elf (01/05/83)
A lot of strange statements have recently been made regarding Laurie Anderson and minimalism. Is she really fashionable? Soft Cell--yes, Peter Gabriel--yes, but LA? A strange new strain of pretension has been going around lately, the I-am-holier-than-those-who-think-they're-holy syndrome. American record reviews of English music (e.g. in Stereo Review or High Fidelity) are often laced with it. rlr seems smitten with the disease. I'm not sure what toothpicks have to do with Anderson's art. I suppose anyone who uses unconventional metaphors is dull-headed? Regarding "minimalist" music as soothing. Well, Anderson's music is anything but soothing to me. I would be very careful not to generalise the music of people like Reich and Glass. Glass' new album, Glassworks, is absolutely compelling. Reich's old tape loop stuff has never failed to put me to sleep, but Octet, Music for a large ensemble, and several others are fascinating soundscapes. It pays to listen before labelling. In Eno's "Ambient" series, compare his recent album #4, with his collaboration with Jon Hassell (#2, I believe). I think both are superb albums, but it is hard to listen to #4 as a foreground album unless you have headphones on, whereas it is impossible for me to put #2 into the background. I am happy there are people out there who like to discuss this sort of music. Eugene Fiume utcsrgv!elf