tisdag 12 Feb 2008, 13:47

There are whispers and mutters that are starting to take hold and catch on - that indie is on its way out and pop and disco are where it's at.

Are they?

A few weeks ago, I recommended Hercules and Love Affair and their new morbid disco track, Blind, which features Antony Hegarty (of Antony & The Johnsons) at the helm, backed by very florid baroque dance music tinged with darkness. Cutting through the hype and promo, I'd agree they sound fresh and new, but is the world ready to make the shift?

I think we're in a void in terms of music trends. Indentikit indie bands are destroying what's left of a great genre. What started out in the early 80s as underground and unknown to the majority has now become the noise of choice. Bastardised beyond recognition, battered and mislabelled 'pop' by people who don't know what they're doing, Johnny Marr's intricate, shimmering genius is now nothing more than a jangly guitar mish-mash.

I think Coldplay are pushing their luck, delaying the release of their next album. Everyone knows it was ready last year. What are they waiting for? An entrance? They're in danger of leaving it too late. After the unexpected success of math rock going mainstream last year, we now have the horrendous Foals with their approximation of math rock via pop, citing Steve Reich for gravitas and inspiration from world music, "Senegalese and stuff."

Hahaha! Do one. Go on, hop it. Grown ups are talking.

They're boring. We're bored. The time is ripe now for something different, but which way will the wind blow? The unwritten rule for experimental avant garde is it must be oppositional. The norm is/was indie. What's opposite? Pop. Bubblegum pop would be the natural extreme. Pop and dance is where I think we should start seeing some more creativity soon.

Let's have a few minutes silence, remember the great and good, and have a look at where it all started.

The Smiths - This Charming Man

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kGnjrTkv1gs

And just for good measure: The Smiths - How Soon Is Now (Six Minute Version)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oZuLcfh5B8M

Babs My Gang

Related: RIP Indie : 1982 - 2008

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