(This Edition: Intro, the Wynonna Ryder case, Jennifer Lopez: Jenny From The Block?, Avril Lavigne: Why Image Doesn't Matter The Ketchup Crap, Eminem's Triple, "American Idol": All's That's Wrong With Modern Music, Christina: Too Dirrty?, Vannessa The Psychopath NOTE: I've seperated the article into parts for convenience but it is meant to be taken as a whole)
INTRO
Every once in a while, there are huge stories about our favourite celebrities that many- including me- just couldn't care about. Such is the case with Wynonna Ryder and Jennifer Lopez, as the former was convicted of theft and the latter is now engaged. Yet each got massive coverage in the papers, even with genuine concerns about the impending war on Iraq and growing fears that our freedoms were being trampled on by the government.
Ryder's case is simply one where people paid attention because it is Ryder and nothing else. "At least O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake were charged with actually murdering somebody," wrote the Toronto Star's Ben Rayner in explaining why he couldn't care less. The case, Rayner argues, is something really minor and thus really doesn't deserve attention- there are many cases involving theft each year and none ever get the same press that Ryder received. It's almost the same thing with Robert Downey Jr.'s drug cases: millions of narcotic cases are heard that don't nearly get as much press as Downey's, which, I'd argue only received press because it, well, is Downey and nothing else.
Lopez's case is a practical no-brainer: it's someone's personal life so why should I care? "�and for all those who don't give a damn�(deadpans) yeah," spoke Edge 102.1 FM's Brother Bill when annoucing the engagement, who obviously couldn't care less. Neither could I- Bill, I couldn't have said it better myself. My life won't be any different if Lopez marries or not, and if Lopez really feels "everyone needs to know about her life" she is one very sad woman in my opinion anyway.
Speaking of Lopez, she's technically going in with this "double-standard" thing with her new hit "Jenny From The Block". It's a smart song with Lopez refuting the claim she hasn't lost touch with her roots despite her fame. "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got/I'm still I'm still/Jenny from the block," she sings, but somehow I don't really buy it now. I mean, it's great as a song- insomuch as to disregard the actual person and thinking fictionally- but, in truth, Lopez really has forgotten her roots. More press is devoted to her $3.5 million rocks than anything else, and- here's the real icing- Lopez has been asked to help out charities in The Bronx several times and has refused each time. Plus, you never see her coming back to her hometown to visit do you? It seems that Lopez really could care less about the people she once lived with and decides hob-knobbing with her rich friends in a fantasy world is better than remembering the people who were once your friends. Thanks, Jenn: if I was from The Bronx, I have every right to be mad at you now.
Lopez isn't the only one inciting anger: Avril Lavigne is too, though I really disagree with this one. It seems no matter where you turn, someone is blasting Lavigne for being "a poser". Poser? Well, she may dress punk and sings pop, but how valid is that argument? Music is supposed to be a way to express one's deeper feelings, and, if a guy with a mohawk, nose ring, multiple piercings and tatoos who regular wears a Metallica T-Shirt expresses his inner feelings by singing moving soul, let him. Image and music are two separate things a fact no one should forget. Lavigne simply is no different- and, besides, she's NEVER admitted to starting her trend. People seem to be reading too much into her exterior and fail to dig deep, which I feel is unfair to Lavigne, especially since she's never had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who "hate" her for her style.
Keeping with music, Las Ketchup have shown up, and, despite my objections, have become huge on the radio with "Aserje (The Ketchup Song- Hey Ha)". The song is ten times worse than "Macerana" from Los Del Rios, and, just like the latter song, "The Ketchup Song" has DANCE STEPS. * shudders * Probably the sole redeeming factor with this monstrosity of a track is the fact that Las Ketchup will fade out quickly just how Los Del Rios did, and The Ketchup Song will join the growing list of annoying, overplayed one-hit wonders that are now universally blasted. However, until then, I cannot live in peace�
Eminem's "8-Mile" is garnering rave reviews both as a soundtrack and as a movie, and, to top it all off, Eminem scored a rare triple, getting the No. 1 album, single and movie all at the same time. I've yet to see "8-Mile", but I've heard the album and, while it is enjoyable, it's really nothing special: all the "thug-life" songs do get tiring after a while. Still, Eminem shines as a rapper (as in on the album), delivering with flair and providing absolutely stunning rhymes in the process. "Lose Yourself" is rocketing up the charts and deservedly too: it's easily Em's third best single ever, behind "Stan" and "Role Model" respectively as the touching track explicitly details movie character Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith's inner struggles, even if one doesn't watch the movie. Plus, Eminem's raps save several songs- like D12's "Rap Game" and "Love Me" with Obie Trice and 50 Cent- and 50 Cent's stunning material make him one of rap's rising stars. His 2003 release is one release I'll at least be looking forward to, considering how good he was here.
From greatness to�the gutter, as in Kelly Clarkson. I don't know what hasn't been said about her, but I'll start with a feeling I've had all along: she's a cash cow, singing passionless music designed only to sell. "American Idol" signified everything that is wrong with the music industry today, as it was a blatant attempt to manufacture more music to line pockets as opposed to providing something that is truly compelling. Plus, the video for "A Moment Like This" is as canned as ever, as Clarkson looks back at winning "American Idol", and, just like the song, shows her- indirectly- bragging about how she won. It's utterly disgusting manufactured crap that should never have been made in the first place. I read on one Web Site this complaint: "they're complaining about a record slump? Well why not give us something compelling for a change." Couldn't have said it better myself.
Videos also got into the news in recent months, as Christina Aguilera and Vanessa Carlton drew fire for recent videos. Aguilera's "Dirrty" is a sexually-explicit video that has been described, kindly, as "clothed porn" and has raised quite a fuss, but I fail to see what the problem is. Several videos went by without a peep of protest and were much worse than "Dirrty" yet "Dirrty" gets the flak. It's a horrible song anyway so I would never play the video if I had the choice, but only because the song is terrible and not because the video is questionable. If they'll play Nelly's "Hot In Herre", they should play this one too: there's practically no difference in my eyes.
As for Carlton, "Pretty Baby" was banned by MTV initially for "questionable content". In this case, it's hard for me to see why not. During the course of the video, Carlton picks up a roll of tape, unwinds it a bit, ties up her boyfriend (in a scene we don't see), picks up a cat-o-nine tails whip (almost nonchalantly: you'll probably have to watch closely to see it), walks into the room with her boyfriend gagged, laughs deviously and approaches as the boyfriend quivers in fear. Carlton becomes a veritable psychopath, intent on harming a boyfriend who's hurt her for the sheer fun of doing so. It's the type of thing that lands people in jail and Carlton figures she'd have some fun with it? Huh? * rolling eyes * Still, I'm not the type who believes videos- or anything of this nature- should be banned regardless of content, since the person doesn't have to listen or watch the objectionable material. This does raise the issue as to whether or not individual videos should be rated so as to warn the viewer that questionable content may lie ahead and leaving it up to the viewer to decide if they want to watch it. Such a disclaimer would allow an outlet like MTV to play a lot more videos since the disclaimer leaves the viewer with the sole responsibility of watching- and, if they use the same ratings that affect the V-Chip (with maybe something preventing the audio from being cut off), parents wouldn't have to worry about their children when they're not home. Again, though, I've always held that good parenting always betters technology and controls with regards to handling questionable material, but I won't go into that much here.
That's this month's edition of the State Of The Music Address. Next month I'll have year-end recap with my DG Awards outlining the best in music, so check back soon. A link appears at the bottom in case anyone is interested.