Between intense discussion in class and coming across this, i find myself wondering what's happening American perception of rock music. Fall Out Boy is probably one of the most popular rock bands that's around today--certainly they're one of the richest and get a ton of airplay. But their next record's concept is about Pete Wentz dealing with becoming a celebrity?
Come on. Who cares about that? If I'm not becoming a celebrity, how can I listen to his songs and relate to them, or feel connected to them? I guess I'm disappointed to see guys who made their first record crying about girls in their garages keep trying to make statements and be all epic. Stop. Trying. When Pete Townsend played and looked all fucking crazy jumping around a stage, you think he was thinking about how sad he was he couldn't keep up with his fans? Doubtfully. He just looked bad ass. Wentz's pyschological trauma/lyrics like "“I don’t care what you think, as long as it’s about me" just don't say rock and roll to me. Terrible song.
There's these growing divides, these boxes of rock and pop rock that both fall under the huge blanket of popular music. It saddens me when I see artists who belonged in the first catagory transgress to the second. It's not because they're "selling out" or whatever, and I don't care how many fans bands have whether its one or one million. It's just, if you're going to label yourself a rock and roll musician, you need to be that--not some glitzy, Hollywood-ified brat.
I want my rock stars to be just that--on lot of drugs, acting insane on stage, criminal record a plus. That's the way it's supposed to be.
