| What
a task it was compiling all of the songs. You would be surprised at the number of
responses that we received from that Top 100 List. Some people praised us for being so
honest and admitting that we liked commercial house and others completely lambasted us for
not listing more of the underground stuff that is making its way onto the charts. As
result we began adding readers’ suggestions to the end of the list. But as human
nature has it, you can please some of the people some of the time, but never all of the
people all of the time! The following is a paraphrase from the email we received:
“Sometimes I think that it is I who is the freak. I research music for a living. I
read your Top 100 Songs, how can you overlook artists like Moby, Prodigy and Felix? What you have here are Top 40 pop songs with a
faster than average BPM”.
Our
response to the email was as follows:
“Dance
Music, while very finely crafted in some instances is also total crap in many others.
Despite your thoughts, dance music, fortunately for many of us is extremely subjective and
can be interpreted in many different ways.”
“We
here at NAJM (No Attitude Just Music) are promoting a new movement called Melodic House -
wherein the artistry of dance goes back to the performer - simply said, we like vocals and
we like house. Artists like Prodigy simply do not appeal to our tastes and certainly don't
fit a house vocal bill. I'd venture to say that a group like Prodigy wouldn't stand a
chance in hell of selling units if they didn't have a label like Maverick behind them.
Have you noticed that "Play" by Moby contains many more lyrics than his previous
work - that he is releasing CD/Vinyl singles specific to house music? Moby has C2/Columbia
behind him pumping units out and sponsoring him on a tour with Bush, whom I don't think I
don't have to remind you is not dance, but alternative.”
“You
may have noticed that we've amended the list to reflect what some of our other readers
thought was appropriate - if you'd like to be included, send us your list and we'd be
happy to post it.”
And
here is the visitor’s response to NAJM: “I disagree with what you say
fundamentally, but I defend to the death your right to say it. Your reply was well
constructed and I must I admit very polite considering the prickly gauntlet a laid down
before you. Because my musical taste are so subjective, I can tell the difference between
a "well crafted" and a badly crafted record, from Prodigy to the Pet Shop Boys.
By the way, if you're ranking records on their dancabilty and their commercial buoyancy,
why on earth "New York City Boy" and not "West End Girls"-commonly
know as 'dance noir'. The records in your list are great for a certain age group-under 15s
or over 35's, because the grooves are basic and the lyrics are very simple. Don't tell me
about Moby. Play was a phenomenon. Word of mouth, I really believe helped it top the
charts this album blurs musical boundaries, every one loves it, this is the Raging Bull of
albums, get my drift.”
DJPJ
Continues:
In
hindsight, this email smacks of elitist attitude. Come on, to put “Smack My Bitch
Up” by Prodigy on the same chart as Martha Wash or Abigail is downright communist as
far as I’m concerned. People can’t understand why dance music isn’t taken
seriously. I’ll tell you why! “Shut
the F_ck Up and Dance” is a classic example. The song has no merit, yet somehow not
only charts, but gets spun by many DJ’s who label it as “hard house” Huh?
What is “hard house”? Some say,
it’s some genre made up by some whack like me who wants to put a label on something
but can’t figure out what it sounds like. So it’s easier just to make up a new
one.
I
say it’s Bullshit. It’s either one or the other. The site visitor is right on
one issue, “Play” by Moby was a good album. I wouldn’t say it’s great,
but overall a stellar effort. I do stand by my position that the reason it’s done so
well is because a) it is a good album; but also b) Moby has a major label behind him
who’s able to sponsor a DJ tour and who has the capital to push units. The dance
market is so fragmented by the very community who are endorsing these different types of
genres. Why is the dance community allowing Jive to market Britney Spears as a dance
artist? Because they have the money! Britney is a pop artist whose label is making ok
sounding mixes for the masses.
I
respect your right to like Adrenaline or Prodigy, and dance music is very subjective. Just
don’t criticize us for putting a list together that didn’t include artists we
don’t care for. And furthermore with regards to your comment about the Pet Shop Boys;
“while “West End Girls” was a great dance track, “New York City
Boy” (Almighty Mix) has much better dance elements”. If you’d read our review of the Pet Shop
Boys in concert, you’d realize that only some things get better with age.
On
a final note, we did receive a suggestion to include Britney Spears’ “Baby One
More Time” to our Top 100 List. After careful consideration, we declined the request.
Could you just imagine the emails THAT one would have generated?
DJPJ |
Return to NAJM Home Page