In defense of Gothism

Mark Steel wrote a defense of Lord Byron saying that no matter what you think of his poetry, one thing about him is very important. In an age of political sell outs and an increasing celebrity culture, he had passion. He cared about things.

These days, passion is increasingly hard to find- it can be found in small places but in the entertainment industry, can we really say that this music represents passion:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Kd7IGPyeg

(Coldplay – The Scientist)

Or this

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FZzqBqTqrZA

(The Killers – Spaceman)

And they’re the more respectable face of contemporary music. Don’t get me started on Britney or Beyonce or Alexandra Burke.

Let’s compare that, briefly, with probably the most manufactured metal band to emerge in recent years, Linkin Park:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KViOrW-r1O8

(Linkin Park – Crawling)

Now, the cynics amongst us know that Linkin Park formed part of Warner Brothers’ Alternative Mainstream Profit Base for the year of 2000/2001 but in spite of this, you feel something when listening to the music. Whether it’s exhilaration, irritation or disgust- there’s something there.

What’s there in the coldplay/killers track? Nothing. I can respect them as musicians and the Killers track would be quite catchy if I could forgive them for the whole “I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier” thing - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WSLfoZLgEQg) but once you get past the technically proficient nature of the music- what’s there?

I’m not talking about standing for things, by the way. Bono and Phil Collins stand for things, it doesn’t make their music any less bland.

I then compare this to what was my favorite band when I was growing up, Cradle of Filth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jLjjZnrRlc

(Cradle of Filth – From the Cradle To Enslave)

Now, I don’t care what you think about that song musically but what’s really important is it gets a genuine emotional reaction from people. Some hear white noise and want to turn it off, some (like me) feel a wave of… rage and exhilaration.

Even songs by My Chemical Romance that feature the words:

“You said you read me like a book but the pages are all torn and frayed”

Which is about a whiney and teenage as you can get represent emotion – in that particular instance they represent sitting in your bedroom crying about how no-one loves you but that’s something…

That Killers song has no emotion to it…. It’s just there.

And for that reason, if nothing else, is why Goth, emo, indie & metal music deserves your respect.

Well. Possibly not respect. Something.

I’ll shut up now. Sorry.