Musings on the byways of popular culture
by 6 Comments
Roger Scruton is a bit of a tool about popular music and culture, though occasionally says some interesting things. Though not dead, he is surely rolling in his grave with the rock lord of the mighty Whitesnake being interviewed in the conservative comic. For me, ver ‘Snake lost it once they lost Mick Moody and the whole Tommy Saxondale vibe they conjured, though I am sure becoming Americanised was more conducive to luxury.
by 68 Comments
As predicted (ah, the loneliness of being right) “rockism” is back. I take a contrarian, post-modern approach. There isn’t good or bad music, there’s music you like or don’t like, and it is determined by the social context and individual factors. Any grumble I had about Abba wasn’t about their being good or bad (“Waterloo” and “Ring Ring” I like, “Fernando” I don’t), but the RECEIVED WISDOM that they are great succeeding the prior view that they are rubbish. Received wisdom is the problem. When I am preached at by Pete Wylie or Stuart Maconie, i find myself drawn to early Whitesnake as an example of “rock in rebellion”.
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2018/04/abba-back-and-so-are-snobs-rock
