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Dr. Gonzo, by writing this you show me that you haven't understood anything of what I said. Renato Zero and the Grateful Dead exist ontologically on two distinct planes, not from a total existential point of view (even though my "crusade" against the music business would make me say otherwise...), but from an ARTISTIC perspective. In short, I don't mean that Renato Zero doesn't deserve to exist as a man in himself (I'm not crazy!), but rather as an artist. Because artistically, he is null (perhaps his very first albums are more acceptable). Do you have the courage to compare him to the Grateful Dead??

Duane's speech, although overly colorful and exaggerated, isn't to be dismissed. We must realize that objectivism and subjectivism intersect seamlessly; sometimes one prevails, sometimes the other, but they exist in an inseparable dualism. It's like saying: man is either all heart or all mind: he is both; it's just that sometimes we use one, sometimes the other. At other times, if we're lucky, we use them together in harmony, and our self benefits, as it reduces the contradictory gap that exists between the two.

cptgaio, you don't understand... I fully grasp your point of view, which is more empathetic, more of a Diltheyan Verstehn, rather than "intellectual." This does not change the fact that each of us, when expressing an opinion, seeks to justify it and "objectify" it as best as we can, and this means that each of us believes we are "in the right" (more or less unconsciously). So I certainly don't judge you for loving the Maiden, and I would never do that. Discussing personal tastes, that's what truly is foolish. I simply "cling" to what is most objective in the history of mankind. We are history, and everything we produce, and with this I also respond to Iride. Therefore, I conclude by saying that I don't want to be a snob; I also listen to stuff that isn't exactly the "creme de la creme" of rock, like Clap Your Hands Say Hello and Stellastar. I know they aren’t essential bands, but when I listen to them, they move me, and that’s enough.

No Duane, I didn't say that music is a more social factor than anything else, and I would never dream of saying that... the social component is just one among many. Furthermore, for me, metal is NOT at all a niche genre, but rather a musical culture that has spread more and more over time, and lives on its inexpressive stereotypes. In other words, metal is more commercial than one might think. Moreover, NOT all metal is poor quality; this seems to me to be at least OBVIOUS. There are also some great albums in that realm.

alessioIRIDE please, let’s not drift into simplism. Music is a product, first and foremost cultural, and as such it needs to be evaluated (if we want to talk about beauty and ugliness in art). Criticism is the art that becomes aware of itself, and we cannot deny its importance just because it suits us. Staying trapped ONLY in the subjectivity of personal tastes doesn’t seem like the most intellectually honest choice to me. The fact that the Velvet Underground innovated is beyond discussion. That Captain Beefheart was a genius is also clear (more or less understood). That The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu is a masterpiece seems undeniable to me. You or Cptgaio may think these three guys are awful, but that doesn’t change the fact that if there is an "objectivity" (I’ll put it in quotes anyway), these three are the most shining example of my thesis. Also, if music truly had no historical and cultural dimensions, we would be forced to put both the Grateful Dead and Renato Zero on the same "ontological" level, and that doesn’t seem beautiful to me. So, let’s welcome a critical attitude then (I’m not talking about specific critics, but about attitude and critical capacity).

kids, a G

But what about Gaio's point of view???? I brought you statistics, my son! Even 10-year-olds listen to Maiden, come on, are we going to fool ourselves and deny reality?? Conversely, how many 10-year-olds listen to Pere Ubu?

cptgaio, I never said you didn't know Fugazi... I just ask you to go to any Rock critic and ask them if, historically, in terms of expressiveness and originality, Repeater is worth more than any Maiden album... pay attention, I'm not talking about emotions, but about the most "objective" aspect of music... the cultural one.

Bublè, pardon.

Lanfranco points out sociologically that metal sells more than one might think... Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater reached the second (SECOND!) place in sales a few weeks ago, with Bubble at the top of the charts, if I remember correctly. The latest from Maiden has also sold very well. Ghost Reveries by Opeth reached the 35th spot in sales IN ITALY (or thereabouts) last year, not bad for a death prog band. Metal has a dizzying market; without a doubt, it’s the best-selling Rock genre after Pausini and Tiziano Ferro. Not to mention those little Power bands... Furthermore, in your post, I see biases against pop... but have you ever listened to Treasure by the Cocteau Twins or Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, by any chance? To me, they’re light years ahead of almost all Maiden albums. Finally, I didn’t say that power comes entirely from Maiden; I wrote "also" from Maiden, without taking anything away from albums like Rising by Rainbow, forerunners (if not outright inventors) of Power. P.S.: Can you guess which Rainbow song Powerslave resembles?