Funny thing about black and white. You mix it together and you get gray. And it doesn't matter how much white you try and put back in, you're never gonna get anything but gray.

Lilah ,'Destiny'


Buffista Music III: The Search for Bach  

There's a lady plays her fav'rite records/On the jukebox ev'ry day/All day long she plays the same old songs/And she believes the things that they say/She sings along with all the saddest songs/And she believes the stories are real/She lets the music dictate the way that she feels.


joe boucher - Sep 14, 2005 9:19:38 am PDT #434 of 10003
I knew that topless lady had something up her sleeve. - John Prine

I'm a potential spammer persona non grata

That's because I have the filter cranked up all the way & it wasn't ready for the name variation. Mr. C.I. Hotmail was on the guest list, but Mr. C.I. Gmail wasn't. Your various noms d'email are now in the system & you shouldn't have any more problems with the bouncer.

I have another Wire-related pitch which I can't write myself - about how complex the relationship between fact and fiction is in Simon's work

I actually pitched a similar idea to Corwood way back when, except it was about the relationship between fact & fiction in the films of Kiarostami & Makhmalbaf, particularly the former's Close Up and the latter's Salaam Cinema and A Moment of Innocence. They're houses of mirrors, endlessly reflexive, completely blurring the lines between documentary and fiction. So I'll second Jim's suggestion, throw in a promise to follow through on my long-ago pitch, and raise it to a theme, The High Hat's Fact and Fiction Issue. I'll dig out Hannah Arendt's essays on truth and lying in politics that I've been meaning to send to you, Corwood. Seems like a perfect time for it given that we're living in a time and (some of us) in a country being run by people who simultaneously assail "relativism" and deny the claims of science/media/anyone they don't agree with "you have your 'facts' and I have mine, and I just don't buy yours -- nyah nyah!"

And I'll throw Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" into the perfect pop song ring. And with James Jamerson on my side I will prevail!


Hayden - Sep 14, 2005 9:35:10 am PDT #435 of 10003
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."

I'll second Jim's suggestion, throw in a promise to follow through on my long-ago pitch, and raise it to a theme, The High Hat's Fact and Fiction Issue.

Excellent! I especially hope that there might be a crossword in it for us, too.


erikaj - Sep 14, 2005 9:41:10 am PDT #436 of 10003
Always Anti-fascist!

Look...I may be a pretty practiced Simon geek and of murder and mayhem of all descriptions, but would some brilliant person post characteristics of a Perfect Pop song, cause I bet I have one, but around here I'm "too green to be brown" You feel me? Yo hablo poquito de "Music Geek". Mas despacio, por favor. Muchismas gracias.


Hayden - Sep 14, 2005 9:50:32 am PDT #437 of 10003
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."

Nah, Perfect Pop is pure relativism. Your own description is the only one you need.


erikaj - Sep 14, 2005 9:56:15 am PDT #438 of 10003
Always Anti-fascist!

Well, you know, I thought there was a list. Let me think, then. Old-School "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys and "Cruisin'" By Smokey Robinson and the Miracles Will post some more modern picks in a while. Promise.


Jon B. - Sep 14, 2005 10:02:23 am PDT #439 of 10003
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

It's gotta have a bridge.


msbelle - Sep 14, 2005 10:16:42 am PDT #440 of 10003
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

I Want it that Way - BSB


dw - Sep 14, 2005 10:22:28 am PDT #441 of 10003
Silence means security silence means approval

The Perfect Pop Song is a Potter Stewart thing, if anyone understands what I mean by that.

It has to hook you.

The refrain doesn't necessarily have to be singable, but it helps if it is.

It has to be well-crafted, well-produced, and built to deliver 3-5 minutes of musical bliss.

It doesn't necessarily have to be "all-time great" or by a "pop god."

Perfect Pop is not bubblegum, but bubblegum is often Perfect Pop.

It doesn't have to have a happy ending.

Most of all, you listen to it, and your first instinct is to listen to it again. And again.

That's about the best I can do. I lean on Potter Stewart most of the time with my definition.


IAmNotReallyASpring - Sep 14, 2005 10:22:33 am PDT #442 of 10003
I think Freddy Quimby should walk out of here a free hotel

"Waltz the Halls Always" by Game Theory.


dw - Sep 14, 2005 10:23:17 am PDT #443 of 10003
Silence means security silence means approval

I Want it that Way - BSB

Oh GAWD yes. A pox upon Diane Warren for writing that song.