Go Away, Mick Jagger, a Meandering Rant from The Slacker Factor Podcast TSF9
Posted on May 3, 2010 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
No offense or disrespect to The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, The Who, Chicago, Kenny Rodgers, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffet or Crosby, Still, Nash and whoever, but it is time. You’ve had your heyday. You’ve made your money. Now, go away.
Still have the desire to perform? That is why they invented Vegas. Or Branson.
Otherwise, move out of the spotlight, and let someone else have a chance.
Oh, sure, I acknowledge that you have been contributors to the world of music. As singers, and songwriters, and musicians, and rockers you brought your sound to the masses and influenced pop culture and ingrained our brains with your riffs and lyrics. Your music will live in the hearts and minds of many generations. Thank you and bye-bye.
Maybe you think I sound harsh, but think about it? Imagine if the previous generation of musical talent kept trying to keep performing in a big way at major awards shows, sporting events, on tour, and on television. Read more
Time -A Meandering Rant from TSF 8
Posted on April 22, 2010 | By Christian | No Comments
I think I suffer from the same malady many of us face today. Time. Its like a drug. There isn’t enough of it, I’ve lost track of it, is it the right time, its running out, I cant afford it, and I am wasting it. You get the point.
Now, none of this is new to most of us. Every once in a while we look in the mirror but don’t see that 18yr old that we imagine we still look like. Full of youth and vigor and lacking the lines and gray hairs we see today. But I can deal with getting older, I really don’t have a problem with it. What I do have a problem with is that I am not doing all of the things I always envisioned I would have done by now. That’s not to say I won’t, its just… I am a bit off schedule. This is my problem.
I wont bore you with the laundry list of things I thought I would have done by now, but many of them are typical… seeing Europe, sailing the Caribbean, having that corner office, stuff like that. I don’t think it’s because I’m not capable of doing these things, but haven’t had the time to really devote to getting to them. Stuff keeps happening and it’s never the right time. Read more
Unboundaried, A Meandering Rant from TSF 7
Posted on April 5, 2010 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
Is it OK if they frequently fight,
Is it OK if the bride wears white,
…even if she has a couple of children…
It is OK if she has fake breasts,
and yet her kids are an incredible mess
because she claims they never have any money…
Is it OK if he professes to be true,
but you know that he has propositioned you
…on more than one occasion…
Is it OK for Nick Cage?
Is it OK if he wears a rug,
Is it OK if she’s planted a bug
in their computer,
so she can track all of his online activities…
Is it OK if they seldom fuck,
Is it OK if he tries his luck,
at the casino…with the deposit money for their new home
…and he looses it all…
Is it OK if she swears she’s quit,
but then, occasionally, she takes a hit
just to keep her sane…
Is it OK if she has a drink,
even though you tend to think
she’s pregnant at the time,
…never mind who’s it is…
Is it OK if he roams the night,
because he says that he’s uptight,
and getting out
is the only thing
that calms him down…
Is it OK if they talk so sweet,
when you really know that underneath
neither of them is happy
in this thing, called a relationship, anymore…
~pp
<Don’t be hypocritical. Listen, as well as read, TSF7: Drop Everything or look for it on iTunes. It is slacktacular.>
Lack of Teen Spirit, A Meandering Rant from TSF 6
Posted on February 22, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | 3 Comments
The "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Single Artwork
Considering The Slacker Factor is a podcast and webspace targeted directly at Generation X, whose musical apex is squarely planted in early 90s grunge, what I’m about to say will no doubt offend some and may even be considered downright sacrilegious. So, let me just come right out and say it…
I never need to hear Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” again. That’s right, the GenX anthem that epitomizes all things slacker is not aging well in my eyes. In fact, the second I hear those opening power chords, I instinctually reach for the dial or digital preset button to find just about anything else (within reason, of course… I’m not about to choose any American Idol reject over the voice of our generation (I think, anyway).
It’s not really Kurt’s fault though. In 1991, when Nevermind was released unto the unsuspecting public, it was all I needed to puff out my chest and get all angsty. After all, this was the theme song to many a drunken slam dance, late night rally to plan our world domination, or solo introspective moment. But just three years later, after Kurt Cobain’s untimely death in 1994, the song sank into nostalgia. Hearing it then, we’d take a second to imagine what could of been, what still might be, and what contributions our generation was making (or not making) to the world. But now, it’s lost all that sense of nostalgia, emotional connection, and is just plain tired. Read more
The death of icons, A Meandering Rant from TSF5
Posted on February 2, 2010 | By Christian | 1 Comment
Through history people have paid tribute to those who affected them most. In the past it was high placed political powers such as monarchs or statesmen, but since the advent of television this adoration has broadened to include celebrities. The availability of electronic media provided a platform but tabloids and the internet brought it to extreme levels.
When Elvis died it was obviously a big story and deserved “news” coverage. The same can be said for John Lennon, Michael Jackson, etc largely in part to their untimely deaths. But where does the media draw the line as to what is worth “breaking news coverage”? Are D list celebrities worthy of such coverage. Do we need to know that a Reality TV contestant died? Or a TV shill? Where is the line drawn? Do we need a cable station devoted to death much like the Weather Channel?
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