I pretty much agree with the author's view of France's new generation being less French (in a the cultural exception sense), but I cannot say how true is what he says about the us. I found the juxtaposition of the two dynamics interesting, though.
it does seem that in the US, no matter what the genre, almost all music you hear originates in the US, with the occasional "British invasion" or perhaps, every once in awhile, something from the Caribbean or Mexico.
If the French or anyone else wants what passes for "hip-hop" or "pop" these days in the US, they are more than welcome to take it off our hands 😀
One of the things that has really surprised me is the utter lack of anything from Chinese, Indian, or other Asian artists, even though a large number of immigrants now come from these places.
I would like to look at the Billboard Hot 100 and see at least half the acts coming from outside the US - and with at least half of these coming from outside Great Britain or Latin America.
It's the 21st century. Someone can record something in India or China and have it up on the internet for the rest of the world to download almost instantly. With over a billion people in each of these countries, there's got to be absurd amounts of talent that goes completely overlooked.
but the video itself doesn't need translation, and the soundtrack generally comes with translated subtitles. not so with music.
music is primarily affected by the lyrics (most people don't listen primarily to instrumentals unless they're only into classical, do they?)
do lyrics really translate well? if lyrics and vocals are a bit off, does it mostly come across as off, not as quaintly appealing, as is the case with films?
how is jonny hallyday? i liked him in Crime Spree, but haven't heard his music.
Originally posted by Melanerpes it does seem that in the US, no matter what the genre, almost all music you hear originates in the US, with the occasional "British invasion" or perhaps, every once in awhile, something from the Caribbean or Mexico.
If the French or anyone else wants what passes for "hip-hop" or "pop" these days in the US, they are more than welcome to take it off our ...[text shortened]... e countries, there's got to be absurd amounts of talent that goes completely overlooked.
There are a couple of Indian immigrants to the west which have fused eastern and western music styles with moderate commercial success; e.g. Karsh Kale, Talvin Singh. Ravi Shankar was successful in the west for a couple of decades (though I prefer the works of his nephew Ananda). Japanese rock bands have had some occasional success in the west; for example Loudness in the 80s and currently Boris is one of the biggest names in the drone/experimental scene with Sunn O))) and those guys while Koenjihyakkei is one of the bigger names of the recent zeuhl revival. You shouldn't have much trouble finding some Tuvan throat singing either (e.g. Huun-Huur-Tu).
Originally posted by KazetNagorra There are a couple of Indian immigrants to the west which have fused eastern and western music styles with moderate commercial success; e.g. Karsh Kale, Talvin Singh. Ravi Shankar was successful in the west for a couple of decades (though I prefer the works of his nephew Ananda). Japanese rock bands have had some occasional success in the west; for exam ...[text shortened]... . You shouldn't have much trouble finding some Tuvan throat singing either (e.g. Huun-Huur-Tu).
If all of these acts can get themselves onto the Billboard Hot 100, it might actually become worthwhile to turn the radio on again.
In the 1960's there was the famed "British Invasion" (and the Beatles did put out a number of songs with Indian influences) - and there was another one in the mid 1980's -- so we're due for another big "invasion" -- it would cool if the current decade featured a big influx of japanese rock and indian east-west fusion music into the US.
Originally posted by Melanerpes If all of these acts can get themselves onto the Billboard Hot 100, it might actually become worthwhile to turn the radio on again.
In the 1960's there was the famed "British Invasion" (and the Beatles did put out a number of songs with Indian influences) - and there was another one in the mid 1980's -- so we're due for another big "invasion" -- it wou ...[text shortened]... ade featured a big influx of japanese rock and indian east-west fusion music into the US.
There has been the occasional good artist with big commercial success, but in general I wouldn't trust the taste of the general populace. And with the internet, who still needs radio? Elevators, maybe?
You'll find some of these records in bigger US record stores, though.
Originally posted by KazetNagorra There are a couple of Indian immigrants to the west which have fused eastern and western music styles with moderate commercial success; e.g. Karsh Kale, Talvin Singh. Ravi Shankar was successful in the west for a couple of decades (though I prefer the works of his nephew Ananda). Japanese rock bands have had some occasional success in the west; for exam ...[text shortened]... . You shouldn't have much trouble finding some Tuvan throat singing either (e.g. Huun-Huur-Tu).
There are similarities. We're culturally, financially (well this might change) and militarily dominant, self absorbed, and the center of the scientific world.
Is the US culturally the "new" France?
20 Apr '10 15:53
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