francis

I never said I was the only one. I find it incredible that my appreciation for the things I write publicly is being questioned. But wouldn't the opposite be strange? You write album reviews and think they suck?!? If they were bad, you wouldn't publish them, right? With this, I’m not claiming to hold the Truth; I’ve just stated that in my opinion, I’ve written some nice things, both in this review and in others on Debaser. Maybe at times I’ve written mediocre things; it can happen. But I don’t see what’s wrong with that, and I also don’t see where the disrespect would be in saying it.

Easycure, however, I don't just review Oasis; I've reviewed Morrissey, Pavement, Atari Teenage Riot, Belle & Sebastian... artists that are very different from each other and certainly not mainstream. This is mental flexibility, an interest in different musical genres and contexts, in my opinion.

Of course I do it with good reason. I'm not interested in Jesus, we don't socialize. Staying in biblical tones, I would like to point out, for example, this passage from my review: "but the two hidden gems of the album are found thanks to a Liam finally living up to expectations as a composer in 'Guess God Thinks I'm Abel,' where 'Our Kid's' voice moves among the acoustic guitars like a naked child in Eden, declaiming how God appeared to him asking if he was Abel... the Barrettian coda of the piece demonstrates how the 'psychedelic' vein of the record is entirely Liam's merit, who often seems to belong to and sing from another, very personal dimension." You tell me how someone who writes a piece like this can be acting in bad faith. I believe I have perfectly captured the mood of this record, and I certainly won't feel guilty about it.

Ajeje, I never said that Oasis are the symbol of intellectual emptiness...

Charlie, since you know my address, write it down here. And come visit me, I'm waiting for you.

The record playing on the turntable when they found Lester dead in his room was "Dare!" by the Human League... not exactly alternative, I'd say... Bangs reviewed the Rolling Stones, the Cars, Bowie, etc... all underground, I must say!!!

Eneatthedevil, I am indeed responding (to the authenticated ones) precisely because I have great respect, ABOVE ALL, for criticism. I am very critical of myself and I know I continually harm myself, even by writing reviews like this one that cannot be understood in their complexity. Like everyone, I wanted to let someone read the review, stating upfront that this is the last time. Criticism can be constructive if well-argued, and I only pay attention to those: otherwise, I wouldn't be responding with great patience to dissent. Certainly, I can definitely improve, but in stating that I believe I did a good job anyway, I don't see where I am lacking respect towards anyone. I don't force people to comment... it's the insults that are gratuitous; I don’t think there’s anything provocative in my attitude. We are talking about music, not politics, for fuck's sake.

Easycure, I honestly think I am very humble, extremely humble. I haven't asked anyone to agree with me, I haven't sought approval. I prefer challenges to sycophantic pats on the back. I only demand at least a minimum of civility. My intent is to provoke reflections, not to read from fake alternative children who use the swear words they learned in school the other day. To them, I say to thank me, because they don't always find someone to properly correct them. It's educational, isn't it? Anyway, Easycure, I repeat that I haven't created any "character," especially because online we all have to be "characters" by definition. I just don't stop at logical, obvious, trivial, and taken-for-granted things. I try to go beyond. But I still try to do it with great humility, because genius is something humble, while arrogance belongs to the mediocre, imho.

To Ajejebrazorf, I reply because he knows manners and has authenticated himself; to those who write anonymously, I reiterate to go fuck themselves and to ask for permission before interceding with me. So, telling you my 10 favorite albums is difficult; it would be easier to name 10,000, but here are 10 albums I’m very attached to:
1) Lou Reed - Transformer
2) The Smiths - The Smiths
3) Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left
4) Oasis - Definitely Maybe
5) The Jam - All Mod Cons
6) David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
7) Blur - Blur
8) The Beatles - White Album
9) Pink Floyd - The Piper At Gates Of Dawn
10) The Clash - London Calling

Here, I vote again.