When is a tune not a tune?

The fat one sent over a link about the Grammies. Very thought provoking, it brings up the issues of cultural change in the USA, and the politicization of the pop [middle]classes.
This aint a new idea, for sure, but I get a slightly queazy feeling, thinking of Green Day as a serious political band. Actually, I'm ashamed they even associate themselves with the left, as they epitomize everything ignorant and pious about the leftwing. I'm sure they are sincere, but that's actually irellevant. I had the misfortune of seeing the equally pious REM trundling out their oversimplified platitudes recently, and it just won't do at all.

Until the left realise they are out of touch, uninformed, ignorant and simplified, they won't be able to hold a candle to the mainstream right. The trouble is they're clinging to old ideas about moral high ground and 'the right thing to do', most of which date back to the 60's. These ideas were applicable at the time, but nowadays, it's not only hypocritical, it's totally impracticable to think we can believe in 'a better' world, or 'be free' of 'the man'. It's ridiculous really.

The article goes on to praise the growth of hiphop in major USA media, possibly citing it as a great example of black american culture spreading into a wider audience. What it actually is is a marketing trick to entertain the masses, offering harmless innoffensive pap to middle americans everywhere, singing and talking about romance, that girl dun me wrong type stuff, and a few tough boy images thrown in, so easy to sell sell sell. Nothing awkward, nothing unpleasant, just glamourous PAP, brought to you by [insert megabuck warlord of choice].
I believe it is one of the most easily manipulatable 'genres' ever, all product sponsorship and glamourpuss tardiness. [Shame, as real hiphop is some of the best music made at present.] They certainly won't be mentioning that Gotti bloke, methinks.

http://snipurl.com/cryx