Mustard loves this and your comments regarding music journalism. As a condiment who interviews independent musicians from all over the globe they receive requests pretty frequently. Often times PR firms will reach out to Mustard to request a review. Their main selling point often time is how many Spotify streams they have and popular sites like you mentioned that have highlighted them. Mustard could care less about Spotify streams. Mustard is more likely to set up an interview with an artist if they reach out directly. It feels more personable that way. These firms also do not care that you currently have submissions closed. They will continue to reach out without accepting that this condiment has no plans to do anything else. It is partially a reason why Mustard is closing shop in June.
Sam, you caught me on the very heels of trying to give her new album a go (which I also did two weeks ago with Cowboy Carter). I continue to be unbelievably perplexed by these two middling talents who have been marketed to perfection. Your post is absolute music to my ears - every single line.
Your line about Swifties not actually being familiar with any real folk music hit me right in the heart. This is what I keep saying. Have any of these people actually listened to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Damien Rice, or more obscure artists like Beth Orton or Erin McKeown? Incredible lyricism, musicality, and blessed with voice-as-instrument talent. How they are missing out.
I was intrigued on TPD by the track with Florence + The Machine. When Flo enters the track, it’s such a stark representation of just how out of her depth Swift is. Florence Welch could sing the phone book and it would be art. Swift is just treacly gumball vocals, even if she turns a clever lyric now and then.
I'm with you for most of the article, but not on this point: "Taylor Swift is Elon Musk for women."
Elon Musk has no *actual skills* beyond having continuously failed upwards for his whole life as a hyper-privileged child of wealth, while constantly aspiring to ruin ever-greater spheres of public life.
Taylor Swift can play instruments and sing. Her music isn't for me, but I'm not about to compare anyone who can actually *do things* to Elon Musk.
It feels like a media assault. She's on every magazine cover -- I saw three on a row at the grocery store. Why do they want me to care about her? What is it about this particular industry meat puppet? People refer to "Taylor" as if she's a mutual friend of ours. I don't know anyone named Taylor. The Taylor Swift worship was already weird ten years ago (and seemed most prevalent amongst catty people who don't take responsibility for their poor choices). Leave me alone to die, people.
Great write up, especially points on music reviews. I’ve never been a fan of good v bad in reviews. Just the feelings the music invokes. The worst criticism? “I feel nothing.”
I’m not a huge TS or B fan. The new TS album sounded like a sequel to me as well, so her fans will love it. Cowboy Carter? I consider it a masterpiece in genre bending bliss. American Requiem would have wowed Woodstock and is the social cry of the decade.
No one rants better than you, Sam. But if you know what's good for you, you will not show this post to your girlfriend. And btw, where are the stories (and pics) of your South America trip?
That whole article is just you flexing on us that you have a swifty girlfriend.
Mustard loves this and your comments regarding music journalism. As a condiment who interviews independent musicians from all over the globe they receive requests pretty frequently. Often times PR firms will reach out to Mustard to request a review. Their main selling point often time is how many Spotify streams they have and popular sites like you mentioned that have highlighted them. Mustard could care less about Spotify streams. Mustard is more likely to set up an interview with an artist if they reach out directly. It feels more personable that way. These firms also do not care that you currently have submissions closed. They will continue to reach out without accepting that this condiment has no plans to do anything else. It is partially a reason why Mustard is closing shop in June.
Sam, you caught me on the very heels of trying to give her new album a go (which I also did two weeks ago with Cowboy Carter). I continue to be unbelievably perplexed by these two middling talents who have been marketed to perfection. Your post is absolute music to my ears - every single line.
Your line about Swifties not actually being familiar with any real folk music hit me right in the heart. This is what I keep saying. Have any of these people actually listened to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Damien Rice, or more obscure artists like Beth Orton or Erin McKeown? Incredible lyricism, musicality, and blessed with voice-as-instrument talent. How they are missing out.
I was intrigued on TPD by the track with Florence + The Machine. When Flo enters the track, it’s such a stark representation of just how out of her depth Swift is. Florence Welch could sing the phone book and it would be art. Swift is just treacly gumball vocals, even if she turns a clever lyric now and then.
Bravo, and thank you for this.
📈📈 banger
I'm with you for most of the article, but not on this point: "Taylor Swift is Elon Musk for women."
Elon Musk has no *actual skills* beyond having continuously failed upwards for his whole life as a hyper-privileged child of wealth, while constantly aspiring to ruin ever-greater spheres of public life.
Taylor Swift can play instruments and sing. Her music isn't for me, but I'm not about to compare anyone who can actually *do things* to Elon Musk.
Hey no dissing the Scatman
I can't get past the cover photo of Beyonce's Country Carter. Sort of Velcrod awkwardly to the side of a horse.
So tremendously tiring. And even without any swifties in the family, I cannot get away because there's no block feature for phrases on threads. 😞
I love a good hate read about a good hate listen.
The other day in my local vinyl haunt I heard one girl sneer to another girl that Swift’s new album was “very light beer,” and then they giggled.
It feels like a media assault. She's on every magazine cover -- I saw three on a row at the grocery store. Why do they want me to care about her? What is it about this particular industry meat puppet? People refer to "Taylor" as if she's a mutual friend of ours. I don't know anyone named Taylor. The Taylor Swift worship was already weird ten years ago (and seemed most prevalent amongst catty people who don't take responsibility for their poor choices). Leave me alone to die, people.
Great write up, especially points on music reviews. I’ve never been a fan of good v bad in reviews. Just the feelings the music invokes. The worst criticism? “I feel nothing.”
I’m not a huge TS or B fan. The new TS album sounded like a sequel to me as well, so her fans will love it. Cowboy Carter? I consider it a masterpiece in genre bending bliss. American Requiem would have wowed Woodstock and is the social cry of the decade.
Yet, it’s all subjective. Isn’t it?
Oh, for the days when Rolling Stone continued to hate Led Zeppelin through most of the 'Seventies, EVEN THOUGH they were the #1 act in rock.
That was great. Two things I learned from it..
Wine Moms is a thing. Back in the 90s it was just called Moms.
and
There is a good time to stop ranting...sometimes I forget that... and often go mid rant mid story...
No one rants better than you, Sam. But if you know what's good for you, you will not show this post to your girlfriend. And btw, where are the stories (and pics) of your South America trip?
Gun to your head: that or Kim Kardashians