These days, it seems like having fun or making jokes is frowned upon. Everything is overthought, overwrought, and overbought. Entertainment consists of force-fed, focus-grouped pop culture irony sandwiched between virtue signaling references to the cause de jour. It sucks. But, as Chris Janson sings, "I can't fix that but I can fix a drink!"
Country musicians and their fans realize that sometimes if you want to have fun you have to make some and if you want to be funny in humorless times, you have make fun of yourself. Singing about boot-scooting and beer drinking provide cultural touchstones that build a sense of community. Of course, any self respecting country boy would proudly display a sticker of Calvin peeing on the phrase "cultural touchstones that build a sense of community" on the back of his F-150. Enjoy the tunes!
Monday, February 19, 2018
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Trailer Trad Tunes: The Rural Romanticism of New Country
Country music today offers many things that are sorely missing from most popular music. The first thing I'd like to point out is how deeply emotional some of my favorites are. Many many describe this as sentimentality at best or cold Music City manipulation at worst. Regardless, where else does this old fashioned humanity exist in modern music? As much as I like many alternative music genres, very few songs plumb much emotional depth besides EMO rebellious alienation. Hipster Americana and New Grass engage in ironic mimicking of various emotions, sure, but real emotions like love often ring hollow for me.
The messages of the lyrics and the imagery in the videos are surprising considering its popularity with men. Lyrics usually consist of men idolizing women and hoping to marry one by promising them the moon or by laying out romantic plans. These don't seem like hollow pickup artist ploys but heartfelt renderings of classic, American love.
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