State of the (European) Union?
From the desk of Luc Van Braekel on Mon, 2006-05-22 01:09
Looking at pictures of the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest from 20 and 10 years ago and from last Saturday, one gets the impression that the quality is in sync with the political state of the European Union...
Lordi and the Decline of the West
Submitted by Pat Patterson on Thu, 2006-05-25 00:58.
Where are the masses burning Finnish flags when we really need them? I always enjoy the breast beating about the seriousness of popular music. Its popular music and its always going to appeal to the lowest common taste in music. Though I did hear a rumor that there is going to be a new commission, the Ohmygod Pretty Blonde Girl European Commission, which will meet only in the hipper parts of Strasbourg to discuss methods, quotas and goals to make sure that this result doesn't repeat. Annoucements to follow on MySpace.
Dudes!
Submitted by G-Dub on Wed, 2006-05-24 17:49.
Gwar could kick these guy's asses!
Come now.
Submitted by Elmo on Wed, 2006-05-24 11:29.
Everybody knows that pop and jazz music are Jooish plots. Heavy metal is just yet again even more insidious depravity from the sooper secret cabal. You have been warned/ all luhwhoockbar :-)
State of America 30 Years Ago
Submitted by Brian Soper on Wed, 2006-05-24 01:17.
http://www.artrocks.com/IMAGES%20MILA/Wallpaper/Kiss-fecr.jpg
I swear those are the same "Little Flagadas" that flattened the tires on my Big Block Chevy Vega during the OPEC gas crisis of the Carter Administration.
Appreciable
Submitted by Spiller on Tue, 2006-05-23 21:26.
I was looking for this a long time. It was appreciated.Lets look at it this way.Wish I was there to enjoy it.
My Personal Blog
Funny
Submitted by Roosellclause on Tue, 2006-05-23 03:45.
I appreciated this immensely.
I disagree
Submitted by Katana on Tue, 2006-05-23 07:34.
Lets look at it this way.
The ruling class in Brussels set up the child-like (Sandra Kim) innocence of the welfare states and sold it to Europe which on her turn developed into(Eimear Quinn), ABBA clones and typical Eurosong tunes alike.They represent the masks of the ruling mainstream class.
Lordi represents the uprising of the masses; the riled underdogs. Just as Scandinavian metal always used to be marginalized in the past.
Lordi proves Europe isn't dead yet when it comes to finding it's own "Roots Bloody Roots" as that Brazilian metalband used to say :)
Proclaiming Euronihilism
Submitted by Chris Gillibrand on Mon, 2006-05-22 19:40.
"The masks are our identity" said Lordi yesterday.
Totally wrong comparison
Submitted by syksy on Mon, 2006-05-22 16:43.
Most of the other candidates were artificial and fake (like the union nowadays), song written for them and sung by someone other than the candidate. Most of the other candidates were "fixed" by a plastic surgeon. That resembles the state of the union quite well. Lordi on the other hand was really original and won with a song written by Mr. Lordi himself. Also, if you listened to the comments made by Lordi about satanist-accusations and such, you would understand the difference between show and reality. And by the way, the most conservative memberstate of the union, Poland, gave Lordi 12 points. What do you make of that?
I have made an interesting observation. Everybody knows heavy metal is a big thing in Scandinavia and Finland, far bigger (proportionally) than for example in Germany or France. For some reason a very large proportion of those who were heavy metal fans when they were younger turn out to be quite conservative and nationally oriented when they grow up. Many of the finnish heavy metal bands have for example have songs about the finnish national epic, Kalevala. The same goes for Sweden and Norway, where nordic myths are an important source of inspiration for heavy metal artists. Also the liberal idea of everybody's right to shape their own future can be heard in many heavy lyrics. Many heavy songs promote the idea of survival of the fittest, not the one who turns the other cheek everytime. This leads us to the only real problem between the traditional right and the "heavy-right": the question of faith. Many heavy metal fans see (especially fundamental) christianity as an irrational ideology, and object to it. The same of course goes for most of the other religions too, especially islam. When forced to choose I believe most of the heavy metallers will be more comfortable with christianity than islam, though.
Bad song - bad comparison
Submitted by Mikko_Sandt on Mon, 2006-05-22 16:34.
Selling your music with these costumes is no worse than selling yourself/your music by dressing half-naked and singing stupid pop songs.
Where's the synthesizer?
Submitted by Arty on Mon, 2006-05-22 13:33.
That song is a knock off of hundreds of schlock-rock tunes. While it will undoubtedly resonate with the hormone surges of 14-to-18 year olds I don't know why a panel of judges would award it the prestigous 'euro vision' award (perhaps they're desparate to appear hip and irreverant).
On the upside it's nice to see you guys get away from that synthetic, techno-pop noise. Guitars, drums, keyboard and a gravel-voiced lead singer; under all that make up and halloween gear you just know those guys are human. Congrats Lordi and Finland. And Europe, welcome to the 1980's.
to Mr. Arty
Submitted by McMad on Mon, 2006-05-22 13:58.
They were not chosen by a panel of judges but by people from all over Europe who voted by phone. Apparently Lordi also broke a record in the total amount of votes received.
1980's were in Europe a long time ago, in 1980's in fact! But then again you Americans have never been good in sarcasm, hilarity and "dont take yourself seriously" attitude.
The writer completely misses the point.
Submitted by McMad on Mon, 2006-05-22 13:12.
The writer completely misses the point.
I would say that the sterile, conformist, "trying hard to be liked by all" type of song as performed by Sandra Kim is a lot more similar to the general stance of EU. Lordis song is a great shake-up to the plasticky Eurovision community, EU needs a similar shake-up!
By the way, is the writer aware of the fact that Eurovision, with its glittery and shallow image, is really popular with gays? I bet they are all in shock now and sobbing in their pink hankerchiefs! :D
I object to this comparison.
Submitted by Brigands on Mon, 2006-05-22 10:17.
I object to this comparison. Lordi is far better than the other mentioned artists & their crap music nor is it an indication of the EU's state. Na.
Eurovision
Submitted by aeromit on Mon, 2006-05-22 09:25.
It is not like that at all. Pictures of 2 girls compared to Lordi say nothing. The Finnish band has one of the best songs compared to tasteless style of othe competitors. Please not I'm not an expert in hard rock but Lordi's sond sounded decent. You know that Ortodox church in Greece was against them. Fundamentalism is wrong no matter if it is islamic, ortodox or catholic.
Regards
Aero