Blogcritics: Comments on Kylie and Robbie Together Again...and When Will America Catch On?

Comment by Eric Olsen

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:19:26 EST

"Icon" is certainly bandied about too readily, but also recall Kurt Cobain wasn't necessarily an "icon" in his time - dying young does wonders for one's iconhood, just ask Elvis, Marilyn, James Dean, Hendrix, etc.

Comment by Thanathos

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:41:45 EST

There are no icons since Kurt Cobain. Any others are just wannabes.

Comment by Sandra Smallson

Fri, 17 Dec 2004 18:19:51 EST

I have to say that Robbie Williams's lack of success in America gives me hope for American tastes. I find him extremely boring and other than Angel(which I could have sworn was a cover)every other Robbie song I like(ONE. called She's gone or something like that..he is ice skating in the vid) is a cover. So, that's two songs I can stomach. The Americans are not missing much. What he is doing in De-Lovely I will never know but then I find that movie a complete mess, perhaps it's because I have never been much of a Porter fan. Kylie. Now, if there's ever been a more deceptive 15 years in the business it's Miss Minogue. I would like you to kindly tell me what exactly Kylie achieved in the 90's...Wasn't that the period when she was dropped by her record label?..went the Nick Cave route with that Dirge of a song and decided she might just be a dance artist? So, let's be straight here. Kylie has been in the industry for 15 years. Yah. She's been around but, my friend..there's around and then there's AROUND. There's longevity and there's LONGEVITY. Consistensy my friend, is the name of the game. Not how long you've had a recording contract. Cyndi Lauper is more of a pop icon than Kylie because at least she's got 3 or more timeless perfect pop tracks that have stood the test of time for 20yrs plus. Also, I would caution the use of WORLD when referring to Kylie and Robbie. They are big stars in the UK. Big stars in certain parts of Europe, NOT ALL, but that my dear, is about it. Oh..yeah..we'll give Kylie big star in Australia too:) I like Kylie but I would eat my hat if one person from each country round the world was picked to list top 10 pop stars and Kylie's name came up in 40% of the lists. She's a pop star but by no means is she an ICON and just because I think the world is getting smaller I might concede the world pop star thing..but one of the biggest? Nah! Not in my book and I am a connoisseur of pop music. I don't give a rat's ass what people have got to say about pop. I find them misguided and it's their loss, but we are all entitled to whatever it is that gives us pleasure. I just get sick of people bandying the word ICON around. Next thing I know, they'll be calling the likes of Eminem, Usher, Timberlake and so on Icons as if it isn't just yesterday they opened their mouths. We are moving too fast. Let people earn their keep before we start crowning them. Although I must admit that out of the 3 I have used as examples, Usher stands out as one new Artist with more than 3 songs that one can imagine still listening to 5-10 years from now.

Comment by Mark Saleski

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 16:16:42 EST

i'm really enjoying it. like the use of the grinding dissonance in the guitar chords. i'll have to write somethin' up.

Comment by BRICKLAYER

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:28:05 EST

Hey Mark, That's cool, I hope you like it. I just listened to it again today (had to forgo my dance mix cd of Robbie Williams b-sides and outtakes to do it, but sometimes one has to make sacrifices), it doesn't grab hold of my little guys as much as their last one, "Jane Doe", but it is, like Mrs. Bricklayer likes to refer to her main man, a grower. If you hate it, I apologize, and I will refund your money or exchange it for an item of equal or lesser musical value.

Comment by Mark Saleski

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:20:04 EST

hey, bricky....guess what cd i bought last night?!

Comment by BRICKLAYER

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 14:44:47 EST

Or maybe, is it we just have our fill of our own cheez whiz American Pop Stars already, what with Britney and Jessica and Avril and so on and so on, and we just can't manage to squeeze anymore greatness and brilliance into our busy workaday lives? I mean, who has time to keep up with all this musical magic? Dilemna: I only have time to listen to one album today. Yeah, hmmm, lemme see, the new Robbie Williams or the new Blood Brothers...ummmm, yeah, you know the answer, biff. I guess we'll just have to leave it to perfectly sighted, able visioned, keen musical minds like yourselves to keep the faith alive for these moxy Euro-wunderkinds over here across the pond, wot, wot. I BOW TO YOUR SUPERIOR MUSICAL TASTE AND YES, YOUR DANDY FASHION SENSE ALSO!!!! And anyways, the Patriotic and American performer Kelly Clarkson has got the better junk in the trunk, like Sir Mix A Lot (better than Dizzee Rascal any day!!!) says, "I like 'em real big and juicy!"

Comment by Mark Saleski

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 13:19:40 EST

What's the roadblock to American success for these two icons? uhmmm....they're generic and boring?