Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 92
Date: Friday, 28 April 2000

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 92

                  Friday, 28 April 2000

Topics:

                    100% free of music
                     Re: Overratings
              Re: Pie Traps and Cake Nooses
The following Post has been rated "X", due to violin sax axe...
                   Re: Digital Bastard
                    Finally, success!
                    Silly little songs
                    Mummer and Nonsuch
                   Love It Or Hate It??
                Mystic crystal revelations
                 Can't we all get along?
                RE: Mr Gordon Sumner Esq.
         Re: My opinion can beat up your opinion
                       Sore Points
         Flash guitar. (Very little XTC content)
      Re: Digital Bastard is a good name for a band.
                   Warm Up the Organ...
               re re re: you choose poorly.

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I'm heading for the twilight zone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 18:13:45 -0700
From: "Wes Hanks" <wes@iolvegas.com>
Subject: 100% free of music
Message-ID: <000d01bfb0af$0d938400$2bb59fce@default>

Dear Miss Ann Elk,

Edward Gorey
RIP

*snif*

Wes "sorry, cartoonist sainthood has already been taken" Hanks

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 21:18:52 EDT
From: Nudeants@aol.com
Subject: Re: Overratings
Message-ID: <b2.4704c8e.263a40fc@aol.com>

In a message dated 4/27/00 12:35:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
<owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes:

<< Everything that they have done since (including the
 vastly underrated Mummer, and frequently slagged Big
 Express) is absolutely top drawer. Nonsuch was a
 refreshing "Back To Basics" return to "Good
 Old-Fashioned XTC Values" after the pure exuberance of
 O&L. And I love them both.

 OK, you can shoot me down in flames now. >>

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU

This sums up how I feel about XTC.

Matt Mitchell

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 21:33:01 EDT
From: Nudeants@aol.com
Subject: Re: Pie Traps and Cake Nooses
Message-ID: <db.365fe96.263a444d@aol.com>

In a message dated 4/27/00 5:06:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
<owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes:

<< And here endeth today's sermon. Twat.

 An over-reaction? Well, I could have said...

 >>SHUT YOUR WRETCHED PIE TRAP YOU RIDICULOUS PRICK!
  >>

Goddamn, Its (kind of) nice to see someone get WAY more vehement than you
normally would about something you thought you believed in strongly.

I too love Heavy Metal.  Obituary, Napalm Death, Death, Gorguts, Human
Remains, Dilinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah, Today is The Day, Coalesce,
Cryptopsy...off the top of my head.  I realize that some metallers might not
approve of some of these choices, and I definitely would consider myself a
semi-dilettante in the area, but these bands have whet/wet my
musical/conceptual willie at one point or another.

matt mitchell

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 21:31:11 -0500
From: "Joe Funk" <twosheds@mindspring.com>
Subject: The following Post has been rated "X", due to violin sax axe...
Message-ID: <003301bfb0b9$e58c9fe0$7721fea9@user>

Chalklings..

For a second I thought I was on the wrong XTC list......

>Speaking of singing penises, Andy Partridge has more penis references than
>any musician on earth.  And they're not just erect, they're almost always
>*oozing*. I think someone out there should count them. I would, but I get
>these fainting spells.

Thanks for sharing, Nina.......

And YOU, Roger:

>OOO!!   Joe FUNK POP A VEIN!
(Your on a roll!)
>  Its not that I hate or dont get the song , I just happen to like pop songs
>better. Songs that I can  bop my head to. Try that with "That Wave".
CRACK!!
>I have to say though, the transition between "Wave " & Then She Appeared" is
>one of THE highlights.
> I was trying to fit " I dont give twosheds" in this post somewhere,but I
>couldnt.

I don't give twosheds?.......  ROGER!!!   You can do better than that...
XTC?....  Yeah!  That head-boppin' band!!...  I admit to occasionally
bopping to XTC, but there's more to their music than the tempo!!!  If that
was true, I would have quit on them after Terry C. left!!  BOLLOCKS!!!

Finally, to save you the trouble of typing it yourself, Roger, I will
include the masterfully worded epiphet of choice these days, in my
name..........

Joe "SHUT YOUR WRETCHED PIE TRAP YOU RIDICULOUS PRICK" Funk
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, now then, did you write this symphony....in the shed?""

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 21:04:53 -0700
From: "Radiosinmotion" <radiosinmotion@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Digital Bastard
Message-ID: <008001bfb0c6$e90204a0$0200a8c0@digitalpc>

All this just for one statement?  Why not just say "no it does not suck, I
like heavy metal?"  Hope you relieved yourself.  Now find your daily dose of
Prozac Dom.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 00:16:10 EDT
From: "Jane Spencer-Davis" <janesunfish@hotmail.com>
Subject: Finally, success!
Message-ID: <20000428041610.11912.qmail@hotmail.com>

Chalkutations Chunkies!

I'd just like to share that I just ordered tickets for the Orchid Show on
June 17th. BTW, don't attempt to order them on ticketweb: they're not
selling the tickets. One has to call the 'Kitchen' itself (complete with
that not-so-friendly ticket man (from the cat detector van) to buy
tix). Any other Chalkhillians going that night who want to gather for
collective merriment email me off-list. Check the 'what's new' section of
the chalkhill before you ask me what the hell it is.

Re: the tangled threads we weave: I liked both Permanent Waves and Moving
Pictures! Then again, I was in high school at the time.

Brenan and Nina: I have, at times also pondered the preponderance of penis
imagery in the catalogue. Then again, it's fun and definately 'food' for
thought! Mind out of gutter, self.

Bisected accidentally, one summer afternoon by me I love him carnally.
Semi-carnally. The End. -Jane

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 01:27:37 EDT
From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com
Subject: Silly little songs
Message-ID: <fb.5071ede.263a7b49@aol.com>

Greetings again!

As I mentioned in my last message, here is the play list for the casette I
made of the Andy Partridge demos.  I did not have Colin's, so I couldn't call
this strictly a proposed AV2, but it was fun to put it together and defnitely
enhanced my enjoyment of the demos.  What prompted me was that having already
heard AV1 I wanted to hear only the other tunes.  I used them all, so it's a
little long for what would be a commercial release, but I didn't want to deny
myself.  So without further adieu...

Side 1

Playground
We're All Light
Dame Fortune
Wounded Horse
Stupidly Happy
Paper Snow
Wonder Annual
I Don't Wanna Be Here
Church of Women
Didn't Hurt A Bit

Side 2

My Brown Guitar
You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful
All I Dream Of Is A Friend
My Train Is Comin'
Prince Of Orange
Bumper Cars
The Ship Trapped In The Ice
The Wheel And The Maypole

Then I filled out the side with the James & The Giant Peach stuff.

I especially like  Prince of Orange going into Bumper Cars.  Playground to
We're All Light works really nice too.

Anyway, I made this tape last summer.  I know it's moot now that we know,
but its a bit of fun, and a great way to enjoy the demos, especially the
ones that didn't make the cut.

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this, but don't you think that, based on
the James & the Giant Peach stuff, that Andy could put out a killer kid's
record?  (Don't laugh!  It's big biz!)  Those of you who are family
oriented ought to try those songs on their toddlers and see!

Doesn't Dame Fortune kick ass?  I Love that silly little song!

Just one last two bits about Black Sea.  I'd like to respond to the person
who felt that 'Cuba' was one of the songs that held back BS from being a
perfect album.  Perspective in time is my consideration.  While I would
never consider it a great piece of songwriting, it wasn't meant to be.
Therein lies it's charm.  Sure the lyrics are dated and somewhat strident,
albeit devilishly clever.  But the sound, the energy, the incessant drive,
the certainty of delivery - it's the best dance track they ever made!  It
fits in beautifully to the feel of the album, and was no doubt a live
favorite at the time.  Remember (if you can) that at that time almost
everyone was doing dance mixes.  This probably grew out of one of Andy's
grooves.  You do know he put out an album (I forget the name - my friend
has it and I haven't copied it yet) at this time that was all dance mixed
instrumentals, including a mix of 'Millions' from D & W.  'Living Through
Another Cuba's beauty is in it's performance.  It rocks!  I can't stop
moving when it's on!  A great pogo / ska tune!  (Rememberrrrr, people - any
of you?  All the rockers were doin' some of it!  The Police made a career
of it!  It's also one of Terry's greatest moments!  The same could be said,
to a lesser extent, of Sgt. Rock (my least favorite on the album).  Neither
song really ruins the album.

Besides, what would XTC be without silliness?  Right?  Don't a lot of you
love that silly 'Frivolous Tonight'?  I read some of you saying it was one
of Colin's greatest songs!  Cut me a break! (more on Colin on another
post).  So, there you go!  But, that's just my opinion......

I'll be in touch with more whimsical observations soon.  Later, troops!

Tom "I should have time on my hands?" Kingston

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 03:18:54 EDT
From: BrainiacsDaughtr@aol.com
Subject: Mummer and Nonsuch
Message-ID: <7d.4235666.263a955e@aol.com>

Am I the only person who loves Mummer around here?  Its high on my list of
favorite XTC albums.  Strange.  I do have a problem with Nonsuch but it has
nothing to do with the songs - the songs are fabulous!  I'm just not a fan
of the way the album sounds.  Very sleek, very clean, very professional,
drives me batty ;) For some reason I love this quality in a group like
Steely Dan, but not for XTC.  I guess I think of XTC as having a more
homegrown feel.

Napster? Well its been great to get those single songs I want, but I don't
want to have to shell out $10-20 for an entire CD.  The only thing that
kept me from purchasing the songs was not having a convenient/attractive
way to obtain them individually.  I know some sites offer this option but
#1) the selections I've found so far have been limited and #2) I don't have
a credit card to do online purchases.

Napster has also been a great testing ground to check out artist and to
decide if I want to purchase their records.  Once I find some music that I
grow to love and cherish, near CD quality just doesn't cut it.  I want the
best sound I can get, and I want the people who give my ears such a
wonderful listening experience to get their just due.  I have a few songs
from Wasp Star, but as soon as the CD comes out, I'll be clearing up that
space on my hard drive.

To each his own (or her own)

Laurie

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:36:03 +0100
From: "Steve Pitts" <spitts@thesaurus-computers.co.uk>
Subject: Love It Or Hate It??
Message-ID: <802568CF.00350519.00@mail.thesaurus-computers.co.uk>

In #6-90 Damian Wise bemoaned the difficulty in distinguishing the sound of
'dd' from 'tt' and asked:

> If anyone has any solutions to this problem please let me know <

Either you all learn to enunciate properly, or those of us that are
anal-retentive enough to care about the accuracy of the written word are
going to have to learn to live with the sloppiness of spelling that is
inevitably linked to a sloppiness of speech.

Jeff Thomas listed those albums over which there was the least dissension
and stated:

> "White Music" and/or "Go 2" would be either tied for first or close No.
2s (because *nobody* seems to love them) <

Well, I'll be the (maybe lone) dissenting voice on this one then. I've said
it before, and I'll say it again, IMO there is something to 'love' in every
XTC album and these two are no exceptions. Add the rose-tinted nostalgic
hue of distance, and the fact that punk was 'my generation', and I see no
reason to dislike anything much on either album (and yes, I even like 'My
Weapon')

and whilst we are on the subject, our Diamond in the rough opined:

> the three most argued-about albums seem to be Nonsuch, Mummer, and The
Big Express, and almost no one likes all three <

As you can no doubt guess, I'll add my voice to that of Todd Bernhardt and
state that I like all three, although the bonus tracks crammed into the
middle of the album really do make Mummer a slightly less enjoyable
experience than it ought to be.

Cheers, Steve

NP: King Crimson - Beat

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 06:49:59 +0000
From: Scott Barnard <gforsche@videotron.ca>
Subject: Mystic crystal revelations
Message-ID: <"001701bfb0dd$f9393480$736ac818"@oemcomputer.videotron.ca>

>There's something for every time and mood in your life. if an album or song
doesn't reach you, it's because you're not letting it<

I would like to be the first to offer a warm welcome to Deepak
Chopra, who has recently joined the list.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:11:20 -0500
From: Programs Temp <programs_temp@pta.org>
Subject: Can't we all get along?
Message-ID: <FCC7EC9332B9D211B0100008C759359D0183D54F@NPTA1_MAIL>

>>"Oh, maybe I am alone in this, but didn't Heavy Metal really suck?"

>"No. Prick."

Okay, I thought he was talking about the movie Heavy Metal, not the genre.
Maybe I missed something.

Do we have to call each other names? This is an XTC fan e-mail list, for
gosh sakes.  How serious can it be that we must become uncivil?

I much prefer gentle, witty barbs. They're entertaining, not too hurtful,
and require a bit more thought (My favorite from Andy, talking about a rabid
fan who traveled to Swindon, found Andy walking his dog, and wouldn't leave
him alone - "He was a fan with a capital F").

I think Heavy Metal is one of the murkier genres.  Is Black Sabbath Heavy
Metal?  Okay, then How about Led Zeppelin?  Queen (think Sheer Heart
Attack)? Okay, so is Whitesnake heavy metal? Motely Crue? Metallica (okay,
easy one probably). How about Queensryche? *Speedway*?  Smashing Pumpkins
lift a lot of what I call Heavy Metal riffs, are they Heavy Metal? How about
Tad? Skinny Puppy? Primus? The famous Rush? I agree that you can't just
dismiss a whole genre, but I think when one says "Heavy Metal", everyone
gets their own image.

And speaking of hot frothy chocolate, I talked earlier about the fact that
one of things I liked about XTC is that it's hard to dismiss any particular
song, because there's always something.  So my challenge is this: what XTC
song would be absolutely perfect to you if just one small thing was
different, and what XTC song could you absolutely dismiss if just one thing
was removed?  I would give my own examples, but I'll have to do it later.
It requires thought, and I'm at work.  I don't like to think at work.

My birthday is International Workers Day.  I call upon all North Americans
to stay away from their jobs, in honor of *ME*. Go find a Maypole, or gather
mushrooms in a glen.

Perhaps build a small shrine to *ME*, the Queen Goddess of All Things Right
and Good. Wouldn't kill you, eh?

Solidarity Forever,

Nina "NO BOSSES, RENT IS THEFT" Stratton

PS: Thanks to the very nice person who recommended the book High Fidelity.
It was hilarious, insightful, and went WAY to quickly.  I'm already halfway
into my next Nick Hornsby novel, About a Boy.  It too, is great and moving
too fast. Fair warning: if you take one of these books on the train to read
in the morning, you will embarass yourself with uncontrollable laughter.  I
wasn't embarrassed, but that's not YOU, is it?

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 16:41:39 +0100
From: "Smith, David" <David.Smith@tfeurope.com>
Subject: RE: Mr Gordon Sumner Esq.
Message-ID: <802EE5D7277AD21188D10008C728D44803255E48@TFSECMSG02>

OK, I'm now going to stick my metaphorical schlong out dangling in the
wind. I fully expect - almost anticipate - it's ritual chopping off,
but I'm gonna do it nonetheless.

I . . . well you see . . . it's like this . . .errrr, I like Sting.

There, I've said it - wasn't so bad after all.

Sure, the Police took punk and reggae and fused it into user-friendly
riff-pop.  So what, that's not so far off what Andy and Colin did in
their early career.  Just 'cos one sold by the bucketload and the
other didn't . . . one of those things I'm afraid. Helped by the fact
that Mr Sumner is, let's be fair, a devastatingly handsome fella - not
an epithet that can be readily applied to our Andy.

Solo, he started off a little pretentious - OK, he was always a tad up
his own arse - but he continued to produce absolute gems. And, yes, I
know, there were some turds in amongst them.

But for me, throughout his entire career, Sting has done for me
exactly what Andy does for me. OK, Andy does it better and more
consistently, but both of them do the two things that appeal most to
me in a song - they tell a damn good story and layer it with superb
musicianship and songwriting craft.

The result - interest and imagination. With XTC's work (especially
since Mummer) I find I can't background it. I can't put on Nonsuch and
say "right I'll listen to this while reading a book". I get lost in
the mental images the song creates in my imagination and 40 minutes
later I land back on planet Earth.

And for me, it's the same with Sting's better stuff. Most of his first
two albums (I SAID most - we've all heard "Russians" and guffawed) are
full of outstanding tracks. The next two are patchy, the last two
patchier still - in fact they display worrying signs of him heading
towards the Phil Collins "safe Disney mode".

However, at his best - I'm not going to bother with examples, cos
it'll just get messy - he conjours up mental images that keep me
interested. I have to admit that I think "Fields of Gold" is just a
fantastic song (hey, what happened to not using examples - self
editor?). It tells a story, the song itself is simple but brilliantly
crafted - hey, goddamit, it's nice and I'm secure enough to admit I
like nice things.

I know there are a myriad of reasons not to like him - the tantric sex
bollox, the self-indulgent rainforest beanos, that luuuuudicrous
wedding, and especially tight leather keks on a man who must be closer
to 50 than 40 etc. But hey, he's not that bad - good stories, jazzy
music, excellent playing and a reasonable degree of musical integrity.

I like him. However, I won't say "leave him alone" - if you can't
stand him, fairy nuff.

OK, flame away . . .

Smudgeboy

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 11:28:21 EDT
From: RMJENN@aol.com
Subject: Re: My opinion can beat up your opinion
Message-ID: <ae.45219ee.263b0815@aol.com>

I'm not really replying to the above post, I just liked the title.

After reading "Song Stories" last Christmas, I was struck by how the
various XTC albums over the past 20+ years reflected what the band (Andy in
particular) was going through at the time the songs were written and
recorded.  This is especially apparent for the albums coming after English
Settlement.

Mummer and the Big Express were written after the band retired from
touring, so they are more experimental efforts--the band no longer had to
be concerned with recreating the songs in concert.  I always lump these
albums together in my mind, probably because they came out in fairly close
succession.  While not my particular favorites, I see them as the band's
transition from a basic rock 'n roll band (i.e., most songs written for the
guitar and drum sounds produced on stage), to a studio group (similar to
the late-60s Beatles).

Skylarking sounds the way it does because of the (good/bad) experience of
recording in the isolation of Todd Rundgren's upstate N.Y. studio.  The
chapter on this album in "Song Stories" is fascinating.  If I had to pick a
favorite album, this would probably be it, although on some days AV1 gets
the nod.  I view these two albums as XTC's most fully realized works, even
though I've been following the group since English Settlement.  I also
think that Skylarking is better as originally released (without Dear God).

Oranges and Lemons was recorded in a big-time L.A. studio, a much different
environment than the band was used to working in.  This contributes to the
"bright" sound of the album, although I don't agree with the "overproduced"
label that frequently gets stuck on O&L.  I just got the Ultradisc edition
of the album (for $14.99, thanks to whoever posted about the sale at
Acoustic Sounds) and I think Mobile Fidelity's mastering job really
improves the sound of the album.  I think O&L is the most "fun" listening
experience, although it has some undeniable clunkers.

Nonsuch came after a long period of writer's block for Andy, as well as
increasing trouble with Virgin.  Again, this is another "unique" sounding
album, given the rather rustic studio it was recorded in (Chipping Norton)
and Gus Dudgeon's low-key production.  Not my favorite, although certainly
not a bad album.  It just tends to slip when I rank it against the others.

This is my point, however.  When comparing XTC albums, it's like comparing
apples (venus) to oranges (& lemons).

Finally, AV1 came after the *long* recording strike against Virgin.  Seven
years is a long time to work on anything and the exquisite craftsmanship of
the album shows this.  Easter Theatre is XTC's most breathtaking song (to
date), IMHO.

Not only are we talking about albums from different phases in the band's
career, we are also comparing songs composed by someone in their 20s with
other songs written by that person in their 40s.  Who among us would want
something we produce today compared with something we did twenty years ago?

Anyway, "Song Stories" really illuminated XTC's work for me and revealed
the external forces that made each album sound the way it does.  The more I
think about it, the more absurd it seems to "rank" the albums of a group
with a long and tortured career like XTC.

Bob J.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 17:57:22 +0200
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Subject: Sore Points
Message-ID: <20000428155314.68E76A6D05@mail.knoware.nl>

Dear Chalkers,

This is, like, totally unfair:

> > 10.  You've seen a Rush gig (-55 points)

But honestly, i couldn't help it ! ! !
They were playing as the "token Heavy Metal band" at an otherwise
very cool festival that also featured Elvis Costello, The Specials and
loads of other acts.

It's just not fair to deduct so many points for this; certainly not for
someone who has had the misfortune of seeing almost every major
act except the greatest band on earth.

But then again... i did get to see & hear Dave play a couple of tunes
"live and direct" in his livingroom. So tell me, how many points do i
get for that? ;)

My 2 cents in the Nonsuch debate: it's awesome and if you dont "get
it" you should have your ears examined. You do need a good HiFi
set (in particular the speakers) or even better, some top notch
headphones to get the most out of this album. And PLAY LOUD !

yours in xtc,

Mark S. @ the Little Lighthouse  www.come.to/xtc

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 12:00:35 -0400
From: Michael Kearns <mikearns@voyager.net>
Subject: Flash guitar. (Very little XTC content)
Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20000428120035.00794db0@mail.en.com>

John Peacock quoted Ralph DeMarco:

>> <snip>>Also, to those who
>> might think that speed of playing has anything to do with talent should
>> listen to Eddie Van Halen - all flash, no soul.

I have listened to _some_ Eddie Van Halen.. I do not agree that he is "all
flash, no soul" but that's Ralph's opinion, and "that's... okay". (BTW, I'm
not very big on Sammy Hagar-era VH.) However, this sort of thinking so
often devolves into the assertion that "flashiness = soullessness" which is
simplistic and undeservedly harsh. It often comes from guitar players who
are too lazy to practice or develop their own style.

EVH certainly does not _always_ play flashy, and when he does it's used for
good effect, IMO. As a teen he would practice in his bedroom on weekends
while his brother and friends would go out and party. That's dedication. He
developed a unique way of expressing himself, and exploded on the guitar
scene with something very new (for that time).

... and then John replied...

>I believe it was Mr Thompson who, a number of years ago, said that judging
>a guitar solo on the speed of playing was like judging a novel on how fast
>it was typed.

I agree with this statement to the extent that it is absurd to judge a
guitar solo _solely_ on speed. I agree with it when applied in broad terms:

* A guitar solo is not necessarily good just because it happens be flashy.
* A guitar solo is not necessarily bad just because it happens be flashy.

Every musician has limitations. It is possible to strive to transcend them
and/or work within them -- hopefully for musical purposes. One should try
to do both, i.e., play upon your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. I
am no flash guitar god by a long shot, but I work hard at finding my
"voice". I generally don't "work on speed", but the more I play, the more
confidence I have, and this gives me the ability to incorporate
"speed-bursts" into my solos.

"Fast" is a relative concept, though it can be measured (e.g., beats per
minute; perhaps "notes per second"). Speed is related to the durational
element of music. Depending on what the player is trying to do, it may be
necessary to access a wide portion of the speed spectrum. One note from
B.B. King or Robin Trower can send shivers down my spine, but so can a
flurry of notes from Hendrix, Buddy Guy or Van Halen.. or Segovia playing
a Bach suite.

XTC Guitar moment of the day: "Do What You Do"

Mike "I once saw Adrian Belew play his guitar with a balloon that he held
in his teeth" Kearns

"Fast is good, loud is better, fast and loud is best" -- P.D.Q. Bach

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 11:18:38 -0600
From: William Loring <bloring@tirerack.com>
Subject: Re: Digital Bastard is a good name for a band.
Message-ID: <B52F240E.2837%bloring@tirerack.com>

Hey Dom, why don't you tell us what you really think? I mean really, stop
all this beating around the bush, and come out with it!

You certainly stretch the limits of creative ways to insult others. You are
on the bleeding edge of put-downs. You are outstanding in your field.
Anyway, I can't say your response surprised me, but I laughed. Maintain the
status quo, man. (you know I'm mostly joking, right?)

****

The "This song/album/genre/person/band/artist sucks/rocks/should die a
violent and horrible death" debate:

Here's what I've learned on this list: If you want to stay out of trouble
you should avoid expressing any sort of opinion about... well, anything at
all. Of course we know that some folks live for trouble, so they are free to
ignore this advice. Anyway, this is what the vast majority of subscribers
do, they just don't post.

So, (putting on my best Eric Idle insincere host/presenter voice) as far as
you know, I like all of XTC's music, but if I didn't like any of it, I
wouldn't tell you. Of course if you think I shouldn't like certain songs,
you are free to believe that I don't, if you wish. My opinion is exactly
like yours, and we're the smartest two people on the planet.

In all seriousness, Wasp Star rocks the f-ing house, it sounds great when
played really loud in my car with the windows down. (The only place I'm
really allowed to play music loud these days)  Make all your friends buy
this disk when it comes out.

****

Dom again: Like the Cardiacs, by the way. Thanks for the sampler. I'll have
to pick up a CD. Didn't see so many Crimson influences, as I did early
art/prog rock Genesis type cues. Funny, I thought you were a metalhead.
(grin)

...bill

"Gosh, I wish I could think of some cool and enlightening quote that would
show everyone how smart I am. I would put it on the end of every single
message I post, so that I can waste bandwidth by making everyone download it
every time they get a new chalkhills. That would be cool." -- anonymous.

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Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:42:30 -0700
From: "Dane Pereslete" <peresd@tcwgroup.com>
Subject: Warm Up the Organ...
Message-ID: <s9096b16.071@acacia.tcwgroup.com>

Debora put forth...

>I think we may have the title for the next XTC album....
>...*Singing Penis*...

OH NO! If that were to be the title, I fear it might turn into
a real *wank fest*...;-)

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Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 14:30:18 EDT
From: Powerpop10@aol.com
Subject: re re re: you choose poorly.
Message-ID: <ce.4a6ef11.263b32ba@aol.com>

Dear Chalkhillians,
My how I wept tears of laughter to Wes Longs awfully clever take of Omnibus.
Go to the top of the class and jump off, you witty young thing you.
Oh, Mr Wes, you are a one. You do indeed remind me of a young Tom Lehrer.
Although he wasnt a fuckwit.

much obliged

Mr Powerpop.

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End of Chalkhills Digest #6-92
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28 April 2000 / Feedback