also have lists to makke for University and the like. And with parents going away very shortly, I have to pick which recipes Im going to cook and potentally kill my friends with.

It's time for more work now. What to do first, make a list of what I'll cook, or prep for a feature?
I wish days were longer.