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 Post subject: Conversation with my boss
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:19 pm 
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I thought I'd share this email exchange I had with my boss. Is there anything worse than the guy who says "I like all kinds of music" and proves it by saying "I have over 200 CDs."

Dan's Boss: I'd like to use some music in our new corporate video and FYI . . . I prefer Coldplay. Their new album is breakthrough – nothing better since the Oasis debut in US.

Dan: Not so sure about that.

Dan's Boss: Come on . . . X & Y the album is pure genius and their best effort yet. The reviews are unbelievable form journalists, music purists and fans alike. (X & Y the song is lame and bubble gum, but doesn’t detract from the overall effort.) Square One, Talk and White Shadows are stellar compositions with dramatic switch backs and great lyrics. Fuel’s Running Away would be also work.

Dan: Your comments on "X & Y" remind me of Patrick Bateman's thoughts on Phil Collins in "American Psycho"

Dan's Boss: Sorry, Dan: Never saw American Psycho, but I never critique music to the degree of diatribe (no wonky, esoteric, haughty, where’s your head at pontification from me on the arts, no sir.) I like what I hear, see a concert from time to time, buy a few CDs and crank them loudly. Far from being an aficionado . . . but I do have an unfair advantage to a degree. My son being a rocker, former band member, composer, guitar player, studied sound engineering, and buys far too many iTunes, CDs and DVD’s – he tries his best to keep me current. I introduced the lad to modern/alternative rock when he was a youngster and first started playing guitar. We discovered niche bands together like Tonic, Fastball, Guster, Seven Mary Three, Train and Dishwalla before they broke out and made some real dough, etc. All the while we were feasting on early Pearl Jam, REM, Foo Fighters, Soungarden, Deftones and Charlottesville Dave. So my son now returns the favor to old Dad and constantly forces me to listen to new stuff . . . some of which I like, ala Coldplay first three albums. (And, he knows I think Phil Collins bites, except for his Disney movie tunes which are lovely.)

They discovered niche bands like Seven Mary Three together. Someone hold me.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:22 pm 
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discovered niche bands together like Tonic, Fastball, Guster, Seven Mary Three, Train and Dishwalla before they broke out

classic quote. i pretty much refuse to speak with anyone about music because it just upsets me. i try to explain what I like and they just look at me.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:29 pm 
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rparis74 Wrote:
i pretty much refuse to speak with anyone about music because it just upsets me. i try to explain what I like and they just look at me.

And, more often than not, you just wind up looking like Dan's boss, even if you really do know what you're talking about. When you start mentioning bands most people don't know, it all sounds like pretention BS to them. I'm content to listen to people around me talk about the music they buy and love, and really enjoy it when they put down good bands because they only know their worst era (mid-late 80s Genesis, Yes, etc.) Just trying bringing up that Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis in the 70s and most of the time you just get blank looks or snickers that give away that they obviously have no idea that there was a time when Genesis didn't write pop-dance hits.

It's actually kind of fun to remain quiet, because when they do ask you something, it's a surprise how much you know about music.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:31 pm 
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for those of you playing at home, charlottesville dave is dave matthews. a feast, he says? its a veritable food orgy.


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 Post subject: Patrick
PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:31 pm 
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Patrick Bateman: Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your ass. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and, uh, Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:32 pm 
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Whofa King cares Wrote:
rparis74 Wrote:
i pretty much refuse to speak with anyone about music because it just upsets me. i try to explain what I like and they just look at me.

And, more often than not, you just wind up looking like Dan's boss, even if you really do know what you're talking about. When you start mentioning bands most people don't know, it all sounds like pretention BS to them. I'm content to listen to people around me talk about the music they buy and love, and really enjoy it when they put down good bands because they only know their worst era (mid-late 80s Genesis, Yes, etc.) Just trying bringing up that Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis in the 70s and most of the time you just get blank looks or snickers that give away that they obviously have no idea that there was a time when Genesis didn't write pop-dance hits.

It's actually kind of fun to remain quiet, because when they do ask you something, it's a surprise how much you know about music.


You can just go the way of me...
I am so goddamn enthusiastic about all these bands noone's heard of and so anxious to share the music, that I actually get people to listen to the discs I bring with me to work. (Even Shrimp Boat. ;) )

I may be a music snob, at heart, but I am so eager to share and unsnobby about what I like, that people are actually willing to listen to me and give it a shot. They may hate it, but at least they listen.

(More often than not, they love what I loan them because, let's face it, my tastes are pretty excellent.)


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:33 pm 
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my "audience" has to sign a waiver before I'll pontificate about music in front of them. ;)


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:36 pm 
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if i am drunk i can get on a roll and really alienate most everyone - especially my wife's friends and co-workers. start ripping on their crappy music, their politics, their religion. oh man, she loves it.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:38 pm 
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I tend to avoid these conversations until I'm asked my opinion.

Then I'll usually spout a quick bio about a band and a brief description and what album to check out. Other than that I just scare people.

I am, however, alway pleasantly surprised when someone I know asks me if I like "Band X" when I would have never thought they would have even heard of them.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:39 pm 
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rparis74 Wrote:
if i am drunk i can get on a roll and really alienate most everyone - especially my wife's friends and co-workers. start ripping on their crappy music, their politics, their religion. oh man, she loves it.


Wait, you're Yail Bloor?

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:43 pm 
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It sounds like my uncle should meet your boss, they'd be perfect for each other. over the thanksgiving holidays he did his annual "look at how cool i am, i know all the hot new bands" by talking about coldplay ect... i like him, but he always tries to get me to talk about what i'm listening to, the shows i'm going to, and then tries to make it seem like i'm out of the loop for what's 'hip' because i didn't mention switchfoot or some comparable shit band....
he also didn't believe me when i told him that wilco sold over 500,000 records with YHF...

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:50 pm 
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I call shenanigans on the initial post...no one can be that big of a douche.

I hope.

Please tell me it was a joke.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:51 pm 
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Thanks for that, Dan.

I sold a guy at work on Ry Cooder and Lucero today. He will have some of my cds to listen to on Monday. OH MY FUCKING CHRIST I HOPE HE DOESN'T SCRATCH THEM.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:54 pm 
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Diggity Dawg Wrote:
I call shenanigans on the initial post...no one can be that big of a douche.

I hope.

Please tell me it was a joke.


I wish it was. I literally cut and pasted his comments from Outlook.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:54 pm 
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Sen.LooGAR'sCrunkmas Wrote:
rparis74 Wrote:
if i am drunk i can get on a roll and really alienate most everyone - especially my wife's friends and co-workers. start ripping on their crappy music, their politics, their religion. oh man, she loves it.


Wait, you're Yail Bloor?


I actually thought it was me for a sec.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:56 pm 
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mr. mister Wrote:
over the thanksgiving holidays he did his annual "look at how cool i am, i know all the hot new bands" by talking about coldplay ect... i like him, but he always tries to get me to talk about what i'm listening to, the shows i'm going to, and then tries to make it seem like i'm out of the loop for what's 'hip' because i didn't mention switchfoot or some comparable shit band....

that kinda reminds me of my thanksgiving day. i went to see some friends in the suburbs. some guy who i've never seen before sang the national anthem at the cowboys game and their daughter was like, "oh my god, it's [whomever]!" and like i'm supposed to know who this guy is just because he's from chicago and i now live there?! and then they were talking about all this modern r&b/soul that was truly horrendous. they know i like music, so they were asking what radio stations i listen to. when i mentioned the local college's, they kinda laughed it off. i bit my tongue on anything music-related the rest of the afternoon.


Last edited by Z on Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:56 pm 
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Dodi Let Me Drive Wrote:
Thanks for that, Dan.

I sold a guy at work on Ry Cooder and Lucero today. He will have some of my cds to listen to on Monday. OH MY FUCKING CHRIST I HOPE HE DOESN'T SCRATCH THEM.


ha, I remember feeling this way in highschool when I'd loan out records to friends, and invariable get them back scratched, or the sleeve was all bent, or something. I try not to loan people stuff anymore. I'll burn them a copy but I never give our my originals anymore.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:00 pm 
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dnorwood Wrote:
Dodi Let Me Drive Wrote:
Thanks for that, Dan.

I sold a guy at work on Ry Cooder and Lucero today. He will have some of my cds to listen to on Monday. OH MY FUCKING CHRIST I HOPE HE DOESN'T SCRATCH THEM.


ha, I remember feeling this way in highschool when I'd loan out records to friends, and invariable get them back scratched, or the sleeve was all bent, or something. I try not to loan people stuff anymore. I'll burn them a copy but I never give our my originals anymore.


Dammit, Dana. You're one of them.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:00 pm 
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I just had one of these conversations THIS VERY MINUTE, with a coworker who was raving about the appallingly bad Cream reunion show broadcast on PBS this week.

This is a guy that knows ONLY "Classic Rock" and seems to be convinced that there is nothing that even comes close -- a big-time jock (ex-college ball player) who is very into his music. But wants to know about nothing else.

It was uncomfortable. I was trying not to say anything that would make me out to be a complete asshole.

I think I succeeded.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:02 pm 
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dnorwood Wrote:
Dodi Let Me Drive Wrote:
Thanks for that, Dan.

I sold a guy at work on Ry Cooder and Lucero today. He will have some of my cds to listen to on Monday. OH MY FUCKING CHRIST I HOPE HE DOESN'T SCRATCH THEM.


ha, I remember feeling this way in highschool when I'd loan out records to friends, and invariable get them back scratched, or the sleeve was all bent, or something. I try not to loan people stuff anymore. I'll burn them a copy but I never give our my originals anymore.


I think you must have missed that this was a well placed swipe at borg and others that think a $10 piece of plastic is more valuable than a friend.

I got it and it brought a smile to my face.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:05 pm 
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people at work know better than to question me about music. the funny thing is, the only person i can actually hold a conversation with about music are my boss and supervisor. today's topic of discussion was adam and the ants and how the clash was his first concert.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:05 pm 
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dr winston o'boogie Wrote:
I think you must have missed that this was a well placed swipe at borg and others that think a $10 piece of plastic is more valuable than a friend.

I got it and it brought a smile to my face.


me too.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:11 pm 
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pumachik Wrote:
people at work know better than to question me about music. the funny thing is, the only person i can actually hold a conversation with about music are my boss and supervisor. today's topic of discussion was adam and the ants and how the clash was his first concert.


My first boss (after college) is still a friend of mine. He's about 15 years my senior and he is the one that turned me on to:
Martin Newell
The Zombies
Emmitt Rhodes
The Creation
The Kinks
Nick Lowe

and about half of my favorite bands.

Too bad the job sucked ass so hard, or I would have stayed just because Al is so cool.


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:14 pm 
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Jesus, what an awful email. I'd almost prefer that he made it up.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:32 pm 
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Who's the other "Dave"? Super Dave? Cheyenne Dave?


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