Review Summary: Hey. Sexy ladies.
Sometimes, in the being and form that we call life, we find ourselves lost. Now although committing to sit everyday and aspiring for buddha-like sensibilities helps you in your path, you cannot discover your true self without first understanding that nothing begins and ends with you.
Im still confused. I don't understand life, and it's the only one i have. I don't understand women, i don't understand why you can't freeze snowflakes, i don't understand why the Enterprise doesn't have security cameras, i don't understand why Green Day still makes music, and i don't understand PSY.
Really. I dont understand the name, the album cover, the song titles, or even his goddamned image. Is it so bad it's good? Or is it so good that we hate liking it? Are our opinions of PSY based on our listening, or on what people around us think?
You know, i have no clue. I used to think that truly good music reflected a time, or a place or an emotion. All of my favorites followed that criteria, anyway. My personal favorite album, Aqualung by Jethro Tull always evoked strong emotions for me. When I bump 36 Chambers I am taken back to a time when hip-hop was a tool for mass destruction. When I drop my needle on Sgt. Peppers I am reminded of a trance/psychedelic summer of love, even though I wasn't there. Hell, I even remember listening to the newest Fleet Foxes album outside in the morning snow-laden woods behind my house. PSY evokes none of these feelings. But PSY does evoke joy.
I mean, isn't that the point? Why do we watch a film like The Godfather? Is it to feel horrible knowing we can all turn evil at any second, and that a man can be changed by a singular act so significantly that he signs his own death? No, it's because we marvel at the film. To watch a thrilling tale acted, written, and shot so well brings us joy in the form of sadness. We love to read Lord of the Flies not because we want to watch children murder each other. We have *** like the Hunger Games for that! We read it because it is thrilling to us, and that brings us pleasure (All of this is based on personal taste, of course).
So listening to this album all the way through, I still can't decide what PSY is going for. The opener, Blue Frog, Is actually instrumentally very entertaining. The vocals even hold my attention. But again, it's just a nagging feeling that all of this...is just a joke. And no, not at like PSY's openly gay cousin Tenacious D. PSY isn't the kid in your class who thinks Rihanna invented music, or that Linkin Park is as good as rock gets. He's the guy who listens to good music. He probably grew up with a few Dylan records. But he isn't making anything like the music he used to appreciate. He is making horrible, commercial pop crap and he knows It. He doesn't hide it like Kes%$!ha. He walks onstage and practically smiles at the camera and says “Hey, kids. Thanks for buying my *** records”. He does it with class, and, forgive me, “swag”. When I see this guy, I notice his love for being loved. I sense his affection for making people dance. His tracks are tinged with a desire to please music fans, and then doused with sugar bubble-gum coated pop to make his legions of fans dance up and down horse stables.
Does this mean it's good or bad? If PSY doesnt want to be taken seriously, should we take him seriously? Is this kind of self referential/self parody/self satire joking that made Weezer a *** band?
So no. PSY is not good music. It will not inspire anyone to build monuments or paint naked girls. But you will be thoroughly entertained.
