"imcvspl's Deep Thoughts: We live in soulless times, which music reflects"
We live in soulless times, which our music reflects.
Apathy and contentment breed not a strong soul. And it is the strong soul that has _need_ of voice to let go of everything and just express what is real. That is soul. The letting go of all preconceptions and misperceptions. To let that which is most true rise from within and speak its piece uninhibited.
What inspires such things? For one thing, the imagination. The imagination is the most powerful thing in the universe. Do you know why? Because the imagination has the power to shape matter. It has been working for millenia upon millenia to this point. In our hands it has arrived us at today, where our wildest fantasies can be downloaded to the palm of our hands, legally and illegally.
What is there to imagine? What is there to dream for? We see how dreams come true on prime time reality tv. Paid for by the credit for which you stand. One nation, soulless.
We can go on for days naming names of people we think contradict this, and god bless them for doing that good work. But deep down we know it's true. We know that we've lost our soul, and the way things are looking now, we don't know if we can get them back.
But we can. You can. All you've got to do is find that voice in you. Reach way deep down in there in you where its so small you think perhaps its disappeared. But keep reaching until you find that which is smaller than the point on a string at the end of a string theory. Find that thing in you and feed it. Let it grow inside you until its strong enough to speak what it has to say, uninhibited without all the preconceptions and misperceptions.
Do that for yourself. Teach that to your children. If we all can find that in ourselves, the soul lives on.
6. "I find your conflicts of direction very interesting" In response to Reply # 0
maybe I just perceive them as conflicts, I dunno
the song is dead, spontaneous art creation but at the same time an increasing reverence for the foundation and here this thing is a multi-movement, carefully thought out Work
I agree with all your takes but at the same time it's kind of hard to unify them in a single philosophy!
26. "RE: say more" In response to Reply # 24 Thu Apr-14-11 01:25 PM by howisya
if you have 20 minutes before it expires in a few days, give it a listen. she makes some "mistakes" in her set, done live and with unfamiliar equipment at the BBC, but wouldn't let gilles et al. edit them out, so considering that, the selection, the points in the songs where she mixes in/out, and the "tricks" she tries to pull off, i think she was going for a bit of a "noise" effect but using "black music" as the vehicle.
16. "I think this has more to do with your definition of soul" In response to Reply # 11
then it does the lack of soul after the early 80s _________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
27. "Depends on whether we're talking soul music or music from the soul" In response to Reply # 18 Thu Apr-14-11 01:32 PM by OldPro
because I still think there is soul in music today... as there was during the 80s and 90s. I just don't think it has to be expressed in a limited style to be soulful.
_________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
29. "I see soul music as afam music from the soul" In response to Reply # 27
and ultimately i guess i'm talking about music from the soul, which filters out to soul music as well.
I acknowledge that there are still artists with soul, but i think they are fewer and further between. there are a lot of soul posturers, but few who really let go and bring the soul to music. when it happens it is quite refreshing, but at the same time sad because of the rareness of it.
30. "What's funny is the acts that try and make "soul" music...." In response to Reply # 29
as in the music that most people would refer to soul... seem to have less soul than then ones out there just doing their thing. Just because they mimic what used to pass for soul doesn't mean there is soul in the music... if anything it's anti-soul because the creativity and performance is coming from a force outside of themselves. _________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
38. "I think we are in agreement" In response to Reply # 30
>as in the music that most people would refer to soul... seem >to have less soul than then ones out there just doing their >thing. Just because they mimic what used to pass for soul >doesn't mean there is soul in the music... if anything it's >anti-soul because the creativity and performance is coming >from a force outside of themselves.
I just wouldn't give the one's 'just doing their thing' an instant pass (I don't think you do either btw).
>I just wouldn't give the one's 'just doing their thing' an >instant pass (I don't think you do either btw).
but I think someone can be soulful outside of what people would call soul _________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
44. "MJ had soul without a doubt" In response to Reply # 42
but I could see how a conversation could get off track if you called him a soul singer.... you just have to make sure both parties are clear whether you're talking about a genre or an emotion. _________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
BrooklynWHAT Member since Jun 15th 2007 85056 posts
Thu Apr-14-11 11:29 AM
10. "I got a question, and it may be a stupid one but fuck it." In response to Reply # 0 Thu Apr-14-11 11:30 AM by BrooklynWHAT
If we live in soulless (vapid as i read it) times, and art reflects life, than wouldnt the music also being soulless be the appropriate thing?
(edit) and by soulless, do you mean devoid of feeling or devoid of the instruments and standards that are typical of soul?
FWIW, i dont think today's music is soulless, it just reflects the soul of today's society, which is probably how it was back in the day too. it just manifests in a different way. at least thats how i rationalize it.
21. "There are no stupid questions" In response to Reply # 10
>If we live in soulless (vapid as i read it) times, and art >reflects life, than wouldnt the music also being soulless be >the appropriate thing?
Yes. I completely agree with it. The music is very reflective of the times. And perhaps is a reason when I listen to a ot of artist trying to make soul music. They are in essence trying to revive it without placing it in the soulless context. And as such the efforts are transparent to me and soulless by context even if they do hit all the right notes.
>(edit) and by soulless, do you mean devoid of feeling or >devoid of the instruments and standards that are typical of >soul?
Closer to devoid of feeling. Authentic feeling. Emotions take effort to convey without the soul as a medium to convey them.
>FWIW, i dont think today's music is soulless, it just reflects >the soul of today's society, which is probably how it was back >in the day too. it just manifests in a different way. at least >thats how i rationalize it.
Again I agree with it. I think this is mostly in reference to those like me who can remember when we socially weren't soulless and are so confused by our expectations that we can't recognize that indeed we are in soulless times.
12. "RE: imcvspl's Deep Thoughts: We live in soulless times, which music refl..." In response to Reply # 0 Thu Apr-14-11 12:00 PM by GMD
I agree with the basic premise of this post wholeheartedly.
People don't care about talent anymore, it's all about "respecting someone's hustle/ grind." It doesn't matter if their music sucks, as long as they keep cranking it out, that's enough for some people.
"Look at this nigga tryin to be all artsy." People seem to be bothered by talented/ smart people. It fucks with their self esteem. They want artists they can relate to or someone that helps them escape their day to day life.
Fuck talking about music, try finding a mate. These chicks out here don't give a damn about nothing, unless it's about fuckin and partying. They just wanna keep it real superficial and casual. That's cool if all you wanna do is fuck but I'm looking for somebody to connect with.
People tell me I need to keep up with the times but I refuse if that means becoming a shallow, soulless, brain dead follower, wearing skinny jeans and shouting "Swag!" every 10 seconds.
The General forum depresses the shit out of me. These are grown ass people acting like teenagers who just discovered sex recently.
I think the internet has played a big part in why people are the way they are. Instant gratification NOW. Anything that takes a little time or effort ain't worth doing to a lot of folk. That's society today, they want it all and they want it now. Music (as it tends to do) reflects the mind state of the masses.
17. "What in the word does this have to do with soul or the lack there of?" In response to Reply # 12
"People don't care about talent anymore, it's all about "respecting someone's hustle/ grind." It doesn't matter if their music sucks, as long as they keep cranking it out, that's enough for some people.? _________________________________ Reunion Radio Podcasts Bringing Together Five Decades of R&B/Funk/Soul/Dance
25. "RE: What in the word does this have to do with soul or the lack there of..." In response to Reply # 17
Nowadays, people value grind/ hustle over talent, soul, message, content, lyricism, etc. Opposed to what was valued by past generations of music listeners.
Soul is not cherished or even expected. They just want music to party to.
32. "Why do arguements like this keep recurring?" In response to Reply # 0
Every generation has a older head complaining about it. It's like the older you get the more it becomes difficult to maintain perspective. Like the box gets smaller...really? You dont think these kids out here aint feeling the music? It aint touching their soul...same manner it did for you in your youth...just in a different form?
Now, i'd agree the mainstream market is soulless thus reflects in the music.
33. "Because you have a victim complex?" In response to Reply # 32
This is much deeper than them young kids is doing it wrong. I mean check my date, all of the music that I came up on and consider classics of my generation are thrown under the bus with this as well.
>Now, i'd agree the mainstream market is soulless thus reflects >in the music. > >But music in general?? An emphatic...NAH
I also didn't say there were no artists with soul left.
34. "I read what you said. blanket statements. " In response to Reply # 33
You're right...its deeper than the youth. Its all fans. Everyone has their own definition of soul. Soul is everywhere...i dont get it.
“You can play a shoestring if you're sincere” - Coltrane
Sincerity = Soul/Swag/Grime/Backpack/Trap,etc
All fans can sense it from the artists in their respective genres. Aka REAL. Those are the artists that usually get the most love and/or longevity. I really dont see a problem with music...its better, easier access, more diverse than ever. Niggas just running around with their heads cut off cuz the usual tastemakers are gone.
37. "still missing it trying to defend what you like... unnecessarily" In response to Reply # 34
>You're right...its deeper than the youth. Its all fans. >Everyone has their own definition of soul. Soul is >everywhere...i dont get it.
the last point is true.
>“You can play a shoestring if you're sincere” - Coltrane > >Sincerity = Soul/Swag/Grime/Backpack/Trap,etc
False. I mean seriously there's no line that goes from soul to trap with equality.
>All fans can sense it from the artists in their respective >genres. Aka REAL. Those are the artists that usually get the >most love and/or longevity. I really dont see a problem with >music...its better, easier access, more diverse than ever. >Niggas just running around with their heads cut off cuz the >usual tastemakers are gone.
You don't see a problem with music. Good. I'm very glad for you. I don't see a problem with music either. I see a social problem. Socially we are soulless and without imagination. Here try this on, what's the most imaginative piece of music you've come across of late? Did it seem to come from the soul or was it an orchestrated effort?
41. "Don't be pretentious..." In response to Reply # 37
>False. I mean seriously there's no line that goes from soul >to trap with equality.
The point i was making is folx grab what (i admittedly assume)you are referring to as the essence of soul from ALL music. It is what the quote was alluding with being sincere. The term soul is in a box at this point. Sincerity & Emotion is what all fans look for regardless of style/genre. It's in abundance.
>>Socially we are soulless and without imagination.
Curious as to how you've come to this conclusion.
>Here try this on, what's the most imaginative piece of music >you've come across of late? Did it seem to come from the soul >or was it an orchestrated effort?
All music i personally enjoy as of late has been imaginative. Erykah Badu's latest artistic direction is what immediately comes to mind. If i dont, you'll usually see me post a song is boring or meh or safe. On the flip, there's shit i hate but folx LOVE. I see that love. Can't hate so i opt to ignore.
Your post makes the music scope sound like its filled with Rebecca Blacks.
43. "i think for there to be 'soul' or something intangibly gripping" In response to Reply # 0
about the performance of a song there has to be some sort of magic and our culture doesn't really allow for people to really do that since everything from the beginning of the process to the end gets youtube'd and cataloged and licensed almost before the song gets released.
I think we live in a time where anything great seems possible, but that also means that the possibility for something greatly bland to be done or something not worth minding with ones time to be done as well.
I read somewheres that America ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as language and math but #1 in confidence in our skills. Maybe we'd be better off if we'd stop thinking all of our creations will set the world aflame and just realize that making something 'new' and impactful is something great to be a part of, but nothing to take for granted, which is why those artists of the past tower over us and make our attempts to match them seem feeble at times.
47. ""Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" vs "Fuck You"" In response to Reply # 0
Do you think "Fuck You" came from tapping into some emotional connection or merely a good marketing ploy with the dots connected between the choruses? Yeah D' ain't shoot no motherfucker, but damn sure he didn't emote it like he did. ________ Big PEMFin H & z's █▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃ http://concretesoundsystem.com The Underbelly - http://bit.ly/f5BmBR RIPL - http://bit.ly/e5wzxn Mo'Nium - http://monium.tumblr.com/
48. "i can't stand any cee-lo where he sings" In response to Reply # 47
he comes across so mawkish
he's a disney version of a soul man to me
_______________________________________ When discourse of Blackness is not connected to efforts to promote collective black self determinism it becomes simply another recourse appropriated by the colonizer
52. "i get it, but what the fuck are we gonna do about it?" In response to Reply # 51
_______________________________________ When discourse of Blackness is not connected to efforts to promote collective black self determinism it becomes simply another recourse appropriated by the colonizer
_______________________________________ When discourse of Blackness is not connected to efforts to promote collective black self determinism it becomes simply another recourse appropriated by the colonizer
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