================================================ Subject: ac/dc From: "Marc Levitt" To: Date: Sat 3 Nov 2001 19:12:17 -0500 ================================================ It's interesting that you mention AC/DC. As a band, they are quite canned as well. Their thematic material is obviously borrowed from artists like Ozzy Ozbourne and, again, Black Sabbath. But the niche they fill in the rock n' roll world is of a very different sort. They are an extreme example of power metal, the type of music specifically mean to appeal to testosterone. In that way, they are innovators. That is not to praise the technical value of their work. It isn't stunning. But they stand out more as a phenomenon than anything else, a band whose extreme behavior and history makes them both media and jock darlings. I mentioned St. Augustine because his "Confessions" is arguably the most influential Christian literature. And every last trial and tribulation described in songs like "My Own Prison" and "Illusion" mirror Augustine's ruminations and reflections of self-torment. Augustine, however, explores these thoughts with amazing introspective detail. Creed lyrics are like a bad xerox copy of a SUMMARY of "Confessions." So, they lack the depth of a real self-exploration and then they fail to present even the superficial struggle with any impressive force. As to the technical questions regarding Creed's music, there can be no doubt about what I said in my previous mail. Analogy: When we were in high school, they taught us to write essays based on an outline. The structure was basic. It usually involved an introduction which presented the thesis, several body paragraphs which substantiated the larger claim of the paper, and a conclusion which summarized the findings and reiterated important points. After leaving high school, however, one finds that writing a paper or creating a project is a much more difficult and involved thing. Oftentimes, to improve one's work and ensure clarity, the mold needs to be broken. One paper can encompass several theses, multiple topics, and bring in thoughts from several sources. The task of the writer then becomes organizing and arranging myriad ideas into a coherent whole. Creed's music is like a high school paper. Sure, it does everything a paper needs to, but it doesn't do anything to go that step beyond. It doesn't bring force and clarity through innovation and technical manipulation. It's formulaic. True mastery of music means the ability to break the mold. But almost all Creed songs (there are exceptions) wear their structure and progression on their sleeves. It's easier to consume, as is a high school paper, but it is unevolved. To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp