James Blunt. Yea or nae?

[kabbes]

And yet... what Chairman Meow posted was obviously an opinion. So why all the toys out of the pram?

No, it was antagonistic. It was not a statement that he merely did not like it -- it was a statement that it is "twee". By stating such, there is a clear implication that anybody that likes the music must like things that are "twee", which is not a particularly nice thing to say about somebody's tastes. It puts them in the position of not being able to merely say that, actually, they do like it but rather of suddenly having to defend the music from being "twee". This is confrontation and thus we have an argument.

If you can't see the difference in context between even "this is shite" and "this is twee shite" and what it says about opinion vs. fact then you need to pay a bit more attention to nuance in language.

 

[ViolentPanda]

So what, in your incredibly educated opinion, constitutes GOOD?

It doesn't matter. The Chairman, just as you are, is venturing an opinion.

One might as well ask "what, oh great kabbes, makes your opinion any more well-informed than the Chairman's?", mightn't one?

 

[kabbes]

Yes, an opinion that it is "twee". For that kind of opinion, it isn't unreasonable to expect some back-up. An explanation of exactly what defines "twee" and how Blunt fits into that category. And then why this is a bad thing. Otherwise it is just elitist posturing, wouldn't you say?

 

[ViolentPanda]

Course it is. But to declare it as an absolute fact is just bein antagonistic for the sake of it. It's being elitist.

It would be elitist, if anyone had actually, as you claim, declared it "as an absolute fact".

Unfortunately for your argument, no-one has.

 

[moomoo]

Goodness, I didn't think it was possible to actually have a row about whether James Blunt was crap or not!

 

[The Groke]

Yes, an opinion that it is "twee". For that kind of opinion, it isn't unreasonable to expect some back-up. An explanation of exactly what defines "twee" and how Blunt fits into that category. And then why this is a bad thing. Otherwise it is just elitist posturing, wouldn't you say?

So if someone were to venture the opinion that it was "good" you would also expect them to explain what defines "good" and how Blunt fits into that category?



I said I thought his music was "trite".

Do I need to explain that?

Is that somehow not a valid opinion or an aggressive/insulting because it is a negative one?

Does that mean that I automatically assume that anyone who likes Blunt is therefore also "trite"

you need to pay a bit more attention to nuance in language.

I am beginning to think that it is you who are lacking a grip on the practical workings of language....

 

[The Groke]

Goodness, I didn't think it was possible to actually have a row about whether James Blunt was crap or not!

I think this is actually a row about whether kabbes is crap or not.

 

[Structaural]

Goodness, I didn't think it was possible to actually have a row about whether James Blunt was crap or not!

I'm stunned!

 

[ViolentPanda]

Yes, an opinion that it is "twee". For that kind of opinion, it isn't unreasonable to expect some back-up. An explanation of exactly what defines "twee" and how Blunt fits into that category. And then why this is a bad thing. Otherwise it is just elitist posturing, wouldn't you say?

Nope.
The Chairman's opinion does presuppose a certain standard of familiarity with the meaning of certain words, but nothing beyond the ken of an averagely literate person. A look at the lyrics of the tracks to his first album show that they do fit the type of sentimentality that some people would define as "twee".
I'm surprised that someone whose employment presumably relies on analytical thinking hasn't worked that much out for themselves.

Now if someone had said "all xxxxx (insert choice of genre) music is shite", you'd have a point about elitism, but decrying one artist whose work does, in parts, fit the criteria the Chairman set out, doesn't even begin to constitute "elitist posturing".

 

[El Jefe]

Yes, an opinion that it is "twee". For that kind of opinion, it isn't unreasonable to expect some back-up. An explanation of exactly what defines "twee" and how Blunt fits into that category. And then why this is a bad thing. Otherwise it is just elitist posturing, wouldn't you say?

Jesus wept

How can you be this stupid and yet still type?

 

[alfajobrob]

I love this pisstake of him.

 

[Augie March]

What a bizzare argument this is.

For the record, I class Belle and Sebastian as being twee, but still think they're fantastic. So I don't see anything wrong with being a bit twee.

Unless of course you're James Blunt. In which case it's shite. This is also a bona-fide fact backed up by prolific scientific research.

Also, saying twee repeatedley is quite fun, because it sounds a bit like you're saying wee.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Goodness, I didn't think it was possible to actually have a row about whether James Blunt was crap or not!

Obviously some people like his stuff, or he wouldn't have impinged on our collective consciousness quite so much.

Then again, any man who becomes his own rhyming slang so soon after charting...

 

[ViolentPanda]

I think this is actually a row about whether kabbes is crap or not.

Probably not, as I can't see a basis on which to argue the case.

 

[Tank Girl]

it was a day full of disgust and dismay when nearly all my female relatives told me that they liked james blunt

 

[foo]

did you argue with them about this oh so important issue tanks?

i hope you did!

 

[Tank Girl]

I think I probably just went "oh dear"

two of them went as far as going to see him in concert

 

[ViolentPanda]

it was a day full of disgust and dismay when nearly all my female relatives told me that they liked james blunt

(((((Tankie)))))

 

[Tank Girl]

thanks VP, I need the support (they all read the daily mail as well )

(((((((((me)))))))))))

 

[Structaural]

Someone once wrote a superb Blunt bashing piece on here - but I can't remember who...

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Has anyone else now got "You're Beautiful" going through their head If it doesn't stop soon may have to cut my ears off

 

[dodgepot]

do you think when he's making love to a lady, he looks down at them, looks them in the eye and starts singing "you're beautiful...."?

 

[Chairman Meow]

Has anyone else now got "You're Beautiful" going through their head If it doesn't stop soon may have to cut my ears off

Me.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

do you think when he's making love to a lady, he looks down at them, looks them in the eye and starts singing "you're beautiful...."?

Only if he's tied them to the bed posts first so they can't get away

 

[Wookey]

I really would like to like him because anyone who plays guitar and sings should be quite likeable, but I found that I'm actually allergic to his accent, it brings me out in hives. My fists start to bunch up when I hear him speaking, it's quite disconcerting.

I saw him in his army uniform on a TV clip show the other day, and I had to take my boots off to prevent my foot from automatically kicking the screen in.

Maybe I could get some antibluntamenes from the chemist? I imagine he'll be an annual event now, like the pollen returning, or the grass cutting season.

>PS: You wait 6 years for a new smiley and some joker chooses this cunt.

PPS: What's it supposed to mean? It looks like me putting my contact lenses in...!

 

[ViolentPanda]

do you think when he's making love to a lady, he looks down at them, looks them in the eye and starts singing "you're beautiful...."?

If he did, he could cause a vomit reflex in the poor girl which would include pelvic muscle spasms, hopefully kneading his cock like a turbocharged bread-making machine.

He wouldn't need to sing falsetto any more after that, it'd be his natural range!

 

[Chairman Meow]

If he did, he could cause a vomit reflex in the poor girl which would include pelvic muscle spasms, hopefully kneading his cock like a turbocharged bread-making machine.

He wouldn't need to sing falsetto any more after that, it'd be his natural range!

You bastard. That's a mental picture I did not need.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I really would like to like him because anyone who plays guitar and sings should be quite likeable, but I found that I'm actually allergic to his accent, it brings me out in hives. My fists start to bunch up when I hear him speaking, it's quite disconcerting.

I saw him in his army uniform on a TV clip show the other day, and I had to take my boots off to prevent my foot from automatically kicking the screen in.

Maybe I could get some antibluntamenes from the chemist? I imagine he'll be an annual event now, like the pollen returning, or the grass cutting season.

>PS: You wait 6 years for a new smiley and some joker chooses this cunt.

PPS: What's it supposed to mean? It looks like me putting my contact lenses in...!

I think it's a "paranoid" smilie, looking round for all those people who are out to get it.

 

[ViolentPanda]

You bastard. That's a mental picture I did not need.

Sorry, I just felt the need to share.

 

[Structaural]

found it - it was exosculate:

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=139352&highlight=blunt