Post Random Music-Related Thoughts You Have

[epilogue]

I don't think you should really say your album is "available for free" if it can only be streamed. That doesn't really count.

[LoathedVermin72]

I don't think you should really say your album is "available for free" if it can only be streamed. That doesn't really count.

I just think it's weird that Miley's new album is considered released, but it can't be downloaded. Lots of albums are available to stream for free prior to their release date, but they aren't considered "released" until it's actually available on physical media or to download.

[BurtReynolds]

Her Immaculate Collection greatest hits is a good one. I don't care what she did after that.

speaking as someone who hasn't heard it in fifteen years and has no real idea.

[LetMeSleep]

Her Immaculate Collection greatest hits is a good one. I don't care what she did after that.

It really is more than you would ever need.

[epilogue]

I don't think you should really say your album is "available for free" if it can only be streamed. That doesn't really count.

I just think it's weird that Miley's new album is considered released, but it can't be downloaded. Lots of albums are available to stream for free prior to their release date, but they aren't considered "released" until it's actually available on physical media or to download.

Ah. I see.

[Lament]

It really is more than you would ever need.

It doesn't have I'll Remember on it.

But to be fair, it does have the greatest title of any compilation in music history.

[LetMeSleep]

It really is more than you would ever need.

It doesn't have I'll Remember on it.

But to be fair, it does have the greatest title of any compilation in music history.

It's a good 'un. Never heard I'll Remember.

[Lament]

It was from the movie "With Honors."

[Kevin Davis]

Here's the thing though: things people do in real life don't always reflect what is considered acceptable in the culture. I'm not very familiar with Madonna's catalog, but her (in)famous "Like a Virgin" performance at the 1984 VMAs is, in my estimation, a seminal pop culture moment. To this day, it's still hilarious, audacious, and powerful. I think it's important to normalize sexuality - especially female sexuality - in our often-still-puritanical society, and every time someone like Elvis gyrates or someone like Madonna writhes across a stage or someone like Miley uses a prop phallus on national TV, the dial moves just a little bit forward. I think that's great. I think that's important.

For the record, Miley's efforts in this area go further than just televised antics - she's done a lot of great work for LGBT youth and feminist causes, and not just in terms of activism and charity, but in terms of using her cultural influence to normalize and promote acceptance and understanding. And I think her art and persona incorporate and express what she believes in. Which, again, I think is great.

I understand all of this and respect your point, though I'm sure we've discussed my feelings on "Yeezus" enough times for it not to be surprising that she falls a bit on the far side of my threshold for these things.

But all I really meant to convey is that her music (at least this new album) does not distill any of this larger cultural "meaning" into any kind of communicable form for me. I don't come away from her music feeling like she has illustrated some larger truth about sexuality, or whatever it is one would argue her music "says"; it just feels like below-average pop music built around the overblown public persona of a celebrity. The "rebellion" comment was probably a mistake on my part -- but I can't deny that that's the taste it leaves in my mouth.

I did like "Party in the USA."

[bodysnatcher]

it's adorable how relevant Madonna thinks she still is

[Strat]

I just read a brief article about the Overlord of Funk - Prince - and he said there is so pop music out there that makes you feel scared.

[Lament]

I'm probably the biggest Prince fan on the board (or second to PryTo, when he's around), but Prince hasn't scared anyone with his pop music since 1982.

Well, that's not true. There's some stuff on NewPowerSoul that is terrifying, but for totally different reasons.

[nyquillyn]

It was from the movie "With Honors."

That one's great.

This is probably my favorite soundtrack cut. (If were aren't counting "Live to Tell".)

[Lament]

I hadn't heard that one before, t2b. That's pretty good.

Outside of the song Like A Prayer, I think all of my favorite Madonna songs are moody ballads.

[Kevin Davis]

I do like the song "Take a Bow."

[nyquillyn]

Her latest albums are pretty horrific, but "Madonna" through "Music" was pretty solid, with the exception of "Bedtime Stories". And both "American Life" and "Confessions on a Dance Floor" had a few solid songs.

[Jorge]

I do like the song "Take a Bow."

I wanted to start a "Songs that remind you of other songs" thread to talk about "Take a Bow" vs. the Magnetic Fields's "All My Little Words". The former's chorus sounds just like the latter's verses.

[bodysnatcher]

I'm probably the biggest Prince fan on the board (or second to PryTo, when he's around), but Prince hasn't scared anyone with his pop music since 1982.

Well, that's not true. There's some stuff on NewPowerSoul that is terrifying, but for totally different reasons.

He probably scared a lot of editors who had to try and figure out how to type his name when he changed it to a symbol

[Lament]

He probably scared a lot of editors who had to try and figure out how to type his name when he changed it to a symbol

I actually think the press release he sent out when he changed his name requested that (in absence of the symbol) he be referred to as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" in print, which was pretty considerate of him.

[Kaius]

I like Wrecking Ball, but Bangerz is not profound or progressive in anyway whatsoever.