Ga-Ga Blah Blah Blah.......

So I don't really care for Lady Ga-Ga. When I say this, it tends to drive people banana's. They absolutely love her, or have no opinion. The people who also hate her (who are what this post is about) are generally a little bit crazy and or crank like. My problem with her is that the one thing that she is supposed to be (a musician, or at least a musical performer) is by far and away the weakest part of her whole persona. So for me, a person who doesn't really care about the lightening if the thunder is weak, Lady Ga-Ga is pretty much the antithesis of everything I like about music.

I have heard all the arguments, and I do respect Ga-Ga, especially the fact that because she acted suuuper famous before she was, she managed to completely take control of her image and turn the tables on the usual media saturation of a pop star of her calibre. But, at the end of the day, to me, her music sounds no more interesting than anything on Dance Mix 98-2010. Its just your standard, club music (I do realize I have very little knowledge of club music, but given it is the most reviled form of music, my criticism stands).

But all of this is not my main point. My main point is for the people who hate and protest her, from the World Champion in dumb, terrible music Katy Perry, to the always lovable Phelps family and the Westboro Baptist Church, is that she is not worth your time. Both examples (amazingly) have criticised or outright protested her for sacrilege (and, in the case of the Phelps', for advancing the gay agenda). But I wonder, has Madonna become that irrelevant? Do these people not remember how "provocative" and "sacrilegious" she was? Because seriously, Ga-Ga's provocations are pretty much standard Madonna fair. I know, I know, her outfits are crazy, the music videos better etc.. etc.., but really, is she doing anything more risque than Madge herself? I also don't say this as a fan of Madonna, I say this as someone who finds both of them tiresome.

But like people who protest "hate speech" or picket appearances by controversial speakers/performers always forget is that the controversy fuels them. Think about the career of Marilyn Manson if you need any further proof.

So I say to all those who are "offended" by Ga-Ga (and not just her music) relax, if she even has half the career of Madonna, she will marry a mediocre British film maker, develop lizard arms, and start to look like that cat plastic surgery lady.

Live!

Good afternoon y'all! I haven't posted anything in a while, so I figured, why not? In the spirit of keeping posts relatively short, this one will be brief. I've started to ramp up my summer concert going, which is always a great way to spend the summer. I have three shows to write about, two that I have already been to, and one that I will be jetting off to tonight, after I post. And kill another 4 hours.

1) Band of Horses, Broken Social Scene and Pavement @ the Toronto Island - this was a pretty dissapointing show, to tell the truth. Not so much because of the artists, who all performed admirably, but because of the set up. This was easily the worst run concert I have ever been too. There were lines for the access to the beer tent, to get tickets for beer and then to actually get beer. We waited, without shade, for three hours for two warm beers. By the time we realized we were going to have to wait for the ferry to get home, we left. My advice: don't see shows at the Toronto Island. It will only encourage them to keep happening.

2) The Flaming Lips @ Ottawa Bluesfest - now the Ottawa Bluesfest knows how to put on a show. Never waited more than five minutes for a beer, because they basically line the place with tents. But the best part was the actual show. The Flaming Lips are absolutely mind bending in concert. The band is delivered through a giant cartoon vagina, Wayne Coyne jumps into the audience in a giant, inflatable ball, the balloons and confetti cannon's are blasting the entire time, and all of this is the first song. Needless to say, it basically stays at this level till the end. If you can see the Flaming Lips before you die (I'm assuming everyone knows when they will die, right?) you should. Two words that should make you want to do this all the more: Laser Hands.

3) Titus Androncus @ The Horseshoe - this is the one I am attending tonight. I saw them the last time they were in town at Sneaky Dee's, and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Just a high energy, no nonsense bash it out band. Needless to say, I am pumped. I am not pumped about the fact that I thought this was on Saturday, and thus will not have the three people who I was supposed to go with, as they all planned on it being Saturday. So I have three available tickets. If in the highly highly unlikely chance that someone reads this before I go, get in touch with me and you are more than welcome to join.

So thats it for now. Follow my advice, avoid the Island, see the Flaming Lips, and quit your job and start following Titus Andronicus around the world. It is worth it.

Until Next Time.