josi_

Hal, congratulations and thank you for the post, it’s wonderful.

Damn, I hadn’t seen Anna. I feel like echoing Antmo’s opinion. Odradek, between this and El Perro, you’re getting specialized in albums with chicks, well done. When are we getting a review of Amon Duul II? :D

I arrive late but still in time for dinner. Monsieur Odradek, compliments.

Yes, yes, I confirm, fear. Terribly ahead of these folks. Lately, I've been doing well with concerts, Mogwai, Liars, Battles—one better than the other (well, Mogwai better than the Liars).

I yes, and you no. And I’m strafiki. Gnè gnè gnè

I pass by here after having seen Williams play in Battles (and now that I’ve read this review, I understand). I’m ready to give a 5 to anything made by Ian Williams (part 2)

After the Battles concert, I'm ready to give a 5 to anything made by Ian Williams.

And instead, your DeMenata is very, very engaging. I agree with what you say about the attraction that the dangerous knot exerts on us. For the rest, I believe it is necessary to distinguish the discussion on "de gustibus" from that on relativism. This term—brought into play here by HenryPurcell—involves the field of ethics and not that of art, but I think we do not intend to talk about ethics here, nor do I believe Henry intended to broaden the discussion beyond art, despite the reference to Jesus Christ (it's useless to hide that even if he wanted to expand on the theme of ethics, I would support him). So, it’s a matter of simple "de gustibus," and I believe I am not mistaken in interpreting your question about "value" in the sense of "artistic value." Well, as Ecsed said to Aeneas, the definition is certainly difficult, but that does not mean it does not exist. "De gustibus" is a principle that holds, certainly, but it must not be misunderstood: it indicates that every taste is legitimate, but it refers to the subject and not to the object. It means that no one can prevent another from appreciating a given object (music, book, painting), but it does not mean that all objects have the same value. If all reasonable people do not hesitate to consider Beethoven "better" than Carrà, it means there is a shared criterion. Understanding what that is leads to the fragmentation you mentioned. So it is useless and mentally masturbatory, but still damn interesting. And now I’m going to check out Battles. Best regards.

A Finn in a pub full of Swedes proposes to one: "I'll give you 200 euros if you let me smash 10 beer bottles on your head." The Swede, also under pressure from his friends, accepts. The Finn starts smashing beers on his head; when he gets to the ninth, he stops. The Swede: "What about the last one?" The Finn: "I'm not stupid, I’d have to give you 200 euros for the tenth."

The Swedish say, "when you shake hands with a Danish, then check if your hand is still there."