…is what I tell girls to sound cool and shit. It confuses people to hear something like that from a “music lover’s” lips. Confusing people is fun because it gives you an edge for the rest of the conversation. In reality, however, The Beatles are absolutely essential to who I am today (I’m sure most music geeks will say the same thing). Honest. I’d be a different person without those lovely Liverpudilians. But don’t tell anyone because The Beatles aren’t cool. SGT. PEPPER BLOWS.
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust.
<3
WRONG. As long as babies are born, The Beatles will always have a healthy market.
That said, in my honest opinion, The Beatles have been surprisingly tasteful with their official merchandise. The Anthology– music comps, film, and book– was an absolutely fantastic document of the band. To be honest, there isn’t a band that’s been as misrepresented by so-called “authorities” like The Beatles. Getting reliable documents of the band can be quite difficult, considering the ridiculous amount of choices we’re given. However, I personally believe that The Anthology, along with Mark Lewisohn’s “The Complete…” series, should be basic to every Beatles fanatic’s collection.
Granted, a few releases seemed a bit overindulgent; such as, the “1″ greatest hits collection and the Capitol Albums series. However, despite this, these were still put together quite well. And I can’t forget the “Love” mash-up that George Martin and his son worked on recently. I sincerely cried when I listened to that album for the first time. And I hate The Beatles right?
So, are we ready for a Beatles video game?
Apparently, the Fab Four family are working with the developers of “Rock Band” on an “experiential journey” using the music, as well as, visuals related to the band.
More here: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003885509
Whether or not this is a step too far is yet to be determined. I personally think that it could be a good way to freshen up The Beatles experience because the band’s becoming too requisite these days and, as we all know, anything requisite is absolutely boring.
More importantly, however, is a bunch of new music. I’m sure a few of you have heard of Pauly Macca’s project with Killing Joke’s Youth called “The Fireman”. Just in case you haven’t:
(from Electric Arguments, out 11/17 in the UK and 11/18 in the US)
It sounds pretty fun. It’s nice to hear that Macca’s voice is still good for a yelp. But this classic rock shit tends to bore me these days. Why’s everyone jocking Zeppelin’s steeze? I want NOISE. And not like “Cum On Feel the Noize.” I really want some skronk and blurts you know? Really annoying stuff. Anyways, I guess The Beatles worked on some noise in their day and it’s called “Carnival of Light.”
More here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/16/paul-mccartney-carnival-of-light
I’ve read about this track in the past (in the essential “Complete Beatles Recording Sessions”), however, I really didn’t give it much attention and definitely didn’t pay attention to its actual composition methods. Hmmm…The Beatles making music that doesn’t make sense? The Beatles not making sense! For someone that hates the band, I’m having a pretty hard time not soiling my pants big time right now.
Wait, am I reading this right!? The Beatles, John Cage, and Karlheinz Stockhausen in one sentence!?
Oops.
// Craig Bartolewski
The Beatles at least were kind of innovators in their time, so they deserve some attention. It would have been much worse to mention Cage, Stockhausen and Madonna in one breath…