What's he on about now?

In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
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   Monday, September 09, 2002

WITH ARMS CLOSED SHUT

Since there apparently weren't enough music genres, someone had to coin the label "nu-metal" to describe the ascension of crap rock these past few years (and the badly-spelled name makes me think of the Who: "Meet the nu-metal; same as the old metal."). I can't tell these bands apart -- they all feature the usual overblown production, wall-of-sound guitar and a kind of throaty, self-important singing that sounds like Celine Dion with testicles. Try singing "My Heart Will Go On" in a growly, lower pitch and you too could be fronting Nickelback any time now.

I reserve particular judgment for Creed, who combine a Pearl Jam impression with lyrics that, depending on your own spiritual interests, are either deep, heartfelt howls from the soul or turgid, pretentious Christian wanking. But don't take my word for it -- here's an example:

Only in America
We're slaves to be free
Only in America we kill the unborn
To make ends meet
Only in America
Sexuality is democracy
Only in America we stamp our god
"In God We Trust"

What is right or wrong
I don't know who to believe in
My soul sings a different song
In America

Where does one start? Where in America is this factory line that kills babies "to make ends meet"? Do physicians become abortionists because that doctorin' work is just so hard to find? Is it the only way they can put food on their tables, or could it possible that they believe in supporting the reproductive and emotional health of their patients?

And cheers to Creed for their savvy exploitation of teen angst -- oh, it's just so hard to figure out "what is right or wrong" these days, isn't it? Maybe for this band, it is, but many of us have our moral compasses set just fine, thanks.

Labels: religion